ABC News completely ignored the Monday death of heiress Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, who used her wealth to help conceal the mistress of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. CBS and NBC both noted the passing of the 103-year-old and her connection to Edwards, but failed identify Edwards as a Democrat. [Listen to the audio or watch the video after the jump]
On Tuesday's CBS This Morning, co-host Norah O'Donnell touted how Mellon "was a horticulturist who redesigned the White House Rose Garden at Jackie Kennedy's invitation." However, when it came to her involvement with Edwards, O'Donnell only vaguely mentioned: "In later years, she gave money to help presidential candidate John Edwards."
A news brief on Monday's CBS Evening News highlighted Mellon's gardening prowess but avoided her role in the Edwards scandal as anchor Scott Pelley reported:
Rachel Mellon, known as "Bunny," lived to be 103. She died today of natural causes. Born wealthy, her second husband was Paul Mellon, whose father was one of the world's richest men. "Bunny" Mellon was a friend of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and restored the White House Rose Garden after President Dwight Eisenhower tore it up to put in a putting green.
On Tuesday's NBC Today, news reader Natalie Morales actually reminded viewers of Mellon's questionable assistance to Edwards, though still skipped his Democratic ID: "Mellon was a political benefactor who funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to former presidential candidate John Edwards, money that was used to hide his mistress."
