Brokaw ended MTP with essentially a "War Hero" ad for McCain

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

Brokaw summary - "This is the anniversary of you being shot down in Hanoi, where you were captured tortured, held for five years. Here is a letter your mother wrote to President Johnson. Here is a list of all the medals you won."

Unbelievable. Unbelieveable in the sense that I completely took it as close to an endorsement as an anchor could possibly get.

That was the most pathetic excuse for a so called MTP interview with a candidate I ever saw in my life. Brokaw allowed McCain to deliver campaign setpiece talking points with no follow-up at all even when McCain made flat out misstatements, (I mean LIES) like:

1. Obama will fine small businesses that don't provide healthcare
Not true and Brokaw asked nothing about McCain's healthcare plan.

2. Obama will raise taxes on anyone making over 42,000
(I'll have to fact check myself when the transcript comes out but I think this is the figure McCain threw out) Again, allowed to pass with no comment by Brokaw.

When MCCain described Sarah Palin as a "reformer" I would have asked if a true reformer bills their state for per diems on days they spend in their own home, or how about that ethics investigation, or how about flying her children at state expense, etc. etc. etc.
Brokaw said nothing.

Actually Brokaw said almost nothing of any value during the entire interview. If you did not see it, just wait for the transcript.

[SharonRB]

1. I thought Biden was supposed to be on MTP

Was he? It doesn't come on here until 10:30.

[trof]

2. Political talking head roundtable now.

No Biden.
Strictly 30 minutes of McLame.
Will Obama have 30 minutes next Sunday?
Doubt it.

[book_worm]

5. They are justifying this time with McCain due to the half-hour Colin Powell had last week

to endorse Obama.

[bkinsd]

8. I doubt it too. But Obama won't need it after the country sees

his 30 minute TV spot this week. Nine days to go!!!

[jaxx]

3. I saw it.... My friends!

He got a free pass today from Brokaw.

[SharonRB]

10. I didn't totally see it that way, my friend

At the end he was totally in the tank for him, granted. But, I thought he put Grampy on the defense for a lot of the interview, actually, and he did not come across well in his answers. Maybe it's just me.

[Diamonique]

13. I agree with you.

I didn't care for the "POW ad", but the questions did put McCain on the spot, and I don't think he did well at all. Talking points are for stump speeches, not for interviews.

[RichGirl]

4. The expiration date of the "war hero" has run out.

But, you've got to hand it to McCain, he stretched it as far as it could possibly go.

[underpants]

6. Brokaw is just making sure McCain gets a "fair shake" with NBC News

Tuesday's New York Times features a profile of Tom Brokaw ahead of the October 7 presidential debate being hosted by the veteran NBC newsman. The Times reveals that Brokaw has "played a pivotal role out of public view, both within NBC and in its dealings with the campaign of John McCain in particular."

His mission, he said, was to assure the candidate's aides that -- despite some negative on-air commentary by Mr. Olbermann in particular -- Mr. McCain could still get a fair shake from NBC News. Mr. Brokaw said he had been told by a senior McCain aide, whom he did not name, that the campaign had been reluctant to accept an NBC representative as one of the moderators of the three presidential debates -- until his name was invoked.


"One of the things I was told by this person was that they were so irritated, they said, 'If it's an NBC moderator, for any of these debates, we won't go,' " Mr. Brokaw said. "My name came up, and they said, 'Oh, hell, we have to do it, because it's going to be Brokaw.' "

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/30/tom-brokaw-acting-as-nbc_n_130453.html

[n2doc]

7. And the really great thing is- It won't matter!

Nothing they can do to prop up McLame anymore. Everyone but the knuckle-draggers have left that sinking ship. So if Tom wants to be an idiot butt kissing repuke, so be it. No one really cares anymore what he says, and that's gotta sting.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

9. It's like Brokaw said - don't worry, I'll take care of the POW angle.

And it really did sound almost like ad copy.

[lonestarnot]

11. POW

[Essene]

12. oh come on... Brokaw utterly destroy mccain

the analogy at the end about this sunday being better than that day 40 years ago... was very harsh, in my view.