To hearty laughter from what sounded like anchor Wolf Blitzer (who would have a live mike, but listen and judge for yourself), CNN's Jack Cafferty on Tuesday afternoon asked on The Situation Room whether viewers would “rather just stick needles” in their eyes than listen to Sarah Palin or Newt Gingrich? During the 4 PM EDT/1 PM PDT hour “Cafferty File” segment, Cafferty inquired: “Would you rather listen to a speech by Sarah Palin or a speech by Newt Gingrich?” Then he quickly added another option which is what prompted the laughter: “Or would you rather just stick needles in your eyes?”
Finished guffawing, Blitzer soon wondered: “What do you think, Jack? You want to listen to Palin or Gingrich deliver a speech?” Cafferty replied he dislikes them both: “I'm not interested in listening to either one of them.”
Amongst the replies Cafferty read at the end of the hour, this one from Dann: “That’s like asking 'Who do you think is the best hockey player in Ecuador?' It’s not much of a choice. If given a third option, I would rather trim my nose hair with a carrot scraper.”
Audio: MP3 clip (30 seconds)
Online version of this segment, as posted on Cafferty's blog.
What aired in the first “Cafferty File” segment for Tuesday, June 9, which does not fully match the blog entry:
JACK CAFFERTY: Sarah Palin didn’t make a speech, but that didn’t stop her from stealing the show at a big Republican fundraising dinner in Washington last night. The Alaska Governor’s appearance was a question mark up until the last minute… and followed weeks of an on-again, off-again saga. Palin had originally been billed as the keynote speaker, then her office said she never confirmed that she would appear. Later, Palin's office wanted to know if she could speak at the dinner. Party leaders said she could, then took back the invitation. They were worried that Palin would upstage Newt Gingrich, who was the new keynote speaker. This is big-time drama here, folks.
But Palin, along with her husband, got big cheers from the audience when they were introduced on stage at this fundraiser last night; and their table was the only one in the ballroom with a crowd around it. Several Republicans thanked Sarah Palin for showing up. Senator John McCain said it was great to see her again, Senator Jon Cornyn praised Palin’s leadership, and Gingrich said the U.S. quote, “would be amazingly better off” had McCain and Palin been elected.
There’s been speculation that both Gingrich and Palin might be interested in running for the White House in 2012 -- which certainly must be music to Barack Obama's ears. A recent poll among Republicans showed 21 percent back Palin, 13 percent back Gingrich.
So here’s the question: “Would you rather listen to a speech by Sarah Palin or a speech by Newt Gingrich?” Go to CNN -- Or would you rather just stick needles in your eyes? [Over loud laughter off-camera from a man other than Cafferty, presumably Blitzer] Go to CNN.com slashCaffertyFile and you can post a comment on my blog. I forgot about the third option.
WOLF BLITZER: What do you think, Jack? You want to listen to Palin or Gingrich deliver a speech?
CAFFERTY: I'm not interested in listening to either one of them. I like listening to you, Wolf.
BLITZER: Thank you. Good to have you back.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Shocked!
June 9, 2009 - 20:43 ET by iveseenitallCafferty is a "liberal" who won't listen to any point of view other than his own.--- I'm shocked!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
In response to Dann - I would be most happy to wield the
June 9, 2009 - 20:40 ET by Cape Conservativecarrot scraper and trim both Cafferty and Blitzer's nose hairs! And if Dann wants to get in line, that's okay with me!
These two can't hold a candle to either Sarah Palin or Newt Gringrich!
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise known as a RWRE!! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
Cafferty is the walking,
June 9, 2009 - 20:42 ET by bigtimerCafferty is the walking, talking definition of irrelevant.
CNN isn't far behind....and by the way, who is this Wolf Blitzer guy?
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
So this is the most trusted name in news or...
June 9, 2009 - 20:43 ET by JTPno bull or bias or whatever? Take a look at your ratings again and try to figure out why you are being lapped by Fox. At least Fox doesn't make a habit of personally attacking people they have a difference of opinion with. Is this the best CNN can come up with?
"Live for yourself...there's no one else more worth living for.
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more"- Rush--Anthem
Flashback to CNN's explanation of Fox News Leadership
June 10, 2009 - 06:19 ET by ThisnThatOn 7 June NB quoted CNN's co-founder, Reese Schonfeld on why Fox News was hammering CNN. It was all about viewer anger, remember?
Or maybe not. Maybe it's CNN. And CNN's Cafferty. And Wolf Blitzer. And all the other hateful people they have hired and indoctrinated to present a biased perspective on our daily lives. I refuse to call what CNN produces "news". It isn't. And hasn't been news for a long, long time.
___________________________________
Liberals constantly demand that we accept a glaring falsehood as truth; Obama's elimination of the word "terror" will make terrorist acts less terrifying
They are out of the closet and they love it.
June 9, 2009 - 20:48 ET by superconIt's the industry standard now. The media has declared open season on Republicans and they don't care who knows. With the exception of Fox News,every single person on cable news spits at the GOP every chance they get.
Hey Janet Napolitano...I'm proud to be a Right-winger.
It's just truly amazing
June 9, 2009 - 20:51 ET by MidAmericaIt's just truly amazing the level to which a supposed news organization and its news anchors have sunk. This is embarrassing chatter from adults appearing on a national format. Gee, wonder why they are losing viewers?
Crap, I feel sorry for all
June 9, 2009 - 21:45 ET by amberCrap, I feel sorry for all of the people reporting here at Newsbusters. None of them can see because of all of the needles in their eyeballs and yet, they still have to listen to this crap and report on it to us. Worse than being waterborded.
Cafferty and Blitzer: Beavis and Butt-head...
June 9, 2009 - 21:47 ET by wnaegele...or is it Butt-head and Beavis?
Sigh!
I Volunteer...
June 9, 2009 - 22:21 ET by svh83to stick the needles in Cafferty's eyes.
"I think you'd better call John, 'cause it don't look they're here to deliver...the mail". -NY
I know left-leaning news
June 9, 2009 - 22:36 ET by suzycreamcheeseI know left-leaning news channels and talking heads don't even try to be professional anymore--don't have to because they "won"--but I am still shocked even after watching the major networks burying themselves that this kind of outright hatred and mean-spiritedness is allowed.
Who is running these shows? Who stands behind the scenes with their arms across their chests and doesn't yell "kill the mic!"? I'm just flabbergasted this is allowed every single day on these news/talk shows. They're alienating half of the country. Why don't they care?
Drunk
June 9, 2009 - 22:40 ET by slickwillie2001Cafferty is a mean old drunk, and I don't see how he holds down a job at CNN.
Prerequisite at CNN
June 9, 2009 - 22:59 ET by BW222Rick Sanchez killed a guy in a drunk driving accident a few years ago.
BW222
Or would you rather just
June 9, 2009 - 22:47 ET by fitzfongOr would you rather just stick needles in your eyes?
Or you could just down a bottle of Thunderbird, get in the car, run over a bicyclist, and drag the bike through 2 red lights without stopping...like you usually do.
Funny, judging by the ratings, it seems the rest of the world would rather stick electrodes on their private parts than watch CNN.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Things I would rather do than listen to Jack Cafferty........
June 9, 2009 - 22:47 ET by TheBigB1.) Mow my lawn with a pair of kitchen shears.
2.) Watch a SpongeBob marathon with my kids (actually, I would want to do that, it's more intellectually stimuating than Cafferty)
3.) Strip naked and attempt to declaw a mountain lion in a phone booth.
4.) Oh, hell, let's have some fun and you guys join in if you want!
Power is the peoples' to give, but it is also theirs to exercise.
The Town Drunk
June 9, 2009 - 22:56 ET by BW222Who cares what an old drunk like "Joke" Cafferty thinks.
At least if he's bashing Republicans, he's not involved in hit and run accidents.
BW222
what's your poison
June 9, 2009 - 23:08 ET by MrltavernAnd now it's another edition of WHAT"S MY POISON! With your host Jack Cafferty!
Which was it tonight Jack? Was it a single malt or a Chilean wine that got you to make such an idiotic comment like this?
Mr.L
Mr.L's Tavern
www.mrltavern.ning.com
In all seriousness this
June 9, 2009 - 23:25 ET by Captain RepusIn all seriousness this media situation has spun totally out of control. Between NPR, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and MSDNC, honest journalism has completely vanished. There is not thought whatsoever on the part of any of these networks that they have become obsessed with pure hatred towards all conservative thinkers, and become nothing but propoganda machines for our Marxist leader and his congressional zombies.
I cannot believe what I have seen my country turn into in just a few short months. I fear we are lost and nobody cares. I suspect the German citizens witnessed the same thing over 70 years ago and likewise failed to act.
For the first time in my adult life I am not proud of my country.
If a tree fell at CNN....
June 9, 2009 - 23:48 ET by jdripperWould there be anyone watching to hear it? No. Guess what Jack and Wolf America did take a third option over you guys and MSNBC they turned on FOX.
Jack
"If at age 20 you are a conservative then you have no heart. If at age 30 you are a liberal then you have no brains." Sir Winston Churchill
Objective journalists?
June 10, 2009 - 00:59 ET by Kevin HalpernI'm sure both Cafferty and Blitzer would claim they are both objective journalists. The trouble is, both really believe they are.
Does this clown really
June 10, 2009 - 01:04 ET by RR GOPDoes this clown really think anyone besides a few bloggers ready to report his stupidity to the rest of us listen to him?
Kind of hard to hear these CNN guys at airports anyway...folks probably just watching the news tickers.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).
I would rather listen to
June 10, 2009 - 02:58 ET by mostlymoderateI would rather listen to Palin scratch her fingernails on a chalk-board than listen to these two windbags.
I would rather
June 10, 2009 - 03:45 ET by Nortonalecdrag my face through a litter box than watch old Jack.
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."~David St. Hubbins
Sticking needles in my
June 10, 2009 - 04:59 ET by Andrew H.Sticking needles in my eyes is the experience I would have if I watched or listened to Jack or Wolf.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
You want to stick needles
June 10, 2009 - 07:21 ET by jdhawkYou want to stick needles in your eyes, listen to bambi's, the first stupid liberal, speech on "Pay-Go." This is the idea that you match government expenditures with government taxes or government cuts in other programs to pay for new expenditures.
The problem is that the stupid ass in the White House has doubled the federal budget and the so-called "Pay-Go" will not come into effect until AFTER the budget has been passed, the government has taken over our energy industry with so-called "Cap and Trade," and the government has take over of our health care indsutry.
Meanwhile, NB is reporting on a whether a couple of Republican politicians, that haven't come out in any appreciable way on the above, will cause someone to put needles in their eyes if they speak?
Yeah, I guess that is important. Sure . . .
Hey, Jack, the feeling's mutual
June 10, 2009 - 09:26 ET by UnsaneI don't care what those Socialists have to say either. I'd stick needles in my eyes and then pour isopropyl alcohol into them myself rather than deal with the prospect of watching CNN.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Watch Caffertarded, or just
June 10, 2009 - 11:04 ET by mattmWatch Caffertarded, or just bang you head with a hammer?
Who's Cafferty?
June 10, 2009 - 18:12 ET by Irene FlickNo one would ever have heard of this 'journalist' if he hadn't said these moronic things.
Hey, Jack - go back to broadcasting from your mother's basement. Pretty soon no one will even pay you in candy any more!
TERM LIMITS FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS!
And, yes, I am shouting.