On Monday afternoon, MSNBC host Andrea Mitchell hyped concerns about "voter suppression" aimed at minorities and twice recalled without context the story of North Carolina police officers dispersing a group of liberal protesters and prospective voters.
In one segment, while speaking with former Bill Clinton campaign strategist James Carville and former Barack Obama advisor David Plouffe, Mitchell turned to Carville and asked:
What about suppression and intimidation? We know from warning signs in Michigan about open carry, and in North Carolina, over the weekend, you had children and adults who were, by all reports, at a peaceful rally who ended up being pepper sprayed in a particular county and were unable to vote?
A bit later, while speaking with Joe Biden campaign co-chair and Congressman Cedric Richmond, she asked the Louisiana Democrat about the possibility of "suppression" of Democratic voters in other states:
There have been some warning signs for your campaign in the last couple of days that the black vote is not turning out strongly enough for Joe Biden in the early vote -- at least in South Carolina -- or, rather, in Florida and in some other states, North Carolina maybe as well -- that there could be some suppression going on. There's certainly a delay in Postal Service letter deliveries we've seen in a lot of the big cities with large minority populations which could be something other than coincidence. What are your concerns about getting the black vote out?
She then followed up by repeating the pepper-spray talk:
And, finally, there was an incident over the weekend in North Carolina, a really troubling incident with pepper spray being used against protesters, largely minority voters who were trying to protest peacefully and then go vote, and then many of them couldn't even get to the polls afterwards.
It was not mentioned that pepper spray was reportedly sprayed on the ground near the protesters to disperse them because they were blocking traffic and refused commands to move. In fact, the police department of Graham, North Carolina, argued the protests could suppress voting:
A meeting was scheduled with Mr. Drumwright on 10/20/2020. At that time the Graham Police Department provided several possible options that detailed route and rally points. None of our options included a road closure for the duration of the event due to its proximity to the voting poll located at 201 W. Elm St. A road closure where he requested, Courtsquare, would have limited access and available parking for the polling site.
Video from the Raleigh News & Observer shows that the word "peaceful protest" isn't entirely accurate. When protesters yell "our streets" and block traffic, that's not peaceful.
But who needs two sides to a news story? There were no police spokesmen or Republicans to provide another view. Mitchell did not even bother to give any pushback from the right, thus making her show just another episode of DNCTV.
This episode of MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports was sponsored in part by Progressive. Their contact information is linked.
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Monday, November 2, Andrea Mitchell Reports on MSNBC:
12:19 p.m. Eastern
ANDREA MITCHELL: What about suppression and intimidation? We know from warning signs in Michigan about open carry, and in North Carolina, over the weekend, you had children and adults who were, by all reports, at a peaceful rally who ended up being pepper sprayed in a particular county and were unable to vote?
(...)
12:27 p.m.
There have been some warning signs for your campaign in the last couple of days that the black vote is not turning out strongly enough for Joe Biden in the early vote -- at least in South Carolina -- or, rather, in Florida and in some other states, North Carolina maybe as well -- that there could be some suppression going on. There's certainly a delay in postal service letter deliveries we've seen in a lot of the big cities with large minority populations which could be something other than coincidence. What are your concerns about getting the black vote out?
CONGRESSMAN CEDRIC RICHMOND (D-LA): Well, I think the black vote will be very robust. I think they want to make sure their voice is heard. I think a lot of it will be outrage to the fact that Donald Trump is trying so hard to keep them from voting. And then there's two other things I think you have to keep in mind. -- that the Post Office, because of Donald Trump and the cuts and everything -- they're overwhelmed if you give them the benefit of the doubt. I think a lot of African-Americans who requested ballots are deciding they will cast their vote in person on Election Day. And it's almost become a ritual for African-Americans to vote on Election Day.
It's sort of a homecoming at the voting polls. I choose to vote on Election Day because you get to see the poll workers and your neighbors and your friends and, you know, catch up. So, look, we're going to have a great turnout tomorrow, and I think it's going to match everything that we've seen. If you look at the record numbers in Georgia, then those states that don't have record numbers -- I think you'll see those record numbers catch up tomorrow on in-person voting.
MITCHELL: And, finally, there was an incident over the weekend in North Carolina, a really troubling incident with pepper spray being used against protesters, largely minority voters who were trying to protest peacefully and then go vote, and then many of them couldn't even get to the polls afterwards.
