Sunday, October 21, 2001 -- WASHINGTON (APJP) -- There is little that bores our usually eager Pundit Pap team than a Sunday filled with Sabbath Gasbag shows trapped reporting the latest news rather than letting the pols and self-appointed political mandarins duke it out.

And so, once again, the pundits were left reporting the latest news on the anthrax scare and commando raids in Afghanistan.

Here's a hint to the networks: most political junkies get their hot news from the cable "news" outlets -- we want political jousting, not the latest hot anthrax tips from some epidemiologist from the University of Megalopolis. 

For the second week in a row, Tim Russert had the best political chat -- in fact, he had the only show that even approached punditry.

Here's the run-down of this week's bigger-than-last-week let-down.

This Weak
More news, less spin, and hardly any politics

The first big story reported by This Weak was the growing partnership, as witnessed at the APEC conference in China, between Little George and Vladimir Putin -- with the explicit goal of trashing the ABM Treaty.

Sam Donaldson then chimed in, claiming that the Senate leadership thought the House was overreacting when they adjourned Thursday, after which (shock!) traces of anthrax were found in the House mail room (oh, please, Sam -- shutting down the House in the first place was the WRONG message to send to terrorists).

John Miller reported the facts -- small particles of anthrax have been detected in the House mail facility, there is the possibility of a copycat mailing, all the stuff we'd already heard on CNN.  Gillian Findley reported on Israel's decision to roll tanks into even more Palestinian cities -- and Israel's claim that the move is to prevent more attacks and force the turnover of gunmen who killed an ultra-right Israeli minister earlier this week.

There was a lengthier segment on the most spectacular raid on a Taliban facility yet -- captured by military night vision cameras.  An "expert" pointedly said that the Taliban's claim that our technology could not stop them is being proven wrong.

George Stephanopoulos then interviewed Joint Chiefs chair Gen. Richard Myers, asking about civilian casualties and rumors that American personnel had been wounded by land mines (Myers more or less denied the latter).  Myers detailed the objective of the special forces raid -- gather intelligence on where bin Laden and his top team players are hiding.  Using (yawn) a sports analogy, he said he would not give away his game plan.  Not much was learned in the near-fifteen-minute segment as Myers refused to answer question after question; certainly nothing overtly political was discussed.

You know, the producers at ABC should stop and think: as was the case with John Miller's report, almost every topic that Steph and Myers touched on has been more thoroughly covered on the cable news channels and the Internet.  It would have been terrific to have seen some politicians discussing the campaign (i.e. plying their spin, even if the Dems would "support the President").  This reliance on military guests and experts to "cover" what is more appropriately the lead story on the 6:30 evening news is a waste of most politically-inclined viewers' time.

After the break, Sam Donaldson welcomed Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-ND) and Minority Loser Trent Lott (R-Extra Starch).  Daschle again lent (in the most literal sense of the word) the Bogus POTUS strong support for the campaign in Afghanistan and against terrorism.  Lott, naturally, did the same.  Would Lott rather see Osama dead or alive?  Lott -- intelligently, for once -- avoided an answer, saying that depends on the circumstances under which Osama is found.  Daschle was asked the same question; his eager reply was "We'll take him however!"  Daschle said Lott was right -- we are at war, we have to focus on the goals.

What about Iraq? Should we go after Saddam Hussein?  This Sunday, the name Saddam was eagerly being bandied about by the "opinion shapers".  You can just tell most of these guys (and gals) would love a huge war against Saddam Hussein -- to further inflate their ratings and self-importance.

Both Lott and Daschle avoided an answer, saying "One [problem] at a time."  Translation: "Saddam's next -- one we finish with Osama and Al Qaeda."

Sam then turned to the House having closed down -- and the opinion of many that they were chicken!  Daschle said that "we have got to be cautious... we've got to make these decisions on a day-by-day basis."  Lott said that the House is "vindicated" -- anthrax has been found in the House mail building!

HUH?  Vindicated, schmindicated!!  Anthrax was found in Daschle's office -- but the Senate did NOT shut down!

And Sam pressed the point -- the House leaders were claiming there was an agreement with the Senate that the whole Congress would shut down.  Sam quoted Rep. J.C. "OJ" Watts: "There's a difference between being symbolic and being stupid."

We laughed out loud -- if anyone's an expert on stupid, it's the promiscuous Watts, whose favorite non-political pastime seems to be fathering out-of-wedlock children.

Daschle dismissed the "hot rhetoric" as did Lott.

Sam asked about Canada's decision to break the patent on Cipro; Lott made a point to praise Sen. Bill Frist (who happens to be a cardiologist) before saying that antibiotics should be made available, but he's hesitant to break a patent.

Right, Trent -- especially since the Pharma Cartel has given your party MEGABUCKS!  They know who their lapdog is.

Sam then dissed OMB chief lunatic Mitch Daniels, who had claimed that emergency spending is no emergency.  Daschle, we were disappointed to observe, was too wimpy in his comeback -- he said his goal is to see to it that there is an economic stimulus.  He should have hung Daniels out to dry for his partisan platitudes that short-change firemen, cops, EMS workers, and people unemployed as a result of the September 11th attacks.  Lott said that he and Daschle had done the right thing on the anti-terrorist bill -- put on the brakes -- and he hopes they will do the same on the economic stimulus package.

Translation: we want a big tax giveback for our rich contributors, the official GOP definition of a tax "stimulus."

Lott also fired away at "federalization" of airport security, but wants to fix the problem.  Daschle said Lott was "absolutely right" yet implied he wants federalization.

The minute we heard the name "George Will," we decided that if we wanted right-wing nonsense, it should at least be fun right-wing nonsense.  So instead of waiting for This Weak's panel of losers after the break, we immediately flipped the channel to...

FAUX News Spin-Day!
Red-meat politics -- even if it is hard-right flavored...

We caught the tail end of Tony Snow's interview with Secretary of State Colin Powell.  Powell is optimistic that a coalition to supersede the Taliban can be achieved in Afghanistan.  Tony asked about a possible UN vote that would ask to stop the bombing in Afghanistan so that humanitarian efforts can proceed.  Powell said the "reports were mixed" (huh? every news web site has covered the story) and we need to prosecute our campaign.  Winter is coming, said Tony; can the matter be resolved before the weather turns bad?  The seizure of land in the South may be a problem, admitted Powell, but the Northern Alliance could make progress in the north.  On the "Ramadan" issue, Powell is discussing strategy with the War Department -- in other words, expect aggressive continuation of the war, but likely in a modified manner (less bombing, more commandos).  Tony said Sen. McCain is getting angry at Egypt and the Saudis for allowing anti-American mullahs to stir up violence against America; Powell diplomatically praised both nations for the aid they are giving the coalition, and they have to deal with public opinion internally; "It is not our role to tell them  publicly what to do."

Translation: it IS being said in private, and if these countries know what's good for themselves, they'll muzzle these extremists.

Powell said he is "pleased" with Putin's talk that the US and Russia have moved into a new era and his Russian counterpart is ready to move forward with killing the ABM treaty.

Below the Fold! Tony slammed Rosie O'Donnell, Liza Minnelli and other celebrities for not flying and/or avoiding New York; Northwest Airlines no longer carries sweeteners because they look like anthrax; and a bra maker has developed a metal-free brassiere to make those metal detector scans less burdensome on female flyers!

Tony, however, turns out to be WRONG about a report he says is WRONG -- that steam irons can kill anthrax.  When used properly, they CAN.  Check your facts, Tony...

The panel started with talk about the New York Post employee who got cutaneous anthrax; Brit called use of anthrax-by-mail a failure as a weapon of mass destruction, but a success as a mass distraction; Mara said federal employees can be protected and there must be one source of clear information in the future (ouch!  that's a nasty backhand of the entire Smirk Team!); Juan said that there was no communication between Hastert and Daschle, and Hastert got sandbagged.

Oh, please, Juan -- Hastert PANICKED!  It was a STUPID move that sent the WRONG message to domestic and foreign terrorists.

Then we were treated to photos of anthrax infections.  Ecch!

There was a little chat about that Post employee -- but no mention of where the infection occurred, namely the middle digit on one hand.  Yesterday's edition of the Post carried a picture of the woman raising the bandaged finger with the headline "ANTHRAX THIS!" -- a headline that rivals their own all-time classic tabloid headline "HEADLESS BODY IN TOPLESS BAR".

There was some boring rehash of the war this week, but Juan got in some speculation about whether or not to go after Saddam Hussein.  When Brit said it doesn't seem like the time, Juan said that events in Israel and Palestinian territory may dictate otherwise.  The sentiment of the panel is "get Saddam, but not now."  Brit snidely said that we're being hypocrites for telling Israel not to kill terrorists.

Jeez, Brit -- as if they'll listen.  Besides, there are diplomatic reasons for asking Israel to cool it with the assassinations -- you've got a problem with that??

Tony's final word -- he's sick of fear.  What a riot -- FAUX News Channel is pushing all these tabloid panic stories big-time!  Hey. Tony, take our advice: tell Roger Ailes and Kim Hume to take it down a notch or two. 

-- Morrie Friendly

McLaugh-In!
John McLaugh-In, paragon of... sanity!

Issue one: House Flees Washington!

It's about time, John!  You and the Gang are no wimps -- and you sure conveyed that point with vid bites of The Smirk and Tommy Thompson counseling calm.  John discussed unfounded reports that anthrax somehow snuck into the ventilation system of the Senate office buildings.

Is the House-Senate sniping deplorable?  No, said Mike Barone -- though he feels it was a mistake for the House to adjourn, and Bill Frist helped calm Senate fears (he also took time to praise Rudy Giuliani).  Eleanor got it right -- the House leaders, who were telling us that airlines are safe, did the wrong thing by fleeing -- then turning around and claiming that the Senate was "grandstanding."  John talked about the misadministration's message to stay alert.  Tony Blankley tried to make a point about weapons-grade anthrax inserted into the Senate ventilation system, then criticized Hillary Clinton for using the term "weapons-grade."

Got news for you, Tony -- it was not genetically modified anthrax but was ground to weapons-grade size, and experts HAD declared it weapons-grade!

Clarence Page bemusedly dissed the House; Eleanor said that it was everyday anthrax, but ground to the size that could be easily inhaled.

Why all the media coverage, asked John?

Mike Barone said that there is a fear factor.  Eleanor said Americans are discovering that they are vulnerable -- but vulnerability to fear may be the worst mistake.  Tony claimed that journalists and politicians are being overly dramatic -- an understatement if ever there was one.  Clarence said parents are panicking when their kids come home with colds. 

The panel had given four answers that skirted the truth. All of them missed the obvious answer. Ratings! Circulation! Ad revenues! THAT'S why there's nonstop anthrax coverage.  Panic sells.

John then turned to His Dimness' China trip.  Tony said that the Shrub Ad-moron-istration will back off on human rights issues, and we have little to gain in teaming up with China to fight terrorism.  Eleanor said China is in fact worried about pseudo-Islamic extremists.  Can China provide financial information?  Mike thinks so.  John said that China's UN Security Council veto power is an issue.  Shouting ensued; John mentioned a Tony Lewis column in the NY Times.

How was the government's reply to anthrax panic?
Mike: Good.
Eleanor: Bad to mediocre.
Tony: Technical response, good to excellent.  Communication, bad.
Clarence: Tony's right.
John: Bad!

Issue two: The Blair Project!  John discussed Tony Blair's call for Palestinian statehood.  Pressure for Israel-Palestine peace is on the upturn.  Clarence said that Islamic terrorism traces its way back to the 1950s and Egypt -- and Osama does not hate Israel as much as he does the US!  Mike gave Clarence a "bad taste in his mouth" look as Clarence discussed ways to combat Islamic violence and Arafat's relatively high popularity.  Mike said Palestinians will not accept an Israeli state -- and Mubarak is part of the problem in that he's feeding hateful propaganda which breeds terrorism as a way to "vent".  John said that even Sharon would pick Mubarak as a reasonable moderator.  Eleanor asked "what next?" and answered a forced peace imposed by Europe -- and added that bin Laden has glommed on to Israel-Palestinian infighting.

Prediction: is the Russia-US relationship moving into a golden era?  The group seemed skeptical: John thinks it is.

-- Dave "Doctor" Gonzo

Meet the Pap
Tim Russert on a full state of alert!

Tim Russert's usually puffed-up intro sounded a bit toned-down this week -- the topics were the Afghanistan war and anthrax, the big guests Senators Joe Lieberman and John McCain.

And Meet the Press was more news than opinion at the top of the broadcast.

Tim first turned to Keith Miller, who had talked to a Taliban minister who said the American commando attack of late Friday was not a success (the minister's thick accent made him practically incomprehensible).  Miller said it turns out that 20 Taliban troops are dead. Tim asked about the Taliban's newest "attitude" -- total war against the US.  Miller said that he does not believe that the Taliban was in touch with reality, nor do they care about civilians -- what happens to them is "the will of Allah," and if they're booted from power, they'll "wait in the caves."  Miller said the Taliban believe that waiting out American attacks will yield the same results as they had with the Soviet Army.

From the Pentagon, Jim Miklaszewski said the tough part of the campaign has in fact begun: getting Osama and the top Taliban players.  Unlike the Soviet war, however, the Taliban is cut off from all help.  Tim asked about reports that the war will prompt additional attacks on America and would take a huge human toll (i.e. military deaths).  Mik said that the administration feels Americans will remember the vision of planes crashing into the WTC -- and will stick with the war.  He added that the US military wants to end the major part of bombing ended by Ramadan, primarily due to advice (and pressure) of its allies.  How is the Pentagon responding to Taliban claims that they shot down a helicopter?  Mik said they're laughing at their lies.

Tim then turned from news to politicians, if not politics, as he welcomed Lieberman and McCain.

Tim brought up the Washington Post article concerning the green light having been given to the CIA to kill Osama bin Laden.  McCain called the Taliban a "Pol Pot regime."  Yes, he said, the Afghans were united against the Russians, but the Taliban have turned barbaric.  There may, he added, be problems forming a new coalition to supplant the Taliban, but their opposition to the Taliban may well be a uniting sympathy.

Tim asked Lieberman about targeting bin Laden -- and Lieberman said it was the right thing to do.  "We have to target where evil begins.... bin Laden and the small group around him directly."

Tim returned to the issue of who would succeed the Taliban.  Is the campaign being delayed until an alliance is in place?  Possibly, said McCain; he's be concerned if there were not such a team in place.  McCain also dismissed the notion of "moderate Taliban."  Many pols are pressing this point, and it is a crucial message -- the Taliban will NOT be welcome in a new Afghan government.  McCain also supports the secrecy surrounding the present war -- and slammed "leaks" (that seem not to have gotten anywhere anyway).

Well, if anything, there was one message that was clear as daylight: the Senate is in lock-step in support of prosecuting this war.

Tim then brought up the government's contract with a space imaging company to buy up all images of Afghanistan.  Lieberman seems just fine with this -- for now.  "We're in a war, and in a war rules have to be handled a little differently."

Oh, we see -- freedom of the press should be waived.  Come on, Joe -- you're sending the WRONG message.

Tim then turned to a news story about anti-Western Saudi schools in the Oct. 19th New York Times.  Is McCain comfortable with this? McCain said he is not -- protectors of Islam have established a double standard to placate extremists, but also finance these extremists.  Why are these governments not pushing the fact that the US has come to the rescue of Muslims?  So should we cut funding to Egypt and the Saudis?  McCain blasted both nations for neither opening up their politics nor democratizing.  Lieberman said the war was about values -- including an end to regimes that promulgate intolerance.  McCain: History is replete with examples of regimes that fail because of intolerance.

Tim then turned to Middle East peace -- and a Palestinian state would steal a big "issue" from bin Laden.  McCain said that anyone that believes that the Palestinian problem is the reason for the Sept. 11th attacks is wrong -- if Israel vanished, we'd still be fighting these terrorists.  Should we include Iraq in the war?  Lieberman said that as long as Saddam is in power, America is threatened -- we have to rid the world of those who would strike at civilians, and we know that Saddam has used chemical weapons against Iran.  Saddam's a terrorist -- and after we mop up Afghanistan, it's time to deal with Saddam.  

Now THAT was a lot more explicit than any of the other pols or players we saw this weekend.  We're sure Saddam heard that message.  

Should the CIA mandate be expanded to Saddam?  Lieberman and McCain both said first things first.

But we think Team Bush has already ordered the CIA to take out Saddam -- it's just not being reported by the press.

Following the break came the surprise of the year: Tim Russert asking a serious question about Team Smirk and Tom Ridge deciding to DOWNPLAY the quality of the anthrax passing through the postal service.  

Well, well, well, looks like the honeymoon IS over!

McCain praised Tom Ridge for his "honesty" (we choked back a big guffaw) and then diverted to other issues; Lieberman said "there is a multiplicity of voices" and Tom Ridge should do the talking.  Tim pressed Lieberman on the quality of the anthrax that has been found, and Lieberman, despite having put up cover for Ridge, had to admit it was "significantly refined" -- an admission which contradicts Ridge's claims outright.  Lieberman said pointedly that he thinks it may have been stolen from the former Soviets. 

We have to wonder what other sources there are, and what if the source is here in American?

McCain talked about learning from past mistakes and rejiggering intelligence agencies. McCain suggested that perhaps it's time to get Warren Rudman to look into the mess at our intelligence agencies, and Lieberman wants private citizens to head a Roberts Commission-style investigation.

Tim then turned to the politics surrounding the 100-0 vote by the Senate to federalize airport security -- and attempts by the most extreme elements in the House to stop it (God forbid -- more union members may end up on the public payroll).  McCain said that he hopes that it can be worked out -- but the tone in his voice belied his anger at the hard-righters in the House.  Tim mentioned that Rep. Nita Lowey called House Majority Whip Tom DeLay's conduct "immoral."  Lieberman said it's time to put the nation's security above ideology -- and maybe he doesn't realize that airport security employees are already unionized!

Ha, ha, ha -- it's always great to see someone smart and sane make a monkey out of DeLay, probably the single most crooked politician on Capitol Hill.

Then Tim played a clip of McCain on Late Show With David Letterman -- and McCain's response to Dave's comment about the House closing up shop as "another example of 'Profiles in Courage!' "  We loved it.  McCain rightly said that America needs to laugh at a time like this, but would not acknowledge his swipe at Hastert et al.

We think McCain should have said, "Yeah, I got a good laugh at the expense of those wussies.  They set a bad example, sent the WRONG message our enemies, to America and to their constituents."

We know for a fact that McCain has pretty well had it with Tom "The Hammer" DeLay, the little Neo-Nazi that actually runs the show on the Republican side of the House, Tom's chief toady, the drunk-sounding failed-professor and coed-chaser Dick "Dick" Armey -- and McCain is doing everything he can to see these weasels edged out of power in the House.  The "little dig" on Late Night not only belied his real feelings; it helped to diminish the cowards in the House GOP leadership.

Tim's final guest was Dr. Anthony Fauci from the Centers for Disease Control.  He said he hadn't seen definitive information on the postal anthrax -- a dodge to understandably avoid tipping the hand of what investigators know.  Fauci was asked about a nightmarish smallpox scenario -- and said the problem is being addressed: vaccines are being made, and procedures are being put into place.  15 million doses are available -- and they could be stretched into 75 million doses.  Six months from now, we will be almost fully prepared.

Of course, this reassuring talk fails to address another question -- are doctors, hospitals and public health agencies adequately tied into the CDC and HHS?

-- Donna Wynner

Morrie Friendly is a political strategist who lives in Georgetown.

Donna Wynner is an attorney.  She lives in scenic Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Dave "Doctor" Gonzo is a media guru, record producer, and political gadfly who lives in a highly fortified high-rise compound with state-of-the-art media room on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Copyright © 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, American Politics Journal Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. Read our privacy policy. Contact us.
ISSN No. 1523-1690