CBS co-host — and Democratic donor — Gayle King on Wednesday openly lobbied Joe Biden to make a presidential bid. CBS This Morning’s journalists donated 19 minutes and 39 seconds to promoting the former Vice President’s new book Promise Me Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose. Although the hosts focused on women accusing Donald Trump of harassment, the resignation of Al Franken never came up. Neither did Biden’s long history of creepy touching.
Instead, King pushed a presidential bid. She also mentioned that the two appeared at a pro-gun control dinner: “2020's coming. How you will be serving your time? I saw you last night at the Sandy Hook Promise and everybody was saying, ‘Joe, we miss you. Joe, we want you to run.’ I saw that constant conversation. And to that you say what?”
To recap: King was at an event with the Democratic politician. She’s previously attended the birthday party of Democrat Barack Obama and has been a Democratic donor. This promotional segment with Biden on Wednesday lasted almost 20 minutes. To be real, journalists shouldn’t be surprised when they get tagged with the phrase “fake news.”
This exchange highlighted sexual harassment. Note who’s not mentioned:
NORAH O’DONNELL: You write about so many things in this book, including your son Beau. And you also talk about teaching your granddaughter in the face of wrongdoing that, quote, silence is complicity.
JOE BIDEN: That's right it is.
O’DONNELL: We now have 100 congressional Democrats calling on investigators to investigate President Trump's alleged sexual misconduct. Do you think there should be an investigation?
Again, no mention of Biden’s own history with questionable touching. No mention of Democratic Senator Al Franken’s resignation in the wake of groping. No mention of the allegation that Hillary Clinton was told about Harvey Weinstein’s predatory behavior back in 2016. No mention of the $300,000 that Democrats received from Weinstein.
In a light moment, Biden offered one of his typical Biden-isms. When asked about the Alabama Senate race, the gaffe-prone former Vice President insisted, “It sends a message that not only did they reject all that Luther Strange stood for, in terms of his attitude toward women.” Co-host Norah O’Donnell helpfully corrected, “Roy Moore. Yeah. Roy Moore.”
A transcript of the questions asked of Biden can be found below:
CBS This Morning
12/13/17
8:13:32 a.m. Eastern to 8:23:11 a.m. Eastern
9 minutes and 39 secondsNORAH O’DONNELL: Former Vice President Joe Biden's loss of his son Beau had a big impact on his personal and political life. Beau Biden died more than two years ago after a battle with brain cancer. The tragedy came as the Vice President faced a decision as to whether to run for President in 2016. In his new book Promise Me Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose, the elder Biden chronicles that momentous and challenging time. We welcome Vice President Joe Biden
JOE BIDEN: Great to be here.
O’DONNELL: So nice to see you.
BIDEN: Great to be back with you guys.
O’DONNELL: Nice to have you. We are going to talk about the book because it’s such a terrific book and Beau’s legacy as well. But I wanted to ask you first about the big political news. Doug Jones, the Democrat, winning in Alabama. What message does that send?
BIDEN: It sends a message that not only did they reject all that Luther Strange stood for, in terms of his attitude toward women, but —
O’DONNELL: Roy Moore, yeah. Roy Moore.
BIDEN: Excuse me. Roy Moore.
...
GAYLE KING: Have you talked to him since the victory?
...
KING: What did he say? Because he was so giddy. It’s nice to see.
...
KING: He said something very interesting, I thought, Mr. Biden, at his victory conference. He said, “What happened in Alabama shows that we can be united in this country.” Do you think it will send the message to the rest of the country, both Democrats and Republicans?
...
JOHN DICKERSON: Did you give him advice in one of these three phone calls?
...
O’DONNELL: But he worked for you on your ‘88 presidential election campaign.
...
DICKERSON: You used to tell us the story when you were a kid and entering the Senate and Senator Mansfield said look around here. Somebody sent them here and to find the good in politics. Is that still possible in politics?
...
KING: Do you see anything in the Trump administration and Trump White House where you can say, you know, to say they're doing good on X, Y, Z? Do you see that?
...
KING: Did you happen to see the New York Times piece about how the President spends his time?
...
O’DONNELL: You write about so many things in this book, including your son Beau. And you also talk about teaching your granddaughter in the face of wrongdoing that, quote, silence is complicity.
BIDEN: That's right it is.
O’DONNELL: We now have 100 congressional Democrats calling on investigators to investigate President Trump's alleged sexual misconduct. Do you think there should be an investigation?
...
O’DONNELL: And when President Trump tweets that Senator Gillibrand would do anything for a campaign contribution, how did you take that?
...
KING: I want to talk about your character, you and Barack Obama, the friendship and relationship you had. It was very evident while you were in the White House and I'm wondering if it still continues today? I'm struck by the words he said to you. How do you want to spend the rest of your life. That friendship continues today?
...
KING: 2020's coming. How you will be serving your time? I saw you last night at the Sandy Hook Promise and everybody was saying, “Joe, we miss you. Joe, we want you to run.” I saw that constant conversation. And to that you say what?
BIDEN: My dad used to say don't compare me to the Almighty. Compare me to the alternative. So maybe that’s why they are saying run.
KING: Are you thinking about it?
BIDEN: I'm not doing anything about it. My word is it. If I got the job, I'd say to the lord almighty, no. There's some really good talent running up. I'm not saying I would run. I'm giving my word I'm doing nothing to putz myself in a position to do that. But I'm not going to be involved.
...
8:30:24 a.m. Eatern to 8:40:24 a.m. Eastern
10 minutesO’DONNELL: When you look at this administration and how it’s being run on a daily basis. What’s your biggest concern?
...
O’DONNELL: So the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made some news. He said the U.S. Should negotiate with North Korea without preconditions. Do you think that’s right?
...
DICKERSON: You share the view North Korea should in no way get access to any kind of nuclear weapon or is containment a possibility?
...
KING: You said something interesting when you haven't ruled it out but you're certainly not thinking about running for President. But you said, “I'd like to see who's up and coming.” Do you see anyone out there?
BIDEN: I think there’s a lot of talented people out there. But I think —
KING: Do you care to name any names?
