Introducing a segment on Wednesday's NBC Today about the Supreme Court set "to weigh the historic arguments in a case that could bring same-sex marriage to all fifty states," co-host Matt Lauer hyped the political implications of the ruling: "...the issue is quickly becoming a major factor in the 2016 presidential race."
In the report that followed, correspondent Andrea Mitchell declared that it could "transform" the campaign. After noting GOP candidates voicing opposition to gay marriage, Mitchell concluded: "And our new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows that 59% of Americans support same-sex marriage. This is a problem for Republicans in a general election campaign..."
She did see one potential upside for Republicans on the topic: "...unless of course the court rules in June it is a constitutional right and that would end the political debate."
In other words, conservatives better hope they lose at the Supreme Court because otherwise Republicans will lose on election day.
Also, the Roe v. Wade decision did not "end the political debate" on abortion, it was actually intensified.
Mitchell briefly noted Hillary Clinton's shifting stance on the issue: "Clinton, who did not endorse same-sex marriage last time she ran, is now firmly on board, issuing a campaign video to prove it." While a clip was played of the campaign propaganda, Mitchell never suggested that the Democratic frontrunner flip-flopped on gay marriage for political reasons.
Both CBS This Morning and ABC's Good Morning America covered the court fight on Wednesday, but did not link it to the 2016 campaign.
On Tuesday, the broadcast networks proclaimed gay marriage to be "the civil rights issue of our time" and touted a "sea change" in public opinion.
Here is a full transcript of Mitchell's April 29 report:
7:10 AM ET
MATT LAUER: Meanwhile here at home, the Supreme Court justices are now going to weigh the historic arguments in a case that could bring same-sex marriage to all fifty states. And while we wait for a decision, the issue is quickly becoming a major factor in the 2016 presidential race. NBC's Andrea Mitchell has more on that. Hi, Andrea, good morning.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: SCOTUS Divided Over Same-Sex Marriage; 2016 Candidates Speak Out About Upcoming Decision]
ANDREA MITCHELL: Hi, good morning, Matt. The Supreme Court was deeply divided on an issue that has gained widespread acceptance across the country just since the last presidential campaign and could still transform this one.
It looked and felt like a political rally. One of the hottest issues of 2016 now in front of the Supreme Court. People lining up for days to get inside.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: What do we want!
CROWD: Equality!
WOMAN: And when do we want it?!
CROWD: Now!
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Marriage brings together men and women to reproduce the human race.
MITCHELL: Passions that even broke out inside the chamber, as security officers rushed to pull out a rare protester interrupting the arguments.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN B [PROTESTER]: It's an abomination!
MITCHELL: All eyes and ears on Justice Anthony Kennedy, expected to be the swing vote. At times questioning opponents, at others, seeming to question same-sex marriage.
ANTHONY KENNEDY: This definition has been with us for millennia. And it's very difficult for the court to say, oh, well, we know better.
MITCHELL: Giving hope to Republicans who are appealing to Evangelicals and other conservatives on the issue.
JEB BUSH: I believe in traditional marriage, so that – that's worked pretty well for our country and for western civilization for thousands of years.
MIKE HUCKABEE: We are criminalizing Christianity in this country.
SEN, TED CRUZ [R-TX]: There is no longer any room for religious liberty.
MITCHELL: But Ted Cruz got tripped up on the issue by holding a political event last week at the Manhattan apartment of two gay business partners, who later apologized under pressure from the gay rights community for hosting Cruz.
Hillary Clinton, who did not endorse same-sex marriage last time she ran, is now firmly on board, issuing a campaign video to prove it.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN C: I was actually thrilled when you recently urged the Supreme Court to rule in favor of marriage equality.
MITCHELL: And our new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows that 59% of Americans support same-sex marriage. This is a problem for Republicans in a general election campaign, unless of course the court rules in June it is a constitutional right and that would end the political debate. Matt, Savannah.
LAUER: Alright, Andrea Mitchell in Washington for us this morning. Andrea, thanks very much.
