Woman on 'Today' Plaza: GOP to Blame for Shutdown, Obama 'Best President We Have Had In a Very Long Time'
On Tuesday's NBC Today, co-host Carson Daly turned to a woman on the Today show
plaza for her reaction to the government shutdown. "Judy from Chicago"
proceeded to bash Republicans and praise President Obama: "I
think all of this amounts to is the Republicans are against President
Obama. They don't want the President to be successful. I think he is the
best President we have had in a very long time." [Listen to the audio]
She continued: "I think they need to work together. They knew for a
long time this was coming to this. How about they don't receive any
paychecks, just like everyone else?" Daly agreed: "Right. That's good
thoughts. Thank you, Judy."
Daly began the brief segment by touting the morning show's invitation for viewers to slam Congress for the shutdown:
We've been asking you to send us your thoughts on the government shutdown using #DearCongress at Twitter, and we have gotten some great responses. Let's read just a couple now. Twyla [@Twyla_WV] writes, "#DearCongress, thanks for the shutdown and lack of pay. We, the public, your bosses, will return the favor at the polls." Rebecca Schiller [@becca_shiller] writes, "#DearCongress I took a vow to serve the public and I'm sitting at home without a job today. Who are you getting paid to serve?" Some good thoughts there.
The moment was reminiscent of a protestor on the plaza holding up a sign reading "Torture is a Crime: Investigate Cheney" during Matt Lauer's August 30, 2011 interview with former Vice President Dick Cheney. As the interview concluded, the camera made sure to pan out so that the sign filled the screen.
Here is a full transcript of Judy's October 1 rant:
7:18AM ET
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: We want to check in with Carson Daly. He's left the Orange Room, he's made his way out to the plaza. Carson, good morning.
CARSON DALY: Thank you guys. Good morning. We've been asking you to send us your thoughts on the government shutdown using #DearCongress at Twitter, and we have gotten some great responses. Let's read just a couple now. Twyla [@Twyla_WV] writes, "#DearCongress, thanks for the shutdown and lack of pay. We, the public, your bosses, will return the favor at the polls." Rebecca Schiller [@becca_shiller] writes, "#DearCongress I took a vow to serve the public and I'm sitting at home without a job today. Who are you getting paid to serve?" Some good thoughts there.
And here in the crowd we've got my buddy Judy from Chicago. Any thoughts for Congress, Judy?
JUDY: Carson, you're very handsome.
DALY: Thank you, Judy.
JUDY: I think all of this amounts to is the Republicans are against President Obama. They don't want the President to be successful. I think he is the best president we have had in a very long time. I think they need to work together.
DALY: That's right.
JUDY: They knew for a long time this was coming to this. How about they don't receive any paychecks, just like everyone else?
DALY: Right. That's good thoughts. Thank you, Judy.
Mike's got a big gig here tonight in New York. Mike thanks for – good to see you, too.
Keep sending us your thoughts. #DearCongress is the hashtag on Twitter. Back to you guys.
GUTHRIE: And if you call Carson handsome, he's likely read them on the air.
MATT LAUER: You get some air time, no question. There you go.
DALY: True story, true story.
NATALIE MORALES: We agree with Judy.
LAUER: Alright, Carson.
— Kyle Drennen is Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter.
