All three morning shows on Tuesday noticed trouble on the horizon for Hillary Clinton, but made sure to calm the fears of Hillary supporters. They also ignored the idea that she’d be a weak general election candidate. Good Morning America’s Cecilia Vega parroted talking points from the Democratic frontrunner: “Hillary Clinton's campaign says her delegate lead is nearly insurmountable, but they are bracing for a loss in Wisconsin.”
On CBS This Morning, Norah O’Donnell echoed, “Hillary Clinton's campaign manager is looking ahead, saying in a memo that Clinton's overall lead will be hard to beat.” Reporter Nancy Cordes reassured, “Her campaign's new memo points out that Clinton has won 58 percent of the popular vote thus far and that Sanders would have to win roughly 60 percent of the vote in New York and three other big states to catch up.”
On NBC’s Today, Peter Alexander provided less spin. He explained:
PETER ALEXANDER: Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton's campaign bracing for its sixth loss in the last seven states. Already investing its energy on her home turf in New York. Arguing the Sanders' path includes overturning the will of the voters. Still, Sanders keeps packing them in.
That’s not to say the networks didn’t highlight Clinton’s struggling efforts. Nancy Cordes noted:
NANCY CORDES: Wisconsin would be a big prize for Sanders. His sixth win in two weeks and the open primary format there allows for an independent vote. That’s yet another boost for a very confident Sanders campaign.
On ABC, Vega acknowledged, “Now, Hillary Clinton faces a stark reality.”
But all three made sure to paint the future as still bright for Clinton. If Clinton loses Wisconsin, that will mean she’s been defeated in seven of the last eight primaries or caucuses. One possibility is that she is a weak candidate and would be a very vulnerable nominee. Yet, that conclusion is not being speculated on by the networks.
A transcript of the CBS segment, which aired at 7:10am ET on April 5, follows:
CBS TM
4/5/16
7:10NORAH O’DONNELL: Bernie Sanders is trying to keep his momentum going this morning. Eighty six Democratic delegates are up for grabs in Wisconsin. Most of its voters are white with a high number of young people. That's good for Sanders who has the narrow lead in our CBS News Battleground tracker poll. Hillary Clinton's campaign manager is looking ahead, saying in a memo that Clinton's overall lead will be hard to beat. Nancy Cordes is here with a look at the race. Nancy, good morning.
NANCY CORDES: Good morning. Wisconsin would be a big prize for Sanders. His sixth win in two weeks and the open primary format there allows for an independent vote. That’s yet another boost for a very confident Sanders campaign.
BERNIE SANDERS: Let us make Governor Walker unhappy tomorrow. Let us have a huge voter turnout!
CORDES: Sanders capped his push with a 2000 person rally in Milwaukee.
SANDERS: We have won six out of the last seven caucuses and primaries.
CORDES: Clinton’s aides says they haven't given up on Wisconsin, but she left the state on Saturday and has been in New York ever since.
KRISTEN GILLIBRAND: Hillary Clinton.
CORDES: Reminding New Yorkers who go to the polls in two weeks that they voted for her for senate twice.
HILLARY CLINTON: I adored being your senator. I loved representing New York.
CORDES: Her campaign's new memo points out that Clinton has won 58 percent of the popular vote thus far and that Sanders would have to win roughly 60 percent of the vote in New York and three other big states to catch up. But new fund-raising figures show the long odds have not dissuaded Sanders's donors. He raised $15 million more than Clinton in March, his largest margin yet. And his recent string of victories has emboldened Sanders to take on Clinton more directly.
SANDERS: If we win in New York State, between you and me, I don't want to get Hillary Clinton more nervous than she already is, she's already under a lot of pressure.
CORDES: After going ten rounds, Clinton and Sanders finally settled on a debate night here in New York next Thursday. Sanders agreed to reschedule a rally he had planned to hold that night, saying in one final dig, that he
was doing it, Charlie, to accommodate, quote, Clinton’s “jam-packed, high dollar schedule of fundraisers.”
