Wolf Blitzer To New CNN Star Jake Tapper: ‘Work Hard And Play By The Rules’

The ABC News ex-WH correspondent tapped into Wolf‘s panic Situation Room Tuesday.  Apparently Jake wasn’t playing by Wolf’s Rules when he scored his first scoop from a former ABC News colleague who just joined CNN.  Politico.

Jake Tapper

Huff Post.

Jeff Zucker

New CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker is on the job after holding “town hall” meetings with CNN employees last week:

Last week, I had a terrific time meeting and hearing from many of you in the town hall meetings in New York, Atlanta and Washington. In each place, we discussed how we can best showcase our journalism, provide more differentiation among our programs, and how we can chart a course for the future that is beyond just politics and breaking news. Those are the immediate challenges I look forward to working on with you.

As I noted in those town halls, I have great respect and deep admiration for all that you do. And for the legacy that you have helped build. But now, as we embark on the next chapter together, we must think even more broadly, and not always be bound by what has come before us.  FishbowlDC.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013 @ 8:26 AM


  • http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/ keyboard jockey

    “Work  Hard And Play By The Rules”  Does Blitzer mean Journalistic integrity “those rules” or does he mean CNN’s corporate rules established by their parent company Time Warner? 

    There is a reason Jake Tapper was chosen, and I doubt it was to follow the low rating rules at CNN. 

    • http://chickaboomer.com/ Marty Davis

      Maybe the rules were set by Piers Morgan.

    • http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/ keyboard jockey

      Marty, it looks like Blitzer is circling the wagons. His statement doesn’t come off as friendly advice, it comes off as a threat. There is something systematically wrong at CNN that has to change for their ratings to improve. Zucker can add A talent like Tapper, but if he’s got people undermining what he’s trying to change……… 

      A side note, this has to do with CNN, and it’s competition. Remember when Current was sold to  Aljazeera? My husband said, when he was working in Afghanistan, and was given the choice of CNN or Aljazeera English, he watched the later, because it was better at reporting. Time Warner dropped Current when it changed hands, and effectively cut off their competition. My husband told me he would watch Aljazeera English before CNN if it was offered here in the U.S.  We figure we will still be able to pick up clips online even though Time Warner won’t carry the network.

    • http://chickaboomer.com/ Marty Davis

       I can’t believe Wolf uttered that to Tapper on the air.

    • http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/ keyboard jockey

      Which is telling in itself.  Blitzer acting like the “consiglieri”  sending out the message to all the foot soldiers :)  Do you think Zucker know’s what he’s up against? 

    • http://chickaboomer.com/ Marty Davis

      Zucker’s the Godfather.

    • Jimbotalk

      Don’t make waves.

    • http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/ keyboard jockey

      I thought the entire purpose of the Zucker hire was to improve CNN’s ratings? That’s going to take someone making waves. Blitizer is part of what is getting low ratings maybe he shouldn’t be giving Tapper advice? 

    • http://chickaboomer.com/ Marty Davis

       Tapper’s treading on Wolf’s turf.