Colin Powell, who the networks hyped when he endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, has now slammed Hillary Clinton for attempting to “pin” responsibility of using a private server on him. Yet, CBS and NBC on Monday minimized the story with CBS This Morning noting it for just a scant 29 seconds (out of a two hour program).
After highlighting “new tensions” between Powell and Clinton, Nancy Cordes explained, “Clinton reportedly told the FBI it was Powell who advised her to use a private e-mail account as Secretary like he did.” Cordes quoted Powell: “Her people have been trying to pin it on me. The truth is she was using the private e-mail server for a year before I sent her a memo telling her what I did.”
In contrast to the 29 seconds, CBS in March gave Powell a platform to bash Republican “nastiness” in the GOP primaries.
NBC’s Today offered two brief mentions in stories on other topics. Reporter Hallie Jackson allowed that “Colin Powell pushes back against a report Clinton told the FBI he advised her on the use of private e-mail.”
Not really explaining the issue, Savannah Guthrie talked to Democratic strategist James Carville and asked him to spin the story:
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Colin Powell saying that the Clinton folks are trying to pin this e-mail business on him by saying he recommended or detailed his use of personal e-mail while he was Secretary of State. Let’s pretend you are in your old job. You’re working for Hillary Clinton. What should she do about this e-mail issue? It continues to dog her.
On Friday, NBC seized on Clinton’s attempts to blame Powell for the e-mail scandal. Reporter Sheinelle Jones relayed, “Sources tell NBC News that Hillary Clinton told the FBI that former Secretary of State Colin Powell recommended that she use a private e-mail account for unclassified communication.”
It was only ABC’s Good Morning America that offered a full report on Powell’s push back. Jon Karl educated viewers:
JON KARL: It's also important to point out, George, that what Powell did is much different. He didn't set up his own personal server and Powell was Secretary of State before rules were put in place telling state department employees not to use personal e-mail for official business. In other words, there really isn't much of a comparison here and as you can see from what Powell said over the weekend he's a little bit irritated by those trying to make a comparison.
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