NBC Cheers Obama 'Cashing In' On 'History' of Gay Marriage Announcement
Leading off Thursday's NBC Nightly News, anchor Brian Williams en
thusiastically touted the President's fundraising efforts: "President Obama cashing in the day after his gay marriage announcement." Moments later, Williams proclaimed: "Tonight, it is clear President Obama is hoping, at least, to capitalize on the history he made yesterday, becoming the first American president to come out in favor of same-sex marriage."
Williams fully embraced the cynicism of Obama's sudden flip-flop on the
issue, noting how the President would be "appearing before a
sympathetic audience tonight" of big-money campaign donors who "might
not have been so sympathetic to the President before the gay marriage
announcement."
In
the report that followed, White House correspondent Kristen Welker
dutifully acted as an Obama campaign stenographer: "And tonight, an
enthusiastic roughly 2,000 supporters turned out to hear the President
speak. A day after his endorsement of same-sex marriage, President Obama
arrived in Seattle for three big-ticket fundraisers in friendly
political territory, as his campaign tried to capitalize on the issue
with this political ad targeting Mitt Romney."
Welker further added: "The Democratic National Committee says calls
have been pouring in from donors today, and the President, who is
already expected to break a record at a fundraiser hosted by George
Clooney, may now bring in an even larger haul."
The adulation over Obama raking in the cash continued on Friday's NBC
Today as co-host Savannah Guthrie announced: "President Obama's
re-election campaign received a financial boost last night as some of
Hollywood's biggest names turned out for a fundraiser hosted by
Oscar-winner George Clooney."
Again Welker declared success:
Well, that Clooney event raised nearly $15 million. That's a new record. Now it's important to point out, it was scheduled well before the President's announcement about same-sex marriage, but that announcement certainly added to the buzz. In the wake of his same-sex marriage endorsement, President Obama arrived in Los Angeles to cash in on the financial might of Hollywood.
Welker gushed over the parade of celebrities that attended elitist
event: "George Clooney, who has been a familiar face at the White House
lately, hosted a record-breaking fundraiser, at his posh Los Angeles
mansion. Tinseltown's A-list turned out. Including Barbra Streisand,
Robert Downy Jr., Billy Crystal, and Selma Hayek."
Sounding like Obama's press secretary, Welker summarized his remarks to the left-wing crowd:
In addressing the crowd of 150 wealthy donors, the President said, "2008, in some ways, was lightning in a bottle. That's not going to be replicated, and that means we're going to have to work harder." He also acknowledged that he had "made some news" by announcing his support for same-sex marriage. "It was a logical extension of what America is supposed to be," he said to applause.
Continuing to tout the Obama money-machine, Welker remarked: "Hollywood
insiders say new donors are getting on board after this week's
announcement." Daily Variety managing editor Ted Johnson explained:
"Norman Lear had been reluctant to actually write a check for the
campaign. He reversed that position. I've talked to other donors who are
encouraging their friends to go out and support – go online and support
the campaign."
A sound bite was featured from former DNC national finance director
Erika Payne: "I think, generally speaking, the progressives have really
been looking for some – some fire from this president, and so I think
you'll see across the board that people really step up." Welker also
included Payne in her Nightly News report.
On both Today and Nightly News, Welker did manage to make room for some
reporting on Republican fundraising efforts. On Friday morning she
pointed out the gay marriage issue "cuts both ways," and that "social
conservatives are re-energized in their support for Mitt Romney." She
added: "Romney also raked in big cash Thursday, during campaign events
in Omaha and Kansas."
On Thursday night she conveyed: "But the President's supporters are not
the only ones using the issue to raise money. Social conservative and
former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee sent this e-mail to his
supporters, calling same-sex marriage 'a defining issue of this
election' and asking for $10 donations. Romney, campaigning in Omaha,
also raised big money today."
Here is a full transcript of Welker's May 10 Nightly News report:
7:00PM ET TEASE:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: On our broadcast tonight, on the trail. President Obama cashing in the day after his gay marriage announcement.
7:01PM ET SEGMENT:
WILLIAMS: Tonight, it is clear President Obama is hoping, at least, to
capitalize on the history he made yesterday, becoming the first American
president to come out in favor of same-sex marriage. While he believes
it's a matter that has to be decided by the individual states, where the
tide so far has been against it, the President nonetheless is appearing
before a sympathetic audience tonight, one that might not have been so
sympathetic to the President before the gay marriage announcement. It's
where we begin this evening with our White House correspondent Kristen
Welker, she's in Seattle. Kristen, good evening.
KRISTEN WELKER: Good evening to you, Brian. In fact, this is a state
that has passed a law to legalize same-sex marriage. And tonight, an
enthusiastic roughly 2,000 supporters turned out to hear the President
speak. A day after his endorsement of same-sex marriage, President Obama
arrived in Seattle for three big-ticket fundraisers in friendly
political territory, as his campaign tried to capitalize on the issue
with this political ad targeting Mitt Romney.
[ON-SCREEN TEXT: Mitt Romney on Marriage Yesterday]
MITT ROMNEY: I indicated my view, which is I do not favor marriage
between people of the same gender, and I don't favor civil unions.
WELKER:
The Democratic National Committee says calls have been pouring in from
donors today, and the President, who is already expected to break a
record at a fundraiser hosted by George Clooney, may now bring in an
even larger haul. Erika Payne is a former deputy national finance
director for the DNC.
ERIKA PAYNE: It'll make the President's financial supporters double
down their support of him. But for the electorate at as a whole, this is
an economic election.
WELKER: But the President's supporters are not the only ones using the
issue to raise money. Social conservative and former Arkansas Governor
Mike Huckabee sent this e-mail to his supporters, calling same-sex
marriage "a defining issue of this election" and asking for $10
donations. Romney, campaigning in Omaha, also raised big money today.
ROMNEY: They told me it was the most successful fundraising event in the history of Nebraska.
WELKER: But he said this about the same-sex marriage question.
ROMNEY: I hope the issue, as tender and sensitive as the marriage issue is, is not a source of fundraising for either of us.
WELKER: Romney also said he intends to keep the conversation focused on the economy, which he sees as his strongest argument.
ROMNEY: It's the economy, which is the focus of what they're talking
about. And obviously, the President doesn't want to talk about that.
WELKER: Now Brian, we also learned today that Vice President Biden
apologized to President Obama for those comments that he made this past
Sunday on Meet the Press, in which he essentially endorsed same-sex
marriage and jumped the gun on this issue. Brian.
ROMNEY: Kristen Welker in Seattle to start us off tonight. Kristen, thanks.
-- Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter.
