After House Speaker Boehner pulled a vote for Hurricane Sandy aid on Tuesday, CNN gave a microphone to outraged politicians who bashed the House GOP for not voting on the relief bill that Senate Democrats loaded with pork.
CNN gave two interviews to Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) airing his grievances against fellow Republicans, and anchor Don Lemon interviewed three Democrats who wanted the relief bill passed: Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). [Video below the break. Audio here.]
In addition, CNN aired the full press conference of Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) calling out House Republicans for not passing the bill. MSNBC only showed a few seconds of the presser, and Fox News didn't even carry it. CNN repeatedly played clips of King and Christie blasting the House GOP on We
"Is this enough to make you leave the party or switch parties?" anchor Victor Blackwell teed up Congressman King on Wednesday morning. He added drama to the situation, noting that "I was there after Sandy hit. And people lost their homes, their businesses; they lost friends and relatives. Tell us how significant this delay is for the people you represent."
"Well Congresswoman, how does it behoove Speaker Boehner to put this vote off? I don't understand it," anchor Don Lemon admitted.
Touting Gov. Chris Christie blasting Republicans for not passing the recovery package, Lemon teed up Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.):
"Pretty harsh words. And you know what he said that got my attention, when he said I feel betrayed by members of Congress. And if you – have you ever felt betrayed? Those are some pretty strong words."
Lemon kept marginalizing the conservative opposition to the bill: "And, Senator, it seems no one could understand it," he told Sen. Schumer.
CNN did ask the guests to respond to the argument that the bill was loaded with appropriations for states not affected by Sandy. However, not a single politician who appeared on CNN to talk about the relief bill between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. supported Speaker Boehner's decision to pull the vote for the bill.
