The journalists at CBS This Morning on Friday downplayed conservative opposition to Barack Obama's amnesty and instead hyped unease about how long it took for the order to be issued. Reporter Major Garrett showcased complaints, noting, "For immigration activists, long disappointed by White House indifference, it all sounds like a new day." He then featured Lynn Tramonte, the head of an organization supporting Obama's amnesty move.
She complained, "It's almost unreal because for six years, we've had a different President Obama. When he came into office, we believed his campaign promises." [MP3 audio here.] Garrett underlined, "The President broke a promise to take these actions in September. All to shield nervous Senate Democrats, fearful of the political backlash."
It wasn't until the follow-up segment that there were any clips of GOP opposition. Even then, co-host Gayle King chided, "Republicans attacked the President's plan before it was even announced." She balked that House Speaker John Boehner "released his prebuttal hours before the President spoke."
As previously reported by the Media Research Center, CBS, alone among the networks, has stubbornly refused to inform viewers that Obama has flip-flopped on this issue. Over the last several years, the President has admitted, "I'm not the emperor of the United States" and doubted he has the "legal" power to release such an executive order.
No reporter mentioned that fact on Thursday's Evening News or CBS This Morning on Friday. However, both programs featured Boehner referring to Obama's past position: "The President has said before he's not a king and he's not an emperor. But he's sure acting like one."
Due to lack of coverage, CBS viewers will likely be confused as to what the Republican was alluding to.
Reporter Nancy Cordes, after including a brief clip from GOP Senator Orrin Hatch, concluded with more complaining from the left. She noted that "some" Democrats "wish he'd done even more."
Over on Good Morning America, the ABC journalists only allowed one clip of GOP dissent (compared to two of Obama). Senator Ted Cruz attacked, "It's incumbent on Republicans in Congress to use every single constitutional tool we have to rein in a President so the President does not become an unaccountable monarch."
Robin Roberts explained that co-host George Stephanopoulos was away, but would have the first post-executive order interview with Obama on Sunday's This Week. In an amusing moment, guest co-host David Muir said of Stephanopoulos, a former Democratic operative and Clinton aide: "George with the tough questions for the President."
A transcript of CBS This Morning's first segment is below:
11/21/14
7:06CHARLIE ROSE: President Obama today will try and rally to rally support for the immigration plan he unveiled last night. The President is taking executive action to change deportation policy. It could keep millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States. Major Garrett is in Las Vegas where the President will begin selling his plan. Major, good morning.
MAJOR GARRETT: Good morning. President Obama will sign the memo, setting all of his immigration policies here at Del Sol high school. It was from the spot nearly two years ago, the President called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform him. Knowing Republicans are furious with his unilateral action, the President will say there is one way they can all be wiped away, for Congress to pass a bill the President can sign. Anticipating Republican charges of blanket amnesty, President Obama said the current system without his changes amounts to amnesty by inaction.
BARACK OBAMA: Millions of people who live here without paying their taxes or playing by the rules, while politicians use the issue to scare people and whip up votes at election time.
GARRETT: It was an odd complaint. The President broke a promise to take these actions in September. All to shield nervous Senate Democrats, fearful of the political backlash. The President's actions do the following, lift the threat of deportation from an estimated five million undocumented adults and children who have lived in America at least five years, adults with children born in the U.S. or with permanent legal status can also apply for a three-year work permit.
OBAMA: Most of these immigrants have been here a long time. They work hard. Often in tough, low-paying jobs.
GARRETT: It also keeps the summer surge of border patrol agents on the southern border and prioritizes the hunt for boarder crossers with ties to terrorism and crime.
OBAMA: Felons, not family, criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mom who is working hard to provide for her kids.
GARRETT: Lastly, it simplifies the Visa process and would allow longer stays for high-tech foreign workers and students pursuing science engineering or math degrees. For immigration activists, long disappointed by White House indifference, it all sounds like a new day.
LYNN TRAMONTE (America's Voice Deputy Director): It's almost unreal, because for six years, we've had a different President Obama. When he came into office, we believed his campaign promises. We believed he was going to make immigration a priority.
GARRETT: All these changes last only as long as president Obama remains in office. The next president can extend them or eliminate them. Sign-ups start in the spring. There is a lengthy verification process, meaning some may not receive this legal protection until 2016. And that could well mean their legal status in this country will literally be on the presidential ballot. Gayle.
