All three networks on Wednesday touted the surprise win of Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum. The liberal Democrat, endorsed by Bernie Sanders, advocates for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) agency. But ABC, CBS and NBC skipped this radical position.
The Orlando Sentinel on July 5, 2018 explained what the networks missed:
Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee who has recently been bolstered by large contributions from liberal billionaires Tom Steyer and George Soros, said in a statement, “I support a comprehensive immigration overhaul that includes abolishment of ICE in its current form to be replaced with a more compassionate and focused agency that actually keeps us safer.”
To their credit, the networks didn’t shy away from calling Gillum liberal in general. On NBC’s Today, Hallie Jackson called the candidate a “progressive Democrat” and said of the election: “The upset, the result of a late surge driven by Bernie Sanders and setting up a battle of party extremes come November.”
On ABC’s Good Morning America, Terry Moran described: “On the left, Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum, a Bernie Sanders-backed progressive, coming out on top over a favorite of the Democratic establishment.”
On CBS This Morning, reporter Ed O’Keefe noted: “The 39-year-old is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders and other national liberal groups.” Back on June 27, This Morning hosts interviewed another hard-left Democrat, congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. During the interview, they skipped her call to get rid of I.C.E. (Though the show mentioned it earlier in the program.)
On MSNBC, Wednesday, Morning Joe hosts tossed softballs to the Florida Democrat, skipping his call to abolish I.C.E.
Considering that Americans, by an overwhelming majority, support I.C.E, perhaps the networks should inform viewers of Gillum’s position.
Partial transcripts are below is below.
Today
8/29/18
7:05
HALLIE JACKSON: In Florida, it’s all about a play to the base for both sides. In Florida, GOP primary voters following President Trump's lead, backing his pick, Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis, in the race for governor. DeSantis will face progressive Democrat and Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum, the first African-American major party nominee for governor in the state. Gillum, who never led in a major party poll, edging out former Congresswoman Gwen Graham, the daughter of popular former governor and Senator Bob Graham. The upset, the result of a late surge driven by Bernie Sanders and setting up a battle of party extremes come November.
...
Good Morning America
8/29/18
7:05TERRY MORAN: But the real stunner, as you mentioned, the Florida governor's race and in that race a microcosm of national politics. Voters in both parties rejecting the establishment looking for something new.
ANDREW GILLUM: Are you all ready to flip Florida blue?
MORAN: Overnight a major upset in Florida's governor's race setting the stage for a bruising battle in November. On the left, Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum, a Bernie Sanders-backed progressive coming out on top over a favorite of the Democratic establishment.
GILLUM: I got to tell you all, I am overwhelmed. There were just a few people, just a few people who said that this moment would not be possible.
MORAN: Gillum, the first black nominee for Florida governor for either party now set to face off against President Trump's candidate of choice, Ron DeSantis.
...
CBS This Morning
8/29/18
7:03GAYLE KING: The Florida governor's race will have a supporter of President Trump running against a liberal Democrat who has called for his impeachment. Andrew Gillum is the first black candidate to be nominated by a major party in Florida. He will take on Ron DeSantis who came from behind in the GOP race after the president endorsed him.
...ED O’KEEFE: Despite being outspent by tens of millions of dollars, Tallahassee Andrew Gillum pulled off a surprising win in the nation's largest battleground state. The 39-year-old is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders and other national liberal groups. If he wins, Gillum would be the state's first black governor.
