CBS Peddles False Democratic Talking Point That GOP Cuts Hurt Ebola Response

In a report for Tuesday's CBS This Morning on the political fallout from the Obama administration's mishandling of the Ebola crisis, correspondent Chip Reid touted a Democratic attack line being used against Republicans in the midterm campaign: "Some Democrats are firing back, claiming that Republican spending cuts have made the problem worse....An independent liberal group called The Agenda Project has even released a new ad with the tag line, 'Republican Cuts Kill.'"

After playing a clip of the nasty ad [1], Reid didn't bother to mention that The Washington Post completely dismantled the false accusation. Fact-checker Glenn Kessler reported [2] on October 15: "The absurd claim that only Republicans are to blame for cuts to Ebola research....Whose idea was sequestration? It was originally a White House proposal....For fiscal year 2015, the documents show, it was the Obama White House that proposed to cut the NIH's budget from the previous year."

Instead of explaining that, Reid included a soundbite of pollster Frank Luntz observing that both parties could be hurt by Ebola: "It's going to affect both political parties. Basically, if you're in Washington, you're going to end up with responsibility for this. You're going to end up with anger for this."

Reid concluded: "Another effect could be the public's confidence in government as a whole, which according to recent polls, is at or near an all-time low."

Here is a full transcript of the October 21 segment:

7:07AM ET

NORAH O'DONNELL: The Ebola crisis is a prominent talking point for candidates in the midterm elections. Election day is just two weeks from today. Chip Reid is on Capitol Hill with how Republicans and Democrats are using Ebola to score political points. Chip, good morning.

[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: The Politics of Ebola; Outbreak Becomes A Key Topic in Midterm Elections]

CHIP REID: Well, good morning. That's right, in recent days candidates on both sides of the aisle are trying to use the public's fear of Ebola to their political advantage.

BARACK OBAMA: We've faced a lot of challenges, from stopping the spread of disease to combating violent extremism.

REID: From President Obama...

THOM TILLIS [NORTH CAROLINA SENATE CANDIDATE]: Ladies and gentlemen, we've got an Ebola outbreak.

GREG ORMAN [KANSAS SENATE CANDIDATE]: I think we need to have a serious coordinated public health response.

REID: ...to contenders for the U.S. Senate, candidates across the country are talking about Ebola and blaming the other side. Republicans are doing their best to tie their opponents to a White House under fire.

REP. TOM COTTON [R-AR]: Mark Pryor always stands by Barack Obama, whether it's the VA, the IRS, the Secret Service, our border crisis, or now, Ebola.

REID: Some Democrats are firing back, claiming that Republican spending cuts have made the problem worse.

MARK WARNER: Francis Collins, the head of the NIH said that but for sequestration, we might have been able to find a vaccination against Ebola.

REID: An independent liberal group called The Agenda Project has even released a new ad with the tag line, "Republican Cuts Kill."  

VARIOUS REPUBLICANS [CLIP FROM AD]: Cut..cut...cut...cut.

THOMAS FRIEDEN [CDC DIRECTOR]: There are outbreaks happening today that we're not able to recognize, stop, or prevent as effectively as we should be able to.
REID: CBS News contributor and Republican strategist Frank Luntz said the government's mishandling of the crisis is likely to hurt incumbents the most.

FRANK LUNTZ: It's going to affect both political parties. Basically, if you're in Washington, you're going to end up with responsibility for this. You're going to end up with anger for this. And the public is going to take it out on you, and it's only 14 days before the election.

REID: Another effect could be the public's confidence in government as a whole, which according to recent polls, is at or near an all-time low. Charlie.

ROSE: After taste and style – Chip, thanks.