On Saturday, Fox News analyst Jim Pinkerton credited the Media Research Center for highlighting the lack of media outrage over the Obama administration’s fake congressional district scandal. After referencing the revelation that the Recovery.gov website claimed thousands of jobs had been saved in districts that don’t exist, Pinkerton suggested, "They [Obama officials] were embarrassed, but as the Media Research Center pointed out, the morning shows gave the story exactly 21 seconds."
Pinkerton was referencing a November 17 NewsBusters blog which noted that Tuesday’s Early Show on CBS and NBC’s Today show completely skipped the developing story. ABC’s Good Morning America devoted just 21 seconds to the topic. On Saturday’s Fox News Watch, Pinkerton concluded, "So, no, [the Obama administration will] get over it, because the media aren't going to turn this into another Watergate."
A transcript of the November 21 exchange, which aired at 2:50pm EST, follows:
JOHN SCOTT: Another big item being covered this week. Remember our $787 billion stimulus plan? Well, thanks to some old fashion shoe leather reporting, it looks like 75,000 of the created or saved jobs listed on the government website Recovery.gov, those jobs are bogus. Here is what the Boston Globe found about jobs created in its home state. While Massachusetts recipients of federal stimulus money collectedly reported 12,374 jobs saved or created, a Globe review shows that number is wildly exaggerated. Organizations that receive stimulus money miscounted jobs, filed erroneous figures or claimed jobs for work that has not yet started. Ellis, shoe leather reporting?
ELLIS HENICAN: And it’s terrific example. This is, Jon, why we need robust local newspapers across America. If the Globe and other papers aren't doing this stuff, nobody is going to and all of those staffs are shrinking and pressed and really in danger at this point.
SCOTT: And the administration was somewhat embarrassed by all of the figures and that’s probably a good thing.
PINKERTON: They were embarrassed, but as the Media Research Center pointed out, the morning shows gave the story exactly 21 seconds. So, no, they'll get over it, because the media aren't going to turn this into another Watergate.
SCOTT: All right. It’s time for us to take one more break.
