Nets Downplay Gorsuch, Ignore Tom Daschle Scolding Senate Filibuster

Nicholas Fondacaro | April 10, 2017
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***To read the full blog, please check out the complete post on NewsBusters***

On Monday, Judge Neil Gorsuch became the 113th associate justice to sit on the Supreme Court after he was sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts. The event was a culmination of many hours of testimony, a damaging filibuster by Senate Democrats, which forced Senate Republicans to use the so-called “nuclear option” to proceed with Gorsuch’s confirmation. But despite all of those historic obstacles, the Big Three networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) treated it as though it was nothing special, and ignored Democratic icon Tom Daschle who scolded Democrats for filibustering.

All three of the networks gave to story the bare minimum of a simple news brief. ABC gave Gorsuch’s swearing in a mere 20 seconds of airtime, CBS and NBC gave it 23 and 25 seconds respectively. There was not a single mention of the filibuster nor the use of the “nuclear option.” It was a complete turnaround from last week’s coverage, where ABC and NBC ran full reports railing against Republicans for using the “nuclear option” to end debate and move on to a vote.

One of the more stunning comparisons is the difference between CBS’s coverage from Monday and the swearing in of liberal Elena Kagan in 2010. After Justice Kagan was sworn in, CBS dedicated roughly two minutes to her story. Reporter Whit Johnson remarked that “The confirmation marks the end of a long confirmation process. 17 hours of testimony.” Back then, CBS thought that was impressive, but in 2017 Gorsuch was subjected to 20 hours of grilling by the Senate.  

Although Kagan’s nomination was controversial because of the fear that her liberal positions would sway here rulings, Gorsuch’s was arguably even more controversial due to whining Democrats who irreparably damaged the reputation of the Senate. 

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