In a stunning contrast displayed in back-to-back reports on Tuesday’s Today show, NBC correspondents portrayed chaos in the Republican presidential race while hailing Hillary Clinton as having all but won the White House.
In the first report, Peter Alexander described the GOP contenders “now on a collision course, as accusations fly over who’s the real serious candidate.” After eagerly touting several of those accusations, he proclaimed them to be “Already a mud pit of mayhem, with weeks to go.”
Alexander hyped the infighting:
This from Cruz's super-pac, arguing Marco Rubio is not ready to lead....Rubio staffers mocking Cruz, posting his impressions of The Simpsons....And Rick Santorum highlighting Cruz's Dr. Seuss reading on the Senate floor....That's not all. You have Marco Rubio and Chris Christie exchanging shots, Jeb Bush and John Kasich super-pacs getting into the fray as well.
Immediately following Alexander’s report, fellow correspondent Kristen Welker proceeded to gush over the Clinton campaign, declaring: “Secretary Clinton is in a strong position today, according to our NBC News/SurveyMonkey online poll....And now with former President Bill Clinton back in the game, the Clintons are hoping to solidify her support.”
Welker noted how the Clintons “brushed off” and were “deflecting” criticism from Donald Trump, before announcing: “The Clintons are looking to divide and conquer, campaigning in separate swing states as she faces a tight battle with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and betting on President Bill Clinton's star power.”
She even wrapped up the segment by highlighting discussion over what Bill Clinton’s title would be when Hillary became president: “Now the former president also said on Monday that he doesn't know what he would want to be called if Hillary Clinton does win the White House. He said the voting hasn't started yet, and he's superstitious.”
At one point in the fawning report, Welker promoted how the “The 42nd president admits he doesn't recognize the GOP of 2016.”
Here are excerpts of the January 5 reports:
7:06 AM ET
(...)
PETER ALEXANDER: The candidates on both sides picking up the pace, 60 stops in less than 48 hours across Iowa and new Hampshire. Ted Cruz with NBC's Hallie Jackson.
SEN. TED CRUZ [R-TX]: Two weeks ago just about every Republican candidate was attacking Donald Trump. Today, just about every Republican candidate is attacking me.
ALEXANDER: The contenders now on a collision course, as accusations fly over who’s the real serious candidate. This from Cruz's super-pac, arguing Marco Rubio is not ready to lead.
SEN. MARCO RUBIO [R-FL]: I know I have a debate but I've got to get this fantasy football thing right.
ALEXANDER: Rubio staffers mocking Cruz, posting his impressions of The Simpsons.
CRUZ: Smithers, release the hounds. Excellent.
ALEXANDER: And Rick Santorum highlighting Cruz's Dr. Seuss reading on the Senate floor.
NARRATOR [SANTORUM AD]: You want someone to read one hell of a bedtime story, Ted Cruz is your guy. If you want to protect America and defeat ISIS, Rick Santorum's your president.
ALEXANDER: Already a mud pit of mayhem, with weeks to go.
That's not all. You have Marco Rubio and Chris Christie exchanging shots, Jeb Bush and John Kasich super-pacs getting into the fray as well.
(...)
7:08 AM ET
KRISTEN WELKER: The Clintons are looking to divide and conquer, campaigning in separate swing states as she faces a tight battle with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and betting on President Bill Clinton's star power. Despite missteps while campaigning for his wife in 2008, later emerging at Barack Obama's explainer-in-chief in 2012, now trying to help his wife lock up the nomination.
BILL CLINTON I do not believe in my lifetime anybody has run for this job at a moment of great importance who was better qualified.
WELKER: The 42nd president admits he doesn't recognize the GOP of 2016.
CLINTON: I watch the other guys debating, and I think, you know, I don't fit anymore. First of all, I'm a happy grandfather and I'm not mad at anybody.
WELKER: Now the former president also said on Monday that he doesn't know what he would want to be called if Hillary Clinton does win the White House. He said the voting hasn't started yet, and he's superstitious. He will be campaigning here in Iowa on Thursday. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton caps off a two-day swing here today.
(...)
