In what should be a major warning sign to the Republican National Committee, CNN anchor Carol Costello — who became infamous after she asked her audience to laugh at audio of Bristol Palin reporting a physical assault to the police — publicly attacked the Fox Business Network’s GOP debate Wednesday morning. “It appeared to me the moderators didn’t ask very challenging questions,” the leftwing Costello said.
Responding to Costello, CNN’s Dana Bash seemed to agree in part, “Well, obviously that depends on who you are talking about.”
CNN hosts the next Republican debate on December 15 in Nevada. Wolf Blitzer will moderate. If CNN is already attacking what was a superb and informative Fox Business debate, this should raise all kinds of alarm bells about what our candidates might face from a left-wing news network that saw an objectively fair, tough, and mature debate as something else.
As we’ve come to expect from CNN, Costello provided no examples to back up her provably false claim, and apparently wanted to pretend that the questions below were not asked Tuesday night:
Moderator Neil Cavuto to Ben Carson: You suggested one minimum wage does not fit all, and that perhaps we should offer a lower or starter wage for young people. Those protesters outside are looking for $15 and nothing less. Where are you?
Moderator Gerard Baker to Carly Fiorina: Now, in seven years under President Obama, the U.S. has added an average of 107,000 jobs a month. Under President Clinton, the economy added about 240,000 jobs a month. Under George W. Bush, it was only 13,000 a month. If you win the nomination, you’ll probably be facing a Democrat named Clinton. How are you going to respond to the claim that Democratic presidents are better at creating jobs than Republicans?
Cavuto to Carson: You recently railed against the double-standard in the media, sir, that seems obsessed with inconsistencies and potential exaggerations in your life story, but looked the other way when it came to then-Senator Barack Obama’s. Still, as a candidate whose brand has always been trust, are you worried your campaign — which you’ve always said, sir, is bigger than you — is now being hurt by you?
Cavuto to Carson: You say you are in favor of a tax system, I guess akin to tithing, sir, with a flat tax rate of up to 15 percent because you said, if everybody pays this, I think God is a pretty fair guy, so tithing is a pretty fair process. But Donald Trump says that is not fair. That wealthier taxpayers should pay a higher rate because it’s a fair thing to do. So whose plan would God endorse then, Doctor?
Bartiromo to Cruz: How can you cut taxes as much as you propose without running up debt and deficits?” After Cruz answered, Bartiromo followed up with, “But you haven’t told us how to pay for it.
Baker to Rubio: Isn’t — isn’t there a risk you’re just adding another expensive entitle program to an already overburdened federal budget?
Bartiromo to Rubio: Senator Rubio, Hillary Clinton is the clear front runner for the Democratic nomination. If she is indeed the nominee, you will be facing a candidate with an impressive resume. She was the first lady of the United States, a U.S. senator from New York, and secretary of state under Barack Obama. She has arguably more experience, certainly more time in government than almost all of you on stage tonight.Why should the American people trust you to lead this country, even though she has been so much closer to the office?
—
BARTIROMO:
Just to be clear, you say you would repeal Obamacare…
FIORINA:
…Absolutely…
BARTIROMO:
…But, what is the alternative…
FIORINA:
…You need to give…
BARTIROMO:
…and how does that help small business…
***
Like the leftwing Politico, Costello is angry because actual debate questions were asked, as opposed to questions designed to benefit Hillary Clinton through the disqualification of Republicans candidates.
How deep does this feeling run at CNN? Chances are about 100% Costello speaks for just about everyone.
The Republican National Committee has assured Republican voters, and the presidential candidates, that what happened during the disastrous CNBC debate cannot happen again.
If CNN anchors are already publicly attacking what was an ideal debate, it seems reasonable to suggest that the RNC look for a different network to host the December 15 debate. Being as this is the 21st Century, there is also the Streaming option.
Disappointing CNN by cancelling their involvement in the debate will not result in worse coverage for our candidates, because worse coverage of Republicans on CNN is not possible.
The RNC’s job is to look out for its candidates, and take notice of these kinds of warning signs in advance.
If nothing else, wasn’t CNN’s now-debunked, racially-motivated hit job on Ben Carson enough of a disqualifier?
The RNC has not yet responded to an inquiry from Breitbart News.
Follow John Nolte on Twitter @NolteNC
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