ABC’s Sawyer Makes Time to Tout: ‘You Heard It Here First, the President Is Going with Kansas!’
Diane Sawyer allocated all but 1:37 of World News to Japan on Wednesday night, committing 33 seconds of that limited time to touting President Obama’s NCAA basketball picks provided to ABC corporate cousin ESPN.
“Despite all the troubles around the world” Sawyer rationalized – as if there’s much evidence Obama, who’s hardly been engaged in the Libyan or Japanese situations and who went golfing last weekend, is devoting much time to any of it – “the President kept his annual appointment to fill out his bracket for college basketball's March Madness. The basketball Fan-in-Chief got together with our sister network ESPN's Andy Katz.”
Following a clip of Obama revealing a couple of his selections, Sawyer trumpeted: “You heard it here first. The President is going with Kansas!” Then, with “BARACK-ETOLOGY” at the top of the screen above ESPN graphics, Sawyer plugged: “And you can see all of his picks on ESPN’s Sports Center and at ESPN.com.”
A year ago, Sawyer devoted nearly two minutes of World News (1:50) to Obama's college basketball tournament choices. She teased at the start of the March 17, 2010 newscast: ‘Top picks: Stream of consciousness as the Fan-in-Chief completes his college basketball bracket.’”
From the Wednesday, March 16 ABC World News:
DIANE SAWYER: And, despite all the troubles around the world, the President kept his annual appointment to fill out his bracket for college basketball's March Madness. The basketball Fan-in-Chief got together with our sister network ESPN's Andy Katz.
ANDY KATZ: All right, so Kansas versus Pittsburgh semifinal, who wins?
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA CLIP #1: That's Kansas.
OBAMA CLIP #2: And I'm going to pick Ohio State.
KATZ: Ohio State versus Kansas?
OBAMA: And I'm picking Kansas.
SAWYER: You heard it here first. The President is going with Kansas! And you can see all of his picks on ESPN's Sports Center and at ESPN.com.
— Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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Comments
Problem is, I don't think
Submitted by bkeyser on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:35pm.
Problem is, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore. Toto.Just think.....
Submitted by Ashrak on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:36pm.
This is taxpayers' dollars paying for the sign's creation and filling by the pres__ent.
Kept his annual appointment? Seriously?
I guess this is what media robot parrots do when they can't report that he is keeping promises.
impact
Submitted by jon_torlin on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:40pm.
This has as much impact as his (in)ability to throw a baseball as a first pitch.
-Jon
He picks like a little girl
Submitted by tjc-illinois on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:06am.
He picks like a little girl too.................'Well, to tell the family secret, my grandmother was Dutch." Bart
Thank you
Submitted by grammajane on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:51pm.
Thanks Sawyer. I have been waiting allllllllllllllllllllllllllll day to find out who the pres. chose to win. You saved my day!!! So nice to know the "pres" has so much time on his hands to complete such very important agendas that affect the country!!the incredible shrinking President
Submitted by MidAmerica on Wed, 03/16/2011 - 11:55pm.
Who would have thought that after two years in office obama would actually be less effective and show fewer leadership skills than he seemed to have as a candidate or even a year ago?"seemed to have"
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:09am.
Yeah, there are commentaries about the things happening in the world and "where is the US president" in question these days.
Of course we knew better during the candidacy, and then he tried to start acting like he already was the president with that "office of the president elect" seal that he had, remember that nonsense? Went downhill from there, just took a while in some cases.
It's like a lot of people, including myself, have been saying, he's doing it to destroy the country from within, or doesn't really care about the office, or both and is just over-indulging on the perks at our expense.
At this point, here's my prediction: He'll continue the path to destruction, especially given his upcoming VACATION(!) to Rio, give half-hearted comments(he doesn't really take non-pre-arranged questions anymore these days), just go through the motions until one of two things happen, 1) he decides to resign early and lets Joe take over, or 2)he'll be removed from office. Neither one won't happen soon enough. And he'll keep "playing" golf, or "playing" hoops in the meantime. I put playing in quotes because I suspect he sucks at basketball as much as he does at golf and the people he "plays" with aren't really going to say anything for fear of.....something. The manchild has GOT to GO!!!
-Jon
The "Wheres Waldo?" Presidency
Submitted by Colt on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:00am.
The whole world is coming apart at the seams, and Gilligan goes golfing, making basketball picks, shaking a bony finger at grade school bullies, and other benign "First Lady" type stuff. At least with her stuff, Michelle seems to have a plan. A stupid, and ridiculous plan,...but a plan, nonetheless. More for fun:? Here is a very funny piece from A. Barton Hinkle, in a tongue-in -cheek style similar to "The Onion". Enjoy. - I did. http://reason.com/archives/2011/03/15/us-stung-by-latest-undercoverGilligan???
Submitted by Prester John on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 7:45am.
Perfect!!! I love it.The sad thing is Gilligan
Submitted by Newsbusterbrown on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 9:54am.
The sad thing is Gilligan would be a better president than Obama has been so far.“There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
So Obama picks the number one
Submitted by MightyMouth on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:09am.
So Obama picks the number one choices. From past experience that means all those teams are doomed!Golly gee, I can't wait to
Submitted by ant on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:31am.
Golly gee, I can't wait to see who he picked. [sigh], I wonder what his favorite color is,what music does he like? Boy, I wonder if his birth-sign is compatible with mine,[ sigh], he's SO dreamy, and he seems like the type to exhibit real leadership and smart-power, I've got the tingles.
Diane, when you're done
Submitted by Van Halen on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:32am.
Diane, when you're done squealing and crying over your dreamy Barack, and can catch your breath, try looking at this list of 27 months of his Presidency: An economy in shambles. A foreign policy in tatters. The Democrat Party broken, having lost 700+ seats. The crown jewel of his presidency declared unconstitutional with over half the states suing to get out. Gas, food, clothing prices skyrocketing. Two endless wars, Afghanistan now with a record death toll. The Middle East in turmoil and the President throws a Motown concert with his corporate millionaire Democrat pals. Declares his loyalty to the unions versus the American taxpayer. Imminent possible nuclear catastrophe ignored so Obama can golf, party, and attend to his NCAA brackets.Wow
Submitted by Ed Gregory on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 8:03am.
That's a fantastic summation, Van. Would like to have said it better myself but can't. All I'm left with is to declare that those of us who are critical of that Sharpie-sniffing moron feel the way the media is SUPPOSED to feel. Instead of embracing First Amendment rights to be critical of our leaders, media members prop him up and turn a blind eye to his enormous list of failures. It is really something to behold.Good Job Van
Submitted by texusmc on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:31am.
but the only thing you forgot was going down to Rio for Carnival and check out the sights. Yeah that is what you want your pre-teen daughters to see, bunch of nekked, drunk people dancing around in debaucherous activity. Good job there Parentis-in-your own world. Lost all respect for Diane years ago. Saw this that night, turned the TV off (wife had it on while i cooked dinner) just so i wouldnt blow it up. world going to hell and he want to make sure he has his NCAA picks in....wow ...incredible.Just one thing though...
Submitted by Unsane on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 9:07pm.
...except that Carnival is over. Or at least it should be...
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Rush Limbaugh said it beautifully today.
Submitted by Texndoc on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:36am.
The MSM treats him like a special-needs child.I'm kinda mixed on this. On
Submitted by Rusty Shackleford on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:44am.
I'm kinda mixed on this. On the one hand our political leaders are SUPPOSED to be us, so it's nice to see them interested in the same kinds of silly things that regular people are interested in, but on the other hand when you have a reputation of being unable to handle the unexpected problems in the world (especially one that has just happened) then it's a bad idea to show the world that you've been spending a lot of time studying the various teams and then charting out your basketball picks. And then on the third hand I think we're all better off when Obama is distracted with fluff because inaction is better than the usual anti-American actions he picks when he pays attention.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Matthews: The Joy Behar of MSNBC.
Bill Maher: The Joy Behar of HBO.
Paul Krugman: The Joy Behar of The New York Times.
I'm just glad he didn't pick
Submitted by ckc1227 on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:58am.
I'm just glad he didn't pick Duke to win it all. That means we've got a shot, lol.I'm sure Coach K is relieved
Submitted by Martin2717 on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 1:57am.
I'm sure Coach K is relieved as well, knowing he's not too fond of the President either.That is exactly what the host
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:45am.
That is exactly what the host on our local talk show said this morning. I feel sorry for the Jayhawk fans. They have been given the kiss of death. They has a good season going too.
i had a terrible nightmare last night. My Heels lost in the first round to Long Island U. If that happens i am going to find a rock to crawl under.
Is this what that idiot does?
Submitted by rbosque on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 1:04am.
Is this what that idiot does? We pay him for this? Yes! Let's all buy a fifth of Jack, light up a doobie and watch porn as we watch our problems get worse! Yes, that makes sense.I am always reminded what the
Submitted by jdhawk on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 2:01am.
I am always reminded what the "watch dog" press would be doing to a Republican president if he showed as little interest as this president does in the job he was elected and taxpayers are paying him to do. First we had "president splooge" aka clintoon and now it is "president brackets" aka duhbama. And I thought the former was more of a national embarrassment than I would see in a lifetime, the later is proving me wrong each and every day. As Governor Palin said recently, "2012 can't come soon enough."My sister teaches special needs children
Submitted by syvyn11 on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 3:00am.
And they have more common sense than Dumbama!Let's not be 'dissin' the
Submitted by killa37 on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 3:18am.
Let's not be 'dissin' the special needs kids...........they are innocent and unaware of their position in life...........which is the TOTAL opposite of Boy Blunder!!! And...........let's NOT forget what he said about the 'special Olympics', with regards to his bowling skills. Hell, I'd say the same thing about ANYTHING that he's done, except it would be a dispairaging remark against these 'specail' kids............and I DO have one within my own family, so I know a little bit about it!!!Theatre of the absurd
Submitted by Truestar on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 3:46am.
What in the world is NObama thinking? He can't see the obvious absurdity of making such a show of his supposed knowledge of college basketball, while Japan, Libya and the ME is in one crisis after another? Not to mention shambles that is the US economy. His sycophants in the media aside, this behavior is insensitive, irresponsible, and.....absurd. But in fact, NObama gets away with this behavior because the MSM won't treat him the way they surely would HW, or even Clinton....heck, every other President in history....if they were spending time golfing, vacationing and doing basketball brackets while the world burns. This country is utterly leaderless, NObama has no business being President, and I think it will be more than just the economy that's in shambles by the time he leaves office.Sawyer is a prime example of
Submitted by Van Halen on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 7:43am.
Sawyer is a prime example of why this site exists and why we Americans are so ashamed of our media.Leadership at its finest
Submitted by Order270 on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 7:58am.
He turns his back on Japan and picks Kansas. Way to go out on a limb there Pretzel Boy.Did they put up the "BREAKING NEWS" banner?
Submitted by redright88 on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 8:04am.
If not, that producer in the control room should be fired!Don't forget the elections
Submitted by Tomorama on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 9:38am.
Also he has been attending fundraisers (at least two in the last week or so).
Man's got his priorities doesn't he?
Meeeeeka was trying to get Mary Landrieu to answer if the President deserves criticism for being so distant and Mary, Mary quite contrary had NO CLUE at what Meeeeka was asking.
Living in a bubble does this to you I guess.
Also.............
Submitted by Tomorama on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 9:40am.
Also it is funny how this has been a huge story (his lousy picks), but when he or his administration bleep up (PJ Crowley anyone) you get nothing but crickets.So how safe are we?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:12am.
So it's been two years, how much safer are we as a country? God forbid something should happen(and there have been several somethings already, Christmas, NY, etc), I'm willing to bet a large part of us on here will have absolutely NO confidence in this government in protecting this country and her citizens.
It goes without saying that the Chairman looks after his own interests at the expense of this country in so many ways that's harmful, but what about Joe? Would he step up to the plate and face the pitcher or face the catcher?(there's a cartoon idea!)
In the meantime in the midst of all that's been happening in the last couple of weeks(Libya and Japan mainly), DuhOne is taking DuhUdderOne(yes, a reference to a cow) with DuhLiddaOnes (that's ebonics for little) to Rio.
Damn, makes me feel good, especially when they place a high priority on those stupid NCAA picks! (nothing against NCAA, just against the priorities)
-Jon
Bet against his picks!
Submitted by brutony1 on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 10:37am.
Youre guaranteed to win more going against him than following him-sort of how things are going in this country now!When will liberals WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE! -Me
Hey Dook fans. Look at this
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 11:34am.
Dook to be stripped of its ACC Title
Correct me if I'm wrong
Submitted by GW on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 11:48am.
because I'm just about too young to remember. When Three Mile Island happened, didn't Carter get personally involved? How's that for comparison?Kotter was in the nuke Navy
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:02pm.
Kotter was in the nuke Navy so he did know a little about it. Obama knows nothing but golf, agitating, community organizing, picking brackets, and more golf..
Rainbow skies and gumdrop smiles!
Submitted by Clutch1956 on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 12:51pm.
Oh, thank goodness, Bumbles the Clown has made his NCAA picks, now everything is just hunky-dory again. The skies are once again filled with flying unicorns crapping Skittles, the rivers are flowing with the finest chocolates, the mountains are topped with marshmallow fluff, all is right in the world. [sarcasm mode OFF] OFFS, we do not have anyone serious in the WH, they are all juvenile narcissists playing at running the country. 2012 cannot get here soon enough so that we can see to the end of Obumbles world.If this "president" shrinks any further in stature...
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 1:51pm.
...he is going to be invisible.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
That will mesh nicely with his "transparency"
Submitted by Blonde on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 1:53pm.
Ug. Obama. 'Nuff said.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
J,
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 2:10pm.
Actually, it wouldn't bother me if he was invisible, as I am tired of looking at him.
I can't even listen to him, either, which is why I wish the talk show people would stop playing soundbites of him, because I have to change the station.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Dave:
Submitted by SickofLibs on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 1:53pm.
There's a medical term for it.
SoL,
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 2:08pm.
LOL - I think you nailed it with that one.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Dave~
Submitted by GG_NB on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 1:58pm.
I thought you were going to say he's going to be a bobblehead. ;) But yeah, the Amazing Shrinking/Disappearing Man."If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~Ronald Reagan
I just posted in another
Submitted by marpel on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 2:38pm.
I just posted in another story on the blog that I thought Diane Sawyer was near orgasm when she was breathlessly talking about BO's picks. I don't ever remember hearing about W's picks...anyone? I have just come to expect the slobbering by the media for BO. It's the pathetic condition of our MSM. God Bless George W. Bush!"Deep within my heart lies a memory. A song of ol' San Antone..."
W was a baseball man. I don't
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 03/17/2011 - 2:47pm.
W was a baseball man. I don't recall him every making picks on anything, even the World Series. I don't ever recall him inviting a bunch of Congresscriters to the WH for NBA thug ball and beer.