Quotes from Katie Couric, some in bold that pertain to the Ann Coulter interview.
2001
Defending Bill Clinton: "With the exception of the pardon of Marc Rich and some other
moves that probably were somewhat questionable, would you concede this morning that it’s
gotten to the point where there is a bit of piling on going on here? I mean, it seems to me
that he has done some things that other Presidents have done in the past. I mean, you look
at other presidential libraries, they are filled with things that those Presidents got during their,
their years at the White House. And yet somehow it’s become a high crime for Bill Clinton to
take some of these things with him to put in his presidential library." — To Chris Matthews
and Mike Barnicle, February 20, 2001.
2000
Repent, Anita Hill Critic: "You know you, you angered a lot of feminists when you accused
Anita Hill. In fact, you detailed how she changed her testimony during questioning, during
the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings. And you accused of her publicly, quote, ‘Flat
out perjury.’ Any regrets?" — To Sen. Arlen Specter, March 6, 2000. Couric did not ask if he
regretted not voting guilty during Bill Clinton’s Senate trial.
Cuban-Americans: "Some suggested over the weekend that it’s wrong to expect Elian
Gonzalez to live in a place that tolerates no dissent or freedom of political expression. They
were talking about Miami. All eyes on south Florida and its image this morning. Another writer
this weekend called it ‘an out of control banana republic within America.’ What effect is the
Elian Gonzalez story having on perception of Miami? We will talk with a well-known columnist
for the Miami Herald about that."— April 3, 2000.
First Victim Hillary: "Why do you think Hillary Clinton elicits such powerful emotions? Why is
she such a polarizing figure?"
"But don’t you think there’s an awful lot of projection that goes on in terms of how people
view her, placing their own confused states or their role in society or how powerful should
women be and it’s sort of projected upon her as an individual?" — First two questions to
Laura Ingraham, author of The Hillary Trap: Looking for Power in All the Wrong Places, June
7, 2000.
Cheney Opposed to Mandela Release: "I’m just curious, do you have any problems with
the fact that he [Dick Cheney] did vote against Head Start — because you care so deeply
about education — and against a resolution that would have allowed Nelson Mandela to be
released from prison?" — To Colin Powell, August 1, 2000, during the week of the
Republican convention.
Colin Powell Must Have Been Duped: "Only four percent of the delegates in the
convention hall are African-Americans. Do you feel troubled at all by this, and do you feel
used by your party?" — To Colin Powell, August 1, 2000, during the week of the Republican
convention.
Lynne Cheney, Warrior Princess: "Many people have described you as the true right-wing
warrior of the family. You’re a staunch conservative, you*ve spoken out against feminism,
multiculturalism, you oppose trigger locks for guns....You have been described by Ken
Adelman, a former arms control individual, as ‘thinking all of Western civilization is in danger
from the left and she has no levity about that.’" — To Lynne Cheney, August 2, 2000.
Gore Like Reagan: "All this week you all have made much of Al Gore’s exaggerations, but
the same things were often said about Ronald Reagan who would pass off as true stories
things he had seen in the movies. You know, Republicans brushed that off as part of
Ronald Reagan’s charms or charm, but now you cite it as a major character flaw when it
comes to Al Gore. Why was it charming then and not presidential now?" — To Bush
campaign Communications Director Karen Hughes, October 11, 2000, NBC.
Hillary Has a Lott to Fear: "What are you most looking forward to? Obviously getting to
work, but when you think of the array of possibilities before you?"
"Let me ask you for your reaction to a statement Trent Lott made recently because it was
quite interesting. He said, ‘I’ll tell you one thing when this Hillary gets to the Senate...she’ll
be one of a hundred and we won’t let her forget it.’ Didn’t sound as if he was putting out the
welcome mat for you, did he?"— To Hillary Clinton, live from the White House to promote
Hillary’s new book on White House entertaining, November 28, 2000.
Hard for Hillary Doing Two Things at Once: "You obviously enjoyed the domestic aspects
of your role as First Lady, but wasn’t it hard to balance being an activist First Lady and the
responsibilities of a more traditional First Lady?" — To Hillary Clinton, November 28, 2000.
1999
Blaming Right Wing for Murder: "Let’s talk a little bit more about the right wing because I
know that’s something you feel very strongly about. But this is actually not necessarily about
the right wing, but perhaps a climate that some say has been established by religious
zealots or Christian conservatives. There have been two recent incidents in the news, I think,
that upset most people in this country, that is the dragging death of James Byrd Junior and
the beating death of Matthew Shepard. I just would like you to reflect on whether you feel
people in this country are increasingly intolerant, mean-spirited, et cetera, and what, if
anything, can be done about that because a lot of people get very discouraged when they
hear and see this kind of brutality taking place." — To former Texas Governor Ann Richards
as she hosted a 92nd Street Y appearance in New York City on March 3 shown by C-SPAN
on April 3, 1999.
Republicans Are So Alienating: "I think it’s been reported increasingly lately that the
Republican Party realizes, especially moderate members of the party, that they have a real
identity crisis and a real split within the party, people like Christie Todd Whitman, et cetera.
And they had a meeting down in Florida, I believe, where they talked about the only people
that still liked them are, what, businesspeople and who else did they say? One other subset
of the population, it was pretty small. So do you think that they are going to fix the party?
Don’t you think they might somehow bring it more to the center? They realize they are
alienating so many moderate Republicans in this country...." — To former Texas Governor
Ann Richards on March 3, 1999 shown by C-SPAN April 3.
Prescription Entitlement a "No Brainer:" "It sounds like a no-brainer. Seniors spend
billions of dollars on prescription drugs every year, often putting them in terrible financial
situations. So what’s wrong with this plan?"
"And while I appreciate your concern about medical research, certainly I feel passionately
about that as well, it’s important for people who are sick now and who are experiencing
problems to be able to get affordable drugs, isn’t it?" — To pharmaceutical industry
spokesman Alan Holmer about creating a Medicare prescription entitlement, June 29, 1999.
From National Heroines to "Booters with Hooters:" "And we’re back with a couple of
members of the U.S. women’s soccer team. You know, I just had to ask you all this question
because I’m sort of conflicted about it, and I know you all are, too, Brandi and Julie. But I
know Brandi, for example, you posed. It was a beautiful photograph. I mean, you have an
incredible body -- may I say that on national television? [shot of nude photo of her from side
with vital parts hidden, in Gear magazine] But you know, I’m wondering about some of the
mixed signals that little girls might be getting. I asked somebody earlier this morning. Sex
sells. So in order to sell soccer, do you have to sell sex? But what about the whole concept
of ‘booters with hooters’ and not ‘soccer moms, soccer mommas!’ And kind of making you all
appealing on that level. Do you feel completely comfortable with that, or should you tell me
to lighten up?"
"Is that how you feel, Julie? I know you were in Sports Illustrated in a bikini running with your
husband, which is a completely innocent photo, but I’m sure some hard core feminists are
gonna say, ‘Wait a second, what’s going on here?’" — To Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy
of the World Cup-winning women’s soccer team, July 12, 1999.
"Golden Years" of Camelot: "With the death of JFK Jr., there is now only one survivor of
Camelot. That, of course, is Caroline Kennedy, the little girl who walked her father to the
Oval Office and rode a pony on the White House lawn. And now grown up with a family of
her own, Caroline remains our only link to those golden years." — July 19, 1999.
Reveling in Reviling Reagan: "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." — Opening the show,
September 27, 1999.
1998
One More Gun Restriction, That's The Ticket!
Katie Couric: "Getting back to kids and guns, if you will indulge me for a moment. You
cannot think of any other position the NRA could take in terms of trying to decrease the
number of school shootings? You feel like this is not your bailiwick, this is not your problem?"
Charlton Heston: "Not at all. As I told you the NRA spends more money, more time..."
Couric, cutting him off: "Other than education."
Heston: "Well what would you suppose? What would you suggest?"
Couric: "I don’t know, perhaps greater restrictions." — Exchange on June 8, 1998.
All Ills Lead to Reagan: "Quickly, we’re almost out of time, but it seems to me that money is
an issue, that [mental health] funding was cut 25 percent during the Reagan administration.
It’s gone down ever since. Don’t we need to funnel more money into helping these people?
The fact that half of the homeless population may be untreated mentally ill is a real tragedy,
don’t you think?" — To two psychologists during discussion about U.S. Congress shooting
suspect, Russell Weston, Jr., July 29, 1998.
Hate Crime Fallout Put on Political Right: "Then the fallout from the death of Matthew
Shepard. The tragic beating of the college student in Wyoming has some activists in this
country saying there is a climate of anti-gay hate that’s been fostered by a provocative
advertising campaign by the political right in this country. We’re going to get into that debate
after news and weather." — October 13, 1998 show.
1997
Advising Against Adhering to Contract with America: "But in fairness, what is wrong with
Newt Gingrich reaching out to some other groups, extending himself? I mean, can't you
catch more flies with honey? Isn't there something about that? And perhaps the rigidity of
some of the conservative Republicans and their almost religious adherence to the Contract
with America, didn't that ultimately backfire on them?" — To Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), April
2, 1997.
Bill Clinton Too Conservative: "Seventy-four percent of the respondents in a recent poll
think young Americans without education or job prospects is the greatest threat facing the
country. If that’s the case, if that many people think this is such a serious problem, shouldn’t
government be increasing its role rather than decreasing it? Many people think that your
signing the welfare bill only exacerbated the situation of poor kids at risk." — To President
Clinton, April 28, 1997.
Urging Action on Campaign Finance Reform: "In fact, Senator Specter, as Senator
Torricelli mentioned, two votes have left campaign finance reform legislation pretty much
DOA. Do you think that prompts the American people to wonder about the sincerity of
Congress to really enact change and suspect that perhaps this is an intentional effort to
embarrass the Democratic Party?"
"But it's so ridiculous, you know people watching this just think that reform is necessary.
They can't understand why you guys can't get your acts together!" — October 8, 1997.
Calling for Federally-Regulated Child Care: "As you know, Mrs. Clinton, regulations for
at-home day care vary so much from state to state in terms of the ratio of children to day
care provider, do you think there should be some kind of overall federal regulations?" — To
Hillary Rodham Clinton, October 23, 1997.
1996
Public Turned Off by Marilyn Quayle:
Tim Russert: "Bob Dole has to avoid giving in to Pat Buchanan in terms of public
perception."
Katie Couric: "Right, because didn’t that, Gwen, nail the Republicans in ‘92 because so
many moderate Republicans were turned off by the likes of Pat Buchanan and Marilyn
Quayle. Don’t they have a danger of doing the same thing this go 'round?" — Exchange on
March 6, 1996.
Pro-Life vs. Inclusion: "You know a lot has been made of the Republican Party being a
very inclusive party, one that can embrace the views of various people. Given the way the
platform has worked out vis-a-vis abortion, and the fact that some of these Republican
governors are not speaking because they felt as if they were being censored, do you still
believe you can call the Republican Party an inclusive party?" — One of seven abortion
questions to Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, August 12, 1996.
Republicans Simply Too Harsh, Too Draconian: "I know that was a major goal of the Dole
campaign [in the debate], to make sure people saw this compassionate side of Bob Dole.
Do you think that he is in some ways paying the price for a Republican Congress that
enacted, or tried to enact measures, in the views of many, were simply too harsh or too
draconian?" — To Elizabeth Dole, October 8, 1996.
1995
Smearing Reagan with Made-Up Ketchup Tale: "The school lunch program, by all
accounts, has been incredibly successful, as has the WIC program, and obviously provides
good nutrition for children, which is so crucial for development and education. Since the
states won’t have to adhere to any federal guidelines and they can basically do their own
thing, aren’t you worried that we’re going to go back to the days when Ronald Reagan
suggested that ketchup and relish be designated as vegetables?" — To Rep. Duke
Cunningham, February 22, 1995. (Reagan never suggested that).
Conservative Talk Radio Bad for America: "Some people are very concerned about talk
shows, radio talk shows in general, of course. Most of them around the country have a
decidedly conservative bent. The rap that some people give them is that they reflect the
views of a very vocal minority, the extremists in this country, and don't really reflect the true
nature of political debate in the United States. And, as a matter of fact, they tend to be quite
divisive and sort of have a bad, a negative impact on the country." — To Oliver North, March
13, 1995.
Zealots at the NRA Gate: "As your convention begins today, there is reportedly a power
struggle going on within the NRA. More traditional -- you’re laughing, but this is what, by
many accounts, is the case that there is a schism between traditional NRA members,
conservative sportsmen, and a more radical branch of Second Amendment fundamentalist
zealots." — To the NRA’s Tanya Metaksa, May 19, 1995.
1994
Bill Clinton Doesn't Get His Due: "Why do you think that he doesn’t get credit for the good
news that’s going on? And if Reagan was the teflon President, it seems like Bill Clinton is the
velcro President. Every bad piece of news just sticks to him." — To new Democratic National
Committee adviser Tony Coelho, August 18, 1994.
1993
Right-to-Life Rigidity: "What about the abortion issue? Do you think the party should remain
as rigid vis-a-vis abortion to be successful in 1996?" — To Pat Buchanan, February 1, 1993.
Right-to-Life Rigidity, Part 2: "So you don’t think the right wing should be so narrow-minded
or rigid when it comes to abortion?" — To RNC chairman Haley Barbour, February 1, 1993.
Raising Taxes Courageous: "Just last night on television I saw your opponent for Governor
complaining about your record, saying how you had raised taxes, how it had cost 300,000
jobs. Are you afraid your politically courageous moves are, in fact, going to cost you the
election?" — To New Jersey Governor Jim Florio, May 24, 1993.
Reaganism's Greed and Materialism: "When you talk about leaving a deposit, many
people say that the Reagan-Bush administration, people on the other side of the political
spectrum, did leave a negative deposit, or really, the opposite of a deposit. The federal
budget quadrupled under that administration. They might say that greed and materialism
was the norm then, and that social ills were largely ignored, and therefore only worsened as
a result of that neglect." — To William F. Buckley Jr., September 20, 1993.
1992
Castro the Charismatic: "Considered one of the most charismatic leaders of the 20th
century....Castro traveled the country cultivating his image and his revolution delivered.
Campaigns stamped out illiteracy and even today, Cuba has one of the lowest infant
mortality rates in the world." — February 13, 1992.
Republicans and the Race Card: "Many are afraid the L.A. riots are going to be the Willie
Horton of this campaign. Are you afraid they're going to have a very divisive effect? Does
that concern you or are you playing that up?" — To Pat Buchanan, May 6, 1992.
Republican Convention Counterproductive: "Some have said they find the tone of this
convention, some Republicans, a bit troubling. Abortion rights have been totally ignored in
the platform; gay rights not acknowledged in the platform. Recently, Rich Bond said ‘We are
America, these other people in America are not America.’ The ‘other people,’ presumably,
are Democrats. Do you think the Republican Party has grown, or become too exclusionary,
too intolerant, and that this kind of rhetoric is divisive and counterproductive?" — To Dan
Quayle, August 19, 1992.
Hillary Ahead of Her Time: "Do you think the American people are not ready for someone
who is as accomplished and career-oriented as Hillary Clinton?" — To Hillary Clinton, August
24, 1992.
Kid Gloves for Accuser: "You talked, Anita, about some of the very supportive letters
you've gotten, and some of the letters that have touched you. Have you received any hate
mail?...They find you offensive, most of all, because you are a black woman?...Twenty years
from now, fifty years from now, when people look back at these hearings, how do you want
them to think of you?" — To Anita Hill, October 7, 1992.
Faulting Republican Convention: "I think some moderate Republicans were put off by the
tone at the convention. The Republicans relinquished too much time to what some term the
radical religious right. Did you feel comfortable with the convention?" — To President Bush,
October 30, 1992.
1991
Carve Carter into Mt. Rushmore: "And finally President Carter, you are now considered one
of the world's foremost statesmen. You've been called the best ex-President this country has
ever had. Your reputation has been bolstered tremendously since you left office. How does
that make you feel?" — November 13, 1991. |
