The NewsBusters Weekly Recap: May 26 to June 1

June 2nd, 2007 9:45 AM

"Allow Me to be a Little More Obvious"

This is something that must truly be seen to be believed. "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith concluded an interview with former Vice President Al Gore by attempting to pin a Gore ‘08 button on the politician. Why stop there, Harry? Why not slap a bumper sticker across your suit? (Be sure and check out the NB video clip.)

"But is He Smart?"

Sometimes the media make it very clear what they would like you to believe. On Tuesday’s "Today" show, various NBC reporters described senatorial candidate and former liberal radio host Al Franken, as "smart," "Harvard smart" and a "smart guy." Now, try and imagine if Ann Coulter ran for elected office. Think Meredith Vieira would laud her intellect?

"Hmmm. Have We Left Anything Out?"

On Tuesday’s "Good Morning America," the ABC program featured an extensive segment on the root causes of why Rosie O’Donnell left "The View." They covered every angle of the story. Well, except for the fact that the comedienne insinuated that American troops are terrorists. Oh, and reporter John Berman neglected to state that Rosie ran into a lot of trouble for spouting 9/11 conspiracy theories. Those are just minor points though.

"Run For President? Pretty Please?"

PBS host Charlie Rose, perhaps in an attempt to prove the neutrality of public television, hosted a fawning interview with the aforementioned Mr. Gore. He implored Gore to run for the White House, asked him in the 2000 election was stolen and generally gushed over the ex-VP.

"She Had it Coming"

On Wednesday’s "Good Morning America," the ABC program looked at whether or not it was justified for a Mexican audience to boo Miss USA during a beauty contest. Diane Sawyer wondered, "Was it fair?" Reporter Dan Harris insisted that this boorish behavior simply must be understood in a larger context.