Nets Presume Obama's Tax Hike Will Increase Revenue
ABC, CBS and NBC reporters over the past two days have relayed how the Obama administration proposes to cut the annual federal deficit from $1.3 trillion to $533 billion in four years by cutting spending on the war in Iraq and raising the income tax rate for those earning more than $250,000. Not considered: How since the Bush tax cuts the revenue paid by the richest -- and their share of total…
In Gregg Stories, Short Shrift to White House's Census Grab
ABC, CBS and NBC centered their Thursday night stories, on Senator Judd Gregg's decision to withdraw as Commerce Secretary-nominee, around his disagreement with the Obama administration's “stimulus” plan -- with only passing mention, if any, of the administration's wish to move the 2010 census count from Commerce to the White House. CNN's Jessica Yellin reported at the top of the 6 PM EST…
Obama's 'Teaching Moments,' 'Message' to Ideologues, Fret Not Tougher
Some quick takes on the very brief presidential press conference wrap-ups on ABC, CBS and NBC before each returned to entertainment shows a bit after 9 PM EST: - ABC anchor Charles Gibson lauded how President Obama treated “each question almost as a teaching moment with long and expansive answers.” - CBS anchor Katie Couric cited how Obama talked “about 'ideological blockage'” against the “…
Lauer Fearmongers On Stimulus: 'Draconian Cuts' In 'Jobs, Teachers, Co
Matt Lauer invited on two Senate supporters and no opponents of Barack Obama's stimulus bill, on Monday's "Today" show and asked pro-stimulus bill questions to his guests, even chiding those who opposed it, when he asked Republican Senator Susan Collins about two of her GOP colleagues who are against it: "So what do you get that those two are not getting?" Lauer, also depicted a gloomy picture…
White House Press Briefing Live-blog [5 Feb
Update: The highlight thus far is the testy exchange between Gibbs and Tapper. Checking the tape again it appears he did answer Tapper's second question, albeit tersely muttering the response, before turning to Chuck Todd of NBC. Gibbs starting press conference about 10 minutes late, at 2:10. Says was late getting started due to news about Associate Justice Ginsburg's pancreatic cancer surgery.…
White House Press Briefing Live-blog [2 February
Update (14:33): News conference just ended. Gibbs faced numerous questions on Tom Daschle, including one from each major broadcast network's correspondents. [audio excerpt available here]Live blogging the press briefing. Official WH ranscript available here.13:47 CNN cuts to Brady briefing room, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs making opening announcements before questions. Announces Obama event to…
Network News Embraces Obama's Wall Street-Bashing
After years of agitation over what they saw as President George W. Bush's self-righteous moral certitude, journalists on Thursday night embraced President Barack Obama's vilification of those working for Wall Street firms who got a bonus last year. “Shameful,” NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams teased his newscast, “that's how President Obama labels those Wall Street types paying themselves…
NBC Commiserates with 'Hard Realities' Obama 'Up Against
Prompted by the CBO's forecast of a $1.2 trillion annual federal budget deficit, the NBC Nightly News on Wednesday commiserated with the challenge ahead for the incoming President. “On our broadcast tonight, facing facts,” Brian Williams teased, “President-elect Obama confronts the hard realities he's up against, deficits as far as the eye can see.” A dire Williams proceeded to lead with how…
Chuck Todd Named NBC Chief White House Correspondent
Chuck Todd, who once favorably compared Obama chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel to World War II heros Gens. Patton and MacArthur will soon be perched close to Field Marshal Rahm in the West Wing. That's right, NBC News has named Todd as the new chief White House correspondent, replacing the outgoing David Gregory:WASHINGTON - NBC News announced today that Political Director Chuck Todd has been named…
Gregory and 'MTP' Guests Defend Blago: It's 'How the World Works
The media defense of disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and corruption in politics continued Sunday morning as new "Meet the Press" host David Gregory, along with his guests, actually defended Blago's actions as "pay to play" business as usual that's just "part of the system" and "how the world works." Such seems an astounding about face from the press's disgust and incessant focus on…
