CNN's Candy Crowley somewhat surprised by Donald Rumsfeld's ignorance of Obama's good global image
CNN's Candy Crowley was perpetuating one of the American media's favorite myths about Barack Obama, that his mere election in 2008 had radically improved the United States' image around the world after those disastrous eight years of Republican George W. Bush, whose policies and flunkies caused so many foreigners to really dislike the globe's sole remaining superpower.
Obama's "supporters," said Crowley, "say that in two years he has been able to return this country to a status of being liked across the world in a way that America was not liked during the Bush administration.
"That he has once again made America a beacon."
The trouble for Crowley Sunday was that she was interviewing Donald Rumsfeld.
Rumsfeld knows a little something about the world after being a military pilot, corporate executive, congressman, White House aide, Washington power-player and media adversary, as well as secretary of Defense during many of those Bush years.
"Do you agree with that?" she asked Rumsfeld with a straight face.
"Do you think that -- that the U.S. is now looked at much differently than it was and much more positively than it was during your tenure?"
Rumsfeld is promoting his memoirs, "Known and Unknown," and has been doing nonstop media appearances trying to sell as many copies as possible because he's donated all proceeds to benefit military families.
Referring to Obama, he told Crowley, "No. And I don't think there's data that supports that.
"I think he has made a practice of trying to apologize for America. I personally am proud of America."
Crowley seemed surprised at Rumsfeld's ignorance about Obama's powerful positive public image abroad.
She stated: "Well, he seems to be quite popular overseas in a way that President Bush was not. The streets aren't full of people burning him in effigy."
She continued: "There does seem to be a new -- a chance to look at America in a different way than it did during the Bush administration. You don't think that's true?"
Rumsfeld replied: "I don't think that's true and I don't think that there's data that would support that."
Crowley didn't need any data. She persisted: "Even though the streets look differently?"
As you might expect from some stubborn Republican, Rumsfeld stuck to his guns: "I just don't think it's correct."
Now, what could this retiree, this Donald Rumsfeld fellow, possibly know that his au courant media interviewer has missed in recent months?
-- Andrew Malcolm
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All photos since Obama inauguration: Bikas Das / Associated Press (Obama effigy burning in India); Associated Press (Obama effigy burning in Afghanistan); Morteza Nikoubazl / Reuters (Obama effigy in Iran); Mohammad Malik / AFP / Getty Images (Protesters burn the U.S. flag in Pakistan, Feb. 17, 2011); Supri / Reuters (Anti-Obama sign in Indonesia says "Don't add more grief to Indonesia with Obama"); Shakil Adil / Associated Press (Pakistan protesters disrespect Obama by draping footwear around the neck of his effigy); Joseph Kaczmarek / Associated Press (Rumsfeld book).
Crowley has always been short on intelligence! She does, however, give a clear example of why CNN is no longer recognized as a legitimate news organization. In all the years she has been at CNN, she has NEVER shown one bit of objectivity, only pure left-leaning reporting. Is it any wonder why Fox News is by far the number one choice of all rational viewers?
Posted by: Floridian | February 21, 2011 at 07:57 AM
Crowley and the rest of what passes for "media personalities" over at CNN should get out of the beltway more.Obama is a bad joke in most of the world
Posted by: Susan | February 21, 2011 at 07:59 AM
Candy, I have traveled extensively across Europe and Australia. Take it from experience that Obama is considered a laughing stock around the world. The only two groups that still "admire" him are the elitist socialists and those that want the see America fall. The overwhelming majority think he is a fool.
Posted by: GetaLife | February 21, 2011 at 08:00 AM
And they wonder why CNN and the other Obama Networks are going down, they now nothing!! Obama's image has hurt us drastically in the world, see The countries do not reqpect us anymore, they walk all over us!! Look at China, Egypt, Russia and so forth!!
Posted by: Spock | February 21, 2011 at 08:01 AM
Ecclesiastes 10:2
The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left.
Posted by: FL Tony | February 21, 2011 at 08:04 AM
Isn't it just amazing how short sight reports are. Just because they carry the President water, doesn't make other countries love us. All his apologizing to the world has gain us nothing. We have advance mankind in medicine, life style, yet the still hate us.
Posted by: tateofpa | February 21, 2011 at 08:05 AM
WFT would americans know about how the rest of the worldviews them? Why pretend they would give a crap. They are so stupid they don't beleive they have an empire ,how do you have a dialogue with a populous that dosn't believe in history or facts ?
America the rest of the world dosn't hate you it laughs at you. Your country should be a paradise with the power of your economy but because your spend most of it on your armed forces, keeping your empire running , its like a 2nd world country. 40 million on food stamps , more people in prision than china, The highest murder rate in the western world etc etc .
Stop listening to the most childish , scaremongering corrupt , media in the world. Get off your high horse and realise its not jealously that motivates the world to critisze you but pity !
Posted by: Bob | February 21, 2011 at 08:05 AM
Candy C. once again proves the saying that "liberalism is a mental disorder".
Posted by: nolie | February 21, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Where is the new news here? Democrats and their lap dogs in the media have always lived in fantasy world contrived of their own hubris. What would be news is if Crowley's questioning was grounded in reality.
Posted by: Jake | February 21, 2011 at 08:06 AM
Who's Candy Crowley?
That picture of Kerry and Obama with the shoes is humorous. According to Candy, it's a symbol of love.
Posted by: NewOrleansAnn | February 21, 2011 at 08:07 AM
I am amazed that CNN keeps reporters who are not in touch with reality. Hopefully, Ms. Crowley actually reads this article and looks at the pictures. And I agree that the media perpetuates what they want to believe. As one person said... the headline should have read "Rumsfeldt amazed by Crowley's misperception of Obama's world image."
Posted by: kyoung | February 21, 2011 at 08:09 AM
Good global image? Is Crowley reading old newspapers to relive the first year of Obama's administration? I'm surprised at Crowley's ignorance of Obama's world image....
Posted by: Jeff Allen | February 21, 2011 at 08:11 AM
Does CNN still exist? This plumper is not "educating" but rather propagandizing her and the rest of the out of touch socialists wishful thinking. Only in America and Western Europe do the leaders not get it. Mr. Nice Guy equals Mr. Push Over in the other 172 countries.
Barry has been neutered, so he can still say what he wants, but he can not continue to destroy us from within. 23 months and he can go back to the only job he ever held. Community Organizer
Posted by: David Clark | February 21, 2011 at 08:11 AM
"This is what is wrong with this countries media, Blind to the facts. Bush was not hated around the world only people that hated him was the Muslim world that was hating on America that is a fact!!! Posted by: Allen | February 21, 2011 at 05:39 AM"
Although crudely expressed, this fellow is correct. Bush was very admired in India and other non-Muslim countries. Only the chattering classes in the EU, registered sociopaths and psychopaths like Hugo Chavez and Danny-boy Ortega and their ilk plus the insufferable Muslims hated Bush with a passion. Along with the vicious lamestream moral dropouts in the MSM.
And now Candy Crowley is silly enough to think that what may have been true for one magic moment two years ago persists, that the world loves the Indonesian Imbecile just like she and the featherweights at CNN do.
Posted by: daveinboca | February 21, 2011 at 08:11 AM
If you are a Democrat, you can just pretend things are how you want them to be.
Posted by: Jim | February 21, 2011 at 08:12 AM
Democrats still trying to get pay off for their years of Bush slandar.
Posted by: JJ | February 21, 2011 at 08:14 AM
George W Bush was not hated in the Middle East, he was feared. That IS the desired emotion "you want" from that region.
Bush WAS hated in Europe because 'he was a true American" that did not succumb to the "death by over analysis and inaction" that Europeans are famous for. "They" can't handle decisiveness in "individuals".
Posted by: Patrick | February 21, 2011 at 08:15 AM
Crowely is a fool. She could work for the Times - For MSNBC. All of whom suffer huge ratings decline. They have an agenda clear to everyone.
Bush is an idiot and Obama will save us all! We've heard it before. You loons on the left are having your as@ handed to you lately. WI is the latest example. Your dem sens run for the hills when faced by the popular vote. You will be crushed again in 2012 and Crowely is in part to blame.
How about the gas prices now? Where's the outrage? Where's your 'Bush lied people died' banners now, buffoons?
Posted by: Joe M | February 21, 2011 at 08:17 AM
Whether you like him or not, Secretary Rumsfield tells it like it is! The short answer to Candy Crowley's question is no, America's image hasn't improved throughout the world, it has only gotten worse.
Posted by: GMWilliams | February 21, 2011 at 08:17 AM
"We Are The Ones We've Been Waiting For"
YES WE CON!
YES WE CON!
Posted by: Obamanation @ Notre Dame | February 21, 2011 at 08:18 AM
What a clown!
The US is about to get $12 Dollar a Gal. gas and the only thing is the New World Order is gaining power under Obummer!
We the People are loosing but at the same time I am glad that the lines are being drawn and many are waking up to what has been happening over the last 50 years or so.
Candy Crowley just shows how willingly stupified the media has become like a sick cult gone bad is our media today!!!
Posted by: EX CA Native | February 21, 2011 at 08:20 AM
Okay the pictures pretty much said it all. If the worlds leaders respect the man I missed it. He didn't even get and invite to the royal wedding.
Posted by: Dwight E. Howell | February 21, 2011 at 08:20 AM
Common Left wing tactic. Repeat a lie often enough and a certain percentage of the population will agree. However, what is backfiring is that the only people that now believe are the 20% of extreme leftists that sheepishly follow the party lines. Those in the middle are getting savvy to these lies and are becoming more educated to the disaster that has befallen American Politics.
Posted by: Redduke | February 21, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Why doesn't CNN do a report on what has happened to all the war protests and negative reporting negative anti-American reporting in the mainstream media??? Obumbling-do-nothing gets elected, they throw a Nobel peace prize at him, the war protesters go home; not due to principals or victory in their efforts to end the war but because their political party leader has been elected. The negative reporting on both wars vanishes into thin air and CNN and the DNC hate machine changes gears instantly..... And which of you can pretend two years later that our current President isn't getting a free ride?? We are still fighting, our troops are NOT home..... And yet the mainstream media and American Left are nowhere to be seen. Rumsfeld is no fool, and he knew what the media would do to him if he said what I just said. The pigs on the left are using our soldiers as political cannon fodder. Cowards, every last one of them.
Posted by: Bryan Abbott | February 21, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Deciphering Obama becomes progressively easier with each controversy that he is confronted with. His un-warranted and disruptive injection into the Wisconsin budget crisis that is being admirably and competently addressed by the sitting Governor of that State, again reveals Obama as the most despicably divisive individual who has ever occupied the WH. One really should not be surprised at the conditioned response of our petulant adolescent, since the only skill that he had ever acquired was that of 'Community Agitator' for ACORN. With a Governor responsibly addressing a looming budget shortfall, Obama instinctively assumed the role of 'spoiler' by dispatching his Administration thugs to the scene; and, encouraging the Unions to defer any negotiation on the matter with his prompt that Gov. Walker's agenda was solely: "an assault on the Unions" -or- in his words "Union busting." Obama would contemptuously disregard the remaining five-million Wisconsin citizens who are footing the bill for public-sector wages and benefits that significantly exceed their own. All to appease his vocal minority base of Union supporters. It's the reason that America will NEVER resolve our rapidly escalating federal debt crisis so long as Obama occupies the WH. Hopefully the Wisconsin tax-payers will etch in their memories thru Nov. 2012, Obama's attempt to scuttle their States fiscal well-being by his precocious intervention into their legislative process. Observing Gov. Walker skillfully address a National audience on wide ranging details of the Wisconsin budget controversy, even without the aid of an Obama teleprompter crutch, makes one ponder why we settled on such a misguided buffoon to oversee even greater responsibilities at the Federal level? Greg Neubeck
Posted by: gneubeck | February 21, 2011 at 08:21 AM
What steams me the most is the constant lying about our standing under Bush. America and Bush in particular were very well-liked in Eastern Europe, much of Africa (because of PEPFAR), Israel, Kurdistan, some of India, Iranian youth. Some dissidents in oppressive countries have said it mattered to them that Bush cared about democracy and human rights.
In short, most countries that had either been under the bootheel of Communism, or were fighting Islamism, like America just fine, and knew Bush was carrying on their cause.
The msm had to report this occasionally but they tried to avoid it.
Posted by: 5ftflirt | February 21, 2011 at 08:22 AM
I have made this statement many times. The capacity of the left for self delusion knows no bounds. They see things the way they want to see them, and no lack of evidence or contradicting facts will change their perception of things. Barak Obama is rightly perceived around the world as a weak leader of the "evil" United States. The perception of the U.S. being evil is actually envy on the part of many people around the world. Their world sucks. They need someone to blame. It must be the fault of that rich country, where the people are free. The totalitarian leaders around the world actually encourage these anti-U.S. views, as a way of deflecting criticism of their own regimes.
Posted by: Perseus317 | February 21, 2011 at 08:23 AM
Don't know who this Candy is, but she must be a classic idiot to not know or see the resentment toward Obama. Even in his homeland, Indonesia. Wow!
Posted by: alio | February 21, 2011 at 08:23 AM
Why am I not surprised at Candy Crowley's stupidity?
Posted by: jimjones | February 21, 2011 at 08:26 AM
Gosh, I remember how many deluded Conservatives were in here a few years ago accusing the "Media" of picking a few photos of demonstrations against Bush to make the situation look worse than it really was.
Short memories, you partisan hacks.
Posted by: splavigan | February 21, 2011 at 08:26 AM
Kudos to Andrew Malcom for this article with the pictures. It demonstrates that CNN is interested in nothing more than performing slobbering journalistic fellatio on the Obama administration.
Posted by: Cousin Eddie | February 21, 2011 at 08:29 AM
We all know the liberal mouth piece of the Dem party, CNN, lies or is blind to the facts. That's why CNN is losing so much audience share, unless it is the kook aid drinking liberals that want to hear lies ... the rest of us can get our true news from other sources. I am surprised the liberal LATs is telling the other side of the story, for a change. Must be a special day...
Posted by: susan | February 21, 2011 at 08:30 AM
Since Anderson Cooper in nowhere to be seen in any of the photos, how else on earth would CNN be apprised of these actions?
Posted by: SB 1070 | February 21, 2011 at 08:31 AM
The media is nothing but a propaganda instrument for any left wing cause. We are in terrible shape in this country. We can't depend on the media anymore to safeguard liberty.
Posted by: Ron | February 21, 2011 at 08:34 AM
"USURPERVILLE",D.C.
Posted by: ms. helga from Usurperville | February 21, 2011 at 08:37 AM
Since we all know Don Rumsfield is evil (I read it on Media Matters), these photos are obviously fabricated.
/sarcasm
Posted by: MagBill | February 21, 2011 at 08:38 AM
Attention All Leftist Media Types; Journalistic Wishful Thinking is neither Professional, nor Appreciated.
Posted by: BlownfuelCoupe | February 21, 2011 at 08:42 AM
As usual Crowley is WRONG once again and she evidently doesn't read newspapers or watch tv to see that Obama is a joke told around the world. No wonder his numbers are falling as more and more countries get to see and hear this 'faux' president whose only talent is reading a telepromptor. The MSM hasn't changed over the years and they still report only one side of the story which is a HUGE dis-service to the public. Have they learned any lessons from their drop in readership? HELL, NO!
Posted by: Susan Grant | February 21, 2011 at 08:42 AM
Will someone please send this article and ALL the comments to Crowley. She's obviously "stuck on stupid" to quote retired Lt General Russell Honore. What's really sickening is that she's abusing the privilege of being stupid!
Posted by: jim in dallas | February 21, 2011 at 08:43 AM
Candy Crowley is a Democrat watergirl.
She works for CNN, what do you expect?
Posted by: Peteo29 | February 21, 2011 at 08:44 AM
Somebody is misinformed and it doesn't look like it is us.
Posted by: vwkarras@sbcglobal.net | February 21, 2011 at 08:44 AM
Wow, talk about the grand deception. Keep drinking the Koolaid Crowley. You remind me of those liberal goofs in the movie "When Mars Attacks." Just sit on the hood of your limo in the lotus position and all will be well.
Posted by: DuchessDeb | February 21, 2011 at 08:47 AM
As is the case with a lot of the media today, they report opinions and present them as fact. There is rarely anything to support their "news" and no real journalism at play. It appears to me that Rumsfeld called her on it and she stuck to the CNN/MSNBC company line that Obama is great, everything he does is golden and everyone loves him. Conveniently choosing to ignore the reality from the last election or every poll about his job performance. Last I checked Obama was the President of the United States and not the UN. The Great Uniter in 2 years managed to alienate the majority of Americans by shoving an agenda of programs they do not want. As Thomas Jefferson once wrote in a unimportant document called the Constitution..."the government of the United States has the power to regulate only matters delegated to it by the Constitution. Other powers are reserved to the states, or to the people (and even the states cannot alienate some of these). Must have missed the section that granted them power to regulate Health Care.
Posted by: Brian | February 21, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Obama today hit a all time low of 44 % in his approval rating as President .
23 % strongly aprove of Him .... 41 % strongly Disapprove of him .
Just for the record 23 % are on Welfare and Entitlements in America .
Enough said .
Posted by: ReConUSMC | February 21, 2011 at 08:49 AM
I think the first hint of reality for CNN and the rest of the media sheep was when the Olympic people voted Chicago's bid last. Michelle had made a speech saying she was on her father's knee watching the Olympics when Carl Lewis won his Gold medals. She was in her 20's at the time. Maybe she was. I think it was just another example of liberals lying to people to say what they think people want to hear. The Olympic people knew they were getting played just like Americans are getting played.
Posted by: flounder | February 21, 2011 at 08:54 AM
What else can you expect from the state run media and a info babe.
Posted by: BillyBob117 | February 21, 2011 at 08:54 AM
"Too much" Candy Crowley" seems to lost in a fog...if she thinks Obama has a "good image" overseas...well let's just say she needs professional help. She's always been in lock step with the progressives...gets her daily/weekly buzzwords and marching orders from the White House and never questions why. She needs to hang it up as a "reporter" and joing the Re-elect Obama campaign.
Posted by: Silhouette | February 21, 2011 at 08:55 AM
Crowley is guilty of plantation politics. Instead of investigation and straight reporting all we get is talking point reporting from their favorite political party. Crowley is simply a house slave for Obama. That's why critical stories are missing, every story line on TV is the same, and all public awards are the same. Is Al Gore really a great scientist or simply a well funded propagandist. The famous Columbia school of Journalism might as well be The Dr. Joseph Goebbles school of Journalism.
Posted by: kent scribner | February 21, 2011 at 08:59 AM
Rumsfeld my have been observing the news coverage of Obama. All "Hope" all the time.
Posted by: REX88 | February 21, 2011 at 08:59 AM
Bush may not have been liked around the World, but he was respected...Obama is neither.
Posted by: Jeff | February 21, 2011 at 09:00 AM