CNN clips Pelosi quote, misleads viewers

November 10, 2007

Once in a great while, we’ll see a blogger take a quote out of context in order to prove a point. It’s unethical and unprofessional, and when it happens, the usual suspects recommend a blogger ethics panel.

But CNN butchered a quote so badly, it makes Freepers look restrained by comparison.

I’m not sure anyone could outdo this one in terms of, shall we say, “creative” editing of quotes.

CNN ran a report this afternoon with the headline: “Record Anger At Congress.” The network quoted Nancy Pelosi agreeing with this thesis, saying: “I know that Congress has low approval ratings. I don’t approve of Congress because we haven’t done anything.”

Woah — Pelosi, the Dem leader of the House, says of the Dem Congress that “we haven’t done anything?”

Of course not. CNN took part of a sentence, and ended clipped it to change what the Speaker actually said.

This is Journalistic Malpractice 101. Someone’s job should be on the line.

If you can’t watch the clip online, CNN correspondent Tom Foreman ran an indignant on-air piece about Congress’ limited list of legislative accomplishments.

FOREMAN: Other than some big-ticket items, like raising the minimum wage and ethics and lobbying reform, Democrats have not be able to turn their agenda into law.

GEORGE W. BUSH: Congress is not getting its work done.

FOREMAN: From Iraq to domestic programs, Democrats face White House vetoes and little support from Republicans on Capitol Hill.

PELOSI: I know that Congress has low approval ratings. I don’t approve of Congress because we haven’t done anything.

Except, CNN ended Pelosi’s thought mid-sentence. The Speaker was actually talking about ending the war, and in the full context, she went on to praise the House’s accomplishments.

“I know that Congress has low approval ratings. I don’t approve of Congress because we haven’t done anything to — we haven’t been effective in ending the war in Iraq. And if you asked me in a phone call, as ardent a Democrat as I am, I would disapprove of Congress as well.

“But the fact is, ‘Which party is concerned about people like me?’ November 1st, 2007 — 54 percent Democratic; 25 percent Republican. ‘Which party can bring needed change?’ Forty-eight percent Democratic, 26 percent Republican. ‘Which party can better manage government?’ Forty-four percent Democratic, 32 percent Republican. ‘Which party is more honest and ethical?’ Then 40 percent Democratic, 28 percent Republican. Not all those figures are over 50 percent, but whatever they are, they’re double-digit or two times as good as the Republican numbers.

“So I’m very proud of what we have done. I — this isn’t about looking for the next headline. This is about making the biggest difference for the American people. This is about a legislative process that has its ups and downs. And it is — again, I stood there with great pride and great confidence about what the Democrats had accomplished.”

CNN’s reputation takes yet another hit.

I agree with Nancy on this one, ethical or not.

  • One more nail in the coffin of CNN as it accelerates its own demise as a competent, credible carrier of news. With the clowns that appear on screen all day long, it is evident that CNN’s descent into irrelevance is irreversible.

  • CNN’s reputation takes yet another hit.

    CNN still has a reputation to hit?

    I figured giving Glenn Beck air time was enough to destroy whatever credibility the house that Ted built had left.

  • CNN is sinking lower and lower. Glenn Beck. Nancy Grace. They must realize that if they take this road, they can never be more than a pale shadow of Fox “News,” so this kind of misbehavior has to be for reasons other than ratings.

    Disney=ABC
    Viacom=CBS
    GE=NBC
    Murcoch=Fox
    and…
    TimeWarner=CNN

    Do any of these outfits have an agenda beyond making money and giving us “fair and balanced” news? You think?

  • As a journalism major, I agree with Steve. CNN owes Pelosi an apology–to be delivered by Tom Foreman on-air.

    He isn’t the only guilty party, however. Whoever edited that tape is just as responsible, and should get a good bit of time off–and firing is not out of line either.

  • I used to be “CNN 24/7”. TV always on, day and night, to CNN. But, since I discovered Keith Olberbmann and MSNBC, I’ve quit CNN completely.

    I like the line-up on MSNBC. I like the good intermix between liberal and conservative. I like Tucker Carlson, even though his views sometimes make me want to throw a book at the TV. The only thing I DON’T like about MSNBC is that dreadful “Doc-Block” segments about prisons and “preditors” and crime that they have on for a few hours mid-evening. The “hosts” are beyond creepy. I wish MSNBC would take the plunge and go all live news all the time.

    But what I’ve really come to like – other than Countdown and Dan Abrams – is Morning Joe. The only problem is that I live in the MST and the show starts at 0400. Sometimes I wake up really early, just to watch it. Now, that’s nuttiness!

    But, no more CNN, with their endless repeats of Larry King and their inept news gathering.

  • Hmm. I understand that the clipped version missed her point, but I will be the apostate here and say that someone in Pelosi’s position has to be a lot more careful. I think there is a good argument that CNN’s error, such as it was, is a “harmless error.” Before everyone runs me out of town, here is why.

    CB’s complaint is that the cut Pelosi off “mid-sentence.” And lets accept that CNN has the right to do some editing – if a politician’s entire thought runs for 20 minutes (Biden, anyone?) they have no entitlement to have the enetire thing run unbroken. So presumably has CNN simply run the entire sentence Pelosi was saying, they have done nothing unethical, right?

    “I know that Congress has low approval ratings. I don’t approve of Congress because we haven’t done anything to — we haven’t been effective in ending the war in Iraq. And if you asked me in a phone call, as ardent a Democrat as I am, I would disapprove of Congress as well.

    Maybe its just me, I don’t see that sentence as being any better for the Dems than the edited version — and there is no editing, that is her entire sentence. If CNN could have run that without uproar, I don’t see how what they did run was materially different. Nor do I see how they are obligated to run 3 paragraphs worth of Pelosi’s explanation. We can all decry the “30-second soundbite” nature of political coverage, but it is a known fact and has been for about 2 decades now. Pelosi, in her position, needs to respond accordingly.

  • Blame the victim much?

    Shorter zeitgeist: Pelosi was just asking for it, what with that short skirt and all.

  • Although it was a wack job on CNN’s part, I have to agree with Zeitgeist on this one…. Pelosi has to learn that the MSM, ESPECIALLY the right wing leaning ones will jump at the chance to misquote anything she says.

    Why did she give them this one on a platter. The Republicans almost never acknowledge that they are doing bad. They see a silver lining in everything, regardless of how bad it actually is.

    Here we have the so called Speaker of the house, wasting the first minute of a press conference by making the Republicans’ point for them….. WHY? Plain stupid if you ask me. Especially since right wingers only will listen to the first part of her drivel, before tuning out… In their mind, she actually made sense for a change.

    I hope she’ll learn her lesson, and stick to the positive message that the Democrats are offering instead of agreeing with stupid questions from MSM lapdogs.

  • And while I’m on the subject –

    “I don’t see that sentence as being any better for the Dems than the edited version.”

    It’s not about being better for the Dems, it’s about accurately reflecting Pelosi’s actual views. Y’know, journalism. Compare and contrast:

    CNN version of Pelosi:
    “I don’t approve of Congress because we haven’t done anythi-”

    Actual Pelosi:
    “I don’t approve of Congress because we haven’t done anything to — we haven’t been effective in ending the war in Iraq.” (an extra 2.5 seconds)

    One of these is ethical reporting; the other is not.

  • “CNN’s reputation takes yet another hit.

    Reputation? Dude. They’re mini-Fox. The main difference is that while Fox scrambles their facts with transparent malice of intent, CNN does it through sheer, blundering incompetence.

  • I’ve watched the thing about 6 times now. What’s clear is that CNN had a point it wanted to make – it was much more of an editorial or commentary than “news” – and in their zeal to package it to support their point, they failed to understand that the totality of Pelosi’s comment would probably have been just as effective, and allowed them to honestly say – ‘this is what she said, uncut.”

    In fainess to Pelosi and anyone else who is asked to comment or who is speaking to the media – there is probably nothing they could say, short of “no comment,” that could not be edited in a way that distorted the person’s remarks.

    Might be time for a new tagline at CNN; somehow “The Most Trusted Name in News” doesn’t quite fit anymore – if it ever did; maybe: “Because We Think You’re Stupid.”

  • The lives lost and wasted in Iraq, not to mention the money borrowed and lost and the national honor trashed … but let’s get picky about a pipsqueak once-great news source doing what all “news” does these days, dance to the tune called by corporate ownership looking toward their bottom line,

  • cyan, if you want to be a smart ass with me, at least cover the “smart” rather than just being an ass. it isn’t blaming the victim – it is expecting our leadership to do their job effectively. Pelosi should have started her comments with her “The fact is. . .” She foolishly conceded the point to start her comments. That is a losing game, and that remains true even if you run the unedited sentence, or as I quoted, the first two full sentences. Sure, CNN was out to make a point – and she made it for them by appearing to admit, no matter how you slice it, that the Dems have been unable to get things done. You know and I know that the reason for that is Republican intransigence. But regardless of the reason, the blame falls easily on Pelosi because her title is Speaker of the House, and she went and took the blame first, and then tried to explain her way out of it. That is never going to come across with any strength, even if CNN hadn’t been out to do a political hit job.

  • It continues to amaze and depress me that Pelosi, whom I thought was pretty smart, is consistently outmaneuvered by Boehner, whom I thought was a freaking moron.

    Zeitgeist is on point here: Pelosi’s been at this far too long not to understand that the MSM will distort, undermine and malign her given the slightest opening to do so.

  • We have been constantly reminded by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the former so called -Do Nothing Congress-. What she never mentions is that SHE was part of that Congress.
    As a matter of point many of the current Democrats were in that Congress.
    Today they claim the Republicans are blocking legislation.I must ask then, why when the Democrats were the minority didn’t they block legislation they felt was bad for America?
    Are Ms. Pelosi and her cohorts trying again to deceive us?
    The current Congress led by Ms. Pelosi have shown they are not above unscrupulous acts, just look at the recent backroom stripping of money from Border Security.
    It would seem in their efforts to deceive the public they have become entangled in their own deceptions.
    Now bringing this to the publics eye is the real challenge, as most Americans are indifferent and don’t want involved in anything. They just want to lead their lives in the darkness wearing blinders.
    It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the Democrats are hiding behind deception and deceit.They are not alone in this as the Republicans are just as bad at this type of politicking.
    I guess they view us the public as ignorant and not as bright as they would like to think they are. A big underestimation of the publics common sense.
    Yet there is hope in both parties as freshman congressmen and women are showing they aren’t like the older corrupt leaders we have tolerated for years.
    One only has to look at who is sponsoring the SAVE Act to see a big rift between the older and new Congress personnel.
    We can actually begin to see the American peoples voice being heeded.
    Those who are standing up for the people are restoring faith and trust in our leadership as long as they don’t fall for the greed trap that so many before them have fallen into.
    If there is to be a change as Ms. Pelosi claims, then those who have been sitting in Congress for an extended time MUST be removed.
    We the public must awaken to the idea Congress needs term limits.No one should be living off the people for such long terms as many are today.
    Somehow the public should have the say on wages and benefits for our elected.The current method used to grant wage increases and benefit packages is corrupted.
    Pork spending which is nothing more than political bribery, must be addressed and stopped.
    We must also address campaign contributions and who is allowed to contribute.Corporations should be banned form contributions as this again amounts to political bribery.A corporation doesn’t have a vote only individuals have a vote.Therefore
    contributions by corporations are unjustified.
    One of the biggest political issues should be who is voting and who actually has a legal right to vote.
    We are seeing a ploy to give illegals licenses in places like New York, for the purpose of manipulating our elections.
    We have seen this same type of ploys used to steal Congressional seats by states like California and Texas to mention a few.All seats should be based on legal citizens not how many illegals live in an area. A big slap in the face to the true legal American citizens.
    There also must be enforcement of laws and penalties for those who break them including our elected, too many times we have witnessed a politician getting by with lawbreaking. Remember Ms. Pelosi herself violated the Logan Law with no consequences.
    Our elected need a lesson in ” No one is above the Law”.
    Many of our elected could be arrested right now for aiding and abetting illegal aliens,and violating many various laws to serve their own personal agendas,or to pacify a corporate donor.
    Our Media is manipulated telling us what they want us to know and praying we don’t find out the truth. They cover up stories that don’t fit their
    goals of controlling the populace.
    The internet has become the main medias enemy as now the people have ways to get to the truth, and means to uncover the lies and deception perpetrated on Americans by politicians, corporations, and media moguls.
    So the next time you hear a politician mention the last Congress as a ‘Do Nothing Congress’ just ask yourself where was that person in the last Congress? Are they trying to deceive you, and is todays Congress the ‘Congress of Deceit’?
    Bill Strong-CHOICE

  • Well, spread it far and wide, folks- send a link to this blog post to anyone you think will read it.

    We have to live in a country where a small group of people don’t control what everyone else thinks by lying through a megaphone.

  • ***zeitgeist***while I agree with your statement that Pelosi should be more careful, infact she knows to be more cautious, there is a big difference between saying …”we haven’t done anything…” and saying we haven’t done anything to end the war, which is what she was getting at. Big difference and CNN knows that, or should know that.

    Anytime I listen to Pelosi talk she always sounds like she’s on pschotropic drugs. She has a very strange manner of speaking and to me is never clear on what she is saying…she almost needs a translator.

    The case is still that CNN made it seem like she said haven’t done anything instead of correctly making it that we haven’t done anything to end this war that worked. CNN knows the difference. They become more like Faux daily…infotainment.

  • whoops…that said…Pelosi should remove the tape from her ears and place it over her mouth where it will do more good.

  • bjobotts, i’m not saying what CNN did was right or good, and this isn’t eve na garden variety “gee, Dems need to be more careful.” A key part of Pelosi’s job description is effective communication. no matter what her broader point was, no matter what else she went on to say, the first words out of her mouth were a concession of the loaded question. as a speaking style, that often comes across as weak. yeah, you can sometimes pull it off rhetorically to show a certain awareness or humility, before then rebutting the charge. but it has two huge risks: (1) in a sound-bite arena like politics, often all that is heard is the concession, not the long-winded explanation after and (2) much like we all made fun of Giuliani’s anti-MoveOn ad for actually repeating MoveOn’s ad for free, opening with a concession ends up repeating the criticism, giving it more credence and more publicity for free.

  • (but i do appreciate that at least you didn’t compare me to a rape apologist for suggesting that Pelosi be a better communicator for the party.)

  • “cyan, if you want to be a smart ass with me, at least cover the “smart” rather than just being an ass.”

    What do you want from me, brains? I have enough trouble mustering up two cheeks!

    “(but i do appreciate that at least you didn’t compare me to a rape apologist for suggesting that Pelosi be a better communicator for the party.)”

    Okay, so the rape apologist analogy was a step too far. But I stand by the victim-blaming charge as a valid reply to your first comment, specifically in response to, “[the House Speaker] has to be a lot more careful,” and to where you called the CNN edit an “error” (instead of a “hit job”, the phrase you used in a later comment).

    I think reasonable people can disagree as to whether the clipped quote is just as damaging as or more damaging than the full quote. (I take no stand on that point.)

    • Comments are closed.