Still more on Kerr/CNN Debate…
The Baltimore Sun’s Mark Silva writes about Brigadier General Keith Kerr and the CNN debate…
” Following the debate, CNN learned that retired Brigadier Gen. Keith Kerr served on Clinton’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender steering committee,'’ the sponsors of the debate here said in a statement issued today. David Bohman, senior vice president and executive producer of the debate, added: “We regret this incident. CNN would not have used the general’s question had we known that he was connected to any presidential candidate.”
The sponsors had verified Kerr’s military service and found that he had not contributed money to any of the presidential candidates. And Kerr, who said he has done no work for the Clinton campaign, said he is a member of the Log Cabin Republicans and was representing no one other than himself. Kerr said in an interview here this morning that he had allowed his name to be used on Clinton committees because she “is such a strong advocate'’ for gay rights.
Yet the old general’s question was germane to this presidential debate, and one of the candidates had some trouble with it.
I think it is improper to refer to Kerr as a Brigadier General. I believe this rank was bestowed on his retirement from the Reserve by the State and has no Federal recognition and is not to be used as a means of addressing.
Comment by mary — November 29, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
And I still laugh at the fact the Dems knuckled under to Kos and stiffed FNC for being “biased”, yet the only response the blue blogs, MediaMatters in this case, can muster is umbrage at the “apology” issued by the CNN guy.
Comment by eddiebear — November 29, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
CNN just lacks any integrity. They have a liberal agenda and they don’t hide it or care a whit about impartiality, transparency or their reputation. The network operates like a subsidiary of moveOn.org
If this type of thing happened at Fox it would as big as the Imus controversy.
Comment by Steve L — November 29, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
From Powerline blog
Jim Vicevich alerts us to a few more Democratic plants at the CNN Youtube Republican candidates forum last night. Adam Florzak asked a question on Social Security. Jim comments: “Strange question, because he asked about paying back the social security trust fund? That’s a Republican question.” It turns out that Florzak quit his job with Caterpillar to work with Dick Durbin on social security reform. Then there was Mark Strauss, who pleaded with Ron Paul to run as an independent. It turns out he’s a Richardson supporter (more here). CNN must have know who Strauss is because he participated in the CNN/Youtube Democratic presidential debate this past July. It’s all over now, baby blue.
Comment by Steve L — November 29, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
So here’s what we have…
1. A Clinton campaign Co-chair for her Vets committee, and member of her Gay, Lesbian affairs committe…. Plus he’s allowed to filibuster, and brought on for more free air time today.. Oh, and for the record, it was BILL CLINTON who created Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Not the Republicans.
2. An Edwards supporter (with T-shirt to prove it) asking an abortion question.
3. An Obama supporter who claims to be a Log Cabin Republican.
4. A activist for a union that just endorsed John Edwards.
5. Rush said one of the other questioners interns for Democrat Congresswoman Jane Harman.
Does anyone honestly think CNN would ever allow obvious Republican supporters to question Dems? No chance in hell.
Comment by bigred — November 29, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
A Clinton campaign co-chair, two Edwards supporters, an Obama supporter, a Jane Harman intern…
Would CNN ever allow any, let alone SEVEN, Republican supporters to ask questions at a Dem debate?
Comment by bigred — November 29, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
It’s simple. The Clinton News Network set-up the Republican Canidates last night to look like a bunch of Hayseeds.
Comment by A.M. — November 29, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
You have to be kidding “Following the debate”. This makes five.
Comment by Kirk G — November 29, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
bigred, we already know the answer to your question about what CNN would do for a Dem debate. They planted all kinds of Democratic supporters for that one too!
If one or two slip by, fine… oops. But this is two debates, with multiple ‘planted’ people… it’s clearly not a mistake, and I don’t know how they could claim that it is. The only question is, why is CNN going to get away with it?
Comment by ImNotBlue — November 29, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
Let’s see the Democrats are afraid of Fox and must stack
the deck for debates. Sounds like someone I want for President. Not so much big babies. CNN should be ashamed but
they will get away with this just like they always do, they
always get a pass.
Comment by Liz — November 29, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
What kind of punishment do you people think CNN should get? I basically watch all the news channels during the day.. but have better things to do after 7pm. I think what CNN did is outrageous but I’m unsure of “who” exactly needs to get sent to Gitmo at this point. However, I think Jon Klein might be a good start.
Comment by Terance — November 29, 2007 @ 5:09 pm
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
People may forget this now, but back in 1992. George H.W. Bush, running for reelection, was on Larry King Live. During the broadcast, George Stephanopoulos, then Clinton’s campaign manager, called the program’s producer to suggest some of the questions King should ask. The producer instead put Stephanopoulos on the show directly. Stephanopoulos spent the next few minutes freely berating Bush on live TV.
At least now, no one side has the monopoly they had then. CNN is getting justifiably criticized for what they did. That didn’t happen in ‘92.
By the way, thanks EddieBear. I think you make a great point about the Dems and Fox News,
Comment by William — November 29, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
what a disgrace clinton news network is!! that is absolutely BS that cnn did not know, as everyone all day pointed out all you have to do is google his name, he also supported kerry, the gall of him to say he is a log cabin gop, cnn flew him in to appear in person, and also the other plants, cnn just has no credibility, why don;t the candidates now refuse to go on cnn, the democrat candidates have refused to go on FOX NEWS, why is it ok for them to refuse and the press and media leave them alone????? OH! and did anyone hear that older women in the group after the debate actually said she supports edwards and did not hear anything from these candidates, where did cnn get her?????? cnn just doesn’t care how they look or what they do to REPUBLICANS, no wonder their ratings are so low!!
Comment by erika — November 29, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
I think it’s time for the Dems to grow spines and debate on Fox News. The GOP has consistently proved that it is not afraid of any media outlet or question. I want to see the Dems do the same.
Comment by Goldfish — November 29, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
#14-Goldfish-NO! We don’t want them on Fox News!Go AWAY!
Comment by SHANE — November 29, 2007 @ 11:03 pm