Folkenflik admires Bartiromo interview of ousted Merrill CEO

David Folkenflik of National Public Radio says he thought that CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo did an excellent job of interviewing former Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain about the company’s problems and his spending to redecorate his office.

Bartiromo writes, “She strips him bare.

“Bartiromo has been accused at times of being too cozy with the financial giants she interviews — a charge that has also been leveled more generally at CNBC and at TV financial news shows. A column in the New York Post, a corporate sibling of the rival Fox Business Network, insinuates that Bartiromo only got the interview because she shares a publicity agent with Thain. If so, Thain was mistaken if he thought this appearance would buff his image.

“He speaks calmly, and presents as a capable and reasonable executive. But it’s worth watching the interview carefully. I find a few of the following excerpts awfully revealing.”

Read more here.