Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - # 107C1
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Opening Monologue"
Show host Tucker Carlson speaking from the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Carlson reviews polling by various news organizations on important topics at the convention, which skew liberally and extremely against the war in Iraq. Carlson says Democrats have chosen a candidate who does not embody the anti-war sentiment and thinks the troops should stay in Iraq. This does not bother supporters, as their over-arching goal is simply to beat current President George W. Bush. African American and Caucasian adult men and women holding up signs and placards voicing their support for their candidate. U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) speaking at campaign stop, then jumps off stage to shake hands with supporters. Kerry holding hands up in the air with Vice-Presidential nominee U.S. Senator John Edwards (D-NC) and former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Democratic supporters at convention; Senator Edwards on stage, waving to supporters. Senator Kerry on stage with John Edwards. Senator Kerry shaking hands with Caucasian and African American adult men as they walk off a boat.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Show Open"
Composite (unclean) footage with "Tucker Carlson" title and text: U.S. Presidential candidate John Kerry at Democratic National Convention; balloons and confetti dropping while supporters wave signs supporting Kerry/Edwards ticket. Various supporters including former President Jimmy Carter speaking about Senator Kerry (D-MA). Senator Kerry says "....and I'm reporting for duty." Kerry supporters cheering.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Show Open"
Ted Koppel of ABC Nightline News says, "How else are you going to prove his machismo credentials? That is what you have to do." Reverend Al Sharpton standing at the convention podium, says, "Mr. President, read my lips: our vote is not for sale." Special correspondent for MTV Ana Marie Cox at the Democratic National Convention. Title sequence.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Convention Background"
Show host Tucker Carlson (VO) talks about problems surrounding political conventions that center around confusing messages contradictory to the party’s identity. Confetti falling at Republican National Convention. U.S. President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, and U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney seen on stage with confetti falling. Howard Dean speaking at the Democratic National Convention followed by U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA); supporters holding up Kennedy signs. Former President Jimmy Carter smiling at podium. Former President Bill Clinton speaking at convention, then saluting the audience. African American adult male Christian minister speaking to audience, “We were a traveling bullseye…”
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Democratic National Convention"
Crowds at various Democratic National Conventions; red and white balloons, and confetti falling. Former Governor of Massachusetts Michael Dukakis (D) waving from the stage to supporters waving "Dukakis" signs. African American middle-aged adult man and two African American middle-aged adult women in the crowd clapping. American flag hanging from rafters. Show host Tucker Carlson (VO) talks about the Democratic Party that once ran against the war in Vietnam, praising those who did not serve. In the past, Democrats have been known for promoting secularism and modernity, but now they have moved their messaging toward God and war. Democratic candidate for President U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) says, "As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God's side." Caucasian adult woman waving “Kerry” sign; wider look at the crowd of Kerry supporters; one young adult Caucasian woman waving a "Kerry" sign, two middle-aged adult Caucasian men applauding.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Ted Koppel"
Show host Tucker Carlson speaks to Ted Koppel of ABC Nightline on floor of Democratic National Convention. Carlson starts by noting that Koppel has skipped the last three conventions because they were boring and contained no real news, but he is here at this one. Koppel says he is here due to the interesting story lines playing out around the convention, not because of the convention itself, which is of no interest to him. Carlson has noticed all the Vietnam War references at the convention, wonders if people are referencing the wrong war, i.e. the Iraq War. Koppel says they have to bring up Vietnam because how else can the Democratic Party establish John Kerry’s machismo? He remembers fours years ago when President George W. Bush was billed as a uniter, not a divider. He does not hear such sentiments now. Carlson notes how those who did not participate and denounced the Vietnam War were honored on the left. That tone seems to have changed now to where it was honorable to kill people in a dishonorable war. Koppel thinks Carlson is mistaken but does not blame him. He believes the message now is that John Kerry is an honorable man who served his country well and with distinction while at the same time present day “hawks” were trying to avoid or dodge going to Vietnam. Carlson maintains the left admires those who tried to avoid going to Vietnam. Koppel agrees, says you don’t have to got to Vietnam to see the irony in having people like Michael Moore be against the Iraq War yet somehow support Kerry, whose Iraq War plans nearly mirror President Bush's. Carlson agrees.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Ted Koppel"
Show host Tucker Carlson notices that anti-war luminaries like Michael Moore and Howard Dean are taking a low profile at the Democratic national convention. Ted Koppel of ABC Nightline News noticed that as well, and goes back to the original point of their discussion: why political conventions are no longer interesting. Political parties strive for unity and so, unlike previous political conventions, there is no debate or compromise necessary to choose a presidential candidate by the time the convention starts. Carlson asks, in the likely scenario that John Kerry is chosen to be the Democratic nominee, whether it will be a problem that his views on the Iraq War will be different from the people electing him. Koppel agrees. If Kerry does win the Presidency and implements his Iraq War policy, his staunchest critics will be liberals, but Republicans will be ones supporting him. Carlson asks Koppel whether this is argument Democrats should have before the election. Koppel doesn’t think so because this is really a convention about anybody but Bush. Democrats are not warm to the idea of Kerry as much as electing someone to replace Bush. Carlson doesn’t think that’s much of an ideology, more of a gut reaction. Koppel replies, “It’ll have to do." Carlson wonders how soon it will be before the majority of Americans reach the “Nader view” and simply want to pull out of Iraq completely. Koppel thinks that will happen relatively soon but responsible leaders of both parties realize it cannot be done in that manner.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Ted Koppel"
Show host Tucker Carlson mentions Jim Lehrer and his criticism of the networks for covering only an hour of the convention. Carlson asks Ted Koppel of ABC Nightline if he thinks that is fair criticism. Koppel complements PBS for doing great work in its coverage at the Democratic National Convention, but PBS is not a commercial-based news network. He numbers the three networks combined viewership of the convention, argues that the American people have no interest in the convention. Carlson asks if it is the public’s fault for the lack of network TV coverage. Koppel reiterates that networks would not show content viewers clearly do not want to see, and if they do want to see it they have other options. If the market demands more coverage of the convention, then it will behoove the networks to provide it. Carlson thanks Koppel for his time.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Ana Marie Cox"
MTV special correspondent Ana Marie Cox at the Democratic National Convention, talking to middle-aged adult Caucasian man wearing cowboy hat and patriotic clothing. Cox walking through crowd on convention floor. Show host Tucker Carlson talks with Ana Marie Cox in the DNC press filing room about the Democratic party's message to voters during the Convention; working in BG are mostly middle-aged adult Caucasian men, one middle-aged adult Asian woman.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Reverend Al Sharpton"
Show host Tucker Carlson speaks with Reverend Al Sharpton at the Durgin-Park Restaurant in the Faneuil Hall marketplace. Carlson believes Sharpton was the only person allowed to read from his own text, not something prepared for him, and asks how he was able to do that. Sharpton says he wrote and changed his own speech and was forthright about the changes he was making with the Democratic Party Chairman. No one leaned on him to do otherwise and no one has complained about the contents of his speech. Carlson asks Sharpton if he was disappointed by the conservative tone of the Democratic National Convention. Sharpton replies no, believes that all sides of the party should be allowed to be heard and they were. Carlson notes that liberal interests groups were not heard at the podium (abortion rights, gay rights, or environmental activists). Sharpton says different candidates in the primary were given the chance to speak and many of those candidates represent the same interests as those interest groups do. Sharpton realizes the impact he had in the Democratic primaries, so his invite to speak at the convention along with other notable candidates was not extended out of fear, but due to “political intelligence."
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Reverend Al Sharpton"
Show host Tucker Carlson asks Reverend Al Sharpton whether the Vietnam War was a just war. Shapton says no. Carlson asks Sharpton what he makes of the celebration over Senator John Kerry’s service in the Vietnam War. Sharpton thinks Kerry’s service should be celebrated given his duty and followed by his questioning of the war’s purpose. It is not a matter of the politics of the war, but more the character of the person who served during the war. Carlson and Sharpton battle over the morality of the war and celebrating the actions of a soldier who fought in, what is now considered, a morally unjust war. Carlson notes when Senator Kerry served in Vietnam (1968), many were already against the war and did not want to go. Did that make those people cowards if Kerry was a hero for going? Sharpton says no. Those who were already protesting came to that conclusion sooner than Kerry did. Kerry came to the same conclusion as those anti-war protesters after he went and served his tour of duty. That will serve him well in current political climate with regards to the Iraq War.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Reverend Al Sharpton"
Show host Tucker Carlson confirms that Reverend Al Sharpton is for pulling troops out of Iraq, a position not in line with Senator John Kerry’s (D-MA) position of staying the course of war while finding an honorable way out. Sharpton realizes that and has debated Kerry on the matter, but while they disagree Sharpton says Kerry’s position is still better than President George W. Bush’s current policy on the war in Iraq.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Reverend Al Sharpton"
Show host Tucker Carlson asks Reverend Al Sharpton the best party he has been to while at the Democratic National Convention. Sharpton says Jason Bin(?) of Gotham Magazine threw the best party so far. Carlson wonders if the Democrats have been too tight compared to their normal penchant for loose parties. Sharpton says they didn’t come here to party, but to recapture the nation. Carlson muses whether Democrats are now the straight-laced, conventional party, perhaps the boring party. Sharpton says not boring, but more mature, which is a quality they seek to bring back to the White House. Carlson thanks Sharpton for his time.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Barack Obama"
Composite (unclean) footage with text: U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) delivering keynote address at 2004 Democratic National Convention: "Now, even as we speak there are those that are preparing to divide us-- the spin masters, the negative ad peddlers-- who embrace the politics of 'anything goes.' Well, I say to them tonight there is not a liberal America and a conservative America, there is the United States of America."
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Ana Marie Cox"
Show host Tucker Carlson speaking with MTV Special Correspondent Ana Marie Cox at the Democratic National Convention press filing center area. Carlson asks Cox what she has learned at the convention. The kinds of the information being talked about within the press or delegates are about parties; nothing much in the way of political issues. In fact, the current discussions revolve around the best free bars in the area. Carlson asks if that is because the convention is a dry area. Cox says no, you just have to know where to go. Carlson mentions that most people at the convention are against the war in Iraq, but no one is talking about it. Cox says the only war being mentioned here is Vietnam, to the point where it seems like you have to mention it often before leaving the building. Carlson talks about the Vietnam War narrative when they were kids growing up, compared to now. Cox says it seems Americans have gotten over their Vietnam War syndrome but in an odd way. Carlson asks where the draft dodgers are now. Cox replies there was one just on stage. Democrats are fashioning themselves as Republicans. Carlson asks if she thinks that strategy will work with the American people. Cox is unsure, says hate is a strong force and the Democrats are unified in their hate for President George W. Bush. Carlson understands why people may dislike him, but is hate going too far? Cox thinks an analyst could give a better answer than she could. To her, it seems like abused children coming together to kill the father. Sure they all squabble with each other, but they will unite to kill the father.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Ana Marie Cox"
Show host Tucker Carlson and MTV special correspondent Ana Marie Cox at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Carlson references when 18 year olds were granted the right to vote (1972), and since then have voted in smaller numbers as a percentage of the population. Why? Cox thinks the problem lies in the way voting is sold to young people. "Vote because you should and it's good for you, or vote because that's what Ben Affleck does." That poor reasoning turns young people away from voting. Young people realize the mainstream media give only half the story, which turns them away from voting and politics in general. Carlson asks should they vote if they don’t know what they are voting for? Cox says no, but at the same time she thinks not voting at all is worse. Carlson thanks her for her time.
Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered - Show 107C1 - "Bill Clinton/Show Close"
Composite (unclean) footage and text: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton speaking at 2004 Democratic national Convention: "During the Vietnam War many young men including the current President, the Vice President, and me, could have gone to Vietnam and didn't. John Kerry came from a privileged background. He could avoided going, too, but instead he said, ‘Send me.’" Show host Tucker Carlson gives his brief opinion on the Democratic National Convention in front of Fanueil Hall, signs off. Credits roll as Carlson is show on the convention floor taking pictures with two adult Caucasian female attendees.