And still more CNN/YouTube Debate write ups…
The Politico’s Kenneth P. Vogel writes about the controversy swirling around last night’s CNN/YouTube debate…
CNN also aired questions from supporters of Democratic candidates John Edwards and Barack Obama.
And that’s fine by the network, which is standing by its question selection process and lashing out at critics who say the debate demonstrated CNN’s liberal bias.
“We’re focused on the questions, not the questioners,” said Sam Feist, CNN’s political director.
“There were 5,000 questions sent in and we wanted to have the best questions. I think we found them,” he said, pointing out that the estimated 4.9 million viewers made it the most-watched presidential primary debate in cable history.
Update: The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Political Insider is also covering the story…
Early Thursday morning, over Bohrman’s name, CNN issued an apology for the situation. “We regret this incident. CNN would not have used the General’s question had we known that he was connected to any presidential candidate,” he was quoted as saying.
A few minutes ago, while he was waiting for his flight to take off, we got a few quick questions into the CNN producer.
“There’s no way that was a plant. There were 5,000 questions. There were many gay questions. This was a very good one.
“If you’re going to go into the topic of gays in the military, where there’s some interesting nuance among these candidates, it’s a pretty good way to do it — through a brigadier general with 43 years of experience,” Bohrman said.
I can’t believe CNN is circling the wagons on this one - shouldn’t at least the producers of the debate been yanked from their jobs by now and transferred to “Special Investigations” unit.
Comment by DanOregon — November 29, 2007 @ 8:01 pm
5000 Questions sent….of which CNN used about 20….and atleast 5 were Democrat supporters…..in the normal world someone whould be out of a job. It took almost no time to find the 4 Democrats.
I watched the debate and it would have been nice to know the facts CNN felt I didnt need.
Comment by Rightisright — November 29, 2007 @ 9:56 pm
It’s just the way it is.That’s why FOX NEWS RULES!
Comment by SHANE — November 29, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
CNN still does not get it. Instead of admitting its mistake, it tries to defend the indefensible. It was its lousy modus operandi that inflicted the damage. The fact there were over four million viewers was despite the Democratic infiltrators. Tlhe main reason obviously is because one of those GOP candidates will be the next president.
Comment by RGL — November 30, 2007 @ 12:19 am
HA..the most watched primary debate in history! Take that FNC
Comment by Me — November 30, 2007 @ 2:20 am
“we wanted to have the best questions. I think we found them”
Translation: “We used the questions that would most likely embarass these neocons and try to make them look bad while boosting the democrats, from whom we get our marching orders.” CNN, your credibility is in the toilet - and that’s an insult to toilets.
Comment by PF — November 30, 2007 @ 8:18 am
“It’s just the way it is.That’s why FOX NEWS RULES!”
SHANE, do you ever add anything to a conversation? Anything? Ever?
Comment by Haile Welde — November 30, 2007 @ 11:30 am
#7: I’d say that SHANE never adds anything to a conversation but then he’d wish me Merry Christmas again.:-)
Comment by myview — November 30, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Personally, I’m starting to think that SHANE is a product of one of the loony haters on the site, trying to stir up controversy. He never actually says anything, other than really argumentative stuff… and will fight with anyone, even the people who agree with him, if they say anything negative about him.
I kinda think he might be a plant… but until I have evidence, it’s just a theory.
Comment by ImNotBlue — November 30, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
ImNotBlue, I’ve wondered the same thing, about him being a plant. He cannot possibly help any cause he embraces.
myview: Merry Christmas!
Comment by Haile Welde — November 30, 2007 @ 4:50 pm