The Larry Kane Report

The death of Tim Russert is shocking and sad, but the standard he set as one of TV’s greatest interviewers will last for generations.

Russert brought his intense knowledge of politics and mixed in a dogged pursuit of the truth. Unlike like many superficial broadcasters who had little knowledge of the system, he was a fantastic researcher, who was able to web together all the pertinent aspects of a story. His questions were the most direct in Television, and he made sure that he was an equal opportunity inquisitor, lobbing verbal fastballs at public officials. It was tough for candidates for office to be evasive with Russert, because he wouldn’t allow them to. His strength was information, but his power was in style.

Russert was one of the few people I have ever witnessed who could ask edgy questions without looking hostile and angry. He always smiled, which in retrospect, made him so enjoyable to the viewer, but made politicians crazy. That warm personality was delivering the strongest of questions, holding nothing back, but giving issue-oriented viewers a real treat.

People who worked with him were astounded at his moderate temperament and composure as he led NBC news in its Washington coverage. He was one of the few hosts of a weekly show who became a giant on the national press scene. I’ve always felt that in our business, knowledge is power, and when it came to knowledge of the people and the times, few were in his class.

Young journalists would be wise to study his style, which proved above and beyond, that aggressive journalists can conduct their work with unbridled joy, and without looking like they are the Hollywood stereotype of the evil, and uncaring reporters that you see in the movies.

I didn’t know Tim Russert like his colleagues did, but as a viewer and fellow journalist, I watched him with deep respect and considerable awe.

As some of you know, in a recent column, I suggested him as one of my “alternative” choices for Vice President. I put him on my list for one reason: “just because I liked him.

He was easy to like, and had a lot to admire.

Comments(2)

Everyone has a favorite choice for VEEP. But before I offer some DIFFERENT CHOICES, keep in mind that polls show that wives of candidates are viewed as being more important than VP candidates when voters make up their minds. Since many of you accuse me of favoring Ed Rendell and Joe Biden (you’re right on that), I offer some alternatives!

For the Democrats:

Bill Bradley, former Senator. I served in the Air Force with the basketball giant. He’s got the smarts, but he needs some energy on the stump. Was one of first to endorse Obama.

John Edwards – Says he doesn’t want it which means he does. Still attractive to millions of Americans. Downside: slick.

Chuck Hagel – Rebel Republican. Good Defense credentials. Dislikes Bush.

Chris Dodd. Conn. Senator is perfect. Smart and not capable of taking the spotlight away from Obama.

Caroline Kennedy. Co-chair of Obama VP search committee. It worked for Dick Cheney in 2000. He just picked himself.

Brad Pitt. Good looks. Nice girlfriend. Babies. Public service.

Tim Russert. I just like the guy. See below.

FOR THE REPUBLICANS:

Newt Gingrich. Could satisfy the right wing which wants to punish McCain.

Tom Ridge. No one could be more impactful than Ridge. His face looks like he belongs on Mount Rushmore.

Hillary Clinton. Now that would be the story of the year. Does John McCain have the guts ? Would she do it? What does Bill think?

Liz Dole. Still popular. Good in the South. Fascinating choice.

Christie Whitman – The anti-Bush Repubican, Helps get New Jersey

General Petraeus. Don’t know his party. But our Commander in Iraq LOOKS like VP material.

And Tim Russert, just because I like him.

Comments(20)

HELLO-GOODBYE – HILLARY’S POIGNANT APPEARANCE

It is amazing to me how defeated candidates reach down deeply inside their soul, Here’s an email from Robert Traynham, Washington Bureau for CN 8, The Comcast Network. He was there at the Hillary speech on Saturday.

“Amazing crowd. Feels like an Obama crowd in terms of the feverish pitch in respect to her supporters yelling her name.

Also, its interesting that she started this campaign with the saying that she is a leader that just so happens to be a woman, but she ended it by saying I am a woman who ran for president.

I emailed the Obama campaign and asked about their reaction the speech and they said that they where very very pleased with it and that they can understand what she is going thru. Its very hard for her.

Had she would have have ran this campaign the way she ended it — she would have been the nominee.

You can reach Robert at rtraynham@mac.com.

Robert likes mail.

*****************************************************************************************************

MORE VEEP BUZZ -

Some of you have suggested that I am just pushing our region in potential VP candidates.

WRONG!

First of all, Ed Rendell and Joe Biden are legit contenders. Rendell brings a big state and the signature of a former Clinton backer. Biden is the shadow Secretary of State in this country. Both would be huge for Obama. The other name is Tom Ridge. No question that he has the credentials on the Republican side. There are many Veep possibilities, but these three contenders are the real thing.

**********************************************************************************************************

PHILLIES IN CONTROL –

The Phillie’s June drama is giving us a lot to laugh about in a time of economic craziness, high gas prices and rebate checks. Whatever happened to those rebate checks? Everything is clicking, including the turnstiles. So far it has been a fantastic year. Enjoy it. What I DO notice is that the national press is ignoring this great team. Local sportswriters are finally going into positive territory. It’s about time they awakened from their Negadelphia Slump. Look around and smell the roses guys!

*********************************************************************************************************

SICK OF SICKO DRIVERS

Heat wave is bringing out the worst tail gating, on your rear, speedo, sicko drivers. If you’re one of them, get a life, or save one. What is it with the speeders? Too much beer, or maybe putting the petal to the medal is a cry out for help! I’m sick of it. Worst locations: I-95 and the Skuylkill X-Way. There is little or no enforcement on these highways. Cars can kill as fast as bullets. Like the pro-GUN folks like to say, it is not the weapons but the people using them.

Comments(34)

Item one.

Defense Boss Robert Gates’ Shakeup of the Air Force high command wlll be followed by more firings inside the Pentagon, especially revolving high level security lapses. Our Congressional sources say that this is just the tip of the iceberg, and that recent disclosures about illegal shipments of arms and nuclear tipped missiles on Air Force planes, will be followed by even more dramatic disclosures. Gates is a Defense Secretary who is not asleep at the wheel. He’s the guy you want answering the hotline at 3 a.m. in the morning!

**************************************************************************************************

Free speech is one thing but I am fed up with some bloggers in the Lehigh Valley who keep trying to label me. One calls me an Obama backer. That would be juicy if it were true. Make one thing clear : I have opinions but attempts to label me as a liberal or conservative analyst are phony. Fake bloggers should look in the mirror and try to report the facts, not some half-baked manure based on innuendo and false impressions. I endorse no one. And I pride myself as an equal opportunity analyst. I won’t be intimidated by nasty emails, false labeling and online assassins who might start reading or getting knowledge before they go off on people.

***************************************************************************************************

Speaking of Obama, sources inside the Obama campaign say that the leaks about Ed Rendell and Joe Biden being on the shortlist for VP are for real. Biden, especially, is admired by Obama for his foreign policy expertise and Rendell, a former Clinton backer, would be a surprise but smart choice. Don’t expect a decision on VEEP for at least a month.

*****************************************************************************************************

John McCain’s VP search has taken him to an old friend. Although the two differ on social issues, McCain is looking again at Tom Ridge, former Governor of Pa. and the nation’s first Secretary of Homeland Security. Ridge is trusted by McCain. Ridge has the granite look of a leader. Will he make the cut? Hard to say, but I can report that he is in the mix,

The search for the people who could be a “heartbeat away” from the Presidency is more critical than ever this year. For Obama, it offers a chance to find a portfolio of experience. For McCain, there is an opportunity to add youth and vitality to his campaign

**************************************************************************************************

BROADCAST NOTE: PLEASE DON’T MISS THIS SUNDAY’S “VOICE OF REASON” AT 9:30 on CN 8. THE BROADCAST FEATURES A NATIONAL COLUMNIST WHO HAS A CONTROVERSIAL BUT EFFECTIVE WAY TO END OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL. IF YOU MISS IT, YOU CAN WATCH IT ON VIDEO ON DEMAND. I THINK YOU’LL FIND IT FASCINATING. MY GUESTS EXPLORE THE CONCEPT, AND THE UPSIDE AND DOWNSIDES. THE QUESTION IS — DOES SOMEONE HAVE THE GUTS TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN?

Comments(39)

First, the Dems. Game over. Hillary Clinton has no choice but to seek party harmony. Will she be the VEEP? Don’t know that, but I DO KNOW that she will have to have a major role in the Obama effort. That has to happen. In the meantime, national DEMS, while offering respect, may want to ask President Clinton to take a “bye” on this one. He has been quite morose and hardly uplifting in this campaign. Will the real Bill Clinton please stand up?

********************************************************************************

As a legend in her field, few were as productive and history-making as Anne d’Harnoncourt, the CEO of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, who died suddenly on Monday. In addition to her amazing feats of change and transformation at the museum, Anne offered a style and personality that endeared her to movers and shakers, and the thousands upon thousands who visit the museum. She will be missed.

**********************************************************************************

No. I will not comment on the FBI-Larry Mendte story. I did not and will not comment on the Alycia Lane saga. Both stories are far from resolution.

I will say something about Larry, briefly, and a special warning on e-communication.

Larry is very active in the community, more than any other of the current lead anchors. What happened in this situation is really unknown. But there is no question that, whatever happens, these kinds of stories can make us think about how we view electronic communication. First of all, emails are as private as snail mail. We should always presume other’s emails as sacred and private territory. Emails are also as senstitive as regular mail, even more. Always remember that what you write in  an email can be potentially embarrassing. Do not presume that the web is always secure. Before you write in anger and with aggression, keep in mind that someone could send your angry email to the world with just a click of the button. The “forward” command can send your controversial email to the wrong person at the wrong time.

Be careful with emails, at home or on-the-job

Comments(36)