Networks Spin Violent 'Occupy' Protesters as 'Pushing Back,' Minimize
October 26th, 2011 12:08 PM
According to the network morning shows, violent Occupy Wall Street protesters are fighting back against government officials who are trying to rein them in. Early Show's Erica Hill highlighted "this growing crackdown on the anti-Wall Street protests around the country." She added, "In Oakland, California, the protesters are pushing back."
The "pushing back" came in the form of throwing rocks…
Network Morning Shows Tout 'Comedian in Chief' Obama Mocking GOP on Le
October 26th, 2011 10:41 AM
All three network morning shows on Wednesday cheered President Obama's Tuesday appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. At the top of ABC's Good Morning America, co-host Robin Roberts declared: "Comedian in chief. The President hits late-night TV talking about all the people taking swings at him right now. And why what he's really worried about is what the First Lady's giving out for…
Big Three Nets All But Ignore Occupy Oakland Violence and Arrests
October 25th, 2011 7:21 PM
The morning shows of ABC, CBS, and NBC on Tuesday devoted just 19 seconds to the arrests of 75 people in northern California, after police evicted Occupy Oakland from their encampment in front of city hall there. The Early Show devoted a news brief to the story during its last half hour, noting the violent reaction from some of the protesters. Good Morning America and the Today show both…
NBC's Lauer to O'Reilly: Did Obama 'Erase' Idea of GOP Being Tougher o
October 25th, 2011 10:30 AM
Updated : Video added
During an interview with Fox News's Bill O'Reilly on Tuesday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer cited recent foreign policy successes for President Obama and wondered: "Republicans have run on a perception that they are tougher on national security, that they're the ones who can keep Americans safe....has Barack Obama done a lot to erase that perception?" [Audio available…
NBC's David Gregory: GOP's 'Lack of Understanding' of Foreign Policy i
October 24th, 2011 5:02 PM
Appearing on Sunday's NBC Today, Meet the Press host David Gregory cheered "a big week for the President's foreign policy" as a "leadership moment" while smearing Republican presidential candidates: "...there has been the betrayal of a lack of understanding in foreign policy in some sections of these debates that is stunning to a lot of people..." [Audio available here]
Gregory fretted: "…
NBC Admits Obama Mortgage Plan Won't Work, But Cheers it As Good Polit
October 24th, 2011 11:45 AM
At the top of Monday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer touted a new plan to address the housing crisis: "After a series of foreign policy victories, President Obama is hitting the road to sell his plan to help turn around the struggling economy and today the focus is on the housing market." Lauer later wondered to chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd if the plan would, "help politically…
NBC: Occupy Wall Street a 'Civics Lesson' for Kids; GOP Debate an 'Ant
October 21st, 2011 5:48 PM
During a panel discussion on Friday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer asked of the Occupy Wall Street protests: "What's the civics lesson in this for our kids as they're watching this on TV?" News anchor Natalie Morales argued: "...there's a huge civics lesson....the idea of having that civil discourse is important to teach our kids and it's something in history we've seen."
In contrast,…
NBC Portrays Herman Cain's Presidential Run as Money-Making Scheme
October 21st, 2011 3:05 PM
On Friday's NBC Today, co-host Matt Lauer noted Herman Cain leading the Republican presidential field but wondered: "is he really aiming for the Oval Office or something else?" In the report that followed, correspondent Michael Isikoff proclaimed: "Herman Cain is facing new questions about whether he is profiting from his own campaign."
Isikoff reported: "Cain's campaign committee has used $…
NBC's Guthrie to McCain: Do You Retract Foreign Policy Criticism of Ob
October 21st, 2011 10:47 AM
Updated : More analysis and full transcript added. Guthrie takes swipe at GOP 2012 field.
On Friday's NBC Today, fill-in co-host Savannah Guthrie grilled Arizona Senator John McCain on his criticism of Barack Obama's foreign policy positions in the 2008 campaign and urged: "Bin Laden is gone. Anwar al Awlaki, who was the rising star in al Qaeda, is gone. Qadhafi is gone. Drone strikes have…
Coptic Christians Protest Obama, Egyptian Govt. Outside White House, M
October 20th, 2011 6:10 PM
Hundreds of Coptic Christians traveled to Washington D.C. yesterday "from as far as New York and Chicago" to call on President Obama to push Egypt's government to protect their brothers and sisters from persecution.
Kudos are in order for the Washington Post for devoting a 14-paragraph story on page B3 of the October 20 paper. Editors also published a large photo from the demonstration,…
NBC's 'Today': Obama 'Sparked a Giggle-Fest' Over Justin Bieber During
October 19th, 2011 5:19 PM
On Wednesday's NBC Today, fill-in news anchor Savannah Guthrie shared this important presidential news with viewers: "And it's the last day of the President's bus tour through North Carolina and Virginia but it hasn't been all business for the commander in chief. At a Virginia high school he sparked a giggle-fest and even managed to break some hearts." [Audio available here]
A clip followed…
NBC's Matt Lauer: Do Republicans Ignore Occupy Wall Street 'At Their O
October 19th, 2011 11:10 AM
Updated : More analysis and full transcript added. Lauer goes after Herman Cain's 9-9-9 plan.
In an interview with Donald Trump on Wednesday's NBC Today show, co-host Matt Lauer cautioned Republicans against rejecting the far-left Occupy Wall Street movement: "There are people in the streets here in New York. In other cities around the country and around the world. Does the Republican Party,…
Big Three Networks Devote a Mere 40 Seconds to ObamaCare Fail
October 18th, 2011 3:36 PM
Add the CLASS Act to the ever growing list of damaging stories (Solyndra, Fast and Furious) to the bungling Obama administration that the media are, for the most part, whistling by. The news last Friday that a key part of Obamacare, the Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act (CLASS), meant to provide long-term care for the elderly – was deemed not sustainable by the Obama…
Ann Curry Fawns Over Democratic Senator 'Trying to Inspire A Lot of Pe
October 18th, 2011 10:49 AM
In a softball interview with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Monday's Today, co-host Ann Curry praised the New York Democrat for "galvanizing women to become economially empowered" and "trying to inspire a lot of people."
In a segment free from any challenging questions, Curry helped promote a women's economic summit that Gillibrand organized in New York City: "Why do you believe that women…