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

[Peg]

Anyone who would try to answer her hysterical shouting would have to be prepared to answer in one to two words. Tucker got shut off before he was half way through a sentence. Are people not allowed to answer in complete sentences when Cambell Brown is interviewing. She exhibits clear predudice against the GOP. She has become the queen of the shouting heads.

[Pilgrim]

Where was Nancy Pfotenhauer when McCain needed her? No way she would have been punked by Campbell Brown like Bounds was. Back to the frat house Tucker.

[Peter Schiavone]

I would understand if Brown had applied the same standards of journalism to the Democrats (in one interview she even referred to Obama as "our candidate"). Why not the same intensity in probing 'lack of experience' in Obama's case? It's clear to most impartial observers that Brown sits in the Democratic camp. This fact alone spells 'unprofessional' . Let her take a look at Larry King if she wants to see how to get the answers.

[Quacker]

The snear on Cambell's face was disgusting.

Guess what cable 'news' station I'm not watching any longer.

[Maggie Knowles]

Didn't you hear on Faux News? Palin is governor of the State of Alaska which is right next door to Russia! How much more foreign relations experience do you need?

[jay]

CAMPBELL BROWN DOSEN"T DO A VERY GOOD JOB CAMPAIGNING FOR OBAMA. IT"S OK TO BE TOUGH ON HER GUEST,BUT NOT TO GET NASTY WITH THEM. A REPORTER IS SUPPOSE TO BE IMPARTIAL

[Frank Ferina]

The RNC is still waiting for Campbell Brown to ask the same question about Barack Hussein Obama's experience and or inexperience. Last time I checked governers do not have experience in foreign matters.

[Brian Nelson]

I think it is interesting that Campbell Brown asked with vigor the question of Tucker to name one decsion that Gov. Palin gave the Alaska National Guard. Why doesnt Campbell ask Barak Obama in the same tone, the same vigor to name his biggest political accomplishment as a Senator that has made a major impact? it is interesting to see the media so one sided that no one can name one thing Obama has accomplished that he can take credit forin his total of 140 working days as IL senator. Sad to see when the blind eye is turned for americans who would like both sides given equal in depth vetting.

[AS]

I recommend that we find out as much as we can about Campbell Brown's children and then expose how well she parents her children. Her very high profile New York anchor job at CNN is sure to put a crimp on the quality time she is able to provide her children. After all, as she expressed during the interview, no one in today's media obsessed world should expect mercy from public scrutiny!!!

[cs]

I laugh at the dems trying to attack Palin. EVERYTHING they can argue against her could be a valid argument against the Clintons.

If personal problems keeps Mrs. Palin from being qualified from office, then Bill Clinton's infidelity should've kept him out of office.

If Palin is **accused** of abuse of power, then we can insert the Paula Jones/Monica Lewinski/Vince Foster card here. Not to mention, the famed democratic sweethearts get quite a bit of favors because of Bill's presidency.

A 17 year old thinks independantly of her parents. I don't get how this is the fault of Paula, unless Obama attracts a bunch of irrational media hounds. It's a shame that the media would take on a 17 year old's plight in vein attempt at scrutiny. This shows that the media is not competant to discuss issues such as war/economic policies between the candidates.

If we pander to media garbage like this, then we deserve the president that we get.

[jhc]

It wasn't the question, even though it was a question that required a detailed knowledge of Palin's executive orders as Governor, it was all about her smug demeanor. It gets even worse as we now find out that Brown new that Palin had deployed the NG for fire fighting on a number of occasions all the while hammering Bounds for an answer he obviously didn't have. Now, that's not sending troops into war but NG troops have died fighting fires before. Besides, that is what governors do. They send NG troops into hurrican afflicted areas and to fight fires if necessary. Brown came across as smug and unprofessional. She has not made the transition from fluff to hard news. CNN seems to be happy with the product. Satisfied with a lousy product, they will always lag in the market polls.

[Kathie]

I watched the exchanged beween Campbell and Tucker.
I have seen Larry King ask questions to Tucker, he allows Tucker to answer his question and then if Larry did not feel he got a good enough response he would ask the question again, maybe a little differently.

Campbell interrupted Tucker, she interrupted Tucker, get it, she was rude. Her interviewing skills are not of my taste, I prefer to hear an answer then if further questioning is needed then she should follow as Larry King does and ask the question differently. But at least let the interviewee answer the question, no matter how you may NOT LIKE the answer, don't act like a three old child and interrupt people.

[frances]

As an independent and still undecided I have only watched CNN (around the clock)as I assumed they would be the most neutral in their coverage. Campbell Brown was so unprofessional. I myself am a woman in the business world fighting the "good ole boys" for respect. Lesson #1 be assertive not agressive. Brown was so agressive she lost her credibility. Had she kept her mouth shut for a few moments perhaps Tucker could have answered and we the viewers could have made up our OWN minds if he answered the question. She did a disservice to me and other women, control your emotions. You can be assertive in your questioning but why so hostile (you are a reporter). Lets hope Pailin can handle herself better than Campbell!

I'm completely done with CNN. I need neutral non partisan coverage. By the way, isn't it Obama and McCain running for President. Why does everyone compare Obama to Pailin, is it because they are more comparable, and one can't even come close to comparing Obama and McCain. There is no comparison, McCain wins hands down.

[erikiq0]

What complete and utterly empty-headed rhetoric from you libs! You don't even see it coming do you? That is - your loss. You won't win in November and the more you try to aggravate the situation - the tighter the noose will be around your neck. I watched this interview and it was an abomination. Granted the question should have been answered plainly by Tucker - "Campbell, I am not sure what orders she commited at an executive level - but I'll look into it and get back with you quickly" Instead of skirting the issue, I agree - he didn't look smart - but Campbell would never do that kind of interview to a fellow liberal. You know that's Gospel truth!

Good luck in November - because your saviour is going down.

iq0

[S Mac]

I'm done with CNN...I thought they were a legit news channel. I actually watched this thing and was disgusted as she contorted her face while asking questions. Like a little baby that wasn't getting it's way. What a bitch!

[McCain fan]

Hey stupid chick interviewer.....it's no longer an interview when you talk over their answers and try to show YOUR point of view & enough already with the deep breaths you pouting fool. Go jump in a lake.

[Karolyn]

Campbell Brown was condescending and sarcastic and way off limits. Asking the question and wanting an answer is fair. Grilling Tucker Bounds because he would not answer the question HER way was not fair. Her final remark - "baby" was extremely unprofessional. She lost her cool on this one.

Brown's popularity is going to her head.

[ES]

Why is it okay that Sen. Chris Dodd (D) can side step ALL questions from Wolf Blitzer the other day, never answer the questions, and gets a complete free pass from CNN.... but suddenly CNN is asking all the questions and doing great journalism with Campbell Brown. This is so blatently obvious how biased they are! If you do not accept one party not answering questions, you BETTER force ALL parties to answer the questions!

[Ross]

Campbell Brown is mouthy and opinionated. It has been said she is Chris Matthews' female counterpart.

[Carla Herret]

I second Lou Antosh comments! Campbell Brown went hysterical and uncontrolled. I'm leaving CNN behind for a more fair and professional reporting network. (Wolf B., you are an embarrassment also with continuous prompts, "DIdn't Obama do well . . .". ) This is supposed to be the Republican's week; why are we drowning in Obama's accolades?!!

[Carla Herret]

I second Lou Antosh comments! Campbell Brown went hysterical and uncontrolled. I'm leaving CNN behind for a more fair and professional reporting network. (Wolf B., you are an embarrassment also with continuous prompts, "DIdn't Obama do well . . .". ) This is supposed to be the Republican's week; why are we drowning in Obama's accolades?!!

[Hosea]

Americans unable to discern this hypocrisy will blindly doom our great nation

[Neil Weston]

Section 2 of the 25th Amendment provides that "Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress."
If something were to happen to McCain, Palin as VP would be able to pick a VP with extensive foreign policy experience. It took me about 2 minutes to research this. Why as a journalist, wasn't Campbell Brown (Miss "I really want to know') able to do this? Was it laziness, ignorance, or was it just a plain lack of objectivity? Maybe an inservice on research techniques or on objectivity may help.

[Neil Weston]

Section 2 of the 25th Amendment provides that "Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress."
If something were to happen to McCain, Palin as VP would be able to pick a VP with extensive foreign policy experience. It took me about 2 minutes to research this. Why as a journalist, wasn't Campbell Brown (Miss "I really want to know') able to do this? Was it laziness, ignorance, or was it just a plain lack of objectivity? Maybe an inservice on research techniques or on objectivity may help.

[Erica]

Kudos to Campbell Brown for being an outstanding journalist? You've got to be kidding! Her facile sincerity was pathetic - in the interview and especially afterward in other discussions about the interview. She had a clear agenda. If you were impressed by her performance, it's only because you agree with her pro-Obama stance. A good reporter asks the question, then actually waits to hear a response. A good reporter also bothers to educate herself about the issue. A good reporter isn't so obviously invested in one side of the issue.

It was clear Brown doesn't have a clue about how the National Guard functions in this country. She was shockingly clueless. In later interviews (in response to the idiotic firestorm that followed the interview), she'd FINALLY done some research. This research was done AFTER the fact. So, give me a break. Campbell Brown is a hack. A real journalist does the research before the interview.

But, it appears, Brown met her match in Tucker Bounds who is clearly as incompetant at crafting an intelligent, original response as Campbell Brown is at asking educated, legitimate questions. He dodged the question when he could have given a concise answer in less than 20 seconds. Bounds did try to educate Brown on how the Guard functions, but she was so clueless that she didn't get it. She didn't understand that her loaded question was intrinsically flawed because she's ignorant. Still, Bounds underperformed...he should know that Campbell Brown needed him to speak slowly and use very small words, starting with the very basics of "this is what a governor does" and "this is how the NG works."

And, no, questioning Palin's experience isn't really legitimate. Not in light of the facts. She's the VP candidate and she has plenty of experience for the role. It seems evident. She's a governor. She has more experience governing than Obama does...and she's not running for the top spot. Sixteen of our presidents were governors before being elected to govern the entire nation. Historically, the American people have a lot of confidence in the ability of governors to run the whole country...and for good reason since states are essentially mini versions of the country.

I can't believe people think this is good TV just because both of the players didn't get what they wanted. Eeewww, exciting! Campbell Brown acted like a petulant child; Tucker Bounds acted like a robot, incapable of diverging from his talking points. They were woefully disappointing in their respective roles. Both stuck to their agendas without bothering to use their brains. If you're sympathetic to either one of them, then it's your bias showing. They were both absurd.