Deciding that actual journalism was far too difficult, CBS News decided to go full Buzzfeed and ask Senator Bernie Sanders what his spirit animal was and whether he’s gained supporters because “it seems that birds on your side.” This “interview” of the controversial socialist Sanders was so glowing and positive, that it even began with Sanders being asked to “say hi to all your Facebook fans” – on CBS News’s Facebook page.
The video, first noticed by CNSNews.com’s Eric Scheiner, shows Producer Kylie Atwood and Senior Political Editor Steve Chaggaris interviewing Sanders for a Facebook Live Chat.
“There’s also a tone of positivity in your campaign, and I see that daily on the campaign trail with you.” Atwood, who was introduced as being embedded with the Sanders campaign, said. “It was most evident when a small bird came onto the stage. And, you basically shut down the internet, shut down Facebook, because the hashtag ‘Birdie Sanders’ started trending. Do you think that you’ve gained more supporters, because it seems that birds are on your side?”
“Well, we think this is a message from...the ether.” Sanders responded, waving his hands about and looking up into the heavens.
“Yeah,” Atwood said with a smile.
“It’s a symbol,” Sanders continued. “It’s a symbol that we’re on the right side of this issue.”
Suddenly, President Obama’s interview on Zach Galifianakis’s Between Two Ferns is starting to look a little more professional.
The follow-up questions didn’t get any better. “Do you have an animal spirit – a spirit animal?” Atwood continued.
“A spirit animal. Oh, that’s a hard question.” Bernie replied, before giving a rambling response about the “important issue” of “not seeing a species wiped out by climate change.”
The segment wrapped up with a predictable word association game in which Sanders associated “President Obama” with “brilliant man.”
Those waiting for Senator Ted Cruz, or any conservative for that matter, to get this kind of shameless promotional interview shouldn’t hold their breaths.
