CNN‘s Fareed Zakaria Now Denies He’s ‘Advising’ the President
- Posted on May 15, 2011 at 10:59am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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On Friday, we brought you a very curious clip from CNN host Fareed Zakaria, in which he discusses how the president calls him for “wisdom and advice.” At the time, it seemed pretty clear and damning. Glenn Beck took significant time lambasting both CNN and Zakaria for having someone that says he’s a journalist actually advising the president. It seems the message got back to Zakaria, becuase now he’s denying that characterization.
In a blog post from Saturday night, Zakaria tries to dispel the notion that he’s advising the president, even putting the term in scare quotes. Here’s what he says in the post titled, “Clarifications on my conversations with the president:”
The characterization that I have been “advising” President Obama is inaccurate. Over the last few months I’ve had a couple of conversations with the president, off-the-record. At no point did President Obama ask me for advice on a specific policy or speech or proposal, nor did I volunteer it. I know that he has had similar meetings with other columnists.
That’s it. He doesn’t clarify why, if the conversation was “off the record,” he’s talking about it on national TV and in blogs. More importantly, he doesn’t clarify why his fellow host, Elliot Spitzer, stated multiple times that Obama calls Zakaria “for wisdom and advice.” And finally, he doesn’t clarify why he never corrected Spitzer after Spitzer made those characterizations. Take a look:
Here’s a transcript:
Spitzer: Look, I read something in the paper this week– a couple days ago that actually brought a smile to my face. It said the president of the United States calls you for wisdom and advice about issues around the world. First, when he calls you what does he say? “Hi Barack, calling for Fareed.” What does he do?
Zakaria: Mostly it’s been face-to-face meetings. You know, it’s usually organized by Tom Donilon, the national security adviser. What I’m struck by though, honestly Elliot, is how much time he’s spending thinking about the issues of the Arab Spring, particularly the issues of Egypt, how to make Egypt go right, what are the mechanisms that the United States has to help the moderates and liberals. It’s been a very thoughtful conversation; we’ll see where it goes.
Spitzer: I’m not going to ask you what you have said to the president, but it makes my heart warm that the president is calling you for wisdom and advice. Thanks for coming on the show.
Zakaria: My pleasure.
But there are also plenty of other questions raised by Zakaria’s “clarification.“ Who are the other ”other columnists” Obama’s meeting with? Do they consider themselves just having friendly off-the-record conversations, or offering advise? Why is Obama doing this? Is it to make the columnists feel important, thus securing covert support and less criticism?
Also curious: Guess what CNN’s title (for now)* for the video is? “Obama getting advice from Fareed Zakaria.” Screen shot below:
It seems even CNN is convinced Zakaria is giving Obama “advice.”
We reached out to CNN for comment about Spitzer’s characterization as well as its video title, and this is what we received:
“Since the question was put to Fareed Zakaria, and was based upon an interpretation written in a newspaper, Fareed wanted to add context and make things clear.”
Maybe it’s just me, but there now seem to be more questions than answers.
*UPDATE:
As thought, CNN has now changed the title of its video. It’s now, “Zakaria in conversation with President Obama.” We do, however, have a screen shot of the original title, which was the title up until Sunday afternoon.
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Comments (231)
OlefromMN
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:35am“I know that he has had similar meetings with other columnists”
There is no doubt that Obama has many tickle buddies in the media. Krugman, Robinson, the editorial boards of every major newspaper… The media is running Obama, not the other way around. The media is pushing their agenda through their puppet.
Report Post »mrfunn
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 2:05pmWonder if NBC’s Brian Williams shares some advice with the President before or after all those interviews and White House access NBC gets?
Report Post »longun45
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:34amCNN the best place for news, although they make most of it up and put spin on everything else. Used to be a good network, now just BLAHBLAHBLAH
Report Post »Thighmaster
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:34amElliott Spitzer, now there’s a name that lends credibility to a new cast…
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:49pmMade they can give the Son Of Sam a job
Report Post »1me2ao
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:27amif you listen and not hear this man he sounds like any one else that despises the US.
Report Post »DavidS
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:27amWhy should we trust anything this douche has to say about anything ?
Report Post »Bigliardi
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 3:52pmWhich douche….The CNN Douche, or the Douche in Chief…?
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 10:19pmDavids……….love the picture. Just adorable. The Big O never looked spiffier. Lotus.
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 10:21pmBigliardi……where have you been? They are interchangeable. Lotus.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:26amWhat is it with these liberal pundits interviewing each other and calling it ‘news’?
If Obow isn‘t being given ’wisdom and advice’ as Zakaria originally seems to have indicated, then Fareed was doing a puff piece for himself and didn’t expect to be called on it. Either way, his try at self-aggrandizement doesn’t seem to have worked out as planned.
Report Post »LoveBringsTruth
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:26amRumor is Fareed is CIA.
Check out his ‘life history’
Check out the titles of his books…
You should see a pattern.
One muslim needs to console another muslim.
Report Post »Alvin691
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:25amWhoops!
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:25amEverything these people do is a concerted effort; a foundation for the next level of government control, power, and permanance. Alternatively, to diminish the peoples’ liberties, abilities, and choices. Republicans are like actors pretending to stand up, but fearful of someone behind the curtain who has them in their sights. As time goes by it feels more and more like we’re watching a re-enactment of what the founders feared most about democracy.
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:39pmTrue that, Loddy!
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, the have more need of masters.”
Benjamin Franklin
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:40pmOops…..fast fingers this morning.
“they” not “the”
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:24amCNN’s Fareed Zakaria wants to boost his own status otherwise why would he make this public? Contrary to his perceived delusions of grandeur, outing the fact that he’s “advising” the President is going to decrease his credibility even more than it was before. If he had any credibility at all!
What a self-aggrandizing buffoon this guy is!
When he indulges in blatant partisanship the least he can do is keep his mouth shut. Of course, we already knew he was in bed with the Obama minions and their financier and puppeteer, George Soros.
Report Post »seayalater73
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:20amCNN is the same company that admitted to having a secret deal with Saddam allowing them access to Iraq as long as they did NOT report on things embarrassing to him (atrocities:)
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/cnn-iraq.htm
CNN will do whatever it takes to scoop other media outlets, apparently. What is scary about this story is the potential for news-making instead of news reporting. There was never any evidence that FOX was taking notes from the Bush white house, but here we have blatant evidence of BHO taking notes from CNN. I could be said they have similar enough of a populists’ outlook. It can also be damned straight said they have identical media-manipulation objectives.
Crimeny….
Report Post »Berticus33
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:18amThe speed at which the LameStream media has to backtrack is amazing.
Report Post »swimmer1940
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:17amLiar, liar, pants on fire. Typical, pea-brained liberal.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:16amMaybe he received a fatwa for his assistance to the pretender in chief.
Report Post »Buddyc
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:16amA guy who can’t walk and chew gum at the same time is advisng a guy who needed affirmative action and muslim endownments to get into Harvard. And you wonder why this country is “F” up?
Report Post »Stacey
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:15amhe’s back-peddling as fast as he can!
Report Post »chips1
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:15amThe proper way to run a plantation is to ask questions from the slaves themselves. Obama‘s slave ownership has grown larger than the 1800’s entire population, and is growing as each day passes. He is including your children that are going to government schools.
Report Post »hopester55
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:14amBeck’s red phone never rang. He did get Van Jones to resign so someone in the WH is listening
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:13amOh man – how I pray that very soon the truth/exposure of all the fraud, deceit, scam that has been done to this country with Obama & Admin. will come out. It’s beyond unbelievable & that‘s why so many can’t/don’t allow themselves to ponder this. It’ll be one for the history books – if we are still allowed to have the truth in our text books.
Report Post »NEAF
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:12amRemember the O gets his advise from socialist lefties. We cannot say it because is racist.
Report Post »Oil_Robb
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:16pmI dont see the problem….just two BLACK,SOCIALIST,MUSLIMS hanging out
Report Post »clockwatcher
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:10amVOTE VOTE VOTE set America free from this black jimmy carter. Do you need any more proof of who this guy is??????
Report Post »betterthantv
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:08amI guess he has to get advice from somebody. Cause his cabinet members claim they haven’t seen him in 2 years!
Report Post »sodacrackers2
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:30amI would bet he is asking for advise about his golf game.
Report Post »sodacrackers2
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:30amadvice (sp)
Report Post »jessieH
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:07amTypical liberal hack. Make up lies and deny them when you get caught. You know, like everyone that works for Soros.
Report Post »Jacque
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:35am“WHEN YOU GET CAUGHT” HOW THE HECK DID HE EXPECT NOT TO GET CAUGHT? HELLO YOU ARE ON THE AIR AND AT LEAST 3 PEOPLE WATCH THE SHOW….The real problem is they think this is totally OK, just like the Dictator meeting DAILY with the AFL-CIO president, but hasn’t been able to manage a meeting with his cabinet…they must not golf!
Report Post »Welcome Black Carter
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:08pmMore than likely what happened was CNN overstated it’s involvement by the token muslim to boost dying ratings and the Ubama machine gave him a cease and desist order…
Report Post »kschmud
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:07amWho is this guy anyway? The first time I saw him on CNN I thought…oh how politically correct..they now have a token muslim on the air. His commentary is ridiculous.
Report Post »ropati
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:23amWho is this guy anyway? The first time I saw him on CNN I thought…oh how politically correct..they now have a token muslim on the air. His commentary is ridiculous.
Report Post »———————————————————————————————————————————————-
Barry is careful to consult with people on the same intellectual level as himself.
pavnvet
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 2:34pmGee, how interesting. The Muslim in Chief consulting with another Muslim, and a Muslim in the media at that!
The this POS tries to say he didn’t say and lead people to the belief he is a confidant of Obama. So the question becomes was he lying then or lying now… Makes no difference, he was lying.
Report Post »GeorgieJo
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 5:52pmTED TURNER
Report Post »Fire this doofus Fareedy NOW
CNN—-Clinton News Network
thebarbarian
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 9:18pmhe’s a muslin brotherhoodlum plant. remember how ovomit did’nt know what the dishonorable rev. wrong spewed out on the podium. or that he did’nt know really who the author of his auto biography was(bill ayre head) and what about the jokes and insults over the socialist mop when the openly commie van jones had to suddenly get shuffled around.
yea we believe you ..NOT!
Report Post »Roberto G. Vasquez
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:04amI’d bet the farm that “O” didn’t meet with Hannity or Beck for advice! Too bad he didn’t. CNN sucks!
Report Post »NEAF
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:10amI like that, “O” farm.
Report Post »coryf076
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:12amwell, we already now messnbc is on speed-dial….now farheed, cnn, and a few others in the media…who‘s left that he’s not getting advice from…I think we all know the answer to that question. Can you image W seeking advice on the middle east, or anything else for the matter, from beck, hannity, or limbaugh? we would still be hearing about it!
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:22amIt was more like a CNN/PMSNBC wish list. Chris Tingles, would like to see Barry in his shorty B-Ball shorts.
Report Post »Rackel wants to see him in a long blonde wig and miniskirt.
Ed wants to lick the crumbs off Barry’s lunch plate.
Farid is on his rug, praying that Barry is the 12 Imam.He does smell like a 700 year old well.
Larry just wants to sleep with Barry once, in the Lincoln bedroom
Cemoto78
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:22amJust another liar from a long list of liars in the “progressive” camp.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:23amAn admitted Marxist meeting with a Muslim extremist sympathizer – how “transformational” is that?
How did it all go so horrible awry in such a short period of time? My, we’ve really pulled a Rip Van Winkle for that past 20 some years.
Report Post »Patrick in AZ
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:32amSo was he lying then or lying now?
Report Post »LVMerrily
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:33amA liar is a liar is a liar . . . is a talking head for Soros . . . then a liar is a denier is a denier.
Report Post »Marengo Ohio Patriot
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:39amAre not all socialist/communist/dictatorship leaders of the mindset that one must ensure that the media is in their back pocket in order to succeed in obtaining their ultimate goal of suppression on the people that they rule?
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 11:39amLiars of a feather, flock toogether…………………….
Report Post »ISeeDanger.com
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:01pmFareed… probably the worst “reporter / journalist” in the history of the nation. NEVER, a hardball question to anyone on the left. (Soros) He is not only drinking the Kool-Aid, but making it and selling it 24 hours a day. I can no longer stand him. (And I use to respect him.)
http://www.ISeeDanger.com
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:07pmIsn’t that sweet the obama administration and the progressive media are just one big incestuous family .Don‘t worry though the progressive media isn’t in the bag or carrying water for obama though.Their reporting is so honest and straight don’t the middle ,no cheer leading going on there. They go with the story no matter where it takes them as long as helps their boy.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:11pmMore liberal lies. They tell so many no one expects the truth from them anymore anyway. It doesn’t matter what they say, liberals will believe anything, and the rest of us will believe nothing. Their credibility is dead.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:13pmIt is amazing how many times the left changes or reverses the stories.
Report Post »I bet if the designed a car for then selves it would have 15 reverses and 2 forward gears.
WHOA NELLIE….CHANGE THAT STORY!!!
Showtime
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:26pmTypical liberal. Can never get their stories straight. What an asset for “credibility.”
Report Post »Oil_Robb
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:32pmIsnt there a spelling Bee he should be studing for?
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:34pmAzrael is advising Gargamel?
Ya don’t say…
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:36pmThis guy is such a robot. He‘s just saying what he’s been re-programmed to say. Some “journalist!”
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:49pmSo, did he or did he not actually advise the POTUS? And if he did lie about it, either way, then his job should be terminated now for such a breach of conduct.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 12:54pmdamn it…i’ve got remember Obama told me to be careful with what I say. To remember everything I say will be fact checked by the conservative talking heads. Then I will have to go back and correct myself when they call my hand on it. Oh well…even if I speal the truth the conservatives will never do more than talk about it. They are too scared to doing anything but talk. What a bunch of cowards.
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:05pmI think I read about this in Dale Carnegies How to win friend and influence people. When you ask someone for advice it commits them to you, they’ll work with you to insure the advice they recommended works.
Some may call it common sense, others manipulation.
Report Post »Devil Dog 7175
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:16pmJust another libraturd “I’m so important” idiot.
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:25pmI have to think that anytime it takes days and days to deny something, it is probably true. Wouldn’t believe anything a Spooky Dude puppet says, even if he weren’t with CNN. After all, Obama’s lips move, don’t they?!!!
Report Post »michael48
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:30pmtwo elitist discussing Progressive Comradeshi#….typical lib-wad crap…first liar doesn’t have a chance…messnbc probably threw a crap fit, and ran out of horse tranqualizers…now they can get back to normal smack allowance…
Report Post »coladude
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:31pmOnce it is out then it is done.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:36pmHe’s a loony leftie. Did you honestly expect honesty. The word honesty does not fit in the definition of Democrat. But thanks for the story. It simply supports what we’ve always know to be true. Lefties lie.
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:37pm“Maybe it’s just me, but there now seem to be more questions than answers.”
Questions that have already been answered before, am I right?
Soros, and other proponents of central planning have their own Saul Alinsky professional agitating network.
And by “Saul Alinsky” I mean “Don’t need the facts, cuz perception is everything”, a la “JournoList”, Howard Dean’s “The Pivot”, and Charles Schumer’s “I always use the word ‘Extreme’, that’s what the caucus instructed me to do”.
Report Post »Sam Brown
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 1:54pmProbably figured out he was going to share in the blame for what Obama does. When it all falls Obama will have blamed it on everyone but himself.
Sam
Report Post »*************************
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 2:53pmWHEN will all the lies end! WHEN! … WHEN? When WE stop lying to ourselves about the marxist Obama and his progressives (communists) support network.
First step is STOP LYING about Obama’s “certificate of live birth” (Hawaii give these things out when there is no birth certificate – short form or long form) being a “birth certificate” (the kind you and I get AT OUR BIRTH). If you can’t get even that far, you don‘t deserve any more and you won’t get any more!
YOU WANT THE TRUTH? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 4:16pmWell, you can’t make both statements without being a liar.
Report Post »It’s an undeniable truth …
Liberal = liar
biohazard23
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 4:45pm“Maybe it’s just me, but there now seem to be more questions than answers.”
Isn‘t that pretty much par for the course with Obummer’s administration?
Report Post »ghost-of-elvis
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 5:03pmBarry has been getting his advice from al-jazeera, everybody knows that!
Report Post »gotta light
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 5:22pmYou can’t trust CNN!
You can’t trust HLN!
You can’t trust Hulu!
You can’t trust Hyperion Books!
You can’t trust ESPN!
You can’t trust The History Channel!
You can’t trust The Biograghy Channel!
You can’t trust Fareed Zakaria!
You can’t trust ABC!
You can’t trust Disney!
You can’t trust Mickey Mouse
THEY ALL FRICKIN GOOFY!!!!
Can we trust any of the above with our children’s future? NO! NO! NO!
Hey bud gotta light?
Hey bud gotta light
Report Post »Y
restorehope
Posted on May 15, 2011 at 7:15pmGetting really tired of all the lib fibs. They should keep better track of their lies so they know how to rebut them when necessary. Is there any honest man remaining on the left?
No surprise that Obama has conversations with Fareed. He has a pedigree that the president promotes and admires: progressive and Muslim.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on May 16, 2011 at 1:45amI have never liked this guy. He seems like an intelligent guy, then he opens his mouth and goes right to the progressive play-book for everything to say. Him advising Obama makes perfect sense, if you hate the USA.
Volunteers needed for Allen West Project…
Report Post »http://www.americasteapartynews.com/volunteer-to-save-usa.php