CBS journalists over the weekend were thrilled at the possibility that Hillary Clinton might be John McCain's "favorite Democrat." Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer on Sunday talked to the Arizona Senator and enthused, "Hillary Clinton has said that you are her favorite Republican and I just want to ask you is she your favorite Democrat?" [MP3 audio here [1].]
On Monday, CBS This Morning replayed the question and included a graphic that hyped, "favorite Democrat?" Guest co-host Jeff Glor spun McCain's answer to make it sound more flattering. He insisted, "But for a moment on Sunday Republican Senator John McCain put her in the White House."
In fact, McCain responded:
JOHN MCCAIN: I respect Secretary, Senator Clinton. I respect her views. We have had disagreements on a number of issues. I think it's my job to work with every president if she is -- regrettably – if she obtains the presidency.
On June 6 [2], This Morning reporter John Dickerson blurbed Clinton's description of herself in a new memoir: "A portrait of doggedness."
A transcript of the July 7 CBS This Morning segment is below:
8:02
CBS TM: Favorite Democrat? Sen. John McCain on a Hillary Clinton Presidency
JEFF GLOR: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she doesn't know if she'll run for president in 2016. But for a moment on Sunday Republican Senator John McCain put her in the White House. The former GOP presidential nominee was on Face the Nation when Bob Schieffer put him on the spot.
BOB SCHIEFFER: Senator McCain, I have one question. I can't get away without asking, because Hillary Clinton has said that you are her favorite Republican and I just want to ask you is she your favorite Democrat?
MCCAIN: Actually I hope this program is blacked out in Arizona. Please cut. Look, I respect Secretary, Senator Clinton. I respect her views. We have had disagreements on a number of issues. I think it's my job to work with every president if she is -- regrettably – if she obtains the presidency. I worked with her in the Senate. You've got to reach across the aisle and work together on certain issues. I'm not only not embarrassed about it, I'm proud of it. And I respect Hillary Clinton. I may not agree with her.
NORAH O'DONNELL: It's interesting to see the two of them there together. I recall a time when, I think, they were overseas together and had shots together. So,
GAYLE KING: I hear that can be very bonding.
— Scott Whitlock is Senior News Analyst at the Media Research Center. Follow Scott Whitlock on Twitter. [3]