A day after CBS avoided using the "Democrat" label for the scandal-plagued Jesse Jackson Jr., the network on Friday made sure to identify "Republican" Aaron Schock for a story on the resignation of the congressman. Guest co-host Vladimir Duthiers informed, "The Republican compared himself to Abraham Lincoln in his farewell speech."
On ABC's Good Morning America, guest co-host David Muir referred to the "disgraced congressman." Jon Karl made sure to note, "Schock had been one of the Republican Party's fastest rising stars in the House and the only one to hit the cover of Men's Health."
On NBC's Today, Sheinelle Jones only referred to the "the Illinois Congressman" and did not use a Republican ID.
A February 2013 Media Research Center study found that 73 percent of network stories failed to mention that Jesse Jackson Jr., a former congressman who resigned and has since gone to prison, is a Democrat.
The MRC's Geoff Dickens wrote, "In 15 total stories on Jackson, reporters failed to utter the "D" word in 11 of them (73 percent). On the February 21 CBS This Morning, Jackson was labeled a Democrat, but only in an on-screen graphic."
A transcript of the March 27 GMA segment, which aired at 7:12am ET, is below:
7:12
DAVID MUIR: And now to the disgraced congressman who made headlines for his spending, his office makeover inspired by Downton Abbey. Aaron Schock who resigned over questions about his spending as we asked is it your money? Now giving his final farewell speech and bringing up Abraham Lincoln. Here's ABC's Jon Karl.
JON KARL: ABC News caught up with Aaron Schock as he left the Capitol for the last time as a member of Congress.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: So do you have any comments about the investigation?
KARL: Mum about his legal situation, but the Congressman known for that Downton Abbey office and his flashy Instagram account had plenty to say in his farewell speech to Congress, even hinting at a possible comeback.
AARON SCHOCK: I leave here with sadness and humility. For those whom I let down, I will work tirelessly to make it up to you.
KARL: Schock had been one of the Republican Party's fastest rising stars in the House and the only one to hit the cover of Men's Health. Now, forced to resign over allegedly cheating taxpayers and campaign donors on his expenses. In leaving, he acknowledged making mistakes and invoked the name of another famous politician from Illinois.
SCHOCK: Abraham Lincoln held this seat in Congress for one term. But few faced as many defeats in his personal, business and public life as he did. I believe that through life's struggles, we learn from our mistakes and we learn more about ourselves.
KARL: As Schock leaves his Downton Abbey office remains, ready for whoever is elected to replace him. But in an odd coincidence the TV show that inspired the office decor is now going off the air. For Good Morning America," Jonathan Karl, ABC news, Washington.
