NBC Uses Newtown Tragedy to Support Obama's Push for Gun Control
On Friday's Today, NBC's David Gregory used the Newtown
tragedy to buttress President Obama's push for more gun control. During a
heartbreaking story about the grieving father of shooting victim Emilie
Parker, Gregory switched to a massive petition for the White House to
pursue gun control.
"This morning, President Obama has posted this video response online to
nearly 200,000 people that signed a petition on the White House
website, pushing the President for action on gun control," reported
Gregory.
[Video below. Audio here.]
Just before, Gregory had relayed Robbie Parker's emotional remarks at
his daughter's memorial: "After his remarks, Parker broke down in tears,
unimaginable loss gripping a father in so much pain."
Gregory included President Obama's response that "This week I called on
Congress to take up and pass common sense legislation that has the
support of a majority of the American people." He included no soundbites
from gun rights advocates, however.
"The politics, it's just so hard to hear about people in so much pain
as we go into the holidays. But it's all over that area, and we all feel
it," he concluded.
A transcript of the segment, which aired on December 21 on Today at 7:09 a.m. EST, is as follows:
[7:09]
DAVID GREGORY: The nation pauses for a moment of silence at 9:30
Eastern time this morning, one week after the deadly school shooting in
Newtown, Connecticut. Church bells tolling 26 times for the victims who
died at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The latest step in the difficult
grieving process.
(Video Clip)
ROBBIE PARKER, Emilie Parker's father: There is no reason for us to be
here tonight. I'm so thankful for everybody that's here. I can't
--
GREGORY: In Ogden, Utah Thursday night, a public memorial was held for
six year-old Emilie Parker. She was born there, and speakers included
Emilie's father Robbie, who thanked people in Utah for their support.
PARKER: As we were coming up the roads and we started to see all the
ribbons and all your tributes to Emilie everywhere – and a lot of you
don't even know who she is. A lot of you never even met her. And to see
your love be expressed in that way for us was so meaningful and we were
so comforted.
GREGORY: Like so many other grieving Sandy Hook parents, Robbie Parker
shared memories about his little girl who loved to go on walks and pick
dandelions. And just days before Christmas, heartbreaking details about
how Parker and his wife Alissa celebrated their first holiday with
Emilie in Utah.
PARKER: I went past the first house that Alissa and I lived in after we
were married, and the house that we were in when Emilie was born. And
it was just so sweet to be able to picture her inside there on that
small house on 23rd Street, to picture our first Christmas there where
all we could do was make homemade presents.
GREGORY: After his remarks, Parker broke down in tears, unimaginable loss gripping a father in so much pain.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Robbie thank you. And dear family and friends of the Parker family –
BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States: And in the days since the heartbreaking tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut –
GREGORY: This morning, President Obama has posted this video response
online to nearly 200,000 people that signed a petition on the White
House website, pushing the President for action on gun control.
OBAMA: This week I called on Congress to take up and pass common sense
legislation that has the support of a majority of the American people –
(End Video Clip)
GREGORY: The politics, it's just so hard to hear about people in so
much pain as we go into the holidays. But it's all over that area, and
we all feel it.
