"The Donald's" first victim

No, it's not the president and it's not the first one who ever heard the phrase "You're fired!" on The Apprentice. It's Meredith Vieira, who announced live on NBC's Today Show this morning that she would be leaving in June "to spend more time with her family."

If she had been in the newspaper business, the line would have been "to pursue other career interests."

Poor, poor Meredith. I wonder what kind of buyout she got for her early retirement? I know, one normally doesn't get a buyout for an early retirement unless they are with a company needing to trim fat, cut expenses or get rid of overpaid 60-year-olds ... you know ... you're not dumb.

And that's the reason Meredith will get a package. It's because of her widely criticized "softball" interview with Donald Trump, where he was actually allowed to put forth his position on the president's place of birth in great -- and repeated -- detail. Viera, you see, failed to interrupt, attempt to disrupt or otherwise try to talk Trump down. Too much of a softie, I guess.

Over the next 72 hours, Trump was interviewed several more times with most being likened to the effort from CNN's Suzanne Malveaux, who was credited with "being able to battle down" the birther issue. The translation of "battle down" means to continually interrupt, ask the same question in 13 dozen different ways and to try and keep your subject from getting a word in edgewise.

While you'll not see it happen, Vieira's interview of Trump could be compared to any of Katie Couric's interviews of the president -- from his days as a candidate until now. It had the tone of talking with a second grader about the Easter Bunny ... while Ms. Couric's take on more of a tone of an awestruck teen getting to interview the Beatles for the school paper.

I hate to see Vieira go. I like her and, despite what anyone says, her interview of Trump allowed him to hammer home the birther issue to the point that it got the president off his duff and provide the document that should have been provided the first time his eligibility was raised.

Will I vote for Trump? Nah. I'm still studying the qualifications of Larry ... since Moe's in the White House and we've been talking about Curly's interview with Vieira.