As part of Newsbusters’ thorough coverage of the Bill Clinton/Chris Wallace interview, the MRC’s Tim Graham noted that the shock should not have been over Wallace’s questions, but rather the softballs provided by "mainstream" journalists such as Tim Russert. The NBC host asked Clinton brief and not exactly hard hitting queries, including "what do you think is the biggest problem" in the world?
CBS anchor Harry Smith seemed perplexed by an "Early Show" guest who had the temerity to blame Clinton for failing to eliminate bin Laden. MSNBC host Keith Olbermann attacked Roger Ailes, Chairman of Fox News, calling him "Ming the Merciless" for daring to criticize Clinton.
Over on CNN, the cable network joined in on the Fox bashing. "Situation Room" contributor Jack Cafferty described FNC as the "F-word network." (It should be noted that this isn’t the first time Cafferty has used the term, it’s sort of a go-to phrase for the liberal anchor.) CNN also featured yet another story over whether the GOP and "Big Oil" are conspiring to bring the price of gas down and, as a result, help the Republicans in the midterm elections
In other wide ranging bias, despite an underwhelming hurricane season, "Good Morning America" warned about Earth’s "soaring temperatures" and anchor Robin Roberts interviewed a parade of global warming cheerleaders.
Another morning show, "Today," featured Matt Lauer asking the President of Pakistan whether George Bush is making the world "less safe." The very next day, the NBC program presented its idea of parity: James Carville and Paul Begala discussing President Clinton’s Fox News appearance. What a fine example of balance!
Katie Couric, now a contributor to "60 Minutes," noted that Condoleezza Rice "rejects the notion that the U.S. is a bully." Imagine that!
Finally, in the category of "dumb celebrity bias," HBO host Bill Maher and West Wing actor Bradley Whitford agreed that, thanks to Bush, terrorist criticisms of the U.S. seem "justified." And Newsbusters executive editor Matthew Sheffield noted that ESPN brought politics to their "Monday Night Football" broadcast by inviting well known liberal Spike Lee into the booth
