Lots of interesting breaking political news dominated Tuesday's AC360. Anderson opened with a discussion about Senator Obama's gaffe concerning his great uncle's military service. I'm going to give Obama the benefit of the doubt on this one...family stories tend to become embellished as they are passed down. His great uncle may not have participated in the liberation of Auschwitz, but he was involved in Buchenwald. Both were noble efforts and his great uncle is to be applauded.
I did some reading, on the Jewish Virtual Library site, after hearing this report, because I was not familiar with Buchenwald. More than 53,926 people lost their lives at Buchenwald. It originally housed political prisoners, but eventually Jews and Poles were imprisoned there also. Many of the inmates were subjected to involuntary medical experiments involving viruses and contagious diseases. Dr. Carl Vaernet also conducted a series of experiments there that he claimed would “cure” homosexual inmates.
Thank God for men like the Senator's great uncle who stopped these horrific practices and the carnage.
Tuesday's panel covering the Breaking News of Scott McClellan's book (What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception) was Ed Henry, Frances Townsend and Mike Allen of Politico.com. Surprisingly, I found myself agreeing with the Republican panelist, Frances Townsend, concerning the tell all book. Townsend, who was a former Bush Homeland Security Advisor, said "For him (McClellan) to do this now, frankly, strikes me as self-serving, disingenuous and unprofessional". As Anderson Cooper added, later in the discussion " In the old days in Washington people used to resign out when they didn't agree with things. They resigned out of principle. It doesn't seem like anyone does that anymore."
It must be really hard to walk away from power and a position of influence.
Mike Allen has a piece in USA Today and he makes these points about the book:
• McClellan charges that Bush relied on "propaganda" to sell the war.
• He says the White House press corps was too easy on the administration during the run-up to the war.
• He admits that some of his own assertions from the briefing room podium turned out to be "badly misguided."
Are these a surprise to anyone, other that the few staunch Republican's who continue to drink the Kool Aid? I think not.
AC discussed the President's trip to Phoenix with Ed Henry, who traveled along on the fund raiser. A great deal of discussion, on Phoenix television, centered around the lack of photo opportunities with McCain and Bush. No press was allowed to cover the fundraiser, no McCain at the airport when Air Force One arrived and only a brief send off when the visit was over. After seeing the latest CNN opinion pole on the President's popularity it's no wonder. His already low approval rating has dropped yet again.
I had to be in the area of the Phoenix airport today about the time of the President's arrival. I was a bit concerned about traffic and protesters (of which there were many) so I planned my trip to avoid the major arteries, and thus the motorcade roadblocks. I saw no evidence of a Presidential visit until I got home and turned on the news. The Commander in Chief's destination was about 4 miles from my house and I missed all the excitement! 
It was really good to see Michael Ware back on the program and sharing his insight on Iraq. I've clipped it for those of you who missed it and for those who want a second listen (or look!).
As always MW makes the point that we can't just walk away. I have so much respect for Ware's views, but I want us out of Iraq, asap. Taking that into consideration, I think I'd feel better about the withdrawal of our troops, as strategically as possible, with HRC in charge. (You Obama supporters don't jump all over me...remember I defended him in my opening paragraph!) I just think the Illinois Senator lacks the experience to handle this complicated matter.
One piece of advice to the Clinton campaign, shut Bill the hell up. I think he has been the biggest detriment to HRC's success in this entire process. It's sort of like 'Men Who Love Too Much (or have a guilty conscience and try to make up for their actions)'.
The panel that dissected the former President's ramblings were Candy Crowley, Mike Allen and Gloria Borger. They also went on to discuss the big news of the night, the McClellan book. Not much new in this discussion, but CC again reiterated the shock most reporters are feeling over this book. She said if you would ask reporters who, in the Bush administration, would be most likely to write a tell all book Scott's name would never have made the list.
I thought some of you would like another peak at The Shot and the whistling AC360 crew.
In The News:I find this first bit of news very bothersome. Channel 9, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is reporting that Anderson Cooper is supporting Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal for the Republican Vice Presidential candidate. They write,
"According to bloggers for John McCain, Jindal scored the highest. Rush Limbaugh, The Washington Times, and even CNN's Anderson Cooper are now endorsing Jindal as the best Republican vice presidential pick".
I have never know AC to publicly support a candidate and I think it is irresponsible of this station and Caroline Moses, the author, to publish this information without direct sourcing.
Late Addition:
Anderson has blogged about the inaccurate information contained on the Channel 9 website. If you want to read his post on this subject just click on this link.
And I really wish I was attending the Sesame Street Workshop's Annual Benefit Dinner tonight in NYC. It's being hosted by Anderson Cooper and Elmo and held at Cipriani's on 42nd Street at 6PM. Richard Parsons, Chairman of Time Warner, will receive the Corporate Leadership Award. My fingers are crossed that we get some video on this one...AC and Elmo? Ahhhhhh
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22 comments:
Good for Obama's great uncle for helping to liberate Buchenwald, bad for Obama for not naiming the right concentration camp. At least his great uncle was able to help liberate a true hell on earth.
Bush used "propaganda" to sell the war. Well there's a surprise, a president using porpaganda. That never happens (this is supposed to be scarcasism).
I agree,Bill Clinton needs to just shut the hell up. He's not helping his wife. He would be so much more helpful if he'd just be quiet.
It was great to see Michael on the program. It has been entirely too long since he was on there.
It seems odd that AC would publicaly endorese a canidate. He never has before and I don't think he would start now.
How cool is that, that Anderson will be hosting the Sesame Street Workshop's Annual Benefit Dinner with Elmo. I love Elmo, he's so cute. AC and Elmo together, now that is cool.
McClellan's revelations weren't surprising but they were pretty scathing coming from someone so high up in the Bush Administration and it probably won't be the last. I can imagine that there are many, many people who'd like to wash their hands and disassociate themselves from Bush, but as AC said, they should've resigned, the damage has been done.
It's always good to hear from Michael Ware, I was hoping we'd see him after reading some of the 360 blog posts on Iraq.
Hillary really needs to be the strong woman she always says she is and reign Bill Clinton in, he's not doing her any favors.
Anderson has always struck me as a little conservative and I've had these nagging little feelings that he might be a Republican, BUT he has always made a point not to come out and say who he supports politically. He says that on the blog constantly - I don't know what to make of that report out of NOLA, but I sure hope there's no truth to it because even though I sense certain things about Anderson's political leanings, I'd hate for them to actually be true!
AC and Elmo-Sesame Street, a perfect combo. I thought Richard Parsons stepped down from his top spot at Time Warner, maybe not.
Every time Anderson referred to the "bombshells" in McClellan's book, I kept wondering when he was going to mention some of them! Bush used propaganda?! No way!! He lied about Iraq?! I am shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you...!
Fran Townsend, however, is still drinking that Kool Aid...
And Phebe, you know I'm ravingly jealous that Michael shows up on YOUR night. Harrumph.
Loved the whistling tribute to the Andy Griffith theme song writer too. AC and Erica showed yet another hidden talent.
I have to admit that the pooha about McClellan's book was wasted on me. The fact that I had never heard of him was a major factor in that, lol.
How great to see Michael Ware, it had been way too long!
That news from Channel 9 is , like you said, bothersome. I can't imagine Anderson endorsing any candidate publicately and certainly not a Republican one!!! (if he ever did that, I would be soooo disappointed)
Now, seeing Anderson together with Elmo that I do like. I can't wait for some pics of that!
I found that article about Anderson endorsing Bobby Jindal interesting. I was just thinking a few days ago which candidate Anderson would support, but I knew we would never know, since Anderson never gives his views about anything. I have always been curious to know if Anderson was a Conservative or Democrat....does this mean Anderson is a Conservative????
I hope he is. He seems like a Conservative to me.
Ohh, I loved the whistling by Anderson and Erica at the end of the program tonight. That was too cute! I hope we get more fun moments like that from them!! I love them!! They always make the show fun to watch!
I guess Erica's job is to entertain Anderson? She posts a daily news note and sits in the studio laughing with Anderson. That's basically it from what I have seen.
Last night's 360 was a great mix of news and commentary
Did someone say Kool Aid - Fran Townsend is so full of it that it is spewing out of her ears, eyes and mouth - the loyality these people have for Bush and his cronies is unbelivable - no matter how many things have blown up in the face of the Bush administration these people still say they are not to blame for anything - sounds like Hillary's campaign strategy -
McClellan's motives are still unknown at this point we won't no more until he begins speaking to the media but maybe on top of wanting to earn money by writing a book he finally had a case of gumption and decided to tell the secrets of the most secretive White House we have ever seen
The icing of the cake was Michael vs. Fran - Michael Ware is perhaps the only voice of reason on Iraq and she still talked the party line
As far as Obama and his mistating the wrong concentration camp - get real - I had the privledge of working on a project for 4 years interviewing Holocaust survivors - the Germans had set up so many camps and these camps had sub-camps that I defy anyone to recall their names - the Germans were also continually moving their prisoners from one camp to another that they sometimes were even confused as to where they were being held - the Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for pouncing on this - they are so desperate they nitpick everything - these are the same Republicans who have to hide Bush from the news when he appears with McCain
Lastly who knew that the multi-talented Anderson could whistle
I have to say that I agree with Anderson why didn't Scott McCllellan like in the old days just resign from his job if he didn't agree with what was going on; looks like waited so could just write a book. Maybe, Scott will answer that question when interviewed for his book, but his profitering at this point does look bad and self-serving to me as well.
I respect Michael Ware very much, but I'm ready for us to get out of Iraq ASAP as well. I think that we can devise some plan that will slowly let us get of there. I don't think that we can just pull out either.
As for Anderson publicly supporting the La. Gov. for VP, I don't believe it. It just simply doesn't sound like Anderson to me.
The Andy Griffith Show is such a timeless show and I still enjoy watching those old episodes over and over. The whistling intro always meant to me that it was time to watch The Andy Griffith Show. Everything was phenomenol about that TV show.
Hope we do get some pics or video of tonight's Sesame Street awards. Anderson and Elmo make one sweet couple!
I just wanted to add that I think that that teacher who made the reported special needs child stand up at the front of the class and had the class say why they hated/disliked this child is sick and dispicable and should be booted out of the education system and reported/sued!!! This person has more than major issues!
Re the supposed "endorsement" -- even if it is all true, it does NOT mean that Anderson supports McCain or the Republicans. It just means that of the names floated around for McCain's VP, he likes Jindal. This could stem from something as simple as him saying to someone, "I think Jindal would be a great choice."
And always remember that the blogoshere does not have the same fact-checking standard as "real" news... he might also have been overheard chatting to someone and saying something like, "Jindal is a breath of fresh air in NOLA, have you heard that McCain is looking at him for VP? Wouldn't that be great?"
The whole endorsement thing is so unlike Anderson that I think we should lean towards the unlikeliness of it being something truly legit. Not necessarily a lie, just something far more casual than they made it sound.
I see some comments about this endorsement so unlike Anderson. It does seem unlike him to me as well, but then none of us know Anderson personally, and there is a lot we do not know about him for sure.
It was great to see Michael again speaking passionately and with so much knowledge of the situation in Iraq. I hope Anderson continues having Mick on as we get closer to the election.
I agree with Cyn. Anderson probably made a private casual remark to someone and it somehow got blown up into an "endorsement". He would not publicly endorse a candidate (is he even allowed to?). Given his position, it would be unethical and I don't see him doing that.
In effect Fran Townsend got slammed by Scotty when he cited the White House's disastrous response to Hurricane Katrina. The ex-Homeland Security adviser flew to Saudi Arabia instead of coordinating the Katrina response. She's hardly an impartial commenter.
I'd like to know why no one in the media has asked Fran the following question about her Katrina Lessons Learned report:
"President Bush promised a robust investigation, yet the document you produced fails to mention the hospital with the largest number of patient deaths post landfall. Why?"
Well, I think in the past Anderson Cooper has contributed to Republican candidates for lesser office.
No one resigns these days because there is no accountability anymore. Yesterday it stung when Anderson kept emphasizing "the reporter who broke the news" about McClellan when clearly all he did was read an advance copy of a book!
Anderson just blogged about the report and he never did endorse anybody. He says that he never has and never will.
Anderson just blogged and also mentioned the reported endorsement:"I don’t endorse candidates. Never have. Never will. That’s not my job. I called up the station and asked them to remove the incorrect sentence from their website, but just in case anyone thinks I’ve suddenly decided to start taking sides in political races, I haven’t. I leave that to folks on other networks."
Anderson has just blogged and he says he did not make the comment about the VP and that he called the station to ask them to remove the comment.
There should be not no controversy in Obama's statement. He merely mixed up the concentration camps and that's quite understandable. It isn't as though he made up the entire story, like some candidate that will not be named at the moment.
I am glad that Anderson set the record straight and stays as objective as possible. But it was in Nola that he was "emotive" and the rest as the say, is AC's history.
It was so great seeing Michael Ware last night.....I was not expecting him so when he came on I had a little squee moment. Then thought of Cyn :)
Really enjoyed the whistling tribute at the end of 360 last night. Very cute
I had to laugh at Anon 4:48 AM's comment about Erica. It does seem that way doesn't it, but it is also a real waste of talent on the part of CNN. Might I also add she does most of the live blog posting as well.
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