"Good Morning America" journalists celebrated the endorsement of Senator Barack Obama by former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Monday's program. An ABC graphic for reporter John Berman's segment did not hold back. It asked, "Obama's Best Weekend Ever? Powell and Donors Boost Obama." Co-host Diane Sawyer teased the story by announcing, "This morning, Senator Obama's banner weekend: Record breaking crowds, cash and the endorsement heard around the world." [audio excerpt here]
Introducing Berman, Sawyer called Powell's endorsement, which occurred on Sunday's "Meet the Press," a "booster rocket." Berman also highlighted the fact that Obama's campaign has a "bank account that swelled by a record-shattering $150 million." Of course there was no mention of the influence of money in politics or the Democratic presidential candidate's now broken pledge to take public financing.
In a follow-up segment, former Democratic operative-turned journalist George Stephanopoulos appeared to effusively describe the nod by Powell as "huge" and state, "It's a real signal to moderate Republicans and independents that Barack Obama is okay."
The three evening news shows on ABC, CBS and NBC showed similar excitement on Sunday.
A transcript of the John Berman segment, which aired a 7:02am, follows:
7am tease
DIANE SAWYER: This morning, Senator Obama's banner weekend: Record breaking crowds, cash and the endorsement heard around the world.
COLIN POWELL: He has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president.
SAWYER: The Republicans come roaring back with tough allegations and some slide splitting antics on Saturday night.
["Saturday Night Live" clip]
7:02am
SAWYER: Because as we said, as Robin just said, it's two years of campaigning and now 15 days before America votes. And Senator Obama got a booster rocket from none other than Republican former Secretary of State Colin Powell this weekend, a Republican and a friend of John McCain. ABC's John Berman is in Chicago with more on that. John?
ABC GRAPHIC: Obama's Best Weekend Ever? Powell and Donors Boost Obama
JOHN BERMAN: Good morning, Diane. Well, Obama aides swear the senator didn't know for sure about the Colin Powell endorsement until he watched it on television. That's a heck of a way to wake up in the morning and an aggressive way to start this big 15 day push until the election. It was a weekend of big numbers for Barack Obama, a crowd of more than 100,000 in St. Louis.
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: All I can say is wow.
BERMAN: A campaign bank account that swelled by a record-shattering $150 million. But the biggest number might have been one, one big endorsement.
OBAMA: I'm beyond honored. I'm deeply humbled to have the support of General Colin Powell.
BERMAN: The retired four-star general and Secretary of State under George W. Bush was effusive in his phrase.
POWELL: I think we need a transformational figure. I think we need a president who is a generational change. And that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama.
BERMAN: Though he said he admired John McCain, Powell laid out a meticulous indictment of his old friend. On the economy-
POWELL: I found that he was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we were having.
BERMAN: On the tone of McCain's campaign.
POWELL: To focus on people like Mr. Ayers, these trivial issues, for the purpose of suggesting that somehow Mr. Obama would have some kind of terrorist inclinations, I thought that was over the top.
BERMAN: McCain did his best to brush off the sting of the news.
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: And I'm also very pleased to have the endorsement of four former secretaries of state.
BERMAN: And as for McCain's running mate, Governor Sarah Palin, Powell also had harsh words.
POWELL: I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president.
BERMAN: Palin, meanwhile, kept up her attacks. Continuing to insist that Obama's tax policies will lead to a slippery slope.
SARAH PALIN: Barack Obama calls it spreading the wealth. Joe Biden calls higher taxes patriotic. But Joe the plumber and Ed the Dairyman, I believe that they think it sounds more like socialism.
BERMAN: Meanwhile, in an almost surreal moment, McCain seemed serene when asked if he ever thought about defeat.
MCCAIN: I've had a wonderful life with a wonderful family and daughters and sons that I'm so proud of and a life that's been blessed. I'm the luckiest guy you have ever interviewed and will ever interview. I'm the most fortunate man on earth and I thank you God for it every single day.
BERMAN: Obama is on his way to Florida today where he'll share a stage tonight with Hillary Clinton. It's the first time they've campaigned together in months. Robin?
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I read that he's getting
October 20, 2008 - 11:47 ET by rbosqueI read that he's getting overseas contributions before. George Soros comes to mind. Is the FEC looking at this or will they "find some" irregularities AFTER the election?
Where
October 20, 2008 - 12:03 ET by ahusserThis campaign is truly insane. This is huge money. Where is all this money coming from. We are talking about 100's of millions of dollars if one month brought in 150 million. Where are the investigative reporters on this one. It can't be contributions from the dem constituency. There has to be big money behind this guru charlatan and I don't think American corporate money is the source. I have noticed that Obama's commericials are on every channel day and night about 10 or more to 1 for every McCain add.
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
Toni Basil Journalism
October 20, 2008 - 11:57 ET by Copperhead RidgeEverytime I turn on one of the Jurassic News Networks I expect to see the reporters and anchors dressed in cheerleader uniforms with the Obama zero logo on the front while they're singing: "Oh, Barry you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind. Hey, Barry."
He obviously takes them by the heart when he takes them by the hand.
Off the MSM hook
October 20, 2008 - 12:16 ET by cvgbuckeyeSo now I guess that:
1. Powell is no longer a liar about WMD's in Iraq.
2. Powell is no longer an Uncle Tom
3. Powell is no longer a insideous member of the Evil Empire of Bush/Cheney/Rove/ ETC.
4. Powell is no longer a "House N-worder"
5. Now if General Swartzkhoff were to endorse McCain/Palin, the good general would automatically be a racist;;;of course. So much for war heroes.
It couldn't be that Powell
October 20, 2008 - 13:09 ET by MillerTimeWarpIt couldn't be that Powell is hoping for a positon in the Obama camp ? Powell is a non-issue. Just another black on black bonding moment. So how soon before we hear from Oprah, again ?
I would rather be a Conservative nut job, than a Liberal with no nuts and no job
Oprah
October 20, 2008 - 13:12 ET by Sergeant ROCKWill be the new Surgeon General.
PALIN/McCain 2008
Booster Rocket would be a John Glenn Endorsement. . .This is
October 20, 2008 - 14:16 ET by JayTeeThis is more like a Bush picked the right guy to start the War endorsement.
However Powell is a Quitter with no guts to stick it out . .the Opposite of McCain
“Of course there was no
October 20, 2008 - 18:25 ET by not_lima_H“Of course there was no mention of the influence of money in politics or the Democratic presidential candidate's now broken pledge to take public financing.”
Also, he wasted no time promising political favors to Powell. I guess in Obama’s dictionary change means it’s my turn.