Memo to Media: Obama is not "the first sitting president to appear on a daytime talk show"

President Bush appeared on Dr. Phil in 2004

In 2004, Bush appeared on daytime talk show Dr. Phil. In 2004, President Bush and his wife appeared on Phil McGraw's daytime talk show, Dr. Phil. The Washington Post reported on September 29, 2004, that "[w]ith 'Family First' the title of McGraw's most recent book, he has promised both candidates the questions would be limited to family-oriented topics" and noted that the segment would air during the afternoon hours.

Media falsely claim Obama will be first sitting president to appear on daytime talk show

ABCNews.com: "Obama will become the first sitting U.S. president to visit a daytime TV talk show." Following an announcement from ABC, ABCNews.com reported that "President Obama will become the first sitting U.S. president to visit a daytime TV talk show when he tapes an interview Wednesday with ABC's 'The View.' "

Several other media outlets uncritically run with ABC's false claim. Following ABC's reporting, several media outlets uncritically ran with the false claim. 

Right-wing media seize on false reports, attack Obama over View appearance

CNSNews: "Obama Won't Speak In-Person at Boy Scouts' 100th Anniversary Celebration But Will Appear on ABC TV's 'The View.' " In a July 26 article, CNSNews.com stated that Obama "will not speak in-person before the [Boy Scouts] group on Wednesday at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, as part of the organization's 100th anniversary celebration. However, the president is sending a videotaped message to the scouts for Wednesday, the same day he will be in Manhattan to tape an appearance for ABC TV's talk show 'The View.' " CNSNews further stated that "ABC said it would be 'the first time in history a sitting United States president has visited a daytime talk show.' " The article also reported that past presidents--including conservative hero Ronald Reagan--did not address a Boy Scouts jamboree in person, that Obama would be addressing the Boy Scouts via a taped message, and that the Boy Scouts just visited the Oval Office two weeks ago.  

Hoft: Obama "skip[ping]" Boy Scout Jamboree to appear on The View. In a July 26 Gateway Pundit post, Jim Hoft wrote: "Barack Obama will skip the Boy Scout 100 year Anniversary Jamboree... Instead he will travel to New York City to appear on 'The View.' " Hoft also linked to the CNSNews article.

Fox Nation asks, "Did Pres. Obama Diss Boy Scouts' 100th Anniversary for 'The View'?" The Fox Nation linked to the CNSNews article under the headline, "Did Pres. Obama Diss Boy Scouts' 100th Anniversary for 'The View'?" From the Fox Nation:




Drudge attacks Obama's "priorities" over View appearance. From the Drudge Report:




NewsBusters: "Obama Snubs Boy Scouts' 100th Anniversary in Favor of 'The View.' " On July 27, NewsBusters republished the CNSNews article under the headline, "Obama Snubs Boy Scouts' 100th Anniversary in Favor of 'The View.' "

Beck accuses Obama of snubbing Scouts for The View. On the July 27 edition of his radio show, Glenn Beck stated: "I think it's a great day that the day that the president is -- that the Arizona law goes in effect -- he can't make it for the Boy Scout Jamboree all week because he's busy, but he can make it for the gals at The View."

Baier: "Despite making the historic visit to The View," Obama will miss the Boy Scouts Jamboree. On the July 27 edition of Fox News' Special Report, host Bret Baier stated, "Despite making the historic visit to The View, President Obama will miss out on another historic occasion -- the Boy Scouts Jamboree, marking the group's 100th anniversary." Baier later stated that "[t]he White House denied the TV appearance on The View was the reason for missing the Jamboree, saying Democratic fundraisers prevented the president from attending."

Ingraham attacks Obama as "disconnected from the core of the country," cites appearance on The View. On the July 27 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, guest host Laura Ingraham said that Obama "appears disconnected from the core of the country." As evidence of this, Ingraham cited Obama's appearance on The View, stating that "unfortunately, Obama will not be speaking live" at the Scouts Jamboree because he's "traveling to the Big Apple to squeeze between Joy Behar and Sherri Shepherd on The View" and attending a fundraiser. Ingraham later stated that Obama is "pandering to the entertainment elites," which "diminishes the office."

S.E. Cupp: "[T]he so-called leader of the free world thinks the best use of his time is to yuk it up with Whoopi Goldberg." In a July 28 New York Daily News column, conservative commentator S.E. Cupp wrote: "Thursday marks either a momentous occasion worthy of celebration or the end of civilization as we know it. For the first time in history, a sitting United States President will appear on a daytime talk show when Barack Obama joins the ladies of 'The View' for what promises to be some rigorous policy talk -- or a gabfest that will embarrass both daytime television (if that's possible) and the office of the President." Cupp later stated:

We are still fighting two increasingly trying wars overseas, witnessing terrifying new levels of creativity from would-be terrorists (underwear bombs, etc.), mopping up a greasy mess in the Gulf of Mexico and trying to right an economy that seems insistent on remaining off the rails. And the so-called leader of the free world thinks the best use of his time is to yuk it up with Whoopi Goldberg.

Hot Air's Morrissey: "[I]t's not like he had anything better to do, or as though he disappointed a large group of community-minded American children." In a July 28 Hot Air post, Ed Morrissey attacked Obama's "[p]riorities," stating of Obama's appearance on The View, "Well, it's not like he had anything better to do, or as though he disappointed a large group of community-minded American children, or anything." Morrissey also posted a cartoon by Investors Business Daily's Michael Ramirez attacking Obama over his TV appearance and linked to the CNSNews article.