Meet The Press: David Gregory Thinks Confronting Politicians Only Matters With Democrats
By Nicole Belle Sunday Jan 04, 2009 11:00am
David Gregory famously rejected his responsibility to confront lies in the run up to the war, but apparently, he feels no such compunction to reject confronting those who criticize those who lie to get us into a war. Critics, you see, are far more deserving of the Russert-like "gotcha" attack than actual war criminals. It's a question of priorities.
On today's Meet the Press, Gregory opts to go after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for daring to suggest that the surge was not the way to win the war in Iraq (never mentioning that the framing that it is a war in Iraq and what benchmarks would indicate a "win" have been left purposefully undefined by those who took us there). Reid, who is surprisingly milquetoast-y for a former pugilist, has to say no less than three separate times to the unconvinced Gregory that he was merely reiterating, somewhat inartfully, the same things that Gen. Petraeus was saying at the same time.
GREGORY: But you said the surge was not accomplishing anything. Even Barack Obama said last fall that it exceeded everyone’s expectation and succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.
REID: Listen, at the time that statement was made, a surge, they weren’t talking about the surge. Petraeus added to the surge some very, very interesting things that changed things. He said that just simply number of troops is not going to do the deal. What we need to do is work with the Iraqi people, which we haven’t done before. That’s where the Awakening Councils came about, as a result of David Petraeus’s genius. He has done…he will be written about in the history books for years to come. My original statement was in keeping with what David Petraeus said, that is, the war cannot be won militarily.
But that's not enough for Gregory, who has to ask Reid if he regrets being mean to President Bush, calling him the worst president ever. Are you flipping kidding me? With the exception of David Gregory (and those employed by NewsCorp.), is there truly any question of that status? If not, why would Bush be going full court press on the Legacy Restoration Tour, the notoriously press-shunning president giving more interviews than either Clinton or Reagan gave in the twilight days of his presidency.
Hey, David, here's a question for you: Do YOU ever regret handing over your journalistic and personal integrity, your intellectual honesty and anything left of your gonads to the White House? How dare you ask the Majority Leader if he has any regrets about actually acting like an opposition party. If you look at polling, the American people don't think the Democrats have done it nearly enough. And very few of us disagree with Reid's assessment of the success of the Bush presidency. Will you ask the same wistful questions of Cryin' John Boehner and Eric "Don't Know My Ass From My Elbow" Cantor about being "mean" to President Obama?
I'm betting you won't, you partisan hack.
Transcripts below the fold
GREGORY: Let me ask you about the war in Iraq. In April of 2007, this is what you said, ‘I believe myself that this war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything.’ Were you wrong?
REID: David, I first met Gen. David Petraeus in Iraq. He was training the Iraqi forces at that time. At that time, you knew it wasn’t working. After he became the Commander in Iraq, he and I sat down and talked. He said to me and he said within the sound of everyone’s voice, the war cannot be won militarily. I said it, differently than he did, but it needed a change in direction. Petraeus brought that about. He brought it about, the surged helped, of course it helped. But in addition to that, the urging of me and other people in Congress and the country dictated a change and that took place. So…
GREGORY: But you said the surge was not accomplishing anything. Even Barack Obama said last fall that it exceeded everyone’s expectation and succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.
REID: Listen, at the time that statement was made, a surge, they weren’t talking about the surge. Petraeus added to the surge some very, very interesting things that changed things. He said that just simply number of troops is not going to do the deal. What we need to do is work with the Iraqi people, which we haven’t done before. That’s where the Awakening Councils came about, as a result of David Petraeus’s genius. He has done…he will be written about in the history books for years to come. My original statement was in keeping with what David Petraeus said, that is, the war cannot be won militarily.
GREGORY: Do you believe the war in Iraq has been lost?
REID: I don’t think that at this stage, we can talk about that with any degree of sensibility. That has to come about in the history books to come.
GREGORY: So you spoke too soon in 2007?
REID: David Petraeus and Harry Reid spoke at the same time. David Petraeus said the was cannot be won militarily, I said what I said. Who phrased it the best….
GREGORY: You said the war was lost. Today, in 2009, that’s no longer your view.
REID: David, listen, someone else will have to determine that as the years go on. What has the war done? It’s brought about…it destabilized the Middle East. We have a civil war going on in Israel. We have a civil war in Iraq, as indicated today, more than 50 people were killed with a bomb in Iraq today. We have Lebanon, a civil war there. We have Iran thumbing their nose at everyone. And if that weren’t bad enough, our standing in the world community is so far down, as a result of this war. So that doesn’t take into consideration the tens of thousands that have been injured and thousands that have been killed in the war. Historians will have to talk about what the war in Iraq did, but I think historians today indicate, as I have, the outline that I’ve given.
GREGORY: Before you go, do you have any regrets about the way you have publicly battled with President Bush? Over the years, you’ve called him a liar, a loser, you’ve described him as quote ‘our worst President ever.’
REID: I wrote a book and I said that in the book several times. David, I am who I am. I’m going to continue to be who I am. You just have to call things the way you see ‘em. I really do believe that President Bush is the worst president we’ve ever had. I think his efforts to destroy Social Security were very bad. That brought about one of the statements. I think as we’ve looked now at what’s happened to the stock market, wouldn’t that have been a terrible thing to do, to privatize Social Security? Medicare, he done it…he’s done his very best to destroy Medicare. Medicare, a wonderful program. Perfect? Of course not, but one of the best programs ever developed to take care of sick people.
GREGORY: No regrets?
REID: It’s just who I am!
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So whassa happened to bill o'really's junior producers ambush interviews?
If Reid had a spine he would have named gregory as a douchebag hack that he is and confronted him about his extreme hypocrisy. Instead, he comes across as a mealy-mouthed wimp.
Would that be Malt O' Mealy?
OMG Harry Reid you are a GUTLESS, SPINELESS wanna-be Democrat that can't talk your way out of wet paper bag! The FACTS are on YOUR side yet you allow a partisan douchebag like Gregory treat you like this?
GROW SOME BALLS OR GET OUT OF OUR WAY!!!
ARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!
(head explodes)
reid calls his balls tonsils.
you won't find a more gop-wannabe-puppet
than reid.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will be Obama's worst headache.
They will not have the spine to stand up to the minority republican cr!me synd!cate in congress.
It's not going to feel like the Dems are even in control. Pitty.
It's not very surprising that David Gregory is biased against progressives. He did after all wear a huge grin as he danced with Karl Rove, to the tune about Karl Rove tearing off the heads off small animals. Why doesn't Gregory just join the rest of his friends over at Faux News where he belongs. After all he is a commentator, not a true journalist.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln5RD9BhcCo
Absolutely sickening.
Watch the spectacle HERE
Who did you think Gregory sucked off to get this job, being he is a total Dumbya ass-kisser and Reslug asshole.
boosh's mama?
Jeff Gannon?
.
I'm betting you won't, you partisan hack.
i'm with you there!
so glad reid said: "I really do believe that President Bush is the worst president we’ve ever had."
too polite, too mild mannered, but he said it.
He showed as much spine as, well, maybe ever. Too bad it's too little too late.
When he said he'd support a Blago impeachment, the lack of the obvious follow-up (chump/cheney impeachment) was glaring in its absence.
I wouldn't be surprised if Reid and Gregory coordinated this performance beforehand. Gregory's a Repug shill and Reid's a crypto-Repug. America would be a much better place if these two were employed as Walmart greeters.
Then maybe Walmart and all their shit made in China could go out of business.
tis going to be sad at the BACK of the press room, when the FAUX shitheads and gregory have to suck hind tit. I'm in NEVADA and going to vote against Reid next time around--- not to be too gender specific here, but I had hoped for a senator with BALLS...
Bush leaves office in a few more days. We should all just be greatful that we survived.
I can't believe I'm 8 years older.
Actually we were in a time dilation field which you think you aged 8 years, but those looking in have aged 233 years. That's how much this Administration sucked out of the country.
Gregrory's just dong his job (excuse the typo) -- I hear he doesn't even bother putting pants on anymore - facilitates the process.
*
Far be it from me to defend Harry Reid. Let people from his own party defend him.
Hear that, corporate executives and Republicans? Mr. Reid could use some defending.
Hey, David, here's a question for you: Do YOU ever regret handing over your journalistic and personal integrity, your intellectual honesty and anything left of your gonads to the White House?
david gregory always has, is now and will always continue to
suck shit out of bush/cheney's and the gop's collective asses.
what do you expect from a wide-stance tearoom queen?
"Will you ask the same wistful questions of Cryin' John Boehner and Eric "Don't Know My Ass From My Elbow" Cantor about being "mean" to President Obama?"
-----
Cantor is the most vile of the new crop of Retthug apologists. I'm really surprised Beat the Meat, Deface the Nation, etc don't give this POS more face time.
I can't stand any whores who do the "news" especially this one. Someone being "mean" to Bush is the last thing he needs to worry about considering the war crimes he is certainly guilty of. I can't watch corporate propaganda, it makes me lose faith in America and I like to keep some peace of mind.
Reichmarshal Cheney recently boasted about their "great success" in Iraq---I wonder if Gregory would have the balls to get HIM on Press the Meat and call him out on this flagrant lie.
I won't be counting on this limp wrist hack or any of his circus freak colleagues to do anything redemptive (except KO and Rachel), and that's why I don't watch these shows. It's just as ridiculous as reading the editorial page on the Wall St. Journal.
I thought Cheney only did Faux, but your right Gregory would certainly not play hardball with anyone in this administration.
this jackass is simply reading from a script provided by the Repugs?
I really cannon WAIT until Senator Frankin goes on these "News" shows. Heh. There is nothing like an intelligent comedian to wipe the floor with people like these. Hope they like the taste of floor wax or carpet fibers.
about six years and a day.
Nothing more I can add to your commentary, Nicole, except that presuming Gregory had any integrity—personal or professional—to begin with may be a stretch.
One thing about Dancin' Dave. At least he's consistent.
David Gregory is 38 years old. That's a rough 38. Guess wanking takes a toll on you.
hair, none of it gray. Then again, I've never had to share a stage with KKKarl.
They should take their rap act on the road.
They can play all the Republican country clubs from San Diego to Florida.
They allow rap acts in all white country clubs? How guache!
It's 2009, isn't it? We will have a new president in 15 days and 21 hours, won't we? Then, why are we talking about "The Surge?" That topic can be the subject of a book in a year or two, and we can watch the author on C-Span. Gregory needs to figure out what is worth being talked about, and save debates like this to hate speech re-hashers like Hannity.
David asked the right questions to Press Secretary Scott and Karl Rove reached out and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. It's been down hill from then on. David is up to his neck in the Valerie Plame matter and when Pat Fitzgerald bring more charges on Libby it will expose what part David Gregory and Andrea Mitchell played in the set up against the American people. NBC is moving David all around and will find low rating to give him his pink slip. Andrea is now turning on the GOP to save her job. Greenspan is a has been and now known as a liar and thief. Obama/Biden will not deal with the GOP Journalist puppets. Well there's always work at the funny farm Fox News who hire fake Journalist like Beck the drunk/druggie, Hannity the bartender, O'Reilly insane/pervert and others. Tweety might send his resume to Fox News next. Soon Fox News will be the new SNL.
in the future when they document these times it's going to end up saying that gregory/russett were two of the laziest b*st*rds in journalism.
the man who shook his ass for karl rove. enough said.
And give us representation in the senate leadership position that works for everyone; rather than just for corporate donors.
...vote for this guy, support this guy, respect this guy, or even consider listening to this thoroughly repugnant, spineless idiot.
Reid's response to Gregory demonstrates what a complete weasel he (Reid) is. The man has no credibility. He's a complete embarrassment.
Harry Reid: "I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam..."
As long as the Democrats allow him a leadership role, they will be a party of losers destined to fail.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPBSV1uxR3w
Now please explain to me why I should take this spinning ignoramus seriously. He’s a frigging joke, I tell you.
Ever since I saw Gregory acting as a backup dancer for Karl Rove a couple of years ago, it was pretty obvious who had him in their back pockets. And it still shows.
"no regrets?"....doh...if the shoe fits, wear it. He IS the worst president I remember in my 40+ years of voting. As far as how we have "self-f*cked" our country, he is, in my humble opinion, the WORST F*CKING IDIOT to EVER reside in the White House. We could have had "shoe stomping Kruschev" in the White House, and this dunce would beat him.
YES david, you ignorant slut, he IS the worst president ever. Only shills and ass kissers such as yourself don't say it out loud.
I can't wait for Bush to get the hell out of the White House and I wish David Gregory would get the hell off MTP! Who picked this ass to be Russert's replacement?
David Gregory = A Giant Douche
Harry Reid = Hothouse Flower
Just shot off another note to phil.griffin@nbc.com to let him know
Hi There,
After being tortured with David Gregory on "Race to the White House" and his complete inability to listen to answers or ask appropriate follow up questions, I hoped he was gone back to the White House press corps or somewhere less annoying. I was pleased with his replacement, David Schuster.
Now after a few weeks of the worst interviews EVER! I have placed MTP on my "Do Not Watch" list via parental controls. Today took the cake with his repetitive grilling of Senator Harry Reid and not listening to his answers, instead, repeating the same inept questions about the "surge working". What sealed the deal was when he asked an opposition party leader, (Senator Reid), who shares the same view as about 75% of the American public, if he ever regretted calling Bush "the worst president ever"!!!! DUH!!! Of course he does not regret that.
David is like Faux News lite, berefit of any journalistic integrity or intellectual honesty and does not deserve to host your flagship Sunday show. Every time I tuned into MTP since he assumed that position he has failed miserably, alternately fawning over Rice or goading Reid when the absolute reverse is appropriate. I am not Senator Reids biggest fan, but I don't like not learning anything of substance either when there are so many REAL questions we, the public, want answers to. Stimulus package? Confirmations? Senate seats & appointments?
Thanks for your time,
Smitty Martin
Los Angeles CA
My god! David Gregory is a bush appologist! David Gregory is trapped inside his own little bush bubble, and he's braodcasting it for all to see! David Gregory and his producers of coarse... Betsy Fischer and the other good folks at NBC must all be trapped inside bush bubbles too.
...and bubbles are born of ignorance and denial - pretty sad coming from a news type guy! What is he NBC? Where does he get his ideas? What are we to make of a news type show that's out of step with reality?
i knew this guy was a chump when i forst saw him coming. i recall voices on air america speaking of him as though he was a real journalist...but he is just another tool of the right. i never understood rachel maddow doing that race to the white house show either. it was pretty clear gregory was just controlling information not really saying anything critical of politics or republicans. yes i saw this coming,,,besides why does everyone keep kissing russert's ass? he was not a great voice for the left and his son has already showed his stripes too.
How did David Gregory get that job on Meet the Press and how does Harry Reid keep his position as majority leader? Neither is up to the task.
Gregory is just Another reason not to watch any Korporate media show.
The only thing he has ever been tough on is the truth.
He softballed and Sucked Ass all the way to the middle of the barrel. Being a loyal Bushie got him that MTP gig. He's just following in the footsteps of the other partisan hack (Russert) that had the job before him.
For a good look at who Gregory calls his friends I offer you this classic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYZre8kEsuwwith
Gregory is cavorting onstage with pal KKKarl Rove (The architect)while people are dying in Iraq in part because of Rove's complicity in the big lie to get us into a war.
Honestly after watching that video how could anyone tune in and watch MTP? or consider that brain stem as a serious journalist?
A man stood up at a press conference and threw two shoes, hard, square at the face of the President of the United States and became an Iraqi national hero because of it.
Correction...an international hero.
Asking whether or not we won this war has to be one of the dumbest, most unnecessary questions a supposedly well-informed member of the media can ask.
Exactly - this is Crazy stuff!
While I don't like Reid because I think he is totally ineffective and needs to be replaced as senate majority leader, Gregory is talentless all-time jerk who I will never watch. First of all Gregory is a big time republican who couldn't kiss Rove's ass enough. Gregory was totally incompetent as White House correspondent for NBC. He was an example of what Scott McClellan was talking about when he said the press corps never challenged the Village Idiot's administration. Gregory's ass kissing paid off for him because that's just what he did with his other big time republican buddy, the hapless Brokaw. Brokaw pushed the schmuck Gregory into the Meet the Press job and it shouldn't be too long before Gregory falls flat on his face and in the crucial ratings game.
lets see if gregory interviews republicans in the same gotcha style, my guess is, no.
Cheney said that MTP was a good place for the Bush administration to control the message (that is, tell their lies without fear of challenge). I'm sure he would say now that MTP is still a good place to control the message. Gregory can obviously be trusted to continue the comfy relationship with the far right that Russert established.
The efforts to elevate Russert to instant sainthood after his death puzzled me at first. I mean, his biases (remember the Bush business connections?) and wussiness were obvious. But in retrospect it strikes me that most of the encomia focused on tailgate parties and basketball games. Apparently Russert was appreciated among the villagers for being a good ol' boy rather than for being a conscientious journalist.
I remember writing to MSNBC, complaining that Gregory was an ill-informed, intellectually-challenged, tunnel-visioned plug. At the time I failed to mention his political bias. Obviously, I was wrong to omit that. Gregory is the CBS version of Chris Wallace.
Reid almost had no choice but to dance around the question.
Of course, the CORRECT answer is a tougher variation of what he said earlier; "We have LOST this war. Attacks on Americans, including the President, are CHEERED by Iraqis and other countries around the world. Bush spent the lives of 4,200 Americans, the limbs of tens of thousands more and a huge percentage of our national treasure to set up a virulently anti-American, pro-Iranian Islamic Theocracy in the center of the oil-rich Middle East where one didn't exist before.
Would you call THAT a "win"?"
But on the eve of a new president taking office whose first priority is to keep the country from plunging into another Great Republican Depression, that isn't exactly the best way to set the mood on what we lost internationally as well.
Why I would want to stick up for a Republican shill? Reid is not on my side, and if that sellout Gregory wants to score a few points with his owners by making Reid look bad, I say go for it.
I share your anger at Gregory.
But it's hard to defend Reid.
He has been a completely worthless and gutless twerp since ascending to the position of majority leader.
And now he's calling Patraeus a "genius".
Gregory is hatelful.
But Reid is deplorable.
By that I mean he is a sycophant to those who project power and an asshole to those who appear as wimps.
Reid is a horrible, useless wimp and as such he got the sharp end of David's tongue.
Beyond that, Reid was briefed on U.S. torture techniques in 2002 and made no effort to stop the practice. He is therefore a war criminal and deserves whatever disrespect can be shoveled his way.
May he rot in hell!
"surprisingly milquetoast-y"???
Jeezus. Did you happen to catch his appearance on Letterman? He looked old, confused, and ready to burst into tears. I'll be surprised when he doesn't look milquetoast-y.
There's a good reason turds like Gregory are referred to as "presstitutes."
You need to add to that last sentence" .. when Bush was grossly incompetent in the execution of every one of his duties as President of the United States, from Katrina to Iraq, Afghanistan to the economic meltdown his party ignored until it was done?" There, fixed it for you.
David Gregory=Fox News on MSNBC!
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