On Monday, ABC, CBS, and NBC used their flagship morning news shows to gush over the “Texas-sized fight” and “standoff” state Democrats pitched by cowardly flocking to Illinois in opposition to a Republican-led redrawing of the Lone Star State’s 38 House seats. Framing it as standing up for “democracy,” CBS and NBC ignored the left’s penchant for gerrymandering and all three saw no problem with the legislators abandoning their constituents.
CBS Mornings co-host and Democratic donor Gayle King used the show’s “Eye Opener” to celebrate Democrats triggering “a political showdown...over what they call a power grab by Republicans, a fight with huge implications for Congress and democracy.”
The segment itself opened with King fretted Texas redistricting is “not so fun depending on your point of view” given its “big impact on democracy in this country.”
CBS sent senior White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe to dark-blue Illinois and, based on his report, Texas prior to the mass exodus:
He even tagged along with one of the House Democrats who might survive the draw (click “expand”):
CONGRESSMAN MARC VEASEY (D-TX): Marc Veasey, your congressman. How are you doing?
ELDERLY DALLAS RESIDENT: I know that face.
O’KEEFE: — Texas Democratic Congressman Marc Veasey is a familiar face at this community center in a neighborhood he’s represented for a dozen years.
VEASEY: I’m really concerned they may be left with representation that doesn’t reflect the values and the political beliefs and desires of the people that — that live in these neighborhoods.
O’KEEFE: Veasey now wants Democrats in other states like California and Illinois to redraw their maps.
VEASEY: Absolutely. I have no issues with that.
O’KEEFE [TO VEASEY]: What you are saying is it’s time for Democrats to fight fire with fire?
VEASEY: Absolutely, you have to match Trump’s energy. If you don’t match Trump’s energy, you get run over.
O’KEEFE: Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott says the new map is necessary to address constitutional concerns raised by the Justice Department, but critics across the state call it a power grab.
NBC’s Today was ebullient over the “old-fashioned standoff” and “turmoil” caused by “a controversial redistricting plan” that’s only now setup a nationwide “arms race.”
The daughter of Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett, Saturday co-host Laura Jarrett touted the “old-fashioned standoff playing off in Texas” in a tease head of co-host Craig Melvin calling the fight “Texas turmoil” and warning Republicans getting what they want “could impact the balance of power in Washington.”
“Our top story on this Monday morning: that growing showdown in Texas over a controversial redistricting plan. Overnight dozens of Democratic lawmakers fleeing..to Chicago in an attempt to avoid voting on a new congressional map that could create five new Republican House seats. It could also have major national implications on President Trump’s agenda,” Melvin later said before tossing to correspondent Ryan Chandler.
Chandler boasted “President Trump’s preferred map was set for debate in the chamber behind me today, but that is not going to happen with business stalled as this standoff kicks off.”
He droned on:
To his credit, Melvin hit the nail on the head with the s-word at the end of the segment: “I mean, so, Ryan, how much of this is — is just a stunt? Or is there some indication that this move could actually work by Democrats?”
Chandler tried to assert “it’s a good question” and “[t]he answer, I think, depends on — on what side you are on.” Only after this did he point out Democrats fled in 2021 over an election integrity (“voting rights bill”) before having to come home.”
A few hours earlier on Sunday’s NBC Nightly News, anchor Hallie Jackson trumpeted the “dramatic step” while Chandler cheered Democrats deploying “the nuclear option” and “break-the-glass moment.”
Chandler also pointed out all business would halt. That, dear readers, would mean state bills to help those affected by the July 4 weekend floods in the Hill Country. In other words, Texas liberals have chosen their partisan bellyaching over flood victims.
ABC’s Good Morning America was the only network to at least acknowledge Democrats gerrymander. Unfortunately, it was tacked on as an afterthought following an otherwise puff piece for Texas Democrats.
Co-host and former Clinton official George Stephanopoulos teased a lead-off story on the “Texas-sized fight”: “Democratic lawmakers leave the Lone Star State to block a vote to redraw congressional maps. It could give Republicans up to five new seats in the House after President Trump demanded the change. And the new threat overnight from Texas Governor Abbott.”
Later, chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl delivered the segment:
It was here that Karl conceded Democrats gerrymander, leaving aside Connecticut, Maryland, or New Mexico, or the Land of Lincoln:
Sunday’s World News Tonight wasn’t any better. Senior White House correspondent Selina Wang hyped the coward’s play as “a high-stakes showdown” against “a controversial Republican-led push.”
To see the relevant transcripts from August 4, click here (for ABC), here (for CBS), and here (for NBC).
