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THE DAILY COMMENT

Pundit Pap

for Sunday, November 10th 1997

Sam Donaldson""Cokie" Roberts

Monday, November 10th 1997: Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts (who appears to have been elevated to a co-anchor) of Sunday morning's "This Week" continue their head-to-head struggle against Tim Russert's "Meet the Press." They're losing, with Russert following last week's star studded show with a full hour featuring none-other than a very candid President Bill Clinton, who, was his cool and collected-as-imaginable self.

Sam and sidekick Cokie were visibly perturbed knowing that anyone channel surfing between the two shows wouldn't spend much time on ABC. But there's more to the battle than meets the eye. Donaldson is tiresome and Roberts -- almost brawny in her presentation -- ought to take a few clues from none-other than Ariana Huffington and soften her image. Against Russert, the "This Week" team looks stiff with Bill Krystal and George Stephanopoulos providing the only 'warmth' on the show. George Will, the brightest of the regulars, belongs on BIll Buckley's "Firing Line" and is too often put in the position of being a pedagogue rather than an entertaining source of information for ABC Sunday morning audiences.

Tim Russert

Russert on the other hand is unaffectedly warm, almost folksy and asks tough intelligent questions comfortably while Donaldson seems nervous when confrontational. One would think Sam, who's been around a lot longer than Mr. Russert, would be more at ease when trying to pin down a pol on an issue. Maybe it's the hairpiece?

To be fair, NBC with the avid cooperation of America's most powerful elected officials, has been pulling out the stops for the past two weeks celebrating it's 50th year on television. Yesterday Russert and the President sat side by side watching a "meet the Press" retrospective which featured snippets of interviews with seemingly 'everyone' from Senator Joe McCarthy to Fidel Castro.

One has to believe that ABC moguls are re-examining the "This Week" team and hopefully will re-arrange things and add some new life to what I find a boring, tedious and often arrogant group and format. And one has to keep in mind that CBS' "Issues & Answers" isn't even on my map.

Enough said.

DETAIL

Yesterday's talk was centered around Fast Track voting in a rare Sunday House session (the odd team of Clinton/Gingrich lost), the GOP rout of Democrat contenders in last week's elections, Saddam Hussein's madness, and campaign finance.

FOX NEWS SUNDAY

The morning started out with Tony Snow's Fox News Sunday which gets better or worse depending on your point of view. One thing's for sure, Snow covers a lot of ground in his one hour show.

Up front, what stood out in my mind was Snow's continuation of his "racist" defensiveness in selecting an e-mail that claimed Brit Hume's remarks -- which to my and Juan William's minds smacked of latent Black bashing last week. Snow made the mistake of buttressing some off-the-wall remarks made by Hume the week of November 3rd, when Williams guardedly came unglued re same. Yesterday, toward the end of the show -- and giving Williams no chance to respond, Tony Snow read some "randomly collected" e-mail, one of which actually complimented Hume on his frank statements that smacked of pandering to conservative ideals which include - "you can't write a check to wipe out 300 years of racism in America" and "everyone can do it " Humism philosophies.

I thought Snow was treading on pretty thin ice to choose that particular piece of mail.

Tony Snow

But Snow could have made headlines on another issue yesterday if anyone had been watching. His first guest was Mississippi Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott who is still one presider over the state with the highest illiteracy rate in the nation. Snow, talking about Saddam, asked Lott, "Should we take him out?" followed by this inane question, "Do we have the strength to act unilaterally?" -- Chuckle. I'd say so Tony, we are the greatest and only military superpower.

Trent Lott

Lott, turned the question on reports that the Russians, the French, and the Arab states weren't going along for the ride. (That's because they need Iraqi oil) saying." I think we do, (have the strength) but we should have the French and the Russians go along with us." At least Lott knew we had the biggest Navy in world history.

Lott was concerned with weapons of biological warfare which everyone seems to think Saddam is hiding during this extended 'negotiation' period which everyone denies IS a negotiation period. The conversation left me looking out on the Manhattan skyline wondering if Anthrax would dissipate enough to spare me in Sandy Hook once it crossed the bay.

Snow switched to Fast Track status where the President and odd ally Newt Gingrich were teamed up against Clinton's own party, the left wing of which was eager to stop the bill, giving the White House an extension on its power to quickly negotiate trade deals. Lead by Dick Gephardt, wanna-be presidential contender, and girded by big labor, House Democrats were trying to scuttle the bill yesterday and they did.

Snow's segue was a question for Lott about how Fast Track might effect an upcoming US attack on Iraq. Lott answered, "Fast Track is going to be taken care of today. I don' t see an Iraq attack happening today."

Lott may have made a big boner there. As Senate Majority Leader he's privy to confidential millitary information and should not have telegraphed Saddam that he was safe from reprisals -- at least for Sunday.

Lott explained that fast track was also in trouble with some Republicans because it's linked to another bill which appropriates money that will make its way to foreign national pro-abortion campaigns.

Lott also pinged the President saying,"He's not been able to do his job, He doesn' t have more than 40-45 Democrat votes....if the president doesn't change the abortion language they could lose the foreign operations bill. He could lose it all, including the money for the UN, and State Department reorganization,. I told that to Madeleine Albright that last night."

So Lott talks to Albright on Saturday nights? It's good to see that someone's working overtime.

Snow went on to the IRS and Lott lashed out on what is sure to be the Republican tirade of 1998 and 2000, "We saw the horrors of what IRS has been doing.Taxes are the biggest issue on the GOP agenda. We should allow the people to keep more of their hard earned money. I support Newt Gingrich's $30 million study of IRS - THAT IS A TEENY WEENY BIT OF MONEY......."

Wow, a Republican saying $30 million is nothing?

But Lott put his foot in it and won the QUOTE OF THE WEEK award with this one: "We have reason to believe there's a lot more out there. We think the IRS director... misled the Senate when he said he wasn't aware of abuses.

"Are you calling the IRS Director a liar?," asked Snow.

Lott deferred.

You could hear Lott's audit ticket being punched at IRS headquarters

Snow went on to Fast Track with Congressman John Boehner on the right and Congressman Charlie Rangle on the left.

Here's how it went:

"It''s gonna be tough. It's for the future of the country," remarked Boehner.

"Charlie Rangle," asked Snow, "Why don't Democrats support their president?"

"Its just the insecurity of Americans about their jobs. Many communities are in depression," answered Rangle.

Snow retorts, "You've got the lowest unemployment rate in 25 years."

Charlie Rangle said, "... that's a great statistic for the nation, but some are hopelessly unemployed."

Boehner made the biggest gaff when he said that the bill would not be pulled nor held over because "we want to go home."

Wrong. The bill was held over and dickering goes on at this moment.

Dan Quayle

Snow's "highlight" of the day was a too long meet with former Vice President Dan Quayle who was, as usual, an embarrassment.

Snow baited the hook and Quayle swallowed when he talked about some people linking the Gay Rights movement to the Civil Rights movement of the 60s.

Quayle, who tries to be a master at twisting reality, but falls way short responded, "I don't believe that. We are tolerant (most Americans) If gays want to live like that fine, this is the real left agenda - they want approval and endorsement. This is their new intolerance."

The 'new intolerance?' What Quayle was trying to say to mislead voters was that it isn't the gay-baiting right who are intolerant, but the equal rights left who are intolerant of the basic American right to be neo-Nazi "conservatives who should be allowed to sort of figuratively spit on homosexuals as long as they "tolerate" them.

Quayle tried to link homosexuality to the President saying, "I have no problem with Bill Clinton speaking to his agenda."

Snow told the thankfully former vice-president that Democrats were accusing Quayle of demonizing sexual orientation, but Quayle didn't get it saying, "That's Ridiculous . . that is a left wing agenda to try to impose their beliefs on us. We will not approve or endorse."

Snow, continuing to make a quiet mockery, of Quayle lured him into a discussion of the latest "Murphy Brown" shows which are focusing on the use of marijuana to control cancer pain.

Again Quayle "stayed on message" -- only he does it so poorly that he looks like a moronic Robby the Robot. "This is part of the radical left wing agenda....And speaking of breast cancer this TV show. . . this is a very serious issue, and now we're having drugs back on TV ... imagine if it had been a cigarette?," stumbled Quayle.

Huh?

Quayle went on to say that the White House should not "use a pinprick" against Saddam, and that recent remarks in Brazil criticizing George Bush's environmental polices were "terrible" and that such criticism should remain at home and not be made on foreign soil. I guess Quayle thinks that remarks made at home are not covered by the international press or beamed, in real time, to 6 billion people around the world.

But Snow kept the most hilarious for last, asking Quayle whether he's running for president.

Quayle's response? "I will run for president someday. I am campaigning for others right now. My vision for America is a smaller government, less taxes, and a strong defense. I'll take my vision to them and at the appropriate time."

I suggest that was in 1979 Dan. You better look for another job.

Snow turned last to the topic " The Media: Muckrakers or Muck Makers?"

Walt Issacsson

I'd say both if anyone bothered to ask me, but Snow had the editor of Time Magazine. Walter Issacsson defending the "high" press, and Geraldo Rivera defending what I might call "entertainment" news.

The segment boiled down to Issacsson defending Time against Geraldo's biting and incisive comments on Time's own covers -- most notorious -- the O.J. Simpson colorized cover depicting him as a "dark presence." Issacsson was as self-deprecating as necessary admitting that Time was elitist while at the same time saying it wasn't. Geraldo, a lot quicker street fighter made Issacsson look like a schizophrenic and Mara Liasson jumped in re-squashing Time by pointing out to Issacsson that this week it was featuring the latest expose' book on the tittilating life of JFK.

Geraldo Rivera

Again Geraldo caught Issacsson with his pants down. Issacsson tried to defend Time's huge spread on JFK scandals claiming that the Seymour Hirsch book "deserves scrutiny" -- meaning it's a lie. Issacsson actually said, "I don't think it's a very accurate portrayal -- but its a valid story."

What?

But Geraldo beaned him remarking, "Time is more embarrassed than I would be about putting it on the cover. The mob was in...with Marilyn ...I think the majority of the book is absolutely factual -- Have the courage of your convictions."

Issaccsson couldn't do much but respond, " Yeah, that's what I did.

Rivera, rumored to have been offered the top spot at Fox News, dominated the discussion with Brit Hume tossing him a slow pitch on Rune Arledge. Geraldo explained that he had focused on the JFK stories in 1985 and was fired for it, then ABC paid Hirsch $2 million for documentary rights on the book. Then ABC dropped the project because some of the newly found JFK dated materials had zip codes on them before zip codes existed. Geraldo stuck to his guns saying that Hirsch et al may have "gilded the lilly" but that the vast bulk of the damaging info on JFK and the Kennedys was true.

Juan Williams focused on the real issue -- and the reason I write 250 columns a year -- "We don't talk about the news, we don't tell how power is used in this country. Who is telling the news in this country?"

Geraldo, making the point that the most haughty news sources are beginning to dig for dirt, remarked that the Washington Post had recently "taken out a guy" on his involvement in a sexual menage, "We though it was too salacious for our show," he quipped.

Juan Williams

Juan Williams, not knowing Geraldo had just focused his own show's attention on witchcraft-related killings in Pearl, Mississippi, said, "We talk about witchcraft and children being hunted down ---nonsense."

Geraldo punched back, "I did a witchcraft special on Pearl Mississippi. But the point is good. Like this program, let's mix it, let's not pontificate. . . Not a this is what you should believe..."

Williams asked, "many people view people like me as arrogant and out to make big bucks."

Geraldo cracked, "I remember when they were angry because we used blow dryers.".

Almost everyone seemed to miss the point when Snow brought up the fact the most people think Washington reporters are Democrats or liberal democrats.

Issaccson said that he thought it was about 50/50 and Mara Liasson's had the nerve to say that National Public Radio, for which she works, is balanced -- a statement even I couldn't defend.

The fact is that the media has grown far more right biased over the past five years and particularly since 1994. The group seems to have conveniently forgotten the free ride Ronald Reagan got for the better part of eight years between 1980 and 1988, with the possible exception of Iran-Contra.

But Geraldo said it best when he described the profession as "self loathing," going on to say, " they do it with almost a malicious glee. There was a real liberal bent to the media. That has to do with a chronological accident. Now we are aging out of being limousine liberals to conservatives, or like me, a Libertarian. But Rivera-owned weekly, The Two River Times, based at the affluent Northern New Jersey Shore, endorsed Christie Whitman, not the Libertarian candidate, for NJ governor.

I have to hand it to snow however, his "parting thoughts" were good, though misleading. He said, "The liberal media bias isn't at deeply rooted as you might think. Journalists go to the power. Democrats controlled the Congress so journalists became like them. Now the Republicans hold power, I guarantee conservative bias will replace liberal bias."

Snow is only half right. First of all it already has. Second, what he might mean is that political reporters owe their paychecks to whoever holds power at the time. So they suck up to them. But conservatism will never replace liberal bias with reporters. Why? Because normally, journalists have intellect. Conservatism is not based in intellect -- it is based in greed.

EVANS AND NOVAK

Roland EvansRobert Novak

Bob and Rollie interviewed New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani who appeared to be trying to soften his image while denying he was.

Giuliani made short shrift of his running for president and talked candidly about the fact the mayor's races are local and do not lend themselves to toeing Party Lines. In his own case, Giuliani was pro-choice and supported by lots of Democrat officials. Of course, what he did not mention was that Ruth Messinger was a miserable candidate. Something few reporters, if any, have underscored. While paying lipservice to Messinger's poorly run campaign, political journalists in New York failed to say that Giuliani might have lost if the Democrats had put up a New Right Democrat who sharply focused his campaign on Giuliani's "police state" and "slavefare" programs in the Big Apple.

Of course, neither Evans nor Novak had the courage to ask Giuliani about his much-touted love affair with his press honchess.

But Giuliani looked honest when he told the twin Republican vipers that he would not move to end rent control as some Republicans urge saying, "No, we extended them, for the poor and the old in the City ."

Rudy Giuliani

Novak asked the Mayor whether he was worried that he got only 17% of the huge NY Black vote. A stupid question-- He was elected by a landslide wasn't he? Giuliani answered in the politically correct way, "It was actually 20%, four times higher... and I also got 7-8% of Hispanics."

Not a bad answer when cornered although it begged the question and the real tragedy that New York is split right down racial lines and the corresponding "have" vs. "have not" battlements. Giuliani wouldn't have received even 5% of minority votes had the Democrats put up a reasonable alternative.

Evans tried to pin Giuliani on whether he might appoint a Black cabinet member. Rudy replied, "I don't do things like that, but I have appointed Blacks and will in the future." The implication? He's not fishing for minority votes by pandering.

THE MCLAUGHLIN GROUP

John McLaughlin

McLaughlin was a big bore this week -- uncharacteristically.

He started on Saddam asking whether President Clinton made a mistake making Baghdad a multilateral issue. But the question never really got answered and newcomer Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times overdid all her responses trying to make an impression on viewers and perhaps McLaughlin to allow her to fill her spot more permanently. Still she was a welcome addition to recently lightweight Morton Kondracke and Fred Barnes who unexplanedly maintain their positions in "The Group." McLaughlin might do well to dispose of Kondracke and Barnes while keeping Pat Buchanan -- always good for a laugh -- and Eleanor Clift staunch defender of the left. Sweet might be a good replacement, but McLaughlin should add another quasi-liberal, maybe David Corn of The Nation.

Mort Kondracke - better get moving

Buchanan, of course, chided the President for stopping the U2 flights. Of course Buchanan doesn't care that the American pilot might be killed for little or nothing. Barnes thought the Saddam made a mistake with his move because it solidifies the old anti-Iraq coalition, but of course he must have been sleeping all day Saturday -- as France, Russia and the Arab nations united behind Saddam and against US hints at military repercussions.

Lynn Sweet - sweet enough for a regular spot?

Sweet smartly, if not too energetically pointed out that Saddam is trying to divide the coalition and succeeding.

Buchanan, uncharacteristically wisely remarked that Saddam is willing to take as many US missile hits as we can deliver. "He's trying to out last us. How long will everyone sit and watch us bomb him (before condemning us.)"

But McLaughlin et al agree that the US will strike at Iraq shortly. Only McLaughlin was smart enough to say it will be a mistake. He poses the rhetorical question why not let the U2 flights stop and also stop US inspectors from angering Iraqis further?

Buchanan said that would lead to Saddam kicking "them" all out, but McLaughlin was right on point saying that US lead UN sanctions are not working anyway as Saddam sells oil to Russia and France on a regular basis.

McLaughlin's trick? Let Saddam hang himself and thereby bring the coalition back.

The rest of the show was devoted to the GOP rout of important races around the country last week. The consensus seemed to be that Governor-elect Gilmore would have won in Virginia (Barnes) no matter what, and that House candidate Vitaliano was the first victim of the DNC "bankruptcy" as Republicans poured more than $800 thousand into the Staten Island New York race against Vitaliano. Everyone agreed that Giuliani couldn't have lost against a candidate like Messinger.

More interesting to me was the ensuing discussion on Bob Barr, the "Georgia Impeacher" as McLaughlin laughingly put it, and whether anything would come of Barr's urging the congress to begin impeachment proceedings against President Clinton. Everyone agree that Barr was an idiot, but not in so many words. Mc Laughlin pointed out that Barr carried the NRA banner to kill the Brady handgun control bill and intimated that Barr belonged in the "funny farm" by asking that question. Buchanan said Barr had better get some proof first. But then McLaughlin read the official "grounds for impeachment" law and reminded everyone that Judge Bork feels there is enough evidence to nail Clinton under the high crimes and misdemeanors section of that law.

Thank the Lord for Bork.

Buchanan took a weak stab at Janet Reno saying she wouldn't investigate so there will be "no grounds." and Fred Barnes chimed in that this was just a trial balloon that would take if the public responded positively.

Sweet was right on saying, "Barr is the least credible member of congress to move on the issue."

McLaughlin ended the show predicting that Fred Thompson is NOT finished and that a recent influx of 10,000 White House documents will provide new fodder for Thompson's campaign finance probe.

Boy, is he wrong.

MEET THE PRESS

Bill Clinton on the Meet The Press Set

All eyes were on Tim Russert yesterday morning as he hosted the President for a full hour.

Russert asked Clinton what he's say to Saddam and the President responded, "Those flights are United Nations flights and if you shoot at them you'll be making a big mistake." He said the pentagon will view any such shooting as an act of war, which seemed a bit self-correcting. If it's a UN flight then why would shooting at it be an act of war against the US? Perhaps that's why Clinton used the phrase - "that's the way the pentagon sees it."

"We will not tolerate it," said Clinton,. "All that man has to do is let those monitors do their job. They've been there looking for weapons of mass destruction. They have found... .more weapons than were found during the gulf war. He used chemical weapons on the Iranians and on his own people. We think he has the latent capability to build more scuds.

The President showed his ire toward Iraq saying he had never met Saddam ...nor planned to.

Clinton seemed to deny that the coalition was falling apart saying that Saddam might be trying to divide it, but it was holding together. In fairness, the show was taped Saturday, perhaps before news gelled of France, Russia, and the Arab nation's unhappiness with our saber rattling.

Russert asked sort of a left field question about why the President won't meet with Fidel Castro like he recently did with Jiang. Clinton had a good answer:

"The Chinese have shown action to engage us, meet with us. Just look what happened with Jiang and myself. China agreed to cooperate with us on the nuclear matter, to work aggressively to stop problems in Korea, to cooperate on greenhouse gases, to develop rule of law systems. We've got an ongoing relationship. That's what I wanted to do with Cuba. I was working on that before they shot down and murdered those people in those two planes. I still want that kind of relationships. (There goes Florida) I don't have that indication today - about democracy in Cuba.. He's a highly intelligent man - Castro. We have to have some basis to open. It is the only non-democratic country in our hemisphere."

On Fast Track the President was wisely cautious saying only that he would be working until the last minute and so would Gingrich. He said the Senate and the Governors gave fast track wide approval but that certain members in the House were worried about plant closings and the like. He paid lipservice to helping more with workers displaced by plant shut downs harkening a possible addition to the bill.

Russert moved on to the flat tax and federal sales tax proposals that Republicans think could gain them an even bigger majority in congress next year and the White House in 2000.

Anyone reading this column knows I agree, not only that this issue will make gains for the GOP, but that flat taxes (sales tax is flat) are the fairest and most logical way to go.

The President said he wasn't ready to endorse flat taxes "tonight," but he left the door open saying , "I have never seen a flat tax proposal that does not put a higher tax on people with incomes under $100,000 - most Americans. We don't know what higher taxes would do to prices, inflation and poor people.

But the excuse was weak and the President admitted he had not studied the national sales tax -- except that it might be regressive.

Russert moved on to the Gay Rights dinner and asked Clinton what he was trying to do with his stance on gay rights and his peronsal appearance at that dinner.

The President, sticking to his "obey the law and work" platform said, "I believe that every person in this country, if they obey the law and show up for work, or school, should be treated with dignity and should get a good education, a job, and health care. I know this is a different issue for a lot of Americans particularly for Americans who have never known a gay person. I think its the right thing to do. The only test should be if you are a law abiding working citizen. That's what I believe and if my presence advances that theory then that is a good thing.

Russert asked the quasi-silly question, "do you believe that homosexuality should be taught in school as a lifestyle?"

Clinton should have said, "Have you lost your mind Tim?," but didn't.

Clinton, not out to be the new Jocelyn Elders of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue answered, "No. but I don't think they should be discriminated against in schools or that descrimination of them should be taught in schools."

Russert focused him on Gore's remarks about the television sitcom "Ellen,"

Clinton replied, "I think when Ellen did this on TV -- and you ought to see the interplay between her and her family and non-gay friends -- I think Gore was accurate on that. I can tell you that most people's attitudes are determined really on whether they have ever known someone gay. We are not talking about peoples religious priniciples."

Clinton must know gays he likes.

The First Meet the Press TV title

President Clinton went on to tell Russert that he's happy people see polls reflect his best accomplishments as saving medicare, the great economy and the balanced budget. He seemed unconcerned about the recent stock market roller coaster saying by definition it goes up and down. He reminded viewers that the DOW was at 3200 when he took office.

Russert asked Clinton if he was ready to acknowledge campaign finance "excesses" -- at least.

Clinton said, " What is appears to be is that people who were not entitled gave too much money and after a review we gave it back. What we are trying to do is determine whether people in the DNC could have known better and I think we could have. But I generally disagree with the poll (showing campaign finance as one of his weaknesses) This administration, historically, will be viewed very differently.

Russert pressed on with questions about Johnny Chung, Charlie Trie etc., "Should they come back to the US and not take the 5th and tell us that U.S. security was not compromised?

"When I asked President Jiang about that he emphatically denied personally that this was the case. I think we ought to get to the bottom of this. I agree with Senator Thompson on one thing -- that the hearings should lead to reform. People don't raise money because they want to, they do it for access to communications with the people. I agree with the McCain/Feingold bill and also with free or reduced prices for air time," said Clinton.

Network bosses laughed.

On the complaint of "double dipping" by having the DNC run $75 million in issue advocacy ads, the President was semi-candid.

"Keep in mind what the ads did, first, They fought the Republicans on the advancement of the Contract on America (note the word "ON"). I refused to have the ads run until legal clearance. I presume Dole did the same."

Touche'.

The President went on to say that he believes we should limit soft money but not without a level playing field. "Look at the British system ... look at how the used it. See how it elevated the level. I acknowledge that we all have played a role in bringing down voter confidence. But you must get your message out."

Clinton was referring to air time provided free of charge in Britain.

Clinton said the DNC ads were pro-Clinton, but that Dole and Gingrich were on "the contract side."

"I never ran ads on my upbringing," he said. -- a "Russell, Kansas" reference.

Clinton said he thought the loss of the Senate majority was due more to Democrat senators retiring than to bad performance by the DNC and Democrats in general. But took responsibility for the loss of the House saying they had lost 49 seats because of the economic plan and his "failure to reform health care." -- an odd, but good way to put it, I'd say.

Russert made Clinton smile with, "Are you, not Ronald Reagan, the true 'Teflon President'?"

Not missing a beat, Clinton replied, I think people are fair minded and don't believe people making a charge against you makes it true. I don't spend time defending myself and just try to work on things for the American people.

He out-Doled Bob with that one.

Russert asked Clinton if he thought the press was fair to him.

Clinton, who had to be frustrated here said, "On balance yes. There have been some changes. But I don't think the president gets anywhere by making comments about the press. When President Jiang was here I was pushing the free press. I raised the issue in Latin America.

On his legacy, Clinton said, "...a president's legacy is ultimately determined after he leaves office and often after he leaves this earth. . . people can see exactly what happened while he was in office. I had a vision for what I wanted America to look like...opportunity for everyone who wanted to work for it. I hope someone will say that's what I did. We had to relate to a global economy and a global society so we could still be the greatest nation in the world.

Clinton twice added that he might run for school board once he left office, only half-joking, and added that Russert ought to be proud of his show.

Russert gave the President a copy of the 50th Anniversary Meet the Press book, but the President was prepared with his own a gift, a book for Russert on the Buffalo Bills!

THIS WEEK

The only thing worthwhile on This Week was George Will's statement:

"The best thing Bill Clinton ever said was 'protectionism is just another word for giving up."

Cokie Roberts, herself from heavy Democrat stock, gets a QUOTE OF THE WEEK award for this absolutely outrageous comment:

"The Democratic Party is broke because they broke the rules and had to give back tainted money and now no one wants to give them money."

Well, Cokie, wrong again. They may have taken tainted money, but only about 1% of the total. Republicans forced them to spend all they had by raising outlandish sums themselves. As far as raising money now, Democrats are doing it -- bigger than ever.

Where is she coming from?

George Will and his new right wing cohort Cokie Roberts tried unsuccessfully to make viewers think that the Houston affirmative action vote was not a repudiation of the passage of California's shameful Proposition 209.

It didn't work.

This Week was really was that bad.

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From an Introduction to JK's, "Washington - The New American Babylon"