NBC Commiserates with 'Hard Realities' Obama 'Up Against
January 7th, 2009 9:23 PM
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
December 18th, 2008 4:22 PM
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
December 14th, 2008 1:32 PM
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…
Only ABC's 'World News' Questions Obama's Relationship with Blago
December 10th, 2008 12:59 PM
The three broadcast networks started their evening newscasts on Tuesday with stories on Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest and corruption charges. All of the newscasts mentioned Blagojevich's Democratic affiliation, but only in passing. And, only ABC's World News questioned the details about the Illinois Governor's relationship with President-elect Barack Obama, while NBC and CBS brushed…
Blago: Morning Shows Dance Around D-Word
December 10th, 2008 8:48 AM
If Rod Blagojevich were a Republican, what's the over-under on the number of times the network morning shows would have mentioned that fact in their coverage today?But Blago is a Democrat. So how often did Today, Good Morning America and the Early Show explicitly identify him as such during their opening half-hours today? Not once. The closest any came were references at Today and Early Show…
Sounding Too Much Like Michael Moore, Chuck Todd Cites NewsBusters
December 4th, 2008 12:34 PM
On Thursday's "Morning Joe," after being told that a critique of his on the auto industry bailout sounded very similar to one made by liberal filmmaker Michael Moore, MSNBC political director Chuck Todd told co-host Willie Geist that he dreaded what the people at NewsBusters would say: "By the way, I can't wait 'til our friends at NewsBusters, you know, compare, compare me to Michael Moore. I…
Obama's Ultimate Weasel Word: Create or 'Save' 2.5 Million Jobs
November 24th, 2008 7:18 AM
Transcript from press conference of Pres. Barack Obama, Feb. 12th, 2011: CNSNEWS.COM: Mr. President, when you first took office you promised to create 2.5 million jobs by January, 2011. But the Labor Department report issued yesterday indicates that in fact 1.7 million jobs were lost during that period. Why did your plan fail?PRES. BARACK OBAMA: Ah, but it didn't fail. To the contrary, we…
Brokaw Ignores Obama's FDR-Like Refusal to Work With Bush Economic Tea
November 23rd, 2008 3:21 PM
Though given a perfect opportunity to do so, Tom Brokaw on Sunday chose not to discuss the similarities between Franklin D. Roosevelt's refusal to work with President Herbert Hoover on solving the Depression before he was inaugurated in March 1933 and president-elect Barack Obama doing the same thing today with George W. Bush. For those not familiar with the historical reference, the financial…
TV's Take: McCain Too Sarcastic and Conservative, Obama in Center
October 16th, 2008 3:40 AM
Recapping Wednesday's presidential debate TV journalists were struck with how Barack Obama conveyed an “appeal to the center” while a “sarcastic” John McCain showed “disdain and contempt” and was hurt by being too much of a right-wing “ideologue” whose “worst moment” came when he raised the name of William Ayers. Also noteworthy: On NBC, Ann Curry pressed six undecided voters to “raise your hand…
Nets Condemn McCain Calling Obama 'That One'; CNN: Palin Racist
October 8th, 2008 5:44 AM
Matching the Obama campaign spin, the network reporters and analysts were upset by John McCain, at one moment in the second presidential debate on Tuesday night, referring to Barack Obama as “that one.” CBS's Jeff Greenfield asserted “there is going to be clearly a major headline soundbite” and insisted “those two words are going to be what the water cooler conversation is tomorrow. Was it…
'Surprise' Palin 'Did Not Embarrass Herself,' Upset She Didn't Answer
October 3rd, 2008 3:58 AM
align="right"Two themes in post-VP debate coverage Thursday night: First, “surprise” that Sarah Palin wasn't a “car wreck” and “did not embarrass herself.” Second, distress that she failed to answer moderator Gwen Ifill's questions. On NBC, Chuck Todd observed “those that were tuning in looking for some sort of car wreck, probably came away disappointed.” CBS's Katie Couric proposed, without…
