CNN's John Roberts Declares "Wright-Free Zone" For Obama Interview

NEW YORK -- CNN's John Roberts declared his interview with Barack Obama on Monday a "Rev. Wright-free zone" to telegraph he wouldn't ask the Democratic presidential contender about the controversy over his former pastor.

The reference was flip, but Roberts primarily talked about Iran, the gas tax and the economy during a six-minute interview with Obama that aired at 6:20 a.m. EDT.

During appearances last week at the National Press Club and elsewhere, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright repeated his beliefs that the U.S. government may have developed the AIDS virus to infect the black community and that the U.S. had invited the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Obama denounced the remarks.

The first 11 questions that NBC's Tim Russert asked Obama on "Meet the Press" on Sunday were about the Wright matter.

Roberts said it was clear that nothing new had been said about the issue for a week, and that many of his viewers believed it was time for CNN to move on.

"Rather than spend one second of time on an issue that isn't really relevant to people because there's been no news on it, I thought I'd spend the time talking to these candidates about issues that really matter to people," he said.

Roberts, co-host of CNN's morning program, interviewed Hillary Clinton an hour after talking to Obama. He didn't ask her about Wright, either.

The veteran anchor said he made the decision on his own, and has since received about 100 e-mails, all overwhelmingly positive, about it.

The declaration of a "Wright-free zone" wasn't done to telegraph to Obama that he was going easy on him, Roberts said. Rather, he was trying to tell viewers it was going to be a substantive interview, he said.

"All of the questions that are currently out there on this have been asked and answered," he said.

It doesn't mean he's closing the book on the issue, Roberts said. If Obama becomes the Democratic nominee and Republicans criticize his relationship to Wright, he'll likely return to it, he said.

Comments

[ann1]

I'm really impressed with Mr. Roberts. I haven't watched the morning show (and still won't) since Soledad O'Brien was replaced. Thank you John for using common sense.

[SisObama08]

Where is Soledad? I boycotted CNN so I didn't know she was gone.

[ssg13565]

> During appearances last week at the National Press Club and elsewhere, the

> Rev. Jeremiah Wright repeated his beliefs that the U.S. government may have developed

> the AIDS virus to infect the black community and that the U.S. had invited the

> Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Did you watch the video of the National Press Club affair? The above snippet from your article is not a fair representation of what was said at the National Press Club.

How come the audience of invited guests applauded Rev. Wright's remarks, but the press
that were in attendance did not? Were the guests able to hear something to which the press
was and is deaf? Did the press hear something that the guests could not hear? Is any serious journalist even curious about these questions?

[cmdrgmh]

Thanks John Roberts, You were great on CBS and now you Great On CNN.!!!!!

[spiritualized]

finally. is it safe to watch cnn again?
for some reason i doubt it.

[dpleasants]

Finally, a journalist with integrity--too bad I don't get CNN on my TV. I'm stuck with MSNBC which I'm boycotting (except for Olbermann).

[jeanwny]

Thank you John Roberts and CNN , It has been talked about from every angle, on all the networks without any consideration for anyone. If BO is the nominee and this resurfaces in the general, it can be addressed then. At that time the so called gaffs of McSame, and there are many, should be called into the mix. This is a very unworthy campaign run by the Clinton Machine, the "pastor" thing is being fueled along with many other issues by that same machine. That is brutally obvious!

[Canaris]

That was a refreshing bit of professionalism in a news media that has, sadly, become atrocious.

[iPolitics]

Chris Matthews: "Our ratings show that our viewer want coverage of Wright"

Yes. And in a college classroom or at a corporate office the majority people would rather sit around and talk about gossip than learn or work hard. That's where the responsible professor or boss steps in and does the right thing focusing on the task at hand.

The gutless, race-baiting media needs to do the same. Cover the issue that matter in this critical election. If you care about ratings most you're a corporate prostitute. That's what MSNBC, CNN, and Faux News have become for $$$. Nice job with lots of young people finally involved in politics: knee-cap the guy who inspired them.

[jeanwny]

I could not agree with you more! Chris Matthews does not have a clue about what it is that viewers want to hear about. He thinks of himself, as do many of the announcers on MSNBC, as having the definative understanding of politics, that gives him the heavy hand to establish information that the voting public will determine its choices on.

[mooph]

Chris Matthews: "Our ratings show that our viewer want coverage of Wright"

And my daughters want a pony. (And I'd like one of those Tesla Motors convertible electric cars.)

[NYCMami]

And my kids want to eat candy for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. With candy snacks in between. Anyone have an e-mail address for Hardball? MCNBC is not making it easy to find it.

[Jonni Rae]

Thank you , Jon Roberts!!! I hope you take over for Chris Matthews. I loved your "This Week at War" program. Don't know if it is still on since I have boycotted CNN and MSNBC and ABC for two months now. (except for KO)

[PKSSK]

iPolitics I watched Chris Matthews make this statement and immediately turned the TV off until Olbermann came on. I am determined not to contribute to the ratings of shows that continue this fake Wright scandal. The time has come for people to take control and tune out.

[Softnsweet]

Ditto, I refuse to watch Chris Matthews! What happen to the feeling he was getting up his leg? ROFL.

[NYCMami]

Witty and true!

[JohnnyCanuck99]

"Let's get right to the issues then...."
I was sad when it cut off with no issues got to.

[iPolitics]

Thank you for sticking to the issues. It's about time. This is a critical time in our nation's history.