Former Democratic activist turned journalist George Stephanopoulos on Thursday went after Carly Fiorina for attacking Planned Parenthood during Wednesday’s presidential debate. The Good Morning America co-host grilled, “Another powerful moment last night was when you talked about those Planned Parenthood tapes. But analysts who've watched all 12-plus hours say the scene you've described, that harrowing scene you described, actually isn't in those tapes.”
He wondered, “did you misspeak?” Fiorina shot back at the man who secretly donated $75,000 to the Clintons: “I don't know whether you've watched the tapes, George....Certainly none of the Democrats who are still defending Planned Parenthood have watched those tapes.”
The GMA co-host continued, citing Vox, a left-wing website:
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, Sara Kliff, actually, writing in Vox, watched all 12 hours and she concluded, "Either Fiorina hasn't watched the Planned Parenthood videos or she is knowingly misrepresenting the footage, because what she says happens in the Planned Parenthood videos simply does not exist."
However, the conservative Federalist disagrees:
As for Fiorina’s quote, she is likely referring to the entirety of the 10 videos, including the seventh video released by the Center for Medical Progress. Watch the full video for yourself. It does, in fact, show a fully formed fetus, heart beating and legs kicking. And it shows this while Holly O’Donnell, a former organ harvester who worked for StemExpress at a Planned Parenthood affiliate, graphically discuss the harvesting of a brain from a baby whose heart was beating.
Stephanopoulos also took a shot at Fiorina’s tenure at Hewlett-Packard:
STEPHANOPOULOS: I know you've said you're proud of the record, but the Wall Street Journal pointed out at the time that the stock price dropped more than 50 percent on your watch and that your bet on that big merger with Compaq failed. They concluded, "In American capitalism nowadays, the CEO takes the fall for that kind of record." So, is your record at Hewlett Packard fair game now and what should voters think about it?
A transcript of the September 17 GMA segment is below:
7:06
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Joining us now one of the other candidates a lot of commentators saw as a big winner last night, Carly Fiorina joins us from Simi Valley. Good morning, Ms. Fiorina. Thank you for joining us. Did it feel like a win?
CARLY FIORINA: Yes, I was very satisfied. You know, when I went into that debate, almost half the audience had never heard my name and didn't know I was running for president. So this was a really important opportunity for me to introduce myself and I think I did that successfully last night.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You made Donald Trump blush with your response to his comments about your persona. He’s now calling a nice person – that interview with Tom Llamas last night – and beautiful. You didn't have a verbal response on stage. What were you thinking at that moment?
FIORINA: Well, you know, I think his comments were clear as I said last night, every woman in America understood what those comments meant. And so Mr. Trump will have to live with what he says, just like we all do.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You've said tough things about him. Could you really support him if you were the nominee?
FIORINA: Well, that's for voters to decide. I will support the Republican nominee. I intend for that to be me.
STEPHANOPOULOS: He also took aim at your record at Hewlett-Packard, as CEO of Hewlett Packard. I know you’ve said you’re proud of the record, but the Wall Street Journal pointed out at the time that the stock price dropped more than 50 percent on your watch and that your bet on that big merger with Compaq failed. They concluded, “In American capitalism nowadays, the CEO takes the fall for that kind of record.” So, is your record at Hewlett Packard fair game now and what should voters think about it?
FIORINA: Well, actually, the acquisition of Compaq was a huge success, which history has proven. I don't know what article you're reading from or what year. Also the NASDAQ, I led Hewlett-Packard through the worst technology recession in 25 years.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Another powerful moment last night was when you talked about those Planned Parenthood tapes. But analysts who’ve watched all 12-plus hours say the scene you've described, that harrowing scene you described, actually isn't in those tapes. Did you misspeak?
FIORINA: No, I didn't misspeak and I don't know who you're speaking about in terms of watching the tapes, but I have seen those images. I don't know whether you've watched the tapes, George. Most people haven't. Certainly none of the Democrats who are still defending Planned Parenthood have watched those tapes, Planned Parenthood needs to be defended [sic]. This kind of butchery erodes at the character of our nation.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, Sara Kliff, actually, writing in Vox, watched all 12 hours and she concluded, “Either Fiorina hasn't watched the Planned Parenthood videos or she is knowingly misrepresenting the footage, because what she says happens in the Planned Parenthood videos simply does not exist.”
FIORINA: Well, you know, there's a lot of commentary about these tapes being doctored. In fact, that's what the mainstream media keeps talking about is the tapes and their origins. Rest assured, I have seen the images that I talked about last night. Rest assured that human lives are being aborted, fully formed, in order to harvest body parts. Rest assured that this erodes at the character of our nation. And once again I will say I dare Mrs. Clinton and President Obama, two defenders of Planned Parenthood, to watch these videotapes.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You've now had two debates. Some say two wins. Your poll numbers continue to go up. Where will you be in a month?
FIORINA: Well, I don't know but, you know, I'm going to continue to do what we've been doing which is talking to as many voters as I can, particularly in early primary states and early caucus states, getting out there and introducing myself to the American people.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Carly Fiorina, thanks for joining us this morning.
FIORINA: Thanks, George.
