The Hazards of Live TV: #24,920
A minor kerfuffle erupted at the end of the CNN/YouTube debate. During the debate Brigadier General Keith Kerr asked a question about gays in the Military. Only it turns out that Kerr was on a steering committee for Senator Hillary Clinton. CNN was not aware of this. Anderson Cooper said this at the end of the broadcast…
This was something that was unknown to us. Had we known it would have been disclosed by us. It turns out we have just looked at it. Apparently there was a press release some six months ago - Hillary Clinton’s office saying he had been named to some steering committee. We don’t know if he’s still on it. We’re trying to find out that information. Certainly had we had that information, we would have acknowledged that in using his question, if we had used it at all.
This looks bad for CNN, and will be played up big time by some.
Update: It’s all over Drudge.Video..
Producers live by Google. There is no way they didn’t know who this guy was. No way.
Comment by CandyCorn — November 29, 2007 @ 1:15 am
Gee, you’d think CNN had a history of not disclosing their analysts are currently on or had previously been on the Clinton payroll or something….
Comment by Laurel — November 29, 2007 @ 1:49 am
Its a shame too, because I think this man had a strong message that even Republicans couldnt ignore. We wont hear about Duncan Hunter’s idiotic answer that “most of the military are conservatives” or how Mitt Romney just didnt answer the question at all (like he did most of the night) but now this story will be ignored because of his ties to Clinton. Shame on you CNN.
Comment by randy — November 29, 2007 @ 2:03 am
Cella, That “fool” apparently served his country honorably - just so you know, stuffing one’s face with Twinkies while watching Fox News does not qualify.
Comment by elmonica — November 29, 2007 @ 2:25 am
It’s a shame because overall this was a much better debate than CNN’s last one.
I knew something was up when the questioner just happened to be in the audience. Then Bill Bennett, who I believe is no longer a CNN contributor, showed upon the panel. Then Bennett had his bombshell about this guy.
This guy had no “strong message” Randy. He and CNN GRANDSTANDED this issue in the middle of an otherwise fair debate. CNN was gaining redemption, but now it’s backfired.
Comment by erljr — November 29, 2007 @ 2:29 am
Can CNN get anything right?
Comment by A.W. — November 29, 2007 @ 2:34 am
First off, other people who asked questions were in the audience as well, including scary man with beard. Secondly, I think it is an important message that you can be gay and still serve your country.
Comment by randy — November 29, 2007 @ 2:51 am
CNN tried to pull off a loaded question and got caught.
Call me crazy but, It puzzles me that CNN, knowing that there are a lot more eyes watching them than in 92′ and 96′ would try to pull this shotty stunt off.
And Gays in the Military? I don’t think thats in the top ten issues with the voting public.
Is CNN that far out of the loop or, did they, as they would say in Baseball. Throw a wasted pitch?
Comment by puck — November 29, 2007 @ 3:35 am
Here we go again!How sad!
Comment by SHANE — November 29, 2007 @ 5:38 am
There was also a confirmed Obama supporter and a confirmed Edwards supporter. Go to Hotair.com
Comment by bg — November 29, 2007 @ 5:39 am
This has got to be a multiple job-killer. Giving the guy that much time and really trying to cross-check the GOP’s pro-military/ anti-gay leanings…they needed this guy to be bullet proof. It makes FBN’s plant of the retail guy look quaint and almost gets within hailing distance of the Bush-National Guard story. Really, really, really bad. Why don’t they make these folks sign affidavits or something?
Comment by DanOregon — November 29, 2007 @ 6:15 am
This is why it’s called the “Clinton News Network”.
Comment by mlong — November 29, 2007 @ 7:07 am
Well, CNN came out last night saying they didn’t know about his connections and this morning John explained during American Morning that, “we checked his military record and if he gave any money to any politicians,” but it appears they didn’t check if he had any connections to politicians.
Overall, I think it was a mistake on their part, but the question was a great one to ask. In all respects to Hunter, in the thought that most soldiers are “conservatives,” that means they are all scared to death of homosexuals? Um, what?
Comment by Chris (clind) — November 29, 2007 @ 8:11 am
and we all know why fnc is called gop teevee don’t we?.
Comment by Me — November 29, 2007 @ 9:36 am
I don’t get it…why is it so wrong for a Democrat to ask a Republican a question???
Seriously, this is a free country right?
Comment by tinatracy — November 29, 2007 @ 10:07 am
It wouldn’t have been such a big deal if they hadn’t flown the guy there, paid his room and board, and driven him to the debate.
Your “strong message” comment, Randy, implies that voters are imbeciles and don’t know about this issue. And this guy is a hypocrite; why didn’t he come out of the closet and/or resign while he was active - and a brigadier general - in the service. It’s easy to take a stand after the fact.
Comment by erljr — November 29, 2007 @ 10:46 am
Tina, there’s nothing wrong with a Democrat asking a Republican a question. The problem is a lot of these people are actually paid staffers of Democractic candidates or other operatives of Democratic campaigns and that should be disclosed to the audience because it’s not exactly objective and random questions coming from the audience. It’s not the same as you or I going in as everyday voters and asking a question about an issue we disagree with Republicans on. And the fact CNN has a history of planting questions doesn’t help their case any either….
Comment by Laurel — November 29, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Tina, imagine the whining from Hillary’s campaign if someone who worked for a Republican campaign was planted in the audience and allowed to ask a loaded question…. then allowed to filibuster after he didn’t get the answer he wanted.
As for the debate itself, Fred Thompson won. Hands down. Most honest answers. Best stances. Best one liners. Best commercial. Best ideas.
Comment by bigred — November 29, 2007 @ 11:19 am
This is off the record and comments, but how will I get Imus on Monday morning. I live in Orlando FL anyone know if it will be on any radios in this area.
Comment by Cathy — November 29, 2007 @ 11:49 am
So will General Keith Kerr be on Larry King tonight?
Comment by steve — November 29, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Cathy, according to this link, Citadel doesn’t have any stations in Florida. I’m also in the Orlando area but will check him out on RFD via Directv.
http://tinyurl.com/39d75w
Comment by Terance — November 29, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
My favorite Malkin point is that one of the hack questioners is a raving Cooper fan. Since 360 regularly culls comments from their blog to read on air based on names they know from the fan blog, this is stepping the game up another level.
Comment by Charles — November 29, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Cathy
You can stream 77WABC online from your computer.
http://www.wabcradio.com/
I read after the Imus Ranch Special ran RFDTV got 500,00. emails from Imus fans who wanted the show simulcast and stated generally that Imus apologized the Rutgers team accepted and that was good enough for them! I did write RFDTV myself after the special and thanked them for running the Ranch Special I got an email reply…now I wasn’t expecting one because I emailed alot of the folks after Imus was fired and never got any response. I have discussed that issue with many other Imus fans and they relayed the same no response to our phone calls, emails ect….imagine how many contacts those networks CBS and MSNBC recieved and decided to ignore? To paraphrase Bernard McGuirk, they were hiding under their desk, with their blackberrys, sucking their thumbs.
Comment by Ree — November 29, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Cathy,All,
You can read about it here also there is another story in the New York Post, quoting Bo Deitl it appears Imus has a list!
http://www.usatoday.com/life/2007-11-28-imus_N.htm?csp=34
Comment by Ree — November 29, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
Cathy,All,
Imus is supposed to be on 20/20 with Barbara Walters tomorrow night. Imus breaks his silence.
http://imustruth.typepad.com/index/
Comment by Ree — November 29, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
Cathy
Right now Clearwater, Florida tantalk1340.com is carrying Imus in the Morning. Norfolk is the latest affilate announced. I read he has 61 radio stations that are picking him up?
Comment by Ree — November 29, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
It makes FBN’s plant of the retail guy look quaint
Dan: That is the most absurd analogy I’ve ever seen.
Face facts; for the second time in two weeks, CNN got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Although it could be expected from Elmonica and “Me,” I’m amazed how some of you insist on defending the indefensible.
Comment by Ira — November 29, 2007 @ 2:08 pm