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Cutter: I planned a protest for the homeless
With the return of "Crossfire" to CNN, we are taking a closer look into the hosts' lives with a series of Web videos.
In this video, Stephanie Cutter, former White House Senior Adviser, reflects on how she was inspired by her grandfather at a young age to enter public service.
“I grew up in a very active household; my grandfather was very involved in local politics and taught in Massachusetts, and he always had a carful of grandkids, going to different events, going to the fire station, the police station, the town hall meeting, going around and hearing their concerns,” Cutter explains. She says this influenced her to pursue a life in the public sector, but says “I think at that early stage I didn’t know politics was the answer, but I knew I wanted to pursue something that helped change the world.”
Cutter also tells the story of her first organizing experience, when she planned a protest for the homeless while spending a college semester in Washington: “I organized a protest where I got college kids to sleep outside in solidarity with the homeless in Dupont Circle. We slept on grates on a cold December night.”
Reflecting on this experience, she said she didn’t know it would lead her to where she is today: “I don’t think anybody did. But that’s part of the beauty of this - once you get into public life and public service you have no idea where it’s going to lead.”
"Crossfire" airs on CNN weekdays at 6:30pm ET.
Meet the Hosts
Author, documentary filmmaker, historian, Speaker of the House (1995-1999), and 2012 Republican presidential candidate
Fmr. Obama Deputy Campaign Mgr. and W.H. Sr. Adviser, founder of Precision Strategies, fmr. Sr. Adviser to Maj. Leader Reid and Sen. Kennedy
Conservative columnist for New York Daily News, contributing editor at Townhall Magazine, commentator and author
Former Special Adviser for Green Jobs under President Obama, co-founder of Rebuild the Dream, author and attorney
I watch Crossfire on a regular basis along with many other CNN programs. Stephanie Cutter has to be the rudest host on this show. Although I understand that Crossfire is intended to be somewhat confrontational, I don't think your guests or your viewers appreciate her constant sarcasm, curtness and inability to allow guests to answer her questions. She just keeps firing one after another while talking over the guest trying to provide answers. I know numerous viewers that agree with me and will not watch this program when she is hosting!!
I've worked with the Alachua County Hungrey and Homeless Program in Gainesville,Fl. It ia important that we address the needa of the homeless. Because 85% of the homeless population are homeless due to lack of emoloyment not substance sbuse as most people think. Our socitiy is as much to blame as anything else. But our problem is we don't want to take responsibilty. It's time for America to fix her own problems and stop trying to fix everyone eleses.
You ain't seen nothing yet. Wait until this job vacuum cleaner call AHC gets plugged in.
The weakest member of the Crossfire panel is Stephanie Cutter. Like no one else she pontificates, rather than pose a question. And her smug arrogance is insulting. CNN could have done bettter and hopefully will.