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A bi-weekly compilation of the latest outrageous, sometimes humorous, 
quotes in the liberal media.

Gumbel: Holds Views in Check?

Tim Russert: "Is it hard holding your own views in check?"
Bryant Gumbel: "You know what? In terms of my political views, I hold them in check. I don't think that someone who watches is inclined to
think that I'm one way or the other."
--CNBC's Tim Russert, October 30.

No Clinton Scandal Questions

Bryant Gumbel: "Before I leave the subject of Governor Bush, what's your take on the demarcation line he's drawing on past drug use for his personal life?"
Bill Clinton: "I'm going to leave that to ? that's up to the public really..."
Gumbel: "Let me rephrase. In your opinion, do you believe previous cocaine use should disqualify someone from sitting in this office?"
--November 1 CBS's The Early Show. Gumbel never asked about any Clinton scandal issue.

Gumbel: "Final note. If my research is correct, you sign papers next week, final papers, on the house in Chappaqua. Do you happen to know what's the closest golf course to your house in Chappaqua?"
Clinton: "I don't know."
Gumbel: "Whippoorwill Country Club in Armonk. Do you know who is a member there?"
Clinton: "Are you?"
Gumbel, laughing: "Yes, sir."
Clinton, laughing: "I'd be happy to be your guest, any time. I'm easy about that."
-- End of November 1 The Early Show interview.

A $5 Million Man Abhors Greed

"And so it is that you revolve your story around one [Netscape founder] Jim Clark. A most unusual and successful businessman, but a strange guy, yeah?"
"But underneath it all, I mean, is he Gordon Gekko? Is he greed is good?"
"But he is in love with money?"
"So you're going to sit there and tell me that the next great idea is what drives Silicon Valley and not greed, ultimately?"
--Most of Gumbel's questions to Michael Lewis, author of a book about Silicon Valley success stories, The New New Thing, November 3 The Early Show.

Why Are Republicans Allowing More Juvenile Bloodshed?

CBS News reporter Diana Olick: "Gephardt blames the lack of communication on the NRA, pressuring Republicans to just kill the bill, and with little time left in the legislative session, the year that saw Columbine will probably not see new gun control."
Gumbel: "Diana, given the amount of juvenile bloodshed we've seen over the past year, why aren't legislators feeling more pressure to at least get something done during this session?"
Olick: "Well, believe it or not, they actually rank gun control pretty low on the scale. Americans really are much more interested in education, health care and Social Security."
Gumbel: "So it's easier for them to just pass on it?"
Olick: "Yup."
Gumbel: "It's unfortunate."
--The Early Show, November 2.

CBS Chooses to "Dog" Bush

"Let me ask you about a question that's dogged you for many weeks, this question of your alleged drug use. How do you make this issue go away, Governor, or at least answer the question and resolve this once and for all?"  
--The Early Show co-host Jane Clayson to George W. Bush, November 2.

Promoting the Hot New Idea from Little "People's Republics"

"They call this the 'People's Republic of Santa Monica,' a community that showers social services on the homeless, where renters have more power than landlords. These days city officials are focused on the widening gap between the people who live well here and those who serve them. Political leaders want to impose a living wage of nearly $11 an hour, plus benefits. The Reverend Sandie Richards says Santa Monica's bustling tourist industry has failed to share its bounty with its workers.... The debate in Santa Monica is worlds away from the one in Washington, where even a small increase in the federal minimum wage can tie Congress in knots. But local governments will not wait for Washington. At least 40 more communities may adopt a living wage next year."
--ABC's Linda Douglass on World News Tonight, November 9.

Simpson's Self-Absorption

ABC News anchor Carole Simpson to Bill Clinton: "You've got the big plane, you've got the big house, you've got the cars, the protection. Aren't you going to suffer great post-partum depression after you leave office?"....
Simpson to Clinton while inside Arkansas tomato factory: "I have to bask in this moment, for a moment, because I am here talking to the most powerful man on the planet, who was a poor boy from Arkansas..."
Clinton: "A place like this."
Simpson: "Place like this. I am an African-American woman, grew up working class on the south side of Chicago, and this is a pretty special moment for me to be here talking to you. How does it feel talking to me? That I made it, too, when people said I wouldn't be able to?"
--ABC's World News Tonight/ Sunday, November 7.

Gorby Blamed for Berlin Wall Fall

Christiane Amanpour: "Indeed, ten years later, many are saying the unbridled capitalism that followed communism has unleashed misery on citizens who had all their social needs taken care of, especially in the former Soviet Union."
To Mikhail Gorbachev: "Mr. President, you are regarded by many people in this world as a hero for causing the end of tyranny and the collapse of communism. But you are also criticized heavily by those who say you opened a pandora's box. And they say look at the strife now, look at the economic chaos, look at the Mafia structure, look at the corruption. They say that you opened and started a plan that you did not know how to finish."
--CNN's The World Today, November 8.

McCain Wins Press Primary

"For weeks now, we've had a projected winner in the press primary. The same profane maverick who drives Republican Party regulars to distraction is beloved by the ever-expanding throng of vaguely liberal, if increasingly unideological, reporters and talking heads. It's swoon season on John McCain's bus, the 'Straight Talk Express.' One famous network correspondent was heard telling colleagues recently that he might even quit his million-dollar-plus job and volunteer in a McCain White House."
--Newsweek's Jonathan Alter, November 8.

"What we all like about McCain is that he might actually govern on principle, and what a strange sight that would be."
--CNN's Bruce Morton quoted in the same article.

Adultery Only Makes You Better

"On returning to the United States, he cheated on his first wife, Carol, who had been seriously injured in a car accident when he was in Vietnam. Later, he was too wrapped up in work to notice that his second wife, Cindy, was addicted to prescription drugs. He let himself get too close to savings and loan executive Charles Keating, who turned out to be a crook. He can be sarcastic and belittling, when he knows better. But even his failures just seem to deepen the character lines."
-- Newsweek's Jonathan Alter, November 15 issue.

Bradley's Stellar Stock Offering

"[Bill] Bradley could again call attention to the compelling narrative of his former life: a story of hoop dreams and hard work that resonates deeply with nostalgic boomers. Even Bradley's soft speaking style, at times a healthy alternative to Halcion, was now a sign of gravitas. The results have been staggering: when stock in BillBradley.com goes public on primary day in New Hampshire, the campaign will have easily collected all the money it can use."
 --Newsweek's Matt Bai, November 15 issue.

Dole for Veep, NBC's Choice

"And Elizabeth Dole dropped out of the GOP race this past week. Some people are saying she'd make a great running mate with George W. Bush. They'd have money, name recognition. She might be able to shrink the gender gap. How powerful a team do you think they'd be?"
--Today co-host Matt Lauer to Pat Buchanan, Oct. 26.

Katie Couric: "Do you think we will see a Bush/Dole ticket?"
Tim Russert: "Interesting. Elizabeth Dole did not do anything to offend George W. Bush. And she very much, I believe, would like to be Vice President if in fact George W. chooses her. He knows he has to close the gender gap. One way of doing that, choose a woman."
--October 28 Today.

More School Shootings, Please

"Perhaps it will take one more school shooting to move the majority of Americans into a position more powerful than that of the NRA. Perhaps it will take one more school shooting to move us from people who support gun control to people who vote it. But as we continue to let the widows and the wounded do the work, be warned. That next school may be the one your children attend; the next accident could be close to home."
--Newsweek columnist Anna Quindlen, November 1.

Publisher: L. Brent Bozell
Editors: Brent H. Baker, Tim Graham
Media Analysts: Jessica Anderson, Brian Boyd,
Geoffrey Dickens, Mark Drake, Paul Smith, Brad Wilmouth
Research Associate: Kristina Sewell
Interns: Ken Shepherd