CNN's Erin Burnett on Obama's Mic Gaffe: 'Better Than Being in the Bathroom With Your Open Microphone'

March 26th, 2012 10:52 PM

CNN's Erin Burnett on Monday made a stunning observation about President Obama's open mic gaffe with Russia's Dmitry Medvedev.

Without specifically mentioning fellow CNNer Kyra Phillips by name, Burnett hysterically said, "I guess it's better than being in the bathroom with your open microphone" (video follows with transcript and commentary):

JOHN KING, CNN: Erin Burnett OutFront coming up at the top of the hour, and Erin’s with us now for a preview. And Erin, we all know about open microphones. The President had this candid chat with Russia's president. What's your take?

ERIN BURNETT, CNN: Well, you know, I guess it's better than being in the bathroom with your open microphone. I know that has happened to people. But he did obviously make a bit of a gaffe, and we're going to talk about exactly why it happened, what he was trying to signal to Russia. And actually, we’re going to break it down, Jon, because when you look at what Russia is doing versus United States policy in Iran and Syria, it may shock a lot of people to see the President open to cutting a deal with Dmitry Medvedev and Vladimir Putin.

For those missing the reference, NewsBusters back in August 2006 reported the embarrassing incident of CNN accidentally playing audio of Kyra Phillips discussing her love life in the ladies' room while President George W. Bush was talking about the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina slamming New Orleans.


That said, was the President of the United States telling an outgoing Russian President he'll have "more flexibility" on missile defense after the upcoming elections "better" than CNN making an audio gaffe?

Seems Burnett - as a so-called journalist - has her priorities a bit out of whack, wouldn't you say?