Another day and another 2020 Democrat with a high profile media spot to announce a presidential bid. This time, Good Morning America co-host George Stephanopoulos pushed Congressman Seth Moulton on Monday to be more aggressive in supporting impeachment.
Stephanopoulos also appeared to minimize Moulton’s military service. The Congressman cited his experience in the Marines (Moulton was awarded two Bronze Stars over four tours of duty in Iraq). Stephanopoulos touted his patriotism and the GMA host waved this away: “You're a patriot, but there are 18 other patriotic Democrats in the race as well. You're the 19th official candidate. What sets you apart?”
Well, George, one might argue he just gave you a distinction with military service. Stephanopoulos probed to see how much Moulton supports impeachment: “Big question now on the table for Democrats, should the House open impeachment proceedings against President Trump? Your senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren says yes, they should. Do you agree?”
After getting a middle ground answer from Moulton, Stephanopoulos lectured:
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You say there’s no smoking gun. Senate Democrats have looked at the Mueller Report and said there's plenty of evidence of obstruction of justice.
SETH MOULTON: There is that. You are right.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Congressman Jerry Nadler says he does believe the President obstructed justice. Do you?
At the very end of the segment, the GMA co-host finally managed a non-softball question: “President Trump is going to tell those voters Democrats are offering socialism.”
Several 2020 Democrats have announced on competitor CBS. Late Show’s Stephen Colbert featured multiple candidates to launch their bids. With one, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, he even held her hands.
A partial transcript is below:
ABC's Good Morning America
4/22/19
8:43:59 a.m. EasternGEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: I have breaking political news right now. Seth Moulton, the latest Democrat to join the race for the White House. He's a congressman, former Marine. He’s from Massachusetts and he made the announcement here on GMA. We're joined now by Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton. Thank you for joining us. You’ve made a big decision.
REP. SETH MOULTON (D-MA): Yes, George, I'm here to tell you and America that I'm running for president of the United States. And I'm running because I'm a patriot. I because I believe in this country because I've never wanted to sit on the sideline when it comes to serving it. That's why I joined the Marines. It’s why I ran for Congress to try to prevent what I saw got us into Iraq from happening again. And why I want to take on the most divisive president in history to bring us back together.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You're a patriot, but there are 18 other patriotic Democrats in the race as well. You're the 19th official candidate. What sets you apart? What do you offer that no one else does?
...
STEPHANOPOULOS: Big question now on the table for Democrats, should the House open impeachment proceedings against President Trump? Your senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren says yes, they should. Do you agree?...
STEPHANOPOULOS: You say there’s no smoking gun. Senate Democrats have looked at the Mueller Report and said there's plenty of evidence of obstruction of justice.
MOULTON: There is that. You are right.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Congressman Jerry Nadler says he does believe the President obstructed justice. Do you?
...
STEPHANOPOULOS: President Trump is going to tell those voters Democrats are offering socialism.
