Future attorneys are taught in law school to never ask a witness a question they don't already know the answer to. On Saturday, CNN's Don Lemon learned this lesson the hard way.
Well after President Obama finished his speech in Ghana, Lemon was speaking live to correspondent Nkepile Mabuse who was reporting on location.
When Lemon asked whether the warm reception Obama received upon his arrival Friday was unprecedented, Mabuse caught him quite off guard with her response.
Pay particular attention to Lemon's body language when Mabuse says, "It's not unprecedented. When President Bush was here, you will remember, in February, there were people who were drumming, there were dances, and President Bush joined some of them" (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript, h/t NBer Jon):
DON LEMON, ANCHOR CNN NEWSROOM: Nkepile, I was watching you yesterday on the "Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer when President Obama was arriving, and they were doing the dancing, and all of the people who were running up to him. For a western leader, I know when presidents come over there, they are usually warmly received. But for a western leader, have you ever seen anything like this? Is this unprecedented?
NKEPILE MABUSE, CORRESPONDENT: It's not unprecedented. When President Bush was here, you will remember, in February, there were people who were drumming, there were dances, and President Bush joined some of them. So, it's not unprecedented. This is a truly African welcome that is given to anybody whether they are from Africa or anywhere else in the world, Don.
LEMON: So, they welcome everyone. It doesn't matter. That's just part of how the people do it, right?
MABUSE: Indeed, Don.
Ouch. That's gonna leave a mark!
You get the feeling some producer didn't instruct Mabuse how to answer that question, or is this what can happen on live television over the weekend when things aren't as scripted?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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How funny!
July 11, 2009 - 19:56 ET by Jack Herman"Pay particular attention to Lemon's body language"
He did not like that response at all. She must not have gotten the memo that Obama is the chosen one.
Air Force One
July 11, 2009 - 20:48 ET by allanfThe History Channel runs a documentary on Air Force One which shows President Bush receiving a very warm welcome in Africa.
American journalists are living in a fantasy world.
He jerked upright as if to
July 11, 2009 - 20:55 ET by motherbeltHe jerked upright as if to say "Say what???" LOL
I'll bet Obama didn't join in the dancing like President Bush did!
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Priceless! Doubling down
July 11, 2009 - 19:57 ET by bigtimerPriceless!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Africans were nice to Bush as well
July 11, 2009 - 20:09 ET by nkviking75A search of "George W. Bush Africa Trip" in Yahoo led me to a Washington Post article from last year. Peter Baker's opening paragraph read:
They proclaimed George W. Bush Day in Benin, thronged streets by the tens of thousands in Tanzania and christened the George Bush Motorway in Ghana. As he wrapped up his Africa trip in Liberia on Thursday, they sang about him on the radio, crooning his name and warbling, "Thank you for the peace process."
Imagine, people actually being nice to President Bush. Who'da thunk it? It's not like he's Obama or something. (/sarcasm off)
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
LOL-I bet Lemon wet himself
July 11, 2009 - 20:10 ET by R D Helm-Dave
"Obama's health care 'reform' plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof." - Herman Cain
Almost looked like he took
July 11, 2009 - 20:14 ET by bigtimerAlmost looked like he took a bite out of a lemon from his reaction.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Might of been a whee bit
July 11, 2009 - 20:27 ET by danboMight of been a whee bit smelly too.
Gotta loved it.
Of course Obama can play golf better than Tiger. Sing opera better than a trained pro. He's as good as Kim Jong.
Limited Disclosure: I used to belong to the Sierra Club untill they went crazier. Worse of all, I was bribed by Exxon with free New Orleans Saints glasses with fill ups in the 70's.
Danbo,
July 11, 2009 - 20:45 ET by R D HelmLOL-Yeah, probably so.
-Dave
"Obama's health care 'reform' plan is to blow up the building in order to fix a leak in the roof." - Herman Cain
Wet himself...In other
July 11, 2009 - 20:52 ET by fitzfongWet himself...In other words, CNN dealt her Lemon, she made Lemonade.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
CNN will never dig out of
July 11, 2009 - 20:12 ET by d1carterCNN will never dig out of that deep hole until they get rid of people like Lemon. It is just that simple.
d1... I agree, they had
July 11, 2009 - 20:17 ET by bigtimerd1...
I agree, they had better start at the very top though to make any of those kinds of changes to trickle on down to the so-called talking heads.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Ouch
July 11, 2009 - 20:13 ET by Redrowan2000Looks like the state run media correspondent had a red hot spike sh___ oh well you know what I mean.
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Red
wow did you see him jump
July 11, 2009 - 20:21 ET by red_dragon311wow did you see him jump when she said "It's not unprecedented..."
this douche was waiting for her to throw out a
" Well yes it was, see if you hadn't noticed his most royal highness, ruller of the world, bringer of light, healer of the sick, king of kings Barak Obama is a black man , and unlike when the vile, evil, Bush was here when the people wanted to kill him because, as you know, he cheated in 2000 to get elected, he gave fake inforamtion to go into a war for oil in Iraq, helped Dick Cheny and Haliburton make gazillions, and some say he eats puppies raw as they are being born as well as deficating and eating that too...and Africa is actuly full of black people like you and me, and now that the United States has a black man as president is just ....well ( getting choaked up teary eyed) I'm sorry.... i can't finish, ...Back to you Don"
FINALY A REAL CANDIATE FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!
http://zod2008.com/index.htm
other Bush crimes...
July 11, 2009 - 20:42 ET by Dan DiegoPet Dressing, Fish Teasing and Plant abusing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjenBIgqLPU
So he sits up straight,
July 11, 2009 - 20:29 ET by SnappySo he sits up straight, doesnt get the answer he wants and instinctively derides the, what he first referred to as unprecedented, welcome as just a run of the mill, everyone gets it welcome. How crass, as soon as it is clear that Bush is actually liked as a leader there he instantly dumbs down the greeting? Furthermore, its obvious he was just getting warmed up for some real leg humping adoration of "The Won"....pathetic
Snappy... ...and here is
July 11, 2009 - 20:44 ET by bigtimerSnappy...
...and here is a different view I just saw.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Thanx Bigtimer... I will
July 11, 2009 - 20:56 ET by SnappyThanx Bigtimer...
I will return the favor with another fun one...
http://www.modernghana.com/news/226379/1/history-beckons-as-prez-obama-arrives-tomorrow.html
The real howler is in the 4th paragraph, see if you can find it.
Heck Snappy... I read the
July 11, 2009 - 21:19 ET by bigtimerHeck Snappy...
I read the whole thing, don't remember what the 4th paragraph said exactly now...got a kick out of the reference 'His Fatherland' before I clicked to page 2.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Land of his birth
July 11, 2009 - 21:26 ET by lbcdawnFeeling redundant
July 11, 2009 - 21:29 ET by lbcdawnHey lbc... I enjoyed the
July 11, 2009 - 21:32 ET by bigtimerHey lbc...
I enjoyed the redundancy!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
HA
July 11, 2009 - 21:35 ET by lbcdawnGlad to see ya here
July 11, 2009 - 21:36 ET by bigtimerGlad to see ya here gal...are you not in the area of my old stomping grounds?
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
land of your birth you mean?
July 11, 2009 - 21:41 ET by lbcdawnAttended a TEA party at City park today. Saving the date of August 25th for our next one. We collected supplies for blue star moms. Local senator and assemblymen spoke. Great guys! Teachers union hates them... no happy receptions for them in Sacramento. Wonder how Ghana would treat them?
Lol...that's what I
July 11, 2009 - 21:46 ET by bigtimerLol...that's what I meant.
Still, where is City Park located?
We are so lucky for gals like you...thank you from our home and from my heart for participating in the good fight...lord knows we need it now more than ever, I pray 2010 will be a turning point.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
City park
July 11, 2009 - 21:54 ET by lbcdawnThanks...and you don't know
July 11, 2009 - 21:57 ET by bigtimerThanks...and you don't know how much I miss those desert howling winds...it'll always be in my soul though.
I only asked because if I didn't know if you meant you were in Sac or L.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Sac was last week I think?
July 11, 2009 - 22:06 ET by lbcdawnlbc... Have a good
July 11, 2009 - 22:08 ET by bigtimerlbc...
Have a good one...keep me up to date!
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
ouchie, hot sauce and lemons rubbed in the cut...
July 13, 2009 - 12:21 ET by spmcintyreno pun intended with the lemon part, it just hurts when you get something so acidic rubbed into an abrasion...
well maybe Lemon did get his face rubbed into the cut that was returned to him by that wonderful lady on the splitscreen ;)
...how about we have a recall vote on Senator/Congressperson so and so....
Lemon demonstrates a
July 11, 2009 - 20:48 ET by celatorLemon demonstrates a rhetorical trick mass media left wing radical "journalists" use routingly: he posed leading questions to the witness/interviewee.
If you pay attention, you hear it all the time from these ideologues. "Wouldn't you say that.........?" "Isn't it true that.........?" "How angry/surprised/shocked were you when.........?"
But, of course, we are supposed to be too dumb to notice.
An actual, objective journalist would have asked: "How was Obama received in your country?", or something similar.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Mr Lemon, wouldn't you say that
July 13, 2009 - 12:23 ET by spmcintyreyour ignorant biased statement got stuffed down your throat?
...how about we have a recall vote on Senator/Congressperson so and so....
He kinda reminded me of an actor
July 11, 2009 - 20:48 ET by RESTLESS 1when thrown a wrong line from another actor. Nice thinking on his feet though, to save the scene so that everyone knows that the 0 is still special, except when he's not.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Oh, they just can't stand it, can they???
July 11, 2009 - 20:52 ET by PrairieSkyThe MSM just can't stand the fact that President Bush is very highly thought of, to the point of almost being revered in many parts of Africa, because of all that he did to help the people of that continent while he was president. Bush spent more on various types of aid to Africa than any other American president before him, the MSM knows this, they deliberately try to hide this info, and they hate him for it. Whether Obama follows in Bush's footsteps remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain...Where Africa is concerned, Bush is a tough act to follow.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
I think it was criminal of
July 11, 2009 - 22:54 ET by Dan The Man 2I think it was criminal of President Bush to divert money to Africa like that. But, the congress is the one who controls the purse strings and they have just as much culpability as Bush. President Bush, however was teh one who pushed the idea of sending money to Africa.
Dan...To each his own...I don't...
July 11, 2009 - 23:27 ET by PrairieSkygenerally have a problem with Bush's sending aid, etc., to Africa. It appears that that money did do some serious good...There has been a dramatic decrease in the number of malaria cases in the countries that have received this American aid, and I think it's hard to find fault with that.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Howdy Sky... Would have
July 11, 2009 - 23:39 ET by bigtimerHowdy Sky...
Would have also been nice if DDT wouldn't have been banned...think of the millions who wouldn't be dead because of it...Good ol' Rachel Carson and Silent Spring.... I just love the greenies....still little busy bees hard at work with their destruction all over the planet.
Global Governance as algore calls it...dontcha just love it.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Good evening Bt
July 11, 2009 - 23:49 ET by cocodrieIt's been years since I researched it but there was something called The Wildlands Project where they plan to cut the world's population drastically and let the world revert back to it's natural state without all us pesky humana arounr to despoil it.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Hi bt...While I believe...
July 12, 2009 - 00:31 ET by PrairieSkythe decision to ban the use of DDT in the US was right and warranted, in certain drastic circumstances, such as the situation in Africa, I think it becomes a matter of the lesser of two evils...DDT use has made a difference in Africa as it pertains to helping get control of and reducing the incidences of malaria on the continent. I am all for doing everything (within reason) that we can to try to limit the effect that we have on the environment (particularly animals, such as the bald eagle and the disastrous effect that DDT had on it's population), but when it comes to the well being and welfare of humans, that's where I draw the line. The use of DDT in Africa, while still environmentally problematic, has made a huge difference in the control of mosquitoes, which in turn has led to a drastic improvement in the reduction of rates of transmission of malaria to humans there, and that is what is most important.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
"I am all for doing
July 12, 2009 - 01:07 ET by ckc1227"I am all for doing everything (within reason) that we can to try to
limit the effect that we have on the environment (particularly animals,
such as the bald eagle and the disastrous effect that DDT had on it's
population)"
Somebody took a big swig of the environmentalist koolaid. DDT had as much of a disastrous effect on the bald eagle population as my suv has on the polar bears. Sadly, millions of people worldwide have died based on saving the bald eagle.....an animal that was never at risk because of DDT.
Luckily for us, they waited until malaria had been virtually eliminated in America before banning it here. Sucks for Africa though.
ckc... I didn't even want
July 12, 2009 - 01:18 ET by bigtimerckc...
I didn't even want to get into the Bald Eagle thing, I know jsut from living life and moving around in the NW starting in Ca. Idaho, Oregon, Az for a bit, Wyoming to Ak and back to Mt. that that was all BS...just had a long day, Sky is a good friend and I was wanting to find links, but when I thought about it, how do you prove what you've lived and seen...it's just another agenda...same as the wolves Polar, Grizzly bears etc. etc. I'm leaving it at that.
They are never going to quit, at the detriment of man...and for sure this country, they have their paws all over the place, in so many areas people wouldn't even think they can insert themselves that we need in our daily lives...it co$ts all of us...one way or the other.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
ckc and bt...You both have...
July 12, 2009 - 01:32 ET by PrairieSkyyour opinions and I have mine...If DDT had no deleterious effect on bald eagles, why did their numbers rebound so resoundingly after it was banned?
Look...I am not an environmental nut, expert, or scientist. I just know what I was told at the time (DDT was banned in 1972 when I was 11 years old), and from what I've read over the years...I don't accept things without question...I do my own homework, and based on what I've seen and heard, DDT was hazardous to the bald eagle. If there is irrefutable, credible evidence that will prove what I believe wrong, then I'd like to see it.
Oh, ckc...I know you don't know me, or you would never accuse me of being a Kool-Aid drinker...Environmentalist, or any other kind...My good friend bt knows this to be true. We just have differing opinions on this issue.
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
Right you are Sky... I
July 12, 2009 - 01:50 ET by bigtimerRight you are Sky...
I was hope I conveyed that about you to ckc in my above post, you're on the right as they come... anyway, about the Bald Eagle, it's not something I want to get into much, because of the time of night and such, but I remember all that well too when that started, I also remember seeing with my own eyes Bald Eagles all over the place as I moved around...what you are told and what is reality at times is a big difference...the Bald Eagle started as the Symbol for the endangered species list if memory serves me right...and it hasn't stopped with naming anything an endangered species if it is to stop progress, capitalism, towns communities supporting themselves just fine thank you very much without the damned govt., it is killing us all...in so many ways, from using all of our natural resources we have here, to everything we use in everyday life, it all connects.
I've got to stop...it's late, I just hope you understand where I am coming from, that is why I saw the EPA and the JD are the most dangerous administrations we have in place now with the people O named and their cohorts...especially the Czars.
Btw....I'm about 5 years older than you I figure, like I said, this started in my early years to on Ca., I haven't forgot the TV nor school and what they were starting to teach back then, the EPA was just on it's way....
...and by the way, the Ice Age we were suppose to fear a few years earlier that we were also taught was coming was on it's way out...seems to have been canceled...they pretended like they never said a thing about it in the first place....lol.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
bt...Thanks my friend...
July 12, 2009 - 02:06 ET by PrairieSkyAnd I appreciate the points that you made...I'd just like to see something to prove what I believe wrong, but as you said it's late for that argument now.
As for what you said about the government's interference in capitalism, progress, etc., I am totally with you. I would like to think that we all want to limit the impact that we have on our planet, but I also think that humans and the progress of humanity shouldn't be held hostage by environmental whims. "O" and Co. appear determined to hamstring business and growth with their extreme and often unfounded concerns and agendas surrounding the environment.
I remember too exactly what you mentioned about the Ice Age that we should be experiencing right now...My husband and I laugh about that when we hear some environment loon going off about global warming (which I believe to be largely nonsense). We both remember being told that by the time we were adults, that the world would be entering another Ice Age, and come to find out, Al Gore and Co., have since told us that was all wrong...It's really global warming we have to fear!!!! Brother!
Anyway, thanks for the support my friend...I'm signing off now...Till next time!
"The problem is not that people are taxed too little...the problem is that government spends too much." ~President Ronald Reagan
too hasty on DDT
July 12, 2009 - 22:34 ET by konoHopefully this is "better late than never", and not "a day late and a dollar short"...
In response to your question, DDT wasn't the only thing banned at the time. My main gripe is that the question of a causal link (rather than just a circumstantial one) between DDT and the thinning of raptors' egg shells was mooted by the hype over "Silent Spring". The greenies never actually had to substantiate the connection, just like Algore is not being forced to substantiate a causal relationship between CO2 emissions and global temperatures. The popular press is championing the cause now.
Leaving your mark ...
July 11, 2009 - 20:51 ET by metaphorsbwithuThe fact is that President Bush actually did more for African nations than all the other presidents combined. Last I heard, this president so far has only authorized money for abortions to kill unborn African babies.
Talk about leaving a mark!
metaphorsbwithu
"have you ever seen
July 11, 2009 - 21:01 ET by GregE"have you ever seen anything like this"
"is this unprecedented"
But oops, .........no its nothing different at all, and she mentioned the evil Bush! LOL Awesome.
Snappy,
July 11, 2009 - 21:21 ET by Fuzzlenutter"...presidential visit to the continent of his birth."
That is a howler! Thanks!
A message to Mr. Lemon?
July 11, 2009 - 22:32 ET by zachlindDon’t forget, at the bottom of the CNN TV Contact us page you can send a message directly to the anchors. Don Lemon’s name is there. And it’s always important to let them know personally what we think of the “quality” of their work.
Same for Clinton - Clinton slammed - Bush praised..
July 11, 2009 - 22:33 ET by Gary HallSame for Clinton - Clinton slammed - Bush praised..and as Noel said, 'ouch'..
A bit later on.. Oct., 2008 (always unknown to the MSM, and hence the American people) the praise for Bush continues:
Double ouch!!
Ah.. memories of America at at it's best.
(;~> gary
40 seconds in....
July 11, 2009 - 22:48 ET by Barker...Those crafty CNN producers cut back to Nkepile Mabuse right when Don Lemon puked all over the floor.
this is just speculation, but..
July 12, 2009 - 10:59 ET by puredmashiesince the vast majority of africans are outside the realm of the liberal media's domain, they are left to judge a president (*gasp!*) on his own merits.
swing hard in case you hit it.
I'm wondering...
July 11, 2009 - 23:51 ET by Jack Hermansince Obama was headed in that direction, couldn't he have given aunty a free ride home?
I think...
July 12, 2009 - 07:00 ET by jdlybrand...she got Amnesty.
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
I'd like to see that body
July 12, 2009 - 13:54 ET by Kat Outta the BagI'd like to see that body language "expert" who appears on O'Reilly's show discuss this one. Not that it would take an expert to interpret the meaning of his reaction...
smackdown is right
July 12, 2009 - 18:52 ET by charlietexasNotice after the answer of the open ended question regarding the "unprecendented" welcome Obama must have receive, this announcer retorted "well you do it for everyone". Hmmmm. Bush can't win at all with CNN. so what. There ratings show their collective unprofessional asses.
nice save
July 12, 2009 - 22:41 ET by konoThat's what I noticed, too -- while Lemon was initially taken aback by the unexpected answer, the reason for his reaction became evident by his follow-up. It was less a matter of making sure Obama gets acclaim, than of making sure Bush gets no praise. Lemon many have saved his job by emphasizing her remark that everyone gets a warm welcome like that.
that is funny. she won't be
July 13, 2009 - 05:21 ET by GeronLthat is funny. she won't be invited back.