Good Morning America's Jon Karl on Wednesday hyped the boos Mitt Romney received at Wednesday's NAACP conference as the "most hostile reception Mitt Romney has received from any group during this campaign." [See video below. MP3 audio here.] Karl actively misled while comparing John McCain's 2008 reception at the NAACP to Romney's appearance.
Karl huffed, "...[McCain] received a standing ovation." The only problem with this? Romney also got one. Garrett Haake of NBC News tweeted, Wednesday, "Standing ovation for Romney as he finishes his remarks to NAACP." So, what's the point? Karl focused only on the difficult moments: "The boos went on and on. More boos came when he slammed President Obama's record. " An ABC graphic proclaimed those few seconds could be a "key moment in [Romney]'s White House run."
Karl chose to use loaded terms in describing the reaction. Regarding the boos, the journalist asserted that they came "when he told the nation's most prominent African-American organization that they should vote against the nation's first African-American president." Or, in other words, Mitt Romney made the case for Mitt Romney.
Speaking of 2008, Karl lectured, "Four years ago, then-candidate John McCain took a different approach and praised his opponent." McCain lost in a landslide. So, perhaps, that example wouldn't be instructive for Republicans?
For more on Romney's reception, see a NewsBusters blog by Matt Hadro:
A transcript of the July 12 segment can be found below:
7:11
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: The race for the White House now. Your voice, your vote and Mitt Romney's voice was met by boos on Wednesday when he made his case against President Obama before a crowd of Obama's strongest supporters at the NAACP convention. But, led to some uncomfortable moments- You hear it there for the candidate. But was it a price worth paying? ABC's Jon Karl takes a look at that from Washington. Jon, Romney heading into more friendly territory today.JON KARL: That's right, George. Mitt Romney heads to Wyoming where he will appear with former Vice President Dick Cheney. Getting the stamp of approval from one of the Republican Party's most prominent elder statesman and undoubtedly a warmer reception than the one he got at the NAACP. It was the most hostile reception Mitt Romney has received from any group during this campaign.
ABC GRAPHIC: Romney Booed at NAACP Event: Key Moment in White House Run?
MITT ROMNEY: I'm going to eliminate any every nonessential, expensive program I can find. That includes Obamacare. And I am going to work to reform and save- [Boos]
KARL: The boos went on and on. More boos came when he slammed President Obama's record. And when he told the nation's most prominent African-American organization that they should vote against the nation's first African-American president.
ROMNEY: If you want a president who will make things better in the African-American community, you are looking at him. You take a look.
KARL: Later, Romney said his chilly reception came as no surprise.
ROMNEY: We expected that, of course. But, you know, I'm going to give the same message to the NAACP that I give across the country.
KARL: Rush Limbaugh went after President Obama for not showing up to speak.
RUSH LIMBAUGH: They send Biden- They send Biden to the NAACP. First black president. An election year. Can't show up to your convention? He's confident they'll boo Romney simply because Romney's white.
KARL: Four years ago, then-candidate John McCain took a different approach and praised his opponent.
JOHN MCCAIN: Senator Obama talks about making history and he's made quite a bit of it already. And the way was prepared by this venerable organization and others like it.
KARL: And he received a standing ovation.
MCCAIN: Thank you.
KARL: The White House cites scheduling conflicts for the reason why President Obama didn't appear before the NAACP this year. He did speak there last year. And Vice President Biden's going to be there today. George?
STEPHANOPOULOS: Okay. And Romney gets credit just for showing up.
