CNN anchor blasts lawmakers in commentary

AP | 2/27/04 | DAVID BAUDER

[kattracks]

NEW YORK (AP) — CNN's Aaron Brown took a step into political activism this week, saying it was "unconscionable and indefensible" for House leadership to deny an extension to the Sept. 11 commission. Brown urged viewers Thursday night to protest the decision — less than 24 hours before House Speaker Dennis Hastert agreed to give the independent panel investigating the attacks an extra two months to finish its report.

"Perhaps the speaker and his team assume you do not care," Brown said. "I hope they're wrong. I hope you care enough to write them and e-mail them and call them until they relent. Do that. Do it for the victims and their families. Do it for the country that was attacked and for history."

Brown, a New York City resident, anchored much of CNN's coverage from a Manhattan rooftop on the day of the attacks.

Brown usually begins his "Newsnight" program with light commentary. On Thursday, he said he wanted to discuss "an outrage." Later in the show, when it was time for a story on the commission, Brown took pains to draw a line between his commentary and the straight news report.

"This was Aaron's commentary," CNN spokeswoman Christa Robinson said. "Obviously, the views are his own and not the network's."

CNN considers itself primarily a news network with little commentary. However, business correspondent Lou Dobbs has recently raised eyebrows with his repeated condemnations of American corporations that move jobs overseas.

The commentaries do not reflect a change in direction for CNN, Robinson said.

[Ignatius J Reilly]

Either be a journalist or provide commentary. It's sad that so much of the media really can't just stick to the facts and let people decide how to react without trying to sway them one way or another. If it's commentary then announce it as such and don't pretend to be an unbiased reporter of the news.

[Gunslingr3]

But he's an independent journalist - and I'm a beauty queen.

Doesn't O'Reilly have an 'outrage' every day to get the 'folks' fired up about? Brown's just copying the style, for his agenda.

[NYCVirago]

Go back to playing golf, Aaron.

[ShandaLear]

I saw this. It's was right after the Dem debate. Cracked me up.

[Lancey Howard]

The answer is to make sure that the report (accurately) identifies the Clinton administration as the main culprit. Toss in some Democrat-initiated military and intelligence funding cuts and voila!.... scumbag Aaron Brown and his DNC masters can go back to playing with themselves.

Two months wraps this thing up at the end of April?

[Betaille]

Aaron Brown also said a few months ago that Howard Dean was a moderate. Cnn is sickeningly biased and left wing... please don't watch it even out of curiosity, its boycott time.

[Betaille]

"Doesn't O'Reilly have an 'outrage' every day to get the 'folks' fired up about? Brown's just copying the style, for his agenda."

Totally different. O'reilly comments on items that have grabbed peoples attention, and focuses on those that are outrageous to ordinary americans. Aaron Brown on the other hand worked with larry king and the other cnn folks in a concerted effort to draw attention away from the gay marriage debate. Also, on Cnn, no conservative counterpoint is allowed to be expressed except from the quasi-conservative punching bag of the week that they put on crossfire

[GalaxieFiveHundred]

Possibly Mr. Brown's flirt with fame has gone to his head, or his ill-fitting hairpiece...

[isthisnickcool]

He did this right after the Democratic presidential "debate" because he knew he would have larger audience than the 12 people that usually watch him.

That's the only reason I saw this. I would have not seen it if not for the debate and that I had not changed the channel since I was still laughing. Why was I laughing? Kerry had his eyebrows shaved on the inside to make his eyes look farther apart. Plus Kerry looked somewhat embalmed and like bozo at the same time.

Edwards had some huge pustule on his lip that I didn't find really funny. It would have mesmerized me except that he blinked so fast and so much it was distracting.

Sharpton? The fact that the Democrats even have that guy on stage is funny. But, compared to the rest of the act Sharpton is funny. In a talking bullfrog kind of way.

Dennis the menace? I just see Moe from the Three Stooges when I look at him. Nuhk nuhk nuhk.

The Democrats? Overall, hilarious. CNN? Just sad.

[Dilbert56]

Well, as soon as I read this, I immediately went to your homepage to see if you had any pix. Color me disapponted

Sorry, male,6'3" and 230lbs, born in 56. I'll come up with a better expression next time.

[savedbygrace]

I forgot to include the jk tag at the end, for just kidding. It was strictly for the huge laugh I got (well, I laughed.)

[CFC__VRWC]

Two months wraps this thing up at the end of April?

No - the commission's report is due sometime in May right now (the 11th, I think). This will extend it into July, and I'm guessing the Rats will try to get about another month so they can start leaking selected parts of the report in the couple of weeks leading up to the GOP convention.

[gatorbait]

How this guy got the CNN anchor spot, I'll never know.....

Red knee-pads with little golden hammers and sickles embroidered upon them.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I used to see this Putz on Local Seattle TV. How this guy got the CNN anchor spot, I'll never know.....

I used to see this Putz on ABC's World News Now. How this guy got the CNN anchor spot, I'll never know.....

[Libertina]

I didn't "know him when", though if he is from WA, all I can say is "It figures!"

[Cowboy Bob]

I used to see this Putz on Local Seattle TV. How this guy got the CNN anchor spot, I'll never know.....

When I first saw Aaron Brown on CNN, my first thought was that he was a stand-in for the regular anchor. I couldn't imagine him being CNN's top guy!

[Semper Paratus]

Laura Ingraham says the staffers at CNN call Aaron Brown "Skippy" behind his back.

[hosepipe]

Ugh oh... some drinking buddy is losing his job... or maybe a relative... Hey!. its New York.. No big deal move along.. DENNY.!. give em a week to finish then clean out their desks..