While Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was resting off a case of pneumonia in her New York state home Tuesday, President Barack Obama was hitting the campaign trail on her behalf in Pennsylvania. And ABC and CBS evening newscasts gave the president’s performance rave reviews. “Today, President Obama appeared for her in Philadelphia, and he looked a little bit like a retired athlete thrilled to be back in the game,” hyped CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley.
CBS reporter Nancy Cordes spoke glowingly about Obama’s speech during her report. “President Obama sought to inoculate Clinton today against questions about her health,” she joked, “His comments were just what the doctor ordered for a recuperating Clinton who spent the day accepting flower deliveries at her Chappaqua, New York, home.”
Cordes even hyped Vice President’s Joe Biden’s shot at Donald Trump, “In North Carolina, Vice President Biden questioned Trump's stamina.” Biden quipped that he would like to go for a jog with the Republican nominee, but said he doubts Trump’s ability to keep up.
ABC’s World News Tonight took a similar path, with anchor David Muir touting the president as Clinton’s “pinch hitter.” The report by Cecilia Vega was little more than a glorified play-by-play of Obama’s take down of Trump. “With Hillary Clinton at home recovering, President Obama took over on the campaign trail today, stepping up to the podium, loosening his tie, blowing a kiss and getting right down to business,” she started off.
“As the flower deliveries poured into Clinton's Chappaqua home, Obama described her as a fighter,” lauded Vega, while a little while later she exclaimed, “And he would not quit attacking Donald Trump!” She seem to take enjoyment in setting the scene for Obama’s swipes at Trump, “The president's sleeves rolled up, he hit Trump's promise to be a fighter for the working class.”
Closing out the segment, the pair at ABC praised the miraculous timing of Obama’s scheduled stump speech:
DAVID MUIR: Both the president and the first lady, their events were scheduled before Clinton got sick. But what are you hearing from the Clinton camp? They must be grateful, given the timing of these appearances.
VEGA: David, this certainly could not come at a better time, given the health questions lingering over Secretary Clinton right now.
. Eric Scheiner
