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[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by dissention

No, Katie Couric never called Reagan an "airhead." The actual quote from the 9/27/99 Today transcript is:

Good morning. The Gipper was an airhead. That’s one of the conclusions of a new biography of Ronald Reagan that’s drawing a tremendous amount of interest and fire today, Monday, September the 27th, 1999.

She attributed it to Edmund Morris, doll, the man who wrote the biography on Reagan. And Sean Hannity, that pillar of integrity, even said the same thing on that very date, 9/27/99 on his show:

Welcome back to Hannity & Colmes. I’m Sean Hannity. Coming up, the authorized biography of Ronald Reagan calls him, quote, an airhead. And it is upsetting a lot of the former president’s supporters.

She also claimed on page 134 of Slander that the New York Times called Bush an "airhead" in a piece that ran on 3/12/00, but that's another lie.

I was aware of her using the quote from Edmund Morris' book. Do you happen to notice the difference in approach as to the way it was used on the Today show and how it was used on Hannity & Colmes? "The Gipper was an airhead" were the opening remarks. Not to mention it was incorrectly quoted, leaving out the word "apparent" which can make a world of difference. As it did in the case of Mr. Morris' quote, which he brought to task whenever he appeared on the Today show saying that it was "brutal and grossly unfair. I did not call him an airhead." He explained that he had simply written that based on his first impression of meeting Reagan.

Also it is important to note that Hannity & Colmes did not consistently open their shows with the same inane assertion.

Coulter: So for the Today show to be opening three days in a row, Ronald Reagan was an airhead, I'm sorry, that's dishonest.

Couric: It was one day. And also, just for your information it, was one day.

Coulter: No, you said it one day. Matt Lauer said it another day.

Couric: No, it was just one day, and we'll get the transcripts for you

Let's go to NEXIS! Answer: Two days, three times (plus once on "Later Today"). Couric said it on Sept. 27, 1999. The next day, as charged, Lauer opened the show by talking about "the author's assertion that Reagan was a great president but an airhead." NBC's Jamie Gangel repeated the "airhead" charge without the "apparent" later that day in a Today interview with ex-President George H.W. Bush. The winner: Coulter on points. She was closer to the truth than Couric, who picked this particular fact fight and was wrong. ... The account in Coulter's book (which doesn't make the "three days" charge) appears to be completely accurate

[Brwn_eyes0511]

for all those interested in seeing part of the "cat fight" in question...

HERE IT IS!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

"The Gipper was an airhead" were the opening remarks.

The Gipper was an airhead. That’s one of the conclusions of a new biography of Ronald Reagan that’s drawing a tremendous amount of interest and fire today

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Not to mention it was incorrectly quoted, leaving out the word "apparent" which can make a world of difference.

Hannity never used the word "apparent."

Coming up, the authorized biography of Ronald Reagan calls him, quote, an airhead.

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Let's go to NEXIS! Answer: Two days, three times (plus once on "Later Today"). Couric said it on Sept. 27, 1999. The next day, as charged, Lauer opened the show by talking about "the author's assertion that Reagan was a great president but an airhead." NBC's Jamie Gangel repeated the "airhead" charge without the "apparent" later that day in a Today interview with ex-President George H.W. Bush. The winner: Coulter on points. She was closer to the truth than Couric, who picked this particular fact fight and was wrong. ... The account in Coulter's book (which doesn't make the "three days" charge) appears to be completely accurate

You make such a fool out of yourself.

Not once did anyone from the Today show call Reagan an "airhead," but you're too blind to see it.

[seeker007nmss]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

for all those interested in seeing part of the "cat fight" in question...

HERE IT IS!

Did someone say "catfight?"

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

Did someone say "catfight?"

The one taking the chunk out of the other's skin...HAS TO BE COULTER!

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by dissention

The Gipper was an airhead. That’s one of the conclusions of a new biography of Ronald Reagan that’s drawing a tremendous amount of interest and fire today

Exactly! But they opened WITH "The Gipper was an airhead..."

Hannity never used the word "apparent."

Coming up, the authorized biography of Ronald Reagan calls him, quote, an airhead.

But read how Hannity phrased his statement and how Couric did. You don't see bias there?

You make such a fool out of yourself.

Not once did anyone from the Today show call Reagan an "airhead," but you're too blind to see it.

Why is that? Because I quoted facts and transcripts? I see.

Morris didn't call Reagan an airhead but the Today show did -- and not just once. Also note that Ms. Couric introduced Coulter as a "telebimbo" -- quoting someone else, of course.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Exactly! But they opened WITH "The Gipper was an airhead..."

Actually, she opened with "Good morning. The Gipper was an airhead. That’s one of the conclusions of a new biography of Ronald Reagan that’s drawing a tremendous amount of interest and fire today, Monday, September the 27th, 1999." There was no bias, she clearly attributed it to the book that Edmund Morris was there to promote and she never personally called Reagan an "airhead" as Coultergeist likes to say.

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

But read how Hannity phrased his statement and how Couric did. You don't see bias there?

Hannity never used the word "apparent." He said the same thing Couric did; that Morris called him an "airhead."

You sure are thick.

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Why is that? Because I quoted facts and transcripts? I see.

Because you quoted transcripts that obviously show that no one on the Today show called him an "airhead."

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Morris didn't call Reagan an airhead but the Today show did -- and not just once.

Then why did Hannity state that Morris called Reagan an "airhead"?

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by dissention

Actually, she opened with "Good morning. The Gipper was an airhead. That’s one of the conclusions of a new biography of Ronald Reagan that’s drawing a tremendous amount of interest and fire today, Monday, September the 27th, 1999." There was no bias, she clearly attributed it to the book that Edmund Morris was there to promote and she never personally called Reagan an "airhead" as Coultergeist likes to say.

She attributed it to the book AFTER saying "The Gipper was an airhead." Picking up on a bias requires that you not have the bias yourself, I suppose.

Hannity never used the word "apparent." He said the same thing Couric did; that Morris called him an "airhead."

You sure are thick.

Josh, stay focused here. I'm aware of the fact that Hannity didn't use the word apparent either. But he did not say the same thing Couric did.

Coming up, the authorized biography of Ronald Reagan calls him, quote, an airhead.

Hannity makes it clear that "airhead" was a quote from Morris' book. Whereas Couric and the Today show made it seem that it was "the conclusion" of his book.

Because you quoted transcripts that obviously show that no one on the Today show called him an "airhead."

Because I quoted transcripts that prove that Couric lied on national television.

"Actually it was only one day..."

And then she quickly tries to change the subject!

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

She attributed it to the book AFTER saying "The Gipper was an airhead." Picking up on a bias requires that you not have the bias yourself, I suppose.

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Josh, stay focused here. I'm aware of the fact that Hannity didn't use the word apparent either. But he did not say the same thing Couric did.

Coming up, the authorized biography of Ronald Reagan calls him, quote, an airhead.

Hannity makes it clear that "airhead" was a quote from Morris' book. Whereas Couric and the Today show made it seem that it was "the conclusion" of his book.

Couric and the Today show made it just as "apparent."

You simply can't see that because picking up on a lack of bias requires that you not have any bias yourself...

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Because I quoted transcripts that prove that Couric lied on national television.

"Actually it was only one day..."

And then she quickly tries to change the subject!

Again:

The crux of Coulter's argument is that the on-air staff of Today personally called Reagan an "airhead." They did not. She is arguing that they referred to him as an "airhead," when what they did was refer to the book's author who called him an "airhead." The same thing Hannity did, but for some reason, you're incapable of seeing it. Logic goes out the window when conservatives try to make any points, so I suppose it's just natural.

And you've yet to actually quote the Today show for all three of those days they supposedly opened with the "airhead" story. I'm the only one who actually posted a quote from a transcript. Pony up or don't play.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Couric and the Today show made it just as "apparent."

Except for the fact that they don't! They use it as a charactarization of Morris' entire book.

The crux of Coulter's argument is that the on-air staff of Today personally called Reagan an "airhead." They did not. She is arguing that they referred to him as an "airhead," when what they did was refer to the book's author who called him an "airhead." The same thing Hannity did, but for some reason, you're incapable of seeing it. Logic goes out the window when conservatives try to make any points, so I suppose it's just natural.

Again, Edmund Morris didn't call Ronald Reagan an airhead, the today show did.

Oh come now Josh, we both know (edit * READ BRANDON READ *) that logic + liberals = oxymoron

And you've yet to actually quote the Today show for all three of those days they supposedly opened with the "airhead" story. I'm the only one who actually posted a quote from a transcript. Pony up or don't play.

Actually they opened with it twice, but refer to it three times. Why is it that you have trouble of taking what I say at face value. I can't remember the last time you posted links and sources. But being the conservative, the facts are on my side so.....

Today opened with the “airhead” terminology on two different mornings. First, Couric used it on Monday, September 27, 1999.

“Good morning. The Gipper was an airhead. That's one of the conclusions of a new biography of Ronald Reagan that's drawing a tremendous amount of interest and fire today, Monday, September the 27th, 1999."

Second, here’s how Matt Lauer began the broadcast the next day:

“Good morning. For the first time President Bush is responding to the controversial new biography of Ronald Reagan. And in particular the author's assertion that Reagan was a great President but an airhead."
George H.W. Bush: "And it's brutal and grossly unfair and untrue.”
Lauer: “And Mr. Bush has more to say today, Tuesday, September 28th, 1999.”

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Except for the fact that they don't! They use it as a charactarization of Morris' entire book.

Sean Hannity does the same thing, then.

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Again, Edmund Morris didn't call Ronald Reagan an airhead, the today show did.

According to Sean Hannity, Morris' "authorized biography of Ronald Reagan calls him, quote, an airhead."

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Oh come now Josh, we both no that logic + liberals = oxymoron

That's what conservatives say, but we've already established that they don't employ logic, so nothing they say really has much merit.

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Actually they opened with it twice, but refer to it three times.

Ah, so Ann was lying when she said they opened with it three times?

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

But being the conservative, the facts are on my side so.....

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Today opened with the “airhead” terminology on two different mornings. First, Couric used it on Monday, September 27, 1999.

“Good morning. The Gipper was an airhead. That's one of the conclusions of a new biography of Ronald Reagan that's drawing a tremendous amount of interest and fire today, Monday, September the 27th, 1999."

Second, here’s how Matt Lauer began the broadcast the next day:

“Good morning. For the first time President Bush is responding to the controversial new biography of Ronald Reagan. And in particular the author's assertion that Reagan was a great President but an airhead."
George H.W. Bush: "And it's brutal and grossly unfair and untrue.”
Lauer: “And Mr. Bush has more to say today, Tuesday, September 28th, 1999.”

“Good morning. For the first time President Bush is responding to the controversial new biography of Ronald Reagan. And in particular the author's assertion that Reagan was a great President but an airhead."

What is wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. He notes that it is "the author's assertion that Reagan was a great President but an airhead."

Spin spin spin. You're going to puke one of these days from all that spinning.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by dissention

Sean Hannity does the same thing, then.

Sean doesn't say that it is a "conclusion" of the Morris book.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

Sean doesn't say that it is a "conclusion" of the Morris book.

You're losing it, honey.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Ah, so Ann was lying when she said they opened with it three times?

No, Ann just didn't have the exact transcripts in front of her. She knew that they opened the show with "airhead" more than once and that is what's important. In her book she says "twice" which is what is correct.

Couric who WORKS on the show and made the statement, LIED and said it was only one day.

“Good morning. For the first time President Bush is responding to the controversial new biography of Ronald Reagan. And in particular the author's assertion that Reagan was a great President but an airhead."

What is wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. He notes that it is "the author's assertion that Reagan was a great President but an airhead."

Spin spin spin. You're going to puke one of these days from all that spinning.

I notice how you are more quick to defend the quote made my Matt but a little unsure about the first one made by Couric.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

Originally Posted by dissention

You're losing it, honey.

Know I'm pointing out the very obvious difference in the introductions by Hannity and Couric!

Come on now Josh, you should know that taunting doesn't work!