Morning Show Wrap, by ABC News Political Unit

N E W Y O R K, July 26, 2004 —
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Analysis

Some good sound from the morning shows of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton reacting to Teresa Heinz Kerry's "shove it" comment to an editorial writer for the conservative, Mellon Scaife-owned Pittsburgh Tribune. On CNN's "American Morning," Sen. Clinton, whose husband has been a persistent target of Scaife, said "a lot of Americans will say, 'You Go Girl."

The image of Kerry throwing out the first pitch got a lot of coverage on the morning shows—though it was not as positive as one might expect. ABC's Dan Harris noted that he was greeted by "cheers and jeers." NBC's Campbell Brown reported that it was "not an ideal reception" with "some of the crowd greeting Kerry with boos." CBS was more positive, calling the pitch part of a "master plan."

Leads

The morning shows led with Kerry's first pitch and the Democrats' first day of their convention.

Kerry's First Pitch: Lots of Coverage But Not Entirely Positive

Dan Harris began ABC's coverage and led with the "cheers and jeers" Sen. John Kerry received at Fenway last night.

NBC's coverage of Sen. John Kerry's first pitch at Fenway was negative. In the opening headlines, Katie Couric, who is dating Sox co-owner Tom Werner and who was also in attendance at Sunday's game, said, The Senator got a "mixed reaction" last night when he threw out the first pitch. In her package, Campbell Brown said it was "not an ideal reception" with "some of the crowd greeting Kerry with boos."

Coverage of the pitch was more positive on CBS' "Early Show." CBS' Cynthia Bowers described Kerry's first pitch as part of the Democrats' "master plan." CBS showed Kerry with the headset on at the game saying, "I'm glad to be here. This is so much fun."

Teresa Heinz Kerry: "Shove It"

On ABC's "Good Morning America," Dan Harris prominently featured Teresa Heinz Kerry's "shove it" comments though he was careful to note that the comments were made to an editorial writer of the conservative, Mellon Scaife-owned Pittsburgh Tribune.

CNN put up a graphic of the statement released by the Kerry campaign about the "shove it" statement: "This was sheer frustration, aimed at a right-wing rag, that has consistently and purposefully misrepresented the facts in reporting on Mrs. Kerry and her family."

Asked about THK's "shove off" comment on CBS' "Early Show," Sen. Clinton said Mrs. Kerry, "Wants to do what she can to change the direction of the country. I think people understand that."

On CNN's "American Morning," Sen. Clinton said of THK's "shove it" comment that "a lot of Americans will say, 'You Go Girl."

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN

Asked by Charlie Gibson on ABC's "Good Morning America" about Bill Clinton's statement that his wife in the same position now that he was in during the 1988 race (4 years before he ran and when he thought he'd never be able to run), Hillary Clinton said simply, "I don't know and I really don't care… The future takes care of itself, Charlie."

Of the state of the horse race, Hillary Clinton said "this race up until now has been Bush vs. Bush and Bush has been losing. And then people begin to look at the alternative. And I think this convention is going to increase the support for John Kerry."

With regards to the 9/11 Commission's report, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton told NBC's Katie Couric: "I would like to see the Congress come back after the Democratic convention and then go out again for the Republican convention." She also repeated her disagreements with the Administration over how funds are allocated to states. Sen. Clinton thinks urban states should get more money. Asked about initially being snubbed from the speakers list, Sen. Clinton said she has been subjected to "wonderful theories" ever since her husband first started running for president in 1991. "I'm just delighted to be here," she said.

On CBS' "Early Show," Sen. Clinton called on President Bush to persuade his fellow Republicans in the House and Senate to "change the formula" by which emergency grants are distributed to the states. Asked about being snubbed from the speakers list, Sen. Clinton said on CBS, "I know a lot of people speculate about my life. But I just get up every day and lead it."

On CNN's "American Morning," Clinton dismissed the notion of whether she and her husband would overshadow Kerry, and laughed the first time Bill Hemmer brought up her own Presidential ambitions. "I don't think about that possibility but I know a lot of people in your position do, and that's fine."

Gov. Mitt Romney on NBC

Gov. Mitt Romney joked about there being nothing new about lots of Democrats converging on Massachusetts, he said security is up to snuff, he denied positioning himself for a run for president in 2008, he predicted a marriage amendment would eventually pass at both the federal and state level. Gov. Romney said he believes "tolerance" for others and "respect" for "traditional marriage" is possible for the entire nation.

Sen. Kennedy and Niece on ABC, NBC, CBS

Sen. Teddy Kennedy and his niece Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg appeared on ABC, NBC and CBS, touting Kerry's message of "hope, optimism and strength," and made no news.

Gov. Bill Richardson on CNN

Convention chair and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson appeared on CNN's "American Morning" and made no news.

Reports from Boston

ABC's Harris, Shipman and Tapper reported from Boston. Claire Shipman asked whether Teresa Heinz Kerry whether she will "stick to time, and theme?" whether Kerry will "finally ... wear his heart in a visible place." Jake Tapper covered the Clintons' high visibility appearance at the convention and noted that by Thursday, "the Kerry campaign hopes the focus will be on Kerry, an no one else."

NBC's Campbell Brown reported from Boston on the "positive tone" Democrats want to strike. Brown included President Clinton telling NBC's Tom Brokaw that Kerry "needs to close the deal" in his convention speech. Brown alleged that Teresa Heinz Kerry told a "reporter" to "shove it."

CBS' Cynthia Bowers reported from Boston on Kerry's first pitch and security in Boston.