CNN’S Jake Tapper was forced to cut away from raucous protests at the Democratic Party’s convention in Philadelphia to cover a performance by R&B group Boyz II Men.
“Let’s go back outside the arena to Miguel Marquez,” Mr. Tapper said. “Miguel, we’re getting reports that protesters are getting rowdier outside. What’s going on?”
The camera cut to a screaming crowd outside the Wells Fargo Center next to a phalanx of police officers.
“This group, Democracy Spring, two or three-hundred strong, came marching in. They’ve now taken on a level of civil disobedience to block the delegates from coming in to this one particular entrance. As you can see, they are laying down in front of the entrance. They are letting police through — and the police, if you look over this way…”
“All right Miguel, thank you so much,” interjected Mr. Tapper. “We’re going to cut you off right now. We’re going to cover right now Boyz II Men, Philadelphia’s own, and they’re performing on stage.”
The nomination of presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has gotten off to a rocky start due to 20,000 DNC emails released last Friday by Wikileaks. The documents, which forced chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to resign, showed how the DNC actively worked against Sen. Bernard Sanders during the party’s presidential primary.
“I have decided that in the interest of making sure that we can start the Democratic convention on a high note that I am not going to gavel in the convention,” Mrs. Wasserman Schultz told the Sun Sentinel on Monday.
Mediaite readers who were stunned at CNN’s decision to cut away from civil disobedience to cover a 90s R&B act.
“They’re not even good at pretending to be neutral,” said one reader. “That’s the sad part.”
“Sorry, Miguel. Jake isn’t allowed to show what’s really happening outside,” added another.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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