Yet another day, ABC, CBS and NBC used their Thursday morning news programs to fluff up the White House in their hapless attempt (some argue is purposeful), to save their party’s midterm prospects and lower gas costs through a puny release of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).
ABC’s Good Morning America once again starred, giving praise similar to what you see in authoritarian states. Michael Strahan, co-host, made this embarrassing tease: “Gas Price Push.” President Biden takes action to ease the pain at pump. He could be next when he sets off to campaign on the trail ahead of the midterm elections.
Strahan presented the segment later as if Chief Staff Ron Klain had told Strahan what to say: “We’re now going to turn to President Biden’s push to lower gasoline prices, including releasing millions in oil from the nation’s strategic reserves.”
Cecilia Vega, White House Chief Correspondent, admitted that Biden’s ploy was politically motivated: “President Biden claims this has nothing to do politics. But…every White House official behind me knows how rising gas prices could impact midterm elections and, frankly, the President’s agenda.”
Vega quickly dismissed that and emphasized the SPR release, and Biden’s promise of replenishing it in the future. She ended her remarks with the fact that Americans are paying “nearly…50c” more per gallon than they were a year ago.
Both of them returned for more at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time, Strahan included, with his pathetic tease.
Hoda Kotb, NBC’s Today host, sounded just like Strahan when it came to describing a positive midterms report about Biden: “On the roads. Today, President Biden is on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania’s closely watched battleground. With less than three weeks remaining, can he make a difference for undecided voters?
Kristen Welker, White House correspondent, stated that “there’s lots of concern about gas price which have ticked up quite a bit over past month”, before laughingly claiming that “it’s unclear” if the SPR release will have a significant impact on gas prices.
She said that it gives Biden political credibility to claim that he cares about the struggling Americans. Even worse, she presented a clownish proof: “I spoke to Ron Klain, White House chief of staff. What is his first thing every morning? Check gas prices.
Talk about being stenographers for the power.
Savannah Guthrie, co-host, shifted to abortion, claiming that Democrats thought they had a lot more momentum this summer. But it’s since disappeared.
Welker replied that polling has shown that Democrats are concerned about having a wider appeal.
“But there is a real awareness and, in my opinion, a message by the White House that yes, we need talk about abortion, but we also need to discuss other issues, including the economy. Welker said that voters care during this election cycle as well.
The pair focused on the Pennsylvania Senate race, but ignored Lt. Governor. John Fetterman (D-PA), mental incapacity (click to “expand”)
GUTHRIE – The polls show that the Republicans have some momentum heading into the midterms. The Senate control, and the House control are on the table. Pennsylvania, where President Obama will be today is a key Senate race. It’s tight.
WELKER: It’s very tight. Savannah, it’s essentially a statistical dead heat. The President’s visit to Pennsylvania today is notable because he will be discussing infrastructure. Here are the polls between John Fetterman, Dr. Oz. He will talk about infrastructure, and then host a fundraising event together with John Fetterman. This is not the usual rally you would see a President hold in the final weeks of a campaign. Why? His approval ratings are low, and many Democrats are worried that he will — he won’t help them but hinder them — which is why his approval ratings are so low. So, I don’t think you’re seeing traditional rallies. An administration official told me that it was more effective for him to be out discussing things like infrastructure, taking on issues like abortion, gas prices and other things that he has worked, rather than shouting at the crowd. They point to Trump, they point at Obama. They point out that they suffered big losses in the midterms, so they don’t consider that an effective strategy. They also claim that he will be holding more traditional events.
Gayle King, a CBS Mornings host and Democratic donor, also used the same sheet music.
Today, Biden is running for Democrats in Pennsylvania. It’s one place where candidates actually want his support. CBS News’ latest polling shows that control over the Senate is still a tossup. The race in Pennsylvania could decide this.
Weijia Jiang, a senior White House correspondent, said that Biden is “focusing on his accomplishments” because “[h]is approval rate remains stuck at 40%” and that, like NBC, CBS boasted Biden was on the message (click “expand”)
JIANG: This week, President Biden is focusing on all issues, including gas prices and new jobs and abortion. He said that there are many issues at play when he was asked Wednesday about his focus for the election.
PETER DOOCY [TO BEDEN]: I am trying to clarify for midterm voters the top domestic issues: Inflation or Abortion?
BIDEN: All important. There is no one thing, unlike you.
JIANG: Today’s President is headed to Pittsburgh to promote the billions of dollars he has signed into law to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.
Jiang followed NBC’s lead in wrapping up the Pennsylvania Senate race. However, she did mention Fetterman’s poor state of health as a major factor.
She cited a Fetterman doctor’s letter “say[ing] that he is well and has no work restrictions” but neglected to mention the fact that Fetterman is a donor to his patient campaign.
Jiang would certainly have put that in if this was Donald Trump.
Advertisers such as Carmax (on ABC), Honda and Humana (on CBS) brought Wednesday’s state-run media reporting to your attention. Follow these links to view their contact information on the MRC’s Conservatives Fight Back Page.
For ABC, CBS and NBC, click here for the transcripts starting October 20.
