Imagine one high profile Republican smacking down another in an epic manner. Our liberal network press loves such GOP infighting. But when the Democratic Mayor of New York City trashed the Democratic governor of New York, the morning shows on Friday were silent. After Andrew Cuomo bashed Bill de Blasio for plans to reopen New York City this summer, the mayor’s press secretary Bill Neidhardt responded by telling The New York Post, “Serial sexual assaulter says what?”
Wow. But he wasn’t done. The Post quoted Neidhardt condemning Cuomo: “I don’t care what a serial sexual harasser and assaulter and someone who covered up the deaths of thousands of people at nursing homes has to say about anything.” Nothing on ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS This Morning or NBC’s Today.
On CNN’s New Day, anchor Brianna Keilar actually asked de Blasio about the quote, but only as a matter of concern over two Democrats sparring: "What is going on with you guys?” Rather than ask about the charges, Keilar adopted a please-stop-fighting tone:
So I'm picking up that you don't really want to address this war of the words that's going on.... but your press secretary said this thing, the governor said what he said, and it just seems like this is really a distraction from what you all should be focused on.
De Blasio, who has been very open about his contempt for Cuomo, flatly replied, “I’ll tell you, I really do disagree with the governor on some very important matters, and I think, and I've been clear about it, he should not remain in office after the things that he has done.”
But at least CNN covered the mayor’s office verbal body slamming of Cuomo. Back on NBC’s Today, the network skirted around the issue. Reporter Kathy Park covered NYC reopening, but not the bitter battle between the two liberals:
KATHY PARK: With fewer infections and now more than six million vaccinations, the one-time epicenter of the pandemic is keeping Covid under control.
BILL DE BLASIO: Now, we can see that light at the end of the tunnel.
PARK: Governor Andrew Cuomo said while making projections was irresponsible, he's optimistic.
ANDREW CUOMO: I think if we do what we have to do, we can be reopened earlier.
Nothing to see here. Please ignore one powerful Democrat exposing the scandals of another.
The silence on NBC’s Today about de Blasio’s diss was sponsored by FedEx and Kohl's. The spin on CNN was sponsored by CarShield. Click on the links to let them know what you think.
A transcript of the CNN exchange can be found below. Click “expand” to read more:
New Day
4/30/2021
8:22 AM ET
BRIANNA KEILAR: And joining us now is new York City mayor bill de Blasio. Mayor, thank you so much for being with us this morning. I do want to read some comments from your press secretary. I'm sure you know what I'm about to read. He was asked about this pushback from Cuomo and said, quote, serial sexual assaulter says what, end quote. I don't care what a serial sexual assaulter and someone who covered up the deaths of thousands of people at nursing homes has to say about anything,” which brings me to this question. What is going on with you guys?
...
KEILAR: So I'm picking up that you don't really want to address this war of the words that's going on. Look, I do think you are very correct in the reopening and people getting back to normal, being what folks should be focused on, but your press secretary said this thing, the governor said what he said, and it just seems like this is really a distraction from what you all should be focused on.
...
BILL DE BLASIO: I’ll tell you, I really do disagree with the governor on some very important matters, and I think, and I've been clear about it, he should not remain in office after the things that he has done.
