CBS’s Media Embarrassment: Robert Costa’s Interview with Joe Biden on CBS’s Sunday Morning
“Sunday Morning” — the CBS “news” show overseen by Jane Pauley — has embarrassed itself with a rare but potentially opportune interview of President Joe Biden at a fractious political time.
(Full disclosure: I am a moderate conservative Independent who votes in every general election but has never voted for Biden or former President Donald Trump.)
Today, Sunday, August 11, you could see the most uncritical love fest interview (what the late brilliant Nixon political adviser and linguist William Safire would call an “agape”) of the rarely interviewed President Biden, a Q-and-A session with CBS’s Chief Election and Campaign Correspondent, Robert Costa, formerly a reporter for The Washington Post.
As a professor who taught “Media Criticism” for two decades and founded the course at Towson University, I found it to be the most obsequious, uncritical celebration of a political principle since famed Oklahoma University football coach and conservative political activist Bud Wilkinson provided similar interviews with Richard Nixon for the 1968 presidential election over 50 years ago.
Costa asked Biden why he didn’t run and therefore was compromising his goal to defeat former President Trump. Biden said he felt it would be a “distraction.” He was asked about Beau; there were literally no references or questions about Hunter. Biden declaimed on Charlottesville and a murder there, “the beginning of your journey” to the presidency, intoned Costa.
Costa asked no questions –none — about Biden’s controversial quote of Trump: “Trump said If we lose there will be a bloodbath.’ “
Trump claims he was talking about economic consequences for the country; that that was the context of the remark. There is no doubt that he is loose with irresponsible rhetoric, but how could Costa not even bring up any follow-up to Biden?
Costa provides one and only one narrative — not during the interview — granting that the Trump campaign disputes the Biden narrative.
Costa asks about Biden’s efforts in the Middle East — nothing about Ukraine, Russia, Taiwan, Iran, China’s expansionism, or Taiwan. Costa asks nothing about Biden’s undecidedness and waffling regarding U.S. support of Israel – or his Vice Presidential aspirant Kamala Harris’ off-putting anti-Israel remarks.
Biden brags about all of the jobs he has created…no question from Costa about the effect of COVID-19, no points – zero — about inflation, cost-of-living, housing prices, grocery costs, etc. Costa’s entire reaction: “You’re proud of this record. Will we see you out on the campaign trail for Vice President Harris?”
Bidden said he knows Vice President candidate Walz: “It’s a helluva team.” No questions from Costa about myriad Walz controversies, including his slowness to reacting to violence in Minnesota, support of sanctuary cities, and support of the right of children to undergo sexual “transitions.”
Costa asks the classic friendly softball press query: how does Biden want to be remembered? In response Biden offers a paean to the American people and his presidency…no follow-ups from Costa.
Biden warns about Trump being a “genuine threat to American security.” No pushback…Biden mentions problems with the Supreme Court…no interviewer questions.
Great interview, Mr. Costa…Bud Wilkinson would be proud.
Richard E. Vatz is professor emeritus of political rhetoric at Towson University and author of The Only Authentic of Persuasion: the Agenda-Spin Model (Authors Press, 2022) and many other works, essays and op-eds. He is a Distinguished Professor at Towson University and has won a number of teaching awards.
Just watched Robert Costa’s interview with Biden on CBS’s Sunday Morning. Honestly, it felt like a missed opportunity. The questions were soft and didn’t challenge the President on critical issues. It’s disappointing to see such a key interview lack depth and substance. We need more rigorous journalism, especially in high-profile interviews like this one.
This may be a case where Biden was not asked the questions you note because he would not be able to coherently answer them. Also, there is no need to press him because he is going out the door. Yes, it’s misleading, as much of media is today. I’d be okay with the interview if it was made clear that the interview was a celebratory interview thanking the President for stepping aside, and that’s all. If you think about it, it’s not that different than Russian media and its attempt to make Putin look like someone he is not. Whatever happened to Putin’s neurological illness of some kind? He looks super healthy! Power only answers to power.
Excellent critique. I didn’t see the interview but I’m not surprised. Typical media spin. I wonder how many people believe it and will vote accordingly. No wonder half the country no longer have faith in the newsnewspapers Good job.
How can you praise the critique if you didn’t even see the interview?