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).
Someone should free Ms Crowley from her ivory tower.
Posted by: buckeye729 | February 21, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Wow....an article by the LA Times that doesn't have a blatantly liberal slant....
Posted by: Tom M. | February 21, 2011 at 10:40 AM
Candy - I do agree with the tenor of the comments regarding your belief of Obamba's image abroad; however, I find the comments about your weight to be way out of line.
In fact, I want to congratulate you on the significant weight loss you have achieved in the past several years. Losing weight is not an easy thing to do!
Posted by: Roger | February 21, 2011 at 10:44 AM
When the cat is away the mice will play. That old adage sums the world scene up more accurately and succinctly than all the wild knashing of teeth on current events combined. People like Candy Crowley are engaged in "big sky" ideas and are disinclined towards reality.
It is true that Bush hollowed out American respect abroad and corroded social cohesion at home. At least Bush preceded from a point of high esteem for his country. He got stuck on Wilsonian internationalism, nation building and an insane search for moderate islam which will end up the same way as did the conquistador's search for the fountain of youth. In short, Bush laid the groundwork for an Obama presidency.
However Obama's intentions are less benign than Bush's. He precedes from the point of diminishing American prestige in order to assuage third world throwbacks left behind in the wake of globalization. He was reared on anti-Americanism, and by anti-American subversives. He would not have been able to pass a background check for an entry level position in the FBI, an agency he now heads.
People like Crowley who voted for and have propped up his presidency did so as a fashion statement. The man is out of his league and is play acting at being President.
The result of the further errosion of American power and military technological suppremecay and mission clarity will be more strife and conflict not less, regardless of how popular or how well liked Mr. Obama is in elite circles.
Posted by: Saoirse | February 21, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Crowley is spreading PROPAGANDA.
Posted by: nenna | February 21, 2011 at 10:45 AM
CNN should send Crowley and other members of her Journo-list "reality based community" crowd on a fact-finding mission to gather some evidence on this topic.
Maybe they should start in Egypt? Iraq? Pakistan, perhaps? Some Iranian Green Revolutionaries? How about Europe? They could ask the UK royal family? The Sarkozy's, perhaps? Poland? The Czech Republic? Russia?
I'm sure they'd hear nothing but gushing testamonials...... of Obama's incompetence and immaturity.
Posted by: Pitbullll | February 21, 2011 at 10:46 AM
Candy Crowley thinks she is well known but to most of us, she is a definite unknown and factually incorrect.
Posted by: Dee | February 21, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Candy would argue that these have all been photo shopped. My question is, why does Mr. Rumsfeld waste his time on these far left programs, they are not interested in what he has to say, they are only interested in trying to bring him down and to humiliate him. A total waste of time in my opinion.
Posted by: Pattieb | February 21, 2011 at 10:57 AM
I read someplace that Obama sees himself as a new Ronald Reagan.
After I finished laughing and got back up off the floor, I htought that in fact he was right, in a way:
Both Obama and Reagan have the ability to get Democrats to vote Republican.
The implosion of the American left, from the media to Wisconsin, is amazing to watch.
Posted by: hunter | February 21, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Candy Crowley has to be blind to all facts. Those photos weren't made up.
Does this mean that CNN has deep sixed these photos? The people know the facts, however Ms Crowley does not.
Posted by: Mab Rockwell | February 21, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Great article. Loved the picture/text interplay.
Posted by: Timothy McIntyre | February 21, 2011 at 11:08 AM
I don't like Rumsfeld but he is right. At least when Bush was in office we had a good understanding of which enemies hated us. Now we add to the confusion the allies that now question us e.g. England, Israel, Germany, others. Things sure as heck are not any better, but a bit worse.
Posted by: Ben | February 21, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Very funny, CNN Americas Bagdad Bob new source
Posted by: Hooter | February 21, 2011 at 11:14 AM
I'll bet Candy carries a picture of Obama in her purse. It's a laminated picture so that when she takes it out to kiss it every day it won't get dogeared and smuged.
Posted by: Bart | February 21, 2011 at 11:19 AM
By the way, how can I subscribe to Mr. Malcolm's column? This was such a hoot to read.
(AM responds: See the bottom of the item for Twitter and Facebook subscriptions. Also Kindle. Thanks. Great to have joining the group.-A)
Posted by: Timothy McIntyre | February 21, 2011 at 11:19 AM
There is hope when reading the comments on the liberal LA times and most everyone of them agrees with the premise of the article
Go Conservatism 2012
Posted by: david | February 21, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Crowley's ingorance is the story here, not Rumsfeld. She's an idiot who couldn't get a job with a fair news agency.
Posted by: Jsmith | February 21, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Typical ignorant Liberal Media Elitist Twit continuing to perpetuate the myth that Odumma is the second Messiah instead of correctly pointing to the true facts of his crooked Administration and their idiotic economic and non existent foreign policies of which we as a free country may never recover from. Yeah, he has made America so well loved and the world is so much more stable now that O'dimwit is President. Give me a break... Take away his tele prompter and let's hear what the stumble bum really has to sasaSAY!
Posted by: kurt | February 21, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Obama has done far more to raise America's prestige and power worldwide than George Bush ever did. I'm dismayed that the LA Times would publish this kind of drivel, even on a blog. Andrew Malcolm should be fired.
There will always be protests about any American President, no matter how much he has done to restore America's prestige. Showing a few pics from random protests says nothing.
Where are the opinion surveys, based on stratified representational sampling?
I'd expect this kind of biased propaganda from the Washington Times, World News Daily, Roger Ailes' minions, or other right-wing outlets. But not from a major US newspaper of record.
Shame on the LA Times.
Posted by: Sam Hauntington | February 21, 2011 at 11:46 AM
The Truth is that Obama is disrespected nearly EVERYWHERE in the world after his first two dismal years as president. Candy Crowley lives in the self-delusional CNN bubble amidst the cloud of ignorance that IS the Washington press corps. These buffoons wouldn't recognize the truth if it hit them on the head!
Posted by: Pounce Kitty | February 21, 2011 at 11:57 AM
She is not only ignorant and biased, she is clearly stupid as well.
Posted by: Darrel | February 21, 2011 at 12:02 PM
This was truly hilarious! The liberal media once again showing their astounding ignorance! They live in a bubble of cocktail parties frequented by likeminded robots. They won't be missed.
Posted by: Mauren | February 21, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Gosh, it's like Crowley jumped out of Huxley's Brave New World, repeating a mantra that she was brain-washed with while sleeping, unable to comprehend the facts before her face, if they are different than her mantra... Obama good, Bush bad... Obama good, Bush bad... Rumsfeld might as well have been speaking ancient mandarin, Crowley would have understood as much.
Posted by: Nico | February 21, 2011 at 12:06 PM
They're both right. There's no uniform love or hate for Obama overseas. Obama, to a European is a huge improvement over Bush. They see him as more aligned with them on politics and economics. Plus, to them Bush was a war mongering NeoCon pushing violent change when Euro governments were more open to diplomacy. The Muslim world hates the US, Bush most of all, and has for 50yrs, but Obama now too because we are Goldless imperialists and really, Bush is responsible for far more innocent civilian deaths in Iraq & Afghanistan than Saddam Hussein was in his wettest dreams. Had you lost relatives, parents maybe, to what we call 'collateral damage' you might hate those responsible too. These things happen in a complicated world I know, but don't kid yourself...Bush set back the image of this country for a century in the Middle East.
Posted by: Joe Indiana | February 21, 2011 at 12:08 PM
How dare Mr. Rumsfeld...challenge the international diplomat, political thinker and Obama sychophant...Ms. Candy Crowley...? Is it possible Ms. Crowley speaks with bias, agenda talking points and liberal peer pressure? Is it possible Ms. Crowley disdains the political independence displayed by Mr. Rumsfeld?
Is it possible Ms. Crowley is just another CNN twit - pushing the liberal/socialist/Democrat 'playbook' and seminar instructions?
I believe Donald Rumsfeld is a truthful, insightful and logical thinker - inversely; I believe Ms. Crowley is a 'ring-in-the-nose' socialist and amateur writer.
No contest! Rumsfeld wins! Crowley whines!
Posted by: Len Hobbs | February 21, 2011 at 12:11 PM
"Well, he (Obama) seems to be quite popular overseas in a way that President Bush was not."
Well, he certainly has cheered up our enemies as he continues to earn his Nobel Piece (OS) Award.
Posted by: JJinCO | February 21, 2011 at 12:12 PM
What everyone is failing to realize, no matter what president it is...they are both hated around the world (in reference to President's Bush and Obama). Why is this big news??? Who cares what the "reporters" say, everyone knows they are usually wrong and the ignorant people will listen to them regardless of republican or democrat. Form your own opinion, do your own research. TRAVEL!
Posted by: Maurice | February 21, 2011 at 12:12 PM
And these are from his "new" friends:
(Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama was at best an "ignoramus"
HAVANA (AFP) — Fidel Castro blasted US President Barack Obama Friday in provocative May Day remarks, saying the United States only wanted Cuba to return "to the fold, like slaves."
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's hard-line president on Wednesday ridiculed President Barack Obama's new nuclear strategy. "Mr. Obama, you are a newcomer (to politics). Wait until your sweat dries and get some experience. Be careful not to read just any paper put in front of you or repeat any statement recommended," Ahmadinejad said in the speech, aired live on state TV.
Ha'aretz: France's Nicolas Sarkozy views Barack Obama's political stance toward Iran "utterly immature" and made up of "formulations empty of all content."
Posted by: Pat | February 21, 2011 at 12:13 PM
I don't know why the super sophisticated media and the idiots on the left in this country don't see what the rest of the world sees when that look at Barry. Did you ever do something that when you did it it sounded like a good idea but in retrospect you cringe when ever the tought of it crosses your mind? I mean it is so stupid and idiotic that you physically cringe?
When we look back at the presidency of this unmitigated failure, Barack Obama, we will have that terrible feeling. Some of us who were responsible will have that "I am such an idiot" feeling. Esprecially those morons at the Nobel Prise committee. Those guys are unadulterated baffoons!
This guy is an empty suit trying to live out the fantasy of some hippie professor or some communist mentor from his past. He hates America! He hates Americans! I say this because being American is making it on your own. Becoming successful with your own wits. His mistake was thinking that all Americans are lazy and weak like many of his leftist buddies. Just another in a long line of stupid disisions this guy has made.
I actually hoped that he would govern from the middle. Its where most of the people are in the country. Had he done things using common sence solutions to the problems this country faces he could have been one of the greatest presidents ever. Instead, using his own words, like some kidergardener on a playground "elections have consequenses. You lost we won! na na na na na na.
That says all that needs saying.
God help us!
or next best thing............. Chris Christy
Posted by: Frank Mingione | February 21, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Lou Dobbs use to keep Candy grounded in realality.
Posted by: texasgoat | February 21, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Its realy nice to see an impartial interview .Candy Crowley professionalism at the zenith. Keep up the good rateings CNN
Posted by: Quinto Fata | February 21, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Who cares about Candy Crullers? Nobody at CNN has ever let facts get in the way of their beliefs yet.
Posted by: 1984AnimalFarm | February 21, 2011 at 12:30 PM
She's projecting again. This is all they do with this fraud. He's not even real.
Posted by: NJK | February 21, 2011 at 12:33 PM
I am even further surprised that Ms Crowley is unaware of the fact that the obowma is widely viewed as an incompetent laughingstock on the world stage. They neither like nor respect the guy...pretty much what any thinking person in the United States feels. Spend sometime abroad as I have to with my job...really, it is embarrasssing to have the guy as our so called president/union rep in the White House.
Posted by: Guest | February 21, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Ms Crowley SOS (stuck on stupid)
Posted by: john225 | February 21, 2011 at 12:38 PM
This reminds me of the early days from Saturday Night Live.
Jane Curtin and Dan Akroyd had this ongoing skit, "Point/Counterpoint". Jane would come in and give her perspective and then Dan would come in with his signature line.
If you don't mind, I'll paraphrase it.
"Candy, you ignorant slut..."
Posted by: Nick Danger | February 21, 2011 at 12:42 PM
Candy Crowley and Helen Thomas: the Pin-Up girls for the left wing...
Posted by: Kevin | February 21, 2011 at 12:43 PM
Liberal Mantra.......
"My minds made up! Don't try to confuse me with Facts!"
Posted by: Rick | February 21, 2011 at 12:45 PM
So America is the world's sole surviving superpower huh? I have heard such utter nonsense since the end of the coldwar and I am quite annoyed. China is the world's sole surviving superpower. America fell behind them last decade.
Posted by: NobodyNose | February 21, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Idiocy must run in the Crowley family - Candy at CNN and P.J. at the State Department
Posted by: Chuck Orr | February 21, 2011 at 12:56 PM
How can you question such a 'fair and balanced' reporter such as Candie Crowley of the Clinton News Network? Need we remind Ms. Crowley that the unrest in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Bahrain and Yemen happened on Obama's watch. The Obama Myth continues......why support anything with fact when it's just something that is 'obvious'??
Posted by: andy g | February 21, 2011 at 12:58 PM
to quote award-winning Candy Crowley: "Even though the streets look DIFFERENTLY?" C'mon, Crowley, streets can only look DIFFERENT. Go back to your 4-5th grade grammar or perhaps some of the tomes you studied in your star-studded career, and remember you are a professional who should know our language
Posted by: ione johnson | February 21, 2011 at 01:00 PM
Only a liberal democrat such as Crowley can be so arrogant to think for one second that Obama has changed the world's outlook on America just by going around and apologizing. America is going to have to apologize for Obama the way he lies to people on a daily basis. Is Crowley so stupid she does not realize our enemies want us dead. Our enemies do not care if we are black, white, male female, straight, gay, young or old. They are out to chop our heads off. Democrats will say one think while do the complete opposite. I am not sure if they can even tell the truth about anything. Crowley has her head in the sand. She might think she can fool man, but she cannot fool God, no matter what she says.
Posted by: justavoter | February 21, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Their messiah is tumbling in the polls and they must bolster him up. Don't believe the media has any relevance anymore. We the people are onto them.
Posted by: Katepatate | February 21, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Well, dream on Mr. and Mrs. Media. This is what it's all about i.e. your dream world. Your dream world does not exist.
No confidence in you or your reporting saying "end of comment".
Posted by: Kenneth Clouse | February 21, 2011 at 01:21 PM
HELLO----she is paid to repeat what she is told; she is NOT paid to think!
Does anyone really believe Michael Moore thinks?
He is living in a $2 million penthouse in NY and claims capitalism
hasn't done him any good. Bill Maher ditto, along with Oprah who
is a real intellectual whiz. These people are nothing more than
mouthpieces for the left ; they have large keys in their backs. Their bosses wind them up and send them out. They paydays are fabulous!
Obama ain't far behind that group; his recent speeches are warmed
over rhetoric with no passion and no cohesion--dare I say scripted?
Posted by: Cuffs | February 21, 2011 at 01:24 PM
I would have loved to been there when she read this article and thought.....man, what was I thinking....how stupid do I look.
Posted by: Joe | February 21, 2011 at 01:30 PM
THE TROUBLE WITH THESE LIBERAL NEWS INTERVIEWERS IS
THAT THEY ARE NOT IGNORANT...BUT.....
THEY JUST KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT IS NOT SO...........
Posted by: NIKKO764 | February 21, 2011 at 01:32 PM
When the United States goes up in flames, as it most certainly will when our economic structure totally collapses, the likes of Crowley will be hiding in dark places or else hanging from lamp poles throughout the land. Once the system falls, the US national government will hold sway only in the hard liberal east coast corridor. The rest of the continent will organize under regional strong men or regional coalition governments, most of which will be conservative and likely somewhat authoritarian. Those of us who are sick of the culture and the people who have brought our nation to this state will be hunting down and disposing of those perceived enemies. The big dogs likely will get away, as usual, through their previously arranged bolt holes, but their minions and fellow travelers will be standing aghast and caught up in the turmoil. Bye-bye, Candy, you ugly creep.
Posted by: JSE | February 21, 2011 at 01:40 PM
Once again, the mindless ignorance of the liberal media is staggering in its scope to completely miss the realities of today's world. We are the laughing stock of the world and this slow motion train wreck is at the root of it all. Candy Crowley should be up for an award for the most clueless reporter today.
Posted by: 1GregM | February 21, 2011 at 01:41 PM