Walters Aggressive with Bush in ‘01, Tosses Softballs to Obama

In the interview for Wednesday's Barbara Walters Special on ABC with Barack and Michelle Obama, Walters asked few questions that put the Obamas on the defensive, in contrast with her January 2001 interview with then-President-elect Bush in which she challenged him on a number of fronts. Most notably, she chided Bush for choosing John Ashcroft as Attorney General because he "openly opposes abortion," and claimed that Ashcroft was "not considered a friend to civil rights." She asked Bush about reports that, as governor of Texas, he "spent relatively little time studying specific issues," and "only does a few hours of work" a day. The ABC host also challenged Bush from the left on the trade embargo against Cuba, and even asked Laura Bush if her more "traditional" plans for her time as First Lady would be a "setback for women." It is also noteworthy that Walters asked Bush about his plans for dealing with Saddam Hussein and cited "people in the know" who contended that the Iraqi dictator was "stronger than ever."

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But after having pressed Bush on a number of questions, several times from the left, Walters this time not only failed to challenge Obama from the right, but she actually pressed him from the left as she fretted about how long America has to wait for him to raise taxes on the rich: "During the campaign, there was a central and consistent theme of yours to raise taxes on people earning over $250,000 a year. Now, it seems there's a little waffling on that. When are you going to do it?" While introducing Michelle Obama for the second half hour of the November 26 special, Walters invoked President Kennedy's family as she effused: "The Obamas harken back to another First Family, with their youthful embodiment of style, substance, and hope." But earlier, at the top of the program, she had taken a shot at President Bush as "one of the most unpopular Presidents in modern history" and suggested that it is not "an exaggeration to say that the fate of the nation is riding on [Obama's] shoulders." Walters: "In only 55 days, Barack Obama will replace one of the most unpopular Presidents in modern history. He will inherit two wars and an economic crisis not seen since the Great Depression. Tonight, as families across our country gather for the Thanksgiving holiday, there is a sense of unease and a hope that someone can restore confidence and leadership. Although Barack Obama insists we have only one President at a time, some say that fear and financial uncertainty have forced him into the unprecedented role of a shadow President, even before he has taken the oath of office. Perhaps it would not be an exaggeration to say that the fate of the nation is riding on his shoulders." More...

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