No, it’s not what you might think. We know that CNN’s Roland Martin "dances" to a liberal tune, but the cameras caught him grooving to the music at the Democratic convention, along with CNN frequent contributors (and Democratic strategists) Paul Begala and Donna Brazille, as featured in a report by correspondent Jeanne Moos on Tuesday’s The Situation Room (video at right).
The CNN camera crews caught these lighter moments involving the trio. Martin sang along to the house band’s rendition of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s hit "September," while Begala and Brazile coupled-up and danced together to a slower tune. Not to be upstaged apparently, Martin stopped a passer-by and danced with her. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that they like to let loose when they’re not attacking conservatives and Republicans.
The short report, which began 47 minutes into the 6 pm Eastern hour of the CNN program, was one of Moos’ "unconventional moment" reports, which are typically lighter fare than usual on CNN.
The full transcript of Moos’ report from Tuesday’s The Situation Room:
WOLF BLITZER: The minutes are ticking down to tonight's most anticipated speeches, and you can't help but notice all the music that's been playing here at the Democratic Convention. They like to party here, these Democrats, and our Jeanne Moos couldn't help but notice all the dancing that music inspires. Watch this.
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We expect Democratic delegates to dance. But when there are pundits let loose...
ROLAND MARTIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Oh! (Marin sings) Do you remember...
MOOS: ... It can only mean Earth, Wind and Fire has swept the convention center. CNN's Roland Martin wasn't just snapping.
MARTIN (singing): Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah-de-ah.
MOOS: He was doing some fancy clapping. While political analysts Paul Begala and Donna Brazile were supplying their own moves to analyze. (video of Begala and Brazile dancing) So special that Roland combined finger jabs with Blackberrying, grabbed a passerby...
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Are we getting this on tape?
MOOS: ...and made a lot of points that weren't political. With an unconventional moment, I'm Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Every time I hear Roland
August 27, 2008 - 00:27 ET by FairlightEvery time I hear Roland Martin talk, I always feel like he is trying to sell me a used car or something. Something about him just screams 'I can't be trusted.' He is probably the most sleaziest journalist CNN employs, right next to that CNN reporter that was masturbating in Central Park in bondage, on ecstacy.
Fl...Yeah, but come
August 27, 2008 - 00:33 ET by bigtimerFl...
Yeah, but come on...every time the opportunity comes up he will remind all opponents on show, let alone viewers watching that he is married to a Reverend.
That's got to count as something...at least in his mind.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Fairlight, are you that stupid?
August 27, 2008 - 07:00 ET by RolandSMartinYou can't even offer a substantive analysis to lay out your argument. So, as most nuts do, you try to assail someone's character in order to make your weak point.
Please, find an argument and make it. Tossing out names is so fifth grade.
Roland
August 27, 2008 - 07:12 ET by Cool ArrowI may disagree with your political views but dancing really ain't no big thing.
Party on, dude!
I ♣ my seal
Hold on Roland
August 27, 2008 - 09:15 ET by Matthew BalanWait a minute, Roland, you can't have it both ways. You've dropped the terms "stupid," "dumb," and "nuts," on here. Isn't that assailing someone's character, despite their ad hominem attacks?
Lame Stream Media Losers....
August 27, 2008 - 01:20 ET by ScrapironThe Lame Stream Media outlets have lost millions of viewers and subscribers who will never return, and millions of left wingers are watching the lies (they may cheer now) and will abandon the LSM after the election because they also know the LSM is not to be trusted to tell the truth about anything. Once the lies started to pile up they have to tell more lies to cover previous lies. A lot of reporters (sic) will be looking for a new line of work since no 'news' organization will hire them. As my mother always said "anyone who will lie to you will steal from you". I wouldn't hire anyone who ever worked for the LSM to operate a sewage pumper.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
It is refreshing to see
August 27, 2008 - 01:23 ET by ConservativeRexIt is refreshing to see the unbiased news being presented on our television. Wait......huh?...nevermind.
Communist News Network flys it's true colors. Move along...nothing to see here folks.
Dude, now you think music is red and blue?
August 27, 2008 - 07:05 ET by RolandSMartinSo I guess if I started playing Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, and Brooks & Dunn - yes, they are a part of the 4,000 songs on my iPod - would you be happy?
Some folks are just so dumb they can't even learn to enjoy the damn music.
And if the GOP is rocking the funk in St. Paul, I'll be getting my groove on there!
Trace Adkins
August 27, 2008 - 01:32 ET by Dr_LibertyI am so hoping that Trace Adkins will appear at the GOP Convention. Y'all should listen to his "Fightin' Words" on his last album (or as you young 'uns call "CD"). The last 30 seconds of that song are precious.
And while we're inviting celebrities, how about Chuck Norris kicking off the convention. (Actually, I think he's more needed on the streets of Denver now.)
<insert witty signature here>
Headline News...
August 27, 2008 - 03:28 ET by dodecahedron"Dems dance while Obama courts France"
"Pundits cut-a-rug. Obama cuts-and-runs."
"Talking heads raise roof while Obama raises taxes"
"Strategists paint the town red while Obama drives economy into the red"
Roland Martin wins the title of most obnoxious person on TV
August 27, 2008 - 06:30 ET by sms5217Roland Martin is also the most disingenous person on TV, and that is a harder title to win than any of Michael Phelps' medals.
Remember, he is the charlatan that butt-kissed Jeremiah Wright long after everyone and their dog abandoned the ol' Revs racist and sordid ideology. Remember the weird white shirt, a la African leisure shirt he wore to Wright's Sunday speech (the day before his meltdown in New York, and the day before Obama finally broke with him). It was campy, hokey, and simply the most disingenous feat this political season. His sidekick that night was Soledad O'Brien, who should know better.
He is simply CNN's house Jesse, their version of Sharpton, dressed up to sit and talk about politics in the most race-obsessed, pandering, sleazy way.
In a world full of Moulitsas, Olbermanns, and Rachel Maddows, Roland Martin somehow manages to out-sleaze them all with his absolutely shameless and vulgar and ill-informed comments on the most overrated place in news, CNN.
Trial lawyers are the scum of the earth
What music will the GOP play?
August 27, 2008 - 06:58 ET by RolandSMartinSo, Matthew, will the GOP bring the funk?
Yeah, Roland
August 27, 2008 - 07:17 ET by Cool ArrowBut can we start out with a tribute to Hillary?
I ♣ my seal
Funk?
August 27, 2008 - 09:21 ET by Matthew BalanI wouldn't know, Roland. I'm sure their either cater to their base in terms of music (country, Big Band, etc.) or they will live up to the stereotypes about them (or even both). I'm not a member of any political party, so that doesn't concern me too much. But I'm glad that you're having a good time in Denver. I hope you have a good time in St. Paul as well. Who knows, you may end up at a reception there hosted by Republicans and indulge in the free food and booze.
I don't drink, Matthew
August 28, 2008 - 01:59 ET by RolandSMartinSorry dude. You'll never see me partake in free booze. I've never had a drop in my life.
And yes, I'll have fun in St. Paul. My first convention? The GOP lovefest in Houston in 1992. Had a blast then, and had a blast at the GOP convention in Philadelphia in 2000, and with the Dems in LA that year.
It’s not the dancing, it's the singing
August 27, 2008 - 09:04 ET by needleIt’s not their dancing to the Dems’ music that bothers me; it's their singing the Dems’ songs that compromises their so-called objectivity.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Needle is delusional
August 28, 2008 - 01:57 ET by RolandSMartinSinging to the Democrats songs? Did they somehow copyright Earth, Wind & Fire's "September"? Are you saying that when a song comes on, a journalist can't sing it? You need some professional help.
I can bet you one thing, if the house band at the GOP convention plays "Deeper Than the Holler" by Randy Travis, I'll be singing it like it's karaoke night!
Hey Roland
August 28, 2008 - 02:02 ET by Cool ArrowFinally some fireworks at the Dem convention tonight.
Bill and Joe gave great speeches. Again they didn't sell me, but they were great speeches.
I ♣ my seal