It was one of the most predictable developments on the Democratic side of the 2020 presidential election: two-time presidential flunky Hillary Clinton endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden. But that didn’t stop ABC’s World News Tonight from fangirling Tuesday and declaring it “another big milestone” for the campaign. At the same time, ABC News and the CBS Evening News continued their blackout of former Biden Senate staffer Tara Reade and her allegations of rape against him.
As a Media Research Center study showed earlier Tuesday, it had been over a month since Reade had publically accused Biden of sexual assault but ABC News and CBS Evening News were doing all they could to keep their viewers in the dark. But both celebrated Clinton’s endorsement as if it was something special.
“On the virtual campaign trail today, Joe Biden got a boost from Hillary Clinton,” boasted ABC’s senior congressional correspondent Mary Bruce. “She and Biden go way back. They've worked together for 25 years.”
Bruce gushed about how they interacted while in the Obama administration. “As vice president and secretary of state, they met once a week. A private breakfast every Tuesday.” And she did the same for an inane story Clinton told about their childhood during the announcement stream:
BRUCE: Clinton today recalling their family ties back in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
CLINTON: And my grandfather and then my father grew up in a house on Diamond Avenue, and while the Rodham’s were living on Diamond Avenue, the Bidens were over on North Washington Street.
BRUCE: Today she officially endorsed her old friend.
CLINTON: I am thrilled to be part of your campaign.
Of course, Bruce repeatedly reminded viewers that Clinton had won the popular vote and opined about how “powerful” she was. “Clinton won the popular vote in 2016 and has a loyal following....Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by nearly three million votes, so she has a powerful base,” she declared.
And clearly flaunting her fandom of the two-time failed presidential candidate, Bruce concluded by proclaiming: “There's no question, Clinton’s endorsement is another big milestone for the Biden campaign.”
For CBS’s part, anchor Norah O’Donnell’s new brief echoed ABC’s lauding. “Today, Hillary Clinton became the latest big-name Democrat to endorse Joe Biden,” she said as she too reminded viewers of the popular vote. “Biden called her the woman who should be president,” O’Donnell added on that point.
O’Donnell also noted that “Clinton says Biden, quote, ‘Can repair the damage that he would be inheriting.’”
Interestingly, NBC Nightly News didn’t mention Clinton’s endorsement. Perhaps they realized how bad the optics looked to have Matt Lauer’s enablers covering Biden without mentioning his alleged sexual misconduct.
The transcripts are below, click "expand" to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
April 28, 2020
6:44:46 p.m. EasternDAVID MUIR: The virus, of course, having a major impact on the race for 2020. And Joe Biden today with a surprise guest, Hillary Clinton endorsing Biden. And here's Mary Bruce.
[Cuts to video]
MARY BRUCE: On the virtual campaign trail today, Joe Biden got a boost from Hillary Clinton.
FMR. VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: And I'm really thrilled to have my friend, the former Senator, and former Secretary of State, and a woman who should be president of the United States right now.
BRUCE: A polarizing but powerful figure, Clinton won the popular vote in 2016 and has a loyal following. She and Biden go way back. They've worked together for 25 years. As vice president and secretary of state, they met once a week. A private breakfast every Tuesday. Clinton today recalling their family ties back in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
HILLARY CLINTON: And my grandfather and then my father grew up in a house on Diamond Avenue, and while the Rodham’s were living on Diamond Avenue, the Bidens were over on North Washington Street.
BRUCE: Today she officially endorsed her old friend.
CLINTON: I am thrilled to be part of your campaign.
BRUCE: Without saying her former rival's name, Clinton had a clear message for President Trump.
CLINTON: Just think of what a difference it would make right now, if we had a president who not only listened to the science, put facts over fiction, but brought us together. [Transition] Think of what it would mean if we had a real president, not just somebody who plays one on TV.
[Cuts back to live]
BRUCE: Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by nearly three million votes, so she has a powerful base. But she's also criticized for losing the election to Donald Trump, and is accused of alienating progressive voters. The group Joe Biden is now trying to win over. But, David, there's no question, Clinton’s endorsement is another big milestone for the Biden campaign. David.
MUIR: Mary Bruce, tonight. Mary, thank you.
CBS Evening News
April 28, 2020
6:49:20 p.m. EasternNORAH O’DONNELL: Today, Hillary Clinton became the latest big-name Democrat to endorse Joe Biden. The 2016 nominee, who lost the election to President Trump, despite winning the popular vote, appeared in an online forum with Biden. Biden called her the woman who should be president. Clinton says Biden, quote, "Can repair the damage that he would be inheriting."
