More in the cross-post on the MRC's NewsBusters blog.
Friday’s NBC Today began by condescendingly congratulating Republicans on having a “civil” debate Thursday night that “finally” covered “substantive” issues. However, only minutes later, the same broadcast called on the candidates to attack each other more.
At the top of the show, co-host Matt Lauer announced: “Playing nice...The Republican presidential hopefuls abandon nasty insults and stick to the issues at last night's debate.” Moments later, he noted how the “surprising display of civility” at the event was a “striking turnaround from their 11 previous clashes.”