ABC Ignores GOP Criticism of Judge Jackson’s Nomination

Evening news channels were quick to endorse her nomination after the official kickoff of Judgment hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings. Although all three news networks praised her background and qualifications, they did not give equal attention to Republican criticism. Both networks are to be commended. CBS Evening News NBC Nightly NewsABC aired comments made by Republican Senators concerning Judge Jackson. World News TonightPreviewed GOP criticism but they did not air any. 

CBS aired the Supreme Court Hearings segment as the network felt that tornadoes in Texas, Mississippi and other parts of the country warranted it. CBS was first to do so. Jan Crawford, a national legal correspondent opened the CBS segment by giving soundbites to Senators Chuck Grassley and Mike Lee (R–UT), Lindsey Graham(R-SC) and Josh Hawley. “Previewing two days of questioning in the future, Republicans referred to previous hearings.”:

SENATOR CHUCK GLASSLEY: Disruption, disorder and procedural matters.

PROTESTER: Shame! Shame! 

CRAWFORD: For conservative Supreme Court nominees.

SENATOR MIKE LEE: We should never aspirate to engage in politics of personal destruction.

CRAWFORD, and vowed that they would be focusing on her record.

SENATOR LIINDSEY GRAHAM: It will be all about you and your philosophy.

CRAWFORD: Some suggest that they had an extremist liberal ideology and were soft on crime.

SENATOR JOHN HAWLEY (Democratic Senator): The prosecution recommended that the defendant spend 24 months in prison. Judge Jackson sentenced the defendant to three months prison.

Crawford reported then that Judge Jackson had been convicted “Sat still for over four hours during the Senators’ opening statements before she delivered hers” comments. 

JUDGE KETANJI BROWNJACKSON – If confirmed, I promise to work productively for the protection and defense of this great experiment in American democracy over these 246 year.

NBC aired a report written by Peter Alexander (chief White House correspondent) and gave some voice to GOP criticisms, but less than CBS. “The Federal Appeals Court judge, 51 years old, is expected to be subject to more scrutiny than he was a year ago.” Alexander claimed that Judge Jackson was the one Alexander was referring too.

“Including Lindsey Graham. One of the three Republicans who voted for her confirmation then.” Alexander added. Alexander quoted Senator Graham’s remarks after Alexander had played them. “Republican Josh Hawley preparing for an attack. He accuses Jackson of being soft-on-crime, and highlights her sentencing decisions concerning child pornography. 

ABC was finally able to get to the Supreme Court hearings. But anchor David Muir, and Rachel Scott (Congressional correspondent) only briefly mentioned Republicans’ concerns about Jackson’s nomination. Muir began by noting “Republicans are hinting at the line of inquiry they have in mind for her today. These questions they intend to ask her.”Before turning to Senate Democrats’, and the chances Jackson gets successfully confirmed  

Many Democrats welcomed Judge Jackson to the Senate Judiciary Committee today. This was a subtle reminder of her past performances and won both Democrat and Republican support. What is the real reality? Given nothing in the future, Democrats can get all they want.

Scott replied that “Democrats hope for bipartisan support but they don’t need it”She declared that she was proud of her accomplishments. Jackson is confirmed with just 51 votes.

Prevagen made it possible for ABC’s World News Tonight to omit any substantive Republican criticism. You can find their information linked. 

For the appropriate transcripts click on “expand”. 

ABC’s World News Tonight
3/21/2022
Eastern at 6:37 p.m.

DAVIDMUIR: A lot of laughter here, but some difficult questions ahead. Rachel Scott joins us from the Capitol tonight. Today, Rachel and Republicans hint at the line of inquiry they have ahead. These are questions that they intend to ask Rachel. Today, Democrats, including many, welcomed Judge Jackson back into the Senate Judiciary Committee. It was a reminder, not too subtle, that she has been there before and won both Democratic and Republican support every time. What is the real reality? Given nothing in the future, Democrats can get all they want.

RACHEL SCOTT – Yes, David. Democrats hope for bipartisan support but don’t need it. A simple majority of 51 votes can confirm Judge Jackson. Tomorrow, Senators will ask her a series of probing questions. It will highlight her record. David?

CBS Evening News
3/21/2022
Eastern at 6:34 p.m.

JAN CRAWFORD – Republicans refer to previous hearings as they prepare for the next two days of questioning.

SENATOR CHUCK GLASSLEY: Disruption, disorder and procedural matters.

PROTESTER: Shame! Shame! 

CRAWFORD: For conservative Supreme Court nominees.

SENATOR MIKE LEE: It is not something that we should ever strive to do.

CRAWFORD, and vowed that they would be focusing on her record.

SENATOR LINDSEY GRAM: This is all about your philosophy.

CRAWFORD: Some suggest that they had an extremist liberal ideology and were soft on crime.

SENATOR JOHN HAWLEY (Reporter): The prosecution recommended that the defendant spend 24 months in prison. Judge Jackson sentenced the defendant to three months prison.

CRAWFORD Jackson watched in silence for four hours before speaking.

JUDGE KETANJI BROWNJACKSON – If confirmed, I promise to work productively for the protection and defense of this magnificent experiment in American democracy that endured through these 246 year.

NBC Nightly News
3/21/2022
Eastern at 7:11 p.m.

PETER ALEXANDER : This 51-year old was nominated as a Federal Appeals Court judge less than a decade ago. Now, she is expected to come under greater scrutiny from Lindsey Graham. Graham is one of three Republicans that voted to confirm Alexander.

SENATOR LIINDSEY GRAM: What is your philosophy on judging? People on the right, and the extreme left think that you’re the best option. It is my desire to find out why.

ALEXANDER – And Republican Josh Hawley is preparing a line attack. He accuses Jackson of being too soft on crime and highlights her sentencing in child pornography case cases. 

JUSTICE JOSH HAWLEY: Judge Jackson imposed a sentence below the Federal Guidelines and lower than what the prosecutors asked for in every case.