CNN Interviews Faux College Republican?
EmailABC News’ Molly Hunter reports: CNN, the cable news channel, has apologized for mistakenly labeling a supposedly demoralized college Republican lamenting a lack of support on his campus for the Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
"While [Eric Perlmutter] attends USC and says that he is a registered Republican, he was inadvertently fonted as a member of the USC College Republicans organization. We regret that fonting error," a CNN spokesperson told ABC News Friday.
CNN interviewed Perlmutter Thursday in a taped report on CNN’s "American Morning," who suggested the College Republicans at the University of Southern California are having trouble getting people to their meetings.
"We try to get people to our college Republican meetings and we can’t seem to draw the same type of vocal support [as the Obama supporters get]," said Perlmutter, who was identified as a member of the "USC Young Republicans."
The trouble is, Perlmutter isn’t a member of the group.
"I’ve never met him, heard of him, talked with him, nothing," USC College Republican president Ben Myers told ABCNews.com.
Myers said he’s infuriated with CNN, and argued his group is attracting a lot of support on campus.
"We get a ton of people at our meetings, and a ton of really enthusiastic people," Myers said, "there is a lot of enthusiasm for McCain and for the conservative movement in general."
CNN will air an interview with Ben Myers on Monday’s "American Morning."
A CNN website story quoting Perlmutter and titled "Young Conservatives Worry About McCain’s Appeal" updated Thursday evening to correctly label Perlmutter as a "Republican and a USC student."
The spelling of Perlmutter’s name has also been corrected, which was originally aired as "Pearlmutter."
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This kind of thing happens all the time. The MSM is always portraying the “Republican who is fed up or is leaving his party” type of theme and it almost always turns out they aren’t even a registered republican, they donate to democats and haven’t voted republican in the last 20 years, or so. It usually takes the rightwing blogosphere to “out” the lie.
What a farce. Glad they were caught.
Posted by: Jo | July 25, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
I can’t help but laugh at the whole thing. Although this is a farce, there is some unfortunate truth to it. I ran for republican delegate in NM, and most if not all of those in attendance were over 50. The young people are not interested in the republican party because it does not stand for anything concrete at the moment.
Posted by: Ben Straub | July 25, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
“The young people are not interested in the republican party because it does not stand for anything concrete at the moment.” Wow, one or two anecdotal examples does not mean it’s true for the millions of young people out there, Ben. Don’t be daft, Ben. How could you possibly know all the millions of young people in the U.S., let alone hundreds?
Posted by: Jeff | July 25, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
sounds like a fox news tactic.
Posted by: weazel news | July 25, 2008, 5:37 pm 5:37 pm
Jeff – It was a pretty good sample of about 2 or 3 thousand republicans. Secondly, the convention consisted of those people that want to be involved with the republican party. So it would probably be a good place to start to formulate my suggestion of saying that the republican party is having a real problem attracting young people. Lastly, some republican higher ups have stated the same problem. So whether I am being daft or not doesn’t really matter. The proof is there.
Posted by: Ben Straub | July 25, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
McCain is more of a neo-con than a republican so isn’t going to generate as much support on the conservative side. However in comparison to Obama its a no brainer. The democrats congress and medias constant “republicans are bad and democrats are for the people” mindless mantra definitely contribute to the problem. What I love the most is how a lot of people are convinced the gas prices and economic problems are Bush’s fault even though the do nothing congress promised in 2006 to lower prices and did squat to that effect until the election cycle and their efforts are still a farce.
Democrats want a bad economy for the election year to further the republicans are bad nonsense. Sadly enough a lot of democrats have been unknowingly recruited into the Sierra Club type 3rd world country environmental movement their politicians represent which means ignoring any current low cost form of energy in the hope of somehow magically turning immature expensive alternative technologies into viable solutions.
Its sad how liberals have lost their independence in favor of faith based politics becoming as intolerant, unquestionable and illogical as religious conservatives.
Posted by: Cryos | July 25, 2008, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
Cryos – You are probably correct. Most conservatives I have talked to will go with McCain over Obama. I myself will probably go with Barr because of foreign policy. You are correct in suggesting that liberals spout out empty promises. This election you get welfare or warfare. Both being very damaging to our economy.
Posted by: Ben Straub | July 25, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
With all the liberal indoctrination in schools its not surprising people get out of high school and college wanting to be liberals. Then they actually live in the real world and turn republican, independant or moderate democrat realizing that the liberals penalize hard work and personal responsibility and pander to the lazy, apathetic and worthless. A balance between the 2 parties is needed but liberals should be honest and if they’re going to distance themselves from bad liberal policies rename themselves to Socialists not Progressives (this would require actually progressing somewhere)
Posted by: Cryos | July 25, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Yep Ben. Unfortunately republicans are stuck with dont tax and much and spend or tax more and spend. My anger is currently directed more at liberals due to the situation in the country right now but I equally dislike extremists from both sides and as much or more neo-cons masquerading as republicans.
Posted by: Cryos | July 25, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Correction oops typing too fast.
republicans are stuck with dont tax as* much
Posted by: Cryos | July 25, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
Cryos – Are you suggesting a couple more parties. I am there. OK maybe not with the communists or socialists.
Posted by: Ben Straub | July 25, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
Cryos – I hear ya. We probably would agree on many things.
Posted by: Ben Straub | July 25, 2008, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm
Hard to say. The 2 party system does have its advantages as 2+ party systems end up selling out to each other for coalitions anyways. It’s a tough call since it tries to polarize people into 2 small boxes but 3+ party systems are flawed as well. If republicans could actually promote conservatives not war touting neo-cons it would eliminate a lot of that need I think.
However I do think even though he is not conservative McCain was the most electable republican for this election cycle since the democrats, hollywood and media (Bush has hurt the republican image hugely but definitely had help from the prior 3 mentioned) have made it pretty much impossible to be a fiscal or any type of conservative in the current climate. I am tempted to vote Barr too; I’m not sure what I’m going to do.
Posted by: Cryos | July 25, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm
Lol with the socialists and communists comment. With ya all the way. It does sound like we would agree on a lot of things.
I am very anti-socialist as I believe it would down the country very fast. A personal example is if I made the same living working a simple job like a gas station I sure as hell wouldn’t deal with the mental stress, sometimes long hours and continual training in IT. And I bet I’m not alone in that. I can understand people’s argument of the rich having most things but it is my belief that there has to be rich (to a certain degree) to create the capital investments required to create jobs and fuel the future. Globalism has definitely complicated economic models and behavior.
Posted by: Cryos | July 25, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
Cyros, go cry me a river. The REAL reason people are being drawn to the Democrats instead of the Republicans is simple. BUSH and his FAILED policies. EVERYWHERE. I’m middle of the road and have voted both sides of the aisle. This year my Dem friends are ecstatic and my Rep friends are very demoralized. The reason? Eight years of Republicans in the White House along with 12 years controlling the Congress and the country is a MESS. Yeah, yeah, I know the right-wingers will say that Democrats control Congress. But that’s ONLY for the last two years and ONLY by a VERY slim majority and STILL with Bush in the White House. Nope, the country KNOWS that the Republicans have put this country into the shape it is in and NO one can spin it otherwise. Absolutely, it’s time for a clean broom. Whether Obama is that broom, I don’t know. But I DO know that, barring something catastrophic, Obama and the Democrats are IN and McCain and the Republicans are OUT. Case closed, end of story.
Posted by: Bill Hobson | July 25, 2008, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
It is obvious by your comments Bill you are not middle of the world; nice try though you and the closet democrats masquerading as republicans can join the neo-cons. Either you are masquerading or are a tool; either way wouldnt surprise me.
The fact you act like republicans had some huge majority and democrats barely had a majority shows your bias. If you want to try to convince people you’re middle of the road at least try to learn to act like someone who is. And notice how the economy and everything had been fine until an election year? I bet that’s not coincidence is it since the war which was the main problem with the administration has gotten better.
Both sides of the aisle are responsible for the problems going on but DEMOCRATS ARE THE ONES STRANGLING THE ENERGY SUPPLY. And
Posted by: Cryos | July 25, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
Oops middle of the road* not world. Editing my comments before submitting and not proofreading :P
“Nope, the country KNOWS that the Republicans have put this country into the shape it is in and NO one can spin it otherwise. Absolutely, it’s time for a clean broom.”
Then you go on about how democrats need more. Well a clean broom would sweep them out of office too wouldn’t it. However that wouldn’t meet the criteria of the liberal tools like you.
Posted by: Cryos | July 25, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm
Sounds like a Fake-Hillary-Supporter-For-McCain trick.
SHAMEFUL!!!
Posted by: Snarxon | July 25, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
I personally cannot stand the republican party even though I am way to conservative for the democrats.
The republicans and their horrible policies and unwillingness to change their misguided ways has caused America to be in horrible turmoil with no end in sight.
The economy, the war, world opinion are all horribly ran and if tracked back end up right at the feet of the republican party.
I could honestly care less about wedge issue like abortion and gay marriage… I only care about things that matter.. IE this countries survival. McCain in office would almost guarantee this countries collapse or at least the Great Depression II
Posted by: TimL | July 25, 2008, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm
Would this supposed college republican be related to the Rep.Perlmutter, democrat from Denver?
Posted by: Balto girl | July 25, 2008, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm
This story started on http://www.truthcaucus.com – it’s like of like Drudge Report, but with original news stories.
Posted by: JoMomma | July 25, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm
Posted by: Bill Hobson | Jul 25, 2008 6:15:14 PM
Dream on Mother!!!!!
Posted by: mess | July 25, 2008, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
A sane person will not vote for insane McCain. Folks go to the public library and do your own research on John McCain. Do not use the spin on the net or news. If you really do research him , no way will a sane person vote for him.
Posted by: Westacan | July 25, 2008, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm
“Would this supposed college republican be related to the Rep.Perlmutter, democrat from Denver?”
Does it matter? Do all of YOUR family members belong to the same party? Mine certainly don’t.
Posted by: Wild Bill | July 25, 2008, 8:54 pm 8:54 pm
REREAD THIS COMMENT that was posted. This says it all for me:
I personally cannot stand the republican party even though I am way to conservative for the democrats.
The republicans and their horrible policies and unwillingness to change their misguided ways has caused America to be in horrible turmoil with no end in sight.
The economy, the war, world opinion are all horribly ran and if tracked back end up right at the feet of the republican party.
Posted by: Juan | July 25, 2008, 10:22 pm 10:22 pm
This isn’t the first time CNN has had a “technical error”. They are all in the tank for Obama and the leftist radicals and they’ll do anything to convince you that “everyone else” agrees with them.
Posted by: Kara | July 25, 2008, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm
Typical Liberal Behavior
Posted by: TLB | July 26, 2008, 9:09 am 9:09 am
Information Ministry of Oceana-style stuff. Orwell lives! He’d dig CNN and their oh-so-obvious and open propagandizing.
Posted by: leahlipschultz | July 26, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
“A ton of people?” Ten 200 lb. people, wow, that’s a lot!
Posted by: Bob Scofield | July 26, 2008, 11:51 pm 11:51 pm
What I would like to know is if this young man is any relation to Bruce Perlmutter, a CNN producer. Also it’s odd they originally misspelled his name as Pearlmutter.
Posted by: Judi | July 27, 2008, 10:50 pm 10:50 pm