For the second day in a row, reporter Claire Shipman touted the story of an RNC staffer who submitted expense accounts after taking a donor to a strip club in Hollywood. Shipman's piece featured a clip of CNN anchor John Roberts gloating, "It's a story of dirty, sexy money" and of fellow cable host Rick Sanchez imploring, "Someone need to tell me how to spend $2000 at a topless club."
Other journalist snippets included Chris Matthews chiding, "The latest embarrassment for the RNC during the reign of Michael Steele." On Monday, after Shipman detailed expenses Steele reported including limo usage and private jet travel, she opined, "It's the sort of spending controversy that sounds so, well, pre-recession."
In contrast, GMA has all but ignored the details Norman Leboon and his violent online threats against Republican congressman Eric Cantor. This is despite the fact that there are video clips of the rants, something that usually increases the chances of a story being covered.
Monday's program featured a single anchor brief on the topic. Yet, this stripper story is now on day three. On top of that, ABC is now using journalists from other networks to promote the story.
A transcript of the March 31 segment, which aired at 7:11am EDT, follows:
ROBIN ROBERTS: We're going to move on now to the fallout from the Republican National committee's questionable expense accounts. Some are calling for the chairman to step down after one RNC staffer submitted expenses from a visit to a strip club. Claire Shipman has been following the story and has the new details for us from Washington. Good morning, Claire.
ABC GRAPHIC: RNC Chair Job in Jeopardy? Michael Steele on the Hot Seat
CLAIRE SHIPMAN: Good morning, Robin. Well, as we reported on Tuesday, word of those expenses is causing turmoil in the Republican Party. But so far no, Republican leaders are calling for Steele to resign. Clearly afraid that would create even more upheaval now that the party doesn't need. Embattled RNC Chairman Michael Steele is moving fast. One day after it was revealed that the Republican National Committee approved nearly $2,000 in expenses at this West Hollywood, sex-themed nightclub, he fired Allison Meyers, the staffer who took a group of donors there last January. And Steele maintains he knew nothing of that outing.
JOHN ROBERTS: It's a story of dirty, sexy money.
SHIPMAN: But that hardly put a dent in the pundit chatter. Even more questions exploding about Steele's ability to lead.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: The latest embarrassment for the RNC during the reign of Michael Steele.
RICK SANCHEZ: Someone needs to tell me how to spend $2,000 at a topless club.
KEITH OLBERMANN: Michael Steele is in jeopardy, as usual.
SHIPMAN: Insiders worry the controversy is distracting from the party's primary goal: Seizing majority control of Congress this fall.
KEN BLACKWELL (Vice Chairman, RNC): Chairman Steele knows that the buck stops at his desk and so that's why it is incumbent upon him to take quick action to right the ship.
SHIPMAN: But, Steele got some love from Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell who was aided by the RNC in his 2009 bid for governor.
VIRGINIA GOVERNOR BOB MCDONNELL: I think he's a good leader. You know, people always like to focus on the controversy and not on the good news.
SHIPMAN: That good news some would argue is the fact he has done a good job of getting Republicans elected. But, party leaders have been critical of him for months in terms of the way he spends the party's money. As for Steele himself, he canceled a planned press conference yesterday about the 2012 conventions. And, so far, Robin, no interviews.
ROBERTS: I think that will change soon, though, Claire. All right. Thanks so much.
