On Thursday's "Good Morning America," ABC hosts touted the show's exclusive interview on Friday with bomber William Ayers. During the presidential campaign, the program (and network) largely downplayed or sympathetically reported on the connection between the domestic terrorist and (then) Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. So, it will be interesting to see if GMA co-host Chris Cuomo grills Ayers or tosses softballs.
An ad for the piece promised "Tough questions asked and answered." Yet, at the end of Thursday's program, Sawyer more sympathetically teased, "And also tomorrow, the man who's name became such a political football during the campaign." On April 17, 2008, "Good Morning America" reporter David Wright minimized the relationship and asserted that candidate Obama was facing questions "about a neighbor of his who was once a member of the violent Weather Underground." (Of course, considering that an Obama staffer described the two men as "friendly" and since Obama accepted a campaign donation from Ayers in 2001, describing Ayers as simply a "neighbor" is rather inaccurate, to say the least.)
On the October 6, 2008 edition of "Nightline," the same David Wright tried to offer an equivalence between Senator John McCain and Obama. Regarding McCain's role in the 1980s Keating 5 scandal, Wright seriously asked, "Which is worse, a radical terrorist who wanted to blow up the Pentagon 40 years ago or a crooked banker whose failed savings and loan had to be bailed out by the taxpayers 20 years ago?"
It will also be interesting to see if Cuomo specifically mentions some of Ayers' victims, such as John Murtagh. The New York man was just nine-years-old in 1970 when the unrepentant terrorist and his group the Weather Underground bombed the house of his judge father. As the MRC's Justin McCarthy reported on October 9, 2008, only Fox News reported on this particular attack. Speaking of the connection between Obama and Ayers, Murtagh elaborated, "...For Barack Obama to attend Columbia shortly after these events, being in New York at that time and not know who the Weather Underground was, frankly, makes him the dumbest man that ever graduated from Columbia and Harvard Law School."
On a more basic level, will Cuomo even bring up shocking statements such as when Ayers told the New York Times, in a story dated September 11, 2001, "I don’t regret setting bombs" and "I feel we didn’t do enough."
A transcript of GMA's teases for the Ayers interview, which will air on November 14, follow:
11/13/08
8:00am
ANNOUNCER: Sarah Palin called him Barack Obama's terrorist pal, William Ayers. Now, tomorrow, for the first time, William Ayers speaks out about it all. Only to Chris Cuomo. What was his relationship to the president-elect? Tough questions asked and answered. Tomorrow, a "Good Morning America" exclusive.
8:55am
DIANE SAWYER: And also tomorrow, the man who's name became such a political football during the campaign. William Ayers will be here and talking to us live.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
ABC will let the Softballs fly.
November 13, 2008 - 12:50 ET by Spinningplates2Questions proposed at ABC's preproduction meeting:
1.Bill, how upset were you by the lies Sarah Palin told about you and your wife.
2.What do you hate the most; the fact that you are White, the fact that you are rich, or the Evil that is also known as America?
3.Is Barack Obama your puppet?
4.Do you wish you could close down NewsBusters?
Ayers unlike our side is to smart to agree to a hostile intervie
November 13, 2008 - 12:54 ET by allanfSoftballs. Strictly softballs. More like how did those unfair attacks by Sarah Palin make you feel? Did it affect your teaching performance?
Ayers unlike our side is to smart to agree to a hostile interview.
What about, "Are there
November 13, 2008 - 12:52 ET by d1carterWhat about, "Are there anymore crimes that you have committed that you have not been tried for...?"
Will ABC Grill or Toss Softballs to Terrorist Bomber William Aye
November 13, 2008 - 12:53 ET by redrivertedThis is a rhetorical question, right? The Media was totally unconcerned during the campaign, why would they start caring now?
Yeah, they didn't grill Obama
November 13, 2008 - 12:58 ET by Paul AtreidesWhy would they start with Ayers?
Diane the Dolt
November 13, 2008 - 13:28 ET by allanfDoesn't Diane specialize in interviewing dictators and finding their hidden sensitivity?
IPOD
November 13, 2008 - 14:28 ET by Dexter the BeagleMaybe she will ask him about his IPOD and what's on it.
Personnally, the question
November 14, 2008 - 06:29 ET by BDPersonnally, the question that I would ask if given the opportunity is:
"Bill Ayers, didn't it sting from the irony that you had to call the cops to chase away a lone reporter armed with a camera from a public street, when in fact you attempted to blow up these very same police for being fascists in the 1970's"
Follow up:
"Bill, what do you think the Police were thinking when they chased Jesse Waters away from a known terrorist for the act of asking a liberal a question?"
STRICTLY rhetorical
November 14, 2008 - 01:48 ET by musiclady4This is MSM. There can be no doubt they will schmooze him up one side and down the other. I won't watch it. Too predictable and absurd.
Any guesses on this one, folks??
November 13, 2008 - 12:57 ET by PrairieSkyAyers better bring his glove with him to catch all the softballs coming his way...
"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American People. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan~ January 20, 1981
Will ABC Grill
November 13, 2008 - 12:57 ET by Paul AtreidesSorry, I could not reply right away; I had to pick myself off of the floor from laughing so hard.
They save the grilling for such monumental issues such as Sarah Palin's wardrobe.
Not only will the softballs fly
November 13, 2008 - 12:58 ET by c5thenBut they will be set up with anti-republican strawmen:
Did it hurt you that Republicans used lies and exagerations about you and your wife to try and defeat Obama?
How did you feel about being labeled a terrorist in the negative campaign adds of John McCain?
etc. etc.
Hey, I got the wrong "CHANGE"!
Alan Keyes / Sarah Palin - 2012
Bingo
November 13, 2008 - 17:35 ET by buddycBingo
How did you feel about
November 13, 2008 - 17:59 ET by motherbeltExpect him to be asked about his just-released book "Fugitive Days" in which he attempts to rewrite history, but don't expect him to be asked why it was held until after the election.
Michelle Malkin has a great posting on him and his book, and where he is making his stand.
Read the whole thing.
My take is they will be "tough"....
November 14, 2008 - 05:51 ET by old croon him, just to show them being "fair" by grilling the left also. Aires, of couse, will lie though his teeth and never be challenged by them.
Diane Sawyer
November 13, 2008 - 13:07 ET by MillerTimeWarpwill ask the hard-hitting questions...."Are you comfortable ? Can I get you a pillow ? Doesn't Robin Roberts smell like cheese?"
OR after they mention his sordid past, they playup all his accomplishements to date: Baking bran muffins for the homeless in the Caribbean - Donating blood, TWICE, in the past 20 years - or that he hasn't missed sending Christmas cards to the Obamas once !
This would be funny if it
November 13, 2008 - 13:09 ET by midnight cowboyThis would be funny if it wasn't so serious.
This is just a ruse byABC for Ayers to clear his name so Barry could nominate him to some post perhaps a sec of education.
Cuomo: So Bill, how many other terrorists is the president elect considering for cabinet positions.
Scott. A few questions for Ayers could be found here:
November 13, 2008 - 13:17 ET by Gary HallScott, a few questions for Ayers could be found within these pages:
Principles Schminiciples – New Left Notes, Nov. 21, 1969
Enter the Rev. Wright principles:
So much information - so few investigative journalists. (;~/ gary
Since they'll be asking
November 13, 2008 - 13:19 ET by marpelSince they'll be asking Ayers the "hard hitting" questions, I hope they asked his opinion on Sarah Palin's wardrobe. I'd love to hear what he has to say about that.... (and then we all woke up...)
I have never heard this
November 13, 2008 - 13:24 ET by suzycreamcheeseI have never heard this idiot speak and don't plan to anytime soon. Won't be hard to do since I don't watch any of the big networks. No decent American should even care what he has to say.
The rehabilitation of all
November 13, 2008 - 14:25 ET by motherbeltThe rehabilitation of all Obama's shady associates begins.
I'm with you. This interview goes at the top of my list of "Things to miss."
Not that I ever watch any of those morning shows anyway.
I guess they had to come up with something really edgy to compete with the again-pregnant "man" again.
You have to wonder how stupid people must be
November 13, 2008 - 13:31 ET by katiejaneto think that Ayers is not a domestic terrorist. Maybe he is an aging one but I don't believe he has ever renounced the actions of the Weathermen.
Forget the words, watch the affection
November 13, 2008 - 13:31 ET by Mica the MagnificentCuomo (smiling): So what's Bernadette up to these days?
Ayers (grins): Oh you know, serving soup at the homeless shelter, buying toys for the poor kids for Christmas . . The usual.
Cuomo (smiles warmly): Any chance of a Bill and Bernadette cabinet post?
Ayers (leans back in chair laughing): Oh I can't say Chris, you rascal you! You're such a tough journalist I almost spilled the good news.
Cuomo (satisfied smile) Diane, back to you.
Sawyers (curling her hair with her fingers): Chris, let Bill know that even at his age he still looks fit enough to lob a pipe bomb as well as the kids he's teaching.
Cuomo: Ha ha. I will, Diane.
Thanks Mica....
November 14, 2008 - 05:56 ET by old croYou just ruined my anticipation of this momentus event :) I don't need to watch it now!
Wow, it must have been so
November 13, 2008 - 13:33 ET by benrandWow, it must have been so very hard for them to interview him BEFORE the election. Just tough, they might have had the cops called on them!
I think he refused all interviews....
November 14, 2008 - 06:12 ET by old croOops... I didn't finish reading....I was going to say....prior to the election, he even had the gall to call the cops and said they were harassing him.
ABC/Ayers
November 13, 2008 - 13:45 ET by east tennessee johnSince grilling and softball are both big deals in Chicago, Ayers will probably grill them while handling all the lobs they toss at him. Example: What impressed you the most about Obama that made you turn over the Annenberg Project funds to him to manage?
Darn, there's a lot of comments......
November 14, 2008 - 06:10 ET by old croand humorous thoughts welling up in me this morning, must be the moon. All this talk of "grillin" makes me think of the new "George Foreman Socialist Grill".
Needs No Energy, Cleanup is as Easy as Tax Relief, Just Hope Your Food Get's Changed Into Something Edible!
They save the Inquisition for the GOP
November 13, 2008 - 13:58 ET by Mary Louise TurnerGrilling liberals? Ha, ha, ha! The nutworks save the Grand Inquisition for anyone with an "R" in his or her title! Conservatives are put through the torture rack until they're hounded out of a campaign or a political office in disgrace.
With liberals, it's time to bring out the wine and cheese, soft music, etc. The questions asked by libs to other libs are so feathery-soft they could float away.
This is a Stupid Media Trick that has been done for decades. However, this campaign season has been more far egregious than usual.
People like Ayers and his
November 13, 2008 - 14:10 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsPeople like Ayers and his wife must have some type of mental illness. Here they are, admitted attackers of their own country, which would be a death sentence in most of the countries they admire, while the country they hate and bombed has let them prosper, yet they still hold their primitive beliefs. I hope you are reading this Bill, you are ill.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
They are not mentally ill.
November 13, 2008 - 17:33 ET by buddycThey are not mentally ill. Evil exists. They are evil.
How can you toss something
November 13, 2008 - 14:20 ET by MOONSTRUCKyou don't have????
I hope they toss him a live
November 13, 2008 - 14:28 ET by Clear thinkerI hope they toss him a live hand grenade!
14 Year Old Proves Obama Intolerance
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Questions?
November 13, 2008 - 14:51 ET by Dragonsbreath1. Do you prefer to be called Bill or William?
2. Boxers, briefs or commando?
3. Is it I before E except for after C? Or the other way about?
4. Do you feel neglected because you have not been offered the post of Editor in chief for the NYT?
5. Dynamite or nitroglycerin ? Which kills innocent people better?
6. Are you happy that now you will have better access to the Pentagon and White House for bomb placement?
7. And finally does BHO still send a tingle up your leg like he does us?
When you can't ask a question to your leaders anymore, that gets scary. That bothers me."
Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher
Second time today I get to use this....
November 14, 2008 - 06:19 ET by old cro8.What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
It's a shame Osama Bin
November 13, 2008 - 14:44 ET by TN MomIt's a shame Osama Bin Laden can't be found as I'm sure GMA would get a kick out of interviewing that monster too!
If GMA asked only softball questions of TERRORISTS Bill Ayers; they are, as a Major Media Network, promoting radical violence by giving this MONSTER a voice.
I expect
November 13, 2008 - 15:06 ET by littlemissmuffinI expect the questions will be along the lines of the ones Larry King asked Ahmadinajad when on his show.
"How many children do you have? You have grandchildren? You certainly don't look old enough."
Normal
0
If
all the conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government
couldn’t find us and tax us to death!
Yes, they will ask about
November 13, 2008 - 17:31 ET by buddycYes, they will ask about the children of the two terrorists in prison that Ayers and Dohrn helped raise and what nice people they are to do that.
He should be asked "what part did you take buying and building the explosives that went off killing some of your fellow terrorists (felony murder) and what part did he take in planning, equiping, buying and building the bombs that killed the security guards and what does he think about his little wife's comments about sticking a fork in poor Sharon Tate's dead and mutilated body???
OMG...They are going to announce..........
November 14, 2008 - 06:25 ET by old croThat Bill Aires found and bombed Osama? Didn't kill him though, just like when he bombed before.
"To admit you are powerless over bombing is the first step in recovery" - sorry AA from a former member who admires what you do.
I predict
November 13, 2008 - 17:22 ET by NorthCoasterNINE INNINGS of Softballs.
Lots of "how does it feel?", and "can you believe people are still upset?", questions.
Not one question will ask "what do you think of the United States?".
No they won't. I
November 13, 2008 - 17:27 ET by buddycNo they won't.
I appreciate knowing about it, but why watch. This should have been done before the election with some reasonable, relevant and tough questions which ABC was and is not capable of asking.
He should be asked about his education views, his education failures his waste of hundreds ofmillions of dollars received from the Annenberg foundation and the total failure that the Chicago education system is. He should also be asked why Obama didn't send his kids to pupblic schools in Chicago. None of those questions will be asked. It will be a whitewash and joke time. "you aren't CURRENTLY (with heavy emphasis on currently) planning any bombings are you"? I'll bet you that is first stupid question asked.
Now it is irrelevant.
Softballs?
November 13, 2008 - 17:28 ET by flyoverlandNot only will it be softballs, but it will be slow pitch.
For me this is an absolute
November 13, 2008 - 17:30 ET by bigtimerFor me this is an absolute outrage that the msm dare have this POS American hating piece of slime on any of their disgusting biased news/morning shows...
I am in total disgust here...how dare they, they did not investigate, or report anything bad about this man, they omitted the news or made nice portraying this man who stomped on our flag...
Heck, maybe they are getting ready to help O name him head of Dept. of Education, or Homeland Security.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Funny thing
November 13, 2008 - 17:56 ET by clubchamp6I had on CNBC this morning listening to them talk about the economy and the markets in detail then I flipped over to Diane ( I would like to pnch you in the face ) Sawyer and they were going over the economy. It was like they were talking to a 3rd grader about it. This show is the dumbing down of America. She really has turned into the biggest waste on TV.
If anyone watches this..
November 13, 2008 - 18:11 ET by DragonsbreathCould you post who the advertisers are so we can send them letters letting them know we will no longer buy or use their services?
Or is it being supported by makers of TnT?
When you can't ask a question to your leaders anymore, that gets scary. That bothers me."
Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher
Db... Good idea... I
November 13, 2008 - 18:19 ET by bigtimerDb...
Good idea...
I won't be watching.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Every other person that got
November 13, 2008 - 18:22 ET by katainkentEvery other person that got the 'short end of the stick' from McCain's Campaign has been lined to be interviewed and gotten to portray themselves as a victim. I don't see any reason why Ayers wouldn't be allowed the same platform.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
ABC asking the tough questions?
November 13, 2008 - 20:35 ET by MNotaroTough Questions?? Puuullllzzzeeee....
ABC doesn't know how to do anything of the sort unless it benefits the left wing illuminati Obama and his team. I expect more the same pre-election total bias coverage.
Be prepared to puke as ABC
November 13, 2008 - 21:11 ET by nadadhimmiBe prepared to puke as ABC kisses Ayers ass. But kissing communist ass just makes those liberal boys feel so DARNED AVANT GARDE. Then , the anchor heads can be driven home in their limo's. What the f*ckers really deserve is a Zill limo!
No surprise here
November 13, 2008 - 22:52 ET by cocodrieThese are the same people that kissed Arafat's ugly butt.