CBS Highlights German Anti-Bush Marchers, How Remarks "Jarring" --2/24/2005

1. CBS Highlights German Anti-Bush Marchers, How Remarks "Jarring"
While ABC and NBC stressed the "united" front against Iran presented by President Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, CBS's John Roberts only grudgingly acknowledged that Bush and Schroeder "papered over their differences long enough today to present a united front against Iran." Roberts asserted that Bush's "hard line" on Iran "has the majority of Germans believing that Mr. Bush will take military action." Citing Bush's statement that "all options are on the table," over video of anti-Bush protesters and their signs, Roberts insisted Bush's "statement was jarring to European nations, who are just now getting over the Iraq War." Roberts lectured: "His European charm offensive aside, President Bush still has image problems here. Many people mistrust his policies and think rather than embracing Europe's way of thinking, he wants Europe to embrace his." Neither ABC or NBC considered the protesters newsworthy as NBC's David Gregory described how Bush "was treated to a warm welcome in Germany."

2. CBS Dwells on How Marine Not Charged in Mosque Shooting
With "Justifiable Shooting?" as the title on screen under blurry video of a Marine in Fallujah with his gun pointed at an Iraqi insurgent, Dan Rather touted Wednesday night: "It was a striking moment in the battle for Iraq, captured on videotape: It was a wounded, as it turned out, unarmed Iraqi, shot to death by a U.S. Marine. The Marine said he thought the man might be armed. Tonight CBS News has learned that military investigators conclude there is not enough evidence to formally charge that Marine." Kimberly Dozier proceeded to re-play video of the November incident which the media hyped at the time, though she failed to show the actual shooting before she held the U.S. culpable for Fallujah's destruction: "The original video added to popular anger over the Fallujah crackdown. Many Iraqis felt Fallujah's unarmed civilians bore the brunt of the U.S. campaign. Hundreds of homes were destroyed in the battle, and months later, much of the city is still without power or water."

3. CNN: Romney on Wrong Side on Stem Cells, Preventing Life Saving
Is CNN already targeting potential 2008 presidential candidates who take conservative positions on social issues, or who at least don't follow the media line in favor of embryonic stem cell research? A Tuesday night piece on NewsNight allowed Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to defend his opposition to such research using cells created only for such destructive research, but Jason Carroll's story revolved around the assumption Romney is misguided as Carroll ominously warned that "scientists from prominent research institutions say Romney is preventing them from saving lives." After a doctor proclaimed that he comes "down on the side of relieving suffering," Carroll lamented: "However, Romney backs a bill prohibiting creation of new human embryos for research, even though his state ranks second only to California in the number of biotech companies, an industry essential to stem cell research and critical to the state's economy. In contrast, California's Governor backs embryonic research."

4. Jennings: "I Believe There Are Unidentified Flying Objects"
Peter Jennings had plenty of doubts about the existence of WMDs as a justification for war in Iraq, but he believes in UFOs. Appearing Wednesday night on Comedy Central's Daily Show with Jon Stewart to plug his two-hour Thursday night special, "Peter Jennings Reporting: UFOs -- Seeing is Believing," Jennings quipped: "I believe there are unidentified flying objects, I'm just not sure who's driving."

CBS Highlights German Anti-Bush Marchers,
How Remarks "Jarring"

While ABC and NBC stressed the "united" front against Iran presented by President Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, CBS's John Roberts only grudgingly acknowledged that Bush and Schroeder "papered over their differences long enough today to present a united front against Iran." Roberts asserted that Bush's "hard line" on Iran "has the majority of Germans believing that Mr. Bush will take military action." Citing Bush's statement that "all options are on the table," over video of anti-Bush protesters and their signs, Roberts insisted Bush's "statement was jarring to European nations, who are just now getting over the Iraq War." Roberts lectured: "His European charm offensive aside, President Bush still has image problems here. Many people mistrust his policies and think rather than embracing Europe's way of thinking, he wants Europe to embrace his."

Neither ABC or NBC considered the protesters newsworthy as ABC's Terry Moran emphasized the "united stand on the critical issue of Iran's suspected nuclear ambition." NBC anchor Brian Williams cited "common ground over a common adversary" before David Gregory described how Bush "was treated to a warm welcome in Germany," though he noted how Bush "has taken a harder line" on Iran.

On Tuesday night, Roberts had scolded: "Mr. Bush insists he wants a diplomatic solution, but just the mention of the war option was enough to throw a chill on this last night of the Brussels summit. The President says he came here to listen, but many Europeans were left to wonder just how much he heard." See: www.mediaresearch.org

Dan Rather introduced the February 23 CBS Evening News piece from Roberts in Germany: "President Bush is in Slovakia tonight, preparing to meet there tomorrow with Russia's President, Vladimir Putin. Earlier, President Bush concluded talks with European Union leaders in Belgium, and stopped briefly in Germany, where again, the main focus was Iran. CBS's John Roberts is traveling with the President."

Roberts began, as corrected against the closed-captioning by the MRC's Brad Wilmouth: "They still might not truly like each other, but President Bush and German Chancellor Schroeder papered over their differences long enough today to present a united front against Iran."
George W. Bush at the joint press conference: "For the sake of security and peace, they must not have a nuclear weapon. And that is a goal shared by Germany, France, Great Britain and the United States."
Roberts: "How to achieve that goal is where the two leaders part ways. Germany wants to use carrots, economic and security incentives, President Bush is considering the stick of broader sanctions to punish Iran into submission. The hard line has the majority of Germans believing that Mr. Bush will take military action, a fear he only seemed to reinforce with this mixed message last night."
Bush, on Tuesday: "This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that, all options are on the table."
Over video of protesters with signs with a red through Bush's face and others proclaiming "Don't Violate Human Rights," "Shame on You Mr. Bush" and one with a picture of Bush above the words "Terrorist Nr. 1," Roberts asserted: "The statement was jarring to European nations, who are just now getting over the Iraq War. So today, President Bush felt compelled to explain himself a little further."
Bush: "You know, yesterday I was asked about the U.S. position. I said all options are on the table. That's part of our position. But I also reminded people that diplomacy is just beginning. Iran is not Iraq."
Roberts lectured: "His European charm offensive aside, President Bush still has image problems here. Many people mistrust his policies and think rather than embracing Europe's way of thinking, he wants Europe to embrace his. Between Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Middle East peace process, there is plenty to keep the U.S. and Europe working toward common goals. No doubt, some intense diplomatic therapy has done wonders for the relationship. The outstanding question tonight, how long will it last? John Roberts, CBS News, Mainz, Germany."

ABC and NBC were more upbeat and didn't center their stories around the protesters.

From Bratislava, Slovakia, Terry Moran reported on Wednesday's World News Tonight: "President Bush and Chancellor Schroeder, who disagreed so bitterly over the Iraq war, took a united stand on the critical issue of Iran's suspected nuclear ambition."
Bush: "Iran must not have a nuclear weapon for the sake of security and peace. They must not have a nuclear weapon."
Moran: "Schroeder spoke just as forcefully."
Schroeder, through translator: "We absolutely agree that Iran must say no to any nuclear weapon."
Moran: "Mr. Bush, who has up until now refused to endorse any negotiations with Iran, also surprised some by lending strong support to the European effort to negotiate."
Bush: "Diplomacy is just beginning, Iran is not Iraq. We just started the diplomatic efforts and I want to thank our friends for taking the lead."
Moran: "The President was doing many things to reach out to friends here, he even went so far as to offer a rare public act of contrition, explaining to a group of young Germans how 9/11 attacks changed the U.S. view of the world, but not Europe's."
Bush: "Those two attitudes caused us sometimes to talk past each other and I plead guilty at times."

Jennings asked Moran: "Terry, we've been hearing every day from the White House that the President's been doing very well with the Europeans. You've been listening also to the Europeans, what are they saying about the President's trip?"
Moran answered: "Well, Peter, you get the sense that there is a genuine, if grudging recognition that Mr. Bush is trying and the admission of error that you just heard can help go a long way in that regard because what you hear a lot and what you read a lot is that, beyond all the policy disagreements, Europeans had the sense that the President and his administration disrespected them, didn't treat them as equals. And so much of this trip is really about re-establishing trust as much as anything else."

Over on the NBC Nightly News, Brian Williams teased: "United front. President Bush in Germany, the U.S. and Europe closer to agreeing on how to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions." Williams led his newscast: "Good evening. It was right about the time when french fries were being renamed 'freedom fries' around this country, relations between the U.S. and Europe reached a low point for the modern era. The disagreement was over the war in Iraq. Some of that has healed with time, and the President's visit to Europe this week has gone a long way. As proof of that, there is now common ground over a common adversary, Iran, for the U.S. and Europe to agree on, as they did today, on a common goal. We begin tonight with NBC's David Gregory, who is traveling with the President."

Gregory explained: "The President was treated to a warm welcome in Germany today, the bitterness over the Iraq war faded, though not forgotten. In its place, the first signs of common ground on Iran. Both Mr. Bush and Chancellor Schroeder agreed today on the goal."
Bush: "Iran must not have a nuclear weapon for the sake of security and peace."
Gregory: "How to force Iran to give up its nuclear designs is where Europe and the U.S. remain divided. Germany, France, and Britain are pushing for economic incentives, diplomatic carrots over sticks, but the President has taken a harder line, refusing to join the negotiations or rule out military action. Today, however, Mr. Bush tried to calm European nerves, still frayed over Iraq."
Bush: "Iran is not Iraq. We will work with them to convince the mullahs that they need to give up their nuclear ambitions."

CBS Dwells on How Marine Not Charged
in Mosque Shooting

With "Justifiable Shooting?" as the title on screen under blurry video of a Marine in Fallujah with his gun pointed at an Iraqi insurgent, Dan Rather touted Wednesday night: "It was a striking moment in the battle for Iraq, captured on videotape: It was a wounded, as it turned out, unarmed Iraqi, shot to death by a U.S. Marine. The Marine said he thought the man might be armed. Tonight CBS News has learned that military investigators conclude there is not enough evidence to formally charge that Marine." Kimberly Dozier proceeded to re-play video of the November incident which the media hyped at the time, though she failed to show the actual shooting before she held the U.S. culpable for Fallujah's destruction: "The original video added to popular anger over the Fallujah crackdown. Many Iraqis felt Fallujah's unarmed civilians bore the brunt of the U.S. campaign. Hundreds of homes were destroyed in the battle, and months later, much of the city is still without power or water."

Rather teased at the top of the February 23 CBS Evening News: "Tonight, the shooting death of an unarmed Iraqi by a U.S. Marine. Justified or no? CBS News learns what the U.S. military has concluded."

Rather opened: "Good evening. It was a striking moment in the battle for Iraq, captured on videotape: It was a wounded, as it turned out, unarmed Iraqi, shot to death by a U.S. Marine. The Marine said he thought the man might be armed. Tonight CBS News has learned that military investigators conclude there is not enough evidence to formally charge that Marine. It all happened during the bloody fight for Fallujah last fall. The Marines were engaged in house-to-house combat with dug-in enemy fighters. CBS's Kimberly Dozier, in Iraq, picks up the story."

Dozier elaborated, over the video captured by an embedded media crew: "When U.S. Marines ran into this mosque seeking the source of insurgent fire, they found several injured Iraqis wrapped in blankets. One Marine thought he saw one of them move. [clip of soldiers discovering the Iraqi. On screen, text matching bleeped audio: "He's f****** faking he's dead"]
"Navy investigators have concluded that under the circumstances, in the heat of battle, what happened next may have been justified. In a moment too graphic to show, one of the Americans fired. [video freezes on image of Marine with weapon aimed at man slumped against a wall, audio clip of gunfire followed by audio of "He's dead now."] The insurgents, it turned out, were unarmed, but investigators say the Iraqi the Marine thought he saw moving could have been going for a weapon. At the very least, Navy legal experts believe the situation is ambiguous enough that no prosecutor could get a conviction.
"The original video added to popular anger over the Fallujah crackdown. Many Iraqis felt Fallujah's unarmed civilians bore the brunt of the U.S. campaign. Hundreds of homes were destroyed in the battle, and months later, much of the city is still without power or water. Many Fallujans live in makeshift refugee camps far from their homes. It's now up to Marine commanders to decide what, if any, internal action to take against the Marine. And investigators are still conducting ballistics tests to try to determine how the other insurgents in the mosque were killed. Kimberly Dozier, CBS News, Baghdad."

For CBSNews.com's online version of this story: www.cbsnews.com

CNN: Romney on Wrong Side on Stem Cells,
Preventing Life Saving

Is CNN already targeting potential 2008 presidential candidates who take conservative positions on social issues, or who at least don't follow the media line in favor of embryonic stem cell research? A Tuesday night piece on NewsNight allowed Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to defend his opposition to such research using cells created only for such destructive research, but Jason Carroll's story revolved around the assumption Romney is misguided as Carroll ominously warned that "scientists from prominent research institutions say Romney is preventing them from saving lives." After a doctor proclaimed that he comes "down on the side of relieving suffering," Carroll lamented: "However, Romney backs a bill prohibiting creation of new human embryos for research, even though his state ranks second only to California in the number of biotech companies, an industry essential to stem cell research and critical to the state's economy. In contrast, California's Governor backs embryonic research."

Aaron Brown set up the February 22 piece which, the MRC's Ken Shepherd noticed, ran as the second story on the 10pm EST newscast: "Now a story that lives where the political and the personal collide with the medically or scientifically possible, a story that forces some fairly painful questions. What would you do for someone you love? What would you refuse to do, or refuse to permit, in spite of what might happen to someone you love? Hard enough to answer when you're a parent or a spouse or a friend, harder still when you're the Governor. Here's CNN's Jason Carroll."

Carroll began, over video taken through a microscope: "In these tiny cells lies a major controversy. Researchers see them as a possible path to medical progress, an answer for diseases that today cannot be cured. The Governor from Massachusetts sees it another way."
Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA): "I have this vision of an Orwellian laboratory."
Carroll: "At issue, embryonic stem cells, cells that can grow to become other cells -- skin cells, nerve cells, or these, heart cells. But extracting them destroy the embryo, and that is something Governor Romney says he will not allow."
Romney: "Creating new life for purposes of experimentation and for research is something that I think Americans recoil at, and recognize that's a new boundary we're just not willing to cross."
Carroll: "Romney is one of the few governors nationwide speaking out on the issue. His position isn't just political. In 1998, his wife, Ann, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Scientists say embryonic stem cells could help people like her."
Romney: "She and I, my wife and I, care very deeply about finding the cure for her disease and the cure for diseases of millions of other people in our country. But we don't believe for a minute that you have to cross ethical boundaries to find the cures for diseases. She and I agree that you don't create new life to help cure our issues."
Carroll: "Robert Harnden says thanks to stem cell research, his lymphoma is in remission. In this case, the cells were from adults. But he believes embryonic cells could help even more."
Harnden: "I just think it's so important for them just to continue."
Carroll: "They may not continue in his home state of Massachusetts. Scientists from prominent research institutions say Romney is preventing them from saving lives. Their dilemma, they can't get federal funding for new stem cell research, and the cells they can get funding for are tainted. They say they need to create new ones if research is to continue."
Doctor David Scadden, Massachusetts General Hospital: "I come down on the side of relieving suffering. And I think these cells have great potential to do that."
Carroll: "However, Romney backs a bill prohibiting creation of new human embryos for research, even though his state ranks second only to California in the number of biotech companies, an industry essential to stem cell research and critical to the state's economy. In contrast, California's governor backs embryonic research."
Arnold Schwarzenegger, at undated event outdoors: "I'm very much interested in stem cell research and support it on hundred percent."
Romney: "Look, we're not taking that next step. That is a line in the sand that cannot be crossed without crossing the boundary of ethical conduct."
Carroll: "For the Governor, as for many Americans, a complex question of politics and personal ethics. Jason Carroll, CNN, Boston."

Jennings: "I Believe There Are Unidentified
Flying Objects"

Peter Jennings had plenty of doubts about the existence of WMDs as a justification for war in Iraq, but he believes in UFOs. Appearing Wednesday night on Comedy Central's Daily Show with Jon Stewart to plug his two-hour Thursday night special, "Peter Jennings Reporting: UFOs -- Seeing is Believing," Jennings quipped: "I believe there are unidentified flying objects, I'm just not sure who's driving."

The ABCNews.com page on the show begins with a quote from Jennings: "On Feb. 24, Peter Jennings Reporting: UFOs -- Seeing Is Believing takes a fresh look at the UFO phenomenon. 'As a journalist,' says Jennings, 'I began this project with a healthy dose of skepticism and as open a mind as possible. After almost 150 interviews with scientists, investigators and with many of those who claim to have witnessed unidentified flying objects, there are important questions that have not been completely answered -- and a great deal not fully explained.'"

The page for the program, which will air in the first two hours of prime time tonight, Thursday: abcnews.go.com

That's two more hours of prime time than ABC has allocated for any news coverage of any serious policy subject, such as Social Security reform.

-- Brent Baker