It wasn't live, but it was classic Larry King: a warm bath, not a hot seat

[dajoki]

NYT
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/07/washington/07teevee.html?ex=1309924800&en=691209069854ebac&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

The TV Watch
President Has a Smooth Ride on 'Larry King Live'

By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
Published: July 7, 2006

Two kinds of celebrities go on "Larry King Live" on CNN: those with something to sell and those with something to hide.

<<snip>>

And that is why President Bush invited the CNN talk show host to the White House on his 60th birthday. The standoff with North Korea over its missile tests, the war in Iraq and ever-sliding ratings in the polls have given the president little reason to celebrate. Mr. King gave the president a chance to defend his policies without risk of interruption or follow-up.

At times, Mr. King even provided the president with answers. "You've always had a lot of compassion for the Mexican people," the interviewer interjected in a discussion of the president's immigration bill. Mr. Bush seemed a little surprised, but grateful. "Yes, sir!" he replied.

<<snip>>

After a brief, good-humored exchange about how the president felt about turning 60, Mr. King asked Mr. Bush about North Korea vaguely enough for the president to repeat what he said earlier in the day in an appearance with the Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, about the need for a united stand to bring the North Korean president to reason.

<<snip>>

And just as Liza Minnelli seemed to come unglued all on her own in her appearance on the show last March, Mr. Bush at times seemed tense and defensive even without needling from his host. "I've been popular before, as president," Mr. Bush said tightly. "And I've been — people have accepted what I've been doing." He added: "Sometimes things go up and down. The best way to lead and the best way to solve problems is to focus on a set of principles. And do what you think is right."

<<snip>>

When he was at a loss for words, Mrs. Bush stepped in to speak on his behalf, sometimes with more dexterity than her husband. "Well, sure, you know, we worried about it, obviously," Mrs. Bush replied when asked whether she was rattled by the North Korean missile tests. "But what I spent the day doing actually was watching our shuttle take off from Florida."

It wasn't live, but it was classic Larry King: a warm bath, not a hot seat.

[MichiganVote]

1. Seems to me that since CBS can kick Rather to the curb

King should really be a shoe in.

[MrTriumph]

2. I watched it w/o sound and Bush was just as pathetic as you heard him

I was in a restaurant and they has the TV on, but no sound. It was so obvious Bush was clueless to most of Larry's softball questions. He shook his head repeatedly.

If the consequences were not so dire, Bush would be almost comic.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

3. Yes, Larry's doing a hero love fest for Ken Lay tonight.

Larry just can't understand how a billionaire republican could possibly be guilty of anything.

[Maccagirl]

4. That's precisely why I refused to watch

1) I knew Larry King would ask stupid/inane questions.

2)* would give stupid/inane answers.

and I can't stand to look at or listen to either of them. Throw in the Stepford Wife and you've got a no-brainer (pun intended).

[dajoki]

5. Perfect summation n/t

[celestia671]

6. A lukewarm bath...

with bubbles and a loofa!

[snowbear]

7. Bush's on Larry King had piss poor ratings..

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/07/AR2006070701585.html