We’re late with this one, so we might as well be trite, too, and say, “Better late than never.”
CNN anchor Anderson Cooper actually went on the air and bitched himself out for allowing Shirley Sherrod to say that conservative Andrew Breitbart was a “vicious” racist who “would like to get us stuck back in the times of slavery.”
Cooper: I interviewed Shirley Sherrod last Thursday. And in the course of that interview, I failed to do something that I should have. I believe in admitting my mistakes. I looked at the interview again today, and Ms. Sherrod said during that interview that she thought Mr. Breitbart was a racist. She said, quote, “I think he would like to get us stuck back in the times of slavery.” She went on to say she believed his opposition to President Obama was based on racism. Now, she, of course, is free to believe whatever she wants, but I didn’t challenge her that night and I should have.
I don’t want anyone on my show to get away with saying things which cannot be supported by facts. I should have challenged her on what facts she believes supports that accusation. That’s my job, and I didn’t do it very well in that interview, and I’m sorry about it. If I get a chance to talk to her again, I will.
Now if Cooper really wanted to bring honesty to CNN, he’d apologize for Rick Sanchez’ stupidity and Larry King’s senility.
Mea culpa, baby.
H/T: NewsBusters.org
