"Good Morning America" co-host Chris Cuomo joked on Monday's show that Britain's Prince Harry "has been over in Afghanistan fighting because he's expendable." Fellow host Robin Roberts appeared somewhat shocked by the comment and sputtered, "What did you say?" Cuomo, who was previewing an ABC special on the royals, didn't back off his assertion and reiterated, "It's true. The reason that Harry is allowed to be in Afghanistan is because he's not the heir to the throne. William's not allowed to be there."
While Harry may not be next in line to be king, it's in very poor taste for a professional journalist to make such a snide remark. After all, Prince Harry went to Afghanistan to bravely serve his country, not because he's "expendable." And perhaps it should be pointed out that it was Chris Cuomo's brother, Andrew, who entered politics and carried on the legacy of father and former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Is Chris Cuomo's career in journalism, by extension, a reflection of the fact that he's "expendable?"
A transcript of the exchange, which aired at 8:02am on March 3, follows:
CHRIS CUOMO: You know what we have this morning? Special treat. We all know about Prince William.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Sure.
CUOMO: He's the man. He's the heir. Harry has been over in Afghanistan fighting because he's expendable. So, Harry-- So, Harry's in Afghanistan.
ROBERTS: What did you say?
CUOMO: It's true. The reason that Harry is allowed to be in Afghanistan is because he's not the heir to the throne. William's not allowed to be there.
ROBIN ROBERTS: But he's not expendable!
CUOMO: Well, but that's why he's there. They all love Harry very much. And so do we.
ROBERTS: Good. Good. Right. Right.
CUOMO: He's got great hair. William has been here living his life and he's been followed by a film crew. They shot him inside the palace. Inside his apartment. Never showed it before.
ROBERTS: That's right. Barbara Walters will be here for part two of her preview of the show you can see tonight, complete access to the royals.
Update 19:57 | Matthew Sheffield. Cuomo's remarks are not only degrading to Prince Harry and service members everywhere, they're also incorrect. Harry's brother William is on target to go to the frontlines as well:
Prince William is poised to follow his brother Harry and be deployed on the frontline, says the Ministry of Defence.Officials have said that the second-in-line to the throne could be sent overseas later this year with the Royal Navy.
He is likely to be deployed on a tour to the Persian Gulf or Indian Ocean in support of British forces fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The Pacific Ocean, the West Indies or the South Atlantic are also potential options.
A Navy spokesman said: "It's our intention to give Prince William as full a taste of life in the Royal Navy as possible.
The prince is an officer in the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals, but defence chiefs and the royal family want him to spend time in the other services, such as the Navy, to prepare him for his future role as head of the armed forces.
The 25-year-old has already gained experience with the RAF and is qualified to fly light aircraft. He is scheduled to go to the Royal Navy in May.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
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Hell, to the Clintons, all
March 3, 2008 - 17:42 ET by BDHell, to the Clintons, all the Cuomo's are expendable.....
I'd say the entire cast of
March 3, 2008 - 17:43 ET by ConservativeRexI'd say the entire cast of GMA, not to mention ABC itself ,is pretty much expendable.
SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS...
March 3, 2008 - 17:45 ET by danybhoyI can't be the only person who believes that Chris Cuomo would be "expendable" if ABC needed to make cuts? I would think so, hell, I would hope so.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
For Chris Cuomo, I prefer
March 3, 2008 - 19:34 ET by fitzfongFor Chris Cuomo, I prefer the term "flushable".
Cuomo meet Shuster. I guess
March 3, 2008 - 17:59 ET by Chris NormanCuomo meet Shuster. I guess we are entering The Smart A** era of "journalism".
Entering?
March 3, 2008 - 18:10 ET by FastEdThat doors' been open for a while - (enter you're fav "journalistic" faux pax)
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
May have been some faux pas
March 3, 2008 - 18:17 ET by Chris NormanMay have been some slip ups before, but now "edginess" is encouraged - as long as it's directed towards conservatives.
See your "point"
March 3, 2008 - 18:39 ET by FastEdas "edginess" can be a two edged sword, and their snobbery can cut both ways - can't wait till there is some RED on the floor.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
one word career enders
March 3, 2008 - 18:14 ET by Mica the MagnificentBut be a republican and say 'maccaca,' and your political career is over.
WHAT A TOTAL LOSER
March 3, 2008 - 18:03 ET by DEVILDOCMOMchris cuomo is such a media jerk. What has he ever done in his pitiful little life that he has the right to call ANYONE who serves their country "expendable". Where do these losers come from and how is it that they are so highly paid when they have so little knowledge?
I think my assessment of
March 3, 2008 - 22:38 ET by motherbeltI think my assessment of Mika Brzezsinski applies here also....if Chris had a different last name, the only employment he would have at ABC would be waiting tables in the cafeteria.
100 % CORRECT...
March 3, 2008 - 23:09 ET by danybhoyNobody would give a rats @$$ about Mika or Chris if they were not well connected.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Excellent point.
March 4, 2008 - 11:54 ET by DEVILDOCMOMI looked him up, wondered about who he knew to be on air...easy to figure out why you just need a name on abc, not talent.
Let's start a pool
March 3, 2008 - 18:07 ET by FastEdhow long will it take to get an aploogy OR have him removed from the air??
I'm betting nothing happens.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
I agree,
March 3, 2008 - 18:13 ET by DEVILDOCMOMI was so angry I just wrote abc news, but I bet they don't even see anything wrong in his comment-unless some royal complains.
Cluelessness. Obviously
March 3, 2008 - 18:53 ET by Ruths husband BenCluelessness. Obviously someone who never lost a loved one in war. No one who is willing to put it all on the line protecting our freedom is "expendable", in fact they are priceless. However, Chris Cuomo is worthless.
Those who beat their swords into plowshares usually end up plowing for those who didn't. - Ben Franklin
Expendable Prince
March 3, 2008 - 19:29 ET by SCAZMarketingWell, when reading comments from Tony Blair it seems that the Prince is nother nothing more than a political tool in British / US relations. I am shocked at the depth in which Blair will pander to the US Republican party. And Rambo? Come on....read more:
http://www.socoolaz.com/article.cfm?articleID=30189
Sure ... it's obvious...
March 4, 2008 - 09:38 ET by Jack BauerSure ... it's obvious... the only thing that prevents these two mortal enemies attacking each other is Prince Harry.
Actually, you sound like a political tool.
...
March 3, 2008 - 23:01 ET by Tom1969caCuomo and ABC will bleat about their First Amendment right to Free Speech.
Someone should explain to Cuomo the true cost of "free" speech - a cost paid by people who have put on the uniform. People like HRH Prince Harry.
~~~
I admire FDR for not insisting on getting the approval of France and Germany before going to war.
--Anne Coulter
ABC's Job
March 3, 2008 - 19:49 ET by CellaABC should step up to the plate and make this anchor-without-a-clue apologize.
Of course the chance of that happening is between slim and none.
»→ Cuomo
March 3, 2008 - 19:55 ET by Cool ArrowI've got two sons. Neither is expendable.
Great observation, Cuomo.
♣ a seal
Cool,
March 3, 2008 - 22:14 ET by DEVILDOCMOMI notice when I looked cuomo up that he has two children, a girl born in 2003 and a son in 2005...so the son is expendable?
Cool Arrow,.....
March 4, 2008 - 11:25 ET by ForeverOnTheRightyou hit on what I've though about this. NO ONE going to fight for our freedom in Iraq or Afghanistan is "expendable", that would equate them with a Dixie cup. No life should be considered a through away. This Cuomo is a callous cold jerk.
BUT,
March 4, 2008 - 11:58 ET by DEVILDOCMOMhas there been any concern from those at abc? I never watch so would not know. BTW, thank heavens I only have one son who served in Iraq. :)
Learned it on Daddy's knee
March 3, 2008 - 20:31 ET by scamoramaMy first thought was, "Is this how he was raised?"
Then I thought about who raised him.
Question answered.
Expendable?
March 3, 2008 - 20:39 ET by nkviking75If anything had happened to Harry in Afghanistan I'm sure the British people would not react as though he were "expendable", and I'm sure the level of coverage on ABC would demonstrate he's not expendable over here either.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Cuomo & ABC
March 3, 2008 - 20:40 ET by BlondeIn this instance, are fifty times worse than the Brit tabs.
I'm no fan of the Royals, but Harry was expected to be an officer in the British Army, which he enthusiastically took up. And pressed the point to join his regiment.
The whole thing is just messed up. The only one without an agenda in this story is the young Prince, IMO. Everyone else has an axe to grind.
It's disgusting.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
I think it would be pretty
March 4, 2008 - 00:02 ET by CJK51I think it would be pretty damn funny to see a smug little tool like Chris Cuomo actually say to a guy serving in the Middle East that he's expendable and do so to his face.
Or do you suppose Chris is just a little jealous that he's a two-bit part of a minor New York line of "royalty" (used VERY loosely), whose only claim to fame is doing the dog and pony show that is "Good Morning America" and no one gives a rat's behind about him?
Talk about expendable!
This blog posting is on the
March 4, 2008 - 02:25 ET by Donovan16This blog posting is on the Drudge Report now. Good Job Scott!
Donovan16
March 4, 2008 - 15:19 ET by Scott WhitlockThanks!
If Chris Cuomo's last name were anything other than Cuomo...
March 4, 2008 - 02:57 ET by R D Helm...he would be uttering the question, "Would you like fries with that?" about 300 times a day, or selling half-wilted flowers out of a plastic five gallon bucket at a semi-busy intersection somewhere in East bumble-jerk (pick a state, any state).
What a shallow-floating turd he is.
Bob Woodruff should have known he'd be wounded
March 4, 2008 - 05:47 ET by ArchConservativeWell by ABC's own logic Bob Woodruff was expendable also along with every journalist overseas. They don't deserve any applause or adulation from the MSM according to Clinton errrrr Cuomo. Let the press die, they shouldnt be over there anyways right, Chris? You dumbass.
You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.
Wow with the name Cuomo, I
March 4, 2008 - 07:02 ET by USA4freedomWow with the name Cuomo, I wonder if some one like “Raffie” talked that way?
Expendable..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Cuomo
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Romney / Jendil 2012 (if,we survive)
My first reaction is...what
March 4, 2008 - 08:33 ET by msh1973My first reaction is...what a complete idiot. Did he think he was being "funny"? Obviously he has never had a loved one go off to war, let alone lose one in battle. Shameful indeed!
This idiot's remark doesn't
March 4, 2008 - 10:24 ET by marpelThis idiot's remark doesn't surprise me in the least. Prince Harry, like all soldiers fighting in Afganistan and around the world, is a hero. There's no doubt that because he's a true soldier, he did not want to leave his regiment. Unfortunately, since the media outted his whereabouts, it would have put not only him but his fellow soldiers in danger. Harry's no more expendable than any one of our soldiers who have sacrificed a helluva lot to keep us free and safe.
But, Numb-nuts-Cuomo, can't see that. He's not one of the ones I would suspect as making it to hero in the military. He couldn't cut the mustard. All he could do is lick the jar.
:o)
Expendable
March 4, 2008 - 11:56 ET by FranksamFunny, but I can't find Cuomo calling Casey Sheehan or Pat Tillman expendable.
Prince Harry = real man, Chris Cuomo = not
March 4, 2008 - 14:19 ET by greenfairieThis panty-waist who only got his job due to his name has no reason to talk about Prince Harry. At least Harry put on his country's uniform and smoked some Taliban.