Who's in charge at CNN? Klein capitulates, allows Dobbs' birther coverage to continue
SUMMARY: Apparently contradicting a statement he reportedly made the day before pronouncing the birther story seemingly "dead," CNN president Jonathan Klein has reportedly said that CNN would allow Lou Dobbs to continue airing conspiracy theories about President Obama's birth certificate.
In a July 24 interview with Washington Post Co. blogger Greg Sargent, CNN president Jonathan Klein reportedly said that CNN would allow Lou Dobbs to continue airing conspiracy theories about President Obama's birth certificate and stated: "I think no good journalist would ever say that a particular story will never be covered again. Every day brings new facts, new pegs."
Klein's reported statement appears to directly contradict an email he sent to Dobbs' show just one day earlier, in which he reportedly pronounced the birther story seemingly "dead" and declared that "anyone who still is not convinced doesn't really have a legitimate beef." As Media Matters for America documented, Dobbs appeared to disregard Klein's admonishment that the story was "dead," asking CNN contributor Roland Martin on July 23: "When this could be dispelled so quickly, and -- and simply by producing [the birth certificate], why not do it?"
Despite his reported statement that the story is "dead" and that the birth certificate conspiracy theorists don't "really have a legitimate beef," Klein reportedly told The New York Times on July 24 that, in the Times' words, "the e-mail message should not be interpreted as an order to stop debating the subject." According to the Times, Klein "defended Mr. Dobbs' broadcast, saying that 'what we do here all the time is dig into the truth about all kinds of controversial issues.' "
From Klein's July 23 email, obtained by TVNewser [emphasis added]:
----- Original Message -----
From: Klein, Jon (CNN)
Sent: Thu Jul 23 19:00:44 2009
Subject: Important re birth certificateI asked the political researchers to dig into the question "why couldn't Obama produce the ORIGINAL birth certificate?"
This is what they forwarded. It seems to definitively answer the question. Since the show's mission is for Lou to be the explainer and enlightener, he should be sure to cite this during your segment tonite. And then it seems this story is dead - because anyone who still is not convinced doesn't really have a legitimate beef.
Thx
*****************
*In 2001 - the state of Hawaii Health Department went paperless.*Paper documents were discarded*The official record of Obama's birth is now an official ELECTRONIC record Janice Okubo, spokeswoman for the Health Department told the Honolulu Star Bulletin, "At that time, all information for births from 1908 (on) was put into electronic files for consistent reporting," she said.
From Sargent's July 24 post:
Asked if CNN is concerned that Dobbs' repeated granting of airtime to theories the network has conclusively debunked amounts to overkill and could harm CNN's credibility, Klein brushed off the possibility. "We respect our viewers enough to present them the facts and let them make up their own minds," he said, adding that what Dobbs does is "his editorial decision to make."
Klein sent a private memo to Dobbs staffers yesterday saying the birther story is "dead" and questioning its legitimacy, but Dobbs has continued to discuss it on the air, anyway. Klein said the memo wasn't a sign of concern, however, calling that conclusion "overblown."
Asked if CNN would take any action if Dobbs continued airing the birther theories, Klein said No: "I think no good journalist would ever say that a particular story will never be covered again. Every day brings new facts, new pegs."
It isn't surprising now to see why Dobbs rants and raves such nonsense, Jon Klein is just as much an enabler for furthering this "movement" as Dobbs. Klein is perfectly comfortable with allowing, "Look, Lou's his own show..." it's his editorial decision to make," instead of being the head of a supposedly credible news organization. It
His statement, "Look, Lou's his own show," shows no respect for the other CNN reporters who have debunked, dismissed and distanced themselves from Dobbs and his persistence in furthering this half-baked story. They may not openly say it, but I can imagine they feel their opinions, backed by facts, do not have very much support from the top.
In this article, "asked if CNN is concerned that Dobbs' rants could harm CNN's credibility, Klein brushed it off with his "we respect our viewers" drivel.
Well, Klein, the viewers did make up their minds, but obviously you didn't get the memo. In no way would I suggest that viewers dictate what stories are or are not covered, but viewers should expect a network, and the head no less, to recognize the difference between what is truly newsworthy and relevant and garbage.
The story isn't what the birthers message is, which has been thoroughly and routinely discarded, but the circus that the birthers themselves are.
He doesn't have to explain it, but I was just curious why he's "Scotty Johnson Sr" today.
Either way, I'm glad he's back-- he makes intelligent (albeit smug and arrogant) posts, and I always read him.
We've got Solon back, as well as Sue (in the form of Luvlulu), and they're both good as well.
Maybe Liberal Thinker, Libby, and the MMfA pirate will show up and we'll have an old-timers reunion!
Just wondering why "Scott Johnson" all this week and then "Scotty Johnson Sr" today.
Oh well, whatever. Glad you're back.
The picture is me as a baby. Scott Johnson is my real name, but since jackass cons predictably add a 'y' to my first name in an attempt to be dismissive, I changed it to reflect this as a way to rob them of that power. I was called Scotty as a child and sometimes still am by my aunts and uncles who I guess still think of me as that little boy. Since I have a 12-year old son who also has my name, I added the senior for good measure. By the way, we call him Scotty too which helps to differentiate us, but he's now starting to be called Scott about as often.
I hope this cleared up any confusion I may have caused. I apologize to anyone who may have been confused and dismayed by my actions.
The "Scotty" part makes sense, I remember you recently made a comment about someone doing that to you. If you hadn't added "Sr." I'm sure I would have picked up on that.
Did I get that right? This is pathetic. I can remember that discussion which took place four years ago but can't remember my lock combination if I haven't gone to the gym in a week.
Well, as happy as you are that I've "returned", I'm actually going to retire from this Web discussion circus as I don't think it accomplishes much aside from killing time; a resource I actually have too little of.
Make a statement like that, and you better have *your* scientific facts right, and you didn't.
Anyway, I hope my initial comment was not taken as snarky. While I do believe you are quite smug, arrogant, and wrong on some issues, your thinking and posts are of high intellectual quality and I've learned a thing or two from them. So I really am glad your back. (And thanks for the explanation of the name change.)
I voted for Obama, BTW, and am quite happy with my choice so far. In this time of economic crisis, he has put together an amazingly competent economic team, and the cons are (in my opinion) nuts to be fighting this administration's very reasonable economic policies.
Even as a conservative, I have to say that at this moment in time the Dem party is the one of ideas and rational economic policy. The repubs are just mindlessly trying to push policy that worked well in the past, but are not appropriate for today as the problem is different (i.e., wake up guys-- we don't have a problem on the supply side, we have a demand side problem, which is exactly what the Obama policies are addressing!).
This type "use the methods of the past to fix a totally different problem today" is exactly what the cons called the libs on in the late 70's (correctly, in my estimation-- but I'm sure you guys will disagree!), and now they're doing the same thing in spades.
I cannot bear to imagine what might be happening to this country right now had McCain won the election *shudder*.
Anyway, sorry for the digression (you think it was a circus?). It will probably be flagged and removed by tomorrow.
I'm quite busy as well, so it's back to lurk mode for me. Just couldn't resist acknowledging the return of a participant/opponent from the old days!
I may be perceived as arrogant but that is part of the game. Liberals are often stereotyped as blue-blood college-educated elitists. I've had some fun over the years playing with that assumption, and seeing it projected upon me. In reality, I'm a college dropout son of a truck driver whose only a generation removed from southern white trash. I really have no business commenting on anything of import as the only tools at my disposal is logic and the ability to find the right snarky comment. I've read a book on choas as a layperson. I've read a lot of books on a lot of different subjects. I'm not however a professor of mathematics as you are. The fact that peons like me have the chance to engage true intellectuals such as yourself speaks to the beauty and power of the Internet.
Good luck to you.
I'm the son of a common laborer and still consider myself to be white trash. My big project this summer? I want to make a plywood camping unit for my 2003 Honda Element. Typical hillbilly project-- but hey, those are my people!
Agree on the beauty and power of the Internet, but I don't buy the "true intellectual"/peon dichotomy. I would consider you as much as a "true intellectual" as many on faculty at my university. Ergo, my expression of happiness related your return. Same goes for solon and Sue (Luvlulu). All three of you were gone for a time, but now you're all back!
Back at ya.
The state has received multiple requests for a copy of Obama's birth certificate. State law does not allow officials to release the birth certificate of a person to someone outside of the family.
There were rumors that Obama was born in Kenya, where his father is from. The Constitution requires that the president be a natural born citizen of the U.S.
While many sites and news organizations have released copies provided by the Obama campaign, the rumors have persisted.
"There have been numerous requests for Sen. Barack Hussein Obama’s official birth certificate. State law (Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §338-18) prohibits the release of a certified birth certificate to persons who do not have a tangible interest in the vital record," DOH Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino said.
Fukino said she and the registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, have personally verified that the health department holds Obama's original birth certificate.
"Therefore, I as Director of Health for the State of Hawai‘i, along with the Registrar of Vital Statistics who has statutory authority to oversee and maintain these type of vital records, have personally seen and verified that the Hawai‘i State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures," Fukino said.
Perhaps that have $$ in their eyes after seeing Fox News' ratings recently.
This would mean that quality of journalism in this country is really in for a world of hurt.
Fox, they would fit right in. I can remember when Dobbs knew what fairness and honesty was
Not only has Obama NOT, I repeat NOT produced a legitimate birth certificate, he has spent over $800,000 to keep anyone from getting the information on his birth. The birth certificate on line is not a legitimate birth certificate You can check this by asking for your own birth certificate from your country clerk. Eveyone has abandoned paper birth certificates by computerizing. This particular birth certificate would not allow you to get a driver's license, a passport or a business license, yet here is Obama, our president. OPEN YOUR MIND! If that were the only thing hidden from the people, but it's not. You cannot get any information on any of the schools he attended, from grade school to college. Nothing about his days as an attorney. In fact you cannot get any information on him about any part of his life except his time in the senate and that he started his shtick with none other than the thieves and thugs of ACORN.
WHY??????????????????????????? What does he have to hide? What would it hurt if he showed us his birth certificate? Don't you wonder just a little bit?
This has been going on for so long, you would think he would just show it and get it over with, but no, he's afraid, and so should you be considering where he's taking this country. Just check out his socialist agenda. Check out his communist and socialist Czars. Get some real facts and quit your pablum.
Lou Dobbs should be respected for the true journalist that he is. Thank you Lou Dobbs for not letting this go until we get the birth certificate.
This sort of reminds me of Dan Rather's firing, although obviously this is sort of different--Dan Rather had evidence that wasn't credible, given to him and "verified" by his staff; Lou Dobbs has no evidence (also not credible) which he has only provided and verified in his own head.
In most ways Lou is worse.
Obviously the big difference is typical liberal media: defending Bush but remaining open to uncredited attacks on Obama.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/10/national/main665727.shtml
Anway, I hope this story has the same ending.
The Kenyan ambassador has stated that a plaque or shrine will be built on Obama's birth site-in Kenya.
If it turns out that Obama was born in Kenya, US law at the time would not allow his mom to convey US citizenship to him- she was too young, and lacked enough residency.
Al of this matters because the Constitution matters- all of it. If Obama is not legally qualified to hold the office of President, he needs to step down.
Pursuing the truth (or untruth) of a legal matter of such importance is not racist. If a conservative black were to be put into the White House tomorrow, the vast majority of Republicans would be thrilled.
The idea that Lou Dobbs needs to be muzzled on this issue is un-American.
Questioning Obama's citizenship is not racist. If a black conservative were to become president tomorrow, the vast majority of white Republicans would be thrilled.
The Kenyan ambassador said that a plaque or memorial will be built on Obama's birth site- in Kenya.
If Obama was born in Kenya, US law at the time would not allow his mom to convey to him US citizenship- she was too young, and lacked the proper residency. Obama would have then become a subject of Britain, since his dad was Kenyan, and Britain owned Kenya at the time.
Trying to muzzle Lou Dobbs on this issue is un-American. The truth or untruth of the matter needs to be know. If Obama is not legally qualified for the office of president, he needs to step down.
Dan Rather was shut down for using one of only two documents which PROVED Bush showing up for any National Guard service ...
and Louser Dobbs is getting the President of CNN to back him in his tilting at windmills???