ABC Highlights Stimulus Waste: Funding Cocaine for Monkeys; Will Other

August 3rd, 2010 1:05 PM
Good Morning America's Jon Karl on Tuesday highlighted a new report by two Republican senators on extreme examples of waste in the stimulus bill. Karl rattled off some eye catching data: "$71,000 for researchers at Wake Forest University to see how monkeys react under the influence of cocaine." The ABC journalist informed viewers that Senators John McCain and Tom Coburn released their new report…

ABC, CBS Extol Chelsea's Wedding as a Happy Reminder of the 'Rosy' Cli

August 2nd, 2010 4:37 PM
ABC and CBS's morning shows on Monday hyped Chelsea Clinton's wedding as happy reminder of the '90s. Daily Beast editor Tina Brown appeared on Good Morning America and enthused, "Well, I really felt that this wedding came in for the real rosy glow, Clinton, sort of back-lit feeling, because people are really very depressed right now." [MP3 audio here.]Co-host Robin Roberts prompted the former…

ABC's George Stephanopoulos Touts Possible Gloom for GOP

August 2nd, 2010 1:09 PM
In the midst of bad news for Democrats, Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos on Monday continued to search for a silver lining. Talking to ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, he quizzed, "But, I wonder what makes you nervous? Because some other polls show some warning signs at least for the Republican Party." The former Democratic operative turned journalist added, "Going back to 1994 when…

Only Fox News Hits Gibbs With Questions on Possible Plans to Bypass Co

July 30th, 2010 12:57 PM
Robert Gibbs on Friday appeared on all three network morning shows, as well as Fox News, MSNBC and CNN, but only FNC quizzed the White House press secretary about whether the White House would try and force immigration reform without Congress. Co-host Steve Doocy challenged, "There are some memos circulating...up on Capitol Hill, and probably at the White House as well, about how the…

ABC's Bill Weir on AZ Immigration Ruling: 'From Rage to Relief,' Hits

July 29th, 2010 4:51 PM
Good Morning America's Bill Weir on Thursday touted a court ruling that removed key portions of Arizona's immigration law. He announced the judge's decision as one spanning "from rage to relief." He derided the possible implementation of the legislation as "the day when reasonable suspicion would take on a whole new meaning." Weir, who will soon take over as the new co-host of Nightline, chided…

Media Reality Check: Networks Protest Arizona's Immigration Law With C

July 28th, 2010 1:43 PM
The TV networks have aggressively demonstrated their dislike of Arizona’s state law “cracking down on illegal immigrants,” a law that “pits neighbor against neighbor.” An MRC review of morning and evening news programs on ABC, CBS, and NBC from April 23 to July 25 found the networks have aired 120 stories with an almost ten-to-one tilt against the Arizona law (77 negative, 35 neutral, 8…

ABC Continues Attack on New Arizona Law: 'Target: Immigrants

July 28th, 2010 11:50 AM
ABC on Wednesday continued to attack Arizona's tough new immigration law. Good Morning America devoted three segments to the subject, even misstating what the legislation does. News anchor Juju Chang incorrectly asserted, "The law would allow police to question anyone suspected of being in the country illegally." In fact, the law would allow police to check immigration status only if an…

George Stephanopoulos Recites Jerry Brown's Democratic Talking Points

July 27th, 2010 11:52 AM
Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday repeated Democratic talking points as he challenged Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. Speaking of Whitman's tenure as CEO of Ebay, he admitted the company was "very successful," but critiqued, "You made a fortune. But your opponent, Jerry Brown, says that government is a completely different world." The former Democratic…

While Interviewing Dem Congressman, ABC, CBS Keep the Focus Off Obama

July 26th, 2010 4:33 PM
Democratic Congressman Ed Markey appeared on ABC and CBS's morning shows on Monday to talk about the Gulf Coast oil spill and didn't face a single question about the government's handling of the disaster. Instead, Good Morning America and the Early Show both kept the heat on BP. Discussing the likely departure of BP's CEO Tony Hayword, GMA's Robin Roberts pressed, "And that when [Haywood] gave…

ABC, NBC Morning Shows Report Rep. Rangel's Charges; CBS's Early Show

July 23rd, 2010 3:35 PM
Both ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's "Today Show" devoted segments to reporting the ethics charges Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) now faces. The recently-deposed head of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee faces ethics charges detailed in reports following a two-year committee investigation of the embattled congressman.CBS's "Early Show" did not report on the charges the…

ABC's Elisabeth Leamy Tosses Softballs to Obama: What Are You Teaching

July 23rd, 2010 12:03 PM
Good Morning America's Elisabeth Leamy used an exclusive interview with Barack Obama on Friday to toss mostly softball questions, such as wondering, "I want to ask you, what are you and the First Lady teaching your daughters about money?" [MP3 audio here]After the President suggested that his children could earn some money on the side, Leamy gushed, "I've got a job for them babysitting." The…

George Stephanopoulos Lobbies for Reconciliation Between Obama and She

July 22nd, 2010 4:02 PM
Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos on Thursday lobbied Shirley Sherrod to agree that Barack Obama is trying to improve race relations. The fired USDA employee first asserted she needed more assurance from the President. Stephanopoulos prodded, "But, don't you think that President Obama's committed to that?" The former Democratic operative turned journalist followed up with another…

ABC Skips Label for Liberal Media Matters During Shootout With 'Conser

July 21st, 2010 1:04 PM
Conservative journalist Andrew Breitbart and Eric Boehlert of the liberal organization Media Matters debated each other on Wednesday's Good Morning America. But ABC only identified the ideology of the right-leaning guest. Boehlert was simply the "senior fellow with the watchdog group Media Matters for America." [MP3 audio here.] Yet, Breitbart's website was described in a previous segment as "…

ABC's Claire Shipman Laments Lack of Political Will to Extend Unemploy

July 20th, 2010 3:18 PM
Good Morning America's Claire Shipman on Tuesday delivered a one-sided report on unemployment benefits and the fact that they end after 99 weeks. Reporting on those who have reached the limit, the so-called "99ers," she asserted, "...There's no hope in sight right now." Shipman featured three clips of those who are at the cap and one of Democrat Debbie Stabenow, who is advocating for an extension…