News & Tech

It appears as if NBC is attempting to rebuild David Gregory's image as they have placed their embattled 'pretty in pink' reporter next to the perky Katie Couric as a fill in for Matt Lauer. The liberal reporter had as guests today Conservative radio talker Laura Ingraham and Democratic strategist James Carville.

Dave vs. Laura (Image: Newsbusters)

Usual NBC fare - two from the left against one from the right.

Newsbusters details the event:

The topic on this morning's Today show was whether media coverage of Iraq has presented a distorted picture. Under the circumstances, you might have thought Gregory would have feigned some facsimile of fairness. But his very first question to James Carville advanced the theory that . . . President Bush is a liar.

Asked Gregory: "Is the problem for this president and top administration officials that the public doesn't believe what they say anymore?"

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...Laura Ingraham tenaciously fought through the Gregory-Carville double-team to make her case. She pointed out that NBC and the Today show expended huge resources to cover the Olympics and even to answer the question "Where in the World is Matt Lauer?"

She suggested that they devote some of the same resources to broadcast the Today show directly from Iraq, that they accompany troops, speak with US and Iraqi military personnel and with villagers and see the reality on the ground.

Instead, pointed out Ingraham, the MSM's approach is to stand on a balcony in the Green Zone, reporting on the latest IEDs, killings and reprisals. A timorous Gregory replied: "And you think Iraq is safe enough [to do what Laura proposed]?" Ingraham: "Yes. I was not on the hotel balcony. I was out with the U.S. military. It can be done in any part of the country." Laura attempted to continue, but Gregory cut her off: "I get the anti-network point."

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Dave Gregory loves to dish it out but a pattern is emerging. The 'pretty in pink' reporter (does he always have to wear pink?) does not do well when he is called on his bias and his hot-dogging style. He comes across as a bit of a whiner as well. He obviously desires to be the story and grab the spotlight, as long as he's not challenged.

It appears that the feisty Ingraham would have none of that.

Until Gregory grows a spine and steps outside his own network to answer some tough questions about his bias and desire to be a star - he will continue to be the butt of jokes and few other than the left fringe will take him seriously as a reporter.

--Jim Roberts