CNN's Todd falsely described Lieberman as a “close Democratic ally of John McCain's”

Written by Dianna Parker

Published

CNN's Brian Todd misidentified Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) as a “Democratic ally” of Sen. John McCain. In fact, Lieberman was re-elected to the Senate in 2006 as an independent and has reportedly “asked to be called an Independent Democrat,” and that “if the compound modifier that the senator prefers was not going to take hold, then Lieberman's second choice is to be described as an Independent.”

On the May 28 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, while discussing Sen. Joe Lieberman's “plans to speak at a conference in July hosted by Pastor [John] Hagee,” CNN correspondent Brian Todd misidentified Lieberman as a “Democratic ally” of Sen. John McCain. In fact, after losing the Connecticut Democratic primary to Ned Lamont, Lieberman re-launched his Senate campaign as an independent in August 2006 and went on to beat Lamont in the general election. On January 12, 2007, Congressional Quarterly reported that “Lieberman has asked to be called an Independent Democrat,” and that “if the compound modifier that the senator prefers was not going to take hold, then Lieberman's second choice is to be described as an Independent.”

Media Matters for America has previously documented other instances in which CNN reporters and on-screen graphics have falsely referred to Lieberman as a Democrat.

From the May 28 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:

WOLF BLITZER (host): They've officially parted ways, but now CNN has confirmed that one of John McCain's top supporters will, in fact, address a conference hosted by the evangelical pastor John Hagee, whose controversial remarks forced McCain to reject Hagee's endorsement only the other day.

And Brian Todd has been working this story for us. What are you finding out now, Brian?

TODD: Well, Wolf, as we know, Joe Lieberman is a close Democratic ally of John McCain's, but he is pushing away from McCain regarding Pastor John Hagee. And Senator Lieberman is already taking heat for this. Lieberman announcing he will go ahead with plans to speak at a conference in July hosted by Pastor Hagee. This conference is called the Christians United for Israel Summit. It will take place here in Washington.

Now, in a statement, Senator Lieberman says, quote, “I believe that Pastor Hagee has made comments that are deeply unacceptable and hurtful. I also believe that a person should be judged on the nature” -- excuse me -- “on the entire span of his or her life's works. Pastor Hagee has devoted much of his life to fighting anti-Semitism and building bridges between Christians and Jews.”

Now, we broke the story here in The Situation Room last week, when Senator McCain rejected Pastor Hagee's endorsement. That was after we had inquired about a sermon that John Hagee had given in the 1990s, when he said that Hitler was sent by God to drive the Jews out of Europe to Israel.

Hagee at the time said he was taken out of context and was trying to explain to his parish how God could let such a terrible thing happen. But now, he is again taking heat, as is Joe Lieberman. The liberal advocacy group Democracy for America is calling for Senator Lieberman to cut ties with Hagee. A press release from that group's executive director says, quote, “Joe Lieberman has been hustled by a hate-filled con artist who hides behind the cloak of religion to spread a particularly pernicious type of bigotry.” Wolf, this story just seems to have more fallout by the day.