***To read the full blog, please check out the complete post on NewsBusters***
With the coronavirus relief benefits expiring last Friday, and Democrats and Republicans still in negotiations over what the next round of aid would look like, self-described political referee and NBC political director Chuck Todd showed what a bought off rules enforcer could do during his routine appearance on NBC’s Sunday Today.
In their report about the relief package negotiations just before Todd spoke, White House correspondent Kelly O’Donnell portrayed Democratic leaders as ones leading the charge to help struggling Americans:
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): This is one of the greatest problems America faces. And we need to meet those needs in a very, very serious way.
O’DONNELL: Talks between senior Democrats and the White House continue through the weekend. Speaker Pelosi sending a letter to colleagues Saturday night: “All parties must understand the gravity of the situation.”
SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): This is not a usual discussion. Because the urgency is so great.
The only soundbite O’Donnell used from the Republican side was this negative sounding quote from White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows: “We're still a long way apart. And I don't want to suggest that a deal is imminent because it is not.”
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