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ABC’s Shipman Gushes Over Hillary the ‘Political Celebrity’

ABC’s Claire Shipman waxed ecstatic over Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday’s Good Morning America, as she reported on Mrs. Clinton’s efforts in the Middle Eastern peace process. Shipman exclaimed how the Secretary had a ” distinct, quite public moment of triumph ” in her meetings with leaders from both sides, and noted how Clinton has become an ” international political celebrity .” Anchor George Stephanopoulos, former communications director for President Bill Clinton, introduced the correspondent’s report, which aired 44 minutes into the 7 am Eastern hour. Stephanopoulos noted past administrations’ failure “to broker a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians” and then proclaimed how it was Mrs. Clinton’s ” turn to try to make diplomatic history .” Shipman began by highlighting how Hillary “remains one of the most popular members of the administration” and how she was now “squarely center stage” with the possibility of bringing “something different to this Middle East process.” After using her “moment of triumph” line, the ABC correspondent emphasized how Secretary Clinton was apparently “hard on the trail of a dream that has eluded so many before her, and those who know her well say she brings a special touch to wooing both sides back to the table .” She also underlined Clinton’s reported modus operandi in the peace process: “It’s a trademark recipe of pragmatism and discipline over ego- no high-profile shuttle diplomacy for her, for example.” Shipman used three sound bites from the liberal Brooking Institution’s Michael O’Hanlon and one from former Clinton administration official and current Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P. J. Crowley to heap praise on Mrs. Clinton. After O’Hanlon highlighted how the Secretary apparently “chose to really marshal her resources and guard them jealously, and wait for the right moment,” the correspondent added her own lauds: ” The other asset she wields: a bit of female EQ, and an astute political instinct .” The high point of the gushing language over the senior diplomat came near the end of the report: SHIPMAN: It doesn’t hurt, of course, that over the years, she’s perfected her ability to shift gears in an instant . Hard-working Hillary, suddenly transforms once again into international political celebrity . O’HANLON: She’s a multi-dimensional public figure. She’s part global rock star, part everybody’s friend, because she goes by Hillary more than Secretary Clinton . Shipman even remarked about the Secretary’s new hairdo: ” Her hair is even back in the headlines. She’s getting rave reviews on her longer, cool, new do .” Earlier this year, on the June 9 edition of GMA, ABC’s Elizabeth Vargas credited Mrs. Clinton for the primary success of Republican women candidates: “So many women saying- doing so well, and many saying perhaps Hillary Clinton helped by running for president. All these other women about to possibly take office, high office, in those states.” The full transcript of Claire Shipman’s report from Friday’s Good Morning America: GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Henry Kissinger got the two sides of the Middle East conflict to stop fighting for a time. Jimmy Carter forged the Camp David agreements. But every administration since then has tried and failed to broker a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Now, it’s Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s turn to try to make diplomatic history. And Claire Shipman joins us from Washington with more. Hey, Claire. CLAIRE SHIPMAN: Hey, George. This is a big moment for Hillary Clinton. Her poll numbers show she remains one of the most popular members of the administration, but she’s tended to avoid the spotlight. Now, she’s back, squarely center stage, and we took a look at how she may bring something different to this Middle East process. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON: Want us to stand here? SHIPMAN (voice-over): For a secretary of state whose style has been very much head down, nose to the grindstone, it was a distinct, quite public moment of triumph. CLINTON: I fervently believe that the two men sitting on either side of me- that you are the leaders who can make this long-cherished dream a reality. SHIPMAN: Peace talks back on track, she’s hard on the trail of a dream that has eluded so many before her, and those who know her well say she brings a special touch to wooing both sides back to the table. ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: The people of Israel, and I, as their prime minister, are prepared to walk this road. PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS (through translator): The road is clear, in front of us, in order to reach peace. SHIPMAN: It’s a trademark recipe of pragmatism and discipline over ego- no high-profile shuttle diplomacy for her, for example. MICHAEL O’HANLON, BROOKINGS INSTITUTION: Secretary Clinton, unlike some of her predecessors and unlike some previous presidents, chose to really marshal her resources and guard them jealously, and wait for the right moment. SHIPMAN: The other asset she wields: a bit of female EQ, and an astute political instinct. P. J. CROWLEY, STATE DEPARTMENT: She’s been in the arena. She’s been bruised- you know, in that arena. And this gives her a credibility that helps relate to leaders. SHIPMAN: And it doesn’t hurt, of course, that over the years, she’s perfected her ability to shift gears in an instant. Hard-working Hillary, suddenly transforms once again into international political celebrity. O’HANLON: She’s a multi-dimensional public figure. She’s part global rock star, part everybody’s friend, because she goes by Hillary more than Secretary Clinton. SHIPMAN: And her hair is even back in the headlines. She’s getting rave reviews on her longer, cool, new do. CLINTON: And now, it’s time to get to work. SHIPMAN (live): Well, George, not the hair again- but, of course, ultimately, she will be judged not by her appearance, but by results in this process. There is a lot of hard work to be done. The two sides are hoping to talk to each other as frequently as every week, and Hillary Clinton is hoping to have another high-profile meeting in the Middle East as early as September, but we’ll see. STEPHANOPOULOS: And they’re facing a real deadline at the end of September on whether or not to continue- to start building those settlements again. SHIPMAN: Exactly, and a lot of people worry that that could put this process, so new, in jeopardy again. STEPHANOPOULOS: Okay. Claire Shipman, thanks a lot. 

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ABC’s Shipman Gushes Over Hillary the ‘Political Celebrity’

On ABC and CBS, ‘Conservative’ Beck and Allies Countered by ‘Civil Rights Leaders’

Just as they did in the morning, on Friday night the broadcast network stories on Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally in Washington, DC were pegged to left-wing complaints his event is scheduled for the 47th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, except the reporters refused to identify the ideology of Beck’s critics while showing no such reluctance to tag him and/or his allies. “The rally in Washington. Followers of conservative radio and TV host Glenn Beck already gathering in the capital,” fill-in anchor Erica Hill teased at the top of the CBS Evening News. “In Washington,” she introduced the subsequent story, “followers of conservative talk show host Glenn Beck are already gathering on the Washington mall for tomorrow’s rally…” Reporter Wyatt Andrews, however, refrained from labeling: “Critics, like the Reverend Al Sharpton, say that Beck, who has described the President as [Beck: “a racist”] and who has railed against government programs for the poor, has no business invoking Dr. King.” Over on ABC’s World News, Claire Shipman warned: “While the comedians poke gleefully at the ‘Beckapalooza,’ as [Jon] Stewart calls it, civil right leaders worry the day will be tarnished.” Yet seconds later she found it necessary to apply a label: “Martin Luther King’s niece, a conservative activist, will appear supporting Beck tomorrow, as will Sarah Palin.” (Katrina-obsessed NBC Nightly News didn’t cover Beck-Sharpton) In an earlier post, “ Labeling Contrast: Beck a ‘Controversial Conservative,’ Al Sharpton Just an ‘Activist ,’” Rich Noyes noted how ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today on Friday both identified Beck as “conservative” while failing to tag Sharpton. On CBS’s Early Show: Correspondent Whit Johnson labeled Beck a “controversial conservative,” event speaker Alveda King (a niece of Martin Luther King, Jr.) a “longtime advocate for conservative causes”… Yet talking about liberal rabble rouser and onetime Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton, Johnson offered no ideological labels or even a tag that Sharpton might be “controversial.” Instead, Sharpton’s event was described as a rally “hosted by civil rights leaders…”

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On ABC and CBS, ‘Conservative’ Beck and Allies Countered by ‘Civil Rights Leaders’

ABC’s Claire Shipman Laments Lack of Political Will to Extend Unemployment Benefits Beyond 99 Weeks

Good Morning America’s Claire Shipman on Tuesday delivered a one-sided report on unemployment benefits and the fact that they end after 99 weeks. Reporting on those who have reached the limit, the so-called “99ers,” she asserted, “… There’s no hope in sight right now .” Shipman featured three clips of those who are at the cap and one of Democrat Debbie Stabenow, who is advocating for an extension. However, the ABC morning show found no time for anyone with the opinion that nearly two years of unemployment benefits is enough. Instead, Shipman offered only stories of struggling people who have reached the 99 week limit: “We found a demoralized construction worker at loose ends at home for four years, while his wife works. A school a administrator who was rejected for a job at McDonald’s. And an accounts specialist, unemployed for two years, now living in a shelter with her four children.” The only mention of opposition came in a brief mention at the end of the segment. Shipman fretted, “But with Republicans arguing so strongly that even this bill is fiscally irresponsible, there’s no political consensus right now on helping the 99ers.” A transcript of the July 20 segment, which aired at 7:12am EDT, follows: GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: We’re going to turn to the jobs crisis . As we said, the Senate is expected to vote to extend unemployment benefits later today. And after three failed attempts, it looks like Senate Democrats should get the legislation passed this time. But that is little comfort to the long-term unemployed who have passed the maximum time to receive benefits . Claire Shipman has their story. And, Claire, they’re called the 99ers because all benefits run out after 99 weeks. And their ranks are growing. CLAIRE SHIPMAN: George, their ranks are growing. And their anger and frustration is growing, because while this bill will help unemployed- extend the 26 weeks of benefits [sic], if you’ve been out of work for two years or more, if you’re a 99er, there’s no hope in sight right now. President Obama, in a Rose Garden offensive, surrounded by unemployed Americans. BARACK OBAMA: They’re not looking for a handout. They desperately want to work. Just right now, they can’t find a job. SHIPMAN: Almost 15 million Americans are out of work. But most striking, almost half of that number are the long-term unemployed. A level that hasn’t been seen since the Great Depression. The hardest-luck cases, the so-called 99ers, who exhausted the maximum 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. Today’s legislation does not extend that limit. [Walking with Senator Debbie Stabenow] Is there a solution for the 99ers? Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow has become a tireless advocate for the unemployed. SEN. DEBBIE STABENOW (D-MI): These are people who paid their taxes and followed the rules. They are in a situation not of their making. To say, well, we’re tired of this. We think we’ll, you know, not do it anymore. It is outrageous to me. SHIPMAN: And the 99ers offer a distinctly new demographic portrait of the unemployed. Many are professional, middle-aged, and totally unprepared for this turn . We found a demoralized construction worker at loose ends at home for four years, while his wife works. A school a administrator who was rejected for a job at McDonald’s. And an accounts specialist, unemployed for two years, now living in a shelter with her four children. MIGNON VEASLEY-FIELDS: We are sinking. We are dying now. We’re losing everything we have. And now I may lose my home because I have no money. MICHAEL OVERHOLT: The wife comes home and I’m sitting here. You feel like you’re not worth anything. UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: I’m about as low as I can get. SHIPMAN: Now, their numbers are growing so quickly, some economists argue, George, that without helping them, that will hurt economic recovery. But with Republicans arguing so strongly that even this bill is fiscally irresponsible, there’s no political consensus right now on helping the 99ers.

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ABC’s Claire Shipman Laments Lack of Political Will to Extend Unemployment Benefits Beyond 99 Weeks

Chicago Tribune: Supreme Court ‘Extends Gun Rights’

“Supreme Court extends gun rights” a headline on the Web site for the Chicago Tribune erroneously claims today. The link on the page brought readers to a story entitled “Supreme Court extends gun rights in Chicago case.” Here’s the opening paragraph: WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court reversed a ruling upholding Chicago ‘s ban today and extended the reach of the 2nd Amendment as a nationwide protection against laws that infringe the “right to keep and bear arms.” But that language suggests that the Court invented a right out of whole cloth rather than grounded its decision in the Constitution itself. In truth, what the Supreme Court found in McDonald v. City of Chicago was that the 2nd Amendment’s guarantee of the individual’s right to firearm ownership is incorporated to the states via the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause. “The right to keep and bear arms must be regarded as a substantive guarantee, not a prohibition that could be ignored so long as the States legislated in an even handed manner,” Justice Alito wrote for the Court.  The bottom line: The Supreme Court recognized that the City of Chicago was in violation of the the 2nd and 14th Amendments to the federal Constitution. A more accurate headline would have been “Supreme Court finds Chicago gun ban violates Constitution.” Of course, that presupposes the liberal media in Chicago are interested in shooting straight when it comes to reporting developments with which they have an ideological disagreement.

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Chicago Tribune: Supreme Court ‘Extends Gun Rights’

Networks Defend ‘Consensus Builder’ Kagan; Downplay Military Recruiter Ban

The Monday morning shows on CBS, ABC, and NBC all worked to portray President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan as a moderate and open-minded legal scholar, downplaying her liberal views. All three network programs also minimized her controversial decision to ban military recruiters on campus while Dean of Harvard Law School. On CBS’s Early Show, legal correspondent Jan Crawford touted Kagan as “an intellectual heavyweight and consensus builder.” Crawford noted how Republicans had “several lines of attack” against Kagan and would “try to paint her as a liberal activist.” Crawford herself recently described Kagan as having “stood shoulder to shoulder with the liberal left.” On ABC’s Good Morning America, correspondent Claire Shipman did a fawning segment on Kagan in the 8AM ET hour, describing the former Dean as “intellectual” and “full of personal charm” during her tenure at Harvard. Shipman claimed that Kagan had “a determination to be open-minded,” despite banning military recruiters from the university’s campus over the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy. On that issue, Shipman explained that despite Kagan’s decision being unpopular “among student military vets…. Iraq War veteran Kurt White says they were won over by Kagan’s persistent outreach , another example of her political skills.” Shipman failed to mention that White would be testifying on Kagan’s behalf during the confirmation hearings. Shipman went so far to portray Kagan as open-minded that she touted how “though her political views are quite different than his, she honored conservative justice Antonin Scalia at the law school a few years ago, calling him a great justice.” Shipman even argued: ” It’s an openness to all voices that worries some liberals, but colleagues argue Kagan’s style is just what the Court needs.” NBC’s Today did not provide quite as strong a defense of Kagan, but a report by legal correspondent Pete Williams did feature a soundbite from Kagan supporter and SCOTUS blog founder Tom Goldstein declaring: “Elena Kagan isn’t a political partisan.” Williams, like Shipman, attempted to downplay the military recruiter ban: “Republicans also accuse Kagan of treating the military unfairly when she was dean of Harvard Law….But student military veterans say she made them feel welcome at Harvard and praised them for their service, even though she strongly opposed the policy on gays in the military.”   Here is a full transcript of Shipman’s June 28 segment on Good Morning America: 8:15AM GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan is preparing to take the stand for Senate confirmation hearings this afternoon, and they’re meant to tease out the nominee’s judicial philosophy. Well for some clues, Claire Shipman talked to some people who knew Kagan during the most substantial legal job of her career, the first woman dean of Harvard Law School. CLAIRE SHIPMAN, ABC correspondent: Good morning, George, well that’s right. We decided to look for clues at Harvard Law School where she had a very distinctive style. She was only there for six years, made a large number of changes. She was intellectual, yes, but also full of personal charm, say colleagues, and a determination to be open-minded. It’s an institution usually resistant to change, some might say an immovable object, until it was confronted with the irresistible force of Dean Elena Kagan. ELENA KAGAN: This is a wonderful time, and it’s so good to be with you. LAURENCE TRIBE, Harvard Law professor: I’ve watched Harvard Law School go through lots of transitions, but there has never been anything like Elena Kagan. MARTHA MINOW, Harvard Law dean: She was going to turn over every stone at this institution and figure out a way to make it better. SHIPMAN: She thinks big. MINOW: She thinks big. SHIPMAN: But she was savvy enough at times to start small, offering perks like free coffee for students. Then bigger battles, fighting to hire more conservative professors like John Manning.   JOHN MANNING, Harvard Law professor: She felt that her job as dean was to foster an atmosphere in which all sorts of ideas would be presented. SHIPMAN: And selling a total curriculum overhaul, the first in a hundred years. KAGAN: For the most part, a first year curriculum now looks like what it looks like back in 1880. SHIPMAN: Some say her meteoric rise is impressive, but also suggests a calculating careerism. Two of her best friends, roommates at law school, say she’s just always just reveled in the work. JOHN BARRETT, friend of Kagan: A visual that I have, a memory, is her sitting at her desk with a cigarette and a pen and a book and a little desk lamp, and she could kind of grind it out for a long time. UNIDENTIFIED FRIEND OF KAGAN: I think what was clear was that she really loved the law, and reading about it, and thinking about it, and talking about it. SHIPMAN: Her time as dean wasn’t without controversy. She decided to renew a ban keeping military recruiters from using the career services office because of opposition to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Support was high on campus, but not among student military vets. KURT WHITE, Harvard Law student: It didn’t seem like banning military recruiters from the law school campus was going to be something that was likely to lead to a change in this law. SHIPMAN: Still, Iraq War veteran Kurt White says they were won over by Kagan’s persistent outreach, another example of her political skills. WHITE: It was really her showing her appreciation for the military and being very supportive of us. SHIPMAN: And though her political views are quite different than his, she honored conservative justice Antonin Scalia at the law school a few years ago, calling him a great justice. MANNING: She as dean was able to recognize his accomplishments and celebrate them without reservation. SHIPMAN: It’s an openness to all voices that worries some liberals, but colleagues argue Kagan’s style is just what the Court needs. TRIBE: I think that her ability to find common ground, bring people along, see long-term implications, will make a very large impact on the Court. SHIPMAN: It’s certainly a good place to start hearings as a potential liberal justice when you have the support of a conservative justice, like justice Scalia. George, but of course the hearings will still be heated, they’ll look at that military recruitment issue, and also try to pin her down specifically on how she might rule on some controversial issues. STEPHANOPOULOS: That’s right, and in an election year, likely to get a lot of no votes as well. Okay Claire Shipman, thanks very much.

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Networks Defend ‘Consensus Builder’ Kagan; Downplay Military Recruiter Ban

Morning Shows Skip Sexual Assault Charge Against Al Gore

All three morning shows on Thursday ignored allegations of “unwanted sexual contact” by Al Gore against a woman in 2006. This is despite the fact that the claim was reported by the AP, the New York Times and the Washington Post . CBS’s Early Show, NBC’s Today and ABC’s Good Morning America all failed to mention the charges made by the Oregon massage therapist that Gore tried to have sex with her. Yet, on June 2, after Al and Tipper Gore announced their divorce, ABC reporter Claire Shipman wondered if the separation meant that “storybook endings” aren’t possible. Logically, wouldn’t the morning show want to follow up with this new development? When Republican Nikki Haley was accused of having an affair with two different men, GMA had no trouble covering the story. On June 9 , host George Stephanopoulos interviewed the South Carolina gubernatorial candidate about the allegations and demanded, “Can you assure South Carolina voters that they’re not going to be embarrassed if they elect you?” On June 7 , he marveled, “And down in South Carolina, they can’t just seem to get enough of it. In the gubernatorial primary, the leading candidate embroiled in a bit of a sex scandal.” The program noted the story again on June 10 . Now, obviously, there are differences. Gore is a private citizen. Haley is running for office. However, there is an actual police report in the Gore case. Additionally, journalists were quite taken with the then-Vice President when he famously kissed his wife at the 2000 Democratic National Convention. Those same reporters have a responsibility to cover unflattering allegation’s about Gore. ABC, although unable to mention the charges on GMA, did note them on the network’s website . A sympathetic headline proclaimed, “Al Gore Sex Abuse Allegations Lack Sufficient Evidence, Say Portland Police.”

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Morning Shows Skip Sexual Assault Charge Against Al Gore