CNN once again hyped a Texas legislator's stand against a pro-life bill, this time highlighting the "very personal war of words" between the "rising star" and Republican Governor Rick Perry.
"Cheered on by supporters, the mother of two and her now-famous pink shoes filibustered her way onto the world stage this week," touted correspondent Athena Jones who anointed Senator Wendy Davis a "rising star in the state's Democratic Party." [Video below the break. Audio here.]
CNN has already hailed Davis' filibuster and asked her if she would do it again. The networks have also gushed over Davis, calling her stand "epic" and lauding her as a "folk hero" to supporters.
In her puff piece on Davis, CNN's Jones hyped that "Davis is being hailed as a hero on social media and by Taiwanese animators." Jones called Perry's criticism of her "very personal": "The Republican governor reproached Davis in very personal terms."
"So will Davis filibuster the bill again? She told Anderson Cooper the timing worked out well this time because the bill didn't come until the last day of session. Next time around the bill's supporters can take away opponents' chances to filibuster just by introducing it earlier."
"Either way, we'll be watching," Jones noted, to which New Day co-host Kate Bolduan agreed. "We will be watching."
Below is a transcript of the segment, which aired on New Day on June 28 at 8:07 a.m. EDT:
KATE BOLDUAN: Let's talk about Texas right now. A very personal war of words brewing between Governor Rick Perry and a rising star in the state's Democratic Party. Wendy Davis used a 12, maybe even more hour filibuster to help end a state bill restricting abortion. Now, Rick Perry is trying to use her own past against her. CNN's Athena Jones is in Washington with the latest. This is getting interesting, Athena.
ATHENA JONES, CNN correspondent: It is. Good morning, Kate. This is more than just a political battle. It's a personal one that as you mentioned is really heating up. Governor Perry is now using some strong language targeting Davis herself.
(Video Clip)
JONES (voice-over): It's getting personal between Texas Governor Rick Perry and a rising liberal star, Democratic State Senator Wendy Davis.
Gov. RICK PERRY (R-Tex.): What we witnessed Tuesday was nothing more than the hijacking of the democratic process.
(Applause)
(Cheers)
JONES: Cheered on by supporters, the mother of two and her now-famous pink shoes filibustered her way onto the world stage this week.
WENDY DAVIS (D-Tex.), state senator: To speak for an extended period of time on the bill.
JONES: Speaking for more than ten hours to stop a vote on a bill that would restrict abortions and close most clinics in the state. Davis is being hailed as a hero on social media and by Taiwanese animators. The Republican governor reproached Davis in very personal terms.
PERRY: She was a teenage mother herself.
It's just unfortunate that she hasn't learned from her own example, that every life must be given a chance to realize its full potential and that every life matters.
JONES: Davis called the comments, quote, "without dignity", saying, "They are small words that reflect a dark and negative point of view. Our governor should reflect our Texas values. Sadly, Governor Perry fails that test."
Governor Perry has ordered the legislature to reconvene Monday to take up the abortion bill again. This time he vows it will pass. Davis says if it does –
DAVIS: The reaction to it won't be a partisan one. It's a reaction coming from Republicans, independents and Democrats alike, which is saying, Governor Perry, Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst, stay out of my private decision-making.
(End Video Clip)
JONES: So will Davis filibuster the bill again? She told Anderson Cooper the timing worked out well this time because the bill didn't come until the last day of session. Next time around the bill's supporters can take away opponents' chances to filibuster just by introducing it earlier. Either way, we'll be watching. Kate?
BOLDUAN: We will be watching. And it does appear that the political reality in Texas is not in Wendy Davis' favor at this point.
