Glossing over the vulnerability of Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm election, a story on Friday's NBC Today downplayed President Obama's unpopularity and instead touted him jetting to a star-studded California fundraiser to raise money for his ailing political party. White House correspondent Chris Jansing proclaimed: "While his job approval ratings have mostly kept him away from candidates, he can still raise a lot of money for the November election."
Jansing detailed Obama's latest quest for campaign cash: "President Obama headed to his 53rd fundraiser of the year, at Gwyneth Paltrow's house....Inside, Paltrow gushed over the President while introducing him, saying, 'I am one of your biggest fans, if not the biggest.' And, 'You're so handsome that I can't speak properly.'"
The reporter briefly noted that "some posters mocking them both" had "disappeared quickly from the tony Brentwood neighborhood" in Los Angeles.
Jansing promoted the President's fundraising tour: "Earlier this week, charming donors in the liberal deep-pocketed cities of Washington on Monday, New York on Tuesday, here in Los Angeles and San Francisco Thursday through Saturday. In just the past few weeks, bringing in millions for Democratic candidates."
A soundbite followed of Congressman Steve Israel, head of Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, happily declaring: "There are some people who can raise money from the grassroots. President Obama does both."
While Jansing pointed out how "Democratic stars are flooding key battleground states," she did briefly note, "Everyone, that is, except President Obama."
A clip ran of pollster Stu Rothenburg observing: "When you have an unpopular president, his party's candidates don't want to be seen with him. They don't want the opposition to use him as a way of defining them."
Jansing also mentioned: "Even his vanquished challenger, Mitt Romney, is in greater demand, campaigning in five states just last week."
The segment was 2 minutes and 42 seconds. Of that time, only 25 seconds was devoted to such footnotes of the President being a drag on Democrats.
In contrast to Jansing's report, on Thursday's CBS This Morning, correspondent Nancy Cordes offered viewers a story centered on Romney being a "political MVP" on the campaign trail for Republicans while Obama was laying low.
Here is a full transcript of the October 10 report on Today:
8:04 AM ET
NATALIE MORALES: President Obama is drawing big names and big money at Democratic Party fundraisers in California. NBC's senior White House correspondent Chris Jansing is in Los Angeles with more. Chris, good morning.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Star Treatment; President Raises California Cash for Candidates]
CHRIS JANSING: Good morning. About 250 supporters paid up to $15,000 each to mingle with the President and some stars. While his job approval ratings have mostly kept him away from candidates, he can still raise a lot of money for the November election.
After Air Force One touched down in Los Angeles Thursday afternoon, President Obama headed to his 53rd fundraiser of the year, at Gwyneth Paltrow's house. Some posters mocking them both disappeared quickly from the tony Brentwood neighborhood. The only other sign of the super exclusive gathering, Secret Service, catering trucks, and a glimpse of a motorcade. Inside, Paltrow gushed over the President while introducing him, saying, "I am one of your biggest fans, if not the biggest." And, "You're so handsome that I can't speak properly."
The President has spent much of this election season on the money trail. Earlier this week, charming donors in the liberal deep-pocketed cities of Washington on Monday, New York on Tuesday, here in Los Angeles and San Francisco Thursday through Saturday. In just the past few weeks, bringing in millions for Democratic candidates.
REP. STEVE ISRAEL [DEM. CONGRESS CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE]: There are some people who can raise money from the grassroots. President Obama does both.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Vice president Biden.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
JANSING: With less than a month until election day, Democratic stars are flooding key battleground states.
[FOOTAGE OF BILL CLINTON CAMPAIGNING FOR MARK PRYOR IN ARKANSAS]
Everyone, that is, except President Obama.
STU ROTHENBURG [EDITOR, THE ROTHENBERG REPORT]: When you have an unpopular president, his party's candidates don't want to be seen with him. They don't want the opposition to use him as a way of defining them.
JANSING: Even his vanquished challenger, Mitt Romney, is in greater demand...
MITT ROMNEY: Wow! Great to be here!
JANSING: ...campaigning in five states just last week. And Hillary Clinton has just kicked off a series of campaign stops.
Now White House officials say the President will make some campaign stops between now and election day, but expect them to be in friendly states. He did make a quick appearance with a congressional candidate here before the fundraiser yesterday. Natalie.
MORALES: Alright, Chris Jansing in Los Angeles, thank you.
