The natural instincts at the broadcast network news divisions are to play up Republican scandals and controversies and bury troubling stories about Democrats. So, its interesting when they pick up a Democrat scandal, drive a Democrat out of office, and then drop the story like a hot potato.
This is what happened with Rep. , who recently was the leading Democrat in Californias “jungle primary” for governor. On Friday night, April 10, CNN broke the story that four women accused him of sexual harassment. On Sunday night, Swalwell dropped out of the governors race. On Monday night, he resigned from Congress. Thats two news cycles and hes gone. The networks seemed to lose interest after Wednesday morning.
The Washington Free Beacon reported these charges were coming on April 6, so the network bias by omission for four days was unsurprising. But clearly within Democrat circles, wheels were turning. The polls in this primary often showed two Republicans winning the top two seats for the general election. So, it looked like time to shrink the Democrat field of candidates.
On Saturday morning, CBS anchor Kelly OGrady announced: “Under fire! to end his campaign for governor of California after the Democratic congressman is accused of sexual assault. The leading members of his party who are pulling their support, and what Swalwell is saying about the accusations.” Even with this promotional introduction, the apparent bombshell drew only 88 words when it surfaced late in the show.
The Sunday shows threw in quick, sometimes nebulous questions about Swalwells fate. On ABC, “This Week” host Jonathan Karl couldnt be more specific than “serious sexual misconduct allegations.” NBCs “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker asked both Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds and Washington Democrat Rep. about Swalwell, and both said Swalwell should go. CBSs “Face the Nation” didnt bring the scandal up.
On Sunday night, CBS “Weekend News” sounded the notes of doom, that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wanted Swalwell out, and Adam Yamaguchi reported, “All 21 Democratic endorsements for Swalwell [for governor] have been withdrawn.”
The broadcast reports would include Swalwells insistence that the allegations were false, but their overall tone was funereal. He was gone, and the problem was the atmosphere for young women working as staffers on Capitol Hill. This could also reflect several days of considering the allegations without airing them. By the time the , Swalwells fate had been decided.
On ABCs “The View” on Monday, only Whoopi Goldberg protested this abrupt result, insisting Swalwell denied the allegations, and that he shouldnt have to resign before Trump does: “55 people can come out and say they should drain the swamp, but if you are not draining from the top, I don’t know if people are going to take it seriously.”
Strangely, the late-night comedians completely avoided mocking Swalwell as his career came apart. This was especially shocking from ABCs , who hosted Swalwell making his announcement that he was running for governor last November, vowing to be a “fighter and protector.” That sounds bizarre now. On Thursday night, Kimmel referred briefly to Swalwells resignation ⦠in a joke about Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert.
The Washington Post tweeted this:
“Rep. Eric Swalwells (D) fall left many asking how someone who was dogged by persistent rumors of inappropriate behavior toward women could have risen so high and so fast in a party that says it supports womens rights.” One obvious reason is the typical bias by omission.
Democrats â including his mentor former House Speaker and his best friend in Congress, Arizona Democrat Sen. Ruben Gallego â professed complete ignorance until the last minute of Swalwells so-called “double life.” These kinds of denials explain why the press lacks any investigative ambition. None of them want to be on the wrong side of Pelo
