In the midst of hyping the “town hall fury” against Donald Trump and his administration, CBS This Morning on Thursday recalled that back in 2009, Barack Obama dismissed protests against him as “manufactured.” Co-host Norah O’Donnell played a clip of Sean Spicer talking about liberal outrage: “But there is a bit of professional protester, manufactured base in there.”
O’Donnell added, “Now that sounded a lot like President Obama's press secretary eight years ago.” She then included this exchange between then-ABC journalist Jake Tapper and Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs:
JAKE TAPPER: Is it the White House's contention that the anger that some members of Congress are experiencing at town hall meetings, especially over health care reform, is manufactured? Is that —
ROBERT GIBBS: I think some of it is, yes. In fact, I think you have had groups today, Conservatives for Patients Rights that have bragged about organizing and manufacturing that anger.
The Media Research Center’s Kyle Drennen noticed that back in 2009, journalists had no problem speculating about the manufactured nature of outrage against Obama:
Despite being aghast that Trump would accurately label many of the demonstrators as liberal, in 2009, then-NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams had no qualms casting aspersions on Tea Party members voicing their concerns at town hall meetings with Democrats: “As members of Congress return to their districts for their month long summer break to hear from their constituents, the shouting at so-called town meetings has sometimes reached a fever pitch. It's raising the question – is it genuine raw anger or focused, organized anger, or perhaps a mixture of both?”
In an earlier segment on CBS, a network graphic screamed, “Town Hall Fury: Angry Protesters Confront Lawmakers at Meetings.”
A transcript of the later segment is below:
<<< Please support MRC's NewsBusters team with a tax-deductible contribution today. >>>
CBS TM
2/23/17
8:02GAYLE KING: More lawmakers are being confronted by angry voter in their home districts at town halls from coast to coast. Congressional Republicans are hearing very tough questions on President Trump's taxes, immigration policy and plans to repeal and replace ObamaCare.
WOMAN: I can tell you three members of my family, including me, that would be dead, dead and homeless if it was not for ACA. I am an angry constituent. You work for us!
NORAH O’DONNELL: All these town halls are attracting a mix of Republicans and Democrats. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked about the crowds yesterday.
SEAN SPICER: I think some people are clearly upset. But there is a bit of professional protester, manufactured base in there. But obviously there are people that are upset. But I also think that when you look at some of these districts and some of these things, it is not a representation of a member's district.
O’DONNELL: Now that sounded a lot like President Obama's press secretary eight years ago.
JAKE TAPPER: Is it the White House’s contention that the anger that some members of Congress are experiencing at town hall meetings, especially over health care reform, is manufactured? Is that —
ROBERT GIBBS: I think some of it is, yes. In fact, In fact, I think you have had groups today, Conservatives for Patients Rights that have bragged about organizing and manufacturing that anger.
O’DONNELL: Manufactured or not there will be more town halls held today. And My guess, there will be more protests.
ANTHONY MASON: A little bit more noise.
