New Title -- Nightline hitting HARD!

Is there ANYONE who will call it honestly? So far, from the intro, it looks like Ted is actually be a bit tougher thant the other love fests. Stay tuned!

ted koppel comes out swinging...

the changing reasons for war with Iraq...going back to Feb. 2001...

It's a must see...

Koppel says that it is very unlikely that he'll do another...

Scripted...ignored some reporters...they are hitting him hard...

yep, it sure was..

he didn't come out and say the word "script", but he did say something about "MUST CALLS" when pointing to a reporter

he had a freaking list on the podium of reporters that he MUST CALL on...

meanwhile - did you notice Condi and Rove -- neither of them looked happy with the way things were going

and Rove with his arms crossed -- body language says defensive positioning

And how the rationale has changed

This is pretty good!

so people will tune in!!

But now...the three "seasoned journalists" offer their review. Tweety had three ass kissers, plus Doris and Pat...who also did their fair of smooching. I hope these guys don't start saying it was strong and forceful, or I'll PUKE and waste all my good pho!

basically ignores the QUESTIONs...

I'm out here on the west coast...I'll catch it!

I sense another drip falling.

kick...

On Charlie Rose is killing him.

"Impervious to alternative points of view."

"Leaves people with a queasy feeling."

yikes, sounds serious!

Man, he was mad at the bushies!

Like, 'they're the ones who got us into this mess, and they darn sure better come up with a way to get us out'. Frowning. And 'darn' from him is like Goddam from most.

Never found a transcript, tho.

He evaded every question that had to do with taking responsibility

Ted: He seemed caught off guard several times....

n/t

They're telling the truth. Thank God.

I don't know if I should cry or bang my head against the wall. Tonight has been one of the most frustrating nights (for me) of the idiots residency.

is being brutaly truthful. The others are agreeing.... This did not play well with the punditocracy....

Saying his staff should have anticipated all q's asked tonight, but aWol seemed caught off guard?! Several times?!

Noted the 'Mistakes? Gimme a week or two." (a la Eisenhower/Nixon)

West Coastie here.

honest, no spin zone...even mentioned Iraqi casualties, and how thats turning the arab world MORE against us...

Nightline and CR...the only two reports I've seen tonight that weren't love fests for *

You won't be disappointed.

I got off on this one;

"Wash. Post reporter: Mr. President, why are you appearing before the 9/11 Commission with Vice President Cheney?

Bush: Fuck you. Next question...

WP (persisting): Mr. President, I meant why are you appearing before the 9/11 Commission together, as opposed to separately, as the Commission requested?

Bush (glaring): Seriously, dude -- fuck you. Weren't you listening the first time? Next question..."

Great!!

My perception was, "Why are you and VP Cheney testifying together,"

junior: Cuz we have things to say to the commissioners.

WP (persisting) : Why does it take two of 'ya?

junior: Cuz they want to hear what we have to say!

darn! I could have used it after tonight. Now it's just re-runs of the press conference on cable.

Honestly, I've been reading Ellen Goodman for YEARS, but I've NEVER seen her on TV doing the pundit thing!

Seems to me that ABC has really turned. They've hired Richard Clarke as a consultant -- by current whore standards, that's a pretty radical move, imho. Methinks they are dipping a toe in the water of actual journalism -- can it be?

sw

They can't sell this poorly budgeted and poorly cast presidency anymore. It just doesn't...work...anymore.

They've seen the approval ratings plummet, public wilting over visible carnage in Iraq and confessions of incompetence in the 9/11 hearings.

The suspension of disbelief in the neocon's public theatrics doesn't hold for the press corps who just want a good story to sell. They don't really care who gets killed in the story as long as it is marketable.

PICTURE THE PRESS CORPS TURNING TO EACH OTHER AND SAYING:
"THIS MOVIE SUCKS, DOESN'T IT? I'M GONNA PAN IT."

Ellen Goodman, one of the Nightline panelists, said she didn't really view it as a press conference, based on past standards, and that the questions largely went unanswered.

Koppel commented on how David Gregory (NBC) followed-up on a question posed by Terry Moran (ABC). Panelist Bob Deans (Cox newspapers) related that he spoke with David Gregory before the press conference, when Gregory stated "I hope we do follow up on each other's questions tonight."

(I was *hoping* just last night that this would finally happen, but wouldn't you think that this method of following up on other reporters' questions would be the norm, rather than the exception?)

Holy crap!! Bob Deans just commented on the fact that there was no mention of Iraqi civilian casualties in tonight's press conference, and that the civilian casualties in the last week number in the 100s and are increasing anti-American sentiment within Iraq and across the Middle East.

somehow the fear factor seems to be dissipating...

Let's see how this plays out. If they have decided that Bush is now fair game, that they can treat him how any president should be treated, then he really is toast.