From 2009 to 2014, every year of Barack Obama's presidency, the networks have observed his birthday, often wishing him a special day. A graphic for CBS This Morning on Monday touted, "Happy Birthday, Mr. President." Co-host Charlie Rose enthused, "President Obama is waking up a year older. The President turns 53 today, but his birthday weekend began Saturday." He reiterated, "Happy birthday, Mr. President." [MP3 audio here [1].]
Guest co-host Vinita Nair parroted, "Happy birthday." Over on NBC's Today, Savannah Guthrie reminded, "By the way, we should mention it's President Obama's 53rd birthday. So, happy birthday to him." Fill-in host Carson Daly offered, "Happy birthday." On America This Morning, the very early ABC show, co-host Devin Dwyer cheered, "Well, happy birthday wishes going out this morning to President Obama."
From 2009 through 2014, NBC, CBS and ABC have observed Obama's birthday on either their morning or evening newscasts. In contrast, George W. Bush's July 6 birthday only received sporadic note from the networks.
MNBC anchor Jose Diaz Balart on Monday hyped the fact that he shared a birthday with the President: "Coming up, President Barack Obama, 53-years young today...Mr. President, this is true and this is important: Fifty three is a great year to be alive."
A transcript of the three network birthday wishes can be found below:
CBS This Morning
8/4/14
7:18
CBS GRAPHIC: Happy Birthday, Mr. President: Obama Turns 53, Celebrates with Round of Golf
CHARLIE ROSE: President Obama is waking up a year older. The President turns 53 today, but his birthday weekend began Saturday. The President played a round of golf with some childhood friends before heading to Camp David in Maryland. Today, he's celebrating at the White House. The official calendar says he'll spend the day doing what he does, attending meetings. Happy birthday, Mr. President.
VINITA NAIR: Happy birthday. And he played with childhood friends. These are people he grew up with in Hawaii.
NBC's Today
8/4/14
7:30
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: By the way, we should mention it's President Obama's 53rd birthday. So, happy birthday to him.
CARSON DALY: Happy birthday.
ABC's America This Morning
8/4/14
4:06am ET
DEVIN DWYER: Well, happy birthday wishes going out this morning to President Obama. He turns 53-years-old today. The President's birthday weekend included some golf with friends and a visit to the presidential retreat at Camp David. Mr. Obama has no public events on his schedule today, but he will be meeting with the Vice President and other top leaders.
— Scott Whitlock is Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Scott Whitlock on Twitter. [2]