Here's something you don't see every day: a prominent anchor from CNN offering the same opinion as a prominent anchor from Fox News.
Such seems even less likely when the subject involves President Obama, but that's exactly what happened on Thursday's Steve Malzberg Show on WOR radio.
The conservative host spoke separately to FNC's Bret Baier and CNN's John King about the following remarks Obama made during Wednesday's press conference:
I should say at the outset that Skip Gates is a friend, so I may be a little biased here. I don`t know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what role race played in that, but I think it`s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry. Number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home. And number three, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident, is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. That`s just a fact.
Neither Baier nor King seemed at all pleased with the President's comments (Baier audio available here, King's available here):
BRET BAIER, FNC: It's a really interesting story, and I think it's going to gain steam in the next couple of days. For the President to wade in to this issue, and we have not heard all sides definitely yet. You know, we're getting the exact report from the arrest report. We've obviously heard Professor Gates and his, his defense. But for the President from the podium to weigh in on this specific issue was kind of startling as I watched it. And, and obviously the overtones of race and racism and whether race is a factor in America today was underlying bottom line question. But he got pretty specific. And when he said that the Cambridge police acted stupidly, the President pretty much went out on a limb if it turns out that it was more, there was more to this story. I think it's going to develop. We'll see where it plays out. But I'm looking right now at the police report that was just sent to me, and officer has a pretty long history in the department...I think the President went pretty far with saying the Cambridge cops acted stupidly. And there will be more to this...You know, you read this report, you could believe it or not believe it, but it's pretty detailed. And for the President, I, I doubt he had read the police report before saying that the Cambridge police acted stupidly, it's pretty rare for a president to weigh in on that level of detail. [...]
JOHN KING, CNN: I agree with you that I was struck by that word. It was jarring. It was jarring to hear the President say at first, "I don't know what happened, so let's be careful." And then admitted, to his credit, the bias he has for the Professor Gates, said that he knows him well. But then to use, you could say that, "You know, I want to know what the police department did. Boy, I think they have some questions to answer." But to use the word "stupid," to say they behaved "stupidly," he's the President of the United States. That was pretty jarring, and you're right: there are going to be a lot of questions raised because of that. No doubt...If we were going to have a calm discussion about what to learn about this, you know, I think that the President certainly turned up the volume on that without a doubt.
Fascinating.
Exit question: when a CNNer and an FNCer agree on something, what does that mean?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
That is why...
July 24, 2009 - 09:43 ET by beauxdog"I have to say I am surprised by the controversy surrounding my statement, because I think it was a pretty straightforward commentary that you probably don't need to handcuff a guy, a middle-aged man who uses a cane, who's in his own home" - Barack Obama.
That is why...
Beauxdog
Bias is as bias does
July 24, 2009 - 10:57 ET by acumenYeah and you probably don't need to search an old granny in a wheelchair at an airport for explosives. However, beyond safety issues, some government beaurocrat in DC decided that to avoid any appearance of bias or preferential treatment, random searches at airports would make good government policy. Ironically, The above issues (safety, avoiding the appearance of bias) are the very same reasons local government beaurocrats decided the police handcuffing ALL people placed under arrest would make good government policy.
So you think this policy doesn't make sense beaux? That is probably why so many Americans are skeptical of turning more of their healthcare and other aspects of their lives over to yet more government policy. Doesn't make sense.
Secondly, I must say I am shocked that the President of ALL the citizens of the US would blatantly admit in such a public forum that he is biased to only select individual Americans; "I should say at the outset that Skip Gates is a friend, so I may be a little biased here."
The message the President is sending is that his friends receive preferential treatment over other Americans. The President is saying that the Police have a long history of bias and implying that is wrong; "....there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately." Yet, a few seconds before the President admitted his own bias as if it is acceptable for the POTUS to be biased but not others.
The more this President speaks off the cuff, the deeper a political hole he is digging for himself.
And that is why President Obama should continue to rely on other's written words provided to him on a teleprompter.
Actually...
July 24, 2009 - 11:38 ET by beauxdogActually... I was inferring that Obama's befuddlement as to why people got upset over his statement was a major reason why he isn't qualified to hold his office. He seems to be befuddled about a lot of people's (re our international allies and such) reactions to things he does and says.
I was inferring that it is far beneath his office of President to be commenting on local police issues in such an inflammitory way.
How you got that I believe that handcuffing all people who are arrested is not a good policy is a mystery to me. But hey, who says you are not entitled to put words in other people's mouths?
Thank you.
Beauxdog
This is why Obama's wrong.
July 24, 2009 - 11:17 ET by CobraManThis is why Obama's wrong: The man wasn't in his home, he was outside it. The man wasn't arrested for breaking and entertaining, he was arrested for creating a public disturbance, and that PUBLIC, not private, as he was yelling to people STANDING OUTSIDE HIS HOME! And race has nothing to do with this case, other than the racists Professor who tried using race bating as a way to insult a white police officer.
So, Police 1, Obama 0.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
James Taranto of the WSJ
July 24, 2009 - 09:49 ET by motherbeltJames Taranto of the WSJ has a interesting take on this; frankly it surprised me, educated me about something I didn't know, and made me think about it from a different angle.
This is what I didn't know: that the story had been out there for a week when Obama was asked about it.
And Taranto makes a good point about the responibility of the police (in general) to show restraint.
However, I still think that President Obama reflexively responded as a black man, not as President. His comments about the history of police discrimination indicate that, IMO.
absolutely NOTHING on the
July 24, 2009 - 11:46 ET by TruthMongerabsolutely NOTHING on the bbc site about this...
time for the old "can-you-imagine-if-bush-had" (insert daily obama f*ck up here)...? oh the world wide horror...
f'ing a**holes
Palin/Prejean 2012
I respect your opinion MB
July 24, 2009 - 12:05 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarbut my take from the article was that it was a "tip toe" piece with the subtle overtone of "white guilt" ... both were wrong, but gosh, that white policeman has more "authority" and should treat a situation with a black man different because, you know what may happen, Sgt. Crowley, ...
Yep, exactly what has happened.
The racist, bigotted statements by Gates and the ignorant statement of a "President" are a few of the reasons race relations are at a stalemate.
"You should always tell the truth, because if you tell the truth you make it the other person's problem." Sean Connery
CNN
July 24, 2009 - 09:51 ET by InfidelphiaWith all their Gay, Dope & Black in America specials, and their racially motivated news personalities, ie Soledad O'Brian and (did anyone see Roland Burris fume over Lou Dobb's inquiry into Obama's birth certificate?) CNN is attempting to preserve what's left of their rapidly dwindling viewership.
A teaching moment
July 24, 2009 - 09:54 ET by KC MulvilleThe first thing philosophy teaches you is to accept it when you really don't know.
Obama's first few months of his presidency have proved, every time, that Obama didn't understand the complexity of the problems when he tried to fix them.
He doesn't understand the complexity of the problems he's facing. That's why the Gates episode is revealing. Obama thinks he knows what's going on, but in this case, it's glaringly obvious that he doesn't know what he thinks he knows.
Amen
July 24, 2009 - 10:13 ET by Ruths husband BenPeople are starting to see behind the calm, seemingly rational demeanor of Prez-O. Just because he acts like he knows what he is talking about doesn't mean that he knows sh@# from shinola.
He's the Ted Knight of the Oval Office.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho
Awe, now Ted doesn't
July 24, 2009 - 10:49 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarAwe, now Ted doesn't deserve to be lumped with that buffoon.
"You should always tell the truth, because if you tell the truth you make it the other person's problem." Sean Connery
I just said that because
July 24, 2009 - 11:20 ET by Ruths husband BenI just said that because Chairman O named his teleprompter "Murray".
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho
Sgt. James Crowley answered his community's call for help.
July 24, 2009 - 10:01 ET by CTI sincerely doubt he expected to confront Harvard's W. E. B. DuBois head bigot in charge, but that's what he got. One question, how would the Harvard professor react if the answering police officer had been African-American?
Exit question: when a CNNer
July 24, 2009 - 10:04 ET by MidAmericaExit question: when a CNNer and an FNCer agree on something, what does that mean?
It means in this case the president "acted stupidly".
Plus the President said: what I think we know separate and apart from this incident, is that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately.
hhhmmmm... what the President just did here was racial profiling. He's assuming guilt on the part of the officers because of their race.
Plus these mere blue collar type officers violated obama's elitest world. To obama the highest calling is government/power and very close is the world of academia/scholars. To have these white officers from the working class detain someone from the ruling class is an outrage.
A Lawyer Should Know Better
July 24, 2009 - 10:15 ET by slickwillie2001Of course the President acted stupidly himself, but the old media folks dare not state the facts that clearly.
Another angle not mentioned is that if the President is as brilliant a Harvard lawyer as his champions claim, why would he make such a stupid statement and seriously damage any prospect of a fair trial in this case, should one occur? Any two-bit police spokesman or third-rate lawyer understands the appropriate language to use when commenting on an outstanding case, why not the Bamster?
media myth
July 24, 2009 - 10:38 ET by CatherwoodThe answer to your rhetorical questions is simple: the Bamster is not brilliant and he is very arrogant. The media has created a myth that the Bamster is a brilliant, learned, Harvard grad, law professor type who knows all the laws and their implications. The truth is he's an affirmative action type who stands and living proof of the Peter Principle. His Supreme Court nominee, the La Raza Mamma, also fits this same description.
Guess he was never a trial lawyer
July 24, 2009 - 10:51 ET by StarAZHey--where are those Harvard transcripts anyhow?
Guess he was never a trial lawyer
July 24, 2009 - 10:51 ET by StarAZHey--where are those Harvard transcripts anyhow?
brilliant?
July 24, 2009 - 12:25 ET by AJBTry affirmative action lawyer. You get what you pay for.
true but true
July 24, 2009 - 10:27 ET by CatherwoodBHO says ,"that there is a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. That`s just a fact." Well, almighty wise one, is that blacks and Latinos break the law disproportionately. If you don't believe that, do a quick survey of American prisons. Also, BHO's words 'long history' is another way of saying that the professor didn't do anything wrong. I still don't believe a person with such limited talents can be president of the United States.
Well, Obama did call for a national debate on race
July 24, 2009 - 10:34 ET by OxyConLooks like he's going to finally get it. But it won't be on his terms and it will most likely begin with his apology to the Officer Crowely, the Cambridge Police Department and all of America's Police Officers, who he impugned as racists.
They're right, it was a dumb
July 24, 2009 - 10:35 ET by balboaThey're right, it was a dumb thing to say. Jon Stewart had a great take on it.
Obama should know better than that.
Sometimes
July 24, 2009 - 10:49 ET by StarAZSometimes brilliant professors (Obama, Gates) can be bone simple. Honestly. Out here in Clingerland, we know not to introduce remarks about the mothers of police officers. Just not a good idea. The prof made a mistake, the pres made another one. I am sick of it.
Brilliant?
July 24, 2009 - 11:46 ET by iveseenitallNeither Barry nor Gates is "brilliant". Moreover, they both got their positions because of their race. Gates, far from being a "scholar", teaches graduate and undergraduate courses at Harvard and has earned only a BS Degree--no masters, no Ph.D. - no nothing! And Barry, an incompetent, immature "community activist" with not two years in the Senate (one of which he spent campaigning), is POTUS. But will this satisfy the race-baiters in America? Nah! Both these Affirmative Action cuties now are going after a hard-working white policeman. Shades of Twana Brawley and Al Sharpton. Racism in action--disgusting!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
how's that?
July 24, 2009 - 10:57 ET by rowdygirlThere are also a disproportionate numbers of blacks in prison; whose fault is that ? The police must have set them all up and every arrest and conviction is illegal and unjustified.
I bet they were all arrested in their own homes, and that's just wrong. If you're in your own home, you can do whatever you want. Especially if you yell and have a racial tantrum, AND you're friends with people in high places, AND you just happen to be black.
geez... don't these police know anything ?
You can take the community agitator out of the community...
July 24, 2009 - 11:34 ET by R D Helm...but you can't take the agitator out of the community agitator.
This man has a major racial chip on his shoulder, and proved it for all the world to see when he made his ill-informed comments about the arrest of one of his fellow community agitators.
When pressed, he instantly and reflexively reverted to form and "ran home to momma."
I believe that Barack Hussein Obama doesn't like white people at all, and likes his country even less.
-If this even is his country.
-Dave
Just exactly who is this Barack Hussein Obama?
Right,RD
July 24, 2009 - 11:43 ET by iveseenitallSo right, RD. Barry doesn't like whites. And he doesn't like or understand America. He sees both through the prism of his racist friends, like Gates and his racist, anti-American, anti-white mentors, like Rev.Wrong. Sad.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Near Future
July 24, 2009 - 11:49 ET by UtherpendAh for the day when Presidents can be arrested for breaking the law and using their office to slander and defame people.
"For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security."
LOL-Rush is wondering how long before Obama throws Gates...
July 24, 2009 - 11:54 ET by R D Helm...under the bus with Ayers, Wright and the rest of his "friends."
-Dave
Just exactly who is this Barack Hussein Obama?
The dude-in-chief
July 24, 2009 - 14:13 ET by acumenopted to throw his own words under the bus.
If King could answer honestly:
July 24, 2009 - 11:58 ET by Chris NormanKing: "That was pretty jarring, and you're right: there are going to be a lot of questions raised because of that. No doubt..."
"...by Fox News, because you can bet that, here at CNN, we won't be raising any questions against President Obama or Professor Gates - just against the police. Further, even if I were to suggest a story about President Obama's comments, I would be shot down immediately, except, for maybe on Lou Dobb's show..."
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Bamster Calls Cop
July 24, 2009 - 15:16 ET by slickwillie2001Heard it reported on Fox News radio this afternoon that the Bamster phoned James Crowley, the police officer involved, and had a discussion of the matter with him. The Bamster later gave a statement in which he mentioned the call, said something like 'great respect for the job of police officers', and now felt that both parties, including Gates, could have better handled the incident.
Scofflaw Obama
July 24, 2009 - 16:11 ET by sevenAccording to the Somerville Times in 2007, as a Harvard Law School student, Obama got 17 parking tickets during 1989-1991 from the Cambridge Police Department that he left unpaid until just weeks before he announced his bid for the presidency.
Does this look like they have an itchy trigger finger? Does it tell us too much about what obama thinks about cops?
all those tickets were for the blackness he displayed in illegal parking.