Meet Avoid the Press

Even though Tim Russert has been taking dives all year, he hasn’t yet resorted to interviewing palm trees.

During an interview with Secretary of State Colin Powell, one of Powell’s aides abruptly pushed the camera away and tried to end the interview mid-question.

Aide: You’re off.

Powell:ï¿½ I am not off.

Aide:ï¿½ No. They can’t use it, they’re editing it.

Powell:ï¿½ He’s still asking the questions.

Aide: He was not …

Powell:ï¿½ Tim, I am sorry I lost you.

Russert:ï¿½ I am right here Mr. Secretary.ï¿½ I would hope they would put you back on camera.ï¿½ I don’t know who did that.

Aide:ï¿½ He was going to go for another five minutes.

Powell:ï¿½ We’ve really screwed…ï¿½

Russert:ï¿½ I think that was one of your staff Mr. Secretary.ï¿½ I don’t think that’s appropriate.

Powell:ï¿½ Emily, get out of the way.ï¿½ Bring the camera back please. I think we’re back on Tim, go ahead with your last question.

Russert:ï¿½ Thank you very much, sir.

After the interview, Russert addressed his audience:

That was an unedited interview with the Secretary of State taped earlier this morning from Jordan. We appreciate Secretary Powell’s willingness to overrule his press aide’s attempt to cut off our discussion as I began to ask my final question.

Watch the video here.

Comments

Bol says:

May 17, 2004 at 7:16 am

That was easily the coolest thing I’ve seen happen in 9 years of watching Meet the Press. Colin Powell sounded real black all of a sudden when he told that bitch to turn the camera around.
Vito says:

May 17, 2004 at 7:30 am

What struck me was that in response to Russert’s final question, Powell actually expressed regret (HIS word) for the incorrect nature of his statements in front of the UN. Almost like his Press Secretary knew what he was going to say and was willing to put her job on the line to be sure he didn’t.

It’s my hope that this may be Powell’s final straw…not likely, but hopeful….
matt says:

May 17, 2004 at 7:49 am

“Almost?” She knew. She doesn’t work for Powell, she works for the administration. She was doing exactly what she was supposed to do, except more blatantly. She’ll be reassigned.

Powell’s final straw will not be until after the election.
forager says:

May 17, 2004 at 12:39 pm

wow! I caught most of the show but I’m sorry I missed that part.

Powell definitely doesn’t fit the mold of the rest of that administration. It almost makes you want to respect him…hmm strange concept!
tom says:

May 17, 2004 at 1:15 pm

except of course for the fact that he has had numerous opportunities to really stand up against some bullshit and he hasnt. he has usually resorted to leaking a little bit of shit out to the press or whatever later on, which is more than most have done but still hasnt been enough. what i would like to see him do right now is to go on a murderous rampage making sure he does everything he can to stop bush from being reelected and securing himself a cabinet position with kerry. that would be the bomb.
Bol says:

May 17, 2004 at 6:29 pm

I will give Colin Powell the fact that, when given a chance, he’ll pretty much speak his mind. That’s why he’s pretty much been on the outs with the Bush administration. Hell, that’s probably why he had that chick there with him in the first place.
noixe says:

May 18, 2004 at 10:26 am

yeah saying Colin Powell hasn’t done enough is sort of pointless.

I liked how he said it, although I didn’t think he sounded “real black” like Bol said. He sounded like a grown-ass-man telling a 13-year-old to stop fucking with a homeless person. I applaud Powell’s immaculate self-control. If I were him I’d have smacked the bitch.

and, on the subject of people losing their jobs, you know how when people start hating their jobs and know they’re going to get fired, they start stealing a bunch of shit and giving free burritos to all their friends? that’s what Colin Powell should be doing. just fucking up everything. wrenches in all gears. sabatoge. saran wrap on the oval office toilet, real immature shit. egg the white house. give em hell, Colin!
matt says:

May 18, 2004 at 10:31 am

I would like a free burrito from Colin Powell. I wouldn’t eat it, I would have it suspended in a lucite block.