On Tuesday's edition of MSNBC News Live, host David Shuster tossed softballs
to an 11-year-old supporter of Obamacare. However, back in 2009, reporter Norah
O'Donnell grilled a conservative teen and fan of Sarah Palin.
Shuster interviewed young Marcelas Owens, who lost his mother from pulmonary
hypertension and is now lobbying for government-run health
care. The anchor gently asked the child of his reception in Congress, "Are they
at least pleased to meet you?" Shuster failed to mention that Owens' entire
family have been members of the liberal [1]
Washington Community Action Network.
In contrast, on November
19, 2009 [2], O'Donnell interrogated Jackie Seal, a conservative, Michigan teen
who was waiting in line to see Sarah Palin at a book signing. The MSNBC host
challenged this particular young person on her political beliefs: "Did you know
that Sarah Palin supported the bailout?" O'Donnell berated, "Does that change
your view?"
Now, certainly, Owens has lost his mother and no one would grill an
11-year-old who suffered such a tragedy. But, the network's reporters clearly
have different standards for different young people.
CBS also touted Owens on Tuesday's Evening
News [3].
-Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here [4] to follow him on Twitter.