Bill O'Reilly is unhappy that CNN commentators James Carville and Paul Begala have signed on with the Kerry campaign as unpaid advisors.
Traditionally, that would mean they would have to take a leave of absence from CNN or any news organization which employed them because journalistic ethics (oxymoron?) dictate that news organizations remain totally separate from political campaigns. But since we live in strange times, CNN says it will keep the guys on the air.
How the advising of Senator Kerry by Carville and Begala is any different than their nightly defense and support of him on Crossfire, I do not know. These men are unapologetically liberal both on the streets and when broadcast on CNN.
I'll submit to you that if Greta Van Susteren and I signed on with Bush/Cheney 2004, The New York Times would have passed out torches and the media mob would have stormed the Fox News castle. There's a fox in the hen house all right--it's called the left-wing press allowing their brothers to slide.
Sure, because both O'Reilly and Van Susteren claim to be unpartisan in their reporting. If Sean Hannity became an advisor for President Bush no one would care. In fact, Sean Hannity recently narrated a GOP video for the Republican National Convention!
That (CNN) network apparently feels comfortable allowing daily commentary from two Kerry strategists. Shouldn't CNN now be compelled to give equal time to the Bush campaign? How about a new program called "What's Up, George," starring Mary Matalin?
They do, it's called Crossfire with Tucker Carlson and Robert Novak!
Editorial endorsements of candidates are fine and there's nothing wrong with former political operatives being hired to analyze the news. However, there is plenty wrong with CNN's present situation.
C'mon, Bill. Allowing Carville and Begala to "voluntarily advise" the Kerry camp is no worse than FOX's managing editor for business, Neil Cavuto, giving $1,000 to a fundraising dinner for President Bush. We know these men are partisan. Come back when an investigative reporter starts advising candidates, then we'll talk Bill.
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