On Friday, NBC’s Today tried to spin Republicans objecting to CNBC’s disastrous debate moderators as a problem for the GOP. Co-host Matt Lauer declared: “Grand old problems. Republican candidates reportedly planning to meet about changing how future debates are organized...”
In the report that followed, correspondent Peter Alexander hyped divisions in the party: “So this morning the Republican campaigns appear to be in full revolt against the Republican National Committee after major complaints about how this week's debate was handled and the RNC's role running things.”
He continued: “NBC News has now confirmed that the Republican presidential candidates will meet, at least that's their plan, this Sunday in Washington to plot how to fix this debate process. Not invited, any representative from the RNC.”
At no point in the segment did Alexander mention how badly run the debate was by CNBC. In fact, “CNBC” was only uttered once in the entire story, with him noting: “The CNBC debate proved to be good business for Rubio and Cruz, both boasting a spike in fundraising.”
On Thursday’s Today, Meet the Press moderator Chuck Todd claimed that the GOP contenders launched a “premeditated attack” against the moderators.
Later in his Friday report, Alexander repeated a New York Times attack on New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: “And in the wake of Chris Christie's feisty debate performance, The New York Times called on the New Jersey governor to drop out.” He touted the same hit piece on Thursday’s NBC Nightly News.
Here is a full transcript of Alexander’s October 30 report on Today:
7:00 AM ET TEASE
MATT LAUER: Grand old problems. Republican candidates reportedly planning to meet about changing how future debates are organized, as Jeb Bush tries to fight his way back despite reports that his campaign is nearing a state of collapse.
KASIE HUNT [MSNBC]: Are you having any fun?
JEB BUSH: Oh, yeah. You saw it, having lots of fun.
7:05 AM ET SEGMENT
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Moving now to the presidential race and new fallout from this week's heated Republican debate. The campaigns are reportedly planning to meet this weekend to discuss possible changes to future debates, this as Jeb Bush is insisting his campaign is far from over. NBC national correspondent’s got all the headlines from Washington. Peter, good morning.
PETER ALEXANDER: Hey, Savannah, good morning to you. So this morning the Republican campaigns appear to be in full revolt against the Republican National Committee after major complaints about how this week's debate was handled and the RNC's role running things. NBC News has now confirmed that the Republican presidential candidates will meet, at least that's their plan, this Sunday in Washington to plot how to fix this debate process. Not invited, any representative from the RNC.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Republicans Rally & Re-Evaluate; Rubio Returns to DC for Late-Night Senate Vote]
Overnight two surging senators, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, back at the Capitol to cast their votes against a bipartisan budget bill.
SEN. MARCO RUBIO [R-FL]: Now, Jeb, I don't remember –
ALEXANDER: Under fire, Rubio, who defended his attendance record against Jeb Bush during the GOP debate, making a last-minute change in plans to appear alongside his rival.
JEB BUSH: I can fix it.
ALEXANDER: While for Bush, the writing was on the wall: “Jeb Can Fix It.” In New Hampshire, with NBC's Kasie Hunt.
BUSH: I'm going to have to do what other candidates do, which is rudely interrupt, not answer the questions that are asked. It's going fine.
ALEXANDER: Are you having any fun?
BUSH: Oh, yeah. You saw it, I'm having lots of fun.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Jeb Bush Vows to Improve; Reassures Anxious Donors as Rubio & Cruz Pounce]
ALEXANDER: After losing altitude in the mile-high debate, NBC News has learned Bush is privately reassuring nervous donors, vowing to improve as a candidate and a debater. And new overnight, U.S. News out with this 112-page Bush internal campaign blueprint arguing that “Marco Is A Risky Bet,” adding, “Those who have looked into Marco's background have been concerned with what they have found.” But the Rubio campaign tells NBC News it's been contacting Bush donors directly, trying to peel them away.
The CNBC debate proved to be good business for Rubio and Cruz, both boasting a spike in fundraising. While frontrunners Donald Trump and Ben Carson keep motoring ahead, with Trump even complimenting Carson.
DONALD TRUMP: We get along very well. We’re laughing at each other each other last night, we’re winking at each.
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE [R-NJ]: We're talking about fantasy football!
ALEXANDER: And in the wake of Chris Christie's feisty debate performance, The New York Times called on the New Jersey governor to drop out. Overnight, Christie fired back.
CHRISTIE: If The New York Times hates me, that means I'm really getting some place.
ALEXANDER: And NBC News has learned that during a private event with donors, former President George W. Bush tried to reassure his brother's supporters to, quote, “keep the faith,” emphasizing this campaign is focused on a long-term strategy. Jeb Bush will get another opportunity try to improve that performance at the next debate. Savannah and Matt, it's now less than two weeks away.
GUTHRIE: Alright, Peter Alexander, thank you.
