The “Today” show featured segments on both President George W. Bush’s 2006 and President Barack Obama’s 2014 Memorial Day Afghanistan trips, but their coverage selection was very different.
Following Bush’s “surprise” Afghanistan trip in March 2006, then-hosts of “Today” Kelly O’Donnell, Katie Couric and Matt Lauer framed the visit as a publicity stunt.
“The president’s travels come at a time when his popularity at home has itself gone south,” O’Donnell said, pulling numbers from his low job approval rating at the time.
After Obama’s visit to Afghanistan this Memorial Day, “Today” failed to mention his current lower-than-Bush approval ratings and the multiple scandals surrounding his administration.
The segment began with praise for his “whirlwind 4-hour visit to Afghanistan” where he made sure to thank those still serving in Afghanistan, and how he was “continuing to navigate the mounting scandal over the V.A.”
There was no mention of Benghazi, the IRS or Obamacare, among other issues.
The segment closed with host Kristen Welker referring to the “allegations of widespread misconduct at V.A. Hospitals,” before shifting to a scene of Obama alluding to the situation.
“Helping our wounded veterans and warriors heal isn’t just a promise,” Obama said. “It’s a sacred obligation.”
The Media Research Center’s Newsbusters first exposed the double standard in the video above.
