CNN Rejects 5,000 YouTube Questions Submitted By The Public To Give Airtime To Grover Norquist
CNN Rejects 5,000 YouTube Questions Submitted By The Public To Give Airtime To Grover Norquist
CNN and YouTube billed tonight’s Republican debate as one in which “YOU ask the questions of the candidates through videos you submit on YouTube.” After the Democratic debate in July with the same format, Steve Grove, YouTube’s news and politics editor, said the debate was “more democratic than ever.”
Out of almost 5,000 video submissions, CNN chose to pose 34 to the candidates tonight. Instead of alloting all slots to ordinary citizens — who don’t normally have access to politicians — CNN gave airtime to a question from Americans for Tax Reform president Grover Norquist. Watch it:
Norquist is a powerful right-wing Washington insider, with no shortage of access to the candidates. He was deeply involved in the unethical and secretive K Street Project, which helped foster the culture of corruption in Washington, and was close friends with fallen lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In July, he received an exclusive meeting with Karl Rove to discuss the administration’s Iraq policies.
Ironically, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) also submitted a YouTube question. Yet CNN rejected it, arguing that he “has regular access to politicians.”
UPDATE: CNN also didn’t air the question of DNC chairman Howard Dean (which was submitted after the deadline), or the video submitted by Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT).
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46 Responses to “CNN Rejects 5,000 YouTube Questions Submitted By The Public To Give Airtime To Grover Norquist”
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Fascist MSM at it’s best.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:19 pmCNN can’t stand the fact that the Media is becoming more and more irrelevant.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:22 pmSo much for the “Clinton News Network”. What a fracking joke.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:24 pmHmm, I guess they don’t need my ad money then.
Any suggestions for a reputable news source? I don’t see any here, other than TP of course.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:25 pmthat’s embarrassing.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:26 pmOh My GOD, I have seen the “GOP WINGBAT SHYT”.
We are saved!
GOP believe and report that Jesus supports Capital Punishment!
How do they view Jesus stopping the stoning to death an adulteress?
God save us and our nation from these fools!
Demand the Turth!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:27 pmIt was shocking to see Abramoff buddy asking a question on the screen. CNN:”YouTube ,we choose”
November 28th, 2007 at 9:29 pmI’m surprised the candidates chose to be on stage with a gay man. They probably didn’t know.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:43 pmAt the risk of sounding shallow, who the hell names a kid Grover and why does anybody give a damn about this fool named Grover?
November 28th, 2007 at 9:43 pmWere there any introductory comments about maestro Norquist? And why isn’t he being indicted for many, many crimes? He has secretly been running this government for 7 years now, meets with Bushit weekly, and drives the whole fascist agenda. But I bet 2 out of a hundred Americans know his name let alone what he does. Gag me. I will no longer watch CNN (rarely do anyway–what news?). I intend to write them as many times as possible. This is inexcusable.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:51 pmHello there! It is I, your favorite, furry little right-wing scumbag, Grover!
November 28th, 2007 at 9:51 pmThe funny thing about these YouTube deals is that I make sure I am in the room and listening when the question is asked, but tend to wander off during the answers.
It is hard to believe these debates matter. They are poor theatre, at best.
November 28th, 2007 at 9:51 pmIn flipping back and forth to the debate I was unfortunate to have tuned in just in time to see this a** ask his question. Why he was given a time slot tonight is a good question for CNN to answer.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:02 pmWas Groper, err, Grover in the bathtub when he asked the question?
-GSD
November 28th, 2007 at 10:05 pmThese “debates” are not debates. A debate is where a question is asked, then each candidate gets a set amount of time to answer the same question, or present a rebuttal. Separate questions for each candidate is contrary to the purpose of debates.
Of course, since none of the candidates have separated themselves from Bushco, to my satisfaction, they might as well sing show tunes.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:06 pmthats my namesake…because i think he’s one of the biggest bastards in this narrative.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:06 pmThis stunned me, although I don’t know why. Can anyone honestly identify the American political process at the national level as anything but a rigged game? Jesus H. Christ!
November 28th, 2007 at 10:08 pmThese “debates†are not debates. A debate is where a question is asked, then each candidate gets a set amount of time to answer the same question, or present a rebuttal. Separate questions for each candidate is contrary to the purpose of debates.
Comment by pete — November 28, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
What do you think the Stephen-Douglas debates were like as far as the crowd goes? How many people could hear what they were saying? They were published in the papers, but as they took place, were the crowd quiet, did they applaud, yell questions, throw things?
Every time I see a debate and the crowd becomes a factor I again think “canned laughter”
November 28th, 2007 at 10:11 pmlet me guess, grover asked if the candidates perfered their tuna packed in oil or spring water.
or
which is your favorite ahnd lotion, JERGENSâ„¢ or SUAVEâ„¢?
November 28th, 2007 at 10:12 pmThe amazing Giuliani said even The New York Yankees stopped winning after he left his office as a mayor.
We should be terrified should he decides to leave America.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:18 pmOT: Huckabee on sending Hillary on the first rocket to Mars. I say cheap shot, asshat. Whatever the merits of her ideas, Hillary Clinton is in so many ways an American pioneer. You, sir, are a snake-oil retread.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:23 pmHypocrite of the night was Gov. Romney…
Romney showed anger looking at the Confederate flag..and he said that “we are one country,we are Americans, we are united”,then lashed at Edwards accusing him of saying we are two countries.
Romney forgot that he said he will not appoint a Moslem American to his cabinet just two days ago.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:28 pmTancredo blamed trips to the moon for the budget deficit.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:31 pmRomney oozed grease and lies.
Giuliani was trying to push aside the corruption surrounding him.
McCain doesn’t know history.
Fred. Meh. No news as usual, what a waste of space.
Tancredo still thinks Mexican immigrants killed his parents or something.
Ron Paul was the only honest, intelligent, and principled man on the stage. Too bad he didn’t get more questions, and actually good questions.
November 28th, 2007 at 10:51 pmOver 75% of Americans are concerned about healthcare and not a single question. I guess Grover and flags are more important……
November 28th, 2007 at 10:55 pmComment by Keltoi at Night — November 28, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
As a long time non-subscriber, to cable T.V., I can pick and choose what I watch of the “debates”. One of the most promising things, to me, is the crowd response. I think a candidate spewing B.S. deserves to be shouted down. It serves to show their character under pressure. And how they deal with being angry.
The sad fact is that none of the candidates, from either party, have done much to earn my respect. And, I fear, it’s going to get worse after the nominations are final.
November 28th, 2007 at 11:00 pmOf course they would talk about those that entered our country illegally… they always pull out that wedge issue, always have it available as notice it never gets solved.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:03 amSusan is concerned about OUR present health care system… the system run by corporations for profit, can pick and choose their clients and make profits by denying coverage. What a joke this is in front of the world and how tragic if has become for so many.
America wants a decent affordable health care system where no one is denied…perhaps coverage like Cheney, Bush and Congress receives.
CNN does it again!! They not only approved a question from someone (Keith Kerr, retired Colonel., U.S. Army; retired Brigadier General, California National Reserve) affiliated with the Clinton campaign without identifying the affiliation, they invited him to the debate so that he could ask a follow-up.
He’s listed under:
LGBT Americans For Hillary Steering Committee Members (Committee In Formation)
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2196
Good old CNN. The Clinton News Network - biased as usual!
November 29th, 2007 at 12:25 amIt was one thing many years ago for CNN to allow a question on Larry King Live for Audrey Hepburn from her nephew (or niece, I can’t quite recall which it was). That was kind of sweet. It’s another thing to give such time to Grover Norquist, one of the strangest bedfellows (wink, wink) of all in rightwing politics.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:28 amGood job, John Kerry!!! You are right!!! Kerr is a lesbian!!!
November 29th, 2007 at 12:29 am“Out of almost 5,000 video submissions, CNN chose to pose 34 to the candidates tonight.”
The rest of the questions were probably from “don’t taze me bro” boy and others of his ilk. ;)
November 29th, 2007 at 12:50 amAnd the 34 questions were the ilk of “Why are you such a stud, Mr President?” Right, upright? I know you really want to know.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:53 amAnd the 34 questions were the ilk of “Why are you such a stud, Mr President?†Right, upright? I know you really want to know.
Comment by Sabyen91 — November 29, 2007 @ 12:53 am
I must have missed that one, bud. Please refrain from bringing your sexual obsessions into a political discussion. It doesn’t reflect well on ya, sabby. ;)
November 29th, 2007 at 1:02 amOh, you must have missed that I was referring to sexually obsessed and repressed Repubs, upright!!! My apologies for not being more clear!
November 29th, 2007 at 1:03 amOh, you must have missed that I was referring to sexually obsessed and repressed Repubs, upright!!! My apologies for not being more clear!
Comment by Sabyen91 — November 29, 2007 @ 1:03 am
Nice attempt at recovery, bud, but too late. ;)
November 29th, 2007 at 1:07 amOk, upright, if you insist. I am sorry you don’t understand human communication :)
November 29th, 2007 at 1:08 amOk, upright, if you insist. I am sorry you don’t understand human communication :)
Comment by Sabyen91 — November 29, 2007 @ 1:08 am
You communicated your feelings all too well, bud. ;)
November 29th, 2007 at 1:11 amThis is a double edged sword. I found it really nice to watch the odious Mr. Norquist yanking his chains and watching every candidate knuckle under. That’s the story here.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:11 amupright, if you think I was hitting on you I am sorry. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but no thanks.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:14 amupright, if you think I was hitting on you I am sorry. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but no thanks.
Comment by Sabyen91 — November 29, 2007 @ 1:14 am
Never occurred to me, bud, since the candidates excite you. ;)
November 29th, 2007 at 1:19 amHonestly, the candidates don’t excite me one bit. I just feel sorry for you righties since they are all dead fish…no excitement there at all.
November 29th, 2007 at 1:24 amHonestly, the candidates don’t excite me one bit. I just feel sorry for you righties since they are all dead fish…no excitement there at all.
Comment by Sabyen91 — November 29, 2007 @ 1:24 am
If that’s the case, bud, ya ought to be a little more careful about making comments that make ya seem to be attracted to them. I believe ya. Really. ;)
November 29th, 2007 at 1:30 am#3 Lefty Patriot,
Actually, as it turns out, CNN did indeed air a question from a Sen. Clinton campaign staffer…I m sure it was just an accident:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28CCf4cEDpI
November 29th, 2007 at 2:49 amHow is a youtube debate any different from any other if CNN picks the questions?
November 29th, 2007 at 6:26 amAs of this (next) morning, the Norquist video has already been pulled.
I’ll leave it up to you to ponder why.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:37 amWhat struck me the most about the U-Tube debates as well as the other Republican debates was the lack of compassion for the human condition among the candidates? It was scary.
The hate was flowing. It was lake Nuremberg in the 1930’s.
Mike Huckabee said he was in favor of the Mars program and then suggested sending Hillary Clinton there.
When Ron Paul tried to explain why it is not a good thing to occupy a country illegally and that it only promotes backlash, the crowd booed him.
When Mitt Romney talked about holding prisoners indefinitely with out counsel against the Geneva conventions they cheered him. I believed he said “I want to double the size of Guantanomoâ€.
When Giuliani was asked by a Muslim young women how he would prevent a backlash against innocent Muslims due to the 911 and the war on terror, he immediately responded with the words “by staying on the offensiveâ€. The crowd immediately cheered when they heard those four words. Blood was in the air. I suspect that was not exactly the answer she was expecting.
When the older gay vet was speaking about his service to our country and how homosexuals have and our serving our country and the fact that two servicemen every year are getting kicked out due to their sexual orientation and why that is wrong, the crowd was booing him. I wonder if his microphone was really accidentally turned off or turned off by one of the homophobes in the crowd. Don’t Republicans realize that most modern industrial societies today allow gays in the military? What is wrong with these people?
The whole evening the hate flowed.
Yes, the U-Tube debate showed me that there is a large segment of the population that has absolutely no compassion for the human condition. It showed me that the hate is so strong out there that the very principles that this country was founded on are in serious jeopardy. I now understand how hate can lead to fascism. I understand how the Germans became Nazi’s in the 1930’s and 1940’s. I now know that this is starting to happen in this country.
November 29th, 2007 at 12:18 pm