CNN’s Newsroom on Thursday ran a glowing documentary-style report about a pro-ObamaCare rally on Capitol Hill that was organized by a coalition of left-wing organizations. Anchor Heidi Collins introduced the report without referencing any of the organizers, which included ACORN, MoveOn.org and SEIU. The report also featured a former Obama campaign operative who pushed for the president’s plan.
The report, filed by CNN photojournalist Jeremy Moorhead, first ran 19 minutes into the 10 am Eastern hour of Newsroom, and ran again two hours later during the noontime hour. Collins introduced Moorhead’s report and described the apparent steadfastness of the left-wing activists, without referencing their ideology: “Despite the summer heat, thousands of activists have turned out on Capitol Hill to rally for health care reform. In today’s ‘Health Care in Focus,’ photojournalist Jeremy Moorhead gives us an inside look at the work and determination of volunteers hoping to make a difference.”
The photojournalist featured one of the young “volunteers” for the “Health Care for America Now” rally, which was held in Upper Senate Park near the U.S. Capitol. One of the cheesy music numbers run over the PA by the organizers, which was set to the music of “We Will Rock You” by the rock group Queen, played throughout the report. Instead of the famous repetitive chorus, the words were changed to the slogan, “We want, we want health care!”
Besides the young “volunteer,” Moorhead’s report featured David Hopkins of the Grassroots4Change organization (their website features a picture of Hopkins shaking hands with Vice President Biden and a video of President Obama). During the 2008 presidential campaign, Hopkins was the county co-chair for Burlington [New Jersey] for Obama, according to the former Barack Obama campaign website, which is now organized under the Organizing for America name. The Grassroots4Change organization itself even has a page on the former campaign website. The report also featured a sound bite of Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski’s speech before the rally, where she proclaimed that the activists needed to “work together to pass universal health care. There is no option but a public option.”
These Democratic Party operatives got a glowing unpaid advertisement from CNN in the form of Moorhead’s report, but at the same time, some of the network’s talking heads, such as political analyst Gloria Borger, have also been quick to point out that conservative organizations have been helping organize the opposition to ObamaCare. On Wednesday’s Situation Room, Borger remarked that “some of them are real and some of them are manufactured,” meaning the angry protests at recent town hall events by several congressmen. She continued that “you have conservative groups out there...who are against health care reform. They’ve learned that it's very easy to organize groups via the Internet, and they’ve told people to go to places and to disrupt meetings.” When is CNN going to do state the same about the proponents of ObamaCare, such as the organizers of the Capitol Hill rally?
The full transcript of the report from Thursday’s Newsroom program:
HEIDI COLLINS: Despite the summer heat, thousands of activists have turned out on Capitol Hill to rally for health care reform. In today’s ‘Health Care in Focus,’ photojournalist Jeremy Moorhead gives us an inside look at the work and determination of volunteers hoping to make a difference.
(CNN Graphic: “Rallying for Health Care Reform”)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE ANNOUNCER: Here we are for ‘Health Care for America.’
JULIE (no last name given): This is a huge undertaking. Right now, we are in Upper Senate Park in front of [points to the U.S. Capitol]- I’m the marshals’ captain- my name is Julie, and we’re going to be positioning you folks throughout this Upper Senate Park. It’s going to be a great rally.
MUSIC OVER PA (to Queen’s “We Will Rock You”): We want, we want health care!
JULIE: We’ve got many, many groups who are volunteering their folks. The main responsibility will be to keep the sidewalks clear. Why am I doing this? Because I support health care for all. I think health care is a right, and I think that this is a pivotal time in our history to make sure that we guarantee that. We’ve got almost 65 buses that are coming in the next two to three hours. I think that people [are] coming as far as Hawaii.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE 1: Three bus loads from West Virginia.
JULIE: Some of them will be going to town halls to meet with senators. There’s going to be a lot of people.
MUSIC OVER PA (to Queen’s “We Will Rock You”): Come senators and congresspeople ‘round this land. It’s time to listen to the voters’ demands.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE 1: Health care now!
MUSIC OVER PA (to Queen’s “We Will Rock You”): Singing! We want, we want health care!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE 1: You are- there’s more of you than we expected, which is what a movement’s about.
DAVID HOPKINS, GRASSROOTS4CHANGE: When you go to Europe, you get health care from cradle to grave, and here in America, the richest country in the world- and you got millions of people who don’t have health care. If they lose their job, they lose their health care. If they get divorced, they lose their health care. It’s basic stuff- why can’t we have health care?
SENATOR BARBARA MIKULSKI: We need to work together to pass universal health care. There is no option but a public option.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE ANNOUNCER: Thank you. Thank you.
—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
They have to tamp down those
August 6, 2009 - 13:55 ET by d1carterThey have to tamp down those pesky right wing mobs....
Do they get any worse than
August 6, 2009 - 13:56 ET by buddycDo they get any worse than ACORN, MOVEBACK.ORG and SEIU?
Good-ole' David Hopkins is
August 6, 2009 - 14:34 ET by kgGood-ole' David Hopkins is head of Grassroots4Change and their site says "As Obama’s staunchest supporters.." and shows a picture of him shaking Biden's hand and joins NJ Citizen Action Education Fund to promote Democratic candidates. Just follow each group affiliates to how widespread these professional activists groups are.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
These are NOT insurance companies therefore they are
August 6, 2009 - 13:58 ET by JTPtruly grass roots. No problem. Carry on.
"which included ACORN, MoveOn.org and SEIU"
"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
Am I missing something here?
August 6, 2009 - 14:01 ET by karelingSENATOR BARBARA MIKULSKI: We need to work together to pass universal health care. There is no option but a public option.
Then it's not an option, is it?
Hey, nice that they carry
August 6, 2009 - 14:05 ET by motherbeltHey, nice that they carry signs that say Grassroots for change!
I'm surprised they don't have signs saying We aren't organized and We are not astro-turf!
I'm sure this was all just spontaneous and coincidental.......didn't have anything to do with a plea from none other than The First One Himself.
Nice signs...
August 6, 2009 - 20:40 ET by Sergeant ROCKlol.. that's what I was thinking too.
Nice to see union dues going to good use though!
"I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
George Mason
grass roots?
August 6, 2009 - 14:05 ET by katainkenttruly we live in bizarro world.
___________________________________________
"The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" - HR 3200 (Health Care Bill) Pg. 203. Ln 14 & 15
Did they just "happen" to make identical signs?
August 6, 2009 - 14:16 ET by motherbeltAnd I can't get the CNN video to load, but just looking at the photo here on NB, I can see that those signs they are all carrying look pretty professional and mass-produced, unlike the home-made signs carried by these anti-Obamacare protesters.
So which bunch appears to be astro-turfed and organized?
Grassroots, my foot!
and they're all dressed the same too
August 6, 2009 - 14:21 ET by katainkentsolving that nasty "too nicely dressed" problem too.
I think I shall have a t-shirt made for the next tea party made. It shall say "My union crafted t-shirt was in the wash"
___________________________________________
"The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" - HR 3200 (Health Care Bill) Pg. 203. Ln 14 & 15
mb... The astro-turfers
August 6, 2009 - 14:23 ET by bigtimermb...
The astro-turfers couldn't have an original thought if they were paid to.
...at least we know they are paid to be there with equipment provided by employer.
The left is sooo tricky!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Their roots are showing and
August 6, 2009 - 14:12 ET by Chris NormanTheir roots are showing and they ain't grass.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
LOL Chris... You got that
August 6, 2009 - 14:25 ET by bigtimerLOL Chris...
You got that right!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Time to mow the grass
August 6, 2009 - 18:14 ET by general companyThese jerks think that if they keep telling us that the Town-halls are manufactured we'll believe them. When in fact the more folks learn about this bill the more outrage they have. These folks supporting the bill simply havent read it, or believe the morons jerking their chain
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
DAVID HOPKINS,
August 6, 2009 - 14:21 ET by motherbeltDAVID HOPKINS, GRASSROOTS4CHANGE: When you go to Europe, you get health
care from cradle to grave, and here in America, the richest country in
the world- and you got millions of people who don’t have health care.
If they lose their job, they lose their health care.
David, NO ONE in the US is denied health care! Not even illegal immigrants! Get that through your thick head!!
But I guess you prefer to be guaranteed free health care by the government....even if it means that care is 6 months down the road....
mb... ...and to top this
August 6, 2009 - 14:30 ET by bigtimermb...
...and to top this off, it won't even take affect until 2013...I think many of these people really think after something passes like this everything is free automatically, like the lady who believed she wouldn't have to pay for gas, car payments her house payments etc etc...
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
A time delayed megaton deficit bomb
August 6, 2009 - 17:33 ET by needle"...and to top this off, it won't even take affect until 2013"
A time delayed megaton deficit bomb timed to go off after the 2012 election.
Obama cynicism at its worst.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler to manage your portfolio.
Astro turf
August 6, 2009 - 14:26 ET by teeaa01Well I hope all of you Brooks Bros wearing, right wing radical, insurance company organized mobs take notes. Now this is a TRUE grassroots rally. You can tell by the Union banners and mass produced cookie cutter signs. And EVERY single ONE is FOR Obamacare. Just gets that tingle running up your leg doesn't it!
"There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for you" Robert A. Heinlein
Get even
August 6, 2009 - 14:37 ET by sara123Okay. Obama and the far Left havce "orgainized" however, they only represent 21 % of the population . They even have a white house informant program. It is time to get even.
First we need to identify the informants at Obama's "fishy" informant web site by getting the reports through the freedom of information act. Then we need to identify the snitchers and notify thier neighbors and their employers that they are fascists snitiching on other americans to the white house.
We need to start a web site researching and exposing all the left wiing a##holes in the media and in "community organizing" and we need to advertise who they are and what they are doing against freedom in suport of their socialist dear leader.
LOL
August 6, 2009 - 14:28 ET by 10ksnookerThe state run media takes up the propaganda task. Got to feed their brain dead audience, before it dies.
Weird how journalists have sold their souls to the Joker.
They aren't journalists.
August 6, 2009 - 15:14 ET by mattmThey aren't journalists.
I was wondering why I was
August 6, 2009 - 14:34 ET by MilfordHavenI was wondering why I was not seeing ANY Americans taking to the streets demanding free Healthcare, especially when Obama was whining about how much of a "crisis" it was. Hmmm....50 million people uninsured and not 1 of them had been spotted protesting for healthcare until now. Well, now we can obviously see just how fake the whole thing was to begin with. I can almost guarantee that all of the people at this rally already have health insurance.
I guess
August 6, 2009 - 14:37 ET by sam12663its ok for left wing groups to MOBilize, and voice their support, yet when conservative people gather to voice concern and question, we're a MOB. CNN sold it's soul long ago, and they see it every day in the ratings. If a story happens on CNN, does it make noise?
President Obama is nothing more than a lying empty suit; a Hollywood style special effects smoke and mirrors show that has shown itself to be a total fraud.
WAKE UP AMERICA! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION!
Where are the matching T-Shirts for the 'Right Wing Protesters'?
August 6, 2009 - 14:59 ET by bpjamWhen the left protests, they have signs pre-printed, matching t-shirts and pre-memorized chants. They typically arrive in buses and they are not residents of the Congressional District which the 'protest' or event is being organized.
But somehow people who are constituents of a Congressman/Critter who show up at a publicly promoted event for a Member of Congress to supposedly meet his own constituents is a 'protest' or beset by an 'angry mob'. W T F ? (excuse my French, or Arabic, depending upon which language you curse in)
The term 'Astroturf' has been credited in some cases as having been invented BY David Alexrod. I don't know if this is true but I've heard this referenced two to three years ago - far before this current brew-haha sprung up. Alexrod is a marketing firm specializing in 'community relations' which is a code word for 'pay us or we will show up and picket your company'. Alexrod helped Michelle Obama push the poor black people in So. Chicago get pushed to the Emergency Rooms of other hospitals so they wouldn't have to take on all those 'uninsured patients' (as we call them now. The prior term was 'poor people' or 'illegals').
And when we turn the Saul Alinsky Rules For Radicals against them, they just totally freak out and start screaming hysterically and claiming that we are Nazis!!!! What a bunch of a pansies!!??! Love to deliver the hit but can't take even the lightest brushback from their opponents without claims official victimhood status (Paging: Skip Gates III (try Marthas Vineyards or the Hamptons)).
If Members of Congress can't answer questions by their own constituents who have read more of HR3200 than they have, then these Members have a whole lot to answer for and deserve whatever shame, embarrassment and humiliation they get. While nobody anywhere is advocating violence or physical harassment (which the unions organizers are Congressionally exempt from criminal prosecution for - not joking here), there is nothing wrong with shouting down an idiot who is trying to lie to you about something they know less about than you do and you aren't getting paid $173,274 a year (plus LOTS of other perks) to be reading, reviewing, considering and voting on.
If you can't take the heat, well...... try becoming a lobbyist. Or a florist. Nobody ever yells at them because they never try to take away the freedom of their neighbors. (and the smell nice...)
Once again CNN props up
August 6, 2009 - 14:43 ET by HockeyKidOnce again CNN props up President Styrofoam.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Difference
August 6, 2009 - 16:35 ET by Jerry MackI can no longer tell the difference between Cnn and Msnbc.
But, "CNN Is the Only 'Responsible' News Organization"
August 6, 2009 - 15:00 ET by BW222That's what Campbell Brown said. Would Campbell lie?
How can a woman who is as pretty as Campbell Brown have such an awful voice. Listening to her talk is like listening to fingernails on a chalkboard.
BW222
Check out the Union Label printed signs
August 6, 2009 - 15:03 ET by DelsaYou can tell how this group was not bussed in or group organized@whitehouse.gov or anything (fake link )
And they were also too well dressed!
Gag me!
Good catch, Dels
August 6, 2009 - 15:15 ET by BlondeI wonder if these union protesters would be so enthusiastic if they understood that they may lose their employer based union-mandated gold clad coverage under Obamacare?
I hope he fails, too.
Bizzaro world indeed
August 6, 2009 - 15:17 ET by acumenDAVID HOPKINS, GRASSROOTS4CHANGE: When you go to Europe, you get health care from cradle to grave, and here in America, the richest country in the world- and you got millions of people who don’t have health care.
Cradle to grave? That is if you are one of the fortunate ones in Europe allowed by the David Hopkins of the world to make it to the cradle. Wonder why David isn't, at the least, equally concerned about the defenseless hundreds of millions that are denied any care at all from womb to birth?
No, people like David Hopkins support the Dem "healthcare" bill that ensures that those voiceless millions in the US, like their aborted counterparts in Europe, remain forever silenced.....all on the taxpayers dime. Yeah David, tell us again how passionate you are about health and care FOR ALL.
Reform supporters - organized mob? "Dont' tax health care?"
August 6, 2009 - 15:19 ET by Gary HallAt the beginning of the clip, I see folks carrying "do not tax health care" signs? They look like part of this organized mob. Where is the outrage from CNN? Those "well dressed" folks and signs could have just as easily been at a tea party, or at a town hall meeting, and in that case, they would automatically be labeled by the MSM as an angry racist faction of a well organized mob.
(;~/ gary
Nothing says grassroots like a satellite feed for CNN
August 6, 2009 - 15:28 ET by AtTheWaterCoolerI've linked to your post from the above title in Obama News Network of Jeremiah Films site, with a quotation.
Re ACORN
August 6, 2009 - 15:30 ET by slickwillie2001Which reminds me, the state of Louisiana has opened an investigation into ACORN; not an investigation into any one incident, but a general investigation. They are somewhat-legally based in Louisiana.
They had better move quick or by the time they get to the office on Elysian Fields Avenue in New Orleans, they'll have closed up and disappeared like the casino in 'The Sting'.
ACORN Watch - Louisiana Investigates: http://michellemalkin.com
Today CNN also ran a Glowing Report about Cuba's Healthcare
August 6, 2009 - 15:46 ET by Rush FanHere are some excerpts from CNN Newsroom:
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR:You know, we're hearing a lot about socialism in the debate over health care reform. We're going to look at real socialized medicine Cuban style right here in the NEWSROOM.....
LEMON: Cuba is -- as a model for health care reform? Well, we'll see. It is a poor country. But it can boast about health care. A system that leads the way in Latin America. So, what are they doing right? CNN's Morgan Neill takes a look at the good, the bad of Cuba's health care system.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there a doctor here in Cuba?
MORGAN NEILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Michael Moore's film "Sicko" came out in 2007, the debate it sparked put Cuba's health care system under the microscope. Cuba's supporters gleefully pointed out that the poor communist island gave its people universal health care, something the United States doesn't do. Critics charge that conditions in Cuban hospitals are appalling. And that Cubans had to pay bribes to get decent care.
NEILL: How does health care work in Cuba? It's not an easy question to answer, but there are some impressive statistics. According to the World Health Organization, Cuba's life expectancy is 78 years. The same as Chile and Costa Rica and the highest in Latin America. And its infant mortality rates are the lowest in the hemisphere, in line with those of Canada.
-------------------------------------------
Let's face it folks. If CNN, "The Most Trusted Name in News" states that we will live longer if we implement Cuba and Obama's heathcare plan, than let's do it!
"DAVID HOPKINS,
August 6, 2009 - 16:34 ET by ckc1227"DAVID HOPKINS, GRASSROOTS4CHANGE: When you go to Europe, you get
health care from cradle to grave, and here in America, the richest
country in the world- and you got millions of people who don’t have
health care."
I guess the irony flew right over this clown's head. We are the richest country in the world specifically because we don't have government giving people things from the cradle to the grave.
By the way, it's the people in the country that are rich, not the country itself. Some of them choose not to buy health insurance. That's not a tragedy, or an injustice....it's called freedom.....something else I'm sure he has a problem with.
ckc and if I wanted free
August 6, 2009 - 16:39 ET by Radical1979ckc and if I wanted free health care from cradle to grave I could move to Europe. But I don't Love your comment saying the country isn't rich, the people are. But they're trying to put a stop to that.
"ckc and if I wanted free
August 6, 2009 - 17:29 ET by ckc1227"ckc and if I wanted free health care from cradle to grave I could move to Europe."
Bingo. I was just about to add this to my post, but couldn't because of your reply.
What don't these fools get? America isn't Europe. That's kinda how we got America to begin with.
Printed Professional Signs?
August 6, 2009 - 16:58 ET by BW222Don't you understand: printed professional signs are the sign of a "grass roots" movement. Home made signs are the signs of an "orchestrated movement."
ABC's Charles Gibson will explain it to you as soon as he figures out what the "Bush Doctrine" is/was.
BW222
Mob agitators
August 6, 2009 - 17:05 ET by garcutFor a great take on this check out this link!
http://iowahawk.type...
Will Obama have a 'Cash for Human Clunkers' plan?
August 6, 2009 - 17:48 ET by Retired GeekWill there be a Government sponsored agency named 'Planned GrandParentHood'?
Does Barack Obama believe that seniors steal billions of dollars out the federal budget each year just by staying alive?
When you turn that 'Pesky Old Grand Parent' in to eliminate all of the worry and bother they cause, will you 'Receive Cash' and a 'Free Abortion' coupon from Planned Parenthood to eliminate all of the worry and bother that 'Baby Mistake' might cause?
How will 'Planned GrandParentHood' decide the Cash trade in for a 'Human Clunker'?
60 to 69 $3500 and 'Free Abortion Coupon'.
70 to 79 $4500 and 'Two Free Abortion Coupons'.
80 to 89 $5500 and 'Three Free Abortion Coupons'.
90 to 99 $6500 and 'Four Free Free Abortion Coupons'.
100 and above $10,000 and 'Free Abortion Coupons for life'.
This is why ObamaCare is so important, these 'Useless Eaters' are the reason why the ObamaStimulus has lost over 2.5 million jobs instead of creating 3.0 million jobs as Barack Obama promised.
Turn in your 'Old Human Clunker Today'!
August 6, 2009 - 17:52 ET by jessieHI can't believe that ACORN, SEIU and MOVEON.org forgot their T-shirts. Looks like the liberals are drawing the line in the sand. That's ok, the people will cross that line. And when we do, all hell will break loose. Liberals don't realize that the grassroots people of this nation have been pushed too far. If they want a fight, they picked a good one! Don't they know, the people (including me & mine) own guns & know how to use them. Now, I don't condone using violence, but we never back down from a fight, when we know we are right! Like my favorite song says: "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything"!!!!!!!!!!!! Angry Mob!
Wonder who paid these folks?
August 6, 2009 - 18:37 ET by general companyThe aarp might need some cash soon, well that is if these folks arnt members
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
come on lefties
August 6, 2009 - 19:12 ET by candanceCome explain how this is not astroturf...
We're waiting......
Grass Roots (D):
August 6, 2009 - 20:22 ET by JerryGrass Roots (D): AKorn, Code Stink, AmeriKorps, Peope for the Amerikan Way, MoveOn.org, NAMBLA, UAW, PETA, NEA...
Q: How do you know that these "Grass Root" (D) rallys are organized?
A: Because without it, all the (D)'s have is Ass Rot.
Grass Root (D) - Org = Ass Rot (D)
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
tired of liberal lies
August 7, 2009 - 00:55 ET by stunnedtired of liberal lies
Jornalism is dead in America. Cnn is such a joke, a joke with poor ratings.