CNN hires GOP operative with no journalism experience to run its 2020 coverage

[demmiblue]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by DonViejo (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Vox

Sarah Isgur once referred to her new employer as the “Clinton News Network.”

By Aaron Rupar@atrupar Feb 19, 2019, 3:50pm EST

CNN announced on Tuesday it has hired longtime Republican operative Sarah Isgur as political editor, charged with shaping its 2020 campaign coverage.

According to a CNN spokesperson, Isgur, who most recently worked as the Department of Justice’s main spokesperson under then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions, will coordinate the network’s political coverage for the 2020 election cycle on TV and on CNN’s website. Isgur starts work next month, and will not be involved in coverage of DOJ. She will occasionally appear on TV.

Isgur’s LinkedIn page indicates she has no journalism experience. She has, however, worked for a variety of right-wing organizations and campaigns, including the Carly Fiorina and Mitt Romney presidential bids, the Republican National Committee, and a Ted Cruz US Senate campaign.

Coming as it does in the wake of a presidential cycle in which the mainstream media’s fixation on Hillary Clinton’s emails (among other issues) was widely criticized, news of Isgur’s hiring sparked concerns about the direction CNN is taking heading into 2020.

Read more: https://www.vox.com/2019/2/19/18231993/cnn-gop-operative-2020-election-coverage

[mopinko]

1. oh hell no.

this the kinda shit makes cnn so hard to watch.

[RAAD2]

5. Someone Needs To Bring In The Republicans To Lie Distort And Obfuscate / Distract

While the billionaires rob us.

[sandensea]

2. That's the 'librul' media for you

Haven't watched CNN regularly since their fawning, boderline-idolatry coverage of Bush's Iraq invasion.

To say nothing of their Ebola scaremongering in 2014 - obviously designed to give Bitchy Mitchy control of the Senate (and of course it worked).

None of them are ideal; but msnbc comes the closest.

[Big Blue Marble]

3. More and more CNN

is competing with Fox for the viewers on the right. First it was Cuomo's show and now this.

Watch at your own risk.

[KayF]

7. plus giving John Kasich his own show

who will likely be a GOP candidate.

[Thekaspervote]

4. Fine!! I won't be tuning in EVER again

[DallasNE]

6. What Could CNN Be Thinking

They are already struggling with number of viewers. So how could becoming Fox News light make sense to CNN management. Indeed, this looks like CNN is knuckling under to pressure from Trump. So, will Sarah Sanders be their next hire?

[justgamma]

8. It worked so well

for NBC to bring in a rightwingnut for a show. CNN decided they'd give it a try. Duh!!

[appal_jack]

9. Um, WTF CNN? k&r, nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

10. Sounds like CNN... the Crappy News Network.

[OregonBlue]

11. Good. I hope the know nothing makes a total wreck of it and destroys CNN's

coverage. It will be exactly what they deserve. We will all have to make a point of letting them know how bad it is too.

[workinclasszero]

12. There goes the 'liberal' MSM again

Slavish little dogs to their GOP 1% billionaire masters!

The shit never ends!

[ZeroSomeBrains]

13. Not surprised in the slightest

CNN is straight garbage both-sides are equally at fault "journalism". They're hiring someone who represents their point of view.

[OilemFirchen]

14. I tweeted.

Link to tweet

[Wellstone ruled]

15. Zucker just tipped his hand.

Welcome to 2015 my friends,here they go with the Free Promo's for Trump,got to score those bottom line bucks.

[Liberty Belle]

16. Can someone please start a petition on MoveOn & ask sponsors to boycott? Here is a list:

A petition to CNN to oppose this and state that signers will boycott the network and sponsors. Can someone get a list please of their big sponsors and include them in the petition-- maybe that will get their attention.

Also how about a petition to sponsors asking them to drop CNN until they fire Isgur and replace her with someone neutral - ie an actual journalist?

Here is a list from Ad Week from March 2018; anybody know how to find a more current one? Start here for now; contact these companies; if anyone can help by posting phones and emails please do so.

Top 10 Brands on CNN (Feb. 2018)
Otezla $1.07M
T-Mobile $938K
GEICO $917K
Progressive $712K
Humira $690K
Nutrisystem $567K
BMW $511K
NordVPN $497K
AT+T $455K
GoodRx $444K

[Elwood P Dowd]

17. They will NEVER gain many (if any) Fox viewers and just lose tons more sane viewers

to MSNBC. They lost me except for an occasional Don Lemon show. Even Cuomo is unwatchable most nights with all his both sides crap.

[sakabatou]

18. *facepalm*

[Kablooie]

19. Looks like the potential to grab some of that Fox moolah outweighs journalistic integrity.

[yaesu]

20. good thing i never watch cnn nt

[DonViejo]

21. Locking....

Forum Hosts agree, who CNN hires to be one of its talking heads isn't important news of national interest.