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.

[Dilbert56]

Pious, smarmy, nasal drone. Next he'll take creadit for Hastert caving.

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

[.cnI redruM]

>>>>>CNN considers itself primarily a news network with little commentary.

Someone buy these people a mirror!

[writer33]

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


Of course their direction isn't changing. They're still to the left and what difference does it make to him if they don't extend the deadline? Could it be more ammo for the left to fire at President Bush?

[EllaMinnow]

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

Of course not. They've always been a hotbed of liberal sneer artists.

[anniegetyourgun]

Remember when this little twerp was just a hometown annoyance?

[EllaMinnow]

He's a freakish toad.

[PISANO]

I never new Aaron Brown was anything other than a commentator. He is about as much a news man as Mel Gibson is an athiest.

[Lancey Howard]

What is this "Sept. 11 commission" supposed to be doing, exactly?
Oh, and how much is it costing?

[Lancey Howard]

Also, why is the DNC so interested in extending the "Sept. 11 commission"?

[Eala]

Vaguely. That must have been back in my TV-watching days...

CNN considers itself primarily a news network with little commentary.

From what (little) I have seen of it, I consider CNN primarily a commentary network with little news.

[cmsgop]

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

[JimSEA]

It is apparently supposed to prove Bush was behind the 9/11 WTC attack (the Pentagon bombed itself). If you doubt it just ask Aaron.

[anniegetyourgun]

They went searching for the most conceited individual in Seattle media. It came down to Aaron or Steve Poole. Though they wanted another affirmative action hire, the clerk misunderstood and thought they said "Brown" instead of the black.

[sport]

Find a way to put the on President Bush for the World Trade Center attacks.

[Nick Danger]

Even CNN thought he sucked. That's why they brought in Paula Zahn... to be his replacement. In still more proof that there is a God, months later Aaron Brown has higher ratings than she does. So now they're spending money on two high-priced losers, and Fox is still kicking their butts.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Also, why is the DNC so interested in extending the "Sept. 11 commission"?

They want it so no matter what happens, they can blame President Bush with whatever info the commission comes up with, the media will misreport it's findings for them anyway. The extension was to get this info released closer to the election.

[savedbygrace]

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

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

[Recovering_Democrat]

Aaron Brown...isn't he still playing second fiddle to Fox News? LOL...

[cajun-jack]

I haven't watched t.v. for a coupla yrs or more, but i remember aaron brown when he was on with thalia asuras??

He certainly seemed to be the more feminie of the 2.