A great first day on national television news for Barack Obama as he began his much-hyped overseas trip with a stop in Kuwait before moving on to Afghanistan. CNN anchor Rick Sanchez, seemingly channeling the media's own excitement, on Saturday night hailed it as “a trip that seems to be captivating the rest of the world as much, if not more so, than many in the United States.”
ABC, CBS and CNN showcased video of Obama making a basketball shot at a gym with troops in Kuwait. Over video troops cheering Obama as he walked into the gym, on ABC's World News Jim Sciutto touted: “Though the destinations were new, the greeting was familiar. Senator Barack Obama signing autographs with soldiers on his first stop in Kuwait, even taking time to play some basketball...” Forrest Sawyer, anchoring the CBS Evening News on Saturday night, apparently with a new job after many years with ABC and MSNBC, highlighted how Obama “sank a shot from way outside the paint.” Sawyer announced over matching video:
Now, before Afghanistan Senator Obama stopped off in Kuwait to talk to the troops there. You remember all that grief Obama got for being a terrible bowler? Well, at a local gym someone handed him a basketball and he promptly sank a shot from way outside the paint. He made it look easy. You just have to pick the game.
At the start of a special half-hour CNN Newsroom at 11:30 PM EDT Saturday night, July 19, Rick Sanchez trumpeted:
Tonight you're going to be seeing the very first pictures of presidential candidate Barack Obama overseas with U.S. troops. Those are stills that you're looking at behind me that we've beeen getting from this trip by this junior U.S. Senator, a trip that seems to be captivating the rest of the world as much, if not more so, than many in the United States...
Let me give you a quick set up on this next piece of video. Senator Obama goes into the gym afterward and shoots a free-throw. Then he mingles with some of the soldiers. One female soldier, in particular, challenges him to try and do it again. Now, watch this as it plays out.
CBS will get the first “exclusive” even before each of the three anchors have exclusives for the day with Obama in the upcoming week. On Saturday's CBS Evening News, Sawyer twice plugged Lara Logan's “exclusive” Obama interview to air Sunday morning on Face the Nation.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
this trip by this junior
July 20, 2008 - 05:52 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsthis trip by this junior U.S. Senator, a trip that seems to be
captivating the rest of the world as much, if not more so, than many in
the United States...
You know what? They can keep him if they are so captivated.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Network Anchors and "Hannah Montana"
July 20, 2008 - 06:59 ET by allanfI can't help but think I'm watching a bunch of 9 year old girls at a Hanna Montana concert.
If these people's ego's were normal sized, they would be ashamed.
Are you captivated?
July 20, 2008 - 08:16 ET by WingletDriverBecause I sure the heck ain't.
What's so captivating? What treaty or agreement is he negotiating? What dictator is he standing up to?
There is no "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" moment. No "Ich bin ein Berliner." It's a freaking politician trying to substitute media adoration for his obvious lack of credentials.
Dr. Doolittle
July 20, 2008 - 08:29 ET by allanfObama is the Dr. Dolittle for Dictators. He will walk with the animals and talk with the animals.
Apparently, he will talk to everyone but Fox News.
Not today,buddy
July 20, 2008 - 10:26 ET by the strugglerWouldn't that be awesome if someone BUSTED that shot from the side?
Homecoming King??
July 20, 2008 - 08:56 ET by CellaWho is responsible for lining up all these troops in a gym to cheer for this guy? I have never seen military personel gathered on rosters in the gym to greet U.S. Senators. All that is missing are cheerleaders, pom-poms and a prom queen. That organizer needs a gold star from the Obama campaign. I am disgusted.
Did they do that for any other capitol hill group? I have never seen it.
Much to my dismay, it seems there is something new under the sun.
Osamessiah - who died and made him king?
July 20, 2008 - 09:15 ET by goldenthroatDid it ever occur to anyone where Osama Bama got this goofy notion that HE had diplomatic authority? And if he does, will he report back to the President?
Or is this really an overseas campaign stop? Hmmmm...
Looks like the Osama Bama Appeasement Tour is in full swing - and the press is following him like a bunch of little lost puppies - makes you wonder just how much we're NOT going to be told!
Oh yeah - the MSMs' minds are made up - don't confuse them with the facts.
"How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?" - Firesign Theatre
makes you wonder just how
July 20, 2008 - 09:37 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsmakes you wonder just how much we're NOT going to be told!
Well, we certainly won't be told about the anti-American protests in Europe that always accompany a visit by a high ranking American politican. That is, unless their hand is somehow forced (foreign newscasts), then they will focus on the burning effigy of George Bush.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
Gyn Cheers
July 20, 2008 - 10:23 ET by Seabeach4348You can bet that they were ordered to be there, just like troops were ordered to "make nice" with Hitlary when she went over to Iraq to visit the troops and to take cheap shots at Bush a few years back.
I come in contact with military people frequently through my office, and I can tell you that O-Bomb-a is NOT popular with the military at all. The troops are certainly not planning a Saint Barry's Day celebration any time soon.
Genuine Cheering
July 20, 2008 - 11:00 ET by Free StinkerI know Genuine Cheering when I see it.
For a good example of this, just go watch footage, or read a news article of Bush showing up in Iraq, Thanksgiving 2003!
"They're both doofuses!" --Mark Levin (speaking of Obama and McCain)
And yet, nowhere in the
July 20, 2008 - 16:04 ET by motherbeltAnd yet, nowhere in the description of that reception, did I see the word "overjoyed."
Funny, that.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Three bags full.
July 20, 2008 - 16:09 ET by Free StinkerThree bags full.
Interesting Crowd
July 20, 2008 - 11:59 ET by JEB StewartI noticed an interesting consistency. Most of his backdrops and the cheering crowds where black. Will the MSM notice. As I recall they did when Hillary had large gatherings of whites behind her.
Obama is not a presidental candidate on this trip , he is a Rock Star.
That's because blacks in the
July 20, 2008 - 12:41 ET by GregEThat's because blacks in the military are in overly disproportionate numbers, according to Al "the Truth" Sharpton.
Doesn't it seem a little
July 20, 2008 - 16:06 ET by motherbeltDoesn't it seem a little patronizing to surround Obama with black soldiers?
Are we supposed to be surprised that black soldiers admire him?
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Preview of
July 20, 2008 - 12:46 ET by GregEPreview of tomrrow.........."Let me give you a quick set up on this next piece of video. Senator
Obama gets up in the morning. Then he mingles around the room and looks out the window and stretches, yawns a couple times ......... Now, watch this as it plays out."
Tuesday they'll have an exclusive on Obama's custom method of shoe-tying. Jim*cough*Jones
WOW
July 20, 2008 - 14:09 ET by bigpapaA half black half white man makes a basket.
It must mean he's more than quailified to be president..
Basketball skills are very important in the White House.
NOBAMA 08 !!!
How is he at carjacking?
July 20, 2008 - 14:15 ET by NL207How is he at carjacking? That is the real questiuon.
I don't know NL
July 20, 2008 - 14:18 ET by Cool ArrowAnd it's shameful he's remained with the same wife all these years.
That's Jesse's defintion of "acting white"
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
→ papa
July 20, 2008 - 14:15 ET by Cool ArrowAnd he made the shot from half-half court.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
then that means
July 20, 2008 - 16:15 ET by bigpapaI can be president!!
Used to do that all the time when I was in High School.
Sorry,, guess I can't,, I'm white..
NOBAMA 08 !!!
They found the answer to World Peace!
July 20, 2008 - 14:27 ET by Dee BunkBasketball! Just play basketball - why didn't Bush the dummy think of that? How dare he fly a military jet to get to the troupes he should have dribbled his way there!
Those NBA players are proof positive that basketball solves all problems. ; )
Dee
July 20, 2008 - 14:50 ET by Free StinkerSo all we need is more midnight basketball? ;-)
"They're both doofuses!" --Mark Levin (speaking of Obama and McCain)
Yeah Free - midnight basketball in the Middle East
July 20, 2008 - 15:08 ET by Dee Bunkthat will turn all those terrorists around! ; )
I love your new tag (or if it's not new - sorry I just noticed it)
→ Midnight Basketball
July 20, 2008 - 15:14 ET by Cool ArrowWonder if they'll have a Title IX version.
Baghdad Berkah Ballers. I can see it.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
¢¢ Dee
July 20, 2008 - 15:18 ET by Free StinkerThe tag is relatively new.
Mark just made the comment last Thursday. (or was that Wednesday?)
"They're both doofuses!" --Mark Levin (speaking of Obama and McCain)