Wednesday was the third day of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s marathon confirmation hearing for Judge Neil Gorsuch. The Big Three networks’ (ABC, CBS, and NBC) evening news programs buried the story of Tuesday’s hearing after Senate Democrats failed to trip him up. But for Wednesday’s hearing, they ran up the white flag, with CBS and NBC running very short news briefs while ABC failed to mention Gorsuch nor the hearing at all.
“On Capitol Hill, Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch wrapped up three days of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee,” anchor Scott Pelly reported on CBS Evening News, “The panel will hear tomorrow from other witnesses for and against him.” “A committee is expected to vote early next month,” he concluded. Pelley’s entire brief lasted roughly 15 seconds.
The brief during NBC Nightly News by anchor Lester Holt was roughly 23 seconds long but seemed a little bit more congenial to the Supreme Court nominee. “He promised to be independent of the President who nominated him and amid praise from Republicans, Gorsuch deflected attempts by frustrated Democrats to get him to wade into certain legal and political issues,” Holt noted.
He also admitted that “And with no stumbles in the hearings, Gorsuch appears headed for confirmation in early April.” NBC’s news brief could arguably be a step up from Tuesday’s report where they edited pictures of Gorsuch to literally portray him in a negative light. They took away the color, leaving the pictures dreary shades of gray while they talked about his possible rulings on abortion and President Trump’s travel ban.
ABC's World News Tonight didn’t mention Gorsuch nor his successful performance in the hearings while under pathetic fire from Democrats. Instead, they ran a one minute 22 seconds long report on the death of Chuck Barris even highlighting his claims of being a CIA assassin. In contrast, CBS and NBC both gave the sad news a simple but touching news brief.
Transcripts below:
CBS Evening News
March 22, 2017
6:44:09 PM EasternSCOTT PELLEY: On Capitol Hill, Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch wrapped up three days of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The panel will hear tomorrow from other witnesses for and against him. A committee is expected to vote early next month.
...
NBC Nightly News
March 22, 2017
7:12:31 PM EasternLESTER HOLT: Also in Washington, day three before the Senate Judiciary Committee for Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. He promised to be independent of the President who nominated him and amid praise from Republicans, Gorsuch deflected attempts by frustrated Democrats to get him to wade into certain legal and political issues. And with no stumbles in the hearings, Gorsuch appears headed for confirmation in early April.
