Hillary Clinton-Katie Couric Interview Jeered - Cheers & Jeers

Hillary Clinton courtesy CBS

Jeers to Katie Couric for her puffy interview with Hillary Clinton on 60 Minutes. Some critics suggest (to use one of Couric's favorite phrases) the CBS Evening News anchor lacks gravitas, and she certainly didn't prove them wrong with such featherweight questions as "Do you like Barack Obama?" and "Someone told me your nickname in school was 'Miss Frigidaire' — is that true?" ("Only with some boys" was Clinton's deft response.) And Couric's how-do-you-do-it-all softballs seemed more suited to an early-morning infotainment show than a prime-time newsmagazine. Clinton's secrets to staying healthy? She sanitizes her hands with Purel, drinks lots of water and eats plenty of hot peppers. Come back, Dan Rather — all is forgiven!

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Posted by

Bruce Fretts

Feb 10, 2008 7:54 PM

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Did she really ask about the high-school nickname? Really?
Posted by Matt Webb Mitovich Feb 10, 2008 10:31 PM Report Abuse

I couldn't make that up if I tried.
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 10, 2008 10:35 PM Report Abuse

Contrast that with the Obama interview, where he was answering questions about his experience and his veiws on the war in Iraq. I don't like Clinton, but man, Katie Couric did not serve her well at all. If I was Senator Clinton, I would be demanding a do over with a real reporter.
Posted by filegirl Feb 10, 2008 11:32 PM Report Abuse

It is interesting. Hillary Clinton is running for President and they're asking her First Lady type questions. Maybe Katie Couric didn't drop the ball afterall
Posted by metromedia Feb 10, 2008 11:48 PM Report Abuse

I didn't think Steve Kroft's interview with Obama was particularly hard-hitting, but at least it wasn't silly. I half-expected Couric's follow-up to "Do you like Barack Obama?" to be "Do you like him or do you like like him?"
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 11, 2008 12:05 AM Report Abuse

"Do you like Barack Obama?" Does Barack know that Hillary likes him? Does she like him, or like like him? Does He like her too, or does he like like her? Please Katie, dig!! We need to know the answers to these burning questions!!!Oops! Sorry Bruce!! I missed the end of your last post! Great minds?? -- Edited by Mr. Furley at 02/10/2008 11:20 PM
Posted by Mr. Furley Feb 11, 2008 1:34 AM Report Abuse

Anytime Matt Lauer, who:
1) at the very entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre repeatedly called it the Holy "Sep-le-chre
2) showed in an interview that he did not know the difference between Annie Leibovitz and Fran Lebowitz
3) was intimidated and rendered completely tongue-tied by a ranting Tom Cruise
4) is daily out-quipped by the far smarter and funnier Al Roker-
comes across as a better journalist it should ring alarm bells all over the airwaves. Katie was pleasant and acceptible in the early morning but is woefully miscast in the role of news anchor. As Dan Rather pointed out, it was a stunt and one that has rather spectacularly failed. What the hell is the frequency Kenneth?

Posted by DaMess

Feb 11, 2008 3:39 AM

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DaMess and Mr. Furley--Funny, as usual.
Posted by Bruce Fretts Feb 11, 2008 8:28 AM Report Abuse

I had the same reaction. I'm no Hillary fan, but my husband and I were really horrified while watching this interview. Vitamins? Really, Katie Couric? That's the best you can do?
Posted by Isadora Wing Feb 11, 2008 10:02 AM Report Abuse

I watched Steve Kroft's interview with Sen. Obama and all I thought was that's what you ask the potential next president? I wasn't impressed. But then I saw Katie Curic's interview and I am just so saddened by the decline in the quality of 60 minutes. There was no substance at all. It made Obama's interview seem extraordinarily informative. CBS News is just another name for CBS reality tv.
Posted by annmys999 Feb 11, 2008 11:00 AM Report Abuse

DaMess and Mr. Furley--Funny, as usual. We're the new Gallagher and Sheen.
Posted by DaMess Feb 11, 2008 11:46 AM Report Abuse

I think Katie also asked Senator Clinton if her health care initiative included "cootie shots."
Posted by BosleyJBosley Feb 11, 2008 11:55 AM Report Abuse

annmys999, I agree with you. I thought the Obama interview was a puffy, aren't-you-a-great-guy, celebrity showcase. Couric's Clinton piece was similar. So it's a draw. Wonder why McCain chose not to participate in the love fest.

Were the interviews designed to let them prove that their perceived weaknesses weren't true? I.e. Obama could talk about experience/substance and Clinton could show she really is a nice person. (p.s. I always thought she was, but then again I'm a professional woman, who's been called bitchy or hard for behaviors & attitudes that were considered positive or even-handed in the men I work with.)

Posted by Jtoo

Feb 11, 2008 12:06 PM

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Both interviews were horrible. It's appalling what passes as journalism these days.
Posted by Mrs.MikeyCera Feb 11, 2008 12:38 PM Report Abuse

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