On the July 12 broadcast of ABC News' World News with Charles Gibson, ABC News senior national correspondent Jake Tapper aired a clip of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) attacking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and then asserted, “Republicans on the Hill ... are looking for a new direction in Iraq, but say Democrats are not reaching out to them to forge a consensus for a responsible way forward” -- an assertion for which Tapper provided no support. In fact, Graham has argued in support of the current military strategy in Iraq, and on July 11 issued a press release in which he expressed support for President Bush's “belief that we must give General [David] Petraeus [commander of U.S. forces in Iraq] and our troops time to carry out the new strategy.”

Further, although Tapper reported that Republicans accused Democrats of “not reaching out to them,” the Senate amendment that was the likely subject of Tapper's report has three Republican co-sponsors: Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

Contrary to Tapper's suggestion, Graham does not appear to be “looking for a new direction in Iraq” and waiting for Democrats to “reach[] out” to him. Following a trip to Iraq, Graham released the July 11 statement in which he expressed his support of Bush's assessment that U.S. forces need more time to implement the current strategy. From his press release:

“I appreciate the opportunity to meet with President Bush and brief him on my recent visit to Iraq.

”President Bush remains firm in his belief that we must give General Petraeus and our troops time to carry out the new strategy. He understands the new strategy has already greatly diminished Al Qaeda in Iraq. The military progress is undeniable, even if the Iraqi political reconciliation efforts have not been as successful.

“General Petraeus is making great progress in crushing Al Qaeda in Iraq. Al Qaeda overplayed their hand by engaging in incredible acts of brutality and barbarism against Iraqis living under their control. In turn, Iraqis are breaking free from them and joining forces with us. The only thing that would allow Al Qaeda in Iraq to make a comeback would be to prematurely stop the surge.

Also, while reporting that the Senate will vote on a troop withdrawal ”measure" that is “similar” to a bill the House of Representatives passed on July 12, Tapper highlighted an exchange he had with Reid. During that exchange, Reid discussed a proposed amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2008 sponsored by Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI) and Jack Reed (D-RI). Harry Reid described the measure as “critically important” because "[i]t transitions the mission within 120 days, and by the first day of May of next year ... our combat troops will be out of there." Continuing, Reid noted that the amendment states that the non-combat troops remaining in the country after April 30, 2008, would be “left to do counterterrorism” and to “continu[e] to train the Iraqis and protect[] our resources.” According to Levin's press release on the proposed legislation, the amendment “would require the president to begin reducing the number of American troops in Iraq within four months and to transition the mission of our remaining military forces there to force protection, training of Iraqi Security Forces, and counterterrorism missions. It would further provide that our troops be out of Iraq by April 30, 2008, except for those needed for the specified limited missions.” (The House bill would require most troops to leave Iraq by April 1, 2008.) While Tapper did not air the portion of his exchange with Reid making clear that he was talking about the Levin-Reed amendment, he did highlight it on his blog.

In introducing Tapper's report, anchor Charles Gibson reported that President Bush “was trying to buy some time, for the troops and the surge,” whereas “many Democrats ... made clear, they have no intention of waiting” -- suggesting that Bush is on the side of the troops, while Congress is not. Media Matters for America previously has identified a pattern in the media of suggesting that defenders of the Bush administration on Iraq support the troops, while those who advocate withdrawal do not.

From the July 12 edition of ABC News' World News with Charles Gibson:

GIBSON: Well, the president, as Martha indicated, was trying to buy some time, for the troops and the surge, but on Capitol Hill, many Democrats, today, made clear, they have no intention of waiting. Jake Tapper has that part of the story. Jake?

TAPPER: Good evening, Charlie. Well, just moments ago the House of Representatives passed a bill, 223-201, that would withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq, by April 1st, 2008. The bill the House passed tonight would require U.S. combat troops to start coming home within four months.

REP. JOHN LEWIS (D-GA) [video clip]: This resolution is not a panacea. It will not get us out of Iraq tomorrow, next week, or next month. But it is a step that will bring an end to this madness.

REP. TOM PRICE (R-GA) [video clip]: Once again, the majority is placing politics over national security, politics over reasoned policy, politics and partisanship over citizens and sanity.

TAPPER: The Senate will vote on a similar measure next week. Some foreign policy experts predict that such a U.S. withdrawal could unleash genocide against innocent Iraqis. It's a subject Democrats do not want to discuss.

[start video clip]

TAPPER: Do you think the Iraqi people will be safer with U.S. troops out?

REID: It is clear that the Iraqi people don't want us there. It is clear that there is a state of chaos in Iraq, and it is up to the Iraqi people to make themselves safe.

TAPPER: With all due respect, Senator, you didn't even -- you didn't answer my question.

REID: This is not a debate. We're answering questions. Yes, young man.

TAPPER: Will the Iraqis be safer?

REID: Anyone else have a question?

[end video clip]

TAPPER: This week's renewed push to withdraw troops, two months before General Petraeus reports to Congress on progress of the surge strategy, has Republicans saying these votes are more about politics than national security.

GRAHAM [video clip]: Harry Reid was quoted as saying, “We're going to pick up Senate seats as a result of this war.”

TAPPER: Republicans on the Hill who are looking for a new direction in Iraq, but say Democrats are not reaching out to them to forge a consensus for a responsible way forward. Democrats say Republicans need to build up the courage to sign on to their efforts. Charlie?

GIBSON: Jake Tapper, reporting on the events on Capitol Hill today.