On Thursday’s CBS This Morning, Nancy Cordes helped preview Pope Francis’ speech before Congress by stressing the supposed uneasiness Republicans have with his visit to the United States.
In her introduction of Cordes, co-host Norah O’Donnell wildly proclaimed that “like everything in Washington the Pope's statement are being put through a political filter. Conservatives in Congress seemed to be most concerned about what Francis might say in his speech here today.”
Cordes went on to argue that when Francis addresses Congress “he is going to wade into some of the issues that most divide this place” and did her best to promote the liberal line that conservatives are nervous at what he might say:
On immigration, climate change, and aid to the poor, this Pope's views lean decidedly to the left. He even lines up with Democrats on a nuclear deal with Iran. And so, like everything on Capitol Hill, the Pope’s address has taken on some political overtone.
The CBS reporter then played a clip of her conversation with Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) and she asked if the Pope’s recent political statements will “be uncomfortable for Republicans?” Cordes then did her best to downplay Francis’ strong support for marriage and life in favor of touting his liberal views on climate change and the Iran deal:
No one wants the speech to turn into a version of the state of the union where one party applauds and the other sits on his hands. And there are issues like abortion and gay marriage that, for decades, have put Democrats at odds with the church. But those are not the issues that animate Pope Francis.
After Cordes played clips of two Republican presidential candidates, who happen to be Catholic, expressing their opposition to some of the Pope’s political statements on the economy, the CBS reporter touted how a lone Republican congressman will not attend Francis’ address to Congress because of his views on climate change:
One Republican congressman, Arizona’s Paul Gosar says he’ll sit out today's speech because “I don't need to be lectured by the Pope about climate change”...
The rest of the segment focused on efforts by congressional leadership to make sure their members act professional during the Pope’s speech and not bombard him with requests for pictures or handshakes when he enters the House chamber.
See relevant transcript below.
CBS This Morning
September 24, 2015
NORAH O’DONNELL: And like everything in Washington the Pope's statement are being put through a political filter. Conservatives in Congress seemed to be most concerned about what Francis might say in his speech here today. Nancy Cordes is outside the Capitol with a preview. Nancy good morning.
NANCY CORDES: Good morning. And even the Speaker of the House John Boehner, who invited the Pope to speak here, says he was not given any advance notice on what the Pope is going to say, but if yesterday was any indication, he is going to wade into some of the issues that most divide this place. On immigration, climate change, and aid to the poor, this Pope's views lean decidedly to the left. He even lines up with Democrats on a nuclear deal with Iran. And so, like everything on Capitol Hill, the Pope’s address has taken on some political overtone. Senator Dan Coats is a Republican from Indiana. Is that going to be uncomfortable for Republicans?
DAN COATS: I hope it has a spiritual content. I think we need that more than the political, but let's give him a chance to speak his heart.
CORDES: No one wants the speech to turn into a version of the state of the union where one party applauds and the other sits on his hands. And there are issues like abortion and gay marriage that, for decades, have put Democrats at odds with the church. But those are not the issues that animate Pope Francis.
DONALD TRUMP: The Pope believes in global warming. You do know that, right?
CORDES: His views are have even become a focus for GOP candidates, six of whom are Catholic.
JEB BUSH: I don't get economic policy from my bishops or cardinals or from my Pope.
CHRIS CHRISTIE: I just happen to disagree with the Pope on this one.
CORDES: One Republican congressman, Arizona’s Paul Gosar says he’ll sit out today's speech because “I don't need to be lectured by the Pope about climate change” but what if Francis comes with a lecture for both sides?
THOMAS REESE: He may tell them, get over your partisanship, you know, sit down, talk to one another! And at that point, the American people will jump up and applaud.
CORDES: Nearly a third of Congress is Catholic so there is a lot of excitement about this speech on the right and the left. So much, that a letter has actually gone out to members of Congress asking them to refrain from handshakes and conversations along and down the center aisle. Leaders are worried that members will try to get as close to the Pope as they can, perhaps get a blessing, or even a selfie as he walks to the podium. Norah?
O’DONNELL: I love that detail in that reporting. Nancy, thank you so much.
