On Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, only CBS News covered North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp becoming embroiled in a major scandal due to her re-election campaign publicly outing sexual assault survivors without their consent in a series of newspaper ads across the state. Meanwhile, NBC and ABC refused to acknowledge the negative headline for the vulnerable Democrat ahead of the midterm elections.
“North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp is apologizing for a campaign ad that publicly identified sexual assault survivors without their permission and wrongly named others,” CBS This Morning co-host John Dickerson informed viewers on Wednesday. The anchor noted the reason for the botched ad campaign: “The Democrat, facing a tough re-election fight, ran the newspaper ad while trying to explain to voters why she opposed Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.”
In the report that followed, correspondent Ed O’Keefe explained: “At least 22 of the women say they didn’t give their consent to be involved in this and they’re threatening legal action, saying that Heitkamp’s campaign may have actually violated state privacy laws.” He cited them blasting the lawmaker: “In a statement, the women said, ‘Heitkamp’s political agenda has interfered with, or downright ruined, our lives.’ In some cases, the women said they had to reassure family they’ve never been assaulted or raped.”
O’Keefe wrapped up the report by noting Heitkamp’s endangered political status in the upcoming election: “Now, Heitkamp is one of those ten Democratic senators running for re-election this year in a red state, and right now, she’s seen as most at risk because polling suggests she’s trailing Cramer.”
In fact, the latest Fox News poll shows Heitkamp losing to Republican Congressman Kevin Cramer by 12 points.
When it came to coverage of the midterms, NBC’s Today show avoided the Heitkamp controversy. Instead, the morning show devoted five and a half minutes to scaring voters with claims that white nationalists were slowly taking over the Republican Party.
On ABC’s Good Morning America, the midterms were only mentioned for seconds, as co-host George Stephanopoulos and correspondent Jon Karl fretted over how President Trump’s “war of words” with Stormy Daniels would impact the campaign.
On Tuesday night, CBS Evening News similarly stood out as the only network newscast to mention problems for Heitkamp, with O’Keefe reporting: “Heidi Heitkamp is apologizing for an ad that ran in North Dakota newspapers over the weekend....It lists victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape. But turns out, some of those listed didn’t give their consent.”
Given the constant liberal media narrative of a coming “blue wave” in November, it’s no wonder why NBC and ABC were unwilling to report on something that undermines such Democratic wishful thinking. That avoidance makes the Heitkamp stumble just the latest Democratic scandal being buried by the broadcast networks.
Credit to CBS for actually following the campaign news wherever it leads.
Here is a full transcript of O’Keefe’s October 17 report on CBS This Morning:
8:07 AM ET
JOHN DICKERSON: North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp is apologizing for a campaign ad that publicly identified sexual assault survivors without their permission and wrongly named others. The Democrat, facing a tough re-election fight, ran the newspaper ad while trying to explain to voters why she opposed Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Ed O’Keefe is on Capitol Hill. Ed, good morning.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Heitkamp Apologizes; Assault Survivors Identified Without Permission in Ad]
ED O’KEEFE: Good morning, John. At least 22 of the women say they didn’t give their consent to be involved in this and they’re threatening legal action, saying that Heitkamp’s campaign may have actually violated state privacy laws. The ad ran in some North Dakota newspapers over the weekend. It was addressed as an open letter to Heitkamp’s Republican opponent Kevin Cramer. It read, “We’re here to let you know that we have all suffered from domestic violence, sexual assault, or rape – and that yes, we expect somebody to believe us when we say it.”
In a statement, the women said, “Heitkamp’s political agenda has interfered with, or downright ruined, our lives.” In some cases, the women said they had to reassure family they’ve never been assaulted or raped. For her part, Heitkamp is deeply apologetic. CBS News obtained one of the voicemails she left for a wrongly identified woman. Take a listen.
HEIDI HEITKAMP: Hi, this is Heidi Heitkamp. I don’t know if you want to talk to me or not, but I wanted to extend a personal apology and just want to spend just a few minutes just talking to you. I'm so mortified and horrified, and I can completely appreciate if you don’t want to hear from me.
O’KEEFE: Now, Heitkamp is one of those ten Democratic senators running for re-election this year in a red state, and right now, she’s seen as most at risk because polling suggests she’s trailing Cramer. John?
DICKERSON: Ed O’Keefe. Thank you, Ed.
