Comparison of Articles

Gwenna Johnson
Ron Bishop
On-Line Journalism
1 February 2007

Comparing CNN.com to The Philadelphia Inquirer

On Wednesday, January 31st, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. announced that he would be running as a presidential candidate for the 2008 election. Biden hopes to “ride his foreign policy expertise into contention for the Democratic nomination” (Philadelphia A1). Shortly after announcing his presidential candidacy, Biden made an insulting remark about Barack Obama, a fellow Democratic candidate. Biden described Obama as “the first mainstream African American who is articulate and brigha nd clean and a nice-looking guy” (Philadelphia A1). Obama among other African Americans, were irritated by Biden’s comment. Both CNN.com and The Philadelphia Inquirer covered the story with a few minor differences in their articles.
People visiting the CNN.com website can find a story entitled, “Biden’s Description of Obama Draws Scrutiny” (CNN.com). The article contains Biden’s statement, "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy," Biden said. "I mean, that's a storybook, man." Shortly after, Biden apologized for insulting Obama, stating that he had not intended to be offensive. By the tone of the article, the reader assumes that Obama did not take offense to the statement, claiming that Biden "’didn't intend to offend’anyone” (CNN.com). Readers can also access a sound-clip of Biden’s statement and an online video of Obama’s reaction by clicking on a link.
The Philadelphia Inquirer ran the story, “Biden has to do some early explaining” (Philadelphia A1). The newspaper included the same quotes that were found online but also provided some background information on Biden, such as his position as the Chairman of the Senate of Foreign Affairs. The Philadelphia Inquirer shared information that Biden explained himself on the Daily Show on Wednesday afternoon. The newspaper shared more information about Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton’s responses to Biden’s comments. Jackson referred to Biden’s comments as, “’blabbering bluster’” (Philadelphia A1). The biggest difference between the two articles is the inclusion of Al Sharpton’s comments in The Philadelphia Inquirer. When Biden called Sharpton to apologize for his comments, Sharpton replied, “’I told him I take a bath everyday. I told him I took one before I came to see him in his office in Washington last week’” (Philadelphia A7). Through its interviews, The Philadelphia Inquirer presented an angrier reaction to Biden’s remarks.