Wednesday's CBS This Morning stood out as the only Big Three
network morning show to devote a full report to Colorado voters
recalling two pro-gun control state legislators. Barry Petersen
highlighted how "those who oppose gun control have a lot to celebrate" with the recall, and how "those backing the two senators spent seven times more money – $3.2 million" than the gun rights supporters who spearheaded the campaign.
By contrast, NBC's Today on Wednesday didn't devote a second
of air time to the Colorado recall election. Instead, they set aside 36
seconds of reporting to Hillary Clinton receiving the Liberty Medal. ABC's Good Morning America also minimized their coverage, as they merely broadcasted a 16-second news brief on the story.
The transcript of the relevant portions of Barry Petersen's report from the 11 September 2013 edition of CBS This Morning:
BARRY PETERSEN (voice-over): Anti-gun control advocates were jubilant at their victory – the recall of two Democratic state senators. The NRA gave the largest amount to back the recall $360,000 – mostly for ads against Morse.
PETERSEN (off-camera): Did the NRA win?
JOHN MORSE, FMR. COLORADO STATE PRESIDENT: Yes – today.
PETERSEN: They knocked you out?
MORSE: Well, yes.
PETERSEN (voice-over): But those backing the two senators spent seven times more money – $3.2 million – including outside money, like the $350,000 from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
ANTHONY GARCIA, MORSE RECALL EFFORT ORGANIZER: This isn't the end of it. I've got tons of people saying, we want to keep going. And so do I.
PETERSEN (off-camera): What does this mean for gun control in Colorado?
MORSE: Nothing.
PETERSEN: Nothing?
MORSE: Right. The bills that we passed – 80 percent of the folks think they're a good idea. They're not going to go away. I bet you they never go away.