TIM RUSSERT {KATHERINE GRAHAM, LESLEY STAHL, MAYOR RICHARD M. DALEY, JESSE JACKSON SR. AND JR.} {SEGMENTS} (TV)
Summary
One in this series of interview programs with a focus on issues facing the media, hosted by journalist Tim Russert. This edition features segments from four different 1997 interviews.
In the first segment, Russert talks with The Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham, touching upon the following topics: her new memoir, "Personal History," which profiles her parents, her late husband Philip, and her own privileged upbringing; her early life as a dutiful young wife and mother, and why she considered calling the book "Two Separate Lives"; Philip's assertive leadership roles and his struggles with bipolar disorder, eventually leading to his suicide in 1963; his love of politics and why he urged John F. Kennedy to pick Lyndon B. Johnson as a running mate; the importance of journalists' personal connection with politicians, including the eroding nature of "off the record"; her belief that the Kennedy men, like most of their generation, were chauvinists; Kennedy's confusion at Adlai Stevenson's ability to relate to women; taking over as publisher of the post, then a small and private newspaper, after her husband's death; the "defining moment" in which she decided to publish the leaked Pentagon Papers, just as the Post was going public and against her lawyers' advice; why she does not feel compelled to learn the true identity of Watergate source "Deep Throat"; Attorney General John N. Mitchell's famously explicit threat about Graham to Carl Bernstein regarding a 1972 article pertaining to the Watergate scandal; and the "next chapter" of her life on the eve of her 80th birthday.
Next, Russert talks with television journalist Lesley Stahl, touching upon the following topics: her recent piece on former First Lady Betty Ford, who she credits with "changing history" with her matter-of-fact activism for breast cancer and addiction treatment; the positive aspects of turning 50; "empty-nest syndrome," including the mingled worries and sense of freedom experienced by mothers; her own mother's encouragement of her career; changes for women in broadcasting; whether Elizabeth Dole will run for president in 2000 and the "feminization" of politics, owing in part to technological advances; how First Daughter Chelsea Clinton helped to repair her father's damaged "family man" image; why Stahl's scathing article about Reagan's policies was surprisingly beloved by his campaign because of its use of flattering photographs; her views on questionable campaign fundraising; how news organizations became competitive and money-focused; the sensationalist coverage of the recent death of Princess Diana; the perils of "giving the people what they want" in news journalism; whether she would participate in a sit-down interview with sportscaster Marv Albert, recently accused of sexual assault; her determination to secure an interview with Nixon's White House Counsel John Dean, eventually conducted through Dean's mail slot; and her views on CBS News' recent ratings troubles.
Russert next sits down with Richard M. Daley, the 43rd mayor of Chicago, touching upon the following topics: succeeding his father, Richard J. Daley, the 38th mayor of Chicago; why entering politics had to be "his decision" alone; Daley Sr.'s strong support of President Kennedy and general belief in "respecting the office"; his belief that Robert Kennedy would have been a strong Democratic candidate in 1968, were it not for his assassination in June; why Daley Jr. chooses to focus on strong public education; housing changes and why city employees must live within the city limits; his efforts to privatize certain industries to maximize cost-efficiency and quality service; improving quality of life through sanitation efforts and community policing; why many Americans fear policemen and the importance of developing a healthy rapport; why he opposes the use of public money for sports stadiums; whether he will outdo his father's tenure of 21 years as mayor; and his lack of interest in attaining a higher office, owing to the "meanness" of Washington politics.
Finally, Russert chats with Reverend Jesse Jackson and his son, Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., touching upon the following topics: Jackson Sr.'s sense of "private joy and history" when Jackson Jr. was sworn in to Congress, including his memories of his own father's experiences with racism upon returning home from World War II; how Jackson Sr. and wife Jacqueline Brown raised their five children to be socially active and accomplished; Jackson Jr.'s ongoing experiences with everyday racism despite his esteemed position; how poverty, class gaps and lack of opportunity contribute to large-scale race problems; the popularity of mixed-race golf pro Tiger Woods, and how his domination of the "quintessentially white sport" compares to Jackie Robinson's trailblazing accomplishments; their hope that Woods will take up social-justice causes, as Robinson did; what Jackson Jr. plans to tell his future children about their grandfather; Jackson Jr.'s wife Sandi Jackson's past work for her later father-in-law's rival Michael Dukakis; whether Jackson Sr. plans to run for president again in 2000; his ideas for political changes, including California Senator Pete Wilson's views on affirmative action; their views on Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan's controversial statements about black and Jewish American relationships and the importance of broader economic justice for all; and whether Jackson Jr. gets along with Chicago Mayor Daley. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CNBC
- DATE: November 30, 1999
- RUNNING TIME: 1:30:51
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 107469
- GENRE: Education/Information
- SUBJECT HEADING: Education/Information; News; Talk/Interview; Politics
- SERIES RUN: CNBC - TV series, 1994-2008
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Judith Bishop … Supervising Producer
- Barbara Fant … Producer
- Tim Russert … Host
- Bill Clinton
- John F. Kennedy
- For Katherine Graham interview:
- Zinta Lundborg … Associate Producer
- James Gaines … Director
- Katherine Graham … Guest
- Carl Bernstein
- Philip Graham
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- John N. Mitchell
- Adlai Stevenson II
- For Lesley Stahl interview:
- Lesley Stahl … Guest
- Marv Albert
- Chelsea Clinton
- Hillary Rodham Clinton
- John Dean
- Diana, Princess of Wales (see also: Diana Spencer)
- Elizabeth Dole
- Betty Ford
- Richard Nixon
- Ronald Reagan
- For Mayor Daley interview:
- Rosemarie Barone … Field Producer
- Richard M. Daley … Guest
- Richard J. Daley
- Robert F. Kennedy
- For Jesse Jackson interview:
- Dwight Mayhew … Director
- Pookey Preston … Director
- Jesse Jackson … Guest
- Jesse Jackson Jr. … Guest
- Jacqueline Brown
- Michael Dukakis
- Louis Farrakhan
- Sandi Jackson
- Jackie Robinson
- Pete Wilson
- Tiger Woods