Late Final: : Aaron Brown Does Outrage

Aaron Brown Does Outrage

Aaron Brown admits he doesn't "do outrage well," but that didn't stop him last night:

AARON BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: Good evening again. We have lots of politics on the program tonight. The debate just completed tops the news. But this is about politics of another sort, to start with.
We admit we don't do causes very well on the program. And I don't do outrage well at all, yet, tonight, a cause and an outrage. The decision by the speaker of the House to deny the independent commission investigating the 9/11 attack on America a 60-day extension -- that's all, 60 days -- to complete its work is unconscionable and indefensible, which, no doubt, explains why neither the speaker, nor any member of the House leadership, nor none of their press secretaries would come on the program to talk about it, despite repeated requests.

The commission itself has gone about its work quietly. It's had to fight tooth and nail to get necessary information. And now this, an arbitrary decision to deny not just the commission -- that's the least of it -- but the country the chance to know all of what happened, how it happened, and how best to prevent it from happening again.

Perhaps, the speaker and his team assume you do not care. I hope they're wrong. I hope you care enough to write them and e-mail them and call them until they relent. Do that. Do it for the victims and their families. Do it for the country that was attacked and for history.

Later on, interviewing former Rep. Lee Hamilton, vice chairman of the 9/11 panel, Brown asked Hamilton not once but twice whether Hamilton would resign in protest. "Oh no," Hamilton responded. "We've had one obstacle after the other to encounter. We've overcome most of them."

Perhaps Brown realized he'd have a small audience as his lead-in, and he was just trying to jazz things up. Or maybe he's trying to practice doing "outrage," you know, for the fall campaign.

UPDATE: Even though Brown flashed more anger than Democrat Hamilton (a middle American from Indiana), Kevin Drum says Brown's outrage could be a sign of Hastert miscalculating the public's reaction. Drum doesn't mention Hamilton's considerably lower-key response.

By Ed Moltzen · 27 February 2004

Comments

With over 350 members and still rising fast, The NewsNighters Club was formed for the best news anchor and man in general, Mr. Aaron Brown of CNN's NewsNight With Aaron Brown. It's the 1st ever online club for him. And the best. Aaron appreciates that we have the club in his honor.

GO TO THE NEWSNIGHTERS
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aaronbrown/

Posted by: Georgette at April 3, 2004 09:22 PM

I feel aaron brown is not a great new reporter.

Posted by: howard green at October 23, 2004 02:08 AM

Is there a tape available for Aaron Brown's Oct 21,2004 broadcast. I am interested in his presentation of HIAS.

Posted by: Shirley Fiermark at October 23, 2004 10:33 AM

Email me on how to get tape of program. I tried adding link to this post but didn't work.

Georgette

Posted by: Georgette at November 6, 2004 12:54 PM

I think Aaron Brown is one of the very best news anchors, he's informative and tells it like it is. Maybe not everyones choice but definitely mine, I am an avid fan of Aaron and there is rarely a nite that goes by when I don't listen to his newscast. I enjoy listening to his "openers", his thoughts and his comments. He is definitely "my man on the job."

Posted by: Sue at December 5, 2004 07:09 PM

I am a retired medical doctor who is currently taking a masters degree with emphasis on political science. In pure and simple terms Aaron Brown is simply the very best news commentator on CNN. He is intelligent, thoughtful and charming. His reporting is lucid, unbiased and direct. He is definitely my favorite. I hope someone will tell him how much we appreciate him.
"Aaron,you are the best!"

Posted by: Allan Wolfe at February 10, 2005 12:31 AM

I hope Mr. Brown, or one of his assistants, see's this & reads it. Yes I agree, He is by far the Best newsman on any of the networks. If anyone has his e-mail address, I would like to send this directly to him...Thank you!

Please Read This E-mail Regarding Tsunami Refief Efforts

Dear Mr. Brown,

I am writing this e-mail, to ask if you and your producers would consider using more airtime during your show to cover the relief efforts and continuing daily struggle of the tsunami victims. Not just fundraising efforts!

Whether it was 170,000 or over 200,000 people that were killed, and thousands more left homeless, or mourning lost relatives, don’t you and your network believe that this subject deserves much more coverage than you are currently giving it.

Many, Americans from all walks of life reached into their pockets to help these poor people. I read the AP is reporting over 7 Billion dollars has been raised.

I am sure that the majority of Americans, the people who watch your show on a daily basis. Would much rather watch 20 minutes of an update on where & how their donations are helping these victims, than to listen to another 5 minutes of the Michael Jackson story, or a bunch of politicians “huffing” at each other.

I am 35 years old, an educated professional, and a daily viewer. I really cannot begin to tell you how disappointing and sad it is that the media has all but dropped this terrible tragedy from their daily reports.

Former Presidents Bush and Clinton arrived, in hopes of bringing attention to the situation. The newspaper today had a picture of them in front of their plane. The evening news had a 30 second bit of them departing from the plane. That’s it!

I am sure it is easier for your network to not send reporters to these regions. The living conditions, and language barrier make for a much more costly and difficult time for your correspondents.

But really your viewers, the American public, would like to hear much more about the good things that are being done with their hard earned, and heartfelt donations, for these victims of this terrible tragedy. Maybe you should take a poll and ask; Would you rather have “The Jackson Update” or “A Tsunami Relief Update”? Ask YOUR viewers and see what they say.

Thank you for your time and your consideration of this suggestion.

Sincerely,

Sherry L. Jack
Melbourne, Florida

Posted by: Sherry at February 21, 2005 04:38 AM

Yes,I will have to say I'm 39 years old and I've watched lots of news covering but, [Mr.Brown] Aaron Brown with NEWSNIGHT came alone he took my atteaction off of every news media here in Chattanooga,Tennesse. Aaron Brown is a tripple dubble class [AAA] man. He's NumberOne in my house at 10:00pm and at 1:00am. I watch the repeat every morning. Don't care what they say he's [NUMBERONE ALL THE WAY] Keep the good work up Aaron. Your number one fan in [Chattanooga,Tennessee. Emma

Posted by: Emma Roberts at February 28, 2005 04:01 PM

Posted by: Emma Roberts at February 28, 2005 04:02 PM

has anyone noticed that in the past several years, aaron's receding hairline has filled in considerably and his hair is now darker?

Posted by: millie at April 7, 2005 01:38 PM

I don't understand why Aaron Brown was removed as anchor by Anderson.

Brown was the very best reporter on the air since the big three---Brockaw, Jennings, etc.

Where has CNN placed him now? I sorely miss him and his style.

Posted by: L. sherman at January 4, 2006 07:23 PM