Dec 2008

AAM: "This guy obviously had become pretty disenchanted. That, unfortunately, is not uncommon here in Iraq."

2008_1216_AAM

Michael updates the current status of the Iraqi journalist as well as the reactions from the Iraqi people.

Length: 3:08

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

AC: "They don't approve of his method, but they certainly approve of his message."

2008_1215_AC

Anderson Cooper asks Michael about the Iraqi journalist whose outburst has riveted the world's attention -- what will happen to him? Under Saddam, he would most certainly already be dead; has enough democracy been brought to Iraq that his fate will be different now?

Length: 4:07

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CB: "Even though you don't approve of his method, everybody here can relate to his message."

2008_1215_CB

Campbell Brown speaks to Ed Henry (at the White House) and to Michael. Ed speculates that future press conferences may include not just magnetometers but a media shoe-removal as well! (And hey, better collect those BlackBerrys, those could do some serious damage!) Michael goes over the cultural issues in the gesture and why whether Iraqis agree with what the man did or not, they understand his anger and believe he should not be prosecuted.

Length: 5:10

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: BackStory

2008_1215_Int_BKSa 2008_1215_Int_BKSb

Michael speaks with Michael Holmes on BackStory for a look at the footwear event in Baghdad. The second clip is just a short bit of goofiness, one Aussie to another.

Length: 5:13 / 0:34

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

NR: "All that people will remember is this moment."

2008_1215_NRc 2008_1215_NRd2008_1215_NRe 2008_1215_NRf

Four more NewsRoom appearances: first is with Betty Nguyen at 8pm Baghdad time; second is pre-recorded; third is with TJ Holmes at 10pm Baghdad time (there is a brief transmission glitch during this one); and fourth with Rick Sanchez at 11pm Baghdad time.

Length: 1:57 / 1:27 / 2:35 / 1:50

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: Your World Today

2008_1215_Int_YWTa 2008_1215_Int_YWTb


Michael speaks with first Jim Clancy and then Hala Gorani to recap what happened at the press conference and the reactions on the Iraqi street. (The same prepared clip was part of the second piece, but I pulled it. You've already seen it a couple times by now.)

Length: 4:01 / 3:01

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

NR: "It's quite a problematic mix of feelings for Iraqis."

2008_1215_NRa 2008_1215_NRb

6pm Baghdad time: Michael speaks with Heidi Collins about the reactions on the Iraqi street. 8pm Baghdad time: Michael covers the same with Betty Nguyen and also goes on to discuss how the television station the journalist works for is supporting his release and why the Iraqis are looking to charge the man with throwing the shoes in the general direction of PM Maliki.

Length: 3:37 / 3:15

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

AAM: "If this had happened under Saddam, it wouldn't have happened under Saddam."

2008_1215_AAMa 2008_1215_AAMb

Morning in America brings the first reactions in Iraq. Michael is on at 2pm and 4pm Baghdad time with a pre-recorded piece that covers the incident, the president's comments immediately afterwards, and the cultural meaning of the action. Afterwards, he discusses what has happened to the Iraqi journalist who threw the shoes and the street protests calling for his release.

Length: 5:04 / 4:43

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

NR: More on the shoe-throwing incident

2008_1214_NRa 2008_1214_NRb2008_1214_NRc

Three more reports about the shoe incident, the first two with Alina Cho (midnight and 1am Baghdad time) and the final with Don Lemon (6am Baghdad time).

Length: 4:02 / 7:12 / 1:34

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: World News

2008_1214_Int_WN

A report on the shoe incident and the significance of that action in the Arab world, including video of the event and of the president's reaction.

Length: 5:20

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

LE: "...which effectively marks the beginning of the end of the American phase of the war in Iraq."

2008_1214_LEa 2008_1214_LEb

The first report is a straightforward recap of President Bush's arrival in Iraq and the expected meetings and events during his trip. Just before the end of the program, a quick report about the incident at the press conference that was about to become the shoe heard 'round the world.

Length: 2:35 / 1:31

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: Your World Today

2008_1214_Int_YWT

Michael discusses President Bush's arrival in Iraq and the SoFA, which "effectively marks the ending of the American phase of this Iraq war story."

Length: 2:39

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

SM: "This war's about to significantly change."

2008_1214_SM

President Bush arrives for a farewell tour of Iraq. (Oh, so many comments that could be made right here!) Michael appeared on Sunday Morning to describe the arrival ceremony and expected meetings with Iraqi leaders.

Length: 2:50

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

NR: "These troops are professionals, and they're going to fight the fight that they have."

2008_1213_NRa 2008_1213_NRb2008_1213_NRc

Domestic coverage of the Gates visit spanning several hours: 7pm, 8pm, and 11pm Baghdad time. In the first, Michael gives some details of the logistics of the trip, while in the second we see a brief clip of Gates addressing troops at Balad airbase. The third clip is a recorded recap.

Length: 2:06 / 4:05 / 1:56

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: World News

2008_1213_Int_WN

Michael discusses SecDef Gates' trip to Iraq and meeting with General Odierno, as well as what looks to be early indications that the US plans to use a very, very broad interpretation of the SoFA. Makes you wonder how many DC lawyers are hard at work, parsing every codicil. (Gotta figure John Yoo is one of them...)

Length: 3:31

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: BackStory

2008_1211_Int_BKS

Michael has a bit of fun with a Q&A for BackStory, and despite some technical difficulties, we get some fairly enlightening answers. He also takes a couple swipes at fellow Aussie Michael Holmes, which is to be expected whenever possible!

Length: 6:18

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: World News Europe

2008_1211_Int_WNE

A voice-over only recap of events that includes the video footage from inside the restaurant and at the local hospitals. Michael outlines the various factions competing for power in Kirkuk. (No clue what the "Fallujah" graphic is all about...whoops.)

Length: 2:00

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: Your World Today

2008_1211_Int_YWTa 2008_1211_Int_YWTb2008_1211_Int_YWTc

Three clips from the span of the show, as more details emerge. The first two clips are live and include the first video footage of the carnage; the third one is a recorded recap of the events.

Length: 3:22 / 2:42 / 1:44

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

NR: "The war in Iraq just keeps chipping away."

2008_1211_NR

Three hours after the suicide bombing at a family restaurant in Kirkuk, and the update includes information about the meeting of political rivals that was taking place there. But as Michael says, this one seems likely to become more heartbreaking as we get the full picture of what happened.

Length: 1:27

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: World News Asia

2008_1211_Int_WNAa 2008_1211_Int_WNAb

The first two reports about the suicide bomber attack at a family restaurant in Kirkuk. These aired 1 1/2 hours and 2 1/2 hours after the incident occurred. Michael outlines the various competing factions in the area and offers the most likely candidates responsible.

Length: 3:44 / 2:16

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

AAM: "The message here is that no one, even in war, is above the law."

2008_1209_AAM

Michael recaps the Blackwater indictments and how the Iraqi people view the situation.

Length: 2:30

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: Your World Today

2008_1208_Int_YWTa 2008_1208_Int_YWTb

2008_1208_Int_YWTc

Coverage of the indictments of five Blackwater guards from International: in the first clip, Michael was on very briefly prior to the announcement and then came back afterwards (the actual reading of the indictments is edited out); the second clip is from the next hour, and he recaps the situation; the third clip is his report about the survivors of the incident and is VO only.

Length: 7:05 / 3:38 / 3:51

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

AAM: "It appears the situation is rapidly deteriorating for these beleaguered men."

2008_1205_AAM

Michael updates last night's report about the contract workers brought to Iraq and then stranded with no jobs and no way to leave. The situation is indeed deteriorating rapidly.

Length: 1:48

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

TSR: "It's an obscenity -- abuse of contract workers in Iraq."

2008_1204_TSR

An incredible piece -- more than 1,000 men who were brought to Iraq for promised jobs with KBR have been quite literally warehoused at a compound at the Baghdad airport. Stranded, unable to leave, forgotten by everyone, these men are (as Michael says) the poorest of the poor, and have been victimized by companies who charged them large amounts of money for the 'opportunity.' It is an important issue that desperately needed to be brought to the public's attention.

Length: 5:45

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

AAM: "The government that started this war has all but ended America's capability to fight that war by signing this agreement."

2008_1204_AAM

Michael was on American Morning to discuss the formal end of the SoFA negotiations -- the Presidential Council signed the agreement, as was expected. He lays out some of the details that will tie the hands of the next administration and give the Iraqi government full control of the war.

Length: 4:25

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN.com: "A sign of further continuity."

Shortly after the press conference, Michael summarizes the news in a brief pre-recorded clip:

NR: "...a feat of ongoing stewardship as America is waging two wars."

2008_1201_NR

Michael returns shortly prior to the Obama press conference to introduce the new national security team.

Length: 1:40

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: World News Asia

2008_1201_Int_WNA

A recap for the international audience about the significance of Robert Gates staying on as SecDef.

Length: 2:58

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

AAM: "A move in the right direction."

2008_1201_AAM

Michael is back on the Baghdad rooftop, discussing P-E Obama's decision to keep Robert Gates on as SecDef.

Length: 4:07

Watch the clip, read the transcript...