CNN hires Sarah Isgur, a Republican operative who once swore loyalty to Donald Trump, to oversee coverage of the 2020 campaign

Today it was announced that CNN hired Sarah Isgur, a Republican operative with absolutely no journalistic experience, to serve as political editor in charge of the network’s 2020 election coverage. If Isgur’s name sounds familiar, it might be from the Washington Post story in March of 2018 about how, only after she “kowtowed to Trump,” and promised him her loyalty, did the President sign-off on her becoming the spokesperson for the Department of Justice under Jeff Sessions. [It would appear that Trump had misgivings about her, given that she’d worked previously for both Ted Cruz and Mitt Romney.]

I was prepared to rant at length about Isgur’s appointment at CNN, which, by the way, apparently came as quite the surprise to the network’s staff, but then I happened across the following on the website of Media Matters, which pretty much says everything that I’d wanted to.

“…CNN’s choice of a Trump administration veteran does, however, fit in with the network’s fantastically self-defeating strategy of hiring pro-Trump mercenaries who shill on behalf of a president and administration that delight in demonizing CNN. The journalism industry does not lack for talented, experienced professionals who are desperate for work, but CNN opted to give this important job to a Jeff Sessions acolyte who has never worked as a journalist. That sure feels like the network sabotaging its own interests in order to send a conciliatory message to a political movement that will always view it as an ‘enemy of the people’…”

And this, my friends, is how authoritarian regimes come to be. As we were discussing just a few days ago, Putin didn’t start by killing journalists. No, he started by aggressively demonizing those who he perceived to be his enemies. And, over time, with that groundwork having been laid, he was able to force concessions. The owners of friendly media companies were rewarded, and the owners of those media companies that didn’t fall in line were harassed by federal prosecutors to the point where, in order to avoid lengthy prison sentences, they agreed to hand their companies over to Putin-aligned oligarchs. And, then, of course, those who still refused to toe the line, found themselves murdered.

And it’s hard not to see what happened today as yet another step down that slippery slope… conciliatory overture on the part of CNN in hopes of appeasing a president that, from all indications, delights in urging his followers toward violence against journalists. I mean, how else would you explain CNN hiring Isgur — a woman who once referred to CNN as the “Clinton News Network” — to head their campaign coverage?

This isn’t exactly new for CNN, though, as they’ve hired the likes of Corey Lewandowski, Michael Caputo, and Jeffrey “sieg hiel” Lord to be commentators on the network, in hopes of demonstrating that they too are “fair and balanced.” This, however, seems to be a massive step in the direction of appeasement, even for them. While I hate the fact that they provide a platform for known liars and conspiracy theorists like those noted above, at least, in those instances, the men in question didn’t have any real power when it came to deciding what was covered, and how it was covered. And those are the kinds of decisions that Isgur, in her new role, will be making on a daily basis.

I’m sure that CNN thought that the good, in this instance, outweighed the bad. They likely thought that, by hiring Isgur, they could claim impartiality. But at what cost? What signal does it send to the CNN staff when other, more qualified candidates are passed over in favor of a known political operative with no experience in journalism? And what does it say to the people of America, who have been living these past two years under the dishonest, criminal administration of Donald Trump? I fear that it’s a sign that Donald Trump, through his constant assault on both journalists and the truth, is gaining ground. And that isn’t good… And CNN, if they really thought that this would keep Donald Trump from referring to them as “the enemy of the people,” should know better. Nothing will stop the attacks.

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42 Comments

  1. anonymous
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 8:28 am | Permalink

    “It’s extremely demoralizing for everyone here,” says a CNN insider.

    https://trib.al/vQgogHa

  2. anonymous
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 8:30 am | Permalink

    Also, Parker Molloy from Media Matters raised an interesting point.

    “Honestly, if you’re a source for CNN on anything related to politics or the Trump administration, you’re probably feeling pretty nervous right now. I’m willing to bet that having Sarah Isgur on staff will deter sources from going to CNN reporters with stories in the future.”

  3. Kat
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 8:33 am | Permalink

    Meanwhile, from Politico: “A wide-ranging disinformation campaign aimed at Democratic 2020 candidates is already under way on social media, with signs that foreign state actors are driving at least some of the activity.”

    2020 is going to be a shit show.

    https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/20/2020-candidates-social-media-attack-1176018

  4. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 9:03 am | Permalink

    So you are mad because it MIGHT not be 1110% negative coverage now…hm! More propagandistic than CNN itself around here.

  5. Judd Legum by proxy
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 9:48 am | Permalink

    Isgur, who was just hired by CNN to guide its political coverage, is not just a right-wing political operative. She also allegedly collaborated with the creators of a vile conspiracy theory about a murdered Democratic staffer.

    https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1098228245160517633

  6. Bob
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 9:59 am | Permalink

    Jesus, I just hate when people use more than 100% of anything as some lazy device for emphasizing their stupid lie.

  7. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 10:04 am | Permalink

    It doesn’t matter what you hate. What percent positive coverage do you think they give Trump?

  8. wobblie
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 10:08 am | Permalink

    It has been clear since Trump announced his candidacy in 2016 that cable media, CNN, MSNBC, FOX have been his biggest supporters . They have the perfect entertainment schtick. Trump provides the cable networks with an endless supply of controversy from which they in typical yellow journalism make into “news”. As the head of CNN admitted after the election, Trump is a huge money maker for them. It is funny watching HW and other low intelligent folks fall for all this phony conflict. Trump lives for the cable news, and they profit to the max off of him–perfect synergy.

  9. iRobert
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 10:08 am | Permalink

    Is anyone still watching CNN?

  10. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 10:48 am | Permalink

    That is a low intelligence view, wobbers. I don’t even watch tv. I stream Hannity sometimes because he is correct so much more than an outlet like CNN. John Solomon and Sara Carter are frequent guests. These journalists are light years beyond anyone on CNN in breaking accurate news. Tom Fitton from Judicial Watch? He uses FOIA to force government to be transparent and hand over documents they want to hide. To me that is awesome. Who do you have that is any good?

    Whether CNN/MSNBC is being kept afloat by being able to cover Trump is not the question. It’s are they unbiased? Is it not almost devoid of positive coverage? Nearly zero positives in their view…yeah, that’s very unbiased I’m sure.

  11. Rick Cronn
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 11:00 am | Permalink

    Does CNN think that they can inoculate themselves against Trump’s claims of fake news by hiring a Trump quisling?

    Smelling CNN blood, Trump’s rally rubes won’t go soft, they’ll go in for kill.

  12. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 11:15 am | Permalink

    Q is the news now. Latest: Coats on the way out.

  13. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 11:39 am | Permalink

    Never

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZuJxJUQZQ0

  14. Frosted Flakes
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 11:57 am | Permalink

    Maybe this is CNN’s first step toward a plan of strategic backpedaling for their own survival? If Russiagate turns out to be a what Trump said it is, then it is going to damage CNN and MSNBC big-time.

  15. Lynne
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 12:35 pm | Permalink

    If that is true, it is quite chilling that they would even feel that they needed to especially as Trump seems to be employing some similar strategies as his hero, Putin. I know you didn’t mean “survival” literally but maybe that is why they are doing this, to keep Trump from murdering them?

  16. breaking news
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 1:03 pm | Permalink

    CNN hires Trump official who used same anti-press rhetoric as man who sent bombs to CNN https://interc.pt/2tw6lID

  17. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 1:05 pm | Permalink

    If they haven’t committed treason I don’t think they should have anything to worry about. The level of hysteria here is uncommonly high and that is saying a lot. I told you it would be getting worse as events unfold and it is. Panic in DC.

  18. Frosted Flakes
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 1:27 pm | Permalink

    If CNN now has reason to believe they have been pushing a fake collusion story, I don’t think it would be at all “chilling” if CNN wanted to start backpedaling on that fake story. I think it is normal to respond to new sets of facts. I think it would be normal to want to try to regain credibility.

    Now HW might even be right about the fears of treason thing…This could all unfold in a ways you guys you don’t like…I trust the more stubborn members of the mm.com community will remain unchanged by any possible contrary evidence. You are a resilient group!

    This CNN hiring is an interesting development. I guess we all have to wait and see.

  19. Sarah Kendzior by proxy
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 1:29 pm | Permalink

    Trump doesn’t hate CNN and never did. It’s a fake feud that benefits them both. He and Zucker worked together for years making reality TV. Since 2016 CNN has been reality TV posing as a news network.

    https://twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/1098030223931641861

  20. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 1:52 pm | Permalink

    Movie Guy voice: Imagine a World where the corporate media is completely controlled by the CIA. A world where they say every single thing they want them to say in lockstep each day.

    In this world there is a resistance, a Force for Good fighting against the tyrannical control of the Intelligence Agencies. If that Force should happen to be released the repercussions would be devastating for the diabolical machinations of those who control the most sophisticated intelligence network on Planet Earth.

  21. wobblie
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 3:32 pm | Permalink

    Trump is such a great leader (the best ever) that On Dec. 19th Trump ordered a “rapid withdrawal” from Syria. Sixty-three days later, we’re still there. He can’t even get the military which he is the uncontested CinC of to follow his orders– Of course I don’t hear any of his sycophants calling for these mutinous generals and admirals to be axed. It’s all about his “political” enemies and the “deep state”. What morons.

  22. John Brown
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 5:24 pm | Permalink

    Is this fake news? Nah. But I’m no longer quite as sympathetic to the anemic pay scale at the Coasties.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/self-proclaimed-white-nationalist-planned-mass-terror-attack-government-says-i-am-dreaming-of-a-way-to-kill-almost-every-last-person-on-earth/2019/02/20/61daf6b8-3544-11e9-af5b-b51b7ff322e9_story.html?utm_term=.6405e4d7f1b3

    But if any aspiring liberal Panthers want a good example of an outfit for a 6 person platoon, this is not a bad example.

  23. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 5:37 pm | Permalink

    If you want to go shoot it out with Christopher Paul Hasson then go ahead. Don’t try to smear the President or his supporters with it. You have incited people to arm themselves because of me and Frosted Flakes. Why don’t you go find some real white supremacist nutjobs to wage this war against? It’s because you are a coward. The real John Brown put his life on the line for his beliefs but you just try to vilify regular folks.

  24. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 5:39 pm | Permalink

    Smollett officially a suspect for filing a false police report.

  25. Hyborian Pudlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 5:49 pm | Permalink

    I’m too pathetic for vanity
    In the basement streaming Hannity
    CNN pushes collusion
    Or my brain might have a contusion
    And I’m as fat as a manatee

  26. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 6:02 pm | Permalink

    You are the whipping boy, right? That’s funny if it is you talking about people living in the basement at mommy’s. You never struck me as a homeowner pr anything whenever I saw you at that place. Didn’t you say you ran to mommy and daddy’s not too long ago? Funny shit!

  27. Sad
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 6:40 pm | Permalink

    HW you need to respond in rhyme.

    Otherwise you just look lame.

    Up your game buddy.

  28. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 7:09 pm | Permalink

    Limericks kind of suck. Who sits around making them up about someone they have a weird obsession with all day?

  29. Sad
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 7:14 pm | Permalink

    We can’t look away HW.

    Encountering you is like seeing a car crash.

  30. John Brown
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    And Roger Stone and Alex Jones pour yet more gas on the fire. Also, potential Liberal Panthers don’t fall for the Socialist style thing and get no fucking AK47s. All the ammo sold for those put money straight into Pootins pocket. Giving the fascist running the American gun industry a cut is bad enough.

    https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/alex-jones-rogers-stone-hit-gun-range-prepare-civil-war-article-1.3715575?outputType=amp

  31. Hyborian Pudlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 7:44 pm | Permalink

    My MAGA hat’s red
    Violets are blue
    Collusion is fake
    Charlotteville too
    I post here real brave
    With a name that’s not true
    I can’t get no respect
    But I’ll always have Q

  32. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 7:49 pm | Permalink

    No one listens to Jones or his people anymore. I told you that months ago but you have no idea.

  33. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 8:17 pm | Permalink

    Oh yeah, Q is the shit. Are you fuckin’ kidding me?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvEIXfy_Ga8

  34. Bob
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 8:32 pm | Permalink

    Now HW is posting as Pudlord? And with terrible poetry? You truly are a sad little clown.

  35. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 9:13 pm | Permalink

    Durf

  36. Sad
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 9:17 pm | Permalink

    Manamana

    https://youtu.be/9ytei6bu7kQ

  37. The Daily Beast
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 9:31 pm | Permalink

    “The DNC has sought and received assurances from CNN that the network’s new politics editor, longtime GOP operative Sarah Isgur, will not be involved in the debates that the channel hosts and moderates for the Democratic primary.”

  38. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 20, 2019 at 10:11 pm | Permalink

    Jamming out over here

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19X-g5jHRzI

  39. John Brown
    Posted February 21, 2019 at 8:25 am | Permalink

    Hey MM, comments on latest post not working.

    So luckily this Hasson guy obviously broke laws to get on the radar. But thousands more are smart enough not too. While these individual actors are horrible sleeper stochastic terrorists, the real threat to the country are the ones staying out of jail and networking in actual militias. They are just waiting for the call to serve the fascist masters against the ungodly, queer loving, race mixing, anti-gun, socialist loving libtards. The various 3% affiliates have thousands with this dude’s profile, but mostly staying outta jail for the big fight.

    And I guarantee that the thing to get him on the radar wasn’t the quantity of guns or ammo, or body armor. That’s nothing. Probably the Tramadol was the first flag given what our govt actually pays attention to.

  40. Sad
    Posted February 23, 2019 at 7:35 am | Permalink

    HW do think Trump had Kraft go undercover as part of his secret plan to stop human trafficking and save the children?

  41. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 23, 2019 at 8:43 am | Permalink

    No but it would make sense to begin a new wave of arrests with someone who appears to be friendly. Tricking lefties into supporting anti-trafficking, see? Then when their people are busted for way worse offenses they can’t say shit.

  42. Hyborian Warlord
    Posted February 23, 2019 at 12:22 pm | Permalink

    I think that last track I dropped broke the site. I wonder what would happen if it had BG graphics???

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2IfF6o-fro

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