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How much influence will the network morning shows have on the 2012 presidential election?
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Sex -- -- -- son Bill O'Reilly in the unresolved problem segment tonight TV news in the presidential race as we've been reporting.
-- -- Obama has a major advantage because much of the national media seems to be favoring him over Mitt Romney.
But here's something very interesting the nightly newscasts of -- a lot of influence over the past years however.
The morning programs today Good Morning America is CBS morning news still maintain large audience and they have hours of -- time.
The question how much influence will they have in the coming presidential election.
Dry -- Alexandria Virginia Tim Graham director media analysis -- the Media Research Center conservative watchdog group.
-- -- I'm -- -- be on Good Morning America remark talking politics.
Off the top.
They have always treated me all right.
Over there.
And when they asked me a loaded question I mocked them and they laugh along.
Same thing it to today show and only appearance -- minutes CBS morning news a couple of weeks ago -- have any trouble with any of them.
But you seal a bit differently.
I think that these and you're right that these networks are important shows they have become the profit centers for these news divisions.
And they reach a lot of female voters in particular and we've found -- one of the reasons we pay so much attention of the morning shows.
There's just a dramatic bias in terms of favoring Obama favoring the Democrats.
They were -- been very harsh to the Republicans throughout this primary season.
To the point where I think Mitt Romney really didn't want to do very many morning show in -- is because they were so tough.
-- the important thing is this I'm sorry I know I just backed that up a little bit so.
You believe that in the primary process.
But remember -- President Obama wasn't involved with that it was just one Republican slugging it out against another Republicans -- right.
So they were tough -- I mean we generalize and now to give me a couple of specifics that people can relate to.
Well and Mitt Romney was on CBS they did ask him weren't you wrong and Watson President Obama -- -- bailout the auto companies.
They were -- swift to attack the Republicans were very substantive.
They were very explicit -- Newt Gingrich what about all the baggage you bring this campaign.
They were very hot to tell Michelle Bachmann she was called -- flake by people.
They were you know -- so if a candidate -- would come on would expect to to be attacked us Matt Lauer read the metadata Tora from the New York Times that attacked them.
And what we've seen just the last couple weeks you -- -- whether it's Barack Obama or Michelle Obama to get these interviews in the morning shows.
And they're not substantive interviews they -- about the kids.
And the garden and how are you Michelle Obama does I don't like that out IA as you Nadal.
Asked these questions of everybody.
I'm in if there's somebody in the nose and a coming on a -- -- -- -- party there and whatever the dominant news cycle is.
I'm gonna hit him with it but so I'm saying is -- -- good television for the morning programs to confront.
A politician no matter what party with whatever is hot would ever be -- -- -- reacted that's good TV -- -- not.
That would be good TV the problem is that's not what we get you know.
Up four years ago when Barack Obama was new on the scene they were doing these stories Jake Tapper -- -- story right after the Oscars saying.
A large group in Hollywood is organizing to throw a tribute to us but tall -- -- person of color no not.
Oscar Obama.
I mean and so -- and they got so laboratory coverage ABC gave the three leading democratic candidates these large like 38 minute town meetings.
So they could.
Relate to the voters.
The Republicans did not get that in the 2008 cycle the Republicans did not get that in the 2012.
Cycle.
And instead what we're getting these these large chunks of airtime or Robin -- arts.
-- that talks to Obama.
And again.
Barack Obama Michelle Obama both get the puff ball interviews there you go back to 2007.
When Robin Roberts interviewed Laura Bush she couldn't get through that interview with would be a soft First Lady interview without ads attacking her and saying.
Desmond Tutu says this country's got to do more than bomb people.
That's not the kind of question you would expect them to ask Laura Bush but that's exactly what -- did do you believe that.
The management of the three news organization CBS NBC and ABC actually says to their talent Stephanopoulos.
Allow or.
Gayle King.
Charlie Rose.
Go light.
On the president go heavy on a Republican Romney go after Romney give give Obama -- you believe they say that to them.
I'm not sure but it let's take a look at who these people are obviously does George Stephanopoulos have to be told to favor the Democrats.
Or to be tough in the Republicans.
Gayle King I mean CBS broad and you know we think of Gayle King is Oprah's best friend.
But Gayle King was they are celebrating the Obama inauguration in the White House the night of Obama's inauguration.
She was just at the beyoncé concert with Michelle Obama.
There there is no degree of separation between Gayle king and the obamas are -- so it's not.
Of all three.
Which one you think is the fairest.
I would say CBS this morning is probably the best even with the even -- -- -- -- less -- Okay even with cards on -- Gayle -- on the on the wrong gap well now Mitt Romney when he just did an interview there last week.
Talked to Jan Crawford and Jan Crawford is 1 of the better morning reporters.
And she wasn't us she didn't ask him softball questions but she's fair Jan Crawford that's the kind of person people should be emulating provide -- thanks as always we appreciate.
