Pucker up for the camera (video)
October 28, 2005News & Politics
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Few exchanges I've seen so viscerally capture the problem of the fawning media better than this one [VIDEO], noticed by Atrios and captured by John Amato.
Interviewing Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley on what he's doing to get funds to Florida victims of Wilma and rescuing Americans stranded in Mexico, CNN's Kyra Phillips' tail is visibly between her legs. For his part, Grassley acted like a cornered animal. A cornered animal on valium that is. The unassuming Hawkeye drawl made his petulance with his "friend" (as he referred to her) that much creepier.
You can almost feel the pressure to not piss off the senator. He may stop giving you interviews altogether and just give them to Fox.
A sample... Atrios has the whole thing.
Grassley: I'm going to stop this because there's no sense in my having a confrontation with you, you're a friend and I appreciate what you're doing and I'm not going to give an on the spot answer because these things...
Phillips: I don't want to argue with you sir.
Grassley...these things take some thought. And I'm not going to make public policy on television.
Phillips: Could I ask you a question? Is there anything you could do right now as a senator as someone who does have a very good repurtion and you're right. You and I have a great reputation. I don't want to argue with you. I want to make that straight. I'm just asking. Is there anything you can do?(Atrios / Crooks & Liars)
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