CBS's Gayle King Heartily Endorses Bloomberg's Soda Ban Proposal
On Friday's CBS This Morning, Gayle King sided with New York City Mayor
Michael Bloomberg over his controversial proposed ban of soft drinks
over 16 ounces in size: "I'm all for anything that's going to make us healthy." Guest Jonathan Waxman, a chef in the Big Apple, also endorsed the Bloomberg plan: "I'm kind of happy that someone's making a stand here, because I think that it's empty calories." [audio available here ]
Guest anchor Mo Rocca raised the Bloomberg controversy near the end of
the segment, which aired during the 8:30 am Eastern half hour. Rocca asked Waxman (who once appeared as contestant on Bravo's Top
Chef Masters program in 2010), "We have to ask you about what you think
of Mayor Bloomberg's decree, his edict that...the big sugary drinks are
out."
The chef didn't directly answer the question at first. Instead, Waxman
mentioned how he mentors schoolchildren to eat healthier and how he
makes his own sweet drinks: "I mix soda myself at home -- fresh orange
juice and soda water. That, to me, seems like the right thing for people to do."
King apparently wasn't satisfied by this answer, and asked, "Do you think the ban's a good idea? On the big drinks?" Waxman replied with his endorsement, and the Obama-boosting anchor seconded it:
WAXMAN: You know what? I think -- you know, I'd rather have people do it on their own, but if people need a road sign, why not?
You know, I think -- you know, I'm kind of happy that someone's making a
stand here, because I think that it's empty calories. It's not what we
should be eating or drinking in our lives.
KING: All right-
ROCCA: He's making us healthier. I don't love the nanny state, but I love 'nanny' Bloomberg. (Rocca and King laugh)
WAXMAN: No, no. I one hundred percent agree. (laughs)
KING: Yes. Listen, I'm all for anything that's going to make us healthy. Thank you, Jonathan.
