Only ABC’s Good Morning America and John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, covered President Biden’s campaign appearance on Thursday. Rachel Scott, the correspondent, admitted that the President is not popular with voters and unwelcome by most Democratic candidates.
“Many Democratic Candidates have been hesitant campaign with President Biden given his low approval rating,” Scott acknowledged. Scott contrasted Democrats’ decision to hide Biden four years ago with former President Trump’s many rallies: “Donald Trump held 26 rallies October 2018. Barack Obama, 16. Biden, however, has been absent from the campaign trail and traded public rallies for large-dollar fundraisers behind closed doors.
CBS and NBC did not mention this ongoing embarrassment to Democrats Friday morning. CBS Mornings opted to give a long-range forecast for winter (cold) in their “hard news” first hour. NBC’s Today, however, chose to entertain viewers with highlights from Thursday night’s football game.
Despite ABC’s mention of the President’s problems at least, Scott failed to mention Fetterman’s ongoing health problems that have put the race in danger for Democrats. He also did not show any clips of Fetterman speaking. Fetterman’s extreme left-wing views regarding issues such as abortion, where he opposes any restrictions, were also not mentioned.
FiveThirtyEight polls show that Fetterman is “running about 4 points ahead” of Dr. Mehmet O, his Republican opponent. But she failed to mention that this lead has diminished significantly since September 21st (an 8.9% lead for Fetterman on September 21st, compared to just 4.4% now), despite the fact that polls in the governor’s race remain stable.
Scott warned viewers that if the Pennsylvania Senate race ends up in the Republican column, “Their chances of flipping the Senate go down from 41% to 75%.”
Nature’s Bounty sponsored ABC’s semi-tough, lonely take on the Democrats’ midterm woes.
Click “expand” to see the relevant ABC transcripts from October 21.
ABC’s Good Morning America
October 21, 2022 at 7:05 AM ET
CECILIA VEGA – We now turn to the midterms. In just 18 days, President Biden did something that we haven’t seen much of this cycle. He made a rare campaign visit in front of cameras, joined by a candidate. He was on the Pennsylvania battleground, which could very likely determine who controls the Senate. Rachel Scott has been covering the election throughout, and she joins us from the White House. Good morning Rachel.
RACHEL SCOTT – Cecelia, it’s Cecelia. You know this well: Many Democratic candidates are hesitant to campaign alongside President Biden due to his low approval ratings. It was a rare appearance on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania.
John Fetterman, Democratic candidate, went where few Democrats have gone. He appeared with President Biden at an event promoting Biden’s infrastructure law.
JOE BIDEN – This law is more than just rebuilding infrastructure. John is an expert on the subject and speaks a lot about it. It’s about rebuilding middle class.
SCOTT: Fetterman is Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor and is locked in one the most important Senate races in America. His Republican opponent, TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, is running about 4 points ahead. The majority of Americans disapprove with President Biden’s job performance, even in battleground Pennsylvania where he won by more that 80,000 votes. Some Democrats have made it a point of distancing themselves.
REP. TIM RYAN (Ohio Democratic Senate Candidat): I want the campaign’s face. This has been my 18-month-long experience. We have done it all on our own.
SCOTT: Biden still projecting optimism.
REPORTER: Mr. President is your party going for the Senate?
BIDEN: Yes, I believe so. It won’t end ’til it ends.
SCOTT: Donald Trump held 26 rallies during October 2018. Barack Obama, 16. Biden, 16.
Okay, we are now in the final stretch. FiveThirtyEight crunched the numbers. Take a look. At the moment, Republicans have a 41% chance of flipping Senate. This jumps to a staggering 61 percent if they win the Pennsylvania Senate race. Their chances of flipping the Senate go up from 41% to 75%, Cecilia.
VEGA: Pennsylvania, oh so crucial. 18 days, Rachel. Thank you so much.
