I wouldn’t normally admit it, but I read an exceedingly interesting Drudge Report story discussing today’s Meet The Press interview with Colin Powell.

Powell aide Emily Miller apparently tried to interrupt the interview with Tim Russert out of concern for time and editing, going so far as to pan the camera away from Powell. The MSNBC transcript validates the story — See the end of the Powell interview section (excerpt included below).

If nothing else, the incident is a blatant demonstration of how carefully orchestrated political press appearances are. Though I’d dearly like to blame Bush, it’s probably safe to say that all political figures, regardless of affiliation, are kept on an extremely tight leash when speaking for the record. Media shrewdness is nothing new; even in Canada.

Kudos to Powell for getting on with things so quickly. Note that CNBC will be rebroadcasting the interview on Monday morning at 1:00am EST. No word on how things will be edited for the rebroadcast…

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Russert: Finally, Mr. Secretary, in February of 2003, you placed your enormous personal credibility before the United Nations and laid out a case against Saddam Hussein citing…

Powell: Not off.

Emily: No. They can’t use it. They’re editing it. They (unintelligible).

Powell: He’s still asking me questions. Tim.

Emily: He was not…

Powell: Tim, I’m sorry, I lost you.

Russert: I’m right here, Mr. Secretary. I would hope they would put you back on camera. I don’t know who did that.

Powell: We really…

Russert: I think that was one of your staff, Mr. Secretary. I don’t think that’s appropriate.

Powell: Emily, get out of the way.

Emily: OK.

Powell: Bring the camera back, please. I think we’re back on, Tim. Go ahead with your last question.

Russert: Thank you very much, sir…