NewsBusters Podcast: The Biden-Blinken Brigade on the Sunday Shows

October 9th, 2023 10:36 PM

After Hamas unleashed horrific atrocities in Israel from the Gaza strip, network Sunday show hosts asked "what say you" questions to Secretary of State Blinken while Republicans were disdained for their dissents at this terrible time.

New Meet the Press host Kristen Welker set herself apart lecturing Nikki Haley:  You just saw the Secretary of State effectively say there is no link between that deal and the horrific attacks that unfolded yesterday. Do you think it was irresponsible of your rivals to level that allegation without any evidence or proof?"

After Haley laid out it was obvious Team Biden approved billions for Iran and Iran helps Hamas, Welker kept toe-tapping the Biden-Blinken line: "Ambassador there’s just no proof of that yet. This was just the hours after that immediate attack. Is it irresponsible to level that charge when you really don't have any evidence of that at this point in time?"

She's not asking. She's underlining. 

Welker was much nicer to Blinken, asking about the Republican argument: "Your officials have already said Iran has not yet seen a cent of that money, but how do you respond to Republican critics who say that that deal funded the attack on Israel?"

Over on CNN, State of the Union host Dana Bash apologetically asked Blinken: I just have to ask you to—if you want to respond—to what we're hearing from Republicans who are over and over since this happened using the word appeasement when it comes to Iran and your administration... the accusation is that Iran's posture -- excuse me, that the U.S., your administration's posture towards Iran has helped contribute to this. I want to get you -- give you a chance to respond."

The "what say you" question is one acceptable option, but it's soft. The difference between pushing around Haley and teeing up Blinken demonstrates only one side knows it has a stenographer. The other side has to act like they’re going to be blitzed and sacked behind the line of scrimmage.

Enjoy the podcast below, or wherever you listen to podcasts.