In a lengthy interview with Nancy Pelosi on CNN on Tuesday, Wolf Blitzer displayed incredible arrogance and rudeness toward the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, repeatedly interrupting her answers to his questions and talking over her.
It was a shameful spectacle, deeply reminiscent of Donald Trump’s behavior in the first presidential debate with Joe Biden. Perhaps Blitzer’s behavior simply demonstrated the extraordinary extent to which Trump has corrupted the norms of civil discourse in this country.
Yet that is no excuse for Blitzer’s behavior. Who does he think he is, to talk to the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives in this manner? Would he interview President Donald Trump and interrupt him and talk over him in the same way?
Blitzer needs to get a grip, and perhaps review some books on what the proper role of a journalist is in a democratic society.
Pelosi acquitted herself very well, unmasking the bias in Blitzer’s questioning, and refusing to acquiesce in his boorish behavior. She got her views across, also demonstrating what a formidable interlocutor and leader she is.
See
Erica Werner, “Pelosi punches back on questions about her stimulus bill strategy in contentious television interview; ‘With all due respect, you really don’t know what you’re talking about,’ speaker tells CNN host,” Washington Post, October 13, 2020 (7:13 p.m. EDT).
This article reproduces the transcript of key parts of the exchange.
The Trenchant Observer