September 10, 2007
Posted: September 10th, 2007 01:55 PM ET

Gen. David Petraeus listens to opening statements before testifying at a congressional hearing Monday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The long awaited testimony of General David Petraeus on the status of the Iraq war, took even longer Monday as the microphone for the top commander malfunctioned.

After opening statements from the Democratic chairmen and ranking Republicans at the Joint Hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Armed Services Committee, the room fell silent as Petraeus began to speak. And it stayed silent, as the general waited for technicians to fix the problem. Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton called a five minute recess.

But not all the microphones were broken. Skelton’s microphone was live and it picked him up saying, “That really pisses me off,” about protesters in the room, followed by a stronger expletive.

Related: Petraeus: Troops withdrawals by year's end

– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk

Filed under: Iraq


anna, Appleton, WI   September 11th, 2007 12:01 am ET

When the politicians become military experts, then maybe I'll actually listen to what they have to say!

Will, Monterey CA   September 10th, 2007 11:03 pm ET

I can only imagine what other countries are thinking as the internationally broadcasted hearing over one of the most important issues of our time has microphone problems.

HAWK,TEXAS   September 10th, 2007 10:24 pm ET

TO BAD IT DIDN'T STAY ON THE BLINK THEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO LISTEN TO BUSH'S LIES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF HIS PUPPET.

RA The Framing Wizard LV, NV   September 10th, 2007 5:37 pm ET

Pulled down the vial and dashed behind the media façade! Just one more deployment.

Tom - Dedham, Mass   September 10th, 2007 5:02 pm ET

What does the RB stand for, Real boring? You have been on this site for 10 minutes and both of your postings are about "Faux Snooze".

Anyhing to back up your slams against the OVERWHELMINGLY number one news channel on cable or are you just "snicker" repeating something you heard on MSNBC or some other really biased network?

When you watch Brit Humes show you will notice a mixture of differing viewpoints discussing the issues including the left (NPR), but I understand that it is easier to get your "lying" points from Moveon or PBS.

That includes all of their shows and I have watched Keith Olbermanns show and he says his piece and his guest or expert "parrots" exactly what he said.

That's real fair and balanced "snicker".

RB, from the Bay State   September 10th, 2007 4:30 pm ET

He'll be on a Faux Snooze lovefest with Britt Hume answering the really tough questions, like how do you keep your uniform so neatly pressed, so it's no big deal.

*snicker*

robert l gray   September 10th, 2007 3:58 pm ET

just like a third world countryhave to have the military army to tell the greatest countryin the world what to do about araqif we stay what will we win no oil no peice from terriost only hate by musslems why do we give money to people who hate us it will be terrible we leave and they kill each other

Monroe L. , Dallas, Tx.   September 10th, 2007 3:34 pm ET

I'd believe General Petraeus before I'd believe Ted Kennedy and his ilk, who just sit there all day on their fat butts in "hearings".

pat, huntington, ny   September 10th, 2007 2:52 pm ET

Delayed so he could probably cook the books on Iraq even more to make it look like shangri-la!

Geek with a laptop   September 10th, 2007 2:45 pm ET

Code pink is a disgrace to this Nation.

Greenville, NC   September 10th, 2007 2:32 pm ET

Good on him...it was very telling of how even the micro phone did not want to hear the bent truth coming from there lips!

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@wolfblitzercnn: Trifecta -- NOT. My Redskins, Bills and Packers all lose this weekend. Very sad.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:40:09 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @andersoncooper: Interactive: The top 10 Health-Care-Reform Players http://bit.ly/6C3OlX
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:47:50 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @cnn_oppmann: CNN.com: Mexico City approves same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/5RyMnk #mexico
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:46:26 -0800
@HornickCNN: Rudy's reportedly not running for NY SEN or Gov ...
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:43:48 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Redskins-Giants always exciting. Both teams have a lot to prove. And Giants can still salvage playoffs. Skins just need a win.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:19:36 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP