CBS journalist Ed O’Keefe on Wednesday offered one of the most tone deaf, awkward observations when it comes to sexual assault accusations. Regarding Joe Biden’s comments about the abuse charges against Andrew Cuomo, O’Keefe stated that the President has a “good understanding” of such claims because... he authored the Violence Against Women Act in the Senate.
Well, Mr. O’Keefe, Biden might also have a “good understanding” because of the sexual assault claims leveled against him by Tara Reade in 2020. After playing a clip of Biden saying the New York Governor may ultimately be prosecuted for the accusations by multiple women. Here’s O’Keefe’s stunningly tone deaf reply:
Part of what's interesting, and what the President said, is the fact that he's actually someone who has a good understanding of what's supposed to happen in these situations when a woman accuses a man of sexual harassment or assault, given that he was one of the original authors of the Violence Against Women Act. For him to say that one of his big allies could potentially face prosecution, that's certainly quite notable.
Given how aggressively journalists tried to bury the alleged sexual assault by Biden against Reade, it’s not surprising that a reporter in 2021 would pretend the accusation didn’t exist. In a study I did in the spring of 2020, we found that, from March 25 to April 24, 2020, ABC and NBC had ZERO mentions of Reade’s charges. In that time period, CBS allowed a scant 1 minute and 3 seconds.
On April 30, 2020, the networks finally allowed some coverage. O’Keefe appeared to admit that his network had been dragging their feet on the story, saying, “CBS News has spoken multiple times with Reade since she first made the accusation in March. On Wednesday, we requested an on-camera interview.”
I interviewed Reade last August and asked her if the mainstream media has been in touch? She replied, “The networks? No. Radio silence.” As the campaign went on, it was left to 60 Minutes Australia –– not the CBS version in America — to do an in depth interview with Biden’s accuser.
The stunningly tone deaf pro-Biden spin was sponsored by Progressive insurance and Lexus. Click on the links to let them know what you think.
A transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS This Morning
3/17/2021
7:12 AM ETTONY DOKOUPIL: While we have you here, I do want to touch on the controversy surrounding New York governor Andrew Cuomo. President Biden has commented on the calls that Cuomo resign over charges of harassing multiple women. Take a look at that comment.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Been very clear if the investigation shows the claims, he's gone.
JOE BIDEN: That's what I think happens. By the way, it may very well be — there could be a criminal prosecution that is attached to it. I don't know. But let the investigation — I don't know what it is. But I — I start with the presumption, it takes a lot of courage for a woman to come forward. Some are not — it takes a lot of courage to come forward. The presumption is it should be taken seriously and should be investigated. That's what's under way now.
DOKOUPIL: Struck me as blunt there. What do you make of him?
ED O’KEEFE: These are his first extended comment regarding the situation surrounding what has been a big political ally of his, someone who co-chaired his campaign. The White House has been asked about this situation for the last several days and they have mostly brushed it off. Part of what's interesting, and what the President said, is the fact that he's actually someone who has a good understanding of what's supposed to happen in these situations when a woman accuses a man of sexual harassment or assault, given that he was one of the original authors of the Violence Against Women Act. For him to say that one of his big allies could potentially face prosecution, that's certainly quite notable.
