Trumpeting the “major endorsement” from John Edwards for Barack Obama, the day after Obama was trounced by 40 points in West Virginia all three broadcast network evening newscasts led Wednesday night with the “dramatic” announcement of the “political prize” that gives Obama a “major boost.” Katie Couric returned at the end of the 6:30 PM EST CBS Evening News feed to reiterate “our top story tonight” as she effused over live video of Edwards speaking at the rally: “John Edwards endorses Barack Obama, saying he's one man who knows in his heart that it's time to create one America, not two.”
ABC was so excited that its 6:30 PM feed of World News went live at about 6:40 PM to Grand Rapids, Michigan for 90 seconds of Obama introducing Edwards, compete with a Bruce Spingsteen song as Edwards bounded on stage. Gibson then acknowledged:
Timed for maximum exposure, timed to coincide with the evening newscasts, timed to give Barack Obama a needed boost after his bad defeat yesterday in West Virginia. George Stephanopoulos, this is the kind of publicity that you can't buy.
Indeed, no need to pay for it when ABC News is eager to give it to you for free.
Gibson had teased his show: “Tonight, political prize. Barack Obama win a major endorsement from John Edwards.” Couric had hailed “a major endorsement for Barack Obama” before asserting “Obama took back the spotlight this evening dramatically when he won an endorsement both candidates wanted badly.” On NBC, Brian Williams touted: “Tonight, the campaign of Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination has received a major boost.”
The network newscast producers, anchors and reporters were tame Wednesday night compared to their giddiness the day Ted Kennedy endorsed Obama. For a refresher on that night, check my January 28 NewsBusters posting, “'Mystique' Means 'Audacity of Hope' Has 'Rendezvous with Destiny,'” which recounted:
The broadcast network anchors and reporters were almost as giddy as Barack Obama over liberal Democrat Ted Kennedy's endorsement of the presidential candidate. ABC, CBS and NBC all led Monday night with it and ABC's David Wright adopted campaign slogans as he enthused about how "today the audacity of hope had its rendezvous with destiny. The Kennedy clan anointed Barack Obama a son of Camelot." CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric teased, "Passing the torch: Barack Obama is tapped as the candidate to continue the Kennedy legacy." NBC's Lee Cowan, who earlier this month conceded "it's almost hard to remain objective" when covering Obama, showed he also has a soft spot for the Kennedys as he radiated over how "the endorsement brought the Kennedy mystique to this campaign, not in a whisper, but a roar." Viewers then got a soundbite of Kennedy yelling during the event at American University.
(Later, on Nightline, with "New Son of Camelot" on screen over video of Obama and Ted Kennedy, anchor Terry Moran trumpeted the "new son of Camelot. Ted and Caroline Kennedy pass the torch to Barack Obama to carry the legacy of JFK." Moran soon hailed how "the political world was transfixed by the spectacle of the most powerful Democratic family of the 20th century christening a new torch bearer for the 21st." David Wright repeated his "the audacity of hope had its rendezvous with destiny" line before championing the "merging ideals from two different eras" as "Obama is now an adopted son of Camelot.")
Seemingly relaying the perspective of the press corps more than the public at large, NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams led by contending: "It's been 45 years since a Kennedy has been in the White House, and yet because of the American fascination with the family name, and the family business of politics, the Kennedy name still has the power to grab the attention of millions of Americans."
Highlights from the Wednesday, May 14 ABC, CBS and NBC newscast coverage of the endorsement of Barack Obama by John Edwards:
ABC's World News:
CHARLES GIBSON, TEASE: Tonight, political prize. Barack Obama win a major endorsement from John Edwards. Will it help Obama in his quest for support from white, working-class voters?
GIBSON LED: Good evening. We have a live picture to show you right now, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. A Barack Obama campaign rally, where John Edwards is about to take stage and endorse Barack Obama. Edwards flew to Grand Rapids, arriving moments ago. His is a major endorsement sought by both Obama and Hillary Clinton. We will go to the rally momentarily when the speaking begins.
AFTER COVERAGE OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA, A PIECE FROM DAVID WRIGHT ON THE ENDORSEMENTAND LIVER COVERAGE OF THE RALLY, GIBSON OBSERVED: Timed for maximum exposure, timed to coincide with the evening newscasts, timed to give Barack Obama a needed boost after his bad defeat yesterday in West Virginia. George Stephanopoulos, this is the kind of publicity that you can't buy.
CBS Evening News:
KATIE COURIC, TEASE: Tonight , a major endorsement for Barack Obama from former rival John Edwards.
COURIC LED: And good evening, everyone. Well, Hillary Clinton didn't get to enjoy her landslide win in West Virginia very long at all. Barack Obama took back the spotlight this evening dramatically when he won an endorsement both candidates wanted badly -- John Edwards.
COURIC, AT VERY END OF NEWSCAST: And once again, our top story tonight: John Edwards endorses Barack Obama, saying he's one man who knows in his heart that it's time to create one America, not two.
NBC Nightly News:
BRIAN WILLIAMS, TEASE: On the broadcast here tonight, a big endorsement this evening for Barack Obama
WILLIAMS LED: Tonight, the campaign of Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination has received a major boost. John Edwards, former North Carolina Senator, former presidential and vice presidential candidate, is endorsing Barack Obama for President. He informed Senator Clinton of his decision today by phone. Edwards got 7 percent of the vote last night in West Virginia. Interesting because he's not in the running anymore. But it does show support for him still out there, support that Obama now wants to convert in his attempt to put this race away.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Edwards auditioning as
May 14, 2008 - 21:25 ET by Chris NormanOh, John, always the brides maid and never the bride. I think, perhaps, Edwards sees himself as "running mate - in - waiting". Did they break out in "Ebony and Ivory" at the end of all this?
John the Lib Lawyer Loser endorses ... BO ...
May 14, 2008 - 22:42 ET by BodiniObama the Lib Lawyer Loser! Sounds like poetic justice to me!
'Create One America'...
May 14, 2008 - 21:34 ET by MightyMouthMy little brown patootie! They want to create one socialist America! All this "unity" talk is crap! We are already united, we're Americans! After that we are individuals with our own opinions! These dimwits should be selling ice cubes to Eskimos (the really stupid Eskimos!)
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
All due respect...
May 14, 2008 - 21:34 ET by the curatorBut, this is a huge news story. Going live was warranted.
Had this dogfight of a primary been republicans... I believe it would have been covered the exact same way.
"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building."
-George W. Bush, October 11, 2000
Who gives a flying crap
May 14, 2008 - 21:34 ET by ApacheWho gives a flying crap about John Edwards. Good news Obama, you made the people who would vote for you anyway just a wee bit happier and showed the rest of us how much the media is willing to be your Lewinski.
Actually,
May 14, 2008 - 21:39 ET by the curatorOne of the areas where Obama has been beaten badly by Clinton was white middle american men. Someone by whom Edwards was being received well.
If people who were supporting Edwards wind up supporting Obama (again, people he's had a hard time convincing) it could be good for his campaign.
Probably a reason he announcement came a day after losing badly in W. Va. (mostly middle American white people).
"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building."
-George W. Bush, October 11, 2000
I agree.
May 14, 2008 - 21:42 ET by FoolicanWith greatest respect, you are indeed correct. Looking at it from the perspective of the Democrats, Barack Obama's biggest obstacle thus far is - as you said - to convince the white middle class, and John Edwards, being the third most popular Democrat candidate at the time, is probably the best gateway for this. Now if Obama gets nominated, this election will truly boil down to 1:1 odds unless something disastrous happens for either side.
I agree
May 14, 2008 - 21:51 ET by the curatorObama v. McCain will be a fantastic race. My personal politics aside... I'm almost excited like a sports fan to see how it's going to play out.
To be very honest... I don't know which of them I'd vote for. I like Obama's politics more (hey, I AM a moderate liberal). But, I believe more of what comes out of McCain's mouth.
And, personally, I don't have to agree with every single thing my president does. But, if I at least BELIEVE the majority of what he says... I'd be very happy.
"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building."
-George W. Bush, October 11, 2000
I don't know how well he
May 14, 2008 - 21:48 ET by ApacheI don't know how well he did in the popular vote when he was in the race. I guess my belief that he is a total hack keeps me from giving him any credit in his ability to bring any real votes to the table.
Actually curator..McCain was beat worse by the viet cong
May 14, 2008 - 23:18 ET by JayTeeWhite males will flock to McCain Ah la W.V. ...BIG TIME IN NOV.
Even the MSM can't put humpty dumpty together again.
So, exactly what kind of sensation ran up Chrissy's, ah, leg...
May 14, 2008 - 21:44 ET by R D Helm...when he heard about this shameless sucking up...er, I mean, endorsement of Barry-O by the Silky Pony?
R D
May 15, 2008 - 07:36 ET by UphillThat was exactly my first thought.
What exactly are the "2 Americas"????
May 14, 2008 - 21:48 ET by krendlerProbably a dumb question but what exactly are the "2 Americas" that Edwards (and I guess Obama) keeps referring to???
I assume one of the Americas are the "down-trodden victims" (???)
What's the other America? The "bad guys", I guess?
What's the breakdown between the two, percentage-wise?
How does one know which America he/she belongs to? I certainly don't feel like a victim of any sort - and I'm not rich or anything, so perhaps I'm one of the "bad guys"??????
And what happens when the two Americas are unified? How are they unified?
Well, first they're unified
May 14, 2008 - 21:50 ET by FoolicanWell, first they're unified when everybody holds hands, has the same amount of money, the same house, the same possessions, they worship the same religion, they speak the same language, and above all, they appreciate diversity. What happens then?
In Soviet Russia, new America gets you!
Poor
May 14, 2008 - 21:52 ET by the curatorEdwards was talking about the poor versus the rich. He believes the economic gap will continue to widen in America... eventually eliminating the middle class... leaving just the rich and the poor.
"I don't think our troops ought to be used for what's called nation-building."
-George W. Bush, October 11, 2000
OK. Thank you for
May 14, 2008 - 22:10 ET by krendlerOK. Thank you for explaining. I suspected it was something like that (rich vs. poor). I guess most of us are........what???? Neither?
Odd that he talks about The Two Americas (Rich and Poor) in the present tense if it's actually some quiescent state he believes is going to occur X decades from now.
BTW, is it perceived that Bill Clinton and Al Gore worked to bring the two Americas back together, or was it still considered to be one America back then so there was no need to re-unite us.
On a somewhat related note, I always found the red state / blue state monikers to be nonsensical and intellectually lazy (another symptom of our divided nation, according to Obama - Look! We have red and blue states!!! We're a divided nation. I'll heal us!!!!). State A is Red because it voted 50.5% in favor of Bush. State B is Blue because it barely went for Kerry. I don't remember the media or politicians engaging in such stupidity 10 or 15 years ago.
"Edwards was talking about
May 15, 2008 - 00:19 ET by ckc1227"Edwards was talking about the poor versus the rich. He believes the
economic gap will continue to widen in America... eventually
eliminating the middle class... leaving just the rich and the poor."
He also believes the dead talks to him during closing arguments.
krendler, the left is working toward destroying the middle class
May 14, 2008 - 22:07 ET by R D HelmAs it is the middle-classes that are the largest obstacle standing between the left and its ultimate goal of turning us all into members of the proletariat.
The left yearns for a two-tiered society, with the all-knowing liberal elitists (themselves) occupying the top tier, and the rest of us hapless "unwashed" types relegated to dependence on them for our very survival. After all, the liberal mantra is that government knows best.
Do not be fooled by John Edward's feigned disdain for the demise of the middle class. He and his Marxist comrades have been working toward this for over five decades now.
2 Americas
May 14, 2008 - 23:29 ET by Gat New Yorkwhat exactly are the "2 Americas" that Edwards (and I guess Obama) keeps referring to???
The 2 Americas that Edwards keeps referring to are his luxurious palace where he and Elizabeth use an enormous amount of energy and his neighbor across the street who has a much more modest abode and uses a sliver of the energy Edwards does.
I'd be interested in an
May 14, 2008 - 21:55 ET by zhombreI'd be interested in an Obama-Edwards ticket just to see if John Edwards could make history by being the losing VP candidate two presidential elections in a row, which sounds like a Trivial Pursuit question of the year 2075.
Calvary
May 14, 2008 - 21:57 ET by krendlerBTW, it's funny how guys like Richardson and Edwards come rushing to the aid of Obama right after he's taken a some hit (the Wright controvery with Richardson. The WV blow-out was a call to arms for Edwards).
Can't let Hillary gain any momentum.
Doubtful, but I really hope Edwards is #2 on the ticket.
Johnny
May 14, 2008 - 22:00 ET by okiehawk44Couric: "John Edwards endorses Barack Obama, saying he's one man who knows in his heart that it's time to create one America, not two."
Definition: Every American should have a 28,000 sq. ft. home.
Edwards said in his endorsement speech that his goal is to cut poverty by 50% in America -- Johnny-Boy, I dare you to define, in writing, poverty in America as you say it exists now (2008) and then use that benchmark to measure the results of your efforts.
If you can't measure it, you can't improve it!
There is one way to cut
May 14, 2008 - 22:07 ET by zhombreThere is one way to cut poverty in America. Build a wall on the US Mexican border and stop importing poverty from Mexico.
AMEN zhombre!
May 14, 2008 - 22:39 ET by BodiniEnough said!
Not enough said
May 15, 2008 - 01:04 ET by elvato62This is awesome. A Girrly Man endorsing O-Bama. I love it!
two Losers / 2 Lawyers
May 14, 2008 - 22:44 ET by JayTeeAnd Katie and friends trying to deflect B-HO's losing streak.
Funny thing is....will more than 30 pct of Eduardo's voters vote for Orama ?
Inquiring racist (Rev. wright) wanna know....
to quote Dennis Miller...
May 14, 2008 - 22:53 ET by aerovelo"John Edwards is a vehicle for a haircut to get around town on."
Is that worth going live for? It is when youre in the tank for the O.
---
Ask yourself: Do I want a good paying job, or do I want a government hand out. Its that simple!
Deleted
May 15, 2008 - 07:27 ET by OldSailor88Double post
aerovelo
May 15, 2008 - 07:26 ET by OldSailor88I loved that line from Dennis Miller last night. My second favorite was from Brit Hume. The Election HQ on FOX was breathlessly reporting about the breaking news of Silky Pony endorsing B. Hussein Obama. They announced Brit Hume for an opinion with, " So tell us Brit, what do you think of this endorsement by John Edwards?"
Hume: "Big deal."
Priceless.
Noli habere bovis, vir!
If McCain lost by 4 pts ..we be bombed by news
May 14, 2008 - 23:04 ET by JayTeeIts a free ride.....40 pts has to be some kind of political WORLD RECORD LOSING total.....The Clintons just got some Convention Ammo....
Of course HC will be the only Dem in 57 States to ever bring up the 40 pts again.
I'd like to be in John Edward's America
May 14, 2008 - 23:18 ET by jefflebowskiOf course, if it took being a crooked, ambulance chasing, screw your clients out of awards POS lawyer to live in that 40,000 square foot house and fly around in private jets, I'm happy being in my America.
It's something called character Edwards...something you will never understand!
Silky Pony Boy....
May 14, 2008 - 23:32 ET by BlondeWell, I suppose I need some hair advice.
So thanks, John Edwards.
Like that.
P.S. I still prefer the nasty FRENCH L'Oreal! You mutt!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Oh My God
May 14, 2008 - 23:33 ET by MearlineTHIS is frightening. Not the Edwards endorsement. The media control of this, the new son of camelot. This oughta scare the socks off anyone who can see what's happening.
Edwards and Obama
May 14, 2008 - 23:42 ET by candanceTwiddlee dee and twiddlee dum
Wow, Edwards endorsed
May 15, 2008 - 00:31 ET by ckc1227Wow, Edwards endorsed Obama? Man, he really went out on a limb there with that one.
No way anyone saw THIS ONE coming. I mean, what are the odds that a hack fraud like Edwards would have the courage to endorse....the frontrunner?
Do you think anyone's
May 15, 2008 - 07:15 ET by Troika37Do you think anyone's realized that Ron Paul has more delegates than John Edwards?
One America?
May 15, 2008 - 07:51 ET by ChasvsIs that One America, under Obama? This race baiting SOB sees only a hate filled country with black victims and rich Whites who will pay for being so!
We don't need no stinkin Obama!
We are SO SCREWED!
We are SO SCREWED!!
May 15, 2008 - 09:01 ET by MearlineSO True. I really want to know what this 'one america' that they want to create IS exactly. They're not gonna use the 'take from the rich, give to the poor' theme. I need a description as does the rest of America before its too late.
I would actually be glad
May 15, 2008 - 09:20 ET by ConservativeRexI would actually be glad to see BHO get that political albatross known as John Edwards on his ticket.
Chris Matthews was admiring
May 15, 2008 - 15:41 ET by marpelChris Matthews was admiring Obama and Edward's bodies last night. I thought he was going to have a heart attack oogling the two of them together on the stage. I swear, I saw him drool... The man crush continues....