At the Media Research Center (MRC) and NewsBusters, analysts say network coverage of the election victory shows a clear pattern of kid-glove treatment for incoming Democrats.
Curtis Houck, managing editor of NewsBusters, points to recent morning show coverage — specifically an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" between anchor George Stephanopoulos and newly elected Texas Democrat James Talarico.
Houck says instead of pressing the candidate on policy, Stephanopoulos offered open-ended spin, asking Talarico to explain his quote about pursuing a "politics of love."
"That's not exactly a journalistic inquisition or a question looking to advance the ball. That is political spin. Stephanopoulos is channeling his past and, many would argue, current career of spinning for Democrats," Houck says.
Stephanopoulos' co-host Whit Johnson also sung Talarico's praises, saying the Demorats message was one of "unity and compassion that really resonated with people across Texas, Democrats and Republicans looking for change."
Meanwhile, Houck notes that when conservative figures are interviewed, the tone from network anchors is often argumentative and interrupting.
He also points to election-night coverage on CNN, where anchor Kasie Hunt slipped up on air, using the phrase "us" when describing how long it took for Democrats to achieve a midterm victory — a moment Houck attributes to exhaustion bringing down a journalist's defensive shield.
As MRC prepares for a major milestone next year, Houck says their core strategy remains unchanged.
"We'll be marking 40 years next year for the Media Research Center. And as part of our 40th anniversary, we are certainly going to be looking at every angle of the liberal elitist media coverage of a Democratic Congress... because the double standard will most certainly be there," Houck says.
Houck predicts that while GOP-led hearings were often ignored by major networks over the last two years, mainstream outlets will now shift to wall-to-wall coverage of Democratic investigations and potential impeachment proceedings.
