Romney Speech Interrupted–by Karl Rove!

Romney: We’re gonna talk about aspirations and American ideas. Rove: “Hello?” Putative GOP nominee Mitt Romney was bizarrely interrupted today as he announced his new running mate Rep. Paul Ryan: the unlikely culprit, his Super PAC pal, GOP operative Karl Rove. When Romney was wrapping up his introduction of Ryan as aired on FNC, he said, “We’re gonna talk about aspirations and American ideas: Ironically, immediately, an off-camera Rove says, “Hello? Yes. Fine, how are you?”

Apparently, Rove’s FNC mike was hot and his phone was on during Romney’s oration. After Ryan’s subsequent address and commentary by FNC’s Bret Baier and Britt Hume, Rove appeared as a Fox News election special guest to discuss Romney’s selection of Ryan. But, neither he nor his interviewer Baier mentioned the odd blooper.

Karl Rove: “Call me, maybe”? Maybe, not.

*Fox & Friends (preempted during final hour)- 08/11/12 (@ 9:27 a.m. ET)

Aly: “Poor Karl Rove! Poor Karl Rove!”

Redux Dave: “Wow. ” Yesterday, FNC contributor Karl Rove‘s faux pas of calling F&FW co-anchor Alisyn Camerota “Gretchen [Carlson]” yesterday was characterized as “awkward” by Mediaite and “addled” by Carpe Diem. Seemingly, in response, F&FW producers and co-hosts Aly, Dave Briggs, and Mike Jerrick (fill-in for Clayton Morris) appeared eager to quickly put the incident to bed.

When the second hour of F&FW started with its trio seated on the curvy couch as usual, Aly welcomed guest co-host Mike Jerrick to the show. Subsequently, Dave turned to Aly, deadpanning, “Good to have you back, Gretchen.” Seemingly simulating amusement, Aly chuckled, “Poor Karl Rove! Poor Karl Rove!”

As Mike guffawed, a grinning Dave elaborated, “For those of you that weren’t here watching yesterday, Karl Rove, he called her [Aly] Gretchen.” Offering a rather lame excuse for Rove’s gaffe, Mike interjected, “Well, he can’t see us.” Sympathetically, Aly insisted, “I know! And, also, that’s just a…slip….He knows who I am!”

Then, defending her maladroit “wooer” further, Aly protested, “He does protect me from you [Dave] all of the time. That was his goal to protect me from Dave and Clayton which is a very altruistic, honorable goal, I believe.”

Interjecting, Mike jested, “Yeah. He’s scary! It’s fine, Juliet [Huddy]. It’ll be fine!”

Then, appearing to spoof his response yesterday to Rove’s gaffe, a slightly smiling Dave feigned outrage, arching his eyebrows, tilting his head, and monotoning, “Wow.”

Shaking her head, Aly pointed to Mike, giggling, “Well, nah. Makes sense!”

Nah. But, it was funny. Poor Karl Rove!

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 01/08/12 (@ 6:59 a.m. ET)

Aly Addles “Bush’s Brain”

Oops! “Chivalrous” Rove calls Aly “Gretchen.” FNC contributor Karl Rove got off to a false start with Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Alisyn Camerota as the new year began. In his first appearance in 2012 on F&FW, Rove regaled Aly and her F&FW co-hosts, Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs with his arcane knowledge of national politics (as he took potshots at GOP opponents of the Bushes’ apparent Presidential pick, Mitt Romney). After awing the F&FW boys, the former Senior Advisor to George W. Bush made an ill-advised attempt to woo the girl.*

When his segment had drawn to an end and Dave, Aly, and Clayton had bid him adieu, Rove abruptly remarked, “I have incidentally made a New Year’s resolution!…Mine is to do a better job of protecting Gretchen against the two of you guys.”

Arching her eyebrows and smiling scantly at Rove’s amorous misstep, a slighted Aly exclaimed, “Uh. Or, Alisyn!”

Meanwhile, Dave’s eyes widened and his mouth gaped at Rove’s gaffe. Putting his hand on Aly’s shoulder in succor, he echoed, “Or, Alisyn!”  Then, pointing to Aly with his other, Dave gibed, “Or, remember her name! That might be a good place to start.”

Throwing his hands up in the air, a chagrined Rove responded, “Oh, Alisyn. I’m sorry!” Chuckling sweetly, Aly answered, “Karl, I accept your offer of protection. Call me anything.” Reddened from embarrassment, Rove replied, “I’m so sorry!”

Subsequently, after Clayton momentarily teased an upcoming story, the co-anchors said goodbye to Rove again. As they concluded, still piqued, perhaps, Aly deadpanned, “Great to see you, Mike Huckabee. Thank you.” As Clayton laughed at her snipe, a similarly amused Dave aptly declared, “Wow!”

Exactly, Karl. Aly: no Gretchen Carlson. As Dave cautioned, you may want to resolve to remember that in the future.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 01/07/12 (@ 9:39 a.m. ET)

Update: Video (via Mediaite).

Rick Reichmuth: “Not Bad for a First-Timer”

“Bush’s brain”: “[He’s] steady…charming…personable…just a fun guy on the set.” FNC contributor Karl Rove gave FNC chief meteorologist Rick Reichmuth a rave review for his debut on the Fox & Friends Weekend curvy couch on Christmas Eve. In Rove’s usual weekly F&FW appearance Saturday with co-hosts Dave Briggs, Juliet Huddy, and Rick, he effusively praised Rick (after zestfully zinging his friend Dave).

When Dave welcomed Rove to the show in its final hour, he said, “We are honored [that] you’d join us on this Christmas Eve, Karl!” Playfully, Rove gibed, “Well, I’m happy to do so. But, I’m a little nervous if you’re the senior guy there.” As his co-hosts Rick and Juliet laughed heartily, a “wounded” Dave declared, “In the Christmas spirit, you had to slam me”: Then, pointing to Rick, Dave queried, “Well, Rick’s doing a great job: Right, Karl?”

Smiling, Rove responded, “He is!…Not bad for a first-timer….We knew he was steady under difficult conditions when he handled the weather. But…he’s been charming; he’s been personable; [and] he’s been…just a fun guy on the set this morning. He’s been great!”

And, Rick had. Not only had he fulfilled his co-host duties ably during the prior three hours, but also he had shown a remarkable sensitivity in his interviews with an awkward eight-year-old “One Boy USO,” a tearful “Layaway Secret Santa” recipient, and a grateful “Operation Ride Home” U.S. serviceman and his appreciative family. At least, on Christmas Eve, Rove was right.

Job well done, Rick.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 12/24/11 (@ 9:04 a.m. ET)

Wallace Repentant? “Happy” if Paul Wins

Bushie no more? Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace seemed to distance himself from his GOP establishment colleagues, e.g., Karl Rove, Dana Perino, etc. today. After pontificating yesterday on FNC’s “Your World with Neil Cavuto” that a Ron Paul victory would “discredit the Iowa caucuses,” Wallace chose a decidedly different tack this morning when Happening Now co-host Jon Scott asked him what a Paul win would mean in Iowa. With his sails more neatly trimmed, Wallace responded, “I don’t mean in any way to denigrate Ron Paul….I fully understand why his…millions of supporters across the country but thousands here in Iowa are so supportive of him.”*

Elaborating, he continued, “But, I think it is fair to say [that] he is a long shot for the Republican nomination. And, to the degree that people look at these States and say, ‘Are they picking a President?,” if they were to pick Paul, I think a lot of the–and, maybe, we’re not so smart–but a lot of the smart guys in the media and in the Republican party would say, ‘Well, that’s kind of an aberration.” Apparently, repentant, he added, “Now, it may be that Ron Paul proves us wrong, and I’d be happy if he did because it would be a very exciting race.”

Chris Wallace: fair and balanced? Trying.

*Happening Now – 12/15/11 (@ 12:11 a.m. ET)

Juliet Returns: New & Improved?

“Part of my charm, Karl. Just part of my charm.” FNC anchor Juliet Huddy finally resurfaced on the air to fill in for co-host Alisyn Camerota on Fox & Friends Weekend Saturday. To the joy of her devotees, the sassy, sexy, irreverent Juliet was back sounding and looking better than ever. And, to the painful pleasure of her co-hosts, Dave Briggs and Clayton Morris, and her guest, FNC contributor Karl “The Architect” Rove, she was happy to attend.

Re her viewers, Juliet offered them no explanation for her absence of over two months from the “Fair and Balanced” network. Nevertheless, her nasal timbre sounded markedly improved and her nose appeared somewhat surgically enhanced. But, for those with an eye a little lower on her figure, she offered scant evidence to assay.

Regardless of whether Juliet had any work done or not, the Fox & Friends Weekend fave was back and at her best keeping her boys in their place. On one hand, she was sultrily swaying in the aftermath of Dave’s “dulcet” tones and suggestively discussing “posing oil” with Clayton. On the other, she was giving them grief as the Doublemen twins a la Aly (and the author): To wit, an incredulous Dave Tweeted, “@juliethuddy…keeps confusing @ClaytonMorris & I [sic], RIDICULOUS we don’t look alike.”

Not to mention, Juliet had Karl Rove, the favorite political whipping boy of many on the left and the right, practically in her lap asking for just one more smack. After the former Bush top aide spent two segments beating up President Obama and Donald Trump, Juliet practically purred, “Karl, can I just say something? We were talking about what a savant you were from such a young age.”* Pleading, Rove cautioned, “Be careful. Be careful.”

Chuckling, Juliet joked that the first civics papers of her herself, Dave, and Clayton, respectively, were probably on the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, or Bill of Rights: Then, coaxing him to reveal an apparent off-camera remark, she asked, “Karl’s was?” With his hands in his lap forming a subtle steeple, Rove proudly proclaimed, “The Theory of Dialectical Materialism.” Groaning, Dave interjected, “Oh, Karl, that’s sad!”

As Julia laughed, Rove reveled, “I had a brief case. I had Hush Puppies. Pocket protector. You know, come on, I was a nerd.” Then, as Clayton thanked him for coming, a grinning Rove groused, “Well, thanks for making it so easy for me to come to the curvy couch by having Juliet here to insult me all during the breaks.” Giggling gleefully, Juliet riposted, “Part of my charm, Karl! Just part of my charm.”

Indeed, Juliet. Just part of your charm. Welcome back!

*Fox & Friends – 04/11/11 – (@ 8:19 a.m. ET)

Clayton & Sara: “Me” or “We”?

Fox & Friends co-anchor Clayton Morris and Brite Girl founder Sara Batterson Morris seemed to be singing from the same hymn book this morning again. Clayton on his show and Sara in her blog, discussed the very same subject today, i.e., married persons using the “we” or “me” as personal pronouns and the implications thereof. Coincidence?

Reader, after watching Fox & Friends and considering whether to write about co-host Alisyn Camerota’s horrid housecoat habit, the author noticed Carpe Diem visitors interest in co-anchor Clayton Morris’ marital status. Remembering that FNC contributor Karl Rove had kidded Clayton about his inordinate interest in pursuing guest Amber Lee Ettinger (the Obama girl) and that a ring-less Clayton had jested about his employing the singular during a segment on happier couples using the plural “we,” the author decided to examine the matter further. When he did, he then discovered that Clayton and Sara were opining on identical topics today.

For those Carpe Diem readers who may have forgotten who Sara is, Clayton introduced F&FW fans to his wife with a pic of the shark-snaring bikini beauty on New Smyrna Beach, FL, on August 10, 2008. Later, in March of 2009, he showed off his Orlando lovely again on a Gary Vaynerchuk wine-tasting vid. Apparently, Clayton married Sara Batterson on May 20, 2006, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Orlando, FL.

As to Clayton’s questionable connunbial state, Clayton has seemingly eschewed wearing his wedding band since October of 2009. From the author’s perspective, Clayton’s marital status is generally irrelevant unless he himself alludes to it. Since he did today and readers seemed quite intrigued, the author looked at Sara’s Facebook and Brite Girl sites for a few clues. In her personal info, Sara states, “Right now, I am taking a new path in my life. It is crazy when you think you are on one path and then life, or someone in your life, throws you a curveball…” Obviously, Sara’s statement indicated a major life change.

Seeking an even clearer indication, the author checked out Sara’s Brite Girl blog. To my utter surprise, today’s post (dated “Saturday, January 30, 2010 At 9:48AM’) was entitled “Madly in Love with Me Day.” It’s topic? The creation of a woman’s movement of self-love by Christine Arylo, the author of Choosing Me Before We, and her celebration of the day before Valentine’s as a time to recognize the need for each woman and girl to “know and honor what her heart and soul desire, never settling for less,” including relationships.

Is it “Me” or “we” for Clayton and Sara? Regardless, the two seemed to be in tandem today. Intentionally or not.

“Snarky” Dave: “Little Brian”

Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Dave Briggs returned to guest co-anchor F&F today.  Instead of assuming his role as F&FW beta male, Dave decided to somewhat good-naturedly vie with fellow sports guy and F&F second dog Brian Kilmeade for the dominant position. While Brian did not directly respond, FNC contributor Karl Rove did call Dave on it.

In the first hour, after a story on Cowboy, an untrained border collie, that could “dunk” the basketball in a toy goal, Dave said, “I’ll do something that short Brian could never do, slam dunk.” Brian answered, “That’s absolutely true. Can you, Dave?” Dave replied, “You just put me to the test. Only a tennis ball, not a basketball.”

In the seven o’clock hour, during a segment on Colorado vanity plate censorship, both Dave and Brian vied in a contest with co-host Gretchen Carlson as emcee to choose the censored plate (two choices/round). When opting between “S8N” and “SATAN,” Dave picked the former “[be]cause that a little cryptic: when, he got the buzzer, he agitatedly asserted,”That doesn’t make any sense because it spells out the word, and the other one Brian can’t even figure out.” As the floor crew erupted in laughter, Gretchen turned to a silent, smiling Brian glancing down at his paper and proclaimed, “You can deck him!” Brian merely monotoned, “No problem.” Touching Gretchen on her shoulder, Dave declared, “It’s a good thing you’re between us.”

In the final hour, during his A Block interview with the co-hosts, Rove took Dave to task. On Brian’s behalf, before answering one of Dave’s queries, Rove riposted, “You said ugly things about my man Kilmeade’s basketball skills. You’re a guest on this program: Don’t be dissing, Kilmeade.” As Brian mouthed, “Wow,” Gretchen exclaimed, “Speaking of slapdowns, that’s a real slapdown.” Rove continued, “You’re starting to look like Clayton [Morris] on Saturdays and Sundays, how he operates. Be yourself, man: treat Kilmeade with respect.”

Finally, in the last hour B Block Rove interview (Part II), introducing his question, Dave said, “And before he [Rove] decided to defend little Brian over here, we talked about a poll.” Hearing that, Gretchen looked at Brian and dropped her jaw: then she gritted her teeth and stared straight ahead. Trying to ignore Dave again, Brian seemingly simply said, “Let’s take another look at the poll.” Before answering Dave, Rove slightly smiled and merely shook his head. When the segment ended, Rove asserted, “And, look, Brian, if you need help with snarky Dave, just let me know any time today or tomorrow, I’m there for you.”

Most, if not all, of the exchanges seemed to be said in humor. However, there appeared to be more than a kernel of truth hidden sub terra. Brian didn’t bark today: But, will he bite tomorrow?

Romantic Dave: Family Affair

Fox & Friends Dave Briggs’ thoughts turned to his beloved this Valentine’s Day as he remembered their first dance. While F&F opened its second hour B Block to “One More Day”* by Diamond Rio, Dave Briggs remarked, “This is her song: This is it, my first dance with my wife [Brandi].” Co-anchor Alisyn Camerota asked, “At you wedding?” Not responding, he added, “One More Day” from Diamond Rio: good tune!” [Readers, to answer Aly’s question, it was: In the Dancing Dude** segment, Dave told Cheryl Burke of Dancing with the Stars that he had not danced before his lesson except with his wife at their wedding.]

Not surprisingly, Co-host Clayton Morris sarcastically responded, “Oh, how sweet!” Not wanting to appear too romantic, Dave goofily smiled, looked to the heavens, and put his right forefinger to his lips. Aly jokingly observed, “He’s transported.”

Actually, he probably was: Sports guy Dave does seem to be a romantic at heart and a loving hubby and a devoted dad. E.g., when he felt a few months ago that Carpe Diem had wrongly accused him of making a chauvinistic comment about his wife, he sent the author two missives indicating his great love for her and assuring him that she could “do whatever/whenever she so chooses.”*** Today Dave tenderly held his daughter Emerson in his arms as he did a “Family Affair” Valentine’s Day segment. Not to mention that he looks at pictures of Brandi and their two children during F&F breaks to make him happy according to Aly.

As F&F contributor Karl Rove later jested, Dave’s “a very sensitive guy.” Not bad, Dave. Not bad at all.

Helpful hint, Dave: You may want to say “our song” next time.

*http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/diamond-rio/one-more-day-3264.html

**https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/dancing-dude-dave-or-clayton/

https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2008/12/27/briggs-responds-my-wife-can-do-whatever-she-wants/

F&F Censor Failure? Rove’s Swipe

Did Fox & Friends try unsuccessfully to censor Karl Rove’s acerbic swipe at Obama surrogate Sen. Claire McCaskill? During a presidential electoral segment with Rove after an earlier one with Caskill, F&F co-host Brian Kilmeade said, “And you just wanted to correct the record Claire McCaskill said about jobs just real quick.” Rove sniped, “First of all, I hope she [McCaskill] didn’t spit on this earpiece as she did for Sen. [sic] Romney.” As he did, the screen blinked and “as did for Sen. Romney” played again (like a temporarily stuck record) and then the rest of Romney’s remark played as usual.* In an apparent attempt to lessen the barb’s sting, Steve Doocy interjected, “He’s joking.” From this Luddite’s perspective, it appeared as if a producer tried futilely to delete Rove’s ridicule of McCaskill.

* Fox & Friends – 8:13 a.m. ET

Link: http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1008/McCaskills_edge.html

Karl Rove: Aly F&FW’s Adult

Think what you will of Karl Rove but the “Architect,” former Bush adviser and current Fox contributor, echoed what many Fox & Friends Weekend fans feel this morning. In a segment on Obama’s selection of Biden as veep pick, Rove said that he had been watching F&FW’s coverage intently. Dave Briggs wisecracked, “We’re flattered, Karl.” Rove riposted, “And I’m grateful you have adult supervision there in the form of Alisyn.”*

Aren’t we all? Or, at least, many of us.

* 9:48 a.m. ET