good evening everyone. Hope you all had a great weekend. So are we biased against hillary clinton? We are going to look at that issue tonite.. IFor the record, let me say I hate bias of any sort, and take accusations of it very seriously. I think about it all throughout the day, and try to make sure my personal beliefs do not affect how I cover something. I can tell you everyday, i get emails from viewers saying we are pro obama but i also get lots of emails saying we are pro hillary… I also get a lot of emails saying we are stooges of the Bush administration.. and pawns of the political Left. I think its an important thing to discuss and always keep in our minds as we cover the days stories.

Welcome Back Cooper!

I am in San Antonio Tx, first time voter, new american citizen after 17 yrs. I don’t understad all the big deal on Obama. My point: I don’t have experience in being a CEO but I do have a degree and lot of good judgment. Would that be enough for me to became CEO of Disney World, my dream job? I strong doubt they would take my word about my good judgment. So why are so may people trusting someone who hasn’t accomplish anything but just putting good sentences together? How can you trust someone words only? Please someone enligh me. Oh! I am catholic and yes I am voting for Clinton tomorrow; for obviously reasons. Thanks

Welcome back, Anderson! Did you miss us?

Hello Anderson and everyone!
I can’t wait see 4 states to vote tomorrow, I’ m think maybe Hillary Clinton would win or lose. I am enjoying watch Election Center tomorrow night. I heard Obama Barack will win tomorrow night. Hopeful polls will vote Obama or Clinton.
Welcome back Anderson!!!!!

biased on all counts? You guys can’t get a break.
It does seem that the bias goes with who has the most $$$

Anderson,
THat is one of the reasons I love CNN and your show…I think that all of you are pretty unbiased!!! I know that on the blog we all are stumped as to who you support…so I think it is fair to say you do a great job showing no support eithier way..!!!!

WOW, Candy’s been reporting all day, yesterday too.

Anderson I have to say not only CNN but the entire media is biased towards Hillary Clinton

Anderson, I don’t think 360 is pro Obama or pro Hilary…

I do think the media is biased. It seems no matter which news network I watch everyone is anti-Hillary. I can’t remember the last time I heard anyone say anything positive about her or say anything truly negative about Obama. There is plenty of positive and negative things to say about both of them, but you don’t hear a balanced presentation of them.

Hi, Anderson. Glad you’re back. My question is do you think Hillary Clinton is doing what she supposed to do now in order to succeed tomorrow? Is she saying the right things? Another question I thought of was, what is currently happening with Ralph nader? Is he even a challenge to the other candidates or does he stand unoticable, not getting support. Your response is always necessary.Thank you.

Hey AC! Are we all psyched and ready to go for tomorrow night?

At some point don’t you just say thanks for the feedback and just follow your own standards and just go for it.

Anderson, I think our own views make us hear and see what we “want” to hear/see.
So, it’s easy to accuse you of biased reporting.
I also think, because Obama is a novelty, he gets more attention and kinder attention at that. Clinton has a public history to disect, Obambi doesn’t.

Hi Anderson, will you have Jason Rae as your guest again, tonight or tomorrow, to give us his perspective as a superdelegate? I think it will be good to have him on. Thanks.

Lilibeth
Edmonds, Washington

Candy Crowley, I have to give it to her.. she works very hard.. and shes a A+ reporter

Anderson, you personally are not bias. Maybe people feel that the media is against Hillary because she has been around longer and has had more negative things to talk about….but it all goes around. Look what is happening to Obama now.

Crucial Tuesday will be something to see. I really don’t think it’s going to end tomorrow. We just might be in for a tornado of “words.”

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif.

The gloves are off! Let’s see who will be standing at the end of this round!

How ironic. We were discussing this in my media ethics class last week. I think that no matter what we do someone is always going to accuse us of bias. If we do our best, no one can ask anymore of us.

Anderson, I believe every individual is going to see some things as appealing to one candidate over another. I am not that into politics, so I feel that I have a completely unbiased view, and I personally feel that CNN and the AC360 team do a well-balanced job at supplying viewers with all information, unbiased.

I think Hilary is in panic mode…she knows alot is riding on tomorrow.

Well Hillary can look on the bright side… she’s never been called a unpatriotic antisemitic possible terrorist.

I think maybe it is easier to be tough on Hillary both because of the history there and because it’s tough to want to take down the guy that is making people feel hopeful and inspired. Though, the way to correct being biased against Hillary isn’t to turn around and be biased against Obama…. it’s to take a fair look at both of them! The press should be in opposition to politicians, but not necessarily by picking at them over petty issues and hearsay

I watch all of the networks and I must say that only Anderson and Dan Abrams seem to be trying to be fair, at least most of the time.

Lilibeth, I have to say we are OVER Jason at my house. Too self-centered. He is on a major PR campaign. Who is his publicist? Is there a book deal coming? Why am I feeling snowed by this kid?

Me too, I agree with you…. in Kevin Fla

AC, I don’t think that you or your fellow CNN staff are biased, it is usually your guests.

Anderson - I think as long as you spin off shows as you have been, your reputation and 360’s is golden. Just stick to doing it as you have been. Your judgement is very sound, regarding presenting a rounded out show and view.

Anderson,
I am so glad you said that about Canada…what is their aggenda?

The Clinton campaign is trying to scare the media away from her. With these allegations the media is afraid to say anything about her. As well as focus and resurface old stories about Obama. If you want to be fair it is very simple.

Every time you mention Rezco right after it mention Whitewater. I have not heard that mentioned a single time throughout the entire campaign.

anderson…i don’t think you’re guilty of any different level of bias than everyone else in america. and i think it’s a little funny for people to be so offended by bias on television. look, i’m a liberal, and that’s a huge part of why i watch cnn as opposed to fox…let’s all just be honest about the fact that our own biases drive our emotions. it’s easy to be mad when your candidate is attacked, it’s easy to be happy when your candidate is reveared…it’s not so easy to please everyone who watches your show and supports any of the candidates all the time.

look, we’re human, we have emotions and opinions that are bound to show sometimes even if we try to hide them and be politically correct. you are in a tougher position than most of us, in that when most of us do get riled up we are forgiven for letting those emotions show through.

your show (and cnn in general) has provided amazing coverage of this electoral process so far, that is in my own biased opinion, and i hope you guys keep it coming!

I don’t hear any bias in the news broadcasts pro Obama, con Clinton. I keep hearing this discussion and wonder how does your reporting that Obama has won 11 primaries in a row translate into a pro Obama report? Personally, I’m sick of hearing this and just want the story of what happened.

Welcome back Anderson! I think the media, not necessarily CNN, tends to be tougher on Hilary than they are on Obama. I really do feel like Hilary is getting unfairly scrutinized and critized for *so many* more things than Obama is. This also goes along with her being a woman- if she is stoic and straight to the point, people call her unfriendly. When she does let her guard down, people say that she is faking to get votes. I support Obama, but I would like to see the media question him a little bit more. If he has nothing to hide, then he won’t mind.

This is why CNN is a joke Anderson…you glossed over the most important issue…the Canadian government denied that what the Clintons are trying to imply here is accurate…..no wonder the people of your country don’t ever know the truth about any issue in any situation from war to domestic policy to politics….shameful…

Since when has Cnn been so bias for Hillary? Does Obama have to cry and whine to get fairness? Hillary is no better than Mccain they both have been in Washington forever and haven’t done a damn thing. Hillary couldn’t even keep track of her husband.

They know that all of these accusations will go away within a few days. All they are doing is throwing noise the day before the election.

I personally feel that CNN is doing a great job of reporting from both sides.

I concur with Sarah, Hillary is in panic mode.

Greets AC,

I don’t think it’s bias as much as history. The Clintons have been prominent for long time and current commentary is a continuation of their story.

Obama is a new story, and a striking one. New on the seen and already politically powerful. The media needs new stories.

What is the real deal with Huckabee? Trying to get an actual job from all of this??

Anderson, I don’t think I would necessarily call it bias (though maybe I’m playing a game with semantics), but there is no doubt you guys have been treating Obama as the “new shiny.” He has not gotten the vetting he deserves. And this is coming from someone who voted for him.

Anderson,

I agree with you– you are unbiased, thought I think most other CNN shows favor Obama. I think all this time media was biased against Hillary. Its only in the last 3-5 days that media has started to scrutinize Obama (his links to Chicago slumlords, his comments to Canadian embassy, his stance on NAFTA etc).

Why is Obama and media keen on Hillary exiting the race? I think she should stay in the race as long as she is viable, which is to say within 100 delegate range.

Love your show!
Sonal, Chicago

I wish the candidates would simply stick to substantive issues.

The Clinton Campaign certainly pulled out all the stops in their “throw everything including the kitchen sink at Obama” strategy. I just have to say that this hearkens back to the 90’s and the “politics of personal destruction” the first Clinton administration leveled with such ease.

Canada is taking advantage to use prime time news to Market CANADA as a brand for its tourism and trade. And CANADA is definitely good at doing this at every possible occasion. Especially during elections.

How can you say that Hillary has knocked Obama off his message? You obviously don’t know and have not been with him closely today. He has stayed on message and continues to stay on message while at the same time is able to answer these once again last minute trumped up stories.

The big map is a great way to see the big picture of the election.

Lorie Ann, Buellton, Calif

Does anyone know when and if Candy will be moderating a debate?

Please clarify what is truth and what is not in this democratic primary race. I feel like crying for Senator Obama, he’s trying to stay positive (my God, the stuff they could throw at Hillary but he won’t.) I really hate the Clintons now, even though I voted for him twice. I will never vote for her, she’s just gone way too negative for me.

I’m interested to see how Roland Martin is going to spin the fact that most African Americans are voting for Obama simply because he is black. Isn’t that the most damning condemnation of racism? There are calls from all circles to vote for Barack and to “encourage” African American superdelegates to switch. I really believe that this is wrong and, more than anything else, it will leave a chasm in race relations once this is all over regardless of who wins the nomination

Uh, yeah… It sometimes seem that you guys are bias one way or the other. And although you may try not to, Anderson, you sometimes do let your emotions get the best of you. But I think it’s ok. It seems more and more these days, reporters and networks are doing so. But, hey!

Jacqueline,

NY

Anderson,

I’m a loyal and trusting viewer, so it’s hard for me to understand how Ms Crowley’s piece on Obama’s “troubles” in the waning hours before the important primaries on Tuesday failed to offer both sides of the issues raised. She covered the alleged “Canadian Wink.” Where was the footage (or even a mention) of the heated exchange in the Canadian parliament today in which people from BOTH sides of their political fence insisted that such a “wink” never happened? Ms Crowley covered the Tony Rezko trial that began today; yet Norman Hsu, who raised millions for Clinton in a ponzy scheme - and is now doing time, I believe - wasn’t mentioned. I would never have suspected that you would allow yourself or your show to become a megaphone for every talking point Hillary and her surrogates desperately float out as the hours grow short. Shame on you.

Raymond Russell
Nashville

HILLARY CLINTON SURELY DID HER JOB WELL!!! YOU ALL-ALL OF THE MEDIA HAVE TAKEN HER FALSE ACCUSATION TO HEART!!!! NO ONE WAS BIASED AGAINST HILLARY!!! NOW, SHE HAS ALL OF YOU JUST WHERE SHE WANTS YOU: TURNING AGAINST OBAMA!

I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR CNN. YOUR REPORTS HAVE TRULY BEEN BIASED AGAINST OBAMA AT EVERY TURN! THE CLINTON NEWS NETWORK IS WORKING WELL FOR HER!

Obama has got much more coverage than Hillary (including stopping the telecast of her speech vs. Obama’s speech). I don’t think CNN is the only channel that is biased. And I wouldn’t categorize it as a bias. It is more of - I guess Obama is a better story - humble background, Self-made, Young, American Dream, Young voter favorite etc. On the other hand there is Hillary - great childhood, no personal struggles, obviously ambitious - how boring. Can you blame the media forover-covering Obama?

Why is Hillary so focused on attacking Barack Obama and not on the merits of her own campaign?

Welcome back, Anderson.

I think you’re program is one of the few that aren’t biased. You generally present political issues with a panel that discusses things from all sides, and I don’t think you lean one way or the other.

Some media outlets are biased and it’s plain to see. However, I think people will always turn things as they wish to see them.

People just need to be choosey about where they get their news and trust that outlet to give them the facts.

What do you think we can do as viewers to eliminate media bias?

What is interesting and not being commented on by CNN is how very odd the day has been: Hillary Clinton vetting John McCain as qualified to run for Presdient; Rush Limbaugh urging Dems to vote for Clinton. It’s as if the big special interest machines are trying very hard to keep Obama out of the final run for the White House because he does walk the walk of someone intent on changing politics as usual.

What I wonder is if the Clinton campaign has managed to convince the editors behind your cameras that business-as-usual and the mud-slinging of Hillary is better television. Or perhaps your ratings would do better as a lightning rod to bring out the Repbulican base to vote against her makes a better story than the guy who stands for a new era in politics and has had the ethics to not play the game of Clinton-style mean style mud-slinging.

jag, Americans don’t market the USA? If CNN mentions Canada it’s their decision.

McCain has insulted us, insinuating Canada’s commitment in Afghanistan depends on a business deal.

I never thought I’d be defending Hillary Clinton, but I think as a woman I feel an obligation. I think the Canadian story is a perfect example of the media bias against Clinton. When this story was reported last week the media labeled her a liar, now that it has proven to be true I still haven’t heard any apologies, just excuses that Obama wasn’t talking about NAFTA.

AC…welcome back!
It’s interesting to hear the speak on NAFTA, as it affects so many issues in our lives..jobs, prices..etc.

As for bias, I dont see a bias in your show… that’s what 360 stands for, 360 degrees of coverage, showing us every side..thank you for that!! makes one see the sides they wouldn’t have thought of otherwise…awesome stuff.

Do you think Edwards will ever surface?

I dont understand why people wants her to drop out if she looses in TX or OH when there’s alot of states to still vote.. When Obama was lagging behind in delegates the media wasn’t pushing for him to drop out,Hillary Clinton could still win this..

Media bias against Hillary? I defy anyone to show me a candidate losing an election who hasn’t claimed media bias against them. Could it be she has run a ‘bad’ overall campaign?

Lately the question has been whether or not the media was favoring Barack Obama, but right before critical primaries, all the attacks against him come out. SNL has been pro-Clinton, and now the media seems to be backing her. I begin to wonder if the Clinton supporters were out on vacation and are now back, using all their force against Obama.

I think depending on who you’re covering, people will say you’re pro- this or pro- that. If your panel is covering Hillary, and say something favorable about her that’s a matter of fact and not a bias, they will accuse your show of being pro-Hillary. Same way if you’re talking about the other candidates. I’m glad you take these accusations seriously, but if you know deep in your heart that you are not biased and you are being fair, then that’s all that matters.

NAFTA. Obama says he does not support NAFTA, yet one of his aides tells the Canadian government he doesn’t really mean it.
This is HUGE. If it were Hillary, CNN would be all over this. Why
a double standard against Hillary Clinton?

I think CNN is biased against Sen. Barack Obama, not Senator Hilton. Case in point coverage tonight regarding Canada and Nafta.
The Canadians issued a statement in which they clearly state they “regret any inference that Sen.Obama and his campaign were taking different positions in public from views expressed in private.

I cannot understand you are not reporting this matter she clears Sen. Obama. A matter Sen. Clinton has been harping on all day in Ohio.

It seems to me that the media is now over compensating for the perception of a bias against Clinton. It seems to be the all Hillary everywhere.

Good evening Anderson Cooper. I just have on question. Every body is talking about Obama with this Roscko dill. Why is it that Hillary isn’t getting any coverage about the Peter Paul issue and her ties with him?

yeah, but I believe that decision was made to cut from clinton to obama because he is the frontrunner.

If anything, the media has been biased in FAVOR of Hillary Clinton. If Barack Obama had lost 11 straight decisions since Super Tuesday you would not even hear the mention of his name anymore, let alone see the constant 24 hour a day coverage that Clinton is getting now. The next time she complains about the negative media coverage she’s getting, she should be thankful she’s getting any coverage at all.

Anderson

Do we call it media bias when the media covers the Super Bowl winner or the World Series Champ? No. The same should hold for Hilary who has lost 11 straight contest. That’s not media bias. It’s following the story.

PS: Erin’s too beautiful for TV
Chicago
David

Hey, I personally don’t think that your show is biased, but I do think in general that almost all media is biased in favor of Barack Obama. I am honestly not sure why it is, though. I have noticed how HIllary is criticized MUCH more often, and almost nothing bad is ever said about Obama. You can’t forget how when Obama was losing, no one made it as big a deal as they are when Hillary is losing by a mere 100 delegates.

As an Obama supporter, I could fill pages with examples of media bias AGAINST OBAMA. Right on CNN’s political web page, the quick link line at the top lists an election fact site, political ticker, Hillary Clinton, John McCain or more which goes to more generic subjects. Has anyone at CNN thought Obama might be important enough to be mentioned there? That’s just one of many many examples. I don’t know whether it’s really bias or plain ignorance that many facts are ignored while supposed knowledgeable people throw out misleading information about Obama and the moderator who should know better, let’s the misinformation slide. It’s amazing that Obama has gotten this far!

You guys just covered possibe outcomes of voting tomorrow and repeatedly referred to Hillary Clinton as Senator Clinton and Barack Obama as Obama. Please be as respectful of him as you are of her.

Toledo, Ohio

You make an honest attempt to be fair but your panelists…ouch!!! They absolutely favour Obama and talk with such contempt for Hillary it hurts! Your regulars….that dark-haired woman, has yet to say anything remotely positive about Obama….the democrat on the panel…forget her name…distinguished black woman….is at least civil toward Hillary but clearly biased in favour of Obama….David Gergan is the most interesting but he is caught up in the flow…still he is ther most unbiased….more of David Gergan…and please add a voice supporting Hillary….

I totally disagree. I can’t find a news site except for drudgereport
that reports positive Obama. It clinton everywhere.

Anderson,

Is it possible that the media now is focusing negatively on Hillary is because this battle between them is great for the news networks’ ratings?

I mean, if Obama wins tomorrow, then the hype is over until after the conventions. The only real winners if this drags on is the media.

SJ

Anderson is not biased towards Hillary; however, I have commented before that “The Best Political Team in Television” has a large anti-Hillary segment. Particularly, I would point out that Carl Bernstein wrote a very negative book about Hillary Clinton (as if there weren’t enough out there). He has been the “journalist” on the panel, but he should have always been recognized as a “noted Hillary Clinton critic.” That’s what I said on SUPER TUESDAY in an e-mail to AC360. So glad my suggestions may be getting some attention by AC. I would like to see AC spend a day with Obama, McCain and Clinton like he did with Huckabee.

Anderson,,,,,

Is it not strange how things come back around? I have e-mailed you several times in the past several weeks only to have my e-mail’s deleted. Obama’s motivational speaking is only that. There is no substance to his message and now the people will come to see that he does not stand for change, but being dishonest with the people about his past, which will come to light in the coming weeks. All this give’s Senator Clinton a new breath of life, which will resurrect her campaign……
Michigan and Florida will have a re-do before this is over, probably after Pennsylvania……

Anderson,

Whether the media is pro-Obama or pro-Hilary, once either candidate capture the heart and minds of the voters, any media bias would not matter!

Hey Anderson

Please - give me 10 minutes to put my surprise face on…

Is the media biased towards Obama?? Are you serious? The media is doing its best to HAND the nomination to Obama…..

The media keeps reporting that Barack Obama’s campaign “denied” meeting with the Canadians. However, if you check carefully, Barack Obama “DENIED SENDING BACK DOOR MESSAGES” to the Canadians. That’s a huge difference because it shows that he HAS NOT lied about meeting with them. Everyone is trying to portray him as “just another politican” that you can’t trust because he lies.

I can’t wait to find out the results for tomorrow. I did early voting for Obama February 28th, and that same day went to the Obama rally in Ft. Worth Texas where I was able to meet Obama and shake his hand. I think he’s a great, real man. Everyone is saying that Hillary has experience, Which is true in some aspects, but experience means you’ve been exposed but that doesn’t mean you have done it right. I think Obama will do a fine job in the white house. He is just what we need to represent America.

Majority of my day is spent listening to CNN while doing other things, and before i crawl under the sheets at night, i watch AC 360. From listening to the other programs on CNN and 360, there is no bias against Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, or John McCain.

She is going to stay in the race until she fractures the party. It’s no longer about advancing the party platform — now it’s all about HER.

HUGE turn off.

I personally believe CNN itself is not bias, HOWEVER, a lot of the contributors/political analysts that are brought on do have a bias tone. Rule number one in journalism etiquette report the news/election results and not the opinions. A big sign of bias reporting is when you continue to hear “I think…”

CNN biased you ask? One would have to be deaf dumb and blind, to not have figured that out by now.

Cnn biased, no kidding! CNN has been THE major advertiser and promoter for Obama for the past two months. Adding insult to injury, you have assumed your viewers and ex viewers are idiots.

Shame on you all.

I am pretty disappointed in CNN, as well as the media as a whole, during this election so far. I do believe the media is favoring Obama over Senator Clinton, and I see this from the other side, as I am a member of the media myself. I’m not sure if it’s intentional or not, but I do believe Obama is being favored, and Senator Clinton is being unfairly scrutinized in this election.
Seeing how Senator Clinton has more political experience than Obama, I don’t understand how anyone could think Obama is the better candidate. The majority of his ideas come from Senator Clinton. He didn’t even HAVE a universal health care plan til a month or two ago, after his campaign realized it was going to be a key issue in the election. I have nothing against Obama; as a matter of fact, I think he’d be a great candidate four or eight years from now, after he has a little more experience under his belt.

I am so sick of hearing “you’re harming our candidate” or “for the good of the party” Give me a break. This is not about “the party”. It is about WE THE PEOPLE. If “the party” can’t take a debate and an election, then we need a new party. This goes for both sides.

I completely agree with Regina. What ever happened to “We the People?”

Anderson,
I’m a longtime viewer of CNN and I can safely say you are the most neutral anchor on the network. I believe the network is, on the whole, pro-Clinton as an entity, though. It’s mostly subtle; the selection of pundits, who seems to get the last word, etc. Especially since the Saturday Night Live skit. Seems all the networks are bending over backwards to give Hillary more time now, which is exactly what she calculated by whining about it. Make no mistake, she and her campaign plan this out to the minute and fights for even more time at every turn. Obama is taking a lickin’ today due to this strategy. Let’s hope the voting public can see through this shameful display of mudslinging.

Anderson
Can you frame the “fighter” term to Hillary in terms of ability to stand up under fire? Conversely, you noted that Barack is not handling the skepticism about NAFTA and Rezko very well.

Which candidate looks like a better bet against Republicans? \

i don’t think cnn is bias in the least. you may be focusing on the democratic race at the moment but thats obviously because there is nothing interesting going on in the republican primary. this is unlike other news networks (starting with f ending in ox) that i can’t stand watching because you simply don’t get the full story

Louis Gonzales,

My love, What Are You Talking About? PLEASE SHARE!

Jacqueline PH, NY

hi anderson…..all i have to say is i agree with jo ann from ohio..hillary has not been treated fairly…and we all know it

Meg,

As another member of the media — albeit, a talk show host, I must ask — how do you come to the conclusion that SENATOR Obama took his ideas from Senator Clinton? Do you have a source to back this up? A responsible member of the media would.

I don’t think CNN is doing such a bad job on staying objective and impartial. I used to watch MSNBC and had to switch to CNN. Those guys are absolutely irritating to watch. They’re hypnotized with Obama and do not question his record at all, the way they should with every candidate.

welcome back…. but yes i do feel that the media that includes cnn, sorry, has been biased toward obama, hillary has been attacked from the start and no one really has said anything about obama, like who is he, what is he really about, like about the committee he is on, what has he done on it, i would like to know the good and the bad so i can see both sides not just the good of obama and the bad of hillary

Anderson,
This is my first comment on your blog. I enjoy your show immensely and if I am not home I make sure I TiVo your program.

I do not believe the media is pro one candidate one way or the other. I believe people interpret what they see and what they read based on their own feelings about someone rather then on any set of facts. This election has generated more excitement since the days when JFK ran. JFK was the first president I cast a vote for. One has to give Obama credit for that if nothing else. He has touched a vein within the voting constituency that no one has done in over 30 years.

My major complaint about this election and the blogs in general are the degrading comments bloggers throw at each other’s candidates and at each other. Or the voters who say if their candidate does not win they will abandon their own party and cross party lines – both Democrats and Republicans. I do hope tomorrow brings the Democratic Party nomination to a close. I am so tired of all the negativity.

Keep up the good work

I agree with Regina. This has been an exciting race but now I just can’t wait for it to be over so the bickering will stop for a while.

Obama doesn’t need to do any negative ads. The media puts a negative spin on everything related to Clinton so Obama keeps his hands clean. I do not think that the media or anyone else has the right to decide when a candidate suspends their campaign. It disenfranchises too many voters.

Yes, CNN has been bias towards Obama. It is very obvious that CNN supports Obama. Your own reporters did not get the facts correct about Hillary. I got so mad about it that I now watch MSNBC. I just checked back with CNN to see what you are reporting about the events of the day about Obama. But to say, CNN is the news you can trust, I don’t think so. Anderson, I enjoy your program, but I think you need to keep CNN honest too!

Anderson,
Hillary Clinton released this statement earlier ‘I have a lifetime of experience that I will bring to the white house. I know that Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience that he will bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002.’ So this sounds to me like she is picking Senator McCain over Senator Obama. What does this say to the Democratic party and what does this say to the people that are voting in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont? Have you covered this tonight? I think this is an important issue in the 11th hour… Thanks for listening!

Yes the media is biased against Hillary. She is the candidate they love to hate. As far as the democratic primary goes, I would have to say that for the first time in my experience FOX Network is actually giving more fair and balanced reporting than CNN or MSNBC. I can’t believe I have to switch to FOX News to watch coverage of the primary that doesn’t infuriate me.

Hi, everyone

Man, AC knows how to get the conversation started! Minou, you make a great point about people seeing and hearing what they want to. We take our jobs very seriously at CNN, and as journalists, our job means being unbiased, especially when it comes to political coverage.

When you seem to upset all sides, though, it usually means you’re doing your job… since everyone is complaining! That said, please know our goal is NEVER to upset people, simply to bring you the facts so that you can make up your own mind. And we do appreciate the feedback –positive or negative.

Good for you Jan for setting the record straight. I have heard various reporting on the back door messages, and the Canadian response. I think CNN needs to be clear on this. As for experience, remember Obama has been in elected office longer than Hillary. Sure she was first lady, so what? She stood by her man, so we’re suppose to say she qualified to be President….Please…

I’m not so sure it is journalists being biased as it is society. A 60 year old woman was told during college that she could be a teacher or a nurse. Two choices for most of us. This was the generation that broke down so many social rules on what was expected and accepted of and by women.

Now, we are at the right place at the wrong time again. We are perceived as “establishment”. The one word we hear over and over is “change.” We were all about change …for decades. Huge change. Big time change. Seems like society has forgotten this in an election of big promises, beautiful rhetoric and lots of momentum.

Too hard on Clinton? What a joke! Candy Crowley practically gushes over everything Hillary. The media has given Hillary nothing but HOURS of free positive how to win airtime these past couple of weeks. Especially CNN. FOX is doing the same thing, but at least some of their commentators admit that they are trying to help Hillary out. Motive - they want Hilary to win because they know that’s the only way McCain will win. Even today didn’t Rush or someone like him say to vote to keep her in the race to continue bloodying Obama. If the media reports on anything about Hilary it is a fact that they are trying to check out. However, when they report on Obama, what wrong thing people he knows may have said or done. He’s in politics of course he’s going to know some weasels. Rezko, didn’t he give money to the other Clinton at some time in the past? Be fair, only attack Obama for what he actually says and actually does, not for what people he knows has done.

Shauna, I hate to say it but the bickering may just be getting started…

Your coverage has been very biased against Senator Clinton. You have given Senator Obama a free ride on “problem issues” that he has. Case in point……you wait until tonight to give adequate coverage to the court case going on in Chicago by a close friend of Senator Obama. If something like this was going on with ties to Senator Clinton you would be devoting a whole show to it. In the last debate when Senator Clinton took on Obama over the way he danced around a question, your correspondents just talked about how good his response was and totally fogetting how he avoided giving a direct answer. I have always been a fan of CNN’s news coverage, but to be honest the coverage on this debate has really turned me off on CNN.

The truth hurts Anderson but CNN looks more like an endorsement for obama than a news channel. Only in the last couple of days have you had anything like fair and balanced news. That seems to be because of the public outcry. It looks like we now might get to see the true colors of the candadates; without the mean spirited bias against Senator Hillary Clinton.

Sincerely Yours
Beverly Homan
Spring, Texas

I’ve been a loyal CNN viewer and bona fide “news junkie” for years, but I’m disappointed. I have listened with great interest to so many Clinton and Obama speeches that I could recite some of them. Am I the only one who has noticed that his command of facts and details are very sketchy, until she addresses a topic, and then all of a sudden, he has a plan (which, remarkably, sounds just like hers)? I watched some of the election returns with my teenage son, and his comment was “Obama’s speech is just a string of sound bites. Where are his specifics?” If a 16-year-old can see the dearth of a “plan”, I wonder why the professional journalists aren’t pressing Obama on specifics. Is it bias? Is it a fear of being accused of racism? Is it just a desire to jump on the wave of “a whole new generation of leaders”? Only the journalists themselves know, but whatever the reason, I’ve been disappointed by the way the candidates have been treated in relation to each other.

I am Catholic and I go to church on a regular basis. I have not hear a word in mass to the masses as to whom to vote for. I don’t attend church for politics.
Conincidentially I am supporting HILLARY!
Isn’t that convienent?

This conversation is giving me a headache people!

When will the press apoligize for running this NAFTA-GATE story but it was proven false by the Canadian government?

Hi Anderson,

Is anyone looking at the voting record on the war for each of the super delegates moving to Obama? It would be interesting if those supporting him also voted for the war.

Hi 360 crew! three words for you: Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela
does it ring a bell? petroleum? war? FARC? hostages?

Anderson, the south also exists!!

I find it very curious that you are twisting the NAFTA debacle and trying to blame the Canadian Government for Obama’s current problem.

It wasn’t the release of the memo but the fact that Obama didn’t come clean when the information first came out that is now affecting him.

The rest of the World….yep, there is more to the World than the U.S…. is just waiting to see if he gets elected and if so how many of you drink the kool-aid he offers as your country implodes.

Gender bias has been and will continue to be alive and well in the media. Just ask yourself if it had racial tones would it be accepted.

For example: Instead of the sign for Hillary that read “iron my shirt” there was a sign for Obama that read “pick my cotton” how would the media have played it out? My guess is that there would have been compassion all around for Obama. Instead Clinton receives smug attitudes and arrogance.

Its really interesting to read your emails.. cause some of you swear we are biased against hillary others swear we are too tough on obama. Im interested if anyone who is not a hillary supporter views bias against hillary.. and also if anyone who is not an obama supporters sees bias against him? Is this a matter of people seeing what they want to see?

Good evening, it’s nearly 4:30 AM here in Italy!

I’m enjoying the segment on the Catholic vote - it’s making me chuckle thinking back to my Catholic school days where the b*tches got the job done! I can just here them hovering over me and telling me…”vote for Hillary!”.

To all those Sisters who taught me what the capital of Vermont was…they got the job done again. This Catholic girl votes Hillary!

The Media has been biased against Hillary Clinton and very pro Obama.

The Media has called Obama a super star yet all he does is give flowery speeches. There is no substance behind him at all. His information and experience is very limited and all he can do is agree with Hillary and then add a couple more points. No one has even commented on his wife’s thesis at Harvard. Obama has faced no real scrutiny and the Democrats will lose the Presidency if he is pitted against McCain. I think this country is in serious trouble and needs more than a good talker.

The Media has steered the people (in the wrong direction) instead of remaining unbiased and fair. Shame on CNN. Even Fox News (who is very biased against Democrats) gave Hillary a better report and was more fair and balanced. Who would of thought!

Although I am no longer a Catholic I come from along line of Catholics and I can tell you there are just as many Catholic conservatives as there are Catholic liberals.

The catholic voters story Gary did was very interesting (nice to see Gary in the studio too). I am curious to see the breakdown in the numbers when evangicals vote Democrat.

I’m researching gender bias in news coverage of the election for one of my classes. How many of you think that there is a noticeable gender bias in the media coverage?

Anderson,
The answer to your question is no. Just do a meta analysis of your newscast tonight. How many times have you shown the Canada’s response to this NAFTA issue? How many Obama supporting pundits have you had on your show to express his views? Now, compare that with your coverage of Hillary? Tonight, you have had Clinton supporters and pundits giving her view of the story.

There is absolutely a bias against Senator Clinton in the news media.
She is scrutinized on every move she makes and Obama is placed on a pedestal. An example was Tim Russert’s behavior during the last debate and his finger pointing was childish. He seemed to take glee in putting her down.

Ok you know now that there is major “Campaign Fatigue” setting in when we start taking cues from Saturday Night Live!

I bet she is so sick of hearing herself talk, that she needs to harp on a bone she can chew!

I am going to laugh at all you Hillary Supporters when she gets into office and do nothing but whine!!!

I’m an Obama supporter and I don’t think the media is biased against Hillary… but I could appreciate the humor of last Saturday’s SNL skit. Does that count? That’s as close as I can get to agreeing.

Anderson, What makes you think that those of us that see bias against Hillary Clinton in the media are Hillary supporters? I am not; I am just reporting what I have been noticing on all of the networks.

Most definitely. Why? Because the media and white liberals in general are deathly afraid of being labeled racists. It is as simple as that. It is more socially acceptable in this country to be seen as a sexist than a racist. I think it is pretty sad really. And ultimately, it is silly, unfair and most importantly, disingenuous of them!

I too am sick of hearing about the media being bias towards Senator Clinton. I’m sure if Senator Obama had lost the last 12 states in a row, he would have been asked a long time ago to drop out of the election.
It is what it is. At this point have lost interest in Senator Clinton. I’m a 52 year old african american, who at one point in time was excited that she entered the race. Now, because of her whining and dirty pool playing I am voting for Senator Obama. By the way, when is she going to make her tax return puplic?

I got home from work today and it was the first night in over a month I heard anything negative about Obama on the news (ie, his views on NAFTA/memo with Canadian Government). I believe 2008 will again be the same..demonstrating we have four branches of government..executive, legislative, judicial and the media which ultimately dictates the other branches.

Do I think the media is biased against Hillary?
It is so incredibly clear that it is. . So much so to me, that I have not only responded to Anderson Cooper’s question, but wrote to NBC Nightly News as well.
The media’s job is to report the news, not “slant” it.
Enough is enough.

I have found it difficult to watch your show recently because I find your bias so strong towards Obama and against Clinton. Many times you will call him by his last name and her by her first - just a small but important difference in the way the candidates are treated. Thank you for finally talking about this issue.

I’m an Obama supporter and I swear that I do not see any difference between the coverage of Obama and the coverage of Clinton. The only reason Clinton has been in the news more is because of the stunts she’s pulling just days before the primaries.

Lostfigs

No one said it was racism when John Kerry received 83% of the black vote or when Bill Clinton received that much of the black vote. It’s not racism that causes black to vote for Obama but pride. There have been other black candites to run for president such Rev Sharpton. He did not get 80% of the black vote. So racism has nothing to do with it.

Hey guys… I’m going out tonight at midnight to canvas my University for Obama… It’s so interesting that on TV and in the media, the race here is “neck and neck”, but in my group of friends and acquaintances, I only know of just a handful of Clinton supporters. I, and many others, are overwhelmingly going out for Obama tomorrow. At the same time, I am young, and we all know how rare the youth vote can be relied on… I hope that changes tomorrow…

Can someone tell me what Hillary has done regarding foreign policy that makes her more experienced? Oh I know she voted for the war that ha scost thousands of lives and millions of dollars ! Now i’ll vote for her. NOT!!!!!!!

Anderson:

Yeah, I get upset that there is not more good coverage on Hillary Clinton, but then I have to look at the broad picture and realize that the newsmaker is the one who is winning the primaries. The press cannot let that go. I think CNN is totally unbiased. You have to cover the main news. If Hillary wins big tomorrow, she will get more coverage, if not, Obama will keep getting the coverage. It just cannot go any other way. That’s the business of reporting the news.

During the debates, it seemed like Obama always agreed with Clinton and didn’t add too much of his own ideas. It was like she was giving him the answer.

I wouldn’t call it bias but no doubt Hillary has been held to a higher and tougher standard than the newcomer by many media. Too bad too. The media just love what’s new and different. Fortunately CNN has been less annoying than other media on this issue … but all media have had a hand in enjoying a fling with the new guy at the expense of the Hillary.

The media has been super biased against Hilary. She can do no right and Obama can do no wrong. I’m an Edwards supporter and, even though he led on just about every issue, the networks (including CNN) basically ignored him out of the race. He just wasn’t ‘RATINGS’ worthy. I switched to Hilary not only because I see nothing in Obama that makes me think he can fix the huge problems we are facing in this country, but, a little bit because I really feel sorry for her. If Obama wins the nomination, he”ll have th media to thank for it. Just like GW BUSH and we all know how THAT turned out.

Hey Anderson few facts about NAFTA. With NAFTA Canada lost more jobs and gazilion companies closed their Canadian operation and moved back to US. I don’t know where CNN get their numbers.

Also about being biased to Obama, there is no doubt in my mind. You have negative reaction to people taking Obama’s middle I don’t understand why. He is a Muslim by birth. Christianity is his acquired religon. You have no problem talking about Catholics supporting Clinton, how about Muslims supporting Obama. It would be very interesting to know that figure.

Jag, I believe it is time that the American people and media mention Canada not as a brand but rather an important allie in our war on terrorism. The Dutch and French are often mentioned by your President and media, while omitting the mention of Canada.
Canada is one of few Nato allies whose fighters are actually in harms way; actively fighting on the front lines in Afghanistan.

Lastly, If you feel that the mention of Canada is advertisement come up and visit obviously something positive has caught your eye.

Cheers

anderson cooper March 3rd, 2008 10:32 pm ET

Its really interesting to read your emails.. cause some of you swear we are biased against hillary others swear we are too tough on obama. Im interested if anyone who is not a hillary supporter views bias against hillary.. and also if anyone who is not an obama supporters sees bias against him? Is this a matter of people seeing what they want to see?

===================

Im Canadian ……. ive seen negative and positive reporting on both candidates. More focus is usually given to the front-runner and perceived favourite.
It used to be Hillary Clinton, she also started off with more histoy TO scrutinize (which is where she gets the ‘experience’ shes always going on about). But now more info is coming out about Obama, and he is now receiving similar scrutiny.

No, the media are not biased against Hillary Clinton. In fact, if the tables were turned and Clinton had been the person to win 11 straight election contests, she would have demanded that Obama leave the race long ago. In fact, she is getting a pass because she is a Clinton.

Hi Erica,

I am just glad that when all is said and done, everyone will see that Sen Obama ran a great clean campaign and did not play dirty like Hillary. I just cannot believe that the media is trying to in my opinion destroy Sen Obama’s movement…why is that? I am not going to say it but I think you know where I am getting at. Sen Obama is getting really horrible media coverage and Clinton still complains. If Hillary wins, she should join MCcain and form a new party because she is no different than the Republicans. I am a democrat that is turned off because of the Negative mis information in the media about Sen Obama…. I still have my hopes and dreams and I thank Obama for that. Regardless of what happens he has taught me to continue to dream and no matter what, try to help my fellow neighbor.

Yes I think that CNN and ALL THE MEDIA are biased against Hillary Clinton. I see the media giving FREE CAMPAIGN ads to Obama. I see it just like Saturday Night Live portrayed it. I do think Senator Obama is a Muslim.

I am not supporting either candidate. People see what they want to see and feel what they want to feel. My first comment tonight was at some point, you just have to go for it. Use your head. You all will do the right thing. I am not brainwashed by anyone or anything but the trying to do the right thing. I come here listen to others thoughts so I can learn more. I like to listen to Gergen and the great guests. I will vote McCain. He is my only choice.

Anderson,

You guys really should stop pandering to the crass argument that the media is being unfair to Hillary Clinton. How can she expect to deal with serious issues when she constantly whines about the media not liking her? Will she whine to leaders of other countries that do not like her also??? She is really getting to the point where she is starting to look like she is running for Class President instead of President of the United States of America. The media should be ashamed (yeah right, like you guys could) for doing Hillary’s dirty work for her. You and your colleagues should just come on the air and tell everyone to vote for Hillary because she says so.

Anderson,
you asked if CNN has been against Sen Hillary Clinton, yes, you guys have been…actually the question is not if you have but, WHY?

You have forogotten that she is the most prepared person at the time to become Commander in Chief and like it or not she has the support of one of the best Presidents in American History…

PS.warm hello to cute Erica Hill!!

As a still undecided voter in Texas I do believe you hear what you want or don’t want to hear. No mater how unbiased we try to be, what you hear tends to create a bias. The anchor may be biased but the guests and panelist do create a bias.

Since when is it wrong to be a Muslim?

All this discussion should be discussed as how disgraceful this is to Muslim Americans when referring to smear. Naomi Klein wrote an excellent interpretation of this.

AC,

Hillary is frequently characterized as being “polarizing” and/or “divisive” . What is the basis for this characterization? Are there other examples of people in public office that have been described in the same manner? I believe that this is a term that has just stuck with her for many years, now the media in general uses the description seemingly as a fact, and I wonder if that description is even re-evaluated.

Why do you keep talking about Senator Obama’s religion? It should not matter and even if he were a Muslim is would not be a smear. It could even be a blessing.

The media is very biased against Hillary. Dan Abrams , Anderson Cooper and Saturday Night Live seem to be the only ones not fawning over Obama. He is such an unknown. I fear that he will not be able to fight against the Republican Machine in the General Election. Hillary will be able to. I hope she continues in this race. It is unfortunate that in many primaries voters are allowed to vote in the other parties primaries. I find it interesting that Republicans are voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries. Could it be that since they feel that McCain has the nomination, that maybe they are voting for Obama because they think that he will be easier to beat than Clinton? Just a thought.

Its a matter of interpretation. No matter what the subject. I think the people need to take the information from the media, disregard any bias, do the research on your own and make your own decision. A change is coming and we will decide as a nation who will lead us into this change. But it is up to us to make up our own minds and make a decision we can live with. People should just quit crying and make up their own mind.

There seems to be some hypocrisy going on regarding the candidates. Some people react like “meh…” if something is said about the opposite candidate, but get riled up if it’s said about their own choice. Human nature?

David Gergen just brought up an interesting point about blogs, and their role in this election. With so much information floating out there — not all of it accurate, as we’ve all learned — do you think that is also shaping your views on the candidates and coverage?

The difficulty with this Democratic race is that, in the absence of any real, substantial differences on the issues, the race has become about style and image. Sadly, Sen. Clinton — as lovely and as personable and humorous and bright as she might be — is not going to win a personality contest against someone as polished as Sen. Obama.

Los Angeles

The problem is people who defend Obama saying he’s not a Muslim are saying the same way one might have said “he’s not a communist” during the McCarthy era.

Are you kidding me? in the media’s eyes Clinton can do no right and Obama can do no wrong? I blame the media for Clinton no longer being the front runner. Everything the media reports is in favor of Obama and never shines a positive light on Clinton.

I’m not an Obama supporter and I don’t feel that your show has shown any bias against him.

Maybe the cure for this is to have a statement or a disclaimer, at the beginning of the show, that says “any views expressed by the panel in the show are not the views of CNN…” or something like that. That way you’re covered!

i dont support either or but listening to hillary , i don’t trust her she has changed faces so many times in the past few weeks. obama seems to be getting fair coverage on CNN. Sen Obama seems to be staying on message and on point .I’m indefinitely leaning towards sen obama.

Erica,
I can tell you that this blog has not influenced my vote at all…..my desicion came from information not peoples opinions…….it also came from the debates….so I think although the blogs are fun I dont think that they sway peoples choices!

Anderson,

The media has done exactly what the Clinton campaign wanted. Now, the media has swung to the other extreme and now you all are not covering what’s important.

too bad that the clinton campaign is NOW complaining about Media Bias, as far as I can remember she was not complaining about that before the Iowa caucaus, furthermore, i remeber in one of the CNN dabates wolf was being made fun of for beingg too soft on her… anyway i guess its just OLD politics

We’re sitting here talking about biases, when how much more bias can we get than a woman whose husband was the president of the united states. She already has people loyal to not just her, but the “Clintons” as a whole. She hangs off of her husbands work then rejects it when she’s doing good and shes working on her “own merit”. Come on people let’s get real! People see Sen. Obama going around and even surpassing Sen. Clinton with all of her “experience” and “merit” as he create a phenomena that is beyond what most peoples mind can grasp. People are getting scared, so they must bring up trivial things such as media being biased, or who has to answer the first question….it’s amazing that things were not biased when she was leading and winning California and Massachusetts, and all of the headlines were singing her praises.

OH HAY ERICA

I think blogs are a good thing and a bad thing. Good thing in that there IS some good information out there, and it certainly makes it more accessible to an average person. Bad in that anyone and anybody can write some hack piece and have is passed around dozens of ‘legitimate’ new sources before someone chooses to research the issue and go WTF?

i’m a hillary supporter and i don’t think that you are bias against her

What media bias? If any candidate whose name wasn’t Hillary Clinton lost 11 contests in a row by double digits they would get the same attention as Ron Paul.

If the media is so anti-Clinton, why does no one ask the tough questions about her ’shady’ side? For example the court case concerning the alleged illegal campaign funding scheme involving Peter Paul, etc.

Can someone comment on this?

I believe that the ‘media’ is solidly behind Hillary,, now. It appears that now that Barack has a fighting chance to win, everyone is giving Hillary a free pass. Her response to the question on ‘is Obama a muslin was clearly designed to place doubt in the mind of the public. Hillary is whining, and the press is buckling to the pressure.

Hi Cooper,

Love your show. I am a Hispanic-American backing Obama.

the media bias discussion seems dull, so i’m diverting a bit.

I’m not sure why you keep saying that the Hispanic vote will be key in the state of Texas. From what i understand the number of delegates is dictated by voting participation in the past.

So if someone gets 90% of the Hispanic vote, but the pie is small; 90% of a small pie is not equal to 50% of a large pie. this makes little difference overall correct?

jp

Of course the media is pro Obama. Finally, it took SNL to bring it to the table.

Hey Anderson,

After about 4 months as an Obamaphile, the honeymoon is over. When I started to notice the incredible bias against her I really dug at her record and history to be a better opponent. What I found-even in anti Hillary sites and books- is a remarkable series of achievements for a WOMAN.

Right about then the media really cranked up the attacks and my self preservation as a woman kicked in I am a 28 year old college graduate mother of 1 smart daughter. I will not be part of villifying a candidate simply because of her gender.