On CNN This Morning, CNN Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny uttered a very cynical "why not?" on the question of whether Joe Biden should pardon Hunter.
The show had played the clip of Biden flatly telling ABC's David Muir that he would not pardon his son.
But hey! That was then, when Biden was running for president. And this is now, with Biden out of the race. So, yeah, "why not?"
Biden breaking his promise would give a new meaning to a favorite line of his: "On my word as a Biden."
Zeleny used the tried-and-true MSM dodge of putting his opinion in the mouths of others, framing his answer as a some-would-say spin. Zeleny built his case for the pardon by noting that the power to do so is "one prerogative a president has. I guess some would say why not use it?"
Kasie Hunt also pushed the notion that Biden should pardon Hunter, asking Brad Todd, the sole Republican on the panel: "If you're Joe Biden, is there a reason not to pardon his kid at this point?" The "kid" is 54.
Pledges,schmedges. Holding politicians to their promises is something the liberal media only tends to do with Republicans. The MSM mercilessly raked George H.W. Bush over the coals for going back on his "Read my lips: no new taxes"—despite the fact that the liberal media actually favors raising taxes on "the rich."
Brad Todd, the sole Republican on the panel, had every confidence that Biden would go back on his word:
"I don't think there's a person in this country that believes he won't pardon his kid."
Question: What are the odds Hunter would have pleaded guilty if the fix weren't already in with the Big Guy
Here's the transcript.
CNN This Morning
9/6/24
6:18 am EDTKASIE HUNT: A shocking twist in Hunter Biden's latest legal drama. President Biden's son pleading guilty in his federal tax case to all nine charges. The surprise plea coming just as jury selection was set to get underway, his lawyer telling reporters he made the decision to quote, protect those he loves from an unnecessary hurt and cruel humiliation. This would have been Hunter's second public trial this year.
ABBE LOWELL: Hunter put his family first today, and it was a brave and loving thing for him to do.
HUNT: The sentencing is now scheduled for December 16th.
Hunter could face up to 17 years in prison and a more than $1 million fine—if—he's not pardoned. That's a possibility that Joe Biden had ruled out during Hunter Biden's federal gun trial earlier this year.
DAVID MUIR: Let me ask you, will you accept the jury's outcome, their verdict, no matter what it is?
JOE BIDEN: Yes.
MUIR: And have you ruled out a pardon for your son?
BIDEN: Yes.
MUIR: You have.
HUNT: Now, yesterday, the White House press secretary reiterated that message, telling reporters the answer is still no.
But Jeff Zeleny, there is one critical difference between the Joe Biden there that said he would not pardon his son Hunter, and Joe Biden today. Which is that he is no longer running for reelection.
JEFF ZELENY: Without question. I mean, so we'll see how this goes. Everything has changed in President Biden's world since then. He was seeking reelection, in that interview with David Muir, in a very tough reelection fight. Now he's not.
So look, this is going to be, it's one prerogative a president has. I guess some would say why not use it?
. . .
HUNT: Brad, as the Republican at the table. I mean, if you're Joe Biden, is there a reason not to pardon his kid at this point?
BRAD TODD: I don't think there's a person that country that believes he won't pardon his kid.
You know, but let's go back a minute. Hunter says he didn't want put his family through it. He should have thought of that before he sold access to his father to some of the seediest corporations and entities in the world. He, he's put his family through plenty on purpose for a long time.
