It was probably the early hours, but CNN White House correspondent John Harwood used his limited time to talk to Day of the NewJohn Berman, co-host of the show, laments that Biden didn’t go enough depth in his address about Uvalde High School shootings in Texas.
Harwood’s initial comments followed the contours of Biden’s own speech:
“As has become familiar, he empathized with the parents and the families of those who lost loved ones in this tragedy as a parent who himself has lost children. He also expressed outrage, as he implored Congress to do what it hasn’t done after so many incidents of this kind, including Newtown, which is to take some action on gun restrictions.”
After a technical mishap where a clip of Biden’s speech did not air, Berman did his best to set up the next section of Harwood’s commentary, pointing out how, “Joe Biden was chairman of the — he was working hard on the crime bill in 1994. He was instrumental in passing the ban on assault weapons. This is something that he’s worked on for his entire career.”
Berman wasn’t being truthful. Agree or disagree with his views, Joe Biden is deeply committed to passing gun control legislation, and his rhetoric of “when in God’s name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby?” although misplaced, is par for the course for him.
But Harwood thought Biden’s language wasn’t strong enough, unfavorably comparing his speech to the statement put out by his old boss Barack Obama, because, “He said it wasn’t just — it’s not just the gun lobby — it is a political party that won’t act.”
Harwood decided even this usage of a human tragedy for a political attack wasn’t precise enough, clarifying for whichever unfortunate souls were watching CNN at five in the morning:
“Because of the extremism behind many Republicans’ rejections of election outcomes, this is a very specific discussion about the Republican Party. has locked the party into resistance to almost any restriction or legislation on the purchase and ownership of weapons, including assault weapons.”
For Harwood, trying to find a solution to the violence plaguing America’s schools that doesn’t trample on Second Amendment rights is the “same extremism” that leads to questioning elections (the media’s ability to bring January 6 into every political topic never ceases to amaze me).
Harwood must have sensed this was too much of a break from reality even for the five o’clock slot, for he immediately followed up on this insane statement by admitting Republicans may be willing to pass some sort of background check reform. Nonetheless, Harwood realized he had a reputation to uphold as CNN White House press correspondent, and ended by snidely remarking, “But after so many failures to act before, this is clearly a ‘believe it when you see it’ kind of situation, John.”
Reprehensible to make radical changes in policy by using a school shooting as an example. Even more sinister is the use of a national tragedy as a way to attack your political opponents.
T-Mobile and Tempurpedic brought you this vile exploitation a national disaster. The following links provide their contact information.
Click “Expand” to see the relevant transcript.
CNN’s Day of the New
05/25/22
5.18.14 am ETJOHNBERMAN: John Harwood, CNN White House correspondent is joining me. John Harwood, the CNN White House correspondent was on his return from Asia when he learned of this shooting. He was eager to give a speech last night when he arrived back in the United States.
JOHN HARTWOOD: John, this was such a terrible tragedy that the President Biden needed to speak before the nation upon his return from the long flight from Asia. As a parent of children who has experienced this kind of tragedy, Biden sympathized with their families and parents. As a result, he expressed his outrage and urged Congress to act on gun restrictions. Here’s the President.
[VIDEO FILE MISSING]
BERMAN: Um, John, obviously Joe Biden —
HARWOOD: Do we not —BERMAN:— was Vice President —
HARWOOD
BERMAN: — during the Sandy Hook Massacre. Joe Biden was chairman of the — he was working hard on the crime bill in 1994. He was instrumental in passing the ban on assault weapons. He has worked tirelessly on this issue his whole career.
HARWOOD: That’s right. That is the only time Congress has been able to act in recent history. However, Congress did not renew the assault weapon ban after it expired. The President didn’t point the finger at any political party in his statement. The statement Obama made was not a criticism of the President. He said it wasn’t just — it’s not just the gun lobby — it is a political party that won’t act. This isn’t a failure to act on the part of Washington and Congress, as President Obama stated. Because the Republican party has been resisting any restrictions or legislation regarding the purchase and possession of weapons including assault weapons, this is a very specific issue. It is possible, however, that Republicans will try to solve this problem by taking action in an otherwise promising year. I noted on Twitter last night Brendan Buck, who was a former top aide to two Republican House Speakers said, “I think there’s a good chance that a background check bill passes in Congress this year.” But after so many failures to act before, this is clearly a “believe it when you see it” kind of situation, John.
BERMAN John Harwood: Thank you so much.
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