Happy days are here again was the mantra Monday for the broadcast network morning news shows following the Senate’s passage of the massive spending boondoggle, deeming it a “landmark,” “sweeping,” and “hard-fought win” Biden for President as Democrats look to win midterm elections.
This was despite the fact that, tucked inside their exuberant segments, not only was President Biden barely involved in negotiations, but the so-called Inflation Reduction Act won’t be “provid[ing] any immediate relief” for struggling Americans and instead the bill “will take time” to hit them.
“Breaking news. The Senate approves a landmark economic and climate package overnight in a marathon session, and votes straight down party lines,” boasted NBC’sTodaySavannah Guthrie is the co-host of this tease.
Craig Melvin was the co-host and provided even more enthusiasm:
[W]While the Inflation Reduction Act focuses on tackling climate change, promoting clean energy and other issues, the Act could also lower prescription drug costs for many seniors. It also aims to raise revenue by increasing the corporate tax rate to 15% for businesses worth more than a million dollars.
Ali Vitali from Capitol Hill was excited and exuberant. “Democrats feeling the momentum” “triumphant…passing a sweeping climate, health care and economic package after 22 straight hours of dusk-to-dawn work.”
Vitali came to the left lamenting “the legislation saw its scope limited and price tags slashed thanks to moderate Democratic Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, the bill’s key architects” And they were asked if they had taken in too much “power and influence[.]”
Vitali declared that she was having a party at 8:00 AM Eastern time. “riding high.”
Guthrie also spoke with senior White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell so they could strategize on how their team will shrink the margins with Republicans in polls (click “expand”):
Kelly: You can’t seperate this type of thing and politics. We are nearing the midterm elections. You know that President Biden is facing a low approval rating, record inflation and other problems. Now, he’s got a couple of legislative victories notched. You see the generic poll — that some of those polls coming up between the generic ballot, who’s preferred Republican or Democrat. That’s starting to tick up for Democrats. What does all this mean?
O’DONNELL: Well, good morning, Savannah. When you think that this bill was part of the larger Biden agenda, which has long been declared dead, it is clear that they want to make this win. This comes as the President is promoting a number of positive events, such as a surprising high job count, an intelligence mission that ended in the death of the leader of al-Qaeda, and bipartisan legislation that will create high-tech manufacturing jobs. This is a sign that the President’s policy are effective, which has been acknowledged by the White House.
ABC’s Good Morning AmericaHe was also giddy. This nauseating framing was shared by Michael Strahan, co-host.
[I]Many Americans finally feel relief after the huge victory of President Biden. Breakthrough. Breakthrough.
George Stephanopolous (ex-Clinton official) was the co-host. “that big victory” for Democrats while congressional correspondent Rachel Scott did her part by praising her fellow liberals for having “banded together” to move “one step closer” to giving Biden “a major political victory.”
“On the Senate floor, Democrats jumping to their feet, erupting in cheers. Handing President Biden a political victory by a razor-thin majority,”Elle added.
Scott did concede that the bill — which would involve handouts to elites able to afford electric cars — would “take time” to have any impact.
Chief White House correspondent Cecilia Vega lamented it didn’t go as far as some Democrats wanted, but made sure to note that they had “been fighting for some of” The provisions “for decades”Biden would be able to “mak[e]True to campaign pledge to provide financial relief for everyday Americans[.]”
Of course, ABC put the emphasis on what their party needs to do for November (click “expand”):
VEGA: Rachel said that we’re 92 days away. These midterms are just 92 days away. Robin, the real question right now is whether Democrats can — can continue to see this momentum stick through November.
ROBERTS
VEGA: Yeah. I’ll show you the poll now. Take a look at the following. More than two-thirds of Americans fear that the economy is getting worse and they’re frankly — they’re blaming — uh, the President for that. Only 37% of Americans approve of his current economic management. So, Robin, look, this is the — the reality for him. His job performance as well as that of Washington’s party are being reflected in the midterms.
More than one CBS Mornings, co-host Democratic Party donor Gayle King flaunted Biden’s “huge,” “landmark,” and “major victory”This will. “tackle climate change and raise taxes on big corporations.”
Nikole Killion, a Congressional correspondent was also excited: “Democrats view it as a big win for the President and the party…Applause erupted on the Senate floor after vice President Harris delivered the tie-breaking vote to pass Democrats’ signature economic, health, and climate agenda.”
Killion admitted “only some of the bill’s provisions would be felt immediately,” she explained Democrats “emphasized the significant long-term benefits.”
Socialist co-host Tony Dokoupil then tossed to Ed O’Keefe at the White House by lamenting Biden’s poll numbers aren’t in synch with Biden’s record.
While O’Keefe said “this has been one of the most successful stretches of the Biden presidency,” he noted that the economy remains “the top concern for voters” and “none of this legislation provides any immediate relief for that” (click “expand”):
DOKOUPIL[O]It would look like the President had a successful week and that this week will be better, on paper. However, the numbers do not support such a conclusion.
(….)
O’KEEFE: [W]Although Democrats may not have everything they want, it was one of their most productive periods of office. In addition to the health and climate bill expected to be passed later this week, consider all the other things that they’ve gotten done. Major legislation was passed to support the high-tech manufacturing industry and to offer federal aid for veterans who were exposed to burn pits or other toxic substances. The President is expected to sign both these bills. They follow the passing of the major gun control bill and the mental health bill. On an international level, we have the Senate approval for a plan that would allow Finland and Sweden to become NATO members, along with the death of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. CBS News discovered that the senior aides to the legislation have been in greater direct contact than President Biden on crucial details. In the past ten days, the White House has put a lot of effort into the climate change and health bills. However, the President didn’t have any direct contact to Joe Manchin, the key Senate broker until this weekend. He also spoke with a dozen senators to make sure final passage. The polls will not give us an indication of the success or failure until after Labor Day. Remember that the number one concern of voters is the economy and inflation. This legislation does not provide any relief immediately.
NewsBusters SubmittedThe liberal media did not have the same reaction last week when Republicans passed their tax-cut legislation for 2017.
Monday’s state-run TV operations were made possible thanks to the backing of advertisers such as Apple TV+ (on ABC), Fresh Pet (on NBC), and Kohl’s (on CBS). Follow the links to see their contact information at the MRC’s Conservatives Fight Back page.
Click here for ABC or CBS, and here to see the transcripts of August 8th.
A special thanks goes to NewsBusters intern Aidan Moorehouse, who helped transcrib the segments.
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