What's News at "New York Times?"
ANNOUNCER: CROSSFIRE. On the left, James Carville and Paul Begala. On the right, Robert Novak and Tucker Carlson. In the CROSSFIRE tonight: What's the news at one of the nation's most influential newspapers? Conservatives say the "New York Times" new boss is going for influence instead of what's fit to print. Best- selling author Ann Coulter is among our guests. What will your children be learning about September 11? We've done our homework on the controversial plans of a national teachers union. And Martha makes a delivery. Will a House committee think it's a good thing? Tonight on CROSSFIRE. From the George Washington University, James Carville and Tucker Carlson.</s>TUCKER CARLSON, CO-HOST: Good evening and welcome to CROSSFIRE. Tonight, Martha madness. Why is everyone picking on a nice lady who cooks, decorates, and gives Congress her phone and e-mail records without being subpoenaed? Also, reading, writing, and some awfully strange lessons about September 11. You should know that we're awaiting a news conference in California on the fate of missing girl Nichole Taylor Timmons. We'll go to that live when it happens. But first, as we do every day, let's start with the best political briefing in television, our CROSSFIRE "Political Alert." It's primary day in Georgia, a state with two of the biggest personalities in Congress. In the seventh district, sitting Republican Congressman John Linder and CROSSFIRE fixture Bob Barr are battling for what is considered a safe GOP seat. In the fourth district, resident embarrassment and conspiracy nut Cynthia McKinney is trying to fend off a challenge from fellow Democrat Denise Majette. McKinney made headlines earlier this year when she accused President Bush of knowing beforehand about the terrorist attacks of September 11. Despite a visit and endorsement from Louis Farrakhan, she's been in trouble ever since. Then last weekend, McKinney's campaign recorded endorsements from celebrities, like Rob Redford, Magic Johnson, Andrew Young and Bill Clinton. The only problem: the endorsements were taped years ago during other campaigns. Redford, who had the decency to be embarrassed, complained. Clinton, who still apparently supports McKinney, did not complain. And he ought to be embarrassed, but, of course, he's not. He supported the crackpot.</s>JAMES CARVILLE, CO-HOST: He supported her in a race, probably against the Republicans, some time ago. Y'all will never get over the fact that Bill Clinton was the greatest president in the last 50 years. You'll never get over the fact that this guy in here can't walk and chew gum at the same time.</s>CARLSON: He supported Cynthia McKinney.</s>CARVILLE: Finally, eight months after Enron went belly up, somebody is finally going to take the perp walk. Sources say Michael Kopper -- that's with a K in case you've never of him, and neither did I -- who managed Enron's overseas partnership is going to plead guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges. Kopper is the first and so far only executive at Enron to get so much as a parking ticket in the wake of the company's collapse. We didn't know if any of his plea involves any deal to testify against his boss, former Enron chief financial officer Andrew Fastow. Sources say Kopper's trip to court could come as early as tomorrow.</s>CARLSON: You can't rush justice.</s>CARVILLE: There you go.</s>CARLSON: In news from the progressive front tonight, imagine a place where the image of Adolf Hitler is more vigorously defended than the American flag. Welcome to Massachusetts. Four years ago, a liberal in the Massachusetts legislature made it a crime for licensed gun clubs to use targets depicting Hitler or Saddam Hussein or Osama bin Laden or any other human image or silhouette, mass murderer or otherwise. Shooting pictures would be insensitive, the liberal said. Shooting or burning the American flag, meanwhile, is legal, even encouraged, as a thoughtful, valid expression of free speech. It all makes perfect sense in Massachusetts. It may make less sense at the Supreme Court, which is expected to consider the case this fall. Stay tuned.</s>CARVILLE: Who was the governor of Massachusetts four years ago? Who was the governor that signed this four years ago? Who was the governor of Massachusetts?</s>CARLSON: Unfortunately, we're going to a news conference now underway in Riverside, California about the fate of the young girl kidnapped and apparently now returned. Here it is.</s>UNIDENTIFIED POLICE OFFICER: ... Sheriff's Office in Mineral County, Nevada. It's about 120 miles south of Reno. He advised me that he has in his possession one healthy, appears to be unharmed Nichole Timmons, also has in his custody a pickup truck and also a male suspect we identified previously. And he's very, very happy with the resolution of this case, as we are here, obviously. He explained to me how Nevada Highway Patrol, using their Amber Alert system, received a tip about the vehicle traveling through his state. By the time it came through his jurisdiction, they had sheriff's deputies trying to locate it, eventually went through his jurisdiction into the</s>CARLSON: And back to Washington. Ten-year-old Nichole Timmons has been found, apparently safe, the perpetrator apparently in custody. We'll, of course, keep you apprised as the story develops.</s>CARVILLE: Let the record show Tucker has refused to tell us who the governor of Massachusetts was four years ago, because he was a Republican. Our valiant commander in chief would never try to keep our veterans from receiving all the benefits they're rightfully entitled to, would he? Well, he did kill a special spending bill last week that included money to improve veterans health care. Make note (ph) of that. What I really wanted was an explanation from the</s>CARLSON: If I can just correct misperceptions you've introduced to our audience, that spending bill included bits of pork like millions for the Smithsonian Institution's worm collection and other garbage put in there by greedy Democrats.</s>CARVILLE: Who was the governor of Massachusetts four years ago?</s>CARLSON: The governor of Massachusetts four years ago was a liberal like everyone else in the state. And like you, you ought to be proud. You can't...</s>CARVILLE: In other words, it was a Republican that supported Bush.</s>CARLSON: And now on to more reason. The man who invented the Internet has a new secret. That's right, Al Gore. He's getting ready to give the keynote speech to a group of federal, state and local government officials who thought they were coming to California for a conference on the Department of Homeland Security, surprise surprise. Instead, Gore intends to talk and talk and talk and then probably talk some more to them about, quote, "technology and the future of America." Of course, handlers say that due to the nature of the material he intends to present, no cameras or other high-technology recording devices will be allowed inside. The Gore irony watch continues.</s>CARVILLE: You know what? I think when the man...</s>CARLSON: It's kind of pathetic, isn't it?</s>CARVILLE: When he wins the presidential election by over a half- million votes...</s>CARLSON: Oh, he's president now?</s>CARVILLE: No, because the Supreme Court stole it from him.</s>CARLSON: Oh, really.</s>CARVILLE: But he won it.</s>CARLSON: This is so sad. So sad.</s>CARVILLE: Everything that you've prosthelisized has turned into a fact. The deficit is out of control. The stock market has plummeted. And these people don't know what they're doing in Iraq. If you hear the whining sound of a desperate politician is probably coming from California. Republican Bill Simon still thinks he has finally got an issue that will divert attention from his laughable campaign for governor. Ready? Simon says his opponent, Governor Gray Davis, is dragging his feet on regulating a dietary supplement, Ephedra, because Davis got a campaign contribution from its manufacturer two years ago. Of course, Simon said he got a $10,000 contribution from the same country (ph), Metabolife, and won't give it back. No wonder Simon's campaign needs pep pills.</s>CARLSON: You know, the sad thing is Gray Davis will probably be re-elected governor, and even you don't support that. That's horrifying.</s>CARVILLE: Well, of course I support...</s>CARLSON: And now onto news, all the news that's fit to print. Every edition of the "New York Times" carries that motto in the upper left corner of the front page. For generations, the slogan has implied objectivity, news uncolored by opinion, bias or conjecture. But is the straight story still the rule at the "New York Times" or have the liberal, political views of its new editor tainted the world's most important newspaper? Joining us to debate it, from New York, Richard Goldstein, executive editor of "The Village Voice," and author Ann Coulter. Speaking of the "New York Times," her book "Slander" is No. 1 on its non-fiction best-seller list.</s>CARVILLE: Mrs. Coulter, isn't this whole goofball right-wing attack on the "New York Times" just trying to cover up the fact that this administration's complete inept attitude in getting our allies, the American people, people in Congress, even members of their own party, to support a war with Iraq?</s>ANN COULTER, AUTHOR, "SLANDER": Well, CROSSFIRE chose the topic tonight. I was just coming to comment on it. I actually think it's rather old news that the "New York Times" promotes editorial positions on its front page. But as many have pointed out, I mean, it has been quite deceptive, the description of, for example, Henry Kissinger as being opposed to invading Iraq, but that really is not true. And I also find it especially interesting how Representative Dick Armey from Texas, the Republican, who has been described in the pages of "New York Times," by the exact same reporter, in fact, as the crazy woman who had to be kept in the attic just a few years ago. Now that he opposes invading Iraq, is suddenly given puff pieces in which he's described as former economics professor, free market conservative, who has opposed wasteful spending. That is really the most striking thing about the "Times," that it will elevate anyone who agrees to its position to sudden status as senior statesman in the Republican Party.</s>CARVILLE: Let me read off some other Republicans that oppose war and then you can tell us what's wrong with them. Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana? What's the problem with Senator Lugar?</s>COULTER: Well, we are a big tent. We don't have these Stalinist control that the Democrats have, prohibiting, for example, popular Pennsylvania Governor Casey from speaking at our convention. We do have a big tent. Yes, I disagree with these people...</s>CARVILLE: Is there anything wrong with Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska?</s>COULTER: ... but I didn't think they were the crazy woman who had to be kept in the attic.</s>CARVILLE: Is there anything wrong with former Representative Jack Kemp of New York, or Brent Scowcroft, former national security adviser, of Lawrence Eagleburger, former secretary of state under Bush administration. Tell us what's wrong with these people?</s>COULTER: What's wrong with them? They're wrong on Iraq. That's all. They may be fine fellows and they're certainly good Republicans, but they're wrong on Iraq, and suddenly they're the only ones being who are being quoted in the "New York Times." And they go from being described as crazy ultra conservatives who need to be kept in the attic to being, oh, what does this senior statesman of the Republican Party have to say?</s>CARLSON: James, James, now let's me go to Mr. Goldstein. And, Mr. Goldstein, thanks for joining us. Let me just say at the outset I love the "New York Times," read it every day, have all my life. And that's why it saddens me to discuss this. I want to read you a quote from Howell Raines, the new editor, hasn't been in quite a year. This is from his book "Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis." This is a quote from the book. "I was a correspondent in the White House in those days in the '80s. And my work, which consisted on reporting on President Reagan's success and making life harder for citizens who were not born rich, white and healthy saddened me. Reagan couldn't tie his shoes if his life depended on it." Now, in addition to being sort of a cliched and boring and kind of stupid, that reveals how Raines for who he is, an unrepentant liberal. Fine. It was great when he was editor on the editorial page. But is it really responsible to elevate someone whose political views are so out in the open and so pronounced to take over the news pages? Why shouldn't that make readers nervous?</s>RICHARD GOLDSTEIN, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "THE VILLAGE VOICE": Well, let me first of all say, you know, for a media critic, Ann Coulter leaves a lot to be desired. The "New York Times" never said that Henry Kissinger was against invading Iraq. They never said that. They said that he shared Colin Powell's positions on this. And, you know, he was on "Meet The Press" last Sunday. I know you were probably watching the McLaughlin report. But he was on there. And if he thought that the "Times" had misrepresented him, he would have said so and he didn't. Nor did they not quote...</s>CARLSON: Hold on, Mr. Goldstein. I want you to answer my question though. You have an unrepentant liberal in charge of the news pages of the most important newspaper in the world...</s>GOLDSTEIN: But I'm trying to show you, Tucker...</s>CARLSON: No, no. But I want you to break the larger question...</s>GOLDSTEIN: I'm trying to show you that the "Times" is accurate. The "Times" does accurate recording. They quoted hawks in that article, they quoted Richard Perle. They didn't just quote Dobbs (ph). This is a complete fabrication and it's an attempt by you hawks to muzzle the press so that there's no other option under discussion except for imminent military action.</s>CARLSON: Mr. Goldstein, if you could stop name calling for just one second, answer my question. If Ann Coulter, for instance, who is an unrepentant right-winger, good for her, much the same way Howell Raines is an unrepentant liberal, were elevated to the editorship of the "New York Times," the "Washington Post," some other important newspaper, in charge of the news pages, wouldn't that make you nervous?</s>GOLDSTEIN: You're saying that no liberal can be objective and that's outrageous.</s>CARLSON: I'm not saying that.</s>GOLDSTEIN: Yes, you are. Because his political views of his own business. Doesn't mean he's not objective. It doesn't mean that the reporter on the story wasn't objective. He had enormous amounts of evidence to show that there's a split in the Republican Party. Ann Coulter herself admitted it. What's the problem with the article? What's the problem with the article? It was accurately reported.</s>COULTER: Can I respond to that?</s>CARVILLE: Why has this administration...</s>GOLDSTEIN: Where's your beef? Where's your beef here?</s>CARVILLE: I'm trying to -- the problem is not the "New York Times." The problem is the inept attitude of this administration. Ms. Coulter, do you have any advice for this administration, how they can convince one ally, one person in America, somebody, that this is a good idea?</s>COULTER: Seventy percent majorities in America have supported invading Iraq without the administration even having to make a case for it since January in poll after poll after poll, as I cited in my column last week. Americans keep saying they support this invasion. And we're not about to invade. The administration hasn't even made the case for it. But the American people, unlike the "New York Times," remember 9/11, know there are a lot of madmen out there. And we ought to take out this despot with his arms on weapons of mass destruction.</s>CARVILLE: I actually agree with you. They haven't made the case. What I'm trying to say is you're a best-selling author. Tell them how they should make the case. You're right, they haven't. They've been inept in doing it.</s>COULTER: I don't think they any need help. The case will be made in full and not through leaks here and there on an occasional press question before we invade, and I hope that comes soon.</s>CARLSON: Mr. Goldstein, you said a minute ago that the "New York Times" never described Henry Kissinger as being opposed to war. I just want to read you an exact quote from the Todd Perdham (ph) story that describes him as part of a group of leading Republicans who are warning Bush against going to war with Iraq.</s>GOLDSTEIN: That's not what they said. That's not what they said. They said that he was part of a group that said the administration was not prepared for military action and that they hadn't made a case that it was necessary. And if you look at what he said on "Meet The Press," he said exactly the same thing.</s>CARLSON: I guess...</s>GOLDSTEIN: You're making up -- you're fabricating a lie here to make a point.</s>CARVILLE: You're right, Mr. Goldstein.</s>CARLSON: I'm actually reading the clip right here. But if you want to continue calling names...</s>CARLSON: Why don't you stop, slow down?</s>GOLDSTEIN: Let me ask you something. What do you think of the saying, the truth shall set you free, because that's my motto as a journalist. It's really important.</s>CARLSON: Your motto appears to be polemics (ph) here, and I wonder if you'll just answer my question. I want you to listen to -- actually you've been name calling the entire time. Listen to an actual quote from the real op-ed from Henry Kissinger. Quote: "The overthrow of the Iraq regime and, at a minimum, the eradication of its weapons of mass destruction would have potentially beneficent political consequences as well." The guy has a nuance view, but he's not, judging from what he writes and says, an obvious opponent of the war against Iraq.</s>GOLDSTEIN: Tucker, here's the lead. Here's the lead of the story, OK.</s>CARLSON: Hit me with the lead.</s>GOLDSTEIN: Leading Republicans have begun to break ranks with President Bush over his administration's high-profile planning for war with Iraq, saying the administration has neither adequately prepared for military action nor made the case that it is needed. That's what Henry Kissinger said on "Meet The Press." He is typical of this group. They reported the story accurately. You people are making a red herring here.</s>CARLSON: Mr. Goldstein, you're admitting the fact that he hadn't appeared on "Meet The Press" when that story ran. So, get it together, Pat.</s>GOLDSTEIN: He appeared after it ran. And if he had a problem with it, he would have said so on the air. You're creating a red herring to stifle discussion and recording of the facts. And that's really a shame, Tucker. It's just in your interest to do so, but it's not in our interest.</s>CARLSON: Well, unfortunately, as much as I'm enjoying this colloquy, we're going to have to take a quick break. In a minute, we'll turn to a style section and ask our guests if the "Times" is on to a genuine social trend or merely pandering to political correctness. Later, this isn't living, it's a media and congressional feeding frenzy. And our "Quote of the Day" comes from a congressional Republican who is ready to pick a fight with Attorney General John Ashcroft. We'll be right back.