CNN anchor to protester: Hey, stop calling yourselves “real Americans”
posted at 4:45 pm on August 17, 2009 by Allahpundit
All this poor guy meant by “real” is that the people at Obama’s town halls were true grassroots activists who went on their own initiative, not as fronts for the White House or some conservative astroturf operation. After three weeks of being smeared every which way as flakes and phonies by the guardians of tolerance, capped by Madam Speaker calling shouters un-American, who can blame him for stressing the point? Answer: Don Lemon, deciding that even the remote chance that viewers might take this as a challenge to the patriotism of ObamaCare supporters warranted an impromptu lecture on proper political rhetorical in the age of Hopenchange. And I do mean lecture. There’s nothing in the way of a question here, as one might expect from a “reporter.”
Shot in the dark: Any CNN fans among the Hot Air readership? I’m mighty curious to know if Lemon’s flown into any similar snits about the cavalcade of “divisive” Nazi/brownshirt/political terrorist spin oozing from his side of the aisle. Click the image to watch.
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Doesn’t he know he’s getting $400 back from the stimulus bill?
Shut up and sit down.
lorien1973 on August 17, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Protester to CNN anchor: Hey, stop calling yourself a “real journalist”.
MB4 on August 17, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Don Lemon is also the idiot who thought that the reception Obama got at Ghana was unique because he’s black.
Then the reporter told him no, he was a moron and Bush got the exact same reception.
The look on his face was priceless.
Enoxo on August 17, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Don Lemon is as dumb as powder. He’s mighty easy on the eyes, though. Which is why he got the job. I’d bet money on it.
SouthernGent on August 17, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I, for one, was deeply offended by the Brooks Brothers comment.
I only shop at Joseph A. Bank.
UltimateBob on August 17, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I’m a CNN fan, but only by default (they still do more news than the others and not so much with the blowhards).
YYZ on August 17, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Not here.
+1
rbj on August 17, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Hear this on Rush:
Real American is Codeword for Racism. Not Joking about this mind you.
rob verdi on August 17, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Lololololol
Sharke on August 17, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Could you find CNN viewers anywhere?
rob verdi on August 17, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Rush played clips of Mr. Lemon on his show today. He’s another one of those who says to protest the healthcare reform is code fo racisim.
Cindy Munford on August 17, 2009 at 4:49 PM
That’s “unprecedented”…..
Caper29 on August 17, 2009 at 4:49 PM
When will we even have a free press again? We desperately need one – this guy is an idiot
idahoconservative on August 17, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Oh for the love of Godiva, I’ve missed you!
Laura in Maryland on August 17, 2009 at 4:50 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf9q_4n5-1A
This is the same guy who got that “Watchoo talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” look on his face when a reporter told him that Bush’s reception in Africa was just as enthusiastic as Obama’s.
Mark1971 on August 17, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Chavez News Network!
Keef Overbite on August 17, 2009 at 4:50 PM
American: the new n-word
tetriskid on August 17, 2009 at 4:51 PM
IOW, if they call you brown shirts, swastika carrying nazis, paid protesters, republican pawns, angry mob, brooks brothers dressed, poorly dressed, right wingnuts, extremists, just take it! Don’t tell ME you are real Americans. That’s inflammatory!
Christian Conservative on August 17, 2009 at 4:51 PM
I don’t watch this stuff. The lecturing tone of the media today is simply unbearable to me.
It’s so opposite of my own values. What’s fascinating is that Democrats used to be the champions of “pocket-book Democrats.”
They were respectful. No more. I feel like it’s turned into corporate Democrats versus the people.
And, frankly, corporate Republicans versus the people, too.
AnninCA on August 17, 2009 at 4:51 PM
If we cannot use “Real American”, can we use “Typical American?”
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Ouch!
roux on August 17, 2009 at 4:52 PM
What’s he got that I don’t have?
Cheshire Cat on August 17, 2009 at 4:52 PM
The parodies write themselves. But what Republican has the stones to use them?
FontanaConservative on August 17, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Their history shows they have also run more false anti-American stories than the others. How can you defend them for doing so, and continue to reward them by watching?
CNN’s “journalisti excellence”:
1. Falsely accused the US of nerve-gassing Laotian civilians.
2. Falsely accused US soldiers of murdering Iraqi journalists.
3. Happily showed videos provided by America’s enemy, showing the sniper’s-eye view of American soldiers just before the sniper pulled the trigger.
4. Also whitewashed Saddam Hussein’s atrocities for 10 years.
If you can find examples of other news organizations doing similar things, please do so.
Del Dolemonte on August 17, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Trust me, they are still pocket-book Democrats.
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Where does Susan Roesgen go to get her reputation back?
/
JammieWearingFool on August 17, 2009 at 4:53 PM
———–
on gore’s lies in ‘inconvenient truth’ being ok
all hail newsbusters.org!!!!!
battleoflepanto1571 on August 17, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I think we all know the answer to that.
AUINSC on August 17, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I thought “newsmen” were supposed to ask insightful questions and seek out information. I didn’t appreciate that tool admonishing his interview subject like a naughty schoolboy.
CNN needs to clean house if it has any hope of competing. MSNBC has the Kool Aid drinker market cornered, Fox has conservatives, libertarians, independents and free thinkers, CNN will be SOL if it doesn’t stop taking marching orders from Rahm.
Laura in Maryland on August 17, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Spouse?
WashJeff on August 17, 2009 at 4:55 PM
So since it was a tape that he was featuring – not live, but a day after the fact – it’s clear he wanted people to see this exchange. Rather than show contrition for his “professionalism” (i.e., lack thereof), he’s actually proud of it.
jrouse9394 on August 17, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I’ll take blowhards over DNC shills any day. Any network that gives so much air time to Begala just isn’t on my radar. Then there are those solid, objective “journalists” like Sanchez and Cooper…
ddrintn on August 17, 2009 at 4:55 PM
When were the democrats respectful?
Name me a year that they were for the ‘pocketbook’.
An election year, frankly, any year?????????
battleoflepanto1571 on August 17, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Call me thin skinned, but any network that refers to me, as a tea bagger….gets no viewing from me. CNN hasn’t been part of my viewing for a looooooooong time.
capejasmine on August 17, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I’m a big CNN fan
Whenever I need a good LOL I turn it on
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Sssshhhh! AP is waiting for a show of hands before bringing out the open registration ban hammer;)
Laura in Maryland on August 17, 2009 at 4:56 PM
All I can tell you about Don Lemon is that he was a no-talent hack reporter here at the NBC affiliate in Philly and now he’s a no-talent hack anchor at the Clinton News Network… Clearly, he was an affirmative-action hire at both stops… Color has it’s privileges so to speak…
Delaware Vol on August 17, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Poor CNN. AFter all these years they’re believing their own Liberal Anti-American brainwashing. That’s why Fox News is decimating them in the ratings.
kingsjester on August 17, 2009 at 4:56 PM
They are always respectful (to those who wish us harm), and they are definitely for the pocketbook (ours).
Laura in Maryland on August 17, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Fixed that for ya, Ann.
The Democrats are the party of trial lawyers. That’s why you will never see tort reform as a part of any healthcare legislation that the Democrats will ever write.
UltimateBob on August 17, 2009 at 4:57 PM
I still like CNN because they do crack some stories and they have less celebrity crap than FOX. Their anchors are another story, as well as their reporters.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 4:58 PM
You scared me for a second there BB.
The funny thing is on Youtube (which I’m a member of.) They’re actually praising the “reporter“.
FontanaConservative on August 17, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Before Chicago Jesus;
Dissent is patriotic!
After Chicago Jesus:
Dissent is racism!
John D on August 17, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Maybe, but the Democrats just drip with contempt for the hoi polloi. It’s going to destroy them eventually.
ddrintn on August 17, 2009 at 4:59 PM
With the New Mussolini in the White House
And Don Lemon’s cheers even louder than Bill Maher’s
Now Al Gore will control the temperature in your own house
And your fate is no longer steered by your own stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Obamaius
Age of Obamanius
Obamanius! Obamanius!
Unlimited welfare spending and taxing
ACORN’s power abounding
No more Republican objections
Only Harry, Nancy, Emanuel and Kevorkian’s visions
One more after another Supreme Court marxist ordination
And America’s complete subjugation
This is the dawning of the Age of Obamaius
Age of Obamanius
Obamanius! Obamanius!
MB4 on August 17, 2009 at 4:59 PM
CNN and their leftist shills can go to hell. Tell that idiot CNN puke to drop by the house and I’ll take him to meet some real Americans because he obviously doesn’t know who or what they are.
rplat on August 17, 2009 at 5:00 PM
lol
gotta keep you on your toes
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 5:00 PM
TOTAL PRIMETIME VIEWERS, Last wednesday:
FoxNews – 17.3 million
CNN – 4.8 million
To put it in perspective, Bill O’Reilly ALONE (8pmET+8pm pacific rerun) beat out CNN’s ENTIRE PRIMETIME LINEUP COMBINED by 20%.
SMACKDOWN!
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/the_scoreboard_wednesday_august_12_124323.asp
battleoflepanto1571 on August 17, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I actually didn’t find that to be a terrible case of media bias. It seems like a miscommunication, as AP notes, and neither if the interviewees seemed put off. Lemon is errible for other reasons, like his incomperable moral preening on racial issues.
Lemon is a twit, but not because of this.
Aquateen Hungerforce on August 17, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Laura, it looks like.
Daggett on August 17, 2009 at 5:01 PM
CNN is giving MSNBC a run for their money.
Vashta.Nerada on August 17, 2009 at 5:02 PM
How transparent, Mr. Lemon had a point to make. I ask this question, are illegal immigrants carrying signs for ACORN real Americans too?
booter on August 17, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Easy on the brain, too.
The next Susan Roesgen? If I was a protester, I’d ask CNN if they think CNN people and the protesters are equal. Then watch the smirkcross the reporters’ faces, followed by their lame attempt to sound like they’re not condescending arseholes.
hawksruleva on August 17, 2009 at 5:03 PM
It’s kind of sad, really. I started paying attention to the news back in the 80s, during my teens, and CNN wasn’t bad at that time. Now they’re just trying to outdo MSNBC in the mega-shill competition. Lou Dobbs is about all they have left.
ddrintn on August 17, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Uh, they may crack some stories, but they are as enthralled to the celebrity culture as FOX. Of course, this is neither their nor FOX’s fault, as their ratings go through the roof when the go all Jacko all the time. Blame the viewers. I do.
Aquateen Hungerforce on August 17, 2009 at 5:03 PM
CNN not so much…I’m wondering how typical this scenario is: My wife used to watch all kinds of TV, Boston Legal, all the CSIs, Ugly Betty, etc. I noticed at some point she quit, probably 5 or 6 months ago (could have been that writer’s strike). Now all she watches is Fox News and baseball when the Astros are playing. We have had satellite for at least 6 years and this is brand new. She says she can’t stand being insulted when she’s watching the networks anymore. I keep having to turn down the arguing they get into but I’m curious, is this going on anywhere else?
DanMan on August 17, 2009 at 5:04 PM
I was expecting something that would make my blood boil, but didn’t see that. Even a broken watch is right twice a day. Now the gentleman was talking about “everyday” American’s and not political activists operating under orders when he used the term real American’s. That’s a given.
Me thinks more smoke than fire on this one.
But the journalist did sound more like an Obama administration official than a news journalists. For that he’s a real American idiot.
Hog Wild on August 17, 2009 at 5:04 PM
I didn’t defend them – I said they were the best of a bad lot.
YYZ on August 17, 2009 at 5:04 PM
I’ll give CNN credit for one thing. Their election coverage is really good, epecially online, as far as producing maps of the states…county by county even.
SouthernGent on August 17, 2009 at 5:04 PM
LOL, you just admitted that even though their people totally suck, you still watch them anyway?
Del Dolemonte on August 17, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Am I a fan of CNN?
Not since they replaced my favorite anchor, Catherine Callaway, and the rest with brainless booth babes.
(To be fair, I don’t know if Catherine has brains, but I don’t care, either.)
Daggett on August 17, 2009 at 5:05 PM
You mean comedy news network? Naw, I go to the onion for that stuff.
ConservativeJawa on August 17, 2009 at 5:05 PM
I can’t bring myself to watch CNN>
1921 C DRUM on August 17, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Saying they’re the best is defending them.
Del Dolemonte on August 17, 2009 at 5:05 PM
You’re not the only one here who believes that.
YYZ on August 17, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Who is Don Lemon and why is he acting like a daytime talk show host?
CarolynM on August 17, 2009 at 5:07 PM
*chuckle*
blatantblue on August 17, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I know this is offensive, but is Don Lemon retarded or something?
NathanG on August 17, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Irony of ironies…
…Bush was BETTER received in Ghana.
Wolftech on August 17, 2009 at 5:09 PM
NO WAY! I’d miss the good looking women on Fox. If I want to see plain I’ll go to CNN, if I want to see lesbians, I’d go to MSNBC
Jeff from WI on August 17, 2009 at 5:09 PM
CNN Journalists: making themselves part of the story since 1980.
portlandon on August 17, 2009 at 5:09 PM
How much longer are we going to let Democrats and the MSM continue this narrative about prostesters stiffling “real” debate?
THEY ARE PROTESTING BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DEBATE TAKING PLACE.
Komrade President The One wanted this abomination passed before August when no one had any idea what was in it! What kind of “debate” was that!?!
We need talking points to correct this narrative now!
dlc2 on August 17, 2009 at 5:10 PM
I no longer listen to ANYTHING related to the Communist News Network. They are just as bad as the alphabet channels.
blr2449 on August 17, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Their talking heads are just that: talking heads. Their on-the-scene reporters inject plenty of their own bias. However, on more than one occasion, I’ve seen stories released on CNN hours, or sometimes even days ahead of FOX.
I don’t know for certain that Wolf Blitzer does crack, but I’m pretty sure Rick Sanchez does.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 5:10 PM
If this buffoon can’t handle passionate protesters, he’s better off staying in the studio reading notes from a teleprompter. Another joke like Susan Roesgan.
RepubChica on August 17, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Porn is free on the internet. I’m more interested in actual news from my news networks.
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Hmmmm. This “real American” talk as some sort of code is a favorite talking point for DNC-controlled lefties. It’s interesting that the Obama media is so transparently in line with official DNC smear tactics. They sound desperate.
littleguy on August 17, 2009 at 5:11 PM
We ARE the free press…Thank goodness Algore invented teh Internets…and radio, I think. Because of him we have blogs and talk radio to keep an eye on things. ;) (Goodness knows the Lamestream media isn’t.)
Battlecruiser-operational on August 17, 2009 at 5:11 PM
While I’m disgusted at Lemon’s work in general I agree with the principle espoused here. It cheeses me off that these folks are convinced they are the only “real” Americans. It’s also unsettling that I have yet to see one non-white protestor. I find it so hard to believe that there isn’t one non-white person in the country who opposes this healthcare bill. This one certainly does (though for different reasons than the protestors I imagine). Why is this an all-white movement? When you combine that with claims of being “real Americans” I can see how some folks feathers are ruffled.
I’ll wait for the inevitable “race hustlah!” accusations.
CrankyIndependent on August 17, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Outrageous!
sonnyspats1 on August 17, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Lemon seemed off topic and focused on who’s “real american” .The interviewee quickly explained what he meant. I think Lemon was trying to deflect that most townhalls have been setups, with ACORN, Union thugs, Obama workers…
Journalist–not so much.
conservativegrandma on August 17, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Only at airports, where they have no choice.
Ed Driscoll on August 17, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Does Robin Meade count?
elduende on August 17, 2009 at 5:13 PM
This “real American” would like Don Lemon to do one thing and one thing only.
1. stop interviewing protestors and start interviewing members of Congress who might vote on this bill. Fox is doing a perfectly good job of pushing the protestor angle, that’s their job.
2. After ascertaining a lawmakers position on healthcare (or any issue) ask the following question “I see here that you’ve taken X amount of money from how does that effect your position on the healthcare bill.”
It’s the simplest question of life and not one interviewer will ask it. But they will yell their heads off screaming “we’re all real Americans” causing people who wanted to LEARN something about the healthcare debate to roll their eyes and flee to the internet. God the media sucks….
CrankyIndependent on August 17, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Guess that’s two things…..:)
CrankyIndependent on August 17, 2009 at 5:16 PM
They’re right about the state of American schools. :P
MadisonConservative on August 17, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Dole Delmonte
Don’t forget Peter “The Puppet” Arnett broadcasting from Allied installations in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War. The Iraqis used the footage to assist in targeting Scuds.
trollkiller on August 17, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Hey I caught it! Also, shut up, heh.
CrankyIndependent on August 17, 2009 at 5:18 PM
You stand corrected.
Ted Torgerson on August 17, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Ask the flag seller in the wheelchair.
1921 C DRUM on August 17, 2009 at 5:18 PM
I hate newspapermen. They come into camp and pick up their camp rumors and print them as facts. I regard them as spies, which, in truth, they are. If I killed them all there would be news from Hell before breakfast.
- William Tecumseh Sherman
MB4 on August 17, 2009 at 5:20 PM
And to you, Mr. Anchorman… why don’t you stop calling yourself a journalist and start calling yourself a “racist that supports Obama because he is black” instead?
Then sip on a nice hot cup of STFU.
cannonball on August 17, 2009 at 5:22 PM
You are a race baiter…happy now?
AUINSC on August 17, 2009 at 5:23 PM
+100!
Speaking for some of us that were up in the nosebleed section until registration was opened–I spent many a evening at work reading your comments and LOL. Just wanted you to know I was a fan that missed you too…
lovingmyUSA on August 17, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Hate to break this to you Don…but the reason why there was no protests 5 years ago is because there was no bill 5 years ago…what an idiot.
Did he not no know of the problem when this was last foisted on us, by Hillary, in 1993, about 16 years ago…
“Real Americans” don’t protest when there is nothing to protest….duhhhhhh!
right2bright on August 17, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Thats right the people protesting Bozo’s socialist program ARE real Americans. Those supporting socialism are NOT real Americans.
These are the same people that blame America for the attacks on our country on 9/11 and support Bozo.
How many failed examples of socialism are required before people wake up and realize it simply cannot work?
dogsoldier on August 17, 2009 at 5:25 PM
….zzzzz……
gatorboy on August 17, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Isn’t he the anchor who was heartbroken to discover that Africans welcomed the eevil Booosh to Africa?
Buy Danish on August 17, 2009 at 5:26 PM
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