Straight out of the mouth of an old school, hardnosed, cynical New York tenured journalist, CNN’s Situation Room Host, Jack Cafferty spilled his admiration for the Michelle Obama on air and on his blog. In wake of the First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama’s first G20 summit visit, Cafferty gave a short report on Michelle Obama’s growing popularity in the United States and the European media. He cites statistics and comparisons from year ago, showing the shift has come primarily from Republicans who’ve had a change of heart. His commentary was initially objective, until he threw a surprise wrench halfway in his delivery, smiling and confessing, “I have a crush on her”.
I nearly fell out of my chair as I witnessed Journalism 101 thrown out of my television monitor. Walter Cronkite (“the most trusted man in America”) should give Cafferty a good scolding. The late Edward R. Murrow (“Good night and good luck”) is probably tossing in his grave. But wait the gushing and blushing continued!
The You Tube clip cuts off the more entertaining cross talk between Wolf Blizter and Cafferty that followed afterward. Blitzer didn’t let Cafferty off the hook that easily with his smitten confession and suggested Cafferty make a video ode to Michelle similar to Obama Girl’s internet hit ”Crush on Obama”. Cafferty misheard Wolf (probably because he was still in Michelle Obama dream land) and thought Wolf meant the President (not the First Lady), to which Cafferty quickly said, "I’m heterosexual".
The undeterred Blitzer came back and suggested Cafferty conduct a one on one interview with The First Lady. Cafferty, laughing heartily and smiling cheek to cheek at this point said she would not be interested if she knew he was the interviewee.
Now this is the same Jack Cafferty who was one of the primary anchors who manned the CNN airwaves within a few hours of the 9-11 tragedy. I remember him interviewing foreign policy and international affairs experts with his straight talk, no nonsense, cut out the fluff delivery and persona.
This is the first time I have ever seen him, or any other CNN anchor, reveal their desires. Where does objectivity go from here? It’s enough that cable news network and rival FOX blatantly does cartwheels for Republicans biased views (see my earlier post http://sfnative2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/rush-limbaugh-sean-hannity-perfect.html )
but now CNN, the “most trusted name in news”?
Don’t get me wrong. I like Cafferty because of his old school style and I’m not arguing about Michelle Obama’s rising popularity. I’m glad Cafferty reported it. What I do oppose is his personal (maybe emotional) revelations. Will he be able to check his schoolboy desires at the journalism door on future Obama stories? Will his confession help or hurt his integrity and trustworthiness amongst his viewers and readers? What do you think?
Maybe Cafferty should have left his confessions on his Facebook page instead, “What’s on your mind?"
Comments