On Thursday, NBC’s Today devoted nearly three minutes of air time to a report touting Hillary Clinton’s “return to the spotlight” and “re-emergence” on the public stage “With some big plans, including a new book and a series of speeches...”
Co-host Matt Lauer eagerly told viewers: “...after taking some time away from public eye following the election, Hillary Clinton appears ready to return to the spotlight.” In the report that followed, correspondent Peter Alexander proclaimed: “After a couple months of largely staying on the sidelines, Hillary Clinton isn't launching a comeback but it is a re-emergence. With some big plans, including a new book and a series of speeches all teeing up her first extended reaction to one of the most intense elections in modern American history.”
After a soundbite played of New York theatergoers applauding the defeated Democratic nominee, Alexander gushed: “Cheers for Hillary Clinton on Broadway. The audience chanting her name before a show late Wednesday. And many waiting to catch a glimpse as she left with her husband Bill Clinton, taking selfies with fans.”
The reporter lamented: “Aside from the Inauguration she intended to be her own, we've seen very little of Clinton since her defeat. For weeks, these have been some of our only glimpses of her, snapping a photo during a hike in the woods.”
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He then optimistically looked ahead to her return:
ALEXANDER: But now the former Democratic nominee is plotting her next chapter, a new book of personal essays inspired by her favorite quotes, all touching on her stunning defeat. Clinton writing, “These quotes have helped me celebrate the good times, laugh at the absurd times, persevere during the hard times, and deepen my appreciation of all life has to offer.”
Her re-emergence will also include a series of speeches on women's rights and gay rights beginning this spring. And another that’ll bring her full circle. Nearly 50 years after the 1969 Wellesley commencement speech that catapulted her to national fame –
HILLARY RODHAM [1969]: Fear is always with us but we just don't have time for it. Not now.
ALEXANDER: Clinton is slated to address her alma mater as its commence speaker once again this May.
While the NBC morning show was happy to hail Clinton’s comeback tour, the coverage ignored reports that her campaign team has been blaming former President Obama for her electoral defeat.
Here is a full transcript of the February 2 report:
7:31 AM ET
MATT LAUER: In the meantime, after taking some time away from public eye following the election, Hillary Clinton appears ready to return to the spotlight. NBC national correspondent Peter Alexander has more on that. Peter, good morning to you.
PETER ALEXANDER: Hey, Matt, good morning to you. After a couple months of largely staying on the sidelines, Hillary Clinton isn't launching a comeback but it is a re-emergence. With some big plans, including a new book and a series of speeches all teeing up her first extended reaction to one of the most intense elections in modern American history.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Hillary Clinton’s Next Move; Re-Emerges With New Book Deal, Commencement Plans]
CROWD: Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!
ALEXANDER: Cheers for Hillary Clinton on Broadway. The audience chanting her name before a show late Wednesday. And many waiting to catch a glimpse as she left with here husband Bill Clinton, taking selfies with fans. Aside from the Inauguration she intended to be her own, we've seen very little of Clinton since her defeat. For weeks, these have been some of our only glimpses of her, snapping a photo during a hike in the woods.
ANNOUNCER [SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE]: The Hunt for Hill.
ALEXANDER: Those chance encounters even inspiring their own SNL sketch.
ANNOUNCER: The search for most elusive legend of all, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
ALEXANDER: But now the former Democratic nominee is plotting her next chapter, a new book of personal essays inspired by her favorite quotes, all touching on her stunning defeat. Clinton writing, “These quotes have helped me celebrate the good times, laugh at the absurd times, persevere during the hard times, and deepen my appreciation of all life has to offer.”
Her re-emergence will also include a series of speeches on women's rights and gay rights beginning this spring. And another that’ll bring her full circle. Nearly 50 years after the 1969 Wellesley commencement speech that catapulted her to national fame –
HILLARY RODHAM [1969]: Fear is always with us but we just don't have time for it. Not now.
ALEXANDER: Clinton is slated to address her alma mater as its commence speaker once again this May. But what will this more measured return to the spotlight mean to her supporters?
ANNE GEARAN [WASHINGTON POST]: It will not satisfy a lot of Democrats. A lot of Democrats want to see her yelling and screaming, saying, you know, “The election was stolen from us.” I do not expect her to do that.
ALEXANDER: Clinton hasn’t been silent, posting a series of critical tweets about her former rival, now President Trump. Writing, “This is not who we are,” after that temporary U.S. travel ban on seven largely Muslim countries. Still, Clinton hasn't been nearly as fierce as her attacks during the campaign.
GEARAN: She wants to be a voice in criticism of the Trump administration, but we don't know exactly where and how yet.
ALEXANDER: In fact, Chelsea Clinton has been much more vocal on Twitter, posting photos of a March that she joined to protest President Trump's travel ban, also criticizing the White House's statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day that failed to mention Jews or the Jewish community. In the wake of her mom's loss, increasingly it’s Chelsea who’s taking on the family surrogate role. Matt and Hoda?
LAUER: Alright, Peter, thank you very much.
