Rather Roasted Again
Reported by Eleanor - September 18, 2004 -
The CBS memo story was still big news on Heartland with John Kasich (Sept. 18, 8:00 p.m.). Nothing new was presented, but Kasich spent about seven minutes on this story anyway. At this point, it's ten days old. The CBS story was followed by a discussion of the campaigns.
After about seven minutes of beating up on Dan Rather, Kasich's last comment was that the media is in trouble - meaning CBS. Rather's future at CBS is questionable, saying he might be leaving relatively soon. Monica Crowley said that Rather's credibility is shot. He's history. (I find this utterly amazing!)
The campaign discussion opened with a showing of the new MoveOn.org "Quagmire" ad, showing a soldier bogged down, or "defeated." Kasich said the ad is demoralizing to soldiers. Chad Clanton, democrat, said not as much as reality, and the truth is catching up with Bush. Iraq has a bleak outcome. Bush hasn't been telling the truth. Jennifer Millerwise, the republican, said "It's a horrible ad." Kasich: The ad could backfire. He then discussed polls showing Bush ahead in two polls, even in one, and ahead with union people and women. Clanton said that other polls are tied. People don't want to travel down the path Bush is taking them - loss of jobs, health care, deficits, and the mess in Iraq. That's the wrong direction. Jennifer talked about Bush's business environment, less litigation and regulation, and cheaper health care. (Due to less regulation?) Kasich told Clanton that he would have to put a spin on Kerry's floundering, inconsistent message. Clanton responded that Kerry is telling people the truth. Jennifer said that Kerry is spreading into utter incoherence in his position on the war on terror. Chad repeated himself, and Kasich said that if Bush does well in the debates, he'll win.
