Networks such as CBS and MSNBC have hyped the rise of female Democratic candidates across the country for the 2018 midterms. Will they follow-up and report on the extreme statements by one sure-to-be elected Congresswoman? Rashida Tlaib, who would be the first Muslim woman in the Congress, announced to the BBC she wants to slash aid to Israel.
Tlaib said of cutting funding to America’s ally: “Absolutely, if it has something to do with inequality and not access to people having justice.” She added: “I will be using my position in Congress so that no country, not one, should be able to get aid from the U.S. when they still promote that kind of injustice.”
The Times of Israel on Wednesday explained:
In a subsequent interview Tuesday with In These Times magazine, Tlaib endorsed a one-state solution and supported the free speech rights of BDS activists, who push for Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel.
Tlaib, now that she has the Democratic nomination, is running with no Republican opponent. So, she will be a member of Congress. Her opinions matter.
CBS This Morning on Wednesday hyped the rise of the female Democratic candidates, saying: “Results from last night’s primary show women breaking more barriers on the way to the November midterms.” On Thursday, CBS did not follow up by reporting on Tlaib’s controversial comments.
On August 9, MSNBC’s Morning Joe host gushed over the Democrat. Co-host Mika Brzezinski tossed this softball: “She is poised to become the first Muslim woman ever elected to Congress.... I’m loving the growing numbers of women stepping up and running. Why are you running?”
MSNBC panelist Zainab Salbi worried about how frightened white people would react to this Muslim candidate:
ZAINAB SALBI (author): Rashida Tlaib, first congratulations for winning. My question for you is you're a woman of color, you're of Muslim origin — you are a Muslim. You’re of immigrant origin. Your parents are immigrants. You just won. How are your going to speak to some of the white Americans who are scared, who are scared of they are going to be a minority, scared of people of color, of immigrants. How do you reach out to them and make sure they are on board with you and see you as an ally?
Will journalists, such as the hosts of MSNBC follow-up, given Tlaib’s new comments on Israel? The early evidence isn’t encouraging. The New York Times profiled Tlaib and ignored her comments on slashing aid. In June, CBS profiled hard-left socialist Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and ignored her radical opinions, such as abolishing ICE.
A partial transcript from the August 9 Morning Joe is below. Click “expand” to read more.
Morning Joe
8/9/18
7:43
MIKI BRZEZINSKI: Joining us now, the winner of Tuesday’s Democratic primary race in Michigan’s 13th congressional district, Rashida Tlaib. She is poised to become the first Muslim woman ever elected to Congress and thank you for being on this morning.
RASHIDA TLAIB: Thank you for having me.
BRZEZINSKI: So, let’s start with the easy question. But I have to ask it because I’m loving the growing numbers of women stepping up and running. Why are you running?
...
ZAINAB SALBI (author): Rashida Tlaib, first congratulations for winning. My question for you is you're a woman of color, you're of Muslim origin — you are a Muslim. You’re of immigrant origin. Your parents are immigrants. You just won. How are your going to speak to some of the white Americans who are scared, who are scared of they are going to be a minority, scared of people of color, of immigrants. How do you reach out to them and make sure they are on board with you and see you as an ally.
