On Thursday's CBS Early Show, senior White House correspondent Bill Plante praised President Obama taping an appearance on ABC's 'The View' on Wednesday: "...the President is trying to reach people who may not normally pay attention to politics....It's not the first time [he] has reached out to audiences beyond the Washington Beltway."
Plante went further, explaining: "...it is the beginning of the Democrats' strategy to try to save their majority in Congress." He touted how Obama "blamed Republicans for holding up a bill with tax cuts for small business" while visiting a New Jersey sandwich shop. Plante then highlighted the President's fundraising ability: "Two fund-raisers in Manhattan on behalf of congressional Democrats....it cost 100 guests $30,400 each....That cash will help finance the Democrats' election year strategy."
Plante concluded his report by pointing to DNC talking points for the election: "Party Chairman Tim Kaine laid it out, charging that the Republican Party and tea party have become one in the same." He then remarked: "That's what you'll be hearing for the next three months. Meanwhile, the President will continue to vacuum up campaign dollars."
Plante made no mention of Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell criticizing the President's View appearance as undignified or the fact that Obama skipped attending the Boy Scouts 100th Anniversary celebration in Washington to go on the show and fundraise.
Here is a full transcript of Plante's July 29 report:
7:00AM TEASE
ERICA HILL: And Obama's 'View.'
BARACK OBAMA: Look, I was trying to find a show that Michelle actually watched.
HILL: The President heads to daytime TV for the first time since his election and reveals, among other things, why he wasn't invited to Chelsea Clinton's wedding.
7:14AM SEGMENT
BETTY NGUYEN: President Obama is talking jobs and the economy in a different venue this morning. On daytime TV. CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante has the latest. Good morning, Bill.
BILL PLANTE: Good morning to you, Betty. Well, it's no secret that in this lousy economy a lot of folks have tuned out politicians. So the President is trying to reach people who may not normally pay attention to politics and today he appears on the daytime talk show, 'The View.'
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: The President's View; Democratic Strategy]
BARACK OBAMA: What has been gratifying is the fact that the economy now is starting to stabilize and grow again. And what's been satisfying is just seeing how resilient the American people are.
PLANTE: It's not the first time the President has reached out to audiences beyond the Washington Beltway. But it is the beginning of the Democrats' strategy to try to save their majority in Congress.
OBAMA: I hear that the super sub with everything, is the right way to go.
PLANTE: In an a Edison, New Jersey sub shop, the President blamed Republicans for holding up a bill with tax cuts for small business.
OBAMA: This is as American as apple pie.
PLANTE: Then he pivoted from small business to big money. Two fund-raisers in Manhattan on behalf of congressional Democrats, who believe he hasn't done enough to get them re-elected. No pictures allowed, but it cost 100 guests $30,400 each, the maximum allowed in a campaign cycle, to get in. That cash will help finance the Democrats' election year strategy. Party Chairman Tim Kaine laid it out, charging that the Republican Party and tea party have become one in the same.
TIM KAINE: The Republican Party agenda has become the tea party agenda and vice versa.
PLANTE: That's what you'll be hearing for the next three months. Meanwhile, the President will continue to vacuum up campaign dollars. Several more big events next week. Betty.
NGUYEN: Alright, CBS's Bill Plante at the White House. Thank you, Bill.
