Thursday’s “American Morning” program, while reporting retired Brigadier General Keith Kerr’s connections to the Hillary Clinton campaign, failed to mention one key revelation made by debate moderator Anderson Cooper during the post-debate coverage - that Cooper knew that Kerr was “an activist of some sort.”
Co-host John Roberts not only reported on Kerr’s membership of Clinton’s “LGBT Americans For Hillary Steering Committee” during all 3 hours of “American Morning,” but conducted a live interview of Kerr during the 7 am Eastern hour. Six minutes into the 6 am Eastern, Roberts gave the following brief on the Kerr story.
JOHN ROBERTS: After the debate was over, CNN found out that a man who asked one of the most intense questions of the night had a connection to the Clinton campaign. We didn't know it at the time, but we do know it now, and we want to clear things up for you. He is retired Army brigadier general Keith Kerr, who asked about the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. After the candidates gave their response to his YouTube post, General Kerr, who was in the audience, had this to say.
KEITH KERR, RETIRED ARMY BRIGADIER GENERAL: American men and women in the military are professional enough to serve with gays and lesbians. For 42 years, I wore the uniform -- Army uniform -- on active duty, in the Reserve, and also for the State of California. I revealed I was a gay man after I retired. Today, 'don't ask, don't tell' is destructive to our military policy.
ROBERTS: Well, later CNN found out that General Kerr is in fact a member of Hillary Clinton's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender steering committee. CNN senior vice president and executive producer of the debate David Bohrman says, quote, 'We regret this incident. CNN would not have used the general's question had we known that he was connected to any presidential candidate.' Prior to the debate, CNN had verified the general's military background, and that he had not contributed any money to any presidential candidate. Following the debate, Kerr told CNN that he has done no work for the Clinton campaign. He says he is a member of the Log Cabin Republicans, and was representing no one other than himself. We're going to talk with General Kerr live a little later on 'American Morning.'
Only a half-hour after the close of the debate, debate moderator Anderson Cooper, responding to Bill Bennett, who had mentioned that he was receiving “a ton” of e-mails stating Kerr was part of the Clinton steering committee, stated that he “had not heard that, and had no knowledge of [that], nor do I think anyone here. And if so, that should have been certainly disclosed, and we would have disclosed that. I do know that he is an activist of some sort, but I had not heard that he's actually working for a campaign.” Roberts did not mention this detail in his 6 am hour brief, nor did he mention it in the subsequent briefs or segments on the Kerr story.
During his live interview with Kerr, which started 17 minutes into the 7 am hour, Roberts asked the retired general about his involvement with the Clinton LGBT steering committee. Kerr denied doing any kind of substantive work with the Clinton campaign. “I have not done any work. Several friends asked me if I would -- allow my name to be listed. And I agreed, because she is such a strong advocate of gay and lesbian rights.” When Roberts asked if “anyone from Hillary Clinton’s campaign, or from the steering committee, or anyone else associated with a political association put you up to the idea of asking this question,” Kerr replied, “Absolutely not. This was a private initiative, on my own.”
Roberts did bring up one thing that hadn’t been previously mentioned on CNN, either in the post-debate coverage or earlier on “American Morning.” “There is also a news release dated November 11, 2007 that lists you as a national co-chair on ‘Veterans and Military Retirees for Hillary Clinton.’ Are you, in fact, a member of that organization?” Kerr’s reply: “Yes, it’s the same one, simply my name on the list.”
Roberts didn’t press Kerr further on that matter, and asked the retired general if he ever thought about disclosing these campaign affiliations. He answered, “No, it never concerned me, because I had not really participated in that,” and then went on to say that he had supported some Republicans, and was registered as an independent in California.
At the bottom of the 8 am Eastern hour, Roberts basically repeated the brief he had given at the beginning of the 6 am Eastern hour, and didn’t mention anything about CNN knowing that Kerr was an “activist of some sort.”
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
CNN better bundle their Admissions...........
November 29, 2007 - 14:02 ET by JayTeeCNN needs more Air time for confessionals, or they need to Bundle their admissions for all the obvious Plants and Democratic Activists, and people on staff of California Congress women, Hillary steering committee members, and....pant...pant...all the other people on the now long List of Democratic Activists.
As Rush said, flying the Gen. Kerr from California, paying all his expenses and giving him a microphone, IS A PLANT by CNN by any definition you'd care to use.....not to mention he was a guest on CNN before this recent appearance.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
"...they need to Bundle
November 29, 2007 - 14:54 ET by Chris Norman"...they need to Bundle their admissions..."
Jay,
I think they're doing almost the opposite of an honest open admission. They'll admit to smaller things in little batches, so that they look less bad (to their casual viewers) than they would if they did it all at one time.
CNorm...Sorta a Trickle down confessional
November 29, 2007 - 15:18 ET by JayTeeCNN doesn't have a Page A-19, or they would put their confessions in the background.
Maybe they will put them on at 3 AM some Sunday morning hoping the world is sleeping while they are "confessing"
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Jay, Trickle Down
November 29, 2007 - 16:19 ET by Chris NormanJay,
Trickle Down Confession - I like it! :)
and who is left untouched
November 29, 2007 - 14:08 ET by Lame CherryAs more of this comes out, it appears the cartel has made certain Hillary will get the blame for this, but the junior jackasses of the campaign were implicated too.
I seem to remember a quote, "I will only enter the race if the candidates do not have a clear victory".
Looks more and more like an Al Gore prophesy engineered by the cartel coming true. Hillary flounders, Obama surges, Edwards drifts..........the only winner in this will be Al Gore.
These people are not that stupid to waste their opportunities to get caught with planted people. They knew people would be watching........so somebody made sure these plants were there and all connected to the leaders who need to be slowed down.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Matthew, You guys are
November 29, 2007 - 14:17 ET by LeonMatthew,
You guys are really trying hard to figure out a way to attack this guy so you don't have to acknowledge the reality that Republicans booed a veteran. Ugh.
Kerr is not an activist. Your post is patently false based solely on right wing bloggers from this morning, whose claims have already been debunked:
1) Kerr does not work for Hillary's campaign nor has he ever worked for Hillary's campaign
2) Kerr is a registered independent
3) Kerr has donated ZERO dollars to Hillary's campaign
4) Kerr has not participated at all with the LGBT steering committee, his name is merely listed on the roster
LINK
You almost had something. But he's not an activist or on Hillary's campaign and he hasn't donated any money.
He asked the question of his own volition. He's an openly gay soldier, of course he's going to ask about don't ask don't tell.
Trying to create a controversy out of nothing and as usual you jumped the gun without any facts. The right wing blogosphere was caught with their pants down on this one. Thanks Raw Story!
Anderson Cooper was the one
November 29, 2007 - 14:29 ET by Matthew BalanAnderson Cooper was the one who used the term!! Re-read my post from last night. He is part of an activist organization. YOU are in denial!
Leon - your bias is showing
November 29, 2007 - 14:42 ET by sguild2Leon - your bias is showing again. If your head is so far up your a$$ that you can't see that Kerr is an obvious plant that CNN was well aware of, then you are completely hopeless. Besides, if Kerr doesn't like the policy, then perhaps he should confront the Clintons who instituted the current policy used by the military.
Leonitsky.....get real
November 29, 2007 - 14:53 ET by JayTeeKerr does NOT work for Hillary, but he IS on a Steering committee....as for your "Kerr has donated ZERO dollars to Hillary's campaign" comment ... nobody knows the trace on Hillary's $$$'s coming in, let alone "Leon knowing" for sure who has given $$$'s to Hillary's campaign war chest.
Certainly CNN gave him $$$'s for his plane ticket/hotel from California just to give him a Microphone to ask his question.
Go kick Sand in someone else's face, or the Bullies on NB are going to bury you in the Sand up to your chin.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Jaytee, Donations are
November 29, 2007 - 17:39 ET by LeonJaytee,
Donations are public information.
Run a search for Kerr at Open Secrets (campaign finance database) and you'll find this:
LINK
You know what that blank screen means? ZERO donations
Nice try though.
The Homosexual Propagandist Continues
November 29, 2007 - 15:47 ET by PopularTechLeon, seriously, it is really said that you are here shilling for the homosexual agenda by trying to use gay Anderson Cooper's hillary plant as military propaganda against conservatives.
Deal with reality, conservatives will NEVER support homosexuals openly in the military.
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
I don't think you understand.
November 29, 2007 - 17:34 ET by ArcherBLet me fix that for ya:
Better? Frankly, civilian conservatives don't care who soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors are attracted to. Why should they? It's the servicemembers themselves that have an issue with it. As a former servicemember myself (USArmy, 19-K), I can understand it. We sleep in close quarters, shower in open showers, change in front of whoever is around, bathe out in the open (when in the field) and do all kinds of things that would be considered "homo-erotic" in any other setting (three man pushup, various evacuation techniques, combat lifesaver training and cold weather training are just a few examples). It makes things that are uncomfortable a bit more bearable if you know that they are uncomfotable for everyone.
It's not an anti-gay thing. When I was in the field I didn't want women anywhere near us either. We had to pee, poop, change and bathe in front of God and everyone. As bad as it was, it would be that much worse thinking that someone might be watching with less that honorable thoughts. I had more important things to worry about. I would not want to field-dress a simulated "shrapnel-in-the -buttox" wound and have my casualty pop an erection.
So don't say it's conservatives that don't want open gays in the military. Don't buy into Leon's BS that conservatives don't support gay soldiers. Leon has no idea as to what he is talking about. It's the same set of lies that liberals say about conservatives over and over knowing that they will eventually stick. It's the same crap they do with "Tax cuts for the rich", "Failed policy in Iraq", and "Conservatives hate gays/women/minorites/poor people/immigrants".
Conservatives have taken the no open gays in the miliatry position BECAUSE it is what the TROOPS want and they are supporting the troops.
If you hamper the war effort of one side, you automatically help out that of the other. --George Orwell
Leon
November 29, 2007 - 17:52 ET by MrShyBeing gay -- meaning, a person being gay (I'm not gay :p) -- by the very nature of what being gay IS, sexually, presents unavoidable complications with regard to coexistance in close proximity with other men over a long period of time.
In combate and in barracks there are enough pressures, I'm sure, to not have them compounding with the distraction of having men who are attracted to men.
Why can't gays accept that certain fields -- and really, besides serving in the military, I can't think of any others -- are just not logistically (maybe that's not the right word) suitable for them? Simple.
And CNN is just vile. This is an issue that involves maybe a miniscule number of agreived, or just frustrated, people -- vs. all the issues that affect millions -- and not only do they plant it in a debate (yes, they planted it) they plant it in a GOP debate where they KNOW they'll spark negative reactions. And now it's overwhelmed the post-debate discussions.
Good going, CNN.... they have to be taken down. I'm serious.
"MY end justifies THAT mean." - Shakespeare (not really)
Well
November 29, 2007 - 18:00 ET by well99"I would not want to field-dress a simulated "shrapnel-in-the -buttox" wound and have my casualty pop an erection."
That pretty well sums it up.They let CDATS on this site?Scary.
"Republicans booed a
November 29, 2007 - 15:51 ET by fossten"Republicans booed a veteran. Ugh"
1. How do you know for a fact that those booing were Republicans? You do not.
2. How do you know that they weren't booing him because he wouldn't shut his cakehole? That's why I was booing - errrrrrr - muted the TV so I didn't have to hear his drivel.
3. Do you not make any allowances for the fact that this "veteran" was a reservist who broke the UCMJ rules about his sexual conduct and did not reveal his preference until AFTER he retired? That man has no honor and did not deserve to be treated with respect in the first place.
Dammit I wish I had an *OWNED* smilie right now.
Forget 911, I dial 10MM.
Caught
November 29, 2007 - 14:29 ET by allanfCooper had the same trembling in his voice that a crook caught in the act has.
I do not believe him for a moment. These people are disgraces.
allan... I couldn't agree
November 29, 2007 - 14:36 ET by bigtimerallan...
I couldn't agree more.
Cooper was caught....period! Deer in the headlights!
...anyone who thinks he didn't know anything about this guy has to be brand new to the world of politics and CNN.
CNN's conduct was exactly
November 29, 2007 - 15:03 ET by buddycCNN's conduct was exactly what one would expect from a second rate organization. They put themselves in the wonderful position of being either liars or idiots. CNN has become a national tragedy.
FACT = Anderson Cooper is Gay
November 29, 2007 - 15:36 ET by PopularTechJust incase anyone is not aware Anderson Cooper is Gay, oh no not openly, you can simply make up your own minds:
‘Out’ Ranks the Top 50 Gays; Anderson Is No. 2
The Power 50 The Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America
Anderson Cooper's Gay Timeline
Andreson Cooper Interview:
"There has been a lot of chatter on the Internet about the fact that Cooper may or may not be gay, and Village Voice columnist Michael Musto has taken pleasure in quoting the gay magazine Metrosource, which has referred to Cooper as “the openly gay news anchor.” It has been assumed in certain circles in New York partly because he lives what looks to some to be a gay social life. He’s often seen at parties with Barry Diller, and he’s friends with the lead singer from the outré gay rock band the Scissor Sisters. And then there was the tempest in a teapot regarding a slightly heated interview last fall with Jerry Falwell about gay marriage. Some Cooper-obsessed bloggers insist that the anchor outed himself on the air, taking the gay side of the debate and saying, “We pay taxes.” They claim CNN originally posted a transcript with the “we” and then later changed it to “You pay taxes.” Cooper has maintained all along that he said “you.”
When I bring up the sexuality issue with Cooper, he says, “You know, I understand why people might be interested. But I just don’t talk about my personal life. It’s a decision I made a long time ago, before I ever even knew anyone would be interested in my personal life. The whole thing about being a reporter is that you’re supposed to be an observer and to be able to adapt with any group you’re in, and I don’t want to do anything that threatens that.”
Any straight man would answer the question "NO I AM NOT GAY." Case closed.
Looks like Anderson Cooper's Homosexual agenda has been exposed.
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
If the media were accusing
November 29, 2007 - 15:43 ET by MightyMouthIf the media were accusing me of being gay, and I wasn't... I'd be buying billboard space in every major market saying:
+++++++++++++++++++++++
MightyMouth is NOT GAY!
--mightymouth.
++++++++++++++++++++++
Sheesh, has anyone asked him?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
CNN is not capable of investigative reporting.
November 29, 2007 - 15:45 ET by Gary HallCNN is not capable of investigative reporting. How can they be, if this is going on?
And there were 4 or so others identified last night as activists, etc. Did CNN not know about these? In the Democrat debate in Las Vegas a few weeks back, as noted on NB, another 6 or so "unidentified voters" were easily discovered by the blogsphere.
Anderson Cooper was quite clear that he understands that CNN has an ethical responsibility to perform their due diligence here. These national debates are planned for months in advance. There is someone, or a team, assigned to the process, and I bet someone who oversees the process. All it would have taken is 5 minutes for a CNN researcher to uncover the true identity of these individuals.
Cooper was aware that the retired general was an activist? Well, CNN failed the public right there; they should have identified him as an activist. Did not we just have David Schuster on MSNBC, attacking Bob Novak for not identifying his sources.
Schusters' view is that Novak has to reveal his source -- can't get away with "agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word.." -- they [agents] must be identified..Of course Schuster went on to say: "If Bob, Robert Novak has any integrity as a journalist -- which a lot of people would suggest he doesn't .." Schuster didn't identify the "a lot of people," either, did he? Hypocrite.
If Anderson Cooper and CNN know that this guy is an activist - then they should identify him as an activist. CNN should also dig deeper - full disclosure is the ethical path. My goodness, when the source is a conservative source, or "right-leaning" group, this very same media is very quick to identify them as such.
On one hand, this leaves one wondering how any of us could trust any news that is delivered by CNN, if they are so inept.
On the other hand, what is more concerning is that CNN has been deeply involved in this unethical process of lying to the American people - and that indeed, the entire process was agenda driven from the start. It this is being done under the radar (but remember - Obama knew the culinary worker) then CNN must conduct a full internal investigation, and heads should fly. An apology is in order to the entire country. If this is within the management - then it's time for a Senate investigation into the matter.
Perhaps it's time for a real Fairness Act.
Out and out blatant lying!!
November 29, 2007 - 16:07 ET by c5thenCNN and Anderson Cooper HAD to know who those activists were and what campaign they were associated with. To say that they didn't is saying that the entire CNN organization is simply inept and grossly negligent in their jobs. They are after all supposed to be a news organization that investigates things.
IMO CNN and Cooper were willing participants in a fraud on the American voter and have prooven that they were actively trying to steer the questions to influence the outcome for the purposes of influencing an election.
In a "perfect world" where the FEC and the FCC were paying attention, CNN would lose it's license and credentials because either:
A) they are guilty of fraud commited to influence an election.
B) they are completely irresponsible and incompetent at news gathering/reporting.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Fred08.com
The questioners were
November 29, 2007 - 16:25 ET by nythatesusaThe questioners were undecided - as to whether to vote for Clinton, Obama, Edwards, or maybe even Kucinich.
How many people do you know who wear those thick-framed black glasses and vote Republican? It is part of the uniform of the Hipster Left..
Pop Quiz
November 29, 2007 - 17:17 ET by candanceDuring a televised Democrat debate on Fox News, a pro-war veteran is shown on video asking Barack Obama why he wants to cut funding on a war he supposedly hopes we win.
Obama gives an answer as best he can.
Suddenly the man appears in the audience - with his own microphone - catching Obama off guard and insisting that Obama's answer is unacceptable. Obama struggles to get a word in edgewise as the veteran filibusters.
The moderator cuts his mic and forces him to sit down when the audience boos out of boredom. Half an hour later, the Daily Kos reveals the veteran works on a committee under Rudy Giuliani and produces video he had spoken on Fox News before. Fox denies any of knowledge.
What do liberals say about it?
Do they revert to Hillary's whine about being ganged up on, that Russert pulled a gotcha? Do they say it was an effort to Swift Boat Obama? Or they tell Obama to suck it up because that's what politics is all about?
card holding member of the vast right-wing conspiracy
I, for one, feel that CNN
November 29, 2007 - 18:05 ET by danboI, for one, feel that CNN interferred with my ability to evaluate the candidates.
There were way too many questions which obviously came from democrats.
Democrats are welcome to ask questions. Though I notice democrats run away from questions by republicans. (Heck Hillary can't handle un approved questions from democrats without becoming unglued.) But I would like to hear a few sane questions.
The gentlemen did well with the farce.
"There is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition."
- Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. Professor of Meteorology, MIT
CNN is lying like a rug
November 29, 2007 - 18:12 ET by garykrasnerLook, these are supposed to be questions from registered Republicans. All CNN had to do was issue a questionaire to the applicants who had questions for the candidates, making them answer whether or not they were Republicans. Perhaps a few more questions to acertain their other political affiliations or political bias.
If applicants lied about it, and got through the screening process, then at least CNN would have a minimal fig leaf to fend off accusations of pro Dem bias.
This is not rocket science. It is also not rocket science for the Republican National Committee to have issued an open letter to CNN demanding to know whether or not CNN had employed that screening method, or any screening method, and explain their screening method.
When this is done, maybe we can then discover who allowed these planted questioners into the debate.
Gary Krasner
CNN Ratings
November 29, 2007 - 19:34 ET by River CityThis debate debacle is the perfect example as to why no one watches their network. The ratings blip they get from us watching their lame debate is our shame. I will not watch another debate on CNN. I will wait for the reviews from NewsBusters and others. The advertisers will need to look for other sources of revenue.
"We are going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." Hillary Clinton, 6-28-04 San Francisco