In a lengthy interview with Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) on Tuesday, Wolf Blitzer was forced to lecture the congressman over his responsibilities as a U.S. Senator after he complained about the CNN host’s line of questioning.
Corker visited “The Situation Room” to discuss, in part, his decision to switch his vote from the GOP tax bill from a “no” to a “yes.” Corker has fielded mounting criticism after is was reported he changed his vote after his colleagues inserted a real-estate provision that will benefit his personally. Corker vehemently denies that provision had any impact on his decision to flip his vote.
Blitzer asked Corker about his public statement he would not vote for a tax bill that adds “one penny” to the deficit—a pledge the GOP tax bill does not satisfy.
"I know I am being maligned,” Corker told Blitzer of the criticism against him “It’s just malicious.”
Blitzer later played a clip of Corker criticizing Donald Trump—who thanked the Tennessee senator for changing his vote on the tax bill.
“I know he recently tweeted you thanking you for changing your votes on tax cuts, but do you still believe what you [said] in that clip?” Blitzed asked. After a short back-and-forth, Corker went off on the CNN host.
“Look, I know you're having a great time with this interview and I'm happy for you in doing so,” Corker said. “But, look, Wolf, I've said what I've said. And I'm doing what I'm doing.”
“I don't appreciate, you know, the front end of this interview,” Corker later added. “You and I had a conversation about this yesterday on the phone and you know that all of these things are totally malicious. They're not true. And you know that. And people in the press that are responsible know that. I’m disappointed that you chose this opportunity to do what you did. I thank you for letting me respond. I know you had a good time with this interview. Is there anything else that you would like from me to talk with you about?”
“You know, senator, I've got to tell you—and I've known you for a long time and I have great respect—I’m not having fun,” Blitzer began.
“I wanted to give you that opportunity, when we spoke on the phone yesterday, I told you I wanted to gives you that opportunity to make your case,” the CNN host continued. “This is not fun. These are critically important issues. You're a United States Senator, Mr. Chairman, you have enormous responsibility.”
“These tax cuts are going to go forward,” Blitzer said. “They may be great, they may not be great, but it's your responsibility as a U.S. Senator to answer these kinds of questions and it's certainly not something I'm doing because I want to have fun. I'm doing it because I'm a reporter, I'm a journalist and I'm asking you questions that are legitimate, fair questions, sir.”
“Yeah, well, listen, thank you for that,” Corker replied. “I look forward to talking to you again soon. I do. Thank you.”
Watch below:
