Katie Couric's long term future is at CBS
February 3, 2010
Under pressure network CBS, which is facing staff cuts and setbacks, is promising to keep Katie Couric long term. It even justifies Couric's multi-million dollar salary and benefits package.
Katie Couric, gorgeous at 53
Couric is CBS News' highest-paid employee. Her an annual salary is estimated at nearly $15 million, making her the subject of grumbling by people at CBS News upset at the layoffs.
I don't think it's fair at all,
said CBS boss Sean McManus said.
There is no relationship between how much money Katie is paid and the adjustments we make to our budget periodically.
The CBS Evening News with Couric is third in the ratings behind NBC and ABC. But to her credit, Couric is praised for almost single-handedly bringing down VP-hopeful Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin
Depending on your politics, Katie Couric can either be blamed or thanked for bringing down John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin during election 2008.
In her book, Going Rogue: An American Life
, Palin, the former veep hopeful, has harsh words to say about CBS anchor Katie Couric.
Recalling her awful interviews with Couric, Palin describes Couric as badgering
and biased. The interviews left the American electorate with the distinct impression that Palin was naive, unprepared, ill-informed, and unsuited for high office.
The Couric encounter has left a bad taste in Palin's mouth. She devotes many words to the interviews which became a substantial nail in her campaign coffin.
Going Rogue
Sarah Palin is a political and fashion force to be reckoned with
Palin says that the idea to meet with Couric came from Nicolle Wallace, a leading McCain campaign aide. She told Palin that Couric, as a working mother, liked and admired her. The interviews would also be a favor from the McCain campain to Couric, whose ratings were the lowest of the network anchors.
Wallace said Couric suffered from low self-esteem, which made Palin almost feel sorry
for Couric.
Palin claims that Couric and CBS left out her more substantive
remarks and settled for gotcha
moments. Palin contends that Couric had a partisan agenda
and a condescending manner.
Going Rogue
was written with Lynn Vincent in a down-to-earth tone, much like Palin's speech, which is riddled with platitudes and small-town common sense. It has a first printing of 1.5 million copies and is an amazon.com best seller.
Couric interviews Palin (Election 2008)
Katie Couric followed Sarah Palin on the stump for a few days during the presidential election campaign in 2008. Her with Palin interview was broadcast over several evenings on CBS Evening News.
During a quiet moment between stump speeches, Couric asked Sarah Palin how she was coping with her new-found fame.
"You know, Katie," said Palin, "when I was brought on board to save John McCain's campaign I didn't blink for a second. You have to have that confidence in yourself even when you don't understand the issues. You have to believe you are the right person to lead the nation, even if you're the wrong person."
Couric found Palin to be a tough and headstrong campaigner. Palin picks her fights carelessly and is never afraid of using a wrong word or inapt comparison.
"Do you have to be careful about not saying what's on your mind?" asked Couric.
"What I say and what I do are two completely different things, Katie. I might be saying this stuff about Wall Street, how we have to plow billions of dollars of taxpayers' money into saving banks, and I'm like 'What is this bs? Let the banks sink, that's the free market way'. But, you know, Katie, I'm part of a team now and I have to take bullets for the team."
Katie Couric with famed crossed-legs and high heels
It was clear to Couric that Palin is strong on leadership. She charmed with her clear, forthright presence, telling audiences her inexperience is an asset.
"Does it worry you that you don't know too much about foreign affairs?" asked Couric. "You haven't traveled much and you haven't met any foreign leaders."
Palin brushed the criticism aside: "Katie, I was not chosen by John McCain because I know a lot about foreign affairs. In fact I know next to nothing. Ask me to name the capital of Moldova and I'm stumped. That's not my role, Katie. I can Google that stuff. I'm a figurehead and a spearhead. I speak the same language as small town moms and dads all across this nation. I don't pretend to know the answers. I think of it this way: I might not be able to connect the dots, but I can connect with people."
A noticeably puzzled Couric asked: "Does the McCain team pretty much control what you say?" Palin answered candidly: "The liberal media, and that includes you Katie, acts like it's a big secret that I don't know foreign affairs. That's so stupid. I'm open about not knowing this stuff. That's why I need John McCain's help. He supplies me with index cards on all the major issues."
Palin handed Couric a couple of index cards. One of them was headed "Iran". Underneath was written "1) Bad guys; 2) Building nukes 3) Invade if necessary.
Sarah Palin's toe art
When the Palin team stopped for lunch at a local deli, Couric asked a few people in the crowd what it is about Sarah Palin that appeals to them.
Jeff, a retired steel worker, said: "She doesn't appeal to me at all. I think she's kinda creepy, but, y'know, up close she's not so bad."
Rosie, who was waving a big homemade Palin banner, told Couric: "I just love the way Sarah doesn't pretend to know what's she talking about, she's so open about it. I like that. It's a breath of fresh air."
Sarah Palin, author of Going Rogue
in exclusive red leather jacket
Cindi, who had traveled 60 miles to see Palin, said: "I just came to see her outfit and I'm so upset it's not the one she wore at the convention. I didn't understand a word she said but I love her."
Back on the campaign bus, Couric touched on the thorny issue of faith, whether it is a big factor in the campaign. She asked: "Do you think Senator McCain wants you to stop saying things like 'The war in Iraq is God's will?'"
Palin snapped back: "John McCain wants to stop me saying lots of things, but I know one thing for sure, Senator McCain does not know God's will. I know there's a Plan and I hope John McCain is part of that plan in the same way I am."
THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES Page 2
Reader comments
Bill, Manchester Katie Couric has the best legs on television. She's a national treasure. We don't see as much of her legs as we used to. Thank you for keeping the dream alive.
Leona, Corpus Christi You need to know there are plenty of conservatives like me who despise Katie Couric. The woman is a she-devil.
Phil, Seattle Katie Couric is the hottest woman in television, and she's over 50. I wish my wife had legs like Katie's. But then I wouldn't get any work done. I'd just sit all day and stroke those legs.