On Feingold, DeLay and Couric

[BobcatJH]

On Russ Feingold

In only the latest example of why I will support Russ Feingold's 2008 presidential run, the Wisconsin senator spoke out Tuesday in support of same-sex marriage. He cited "a mean-spirited attempt" to discriminate against gay men and women in his home state, which is considering a statewide ban on gay marriage. Further, he went on record saying he supported legalizing the unions. Good.

Isn't it refreshing, progressives, to see one of our party's brightest lights not be afraid to follow the courage of his convictions? Isn't it refreshing to see someone refuse to give in to the hatred and bigotry that has so marked the right's attempts to legislate gay Americans into second-class citizenship? Isn't it refreshing to see a Democrat reaffirm this party's heritage of securing equal rights for all Americans, not just a select few?

Whether this stance will hurt Feingold is uncertain. Uncertain, too, is whether his Democratic colleagues will rally to his side, which they failed to do for his move to censure President Bush. But what is certain is that Feingold is a man of principles and our party's leading hope to fight for the progressive agenda. Also certain is that, once he becomes more of a known quantity to voters nationwide, they'll see the promise of a committed leader like Feingold.

On Tom DeLay

Nothing sickens me more than seeing Tom DeLay try to make himself appear to be a martyr for cutting and running from his office and re-election campaign. DeLay's excuses are as plentiful as the people he screwed while in office.

Look, there are two reasons DeLay left office. One, he was going to get hammered - pun intended - by Democratic challenger Nick Lampson. Two, he is going to get hammered - again, pun intended - in a court of law. Polling proved the former. Time will prove the latter. Plain and simple. So, instead of being a man and taking on both battles head-on, he quit. Like the coward he truly is.

Further, seeing the writing on the wall - and having it also pointed out to him by his Republican colleagues - DeLay felt the need to withdraw now. Why? So he could use the money he raised for his re-election into a legal-defense fund. While I already question the motives of anyone who would donate to DeLay, I suspect that few, if any, of his campaign benefactors thought they were giving money to keep him out of jail.

On Katie Couric

While I congratulate Katie Couric on leaving NBC's "Today" to anchor CBS's evening news, I would be lying if I told you it was good news for journalism. If CBS was trying to re-introduce credibility into its nightly news, it failed mightily. Sure, Couric is someone millions of Americans have come to know and love during her tenure at NBC. But early morning banter isn't early evening success. Not even close.

I look forward to her Couric's many insights, like when she said Wal-Mart was "as American as mom and apple pie." Or when she misrepresented the Democrats' applause at the most recent State of the Union address. Or when she falsely claimed to Howard Dean that Jack Abramoff had given Democrats money. Or when, talking about warrantless wiretapping, she presented the matter as a choice between "constitutional scholars" and Americans who "don't want another September 11."

Don't think for one minute that, because I'm not excited by this announcement, I'm against a woman anchor. Far from it. I, for instance, would rather see someone like Christiane Amanpour in Couric's place. But Amanpour's credibility and talent don't attract the same audience Couric will. And that's a shame.

Without a doubt, Couric is a trailblazer. And a pioneer in nightly news whose ascention is worthy of praise. But let's not pretend this was a "hard news" decision. No, it smacks of a "bottom line" decision. Producers don't want true investigative journalism these days. They want money. And what sells is looks. What sells is charm. What sells is flash. And every time we place what sells over what counts, journalism loses yet another battle in the war for its survival.

[displacedtexan]

1. The first time Barbie's friend Skipper (aka Katie Couric) has to...

... anchor a mine collapse or some other all-day tragedy, CBS will
figure out that her legs won't be worth a tinker's damn.

[dflprincess]

4. I hope they send her to the scene to cover a hurricane

that could be entertaining - I might even tune into CBS again for that.

I've pretty much always watched CBS, but that will end the day Couric takes over.

[adarling]

2. Great post

of course Delay would run with his tail between his legs. he is a republican ( a true one) that has no honor or anything. I am just glad he is gone, though i think we might see him soon again. Couric, i have lost all respect for. She use to be kinda nice to watch in the morning, but now the woman has crossed the line and become a fool. I do agree with you, I wish Amanpour would have been chosen, i think she is probably the best journalist in the business right now. I haven't seen her on CNN lately though.

[rodeodance]

3. thanks, I gree with your sentiments on Couric.--for me it hard to imagine

her banter getting anywhere near=='news'

On Katie Couric

While I congratulate Katie Couric on leaving NBC's "Today" to anchor CBS's evening news, I would be lying if I told you it was good news for journalism. If CBS was trying to re-introduce credibility into its nightly news, it failed mightily. Sure, Couric is someone millions of Americans have come to know and love during her tenure at NBC. But early morning banter isn't early evening success. Not even close.

I look forward to her Couric's many insights, like when she said Wal-Mart was "as American as mom and apple pie." Or when she misrepresented the Democrats' applause at the most recent State of the Union address. Or when she falsely claimed to Howard Dean that Jack Abramoff had given Democrats money. Or when, talking about warrantless wiretapping, she presented the matter as a choice between "constitutional scholars" and Americans who "don't want another September 11."