Networks Break in for Iran Missile Attacks to Defend Biden, Give Iran Grace

Curtis Houck
October 1st, 2024 6:57 PM

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On Tuesday afternoon, the major broadcast networks of ABC, CBS, and NBC each interrupted regular programming of daytime talk shows, game shows, and soap operas for coverage of Iran’s massive onslaught of missile attacks against Israel, particularly in the Tel Aviv metro area.

While the networks largely behaved and stuck to the facts and the fear being inflicted on innocent Israelis, there were a few points of pro-Iran idiocy and attempts to both-sides the wider conflict.

ABC senior national correspondent Matt Gutman had an incredible take that seemed to praise Iran for firing missiles, but not that maximum casualties would be inflicted (even though it was the work of Israel, the U.S., and others in the region shooting them down).

 

 

“We don't exactly know what is in the mind of the Iranian regime right now. We do know that they feel humiliated after the round of attacks by Israel on Iranian assets across the Middle East...Iran clearly felt like it needed some sort of response,” he began.

Without evidence, Gutman then offered his veiled kudos for shooting off missiles at night and possibly toward military sites:

What does seem apparent, though, is that they broadcast that they were targeting military bases, military installations, and that the attacks coming later at night. It means there's probably less traffic. It seems that they are also trying to mitigate possible civilian casualties. Seems — we don't know that for sure, but that was the modus operandi in the previous attack as well, which came overnight. Unclear exactly what is in the mind of Iran, but clearly they are trying to send a message to Israel.

An hour later, Gutman corrected himself and acknowledged they were widespread.

Chief foreign correspondent Ian Pannell tried to both-sides the conflict, first boasting many in Lebanon “who are pro-Hezbollah will say this is payback for Israel and it will be many other people in Iraq as well, and in Syria and probably in Yemen who also share that view. And they will feel emboldened by this.”

He added the fear Israel’s response, not the missiles launched Tuesday, “could be...the start of something much bigger” and an even “wider conflict[.]”

Towards the end of ABC’s Special Report, contributor Steve Ganyard coyly predicted the Biden-Harris administration won’t do much to enable an Israeli response so as not “to upset domestic politics”, which was code for not upsetting Arab Americans and far-left college-age voters.

Over on NBC, Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker was twice brought in for analysis on how the missile attacks could reshape Tuesday’s vice presidential debate. On both occasions (second appearance below), Welker defended the Biden-Harris regime from criticisms (i.e. reality) that this was only the latest world crisis to happen on their watch:

While ABC and NBC were each on the air for 79 and 83 minutes, respectively, CBS had a far shorter special report of only 22 minutes.

Longtime CBS foreign correspondent Elizabeth Palmer — who infamously said just over nine years ago that Iranians go about “chanting death to America” with “more habit than conviction” — complained that, because of whatever Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli military plans in terms of retaliation, events marking one since the October 7 terror attacks would be muted:

All three also had their White House correspondents sharing what they heard from their friends in the Biden-Harris regime.

While NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez seemed to argue this as a major inflection point in the success or failure Biden’s foreign policy, ABC’s Mary Bruce went the other direction by twice impressing upon viewers that President Biden and Vice President Harris had a firm grasp on the situation:

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