On Wednesday's The Situation Room on CNN, during his regular "Cafferty File" segment, Jack Cafferty quoted Mikhail Gorbachev's recent attack on the Bush Administration in which the former Soviet leader accused the U.S. of "arrogance" and of having "lost credibility" in response to President Bush's plans to deploy a missile defense system in Europe. Cafferty asked viewers to email him with a response to the question of whether Bush was "reigniting the Cold War with Russia." Cafferty: "This is just swell, don't you think? We've got trouble with Russia now, which we haven't had for a number of years. The question is this: Is President Bush reigniting the Cold War with Russia?" (Transcript follows)
Cafferty opened the segment: "Wolf, 'The U.S.'s plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe are arrogant and threaten to usher in a new Cold War.' Those are the words of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev." He soon cited the former communist leader's contention that "70 percent of the Czech people don't want the missile shield in their country" before further quoting Gorbachev's charge that the U.S. has "lost credibility in the world." Cafferty: "Gorbachev also says this: 'There is the possibility that self-confidence, arrogance will lead to a situation similar to that with the war in Iraq. The United States is driving itself into a corner. They've lost credibility in the world,' unquote."
When Cafferty returned at the end of the 5:00 hour to read viewer emails, most of which were anti-Bush, he not only found amusement over one viewer's comparison of a U.S. plan for a system in Europe to fend off Iran to a Russian system in Canada to fend off Mexico, as he chuckled slightly at the suggestion, but he also mildly imitated President Bush as he read one viewer's rendition of a conversation between Bush and Vladimir Putin.
Below is a transcript of Cafferty's segment which aired at 5:08 p.m. on the June 6 The Situation Room, followed by a transcript of his reading of email responses from viewers, which aired shortly before 6:00 p.m.:
JACK CAFFERTY, at 5:08 p.m.: Wolf, "The U.S.'s plans to build a missile defense shield in Europe are arrogant and threaten to usher in a new Cold War." Those are the words of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. He believes that putting these anti-missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic will make Europe a target again. And he points out that polls show that 70 percent of the Czech people don't want the missile shield in their country. Gorbachev also says this: "There is the possibility that self-confidence, arrogance will lead to a situation similar to that with the war in Iraq. The United States is driving itself into a corner. They've lost credibility in the world," unquote. Mikhail Gorbachev.
CAFFERTY: Meantime, President Bush insists the Cold War's over. He told reporters in Germany today that Russia's not going to attack Europe, that despite President Vladimir Putin's recent threats to retarget missiles on Europe if the U.S. goes ahead with its anti-missile shield plan, which is apparently meant to protect Europe from Iran. Mr. Bush said Russia's not an enemy, although he once again criticized Russia's checkered past on democratic reforms and human rights. For his part, Putin has accused the U.S. of starting a new arms race. This is just swell, don't you think? We've got trouble with Russia now, which we haven't had for a number of years. The question is this: Is President Bush reigniting the Cold War with Russia?
...
CAFFERTY, at 5:58 p.m.: The question is, is President Bush reigniting the Cold War with Russia? Darren in Michigan writes: "Without a doubt. I wonder how Bush would feel if Putin wanted to set up a missile defense system in Canada to help keep Mexico from becoming a world threat?"
Clifton in Front Royal, Virginia: "No, but many in the media are trying to ignite it, at least to make it another political issue to divide the country."
Jerome writes: "What we need is a constitutional amendment to allow a vote of 'no confidence' for a sitting president. Impeachment is too hard, the election too far away, and the man too dangerous."
Jack in South Dakota: "Jack, this is one that Bush is actually not fumbling. Vladimir Putin is by far more dangerous to world peace than Osama bin Laden. Trusting or believing him about anything is risky for the U.S. and Europe. The next two years will make that painfully clear."
Jacquelyn in Chicago: "I don't think so. Our decider likes hot wars and has dreams of mushroom clouds dancing in his head. Really, really great presidents drop nukes, you know."
Tim in Beverly, Massachusetts: "Remember the Military-Industrial-Complex? We've got to feed the beast, and a good thing like the war in Iraq isn't going to last any longer than the Bush administration, so let's get the Cold War going again and let the good times roll."
Peggy in Tennessee: "Any time a person or country challenges Bush, he retaliates like a spoiled child. If he butts heads with his friend Vladimir, we'll all be hiding under our desks again."
And Cy writes this: Quoting the president now, "When I look into your eyes, Vladimir -- he lets me call him Vladimir -- I can sense that something has changed. You used to laugh at my jokes about the French, but now I think you're laughing at me. Where did our love go?"
If you didn't see your e-mail here, you can go to CNN.com/caffertyfile. We post more of them there, along with video clips of the Cafferty File. I think I butchered the accent pretty much, Wolf.
BLITZER: That's, not bad. Not bad. See you back here in an hour, Jack. Thanks very much.




















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oh poor Jack
June 7, 2007 - 06:53 ET by Jnobleol' Jack is just a cantankerous former news anchor pretending to be some sort of 'Network'-ish angry guy. Can't you see him going to the nearest window and screaming "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore?" It's OK Jack, just take some of these nice pills and everything will be fiiinnnneee......
Doesn't he appear to be a man
June 7, 2007 - 09:34 ET by Gat New YorkDoesn't he appear to be a man who is permanently constipated?
Gat, the constipated looking
June 7, 2007 - 09:40 ET by Cool ArrowGat, the constipated looking guy is Dennis Kucinich. The 'Network' guy was Howard Beal
I think we need to throw in t
June 7, 2007 - 11:09 ET by TruthMongerI think we need to throw in the strong liklihood of rhoids too...
But Jack's right I really wish Bush wouldn't stand up for our interests overseas all the time. It's almost as if he feels professionally responsible for America's well-being...like it's his job or something...
I wonder, is Putin maybe trying to re-ignite the cold war at all? Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah...
You can always give an ex-KGB the benefit of the doubt...
Old Jack forgot to mention th
June 7, 2007 - 07:08 ET by Mica the MagnificentOld Jack forgot to mention that the President of the Czech Republic WANTS the missle defense shield. Screw the polls.
Hey Jack, will you quote Castro and Chavez next? Maybe they can slam Bush, too. How about bringing a wee-gee board into the Situation Room and ask Che Gueverra his opinion!
I watch CNN because I'm stupid and want to stay that way. - A CNN viewer being honest
Dig this line:"I wonder
June 7, 2007 - 11:29 ET by TruthMongerDig this line:
"I wonder how Bush would feel if Putin wanted to set up a missile defense system in Canada to help keep Mexico from becoming a world threat?"
Does anyone know what we're doing about Mexico's fasciast dictatorship and drive for nukes? Tumbler...? Anyone...?
This is news to me, but I know we can handle it.
Looking at my calendar, I think we can maybe fit Mexico in for "regime change" sometime around the summer of 2015 or so...right after our "war for oil" with North Korea...we promised that one to Haliburton and really can't delay it much longer...but we will have to bump Darfur down again - unless they find diamonds or something...
I feel so arrogant...as we send trillions around the world helping people despise our arrogance...feels great:)!!!
Maybe I'll be voting more to dial back the foriegn aid. I mean who wants gargantuan amounts of money and military protection from an arrogant country like us, anyway?
According to reports, GWB jus
June 7, 2007 - 15:40 ET by KC MulvilleAccording to reports, GWB just agreed to consider a Russian proposal to put the missile shield in Azerbaijan. Let's say that again ... a United States president is willing to consider a Russian proposal about a matter of missile defense.
That's as far away from arrogance as you can get. I wonder if they'll acknowledge that ...
Arrogant Bastard
June 7, 2007 - 07:33 ET by ChasvsThe arrogant Bastard calling anyone arrogant is the height of hipocricy! Good thing no one but BDS Libs listen to this crank.
I wondered when Cafferty's BD
June 7, 2007 - 08:48 ET by kathleenirishI wondered when Cafferty's BDS was going to flame up again.
So, Putin's threats and actions have nothing to do with anything? Commandment #1 of the MSM religion: Blame America First!
What a dried up angry old raisin!
Anyone who says they support the troops but not the mission is a liar.
ol'Jacks worried that bush is
June 7, 2007 - 10:11 ET by dostrowol'Jacks worried that bush is gonna anger the ruskies. The fact that putin is whacking any russian reporter that says anything distasteful about him and then he says he's pointing missiles at european cities is ok. when gorby starts ripping putin for his behavior i will pay more attn to him. What do you want bush to do jack?, give putin a bundle of roses and chocolates and tell him to please be nice? Stop running around screaming with your hair on fire and get a grip jack
Jack Cafferty is a painfully predictable old crank.
June 7, 2007 - 10:10 ET by CTJack Cafferty is a painfully predictable old crank. He drags in a bag of BDS manure plunks it down on camera while complaining about the smell. Later he comes back and translates for us the comments of the flies his bag of manure attracted. This is what passes for news and commentary on CNN, it definitely STINKS!
ok- i give up whats BDS
June 7, 2007 - 10:13 ET by dostrowok- i give up whats BDS
BDS
June 7, 2007 - 10:16 ET by LionKingBush Derangement Syndrome
Ever notice you never see Jac
June 7, 2007 - 10:19 ET by drillanwrEver notice you never see Jack Cafferty and Keith Olby-I-Don't-Know-Nuttin' in the same place at the same time??? Yeah, I know they're on different cable networks ... But I'm just sayin' ...
Yes! reminds of when i was
June 7, 2007 - 10:23 ET by dostrowYes! reminds of when i was 5 years old. i never could never understand why diver Dan and the mermaid were never in the same segment
Are you saying that Diver Dan
June 7, 2007 - 10:27 ET by Gat New YorkAre you saying that Diver Dan was a cross-dresser?
well, i dont think he was
June 7, 2007 - 10:32 ET by dostrowwell, i dont think he was i just think he was on a very limited budget
So then Cafferty is the cros
June 7, 2007 - 19:08 ET by Gat New YorkSo then Cafferty is the cross-dresser.
Cafferty, you ignorant sl
June 7, 2007 - 12:59 ET by OIFveteranCafferty, you ignorant slut.
There never was a Cold War with Russia. It was with the U.S.S.R. Before someone says I'm arguing semantics, I would like to point out that Russia, eventhough oil-rich, doesn't have near as many resources to pull from as the former U.S.S.R. did.
Also, Putin may not be in this position today if Gorbachev accepted Reagan's offer 21 years ago at Rejkiavek (sp?). To prove that Reagan had no offensive hostilities towards the U.S.S.R. he was willing to share missle shield technology.
Putin's nationalizing of private industry's, mandating that 51% of all things said in the media are pro-government, shutting down media that don't follow that guideline, Litvenenko, Anna Politkovskaya, and the threats toward Europe (extortion through oil pricing and now threatening to point nukes at them), and Cafferty thinks Bush is the bad guy here?
You can take the man out of the KGB, but you can't take the KGB out of the man.
The only thing missing from Cafferty's rant is something about the joooooos.
How far left?
June 9, 2007 - 08:55 ET by DougSOk so let's get this straight: Cafferty quotes an ex Soviet dictator and an ex KGB head (a guy who simply murders his critics) in their criticisims of our president? I'm sure he thinks we would be better off if Gorby were in the '08 Democratic field?
They hate President Bush so much they just pipeline anything negative about him without any critical analysis. Unreal.
More on Russia
June 9, 2007 - 09:05 ET by UnsaneLet us not forget that Russia actually shut the taps on the pipelines to the Ukraine to extort better prices and has interfered in the elections there (only to run them off even further from Russia). They have closed their borders to Georgia on occasion in order to interfere with its messy internal politics. Oh, and over the last few weeks, they launched a series of cyber attacks on Estonian websites to protest that nation's removal of Soviet-era war memorials from places of public promenance.
But remember...as you said, in Cafferty's mind, if Gore or Kerry were President, Путин would be a total sweetheart. He is only acting this way because of the most hyper-evil bastard on earth (and of course that would be Bush).
THIRTEEN DOWN, THREE TO GO...(until the SPURS' FOURTH RING!!!)
Why is it Leftists, like Caff
June 7, 2007 - 14:22 ET by Chris NormanWhy is it Leftists, like Cafferty, look to a continent that has inflicted bloody wars, and has been wracked by fascist dictatorships and brutal communism, as some kind of arbitor and good example of sane foreign policy. Cuisine - yes, foreign policy - no.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Cafferty is a has been.I rare
June 7, 2007 - 14:25 ET by bigtimerCafferty is a has been.
I rarely watch or listen to the show at all anymore.
Why bother?
Same old...Same old.
Everyone knows that Bush is
June 7, 2007 - 20:55 ET by GregEEveryone knows that Bush is re-igniting the Cold War. How dare he want to protect the United States and our allies from nuclear attack! Where's the articles of impeachment for this amazingly crazy idea. Protect America? My gosh, who does he think he is? :-)