CBS This Morning journalists on Friday warned of a “scary time for a lot of people” as several states are “one closure away from having zero [abortion] clinics.” Reporter Anna Werner also hinted that states such as Georgia would regret their pro-life legislation: “But some states with so-called heartbeat bans are seeing the cost of passing those laws.”
Briefly mentioning the network she works for, Werner continued, “Entertainment companies like Disney, Warner, and CBS Corporation have joined Netflix in saying they may stop production there if the law goes into effect, pulling more than 92,000 movie and television jobs from the state.”
Co-hosts Gayle King (who is also a Democratic donor), Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil barely attempted to hide their disgust with the new pro-life laws:
TONY DOKOUPIL: Think about the women who have appointments tomorrow or Sunday or Monday.
ANTHONY MASON: Exactly. Yes.
DOKOUPIL: What do they do?
ANNA WERNER: A lot of uncertainty there.
GAYLE KING: It’s a scary time for a lot of people.
A scary time for a lot of people? Not exactly objective, but standard liberal talking points from King and the rest.
Werner fretted, “At least five other states are one closure away from having zero clinics. Now many states are beginning to pave a path to challenge Roe v. Wade under a conservative-leaning Supreme Court.”
This is quite the contrast to the softball interview that the CBS This Morning co-hosts conducted with Planned Parenthood President Leana Wen on Wednesday. King warned, “What do you think, Dr. Wen, that people who don't understand how serious this is?” She then repeated this talking point: “Planned Parenthood is more than just abortions. I think people need to understand that too.”
Dokoupil touted, “Donations are going up.”
A transcript of the segment is below. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS This Morning
5/31/19
7:11 AM ETCBS GRAPHIC: Anti-Abortion Laws Backlash
TONY DOKOUPIL: A judge in St. Louis could decide at any time whether Missouri’s only abortion clinic can stay open. Missouri is one of several states now facing a backlash over controversial abortion limits. CTM investigative correspondent Anna Warner is here. Anna, what's at stake for Missouri and other states?
ANNA WERNER: Well, Tony, at least five other states are one closure away from having zero clinics. Now many states are beginning to pave a path to challenge Roe v. Wade under a conservative-leaning Supreme Court. But some states with so-called heartbeat bans are seeing the cost of passing those laws. Abortion rights-supporters rallied outside a St. Louis courthouse yesterday.
[Crowd chanting “No access, no peace.”]
WERNER: In a fight to keep the doors to Missouri's only abortion clinic open.
WOMAN: They're going to have a fight on their hands like they've never seen before.
WERNER: A judge inside heard arguments over Planned Parenthood's request for a temporary restraining order that would stop the state from refusing to renew its license.
M’EVIE MEAD (Planned Parenthood Advocates of Missouri Director): Shame on the Missouri policies and government for weaponizing the licensing regulatory process to end safe and legal abortion in Missouri.
WERNER: The Missouri Department of Health says it's a state issue over violations of state laws and regulations. The department director left the door open to negotiate.
DR. RANDALL W. WILLIAMS (Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services): If we could talk with the doctors between now and then and reach a resolution to those issues we have concerns about, and it might be as simple as saying, “Yeah, we all wish it happened, but this is what we're going to do to keep it from happening.” And we would say, “Fine.”
WERNER: Missouri is one of six states to approve legislation banning abortion in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. Georgia faces potential loses of more than$2 billion over it. TV shows and movies, including The Avengers, are filmed there. And entertainment companies like Disney, Warner, and CBS Corporation have joined Netflix in saying they may stop production there if the law goes into effect, pulling more than 92,000 movie and television jobs from the state. Well, none of the laws passed taken effect yet. So abortion is still available in all 50 states. If the judge denies Planned Parenthood’s restraining orders and its license expires, it will have the option to file an appeal, something the organization says it will consider. Gayle?
DOKOUPIL: Think about the women who have appointments tomorrow or Sunday or Monday.
ANTHONY MASON: Exactly. Yes.
DOKOUPIL: What do they do?
WERNER: A lot of uncertainty there.
GAYLE KING: It’s a scary time for a lot of people. Thank you very much, Anna.
