Despite highlighting the latest NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll on Tuesday’s Today, showing Hillary Clinton’s lead over Donald Trump shrinking, the network morning show skipped the most damaging findings for the Democratic candidate. According the survey, 82% of voters thought it was inappropriate for Clinton to use a private e-mail server and 56% said they disagreed with the FBI’s decision not to indict the former Secretary of State.
Rather than cite those stunning statistics during a report on the Clinton campaign, correspondent Andrea Mitchell only briefly noted the poll at the end of the segment, and then only the horse race match-up numbers: “[Bernie] Sanders’s endorsement is a welcome plus for Clinton, especially right now. In our new NBC News/SurveyMonkey online poll, she only has a three-point lead over Donald Trump today.”
Mitchell did reference the e-mail scandal, but failed to reveal the poll results on the issue: “No doubt reflecting the damage from that blistering FBI report on her e-mails.”
On Monday, an ABC News/Washington Post poll recorded similar negative American attitudes toward Clinton’s non-indictment, something which was actually covered on Good Morning America – though only for 18 seconds by news reader Cecilia Vega:
And turning to politics now. A new poll shows most Americans disagree with the Justice Department's decision not to charge Hillary Clinton for using that private e-mail server. 56 percent disapprove but our ABC News/Washington Post poll finds most Americans now say the e-mail scandal will not influence their vote.
Here is a full transcript of Mitchell’s July 12 report on Today, which focused mainly on celebrating Clinton “finally getting Bernie Sanders's endorsement”:
7:00 AM ET TEASE:
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: Neck and neck. Donald Trump closes to within just three points of Hillary Clinton in our new poll. Clinton set to pick up that long-awaited endorsement from Bernie Sanders today. Trump saying he is down to four prospects for his VP pick. Could there be an announcement in the next 48 hours?
7:05 AM ET SEGMENT:
MATT LAUER: It is a big day in the presidential race as well. Bernie Sanders joining one-time rival Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail for the first time. And this morning, speculation is heating up over both Clinton and Donald Trump's potential running mates. We have it all covered. Let’s start with NBC’s Andrea Mitchell. Andrea, good morning to you.
ANDREA MITCHELL: Good morning, Matt. A month after she wrapped up the nomination, Hillary Clinton is finally getting Bernie Sanders's endorsement today here in New Hampshire, a battleground state where he trounced her in the primary.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Sanders to Endorse Clinton; NH Rally After Clinton Makes Platform Concessions]
At last for team Clinton, the civil war with Bernie Sanders, the last Democratic hold-out, is over. Weeks after his fellow progressive, Senator Elizabeth Warren, embraced Clinton.
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN: I'm here today because I'm with her. Yes, her!
MITCHELL: Sanders even waiting until after President Obama joined Clinton on the stump.
BARACK OBAMA: Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!
MITCHELL: Sanders and Clinton not exactly a match made in heaven.
HILLARY CLINTON [CNN DEBATE, APRIL 15]: Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Wait, wait. Come on, I have stood on the debate stage with Senator Sanders eight prior times –
BERNIE SANDERS: Excuse me.
CLINTON: I have said the exact same thing
WOLF BLITZER: Secretary, Senator.
MITCHELL: Now, Clinton echoing Sanders’s economic themes about the rich.
CLINTON: They are doing better than ever, corporate profits are up. Whereas so many Americans are stalled or have fallen backwards.
MITCHELL: And making concessions on the party platform. Agreeing to a $15 an hour minimum wage. Free public college tuition, but pegged to family income. A public option added to ObamaCare. But will Sanders followers be enthusiastic about a Democrat many vowed they’d never support.
ADAM GREEN [PROGRESSIVE CHANGE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE]: The more that Hillary Clinton keeps the volume high on big, bold, progressive ideas, the more enthusiastic Bernie Sanders supporters will be going into November.
MITCHELL: And will Sanders fire up young people for Clinton after promising them a revolution?
SANDERS: It is about creating a political revolution.
MITCHELL: With the party united, Clinton can focus on choosing a running mate. A safe choice like Senator Tim Kaine.
SEN. TIM KAINE: Democrats are coming together around our candidate and to win in November. Republicans are jumping ship.
MITCHELL: Not interested, Joe Biden. Unable because of his son's death to mount his own campaign for the White House.
JOE BIDEN: I have great respect for Hillary, I’m going to work like the devil for her. But I’m not looking to be vice president again, and no one has talked to me.
MITCHELL: Sanders’s endorsement is a welcome plus for Clinton, especially right now. In our new NBC News/SurveyMonkey online poll, she only has a three-point lead over Donald Trump today. No doubt reflecting the damage from that blistering FBI report on her e-mails. Savannah and Matt?
LAUER: Alright, Andrea, thank you very much.
