Bush and Pelosi

Why is Pres. Bush so upset with Nancy Pelosi and her trip to the Middle East?  As far back as I can remember, members of Congress have traveled around the globe, meeting with various leaders.  Makes you wonder if the fact that Pelosi is a woman has anything to do with it. 

Bush needs to communicate a more potent message if he wants to get non-partisan Americans on his side in this fight.  It’s not compelling for him to say, basically, ”because I’m the Commander in Chief, that’s why.”  He’s not talking to an errant child, after all.  And a lot of middle Americans are welcoming Congress’ oversight because things haven’t been going too well in the Middle East lately. 

Better still, maybe Pres. Bush should take a cue from the Great Communicator himself.  Ronald Reagan, a passionate partisan himself, knew how to reach across the aisle.  That’s why he involved then- House Speaker Tip O’Neil in the peace talks in Ireland. 

Heeb Magazine

A friend at last night’s Seder told me about a fairly new magazine that is clever and hip and Jewish.  Check it out and make sure you take a look at the Tshirts for sale.  http://www.heebmagazine.com/

Anna Nicole’s Baby Daddy

I was channel surfing so much over the weekend that I can’t remember which network or which anchor it was, but I actually heard an anchor say that this week, a Bahamian court could make a ruling regarding “Anna Nicole Smith’s baby daddy”.   No, that’s not a typo.  Baby Daddy.  When did that become acceptable English? 

Maybe I can’t remember because I was so shocked to hear such ungrammatical slang on a national newscast. 

A friend of mine, a correspondent for an international TV news operation, said it reminded him of when, years ago, an anchor with an impeccable journalism resume used the term “24/7″ on a newscast. 

I said, yeah, but that’s different.  “24/7″ came from the business world, I said, while “baby daddy” seems just so crass.  A reflection of our ever-increasing culture of crass?   Or does it reflect a new reality:  Young women are increasingly not marrying their babies’ fathers.  So he’s not a husband, but there is a relationship to denote.   ?????

There was a camel at my Seder

No kidding.  There really was a camel at my Seder.  My hosts really know a thing or two about communication.  They’re communicating to all the children at the table that religious observance is special and fun.  They’ll never forget the camel! 

Katie Couric Slammed by Hardball

Funny that Katie is getting grief for asking John and Elizabeth Edwards some searching questions.  The rap is that she was “too tough” according to the ladies on The View.  But Katie and 60 Minutes was selected by the Edwards camp specifically because they wanted a tough interview — they rightly assumed it would gain more credibility.  And look — Edwards has had an influx of campaign donations thanks to the publicity about how he and Elizabeth were committed to each other and the campaign. 

TMZ Got It Wrong! So did I!

Just a few days I go, I was lauding TMZ for earning such a great reputation of getting it first and getting it right.  And then they go and get it wrong — and I mean REALLY wrong with the John Edwards’ announcement.  They reported before the press conference that he was going to withdraw — the only big media outlet that predicted it before the conference.  And with TMZ’s rep behind the reporting, it was the speculation by everyone.  

Makes me wonder…TMZ is said to be starting a D.C. insider gossip site because of the old Hollywood saying that politics is Hollywood for ugly people.  This episode is gonna hurt. 

Elizabeth Edwards

Okay, so the Edwards’ insist that cancer won’t get the best of them — at least not yet.  And it’s obvious that they are getting some very good PR advice.  Giving their first interview to 60 Minutes was a very savvy move.  No one can say they went for a softball interviewer.  (See previous post about Katie’s line of questioning.) 

I’ll bet Edwards’ PR team is now encouraging the Edwards to give more interviews.  Won’t be surprised to see them pop up on Larry King tonight, although that will cut into the insightful analysis Larry’s panel will undoubtedly offer on the Anna Nicole Smith autopsy and DNA tests. 

Also look for photos of Elizabeth rollerblading or riding a roller coaster or something.  A picture says a thousand words and right now, they need pix of Elizabeth doing healthy things like working out, or ordinary fun things, like taking her young kids to Disneyland.  Pix that show her vibrant and alive. 

We’ve come a long way since the days when people would never say “cancer” out loud, for fear that the dread disease would come after them.  But it will take a lot to get Americans to widely subscribe to the attitude that the Edwards are demonstrating. 

Katie Couric / Elizabeth Edwards

Great interview between Katie Couric and John and Elizabeth Edwards on 60 Minutes last night.  For everyone who thinks Katie is just a bubbly morning gal, here are some of the questions she put to the candidate and his wife: 

Viral Videos – Katie Couric on 60 MINUTES aggressively questions John and Elizabeth Edwards after announcement that Mrs. Edwards has cancer and that he will stay in the race:

“Some people wonder if you are in denial.”

“Some have suggested that you’re capitalizing on this.”

“You’re putting your work first, and your family second.”

“The president can not be distracted by caring about his wife’s situation.”

Teresa Heinz Kerry

Did Teresa Heinz Kerry have a major fight with her husband before they went on the Today Show this morning?  Boy, she looked p.o.’d.  She was looking everywhere BUT at her husband when he was talking to Meredith and she seemed reluctant to participate in the interview, even when Meredith questioned her directly and her husband encouraged her to talk about the book they co-wrote that is newly published. 

In the MT 101 playbook, Teresa blew it.  She had a chance to show the TV audience a good side of herself and instead, came off haughty and oddly disinterested. 

Leaking Anna Nicole

How much you wanna bet that somebody is going to leak the Anna Nicole death investigation findings before the press conference?  My money is going to be on Harvey Levin and TMZ getting the scoop.  In such a short time, Harvey and his team have earned a rep for getting it first AND getting it right.