No Applause
Reported by Eleanor - September 21, 2004 -
Studio B with Shep Smith (Sept. 21, 3:00 p.m.) did not mention the CBS memo. NOT ONE WORD. This hour started with the John Kerry press conference, followed by a report on Bush's U.N. speech; the second beheading in Iraq; an Iraq critique; warning of a new al Qaeda threat to the U.S; and a short segment on the Oil for Food program.
Kerry had the first seven minutes of the program with:
- This war has been mismanaged every step of the way.
- The president needs to live in reality.
- Bush doesn't have the credibility to lead.
- We need other nations to work with us in Iraq.
- We need to deal with the truth and realities in Iraq.
- The president has no credibility with foreign leaders.
- I have a plan to make America safer.
- Annan offered the help of the U.N. months ago, and Bush didn't take it.
- The management of this war has been arrogant.
- Powell admitted Iraq has been a magnet for terrorists.
- Bush did not go to war as a last resort.
- The war has been mismanaged every step of the way.
Kerry was accused of adopting the tactics of Clinton in recent days.
Bush offered no apology and no excuses to the U.N., saying freedom will find a way. James Rosen: Bush said that all member nations have a stake in Iraq. They were urged not to cower in the wake of bombings and beheadings. Annan was quoted as saying that the war is illegal, and the rule of law at home must respect the rule of law abroad. Bush was shown on video quoting Kerry as saying that the world would be better off with Sadam in power. The news of another beheading came in at this point with no confirmation.
Michael O'Hanlon, Brookings Institute, was interviewed by Shep, who stated that the U.N. members "sat on their hands - usually the president gets applause." O'Hanlon said it's a "tough time." The U.N. chose not to support the war, but for Annan to call it illegal set the wrong tone. Shep stated that John Kerry really came out swinging, saying the president has no ability to lead. "Any validity to that?" O'Hanlon responded that there is some validity. Kerry's criticism is "compelling," but he should acknowledge where Bush got it right. Shep: Is it as bad as Kerry says? O'Hanlon: Major mistakes were made. But how do you fix them? The critiques are good, but they don't solve the problem. Shep: Will we see a real election in Iraq? O'Hanlon: 95% can vote, but we might wait for the entire country. We will restore order, and appoint someone (until elections.) (I can't believe I heard this on Fox.)
The headline for the big attack story was: Al Qaeda is in the final stages of preparing the biggest attack on the U.S. since 9/11 - bigger than 9/11 - and more deadly. Bill Gertz, Washington Times, said a "spectacular attack" is in the offing. Al Qaeda is moving ahead with a plan - by Nov. 2, or the January 20 inauguration. Shep: Critics say this is a scare tactic. Gertz: Al Qaeda is a learning organization. It revisits targets - capitol - White House - Pentagon - NYC. (I do believe I heard this on Fox.)
The Oil For Food story continued: Congressman Joe Barton from Texas is hoping to return billions of dollars to the American people from the Oil for Food program that wound up in the hands of Sadam Hussein. Countries were on the take, and did nothing. Officials were bribed. The documents are in Iraq. Fox is taking the lead on this story - the money flowed to terrorists and al Qaeda. (Watch for more on this one.)
