CBS Uses Dem Talking Points to Assert GOP Power Grab in Michigan

December 12th, 2018 11:57 PM

They were a little late to the game, but during Wednesday’s CBS Evening News, the network used Democratic Party talking points to stoke fears of a Republican Party power grab in the state of Michigan. And as with their network competitors (ABC and NBC), they too offered little explanation of exactly how the GOP was threatening Democratic power.

With the on-screen headline reading “GOP power grab?” over his shoulder, anchor Jeff Glor told viewers: “There were loud protests in Michigan today over what many say is a last-minute power grab by Republicans before Democrats take over the state's highest offices. Republicans in Wisconsin are accused of making similar moves.

As the video portion of the report began, correspondent Dean Reynolds highlighted the protestors who swamped the Michigan state house in Lansing to oppose “moves by Republican statehouse majorities to limit the authority of just-elected Democrats.”

“Similar power plays in Wisconsin have faced the same reaction,” he claimed. “Both states have Republican governors for a few more weeks, and they're being urged to sign a series of bills before incoming Democrats can veto them, all designed to give legislators greater say in things like campaign finance oversight, the timing of early voting, and redistricting.”

 

 

As with the reports by ABC and NBC, Mr. Reynolds spoke generally about what the bills, did but did not specify how it was “limit[ing] the authority of just-elected Democrats”. He seemed to rely solely on the assertions by state Democrats.

“They would not be doing this had the Republicans won the race for governor. I think they don't want me to be successful. They don't want to lose the chance to direct the agenda,” Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer (D) told him.

In a snide question directed at outgoing Governor Rick Snyder, Reynolds asked: “Do you think it's the right way to operate for a lame-duck session to try to put limits on incoming, dually elected officeholders?” “People should not expect that I'm just going to sign things or I’m just going to veto things,” Mr. Snyder responded.

Near the end of the video portion of the report, Reynolds also used Democratic Party claims to suggest the same thing was happening in the state of Wisconsin:

Wisconsin's defeated Republican governor, Scott Walker, said the controversy was all “hype and hysteria”. But a leading GOP legislator said he simply didn't want incoming Democratic Governor Tony Evers to enact policies “in direct contrast to what many of us believe in”.

Touting the way Michigan Democrats were exploiting the situation, Reynolds wrapped up his report point out how “Governor-elect Whitmer says this show of partisanship by Republicans will help to energize the Democratic base in elections to come. ‘The voters’, she said, ‘understand the meeting of sour grapes’.

The transcript is below, click "expand" to read:

CBS Evening News
December 12, 2018
6:39:02 p.m. Eastern [2 minutes 7 seconds]

JEFF GLOR: There were loud protests in Michigan today over what many say is a last-minute power grab by Republicans before Democrats take over the state's highest offices. Republicans in Wisconsin are accused of making similar moves. Dean Reynolds is following this story.

[Cuts to video]

DEAN REYNOLDS: Demonstrators crowded the Michigan capitol this afternoon.

PROTESTER: I think that they are trying to take away our vote.

REYNOLDS: Opposing moves by Republican state house majorities to limit the authority of just-elected Democrats. Similar power plays in Wisconsin have faced the same reaction. Both states have Republican governors for a few more weeks, and they're being urged to sign a series of bills before incoming Democrats can veto them, all designed to give legislators greater say in things like campaign finance oversight, the timing of early voting, and redistricting. Michigan's retiring-governor, Rick Snyder is noncommittal.

Do you think it's the right way to operate for a lame-duck session to try to put limits on incoming, dually elected officeholders?

GOVERNOR RICK SNYDER: People should not expect that I'm just going to sign things or I’m just going to veto things.

REYNOLDS: Gretchen Whitmer replaces Snyder on New Year's Day.

GOVERNOR-ELECT GRETCHEN WHITMER: They would not be doing this had the Republicans won the race for governor. I think they don't want me to be successful. They don't want to lose the chance to direct the agenda.

REYNOLDS: Wisconsin's defeated Republican governor, Scott Walker, said the controversy was all “hype and hysteria”. But a leading GOP legislator said he simply didn't want incoming Democratic Governor Tony Evers to enact policies “in direct contrast to what many of us believe in”.

[Cuts back to live]

Here in Michigan, Governor-elect Whitmer says this show of partisanship by Republicans will help to energize the Democratic base in elections to come. “The voters”, she said, “understand the meeting of sour grapes”. Jeff.

GLOR: All right, Dean Reynolds in Lansing tonight. Dean, thank you.