NBC Gives Seconds to 'Growing Pressure' on Hillary to Answer 'Tough Questions'

May 18th, 2015 5:15 PM

While CBS This Morning and ABC's Good Morning America on Monday completely ignored Hillary Clinton's continued refusal to take press questions, NBC's Today gave the controversy a scant 45 seconds of air time.

Substitute news anchor Tamron Hall noted: "Hillary Clinton will be back in Iowa later today as she faces fresh scrutiny over her finances. There's growing pressure on the candidate to answer some of the tough questions that have been raised in recent weeks."

Hall added: "On Friday, Clinton disclosed that she and her husband Bill netted $30 million over the past 16 months, mostly from paid speeches. Some believe the revelations complicate her message that she's the champion of the middle class."

Today spent over twice as much time, 1 minute 49 seconds, touting 2016 Republican candidates "getting grilled" over the "GOP's Iraq Issue."

CBS This Morning devoted a 3-minute segment to Republicans responding to Iraq war questions and the co-hosts pressed the issue in an interview with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.

Here is a full transcript of the May 18 news brief on Today:

7:12 AM ET

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: And we've got Tamron here. With Natalie sitting here, we've got Tamron in Natalie's spot talking about politics as well.

TAMRON HALL: Yeah, a lot to talk about. Good morning everyone. Hillary Clinton will be back in Iowa later today as she faces fresh scrutiny over her finances.

[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Hillary Clinton Back in Iowa; Pressure Builds to Answer Tough Questions]

There's growing pressure on the candidate to answer some of the tough questions that have been raised in recent weeks.

Her visit comes on the heels of a big Republican gathering in Iowa over the weekend aimed at firing up the base and lashing out at the Democratic frontrunner.

JEB BUSH: Only 541 days left for the end of the age of Obama and Hillary Clinton.

HALL: On Friday, Clinton disclosed that she and her husband Bill netted $30 million over the past 16 months, mostly from paid speeches. Some believe the revelations complicate her message that she's the champion of the middle class.