ABC Again Skimps on 2012 Coverage; Tapper: Race Is Obama Vs. 'Conservative Businessman'
On Wednesday, an absent George Stephanopoulos prompted ABC's Good Morning America to provide skimpy coverage of the GOP presidential race. While CBS This Morning devoted nine minutes, including an interview, on the Illinois primary, ABC allowed just two minutes and 21 seconds of coverage.
In GMA's only full report, Jake Tapper quoted Romney casting the race as law professor vs. conservative businessman (which typically leaves out describing Obama as liberal): "It's
very clearly a very stark choice between Barack Obama, who [Romney is]
casting as a law professor, versus a conservative businessman."
Despite twice referring to Tuesday's results as a "big win" for Romney, ABC's Robin Roberts had no follow-up interview with a candidate or an analyst, as would be standard with Stephanopoulos hosting.
One has to wonder, does Stephanopoulos have a clause in his contract limiting political coverage on days that he's off?
NBC's Today offered a full report with Peter Alexander, an interview with David Gregory discussing the results and additional news briefs.
CBS This Morning devoted nine minutes and 35 seconds, including a Jan Crawford full report and an interview with Dick Durbin.
For more on how ABC has marginalized Robin Roberts since the arrival of George Stephanopoulos, see: With Liberal Stephanopoulos Taking the Day Off, ABC Shuts Robin Roberts Out of Politics.
A transcript of the March 21 segment can be found below:
ROBIN
ROBERTS: Now, to politics and mitt Romney's big win in the Illinois
primary. After narrow victories in major states in recent weeks, Romney
finally pulled off, as you can see there, a decisive victory. But his
rivals are not dropping out. It's your voice, your vote and ABC's Jake
Tapper is in Chicago with the latest. So, just tell us what this latest
victory means for Romney, Jake. 
