If Democrats win big this fall, David Gregory's Thursday story on NBC Nightly News may look prescient, but his effort to show how Republicans are newly in trouble in suburban Philadelphia suffered from several analytical flaws. Of those in four featured soundbites, three complained about Iraq, including one comment from a Democratic congressional candidate who hardly represented any trend among Republicans, and one lamented Bush's lack of “fiscal responsibility.” Unmentioned: Illegal immigration, an issue on which many Republicans disagree with Bush. Gregory served up as emblematical of Republican troubles a “lifelong Republican” and two “Republican voters,” but while they may be frustrated with national Republicans, if they are truly Republicans why would they vote for a candidate from the opposition party? Gregory described the Haverford area as “reliably Republican in the past,” asserting that “this year the mood has changed.” But seconds later, he undermined his premise when he acknowledged that the area “has been trending Democratic in recent years, even narrowly supporting John Kerry for President."
At the top of his piece, viewers saw a zoom-in on a car's bumper sticker with an image of a woman pulling out her hair:
“Haven't You Had It with Republicans?
“Vote for Change!”
The MRC's Brad Wilmouth corrected the closed-captioning against the video for the July 27 NBC Nightly News story. Anchor Brian Williams teased:
"President Bush on shaky ground tonight in what was safe territory: Why Republicans are now fighting to hang on to their own voters."
Williams set up the subsequent piece:
"Tonight, NBC News 'In Depth' has to do with midterm elections and some worried Republicans. According to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, they are facing an uphill battle to keep their majorities in Congress. When asked who they would rather see in charge, voters said they'd prefer Democrats over Republicans by a 10-point margin in our poll [48 to 38 percent]. NBC News chief White House correspondent David Gregory traveled to a key swing state and found more evidence of that. His report here tonight 'In Depth.'"
David Gregory, with "Shaky Ground" as on screen tag: "Just a half hour drive from downtown Philadelphia is a suburban battleground. Reliably Republican in the past, this year the mood has changed. Lifelong Republican Laurie Williams now worries about her daughters' future because of the President she has twice supported."
Laurie Williams, Pennsylvania Republican voter: "I don't think Iraq is making us safer. I wish we could get out as quickly as possible."
Gregory: "The war, gas prices, the deficit. Troubling issues that have put Republican Senator Rick Santorum on the defensive in the state and have created opportunities for Democrats who are challenging Republican incumbents in Philadelphia's suburban congressional districts. Veteran analyst Stephen Medvic notes that this area, made up of mostly of Republican moderates, has been trending Democratic in recent years, even narrowly supporting John Kerry for President."
Stephen Medvic, political analyst: "Well, this year the Republicans also face some disaffection with the Bush administration. But to the extent that they're tied to the Bush administration, that will be a problem for them."
Gregory: "Iraq is issue number one for Democratic congressional candidate and former Navy admiral Joe Sestak."
Joseph Sestak, Pennsylvania Democratic congressional candidate (who is running against Republican incumbent Curt Weldon), to a small group: "And I believe we have been reckless in this tragic misadventure of Iraq."
Gregory: "The battle now is for Republican voters like Greg and Nancy Wolcott who this year are unhappy."
Nancy Wolcott, Pennsylvania Republican voter: "I think the largest area he's let me down is fiscal responsibility."
Gregory: "Greg agrees and is critical of the war."
Greg Wolcott, Pennsylvania Republican voter: "So I don't think we were prepared for the aftermath of the relatively easy military victory up front, and I think you have to point the finger at the White House."
Gregory to the couple: "What can the Republicans do to win you back for this fall?"
Greg Wolcott: "Well, in the next three or four months, that's hard to do. I mean, we've had a lot of promises, but not a lot of, you know, action."
Gregory: "Frustrated voters whose impact Republicans are afraid of this fall. David Gregory, NBC News, Haverford, Pennsylvania."
