All three networks on Thursday morning shifted into full freak out mode as journalists worried about the “gutting” of abortion by conservatives on the Supreme Court. Not even trying to hide where he stood, Good Morning America’s Terry Moran saw “ominous” clues coming from justices like Brett Kavanaugh.
Even though a ruling on Mississippi's abortion ban is over six months away, the meltdown has begun. GMA co-host Amy Robach opened the show this way: “The end of Roe V. Wade? The Supreme Court appearing ready to upend the abortion rights ruling. What it could mean for millions.”
On NBC’s Today, co-host Hoda Kotb lamented, “Seismic shift? The Supreme Court signals it could walk back abortion rights that have stood for nearly 50 years after hearing the biggest challenge on the issue in decades.... Roe v. Wade hangs in the balance.” Keeping the focus on the abortion side and not pro-lifers, CBS Mornings co-host Nate Burleson lamented, “Access to abortion may be in jeopardy after a day of arguments at the Supreme Court.”
But, by far, ABC’s Moran offered the most disturbed response to the bad day for abortion supporters. He called out Kavanaugh’s openness to overturning Roe as an “ominous” sign:
Kavanaugh changing course from his 2018 confirmation hearing when he said it was settled law, but now Kavanaugh noted ominously the Court has often overruled major precedents.
Ominous for whom? Liberals like Terry Moran? The journalist continued his hyperbolic tone: “The Supreme Court appears primed to upend Roe vs. Wade, a move that would transform and maybe even eliminate a woman's constitutional right to an abortion in the United States.”
Moran continued to use pro-choice-friendly language, talking about “gutting” Roe: “There are a dozen states at least with laws ready to go if the Supreme Court either overturns or guts Roe vs. Wade. You would have a patchwork of access to abortion across the United States.”
On Wednesday, the networks began the meltdown early, lamenting that the "strong new conservative majority" will doom Roe.
The liberal media freak out on ABC was sponsored by Subaru, by Progressive Insurance on CBS and by Comcast on NBC. Click on the links to let them know what you think.
Partial transcripts are below. Click “expand” to read more.
Good Morning America
12/2/2021
7 to 7:14:107AM tease
AMY ROBACH: The end of Roe V. Wade? The Supreme Court appearing ready to upend the abortion rights ruling. What it could mean for millions.
...
7:11:27 to 7:14:09MICHAEL STRAHAN: Now we’re going to turn to the battle over abortion rights. The fate of the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision now in the hands of the Supreme Court after hearing arguments about the Mississippi law aimed at overturning it. Terry Moran has the story.
TERRY MORAN: This morning, the Supreme Court appears primed to upend Roe vs. Wade, a move that would transform and maybe even eliminate a woman's constitutional right to an abortion in the United States. [Crowd chanting.] Activists for and against abortion rights faced off. Thousands protesting on the court's steps. Meanwhile, inside the six conservative justices signaled they're inclined to uphold a Mississippi law that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks with no exceptions for rape or incest. Right now, Roe and other cases prohibit states from banning abortion before fetal viability, about 24 weeks. But the Mississippi law would halt abortions two months earlier. Chief Justice John Roberts suggested the Mississippi law provides women with sufficient time to choose.
JOHN ROBERTS: My ability, it seems to me, doesn't have anything to do with choice. But if it really is an issue about choice, why is 15 weeks not enough time?
MORAN: Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked whether abortion should be left to the states which means overturning Roe altogether.
BRETT KAVANAUGH: Why should this court be the arbiter rather than congress, the state legislatures, state supreme courts, the people being able to resolve this?
MORAN: Kavanaugh changing course from his 2018 confirmation hearing when he said it was settled law, but now Kavanaugh noted ominously the Court has often overruled major precedents. The liberal justices fired back, worried that overturning or gutting a decades-old precedent like Roe would subvert the Court's legitimacy.
SONIA SOTOMAYOR: Will this institution survive the stench that this creates in the public perception that the Constitution and its reading are just political acts? I don't see how it is possible.
MORAN: A ruling in this case is expected at the end of the Court's term, probably next June. Michael.
STRAHAN: And, Terry, what could it mean if the Mississippi law is upheld?
MORAN: It would be huge, Michael. No question about it. There are a dozen states at least with laws ready to go if the Supreme Court either overturns or guts Roe vs. Wade. You would have a patchwork of access to abortion across the United States. America, come June could look very, very different for women and for reproductive rights, Michael.
STRAHAN: All right, Terry Moran, thank you. George.
...
CBS Mornings
12/2/2021
7:01NATE BURLESON: Access to abortion may be in jeopardy after a day of arguments at the Supreme Court.
7:10:39 to
GAYLE KING: The Supreme Court is set to decide whether to overrule one of the most historic decisions. The justices heard arguments yesterday over a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. This is the most significant challenge to Roe v. Wade in decades.
...Today
12/2/2021HODA KOTB: Seismic shift? The Supreme Court signals it could walk back abortion rights that have stood for nearly 50 years after hearing the biggest challenge on the issue in decades. Battle lines quickly being drawn from coast to coast. A final decision not expected for months as Roe . Wade hangs in the balance.
...
KOTB: Advocates of abortion rights are bracing for some profound changes now that it appears the Supreme Court is willing to walk back decades of its own precedence.
