Ted Koppel, Anchor Provocateur Barbed Questions Stir a Heated Debate

[cthrumatrix]

Ted Koppel, Anchor Provocateur
Barbed Questions Stir a Heated Debate
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 10, 2003; Page C01


DURHAM, N.H., Dec. 9

In a third-floor conference room in Washington last Thursday afternoon, Ted Koppel decided it was time to talk about the pink elephant in the room.

more

Koppel and ABC wanted controversy, and as the journalists and operatives poured out onto the snow-covered campus, it was clear they had gotten it, in spades.

Koppel, reached at dinner, dismissed the complaints. "Was anyone concerned that the past 25 debates were too interesting?" he asked. The candidates, he said, "needed something to dislodge them a little bit. If I can be the catalyst, that's fine."

The newsman was not concerned that he had come under fire during the debate: "If you push hard, you're going to get pushed back. That's fair enough."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A50994-2003Dec9?language=printer


My complaint is these "tactics" are never used with bush...perhaps if we had a "probing media" we wouldn't be in such a mess. Let's see Koppel interview * in the same way.

[greyl]

1. Koppel should have brought up the fake turkey, cheney-halli,

election 2000, yellow cake, etc if he wanted honest controversy.

Then he pats himself on the back at the end and says " you guys look better when you're angry, and have someone to tick you off"? "I'm Ted and I did you a favor by being a dickhead?"

Bunch of garbage.

The Dems are already fucking Ticked OFF!

Hey Ted! Who owns ABC? Too controversial for ya?

[screembloodymurder]

2. Koppel is a whore

and Rove is his pimp! He deserves to be fired.

[Hubert Flottz]

3. RE: "Let's see Koppel interview * in the same way."

Yes I'd love to see that! I'm glad Mr Kerry took a slap at Ted Capo! Ted lost my vote forever! The D-9 bulldozed Ted all night long I thought! I kept thinkin', "Ted has been wearin' his Wig too tight!"

[greyl]

5. Ted realizes that he's dependant on Mongolian rats for

his fucking horrid Hair Hat!
Mongolia is the only source, and if I don't steal it what the-(oh, I can buy it?..uhhhh) The war for Mongolian Rat Hair is the voice of Providence!" "Al Sharpton, D.Kucinich-your campaigns have no money, therefore you both suck, why are you bothering with this democratic process?"...

"Kill more Inuit whales to satiate my hairhat glue needs...admit it. The murder is necessary."

[Hubert Flottz]

9. Was it just me or did Y'all notice it too?

I couple of times last night I could have sworn I could see that thing on Ted's head breathing! I think he's using Kathreene Harris's make up team!

[0007]

4. Koppel is catching much heat on Washington Journal this morning -

And rightly so! It was poorly thought out.

[joeunderdog]

27. I thought Ted looked bad and the candidates looked good.

My take was that the aggressive strategy didn't undress any of the candidates and that, by and large, they held up very well under antagonistic questions that ultimately backfired.

MY favorite responses of the night were from Sharpton and Kucinich after Ted Koppel asked them the "You have no money, you're doing poorly in the polls, when are you going to give up?" question. Sharpton thought that since he had the least money and a disproportionate amount of votes, that he was the most qualified candidate to balance the budget! Kucinich said that maybe the media should stop talking about money and polls as a way of avoiding the issues that really effect Americans, and that he would still let Ted cover his inauguration to help his career. Both candidates essentially fired back that the problem is that MONEY shouldn't determine a campaign's success, that polls are bogus and manipulative and that the RW media attacks Democrats (WINK, WINK). It was priceless.

[0007]

32. They were my two favorites for the night also!

....and Kucinich said he would apologize to no one for the way he felt or believed.

[keopeli]

6. Ted Koppel - An apology for his behavior

I'm not sure what Mr. Koppel's motives were tonight, though I tend to believe him. The last I heard, he was fighting for his job so that we would be spared another mindless comedy job in his time slot. I also have heard some of his shows and I believe that he is a very qualified journalist. As he is an expert in this field, I tend to trust his motives.

I wrote more at this thread if you're interested, but in a game as complicated as the media game, I believe we need to trust those that know what they are doing, and be able to discern who they are credibly.

Link to other thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=866637

[Mountainman]

20. I wanted to here the candidates views not Koppel's job protection act!

Screw Koppel's reasons. It was a Presidential debate. If he needs to do something for himself do it someplace else. We needed to hear the candidates views on the issues not Koppel?s bull shit views.

[imax2268]

7. He disgusted me...

and right off the bat, the question about Gore backing Dean was inexscusable...he did that to start shit towards Dean from the other candidates...I'm sure that he knew that it would create a huge backlash on Dean...

just my take on that one...

Koppel has lost some respect from me...I still watch nightline though...

[ixion]

8. indeed, Ted, someone needs to talk to the Monkey King about Pink Elephants

It's easy to throw barbed questions to potential candidates... but the tough questions really need to be asked of the * cabal. They've got more pink elephants in the room than a worldwide drunkard convention. :evilgrin:

[DrBB]

10. The reporter is not supposed to become the story

When he does, something has gone wrong. In the same way, the moderator in the debates is not supposed to be the story either. Koppel's antics seem to be the story of this debate, much more so than anything the candidates said.

Therefore he fucked up, QED.

[DeepModem Mom]

11. A rare kind word for Howard Kurtz...

for writing this column. He, at least, highlighted Koppel's performance, and presented both sides. And his quote from Joe Klein was a good one: "Those kinds of questions about polling and money might have been appropriate in an election where nothing's really at stake."

[trumad]

12. Didn't Tom Brokaw have that same type of meeting

with his staff just before last debate... It's all about them and not the American public....

[Media_Lies_Daily]

13. One "atta-boy" fails to make up for years of crappy reporting.

[DeepModem Mom]

14. I agree --

but I think it helps to communicate with these people occasionally in a positive way, when they are relatively fair. I never waste my time on Fox, Rush, etc., however.

[frogbison]

15. The first two questiions to Kerry

were "what do you think about what Howard Dean did or said blah blah blah...."

[demdave]

16. I liked the questions, where is a transcript of the debate???

At least you didn't fall asleep during last nights debate. I don't think there were any questions asked last night that haven't been mentioned in these boards recently. Our final choice of candidate has to be able to take the heat and think on their feet. I didn't see any of the candidates drop the ball last night. Kucinich not only fielded the tough questions, he even slapped a few back into Ted's face. Sharpton was, as always, the most interesting and amuising speaker. They all handled the heat very impressively.

I did, however, miss the first 15 minutes. If anyone knows where I can get the transcript of the debate, I would be very thankful. Thanks.

[grannylib]

19. Here's one

http://www.fednews.com/transcript.htm?id=20031209t1000&nquery=&query=

[lfairban]

34. Here's one that doesn't require a subscription.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50859-2003Dec9.html

[Dover]

17. Maybe he was hoping to provoke another "F" word from the

candidates. Kerry almost obliged. If Ted wanted to stir things up he could have done it by using their differences on some important topic. Instead he settled for something along the lines of Jerry Springer. It was pathetic.

[resident bunnypants]

18. Koppel is a dick alwas has been always will be.

But something "good" may come out of this. It may very well be that whoever the nominee ends up being will know what to expect from the whores during the election (if we have one). I think that way they will be better prepared for the coming onslaught during the campaign. the next time one of these jerkoffs get all sanctimonious the cnadidates should bring up past interviews with the Monkey as an example of how "fair" they really are.

[Redbear]

21. I think Koppel is great.

He doesn't do softball questions.

[gauguin57]

22. what in the hell?

Don't you people know that Ted Koppel is one of the last people on network news we can trust? "Nightline" is more "hardball" than "Hardball" could ever, EVER be. And Ted is one of the few national news people who don't socialize with all their sources. He studiously avoids the Washington social scene because he feels it's inappropriate to be tittering and gossipping with the people he has to back into a corner on his show.

So, Ted tried something a little different. I missed a lot of the debate, but of what I saw, what he did didn't bother me. Every time I turn on one of the Dem. debates, I go glassy-eyed ... it's always the same thing. Blah, blah, blah. I get so depressed.

I refuse to fault a newsman I respect for deciding to try something a little different. There have been so many debates with this cast of thousands on the stage ... why do they all have to be the same?

And, when directly asked about his hair, Koppel told a newsman recently, "I know, I know ... unfortunately, it's really mine," and something to the effect that if he had a toupee, it would look a heck of a lot better than this.

[resident bunnypants]

23. I'm sure his good friend Henry Kissinger would agree.

Next time they go hot tubbing together I'm sure he'll ask him the tough questions we all like.

[elcondor]

28. There is a difference

between softball questions and asking questions for the sake of provocation. Koppel didn't ask the questions he did to make the candidates think and/or give candid answers, he did it to stir things up. He's no better than Jerry Springer.

[trapper914]

40. Exactly

Debates aren't designed for entertainment. You have 9 candidates and plenty of issues to cover. Questions about endorsements and fundraising are great in one-on-one interviews with the candidates, but have no bearing in a debate format.

If ABC is concerned the debates are boring, they shouldn't carry them. Turning them into a "rumble" is a disservice to the candidates and to the American people.

[littlejoe]

24. Koppel isn't Mike Wallace,

and this wasn't some 60 Minutes ambush interview, with Wallace badgering people into submission. Koppels actions were uncalled for, and didn't belong in a presidetial contender's debate. There are pointed questions that can and should be asked, but it should be done in a professional manner, not in a condescending, and utterly insulting way.

[realFedUp]

25. Maybe this is where we all can agree- Koppel sucked

This is what happens when big media and the DNC run
these debates.

[gauguin57]

26. don't throw out the baby with the bathwater

is all I'm sayin'

I don't believe one debate with too many silly questions about process instead of issues doesn't make Ted Koppel a bad journalist or a bad guy.

As a Democratic voter, I was very interested to see the reaction of the candidates when the question about the Gore endoresement (the "raise your hand" question) was posed. Uncomfortable moment ... but telling.

[monobrau]

29. Toss that baby

I have to disagree. The opportunity to moderate a presidential debate should be considered an honor and carries a big responsibility. A journalist in this position represents "we the people", and has the key to bringing out the candidate's positions for voters to consider.
Koppel failed his mission miserably, choosing to serve the interests of ABC instead of the people.
That makes him a lousy journalist and a first class schmuck in my book.

[Redbear]

30. In my opinion thats what debates should be

The answers to the really tough, uncomfortable questions are what I will base my decison on.

Not who gives the best canned answer to: What should we do about Iraq?


Imagine a debate between any Dem and Bush this next fall:

Option A: Happyface journalist asks softball questions. Dem gives great answers. Bush gives the programmed, manipulative answers prepared by Rove and Karen. They will make him look presidetial.

Option B: Somone like Koppell asks embarrassing questions. Dem still gives great answers but now Bush has to go off on his own and would look like the bumbling idiot he actually is.

[DemonFighterLives]

35. Option B

But when will anyone bring up issues of how everything has gone to hell in a handbasket since W was selected.
Phony elections, Flying our most secret plane into China, Stand down on 9/11 and ignoring warnings from Clinton Admin., failed foreign policy, failed domestic policy, Anthrax attacks, mailbox bomber, serial snipers, shuttle destruction, Kenny Boy, dissing the UN, dropping out of important treaties, I'm sure I could go on forever.
Diebold, Ahnold, Wellstone, John O'neil, Cheney's New World Order, PNAC, OSP, Terror Market, TIA, 9/11 stonewalling, shock and awe when unnecessary,War profiteering, budget busting. I'm tired. I wish I could ask the questions.

[0007]

33. I hate that saying', 'tis about as stupid as the broken clock...

being right twice a day.

Goddamnit! we're only got so much time and it can't be wasted with a fuck head like Koppel. Ted Koppel is a journeyman and a well paid professional and ya can't tell me he doesn't know any better. So where did he get his marching orders from? You got it, Headquarters, the main man. Who owns ABC?

[bobthedrummer]

31. From all reports Dennis Kucinich turned the interview around

on it's head.

[Pastiche423]

37. Kucinich

spoke to the people about how the media was trying to frame the debate and the campaigns. And the people (audience) ovewhelmingly responded enthusiastically to him.

I cringed when I heard Koppel ask his inane and disgustingly stupid question to the candidates w/the smallest amount of campaign funds. I wanted to believe Koppel was trying to expose the media for the whores they are, but he either sucked at it, or he showed himself to be a whore as well.

Last night, Dennis was the best! He was more composed and articulate than I have ever seen him. It is obvious today, that his message was heard and validated.

[grasswire]

36. I believe this was an aberration for Koppel

Anyone who regularly watches Nightline could only have respect for Koppel's professionalism. He's been pounding the administration every stinking night for months.

I wasn't happy with his questions. But that doesn't mean that I think he is a scumbag. He just fell in the trap of covering the horse race.

Now, Anderson Cooper did a fine debate on CNN. THAT was a debate.

[lfairban]

38. Debate re-play on C-SPAN 2 now.

about half over.

[nolabels]

39. NIce Corporate Whore

Every time that guy came on I knew I was going to hear the corporate line, and I did. It or he was always trying to twist it back to being about being about the money. He was trying to interject fears not being able to get oil from Iraq ,which is also about money.

I would rather pay $3.76 for a gallon of gas than 50 to 70% of my taxes to instigate terror around the world. They shouldn’t call if fair trade, they should call it by its real name Piracy by corporations

Most people would be ahead if they had real free trade

[goforit]

41. Ahhh......the difference is the threats aimed right at the media.

But their time will come.

The media knows that they are working against the MOB.
If the MOB wants a Disneyland, then you have to give it to them.

[MODemocrat]

42. All these old geezers love Bush's tax breaks for the richest

It's really in vogue to put the democrats down these days. Every time
one of the over paid news media opens their mouth, it is to help G.W.
Hell, if I was filthy rich, maybe I'd be the same way, but it's very
doubtful. That's why I'm a democrat; I believe in tolerance of other people, and my heart goes out to the many poor and needy people. I'm going to quit watching the news, David Letterman, Jay Leno, and all the rest of those greedy and boring has-beens.
:puke: :argh: :freak:

[young_at_heart]

43. 'Fair's fair.'............repeat with Bush

For some inexplicable reason Bush is not held accountable for very much by our liberal media.....time for a change!

[SemperEadem]

44. I think that if Bush were set down in front of Koppel

Bush would disintegrate. Hell, I would disintegrate and I haven't done anything on the scale of Bush. His handlers know this and aren't about to put him in front of someone can flay him alive with words alone. And you know Koppel will be ready for him.

If nothing else, Bush's people will see to it that he is not placed in any light that will confirm his ineptness. Bush cannot win a reasoned argument because he has none.