On Tuesday’s "Good Morning America," anchors Robin Roberts and Diane Sawyer touted the marital relationship between Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards and his wife. Co-host Robin Roberts recounted the often repeated story of how the Edwards couple spend their wedding anniversary, including their recent 30th, at the restaurant Wendy’s.
Roberts, perhaps in a Freudian slip, even referred to the former North Carolina Senator as "presidential nominee John Edwards." Sawyer gushed that the candidate and his wife "are going to renew their vows." "Happy anniversary," she added.
Yet, this is the same morning show that has vastly underplayed stories that aren’t quite so cute and endearing for the '08 contender. For instance, during a recent GMA town hall with John Edwards on the subject of poverty, Ms. Sawyer only managed to mention the trial lawyer’s 28,000 square-foot mansion once.
After an admittedly tough question (from an audience member) about Edwards’s $400 haircut, Sawyer observed, "...You have a big house that you're building..." However, considering that the subject matter, and that the ex-Senator received 38 minutes of air time, one would assume it would get greater prominence.
"Good Morning America" has also downplayed the fact that Edwards, who is on a "national poverty tour," sold his former Georgetown house for $5.2 million.
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GMA isn’t alone in highlighting the cutesy story of the millionare couple spending their anniversaries at Wendy’s. During the 2004 campaign, Katie Couric, then a host of NBC’s "Today," cheerfully wondered about the dining experience. She cooed, "What do you say, ‘One Frosty, two straws?’"
A transcript of the July 31 segment, which aired at 7:20am, follows:
Robin Roberts: "We have a very special picture of the morning."
Diane Sawyer: "Yes."
Roberts: "It’s an anniversary party of sorts at Wendy’s. That, of course, presidential nominee John Edwards and his beautiful wife Elizabeth. 30 years. Their 30th anniversary."
Sawyer: "30th anniversary. And when we had our town meeting, he said they would celebrate with a number of things, one of them going back to Wendy's. And here is what he said."
[Clip of town hall interview]
Sawyer: "You have an anniversary coming up, the two of you?"
Elizabeth Edwards: "We do."
John Edwards: "That’s right. End of this month."
Sawyer: "End of this month? Have you gotten a present yet?"
John Edwards: "No. But we have big plans. We have big plans for our–"
Sawyer: "Is it going to be Wendy's again?"
John Edwards: "No, no. We'll go to Wendy's. We’ll go to Wendy’s."
Sawyer: "Is that your idea of a big plan?"
John Edwards: "Double cheeseburger and fries at Wendy’s is good."
Elizabeth Edwards: "I might get the Frosty ‘cause it’s the 30th."
Sawyer: "Right. Right."
[Clip ends]
Roberts: "She got that Frosty and also some chili as well. He had a cheeseburger."
Sawyer: "That’s right. And they are going to renew their vows. Happy anniversary."
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.















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Yeah, well see what the
July 31, 2007 - 12:36 ET by Chris NormanYeah, well see what the Edwards' reaction would be if Wendy's wanted to open a drive through down the street from them in Chapel Hill...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
We already know Edwards' reaction
July 31, 2007 - 12:44 ET by RJRemember their reaction when they built their new estate and discovered their neighbor, Monty Johnson, wasn't a supporter...and that he didn't keep his property to their elitist standards?
BTW, what ever happened to 'ol Monty?
He's for the "have-nots", as
July 31, 2007 - 13:44 ET by Chris NormanHe's for the "have-nots", as long as they stay in their own neighborhoods...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
"they want to shut me up"
July 31, 2007 - 12:44 ET by Gary Hall"they want to shut me up" John Edwards, July 26, 2007 in a speech in Creston, Iowa.
Hey Scott. While Edwards was at Wendy's, did he help out any less fortunate [poor] folks and spend his money providing them a free lunch? (;~> gary
giving up tangerines ...
July 31, 2007 - 12:45 ET by pmohbuckgiving up tangerines for a stupid global warming believe, but chowing down ground beef and dairy as a substitute ... i'm sure mrs. edwards' carbon butt print is nothing to shy away from.
I wonder how much Edwards
July 31, 2007 - 12:46 ET by MightyMouthI wonder how much Edwards had to pay ABC for this corny campaign commerical? What a joke the fawning MSM has become for the Demorats. *collective eye roll*
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
It didn't cost Edwards a
July 31, 2007 - 19:17 ET by motherbeltIt didn't cost Edwards a cent. I'm sure ABC did it willingly. I wonder when he 's going to have to list this tripe as an "in-kind" campaign contribution....
}}}----> How absolutely lovely, John
July 31, 2007 - 12:48 ET by Cool ArrowThanks for sharing Mr. Edwards. This absolutely proves your marriage is so much better than the Clintons' I am so impressed, I may just cry. If Dave Thomas were still with us, I'll bet he'd be so proud of your pro abortion stance. Enjoy your burgher.
All us poor folk do our celebrating at Wendy's
July 31, 2007 - 12:48 ET by Dee BunkThese people are so out of touch. He actually thinks this is endearing. It's so snobbish to assume that anyone would find it desirable to celebrate anything at Wendy's .
Come on - everyone knows McDonalds is much cheaper and you can even get a separate room and party favors for your guests. I'm planning on having my son's wedding reception there when he gets older.
Did they meet there or something?
at least we know that john
July 31, 2007 - 12:59 ET by TruthMongerat least we know that john is one of us now - the common folk - he ate once at Wendy's - very savvy campaign he's running
my wife would be overjoyed if i took her to Wendy's on the anniversary that's for sure
how can the repubs possibly compete with this i ask you?
The Edwards have their
July 31, 2007 - 13:47 ET by Chris NormanThe Edwards have their anniversaries there (at least while the media's around), we have our lunches there. There's the difference...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
maybe while john's there he
July 31, 2007 - 16:09 ET by TruthMongermaybe while john's there he could git himself a huntin' license too:)
Republicans are sunk but at least womens rights prevail
July 31, 2007 - 14:33 ET by Dee Bunkbut on the bright side - it's a step forward for womens rights. We don't have to be insulted with flowers and nice dinners, or those damn conflict diamonds anymore. Wendy's will do. ; ) Thanks a lot John Boy! : (
Or...
July 31, 2007 - 16:33 ET by BradzillaDid they actually go to Wendy's or did he pay a couple thousand to fly an out-of-state Wendy's cook to his mansion, and then pay him another $400 to fry a couple burgers there? On the cook's own portable grill, of course. You wouldn't want to soil their really nice one for something as common as a hamburger.
I think he said that's
July 31, 2007 - 19:20 ET by motherbeltI think he said that's where they went on their first date...hence the yearly pilgrimage.
Isn't that special (Dana Carvey voice)? Once a year they hobnob with the hoi polloi in the "other" America...you know, they one they have moved beyond....
Katie Couric is an idiot.
July 31, 2007 - 12:53 ET by kwKatie Couric is an idiot. Everyone knows that you can't use a straw with a Frosty. You eat a Frosty, you don't drink one...unless you leave it outside for global warming to work its magic and turn this frosty delight into a slushy!
Great rehash of an old story...can you say puff piece? What a joke. This guy is the biggest phony of all the Dem contenders. He may not be up to the idiotic standards of Kucinich, but at least Kucinich is honest about himself and his views.
"Katie Couric is an idiot"
July 31, 2007 - 12:59 ET by bassndude"Katie Couric is an idiot" Me thinks you give her to much credit.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Kucinich, the guy that
July 31, 2007 - 13:32 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltKucinich, the guy that brings pie charts to a radio interview!
Use a straw with a Frosty,
July 31, 2007 - 13:51 ET by Chris NormanUse a straw with a Frosty, dislocate your jaw. :)
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Use a straw with a Frosty,
July 31, 2007 - 20:05 ET by motherbeltUse a straw with a Frosty, dislocate your jaw. :)
Your jaw will be OK, but the top of your head will cave in. ;-)
kw
July 31, 2007 - 16:20 ET by namronIt more of a testament of how out of touch Katie Couric is for not knowing you can't consume a frosty through a straw. One out of touch individual telling us about another out of touch individual. That’s why Katie and Robin admirer them so... BLAH!
Maybe they've been happily
August 1, 2007 - 13:51 ET by FlashmanMaybe they've been happily married for 30 years because Elizabeth Edwards can suck a Frosty through a straw? >;-]
Oh my, how blue-collar of
July 31, 2007 - 13:00 ET by EvokeOh my, how blue-collar of them.
How Cute!
July 31, 2007 - 13:09 ET by mytwocentsI wonder where he got his first hair cut. I'll bet it wasn't at SuperCuts!
Everyone knows Johnboy gets
July 31, 2007 - 13:23 ET by JerryEveryone knows Johnboy gets his hair cut down at Floyd's barber shop, right after getting served some ham hocks and collards from Juanita down at the diner.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment
vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any
President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Dollar Menu
July 31, 2007 - 16:22 ET by namronI heard he paid nine hundred dollars for a cheeseburger of the dollar menu!
Good cripes!!!
July 31, 2007 - 13:11 ET by drillanwrThese MSM morning show bugheads are so easily entertained. If I am ever in New York City during the time they are being aired live I'm taking one of those red laser light pens and keep them busy chasing it all over the set while the camera crew sleeps off the previous night's cocaine and Tanqueray high.
No Ruby Slippers for John!
July 31, 2007 - 13:12 ET by heldmywJohn Edwards was rejected for the lead role in The Wizard of Oz for "not being butch enough to play a convincing Dorothy".
h/t IMAO
Wizard
July 31, 2007 - 13:18 ET by mytwocents"There's no place like home (28,000 sq ft)". There's no place like home (28,000 sq ft). .....
Or rather.......
July 31, 2007 - 14:10 ET by Prester John"There's no place like a $6,000,0000 home, there's no place like a $6,000,000 home.......
Keeping the riff raff out
July 31, 2007 - 13:24 ET by nkviking75The Edwards' probably paid a large amount to make sure that they had the place to themselves and the media, denying people who can't afford better restaurants than Wendy's a place to eat.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
So Precious!
July 31, 2007 - 14:09 ET by Maverick313I think that is sooooooo precious that they invited the media to go to Wendy's for their anniversary with them. I can't believe that their (retarded) constituents fall for crap like this. If my boyfriend or husband took me to Wendy's for our anniversary (especially our 30th!!!) he would be single in a heart beat. No self respecting wife would accept this for her 30th wedding anniversary.... it's so blatantly obvious they did this for PR. I wonder if they ever get sick from all the hypocrisy that they make their everyday lives out to be.
And Katie! The reason they give you a spoon with your Frosty is because that is the only way to eat it! Stupid liberal! Does she read anything that is put on the monitor also? Paging Ron Burgundy!
If you don't stand behind our troops; please feel free to stand in front of them!
Why Katie?
July 31, 2007 - 15:23 ET by Six String SpiffWhy do people keep mentioning Katie Couric? I thought ABC did this puff piece?
What the MSSM doesn't report can kill you.
Edwards and his wife are a
July 31, 2007 - 14:19 ET by Free ThinkerEdwards and his wife are a joke at this point and the more of these concocted stories we get the more absurd they look. I guess if you are a third tier candidate you have to resort to gimmicks. I wonder if he used a coupon?
Hey lets give him a pass on
July 31, 2007 - 14:51 ET by Some GuyHey lets give him a pass on the Wendy's Anniversary Dinner. Obviously it has some sentimental play for them as a couple. What they do is for them. The really really sad and sick part is inviting the media to their anniversary dinner ... THAT is where Ms Edwards should draw the line. A tradition like this 30 freaking years should be special and not used as a political tool .. Especially when Ms. Edward won't be around much longer. how sick of him to keep using her like this.
Blah
Sorry
July 31, 2007 - 15:08 ET by mytwocentsSorry. In order for him to earn a pass he has to say something intelligent. chirp, chirp, chirp ....
I wonder if their visit to
July 31, 2007 - 18:41 ET by Trix RabbitI wonder if their visit to Wendy's turned into that episode on SNL when Phil Hartman as Clinton stopped into a McDonalds and ate everyone's food while explaining his "policies".
Liberal: a power worshipper without power. George Orwell