CNN, John McCain's camp at odds following confrontational Campbell Brown interview

In one of those moments a network executive would excitingly term "great TV," CNN's Campbell Brown and John McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds clashed on air Monday over vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's foreign policy credentials.

Tensions -- and voices -- rose after the anchorwoman told Bounds that she was just "trying to get someone from the campaign to explain what foreign policy experience [Palin] has." Bounds repeatedly skirted the question, choosing instead to criticize Barack Obama's lack of executive experience.

"All right, Tucker," Brown said as she ended the segment with a broad, sarcastic smile. "I'm just going to give it to ya, baby."

The clip was much in demand today -- and, CNN revealed, the McCain camp made clear it was not pleased.

This afternoon, anchorman Wolf Blitzer announced on air that McCain's planned interview with Larry King tonight had been canceled by the campaign. Blitzer said McCain aides complained that Brown had gone "over the line" in her grilling of Bounds.

McCain campaign spokeswoman Maria Comella later explained the cancellation with this sharply worded statement:

"After a relentless refusal by certain on-air reporters to come to terms with John McCain’s selection of Alaska’s sitting governor as our party’s nominee for vice president, we decided John McCain’s time would be better served elsewhere."

Meanwhile, ABC News announced that it would be broadcasting "the only interview" with McCain during the week's Republican National Convention. Charles Gibson will handle the questioning, and the network will dole it out -- parts will air Wednesday on "World News Tonight" and "Nightline" and Thursday on "Good Morning America."

UPDATE: Jon Klein, president of CNN, has issued a statement in support of Brown's interview. "Campbell Brown did what journalists do," Klein said Tuesday evening. "She asked fair and important questions in a respectful way and was simply trying to get a straight answer to a straightforward question."

-- Kate Linthicum

Comments

[AnneA]

Let me see if I understand -- Campbell tried to ask the questions for which we listenrs want answers. Because she pushed for the truth, CNN & America is being punished, We must receive all of our information after it has been sanitized by the "Camp". It seems to me that I recall learning of this type of activity in 5th grade Social Studies class. This is when we learned about communism and dictatorship. Is this what we Americans will have to look forward to if McCain/Palin win in November. Excuse me, but I thought this was America, the land of Free Speech!.

[P. Robins]

Way to go Campbell...you totally rock! I was cheering you all the way!!!

It's total insanity to watch the Republicans try to work with one or two ridiculous talking points they've been told to stick to and all the while try to convince themselves of this ridiculous pick for Vice President.

What planet are we on? Who are those people?

I'm scared and think they are more of a threat than Al Qaeda.

[Dan]

The best comment for both the Democratic and Republican side can simply stated here:

http://www.jibjab.com/originals/time_for_some_campaignin

[cvt]

Politics aside, I used to like Campbell Brown; however, the Bounds 'interview' left me turning down the volume. This is the third and LAST time I will endure the 'nagging wife ' approach to questioning... perserverance is expected, but the shrillness rose to a timbre of a cat-fight and frankly,as a woman, I am sadly becoming embarrassed by her.

[Paul]

@Common Sense "If Sarah were a man, she would not be getting grilled this way."

Remember during the Democratic primary when MSNBC's Chris Matthews asked Senator Kirk Watson about Obama's accomplishments and Senator Watson did not reply? The media has grilled Obama relentlessly. Do you believe that Palin should be spared from equal grilling because she is a woman?

[MCB]

I think Campbell Brown handled the interview very well, she is not backing off getting the "real" answers. Why is it okay for some women to be tough and stand toe to toe with men but not others?

[Lois Waldron]

To common sense @ 6:09pm
A man wasn't grilled the way Palin is? Are you in a fog? Do you remember any of the treatment the repubs gave to Obama? You are casting a "protest vote"? Why? Who is that going to hurt? I don't have children McSame can send to die in a senseless war, I don't have a daughter that is seeing an unmarried girl glamorized for being pregnant. It was the same "R" party that criticized the Spears daughter for the same behavior; but it's only wrong for others not the people you like.

When you cast that 'protest' vote; just remember you get what you deserve.

After you and the disgruntled PUMAs cast their angry votes, will the R party embrace your issues in gratitude? Will they include any of your concerns for the environment (assuming you have them); the future energy policy? support real sex education, not the stuff that 'worked so well for Ms Palin"?

Once your vote is cast, it may as well be in stone as there will be no going back.

I am a woman who marched for women's rights; I still will not vote for anything in a skirt/pant suit. I want quality!

Palin IS trailer trash and so is her non-abstinence practicing family.

[Bill]

CNN should invite Obama to take the space of McCain for a Larry King interview.

[Stopdrinkingkoolaid]

I agree with johnthebaptist, Ms Brown for VP! If Ms Palin were a man, she would not be the nominee.

[FedUp]

If Palin were a man she wouldn't have been selected as V.P. by McCain. Where is the sexism?
No one has said because she is a woman she isnt capable of being the V.P, we are saying she is not experienced enough to be the V.P. If I could be guaranteed she would never need to step in and take over the Presidency, I would probably say "what the heck", whats the big deal, but unfortunately no one can guarantee that, so I won't take that chance.

[mpage]

Tucker Bounds' repeating of the memorized statement (talking points) as a means of refusing (or being unable) to answer Campbell Brown's question, represents in a classic way the typical Republican double-speak about which Scott McClellan wrote in his book "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception." Republicans' refusal to speak in anything but generalities translates as a total lack of substance in what it offers the American public.

[Jon K.]

She's not capable of being president. It is so very scary.

[Were you listening?]

Excuse me, but I think what was over the line was Ms Brown's repeated questions regarding Mrs Palin's daugter. Barack Obama has strongly condemed dragging a canidate's family into the political discourse and that is exactly what Ms Brown did...repeatedly.

[Rory]

This is pretty amazing that the McCain campaign got offended by this campaign. Campbell was polite and courteous, but did her job as a journalist and kept asking for an answer to her question.

If the McCain campaign can't handle answering hard questions, would a McCain administration be any different? I think not.

We don't need a government that shames us for asking questions, we need one that is open and transparent.

I used to have a great deal of respect for John McCain, right up until he won the nomination. It's unfortunate to see someone whom you have previously admired go so far down the tubes.

[Chris]

Campbell Brown did a good job. Now, if the rest of the so-called reporters would stop just accepting the talking points, without thought, without analysis, without using any common sense.

McCain has a checkered history: his adultery, the Keating Five, his temperament, his jokes and language (what did he call his wife?), his inconsistencies and backtracking, the ludicrous gut decision for his VP... and what do we get when he or his people are interviewed? "Oooh... such service to his country.... he was tortured, you know." Arggh.

I'm gonna say it since no one there seems to have the guts to. He was tortured: that's very sad, but so what!? That has NOTHING to do with being qualified to be President; frankly, I would worry what torture and 5 years of captivity would do to someone's brain.

If the US elects this man and Caribou Barbie, it is lost.

[Jon K.]

I literally hold my face in my hands in desperation when I see the logic of these people. I liked John McCain. I respected him. Now I know he is not fit to be President. The guy doesn't think.

[BillTerror]

The attack on Plain is nothing but liberal democrats running scared. It shows how gutless and cowardice they are. To throw the Palin family under the media bus like they did is disgusting. Shows how much liberals hate women. The party of the pro savery movement has not changed in over 150 years. Democrats have turned to evil to advance their agenda.

[MA Turner]

I saw the exchange live and Campbell Brown was way out of line. Unbelievable that CNN has never pressed anyone from the Obama campaign this way in the entire 19 months he's been running. Gov Palin has been on the scene just over a week and the media is in full character assasination mode.
Keep it up Campbell, everytime you attack Gov Palin thousands of voters sympathize with her instead of you and your sorry ilk. You too Wolfe!

[jrh]

Campbell Brown could not get Tucker Bound to give her a straight answer. She did an excellent job trying to get the truth out of Bound. 5 stars for her interview!!!!

[Jane in Grand Rapids]

I am so shocked at the treatment doled out by the shrewish Campbell Brown about Sarah Palin's selection. Also, she attacked Sarah's ability as a mother at another time, and David Gergen corrected her. You could tell Gergen was really offended. This is UTTER SEXISM.

[Kerin Malli]

To Common Sense:

This has to do with Sarah as a person. Is she whines about a few questions of tv, how would she handle world dictators?

Sarah is a token pick, and that puts your party over your country.

[L. Song]

Dear common sense, just because we are women does not mean we are weak or unable to take the heat. Clinton took the heat and proved how strong she was. If Sarah Palin cannot take being questioned or vetted over her ability to be president, that's right, president - in case McCain becomes too old or infirm - then she is not prepared for the job - one of the toughest on earth. Questioning her resume and preparedness is not sexist, it is important for our country. If we knew her we would not have to do it - but all we know is what the republicans tell us - and they can't be trusted on this!

[gettyleigh]

the fact of the matter here is tucker did make an effort to answer the question , but bulldog faced campbell would not let the man speak. this is just another classic example of The Obama Loving News Network. CNN=OLNN. "Kiss Kiss We Love You Obama" you made our ratings rise during the dnc, we are eternally in your debt. the fact that you cannont report objectively goes to show that as newspeople you are literally owned by time warner and you will do just as you are told or else you might get fired. like obama on the issues you'll sacrifice your convictions to safely maintain your job. what a bunch of sellouts, i really thought the central news negotiators (cnn) were above that, i guess not

[Rob]

Ms. Brown: It's good to see that you Liberals are actually concerned about Sarah Palin's credentials to be VP! She has enough experience to do the job as Vice President, which is more than I can say for Obama. Maybe when Obama or Biden go on Fox News (A REAL NEWS CHANNEL), and actually get questioned by O'Reilly or Hannity, perhaps then we'll get some real answers about Barrack Obama! We already know what "Pit Bull" Biden's all about, so there's really no hurry to hear from him.

In the meantime, put down the kool-aide, it's really not good for you!

[Andrew]

On the bright side, we don't have to suffer through Larry King tossing softballs at McCain. Eh, it was worth it, Campbell.