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Show The Salt Lake Tribune NATION Sunday, September 10,1995 _ Talk Shows Are Political Behind Scenes @ From Previous Page and Schieffer 2.3. Each rating pointis the equivalent of 955,000 households. “If you want to really get into discussion,it’s Russert,” one Republican said. “If you want folks to see you, it’s Brinkley. “Meet the Press” is the longestrunning show on oe having premiered on Nov. 6, ‘1947, and its stature among politicians is well-earned, according to pros. Russert is known as a man who does his homework and knows how to ask tough questions. When Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas appeared on June 4, for instance, his comments wound up in three different stories in the next day’s papers — on Bosnia, on thenSurgeon General nominee Henry Foster, and on movie violence. A week earlier, White House chief of staff Leon Panetta made the papers when he went on “Meet the Press” to give the administration’s assessment of the Republican Congress to date. And on April 30, Wayne LaPierre, the head of the National Rifle Association, made news when he defended his earlier reference to some federal law-enforcement agents as “jack-booted government thugs.” Russert, a trained lawyer, says he nevertries to pose a question AZZ tough decision.” “ps civilized, not a food fight. Ifyou come on and do well, it resonates. If you don’t do well, it can create a terrible image problem.?? TIM RUSSERT “Meet the Press” Not everyone always does well in such an environment. Aninterview with Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., in 1994 “was very confrontational,’ Russert said, because the congressman refused to acknowledge some of the consequences that could result from significantlyre- without having a pretty good idea of what the answer will be — or should be. And he can be dogged in pursuing a politician who is waffling or inconsistent. “We're perceived as the toughest show,”’ he said. “It’s civilized, thing they have read and we are going to have a discussion as two equals about an important sub- not a food fight. If you come on ject.” and do well, it resonates. If you don't do well, it can createa terrible image problem.” Russert says he spends between eight and 10 hoursof hard study preparing for any guest, whichal- lows him to ask questions that “force honest reflection and thought. When they come on the show, they knowI’ve read every- If the answers do not make ducing the budget. In a second appearance, though, “he was well-prepared and more candid about what he wouid do,” Russert said. “People said he had really grown” as House speaker. To ensure that guests are as newsworthy as possible, all the showstry to wait until late ithe week to issue invitations. Songetimes that means the guest ‘they want already may be pledged to one of the other shows. And the unwritten ruleis “you do what invites youfirst,” Matalin said Politicians also can be aggres- sive about lobbying to get on the shows when they want a foram. “You call the producers and say you'll make news and then you joust and negotiate,” said one campaign adviser who has done a lot of jousting “If you do something hot, they're all over you. Otherwise, they won't return phonecalls for 100 weeks.” sense, he says, “I'll stay with it That’s where the information base kicks in. But this is the big leagues. If you can’t answer a tough question, you can’t make a 6 even give you irectionsto Rome. This monthLae The Closet Factory will ingallanyh|: absolutely free of charge. Here’s how it works: $ Our certified design specialist comes to your home to ? discuss closet design andall the wonderful accessories only = we offer. Then measurements are taken. 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