Jun 2009

LDT: "America is still underwriting the stability."

2009_0630_LDT

Michael talks to Kitty Pilgrim about the events of the day and how the American forces view them.

Length: 2:53

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CNN/I: BackStory

2009_0630_Int_BKSa 2009_0630_Int_BKSb

A long look at the filming of the piece at the parade ground, as well as some discussion on what the day means to the people of Iraq. In the second clip, a "cutting room floor" moment: a look at what the day means to the reporters covering the story.

Length: 8:22 / 1:08

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NR: "The Iraqis showed very little indication of any desire to bring the American troops back."

2009_0630_NRf

Ali Velshi talks to Michael about how likely it is that the Iraqi government will ask American troops for assistance.

Length: 4:40

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CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0630_Int_IDb

Hala Gorani talks to Michael about the handover and what is likely to happen next.

Length: 4:47

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NR: " 'Let us do it in the Iraqi way.' "

2009_0630_NRe

With his voice giving out from the hours of reporting and the sandstorm onslaught, Michael gives another recap of the changes wrought by the handover.

Length: 5:14

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CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0630_Int_IDa

Immediately following the NewsRoom report, Michael speaks with Isha Sesay about the Kirkuk bombing and how it fits within the broader scope of current events.

Length: 3:35

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NR: "It's all against a backdrop of an ongoing al Qaeda in Iraq-inspired bombing campaign."

2009_0630_NRd

As dusk falls on 'Day One,' Michael reports on another car-bombing in Kirkuk targeting a market, killing women and children in another attempt to fire up the sectarian violence.

Length: 3:29

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CNN/I: Your World Today

2009_0630_Int_YWTb

Jim Clancy sums up the terms of the handover, and then Michael gives us a look at the military ceremony at the main parade ground in Baghdad. Jim then asks him whether it was all worth it.

Length: 6:34

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NR: "Today is a day America should pause...to consider that sacrifice that was given."

2009_0630_NRc

A look at the "mixed bag" of results after more than six years of war.

Length: 4:07

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NR: "One woman said to me, 'Finally I feel liberated.' "

2009_0630_NRb

Another look at the range of emotions unleashed by the handover.

Length: 5:34

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CNN/I: Your World Today

2009_0630_Int_YWTa

Michael is asked how quickly American troops could get back into the cities if they are needed. Logistically, very quickly; politically ... pack a lunch.

Length: 4:38

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NR: "As far as the Iraqis are concerned, this is the end of a foreign occupation."

2009_0630_NRa

Michael proposes that as the Iraqis celebrate their National Sovereignty Day, Americans should also take a moment today to pause and reflect on the men and women who laid down their lives in Iraq.

Length: 4:05

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AAM: "The Iraqis have the whip hand and the Americans have to take the backseat."

2009_0630_AAMc

Michael mixes some metaphors to convey the monumental change in tactics from here on out. (You can't blame the Iraqis for wanting to be in charge of their country, but this has got to rankle the take-charge types in the US military.)

Length: 3:05

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AAM: "The men and women of the Armed Forces aren't coming home anytime really soon."

2009_0630_AAMb

A second American Morning appearance, and a discussion of the dangers faced by Iraqi troops to keep a lid on the violence.

Length: 3:09

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CNN/I: World News Asia

2009_0630_Int_WNA

Michael discusses what American forces are still allowed (needed) to do in the new phase of the war. As he says, the conflict in Iraq has always been an urban war, and those areas are now off-limits to the American troops.

Length: 3:59

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CNN/I: World News

2009_0630_Int_WN

Michael again recaps the handover events and the pride of the Iraqi people at now being in control of their country.

Length: 3:06

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AAM: "This war now is under Iraqi control."

2009_0630_AAMa

Michael talks to Kiran Chetry about the end of the American-led war and the beginning of the Iraqi-led war. A total of 4,323 US servicemembers have died since the war began; an untold number of Iraqis (estimated between 80,000-100,000) have died.

Length: 3:53

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CNN.com: the rest of the 6/24 BackStory

2009_0630_CNN

As promised last week, the final part of the BackStory interview from 6/24, with the two Michaels giving one another some fine Aussie grief. (And the cameraman is apparently on Holmes' side!)

Length: 0:42

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CNN/I: CNN Today

2009_0629_Int_CTc

A brief pre-recorded piece about the auction for oil company contracts.

Length: 1:29

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CNN/I: CNN Today

2009_0629_Int_CTb

Michael describes the final moments of the countdown and the celebratory mood in Baghdad today.

Length: 5:12

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AC: "I've just woken up on a Baghdad morning, and the US-led phase of the war in Iraq is over."

2009_0629_AC

Boy, that title quote says it all, doesn't it? I got chills when he said it, and I loved the way he took control of the segment to make that point. It is astonishing. And it deserved recognition. There will be more blood spilled, more in-fighting, more problems... but a huge milestone has been reached for us and for the Iraqis.

Length: 3:37

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CNN/I: BackStory

2009_0629_Int_BKS

Isha Sesay hosts and dubs this "the anti-BackStory" -- a look at trying to film in the park, with some different camera angles catching the action.

Length: 2:46

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TSR: " 'This is a day when the will of Iraq has won.' "

2009_0629_TSR

Suzanne Malveaux asks Michael whether the Iraqis can sustain the more-or-less stable situation. Yes...with 130,000 Americans backing them up. Hey, it's a start... They may not yet be ready for the training wheels to come off, but it is a start.

Length: 2:57

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CNN/I: Connect The World

2009_0629_Int_CTW

Michael explains the upcoming contract auction as a way for foreign oil companies to come in and rebuild the pipeline infrastructure in order to get an inside track on future contracts for oil production.

Length: 2:31

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NR: "Al Qaeda and its allies are trying to bomb Iraq back into the sectarian civil war."

2009_0629_NRb

Just a few moments after speaking with Hala, Ali Velshi talks with Michael about the drawdown as well as with Atia Abawi about the troops heading to Afghanistan.

Length: 3:57

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CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0629_Int_ID

With just over an hour until the beginning of the "Day of Celebration," Hala Gorani talks to Michael about the handover.

Length: 2:58

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NR: "As far as they were concerned, the Americans were going."

2009_0629_NRa

TJ Holmes gets his turn at bat with the "Are they ready" question.

Length: 1:56

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AAM: "I suspect there may be a high price for that sovereignty, but the Iraqis are clearly ready to pay for it."

2009_0629_AAM

Michael talks to Kiran Chetry about the handover and how Iraqis are feeling about it.

Length: 3:35

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CNN/I: World News

2009_0629_Int_WN

Another look at the handover and the likelihood that Iraqi troops can handle the war on their own.

Length: 2:31

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CNN/I: CNN Today

2009_0629_Int_CTa

Two hours after the prior clip, Michael talks to Zain about whether the Iraqi troops are ready to take over.

Length: 4:02

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CNN/I: CNN Today

2009_0628_Int_CTb

International gets the prepared piece, this time followed by a brief comment for Zain Verjee.

Length: 4:51

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NR: "General Odeirno...will now have to go to the Iraqi government and ask their permission."

2009_0628_NRd

Another update to the preparation for the handover, including a clip from General Odierno's CNN interview earlier today.

Length: 2:58

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NR: "Essentially, they're an insurance policy."

2009_0628_NRc

Michael's prepared piece on the handover, followed by a Q&A with Fredricka Whitfield about the new role for US troops still in Iraq.

Length: 5:29

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CNN/I: Your World Today

2009_0628_Int_YWT

Back on International, more of the litany of today's bombings.

Length: 3:29

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SM: "These guys aren't ready. That's why your troops are staying here for the time being."

2009_0628_SM

Betty asks Michael whether the Iraqi forces are prepared to take over in 48 hours. His response: "No." That's it. Well, he does expand on it, but does he really need to explain it?

The end is ... well, as TJ Holmes puts it, "Michael Keeping-It-Real Ware" discusses the problems of trying to moisturize in a sandstorm (isn't that how exfoliation was born?) and recycles that great 70s earth-friendly slogan "Conserve Water, Shower With a Friend."

Length: 4:37

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CNN/I: World News

2009_0628_Int_WN

Michael appears on International to discuss the withdrawal... and the sandstorm. Baghdad airport is closed, even military aircraft are grounded. Another bombing to report, as well.

Length: 3:58

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NR: "Essentially, America has been underwriting the peace."

2009_0628_NRb

An hour later, another update on the withdrawal, focusing on how the residents feel about it. Also, Michael has his just-showered towel on hand (which presumably is now covered in dust from the open window?)

Length: 4:11

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NR: "Unfortunately, this doesn't mean any of the GIs are coming home any time soon."

2009_0628_NRa

Michael begins a series of reports as Baghdad is covered by another sandstorm. He gives Betty Nguyen the rundown on the troop withdrawal next Tuesday; she then asks him about the sandstorm that turns everything yellow behind him. A fine dust coats everything, he says; she tells him to go take a shower.

Length: 4:23

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TSR: "Let's not think that just because Iraq had slipped off the public radar, that people weren't dying here all this year. They were."

2009_0627_TSR

Wolf Blitzer asks Michael what we should expect come Wednesday morning. Recorded Friday (looks to be around 7pm in Baghdad).

Length: 3:06

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CNN/I: CNN Today

2009_0626_Int_CT

A brief pre-recorded piece that aired several times on International; looks to have been recorded around the same time as the International Desk report. [It also aired Saturday morning on Domestic.]

Length: 1:31

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CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0626_Int_ID

Michael talks with Hala Gorani about the rising death toll (now over 200 people in the past six days) and the looming deadline. As to whether the Iraqi forces can handle what's coming? No.

(There was a transmission glitch during the first 20 seconds or so, but it does clear up.)

Length: 4:05

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CNN/I: World News

2009_0626_Int_WN

Jonathan Mann asks Michael whether the Iraqi people want the American forces to go. "A simple question with a complicated answer..." Some interesting info about next week's "day of celebration," as well.

(Délie's DVR was taking a break during special programming, so we miss about 10-15 seconds at the start. Considering that I didn't expect we'd get any more coverage at all until Tuesday, I say we're okay with that!)

Length: 3:36

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TSR: "The Sunnis are attacking the Shia; the Shia...lashing out at the Americans."

2009_0625_TSR

Michael outlines the week's carnage for Wolf.

Length: 2:57

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CNN/I: Connect The World

2009_0625_Int_CTW

Michael talks with Becky Anderson on Connecting The World about the change of focus back to Afghanistan (both troops and intelligence assets) as well as the situation in Pakistan.

Watch the clip, read the transcript...

CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0625_Int_IDb

A few hours later, speaking with Hala again about the bombings, the situation with the Kurds, and what may happen next week.

Length: 3:49

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CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0625_Int_IDa

Michael talks with Hala Gorani about the campaign to incite the Shia to ignite the sectarian violence again.

Length: 3:29

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CNN/I: Your World Today

2009_0625_Int_YWT

Michael talks with Jonathan Mann for Your World Today about the latest rash of bombings to hit the country. He again points out that the Bush administration ended this war by signing the agreement that ends our ability to wage the war. Are the Iraqi forces ready to take over? "No. No way."

Length: 4:44

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AM: "...the official end of the American-led war in Iraq"

2009_0625_AM

Michael spoke briefly with John Roberts this morning about the current attempt to reignite the sectarian violence again.

Length: 2:10

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More from the BackStory interview

Yesterday the full "serious" portion of the BackStory interview was posted online. There is one segment that was not used in the two portions that aired, in which Michael talks about the situation with the Kurds (and also disses General Odierno's FaceBook page -- I think it's a safe bet that it will be a cold day in hell before we see Michael using the Twitter page that was set up for him, yeah?)


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TSR: "This country is being held together by sticky tape."

2009_0624_TSR

Domestic finally gets Michael on the air, with Wolf Blitzer asking about today's bombings and next week's implementation of the SOFA. Jack Cafferty has his own comment at the end of the piece.

Length: 4:28

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CNN/I: BackStory

2009_0624_Int_BKS

The second part of yesterday's BackStory interview, discussing the upcoming "beginning of the end of the US-led war in Iraq." (There is still more to this interview, not sure whether it will air later or not.)

Length: 3:47

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CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0624_Int_ID

Once again speaking with Hala Gorani on International Desk, this time about today's horrific bombing in a market in Sadr City.

Length: 2:47

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CNN/I: BackStory

2009_0623_Int_BKSa2009_0623_Int_BKSb

International's BackStory did an interview with Michael today. Due to technical glitches they were only able to air a portion of it, but (thanks again to Délie!) here it is.

In the first (very short) clip, Michael Holmes tells us that Michael felt the need to put on his shoes for the interview. Hey, it was something like 8pm there, so I think it's cool that they can be barefootin' around the bureau! (Plus, it was 110 degrees there today! Yeesh!)

In the second segment, Michael talks about the what may happen next week when the US troops are required (by the SOFA signed by our previous administration) to pull out of the cities. If there is a fact to make your blood run cold, it has to be hearing that the Sunni insurgents have stockpiled a three year supply of ammunition and explosives and are just waiting for our guys to get out of the way.

Length: 0:21 / 4:43

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CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0622_Int_IDb

Michael is on again a few hours later with a catalogue of deadly attacks and a rising death toll.

Length: 3:15

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CNN/I: International Desk

2009_0622_Int_IDa

Michael is back in Baghdad and speaks with Hala Gorani about the bombings this weekend as the US prepares to pull troops out of the cities per the SOFA signed late last year.

Length: 3:30

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CB: "Anyone who faces those bullets in the Arab world deserves credit."

2009_0605_CBa 2009_0605_CBb

Michael faces off with former Bush speechwriter Marc Thiessen, who contends that President Obama "threw the troops under the bus" by not thanking them during the Cairo speech and by discussing Gitmo in a negative manner. I find it absolutely astonishing that a speechwriter doesn't comprehend the importance of crafting a speech to its intended audience, which in this case was a segment of the world that does not view our military in a positive light. To them, we are occupiers, not liberators. Maybe someday that will change -- in fact, Obama is working hard to start the process of changing that view -- but the blunders by the civilian leadership of the Bush administration has caused untold violence and destruction in the Arab world, which all of us will be dealing with for decades to come.

Michael also makes the point that the troops are not going to get all ego-bruised and whiny over not being thanked in public during every speech. Get real. The military knows that this administration has already done more for them than the previous one did; including trying to find a way to get the Arab world to stop shooting at them.

Length: 8:43 / 2:25

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TSR: "I don't think America should be so gunshy from taking some of these prisoners onto U.S. soil."

2009_0605_TSR

Another look at the Cairo speech, this time focusing on the implications of closing Guantanamo Bay and whether any of our allies will be willing to take the prisoners. Candy Crowley looks at the political implications. Michael asks why we are so afraid to take the prisoners onto American soil yet expect our friends to take that risk for us. Also, should America weigh in on the Iranian elections?

Length: 8:19

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CB: "In the Middle East, America's name was less than mud."

2009_0604_CB

Michael appears on Campbell Brown's program to discuss the speech; other panelists include Bill Bennett, Fran Townsend, and NPR's John Ridley. Bennett insists that Obama said nothing new today, which is a delusion of such high magnitude as to be almost painful; however, the far-right's ability to self-delude has been so impressive over the past eight years that it really fails to evoke much more than an eyeroll anymore. Thankfully, Michael was there for the reality check.

Length: 6:22

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TSR: "This could be the first pillar in a great bridge to Islam..."

2009_0604_TSR

Hours after President Obama's paradigm-shifting speech in Cairo, Michael appears on The Situation Room to discuss its impact in the Muslim world, while Candy Crowley looks at the political implications at home.

Length: 8:16

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