After spending days denouncing a religious freedom bill in Arizona as
"anti-gay," all three network morning shows on Thursday hailed protester
celebrations following Governor Jan Brewer vetoing the proposed
legislation. Fill-in co-host Lara Spencer led off ABC's Good Morning America by excitedly announcing: "Vetoed! Protesters cheering the Arizona governor's decision to strike the controversial bill that would have given businesses the right to deny service to gay people for religious reasons." [Listen to the audio [1]]
In the report that followed, correspondent Cecilia Vega described the joyous atmosphere: "Boy, a lot of celebrating here overnight....And that very moment outside Arizona's capitol, from cheers to tears."
Vega talked to one protester who compared the vetoed bill to
segregation: "Nobody rides at the back of the bus and everybody sits at
the lunch counter. We fought that battle once and that's what this
battle is. We shouldn't have to do this again and I hope this is the
last time."
On NBC's Today, correspondent Mike Taibbi declared: "The Governor made the predicted decision to cheers of the protesters gathered outside the state house."
A protester he talked to recounted: "We were standing, shaking with
tears in our eyes that something finally – our voices have finally been
heard." Taibbi concluded of the bill: "Now it's history."
CBS This Morning co-host Norah O'Donnell proclaimed "Gay rights supporters are cheering and religious conservatives are fuming"
as she reported the news. Correspondent Carter Evans observed: "A day
of protests outside the capitol ended in celebration. Inside, Governor
Jan Brewer announced her much anticipated decision."
While the networks hyped [2]
and were responsible for "mounting pressure" on Governor Brewer to veto
the legislation, on Thursday, the Arizona Republican was suddenly a
hero.
ABC's
Vega noted: "And in the end, the very group that had been protesting
Jan Brewer, thanked her." Footage rolled of protesters cheering and
chanting: "Thank you, Jan! Thank you, Jan!"
At the end of his Today report, Taibbi explained: "Now here's
how certain even the protesters were that there'd be a veto. Even before
the press conference they were distributing these pre-printed,
high-quality posters saying 'Thank you, Governor. Arizona is now open
for business for everyone.'"
On CBS This Morning, Evans mentioned: "Republican Arizona
Senator John McCain commended Brewer's veto as did former Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton." A sound bite followed of Clinton gloating:
"Thankfully the Governor of Arizona has vetoed the discriminatory
legislation that was passed."
— Kyle Drennen is Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Kyle Drennen on Twitter. [3]