Brewer uncritically reported that Reagan “says she typically waits until after the GOP convention to announce her support”

Written by Ryan Chiachiere

Published

After noting former first lady Nancy Reagan's endorsement of Sen. John McCain, MSNBC's Contessa Brewer uncritically reported, “Mrs. Reagan says she typically waits until after the GOP convention to announce her support but says it's clear the Republican Party has chosen its nominee.” However, Reagan endorsed George W. Bush well before the convention in 2000.

On the March 25 edition of MSNBC Live, anchor Contessa Brewer noted former first lady Nancy Reagan's endorsement of Sen. John McCain and uncritically reported, “Mrs. Reagan says she typically waits until after the GOP convention to announce her support but says it's clear the Republican Party has chosen its nominee.” Brewer added, “The highly coveted and symbolic endorsement is a significant boon for John McCain's campaign today.” However, Reagan endorsed Texas Gov. George W. Bush well before the convention in 2000.

A May 17, 2000, CNN.com article reported Reagan's endorsement of Bush, which was announced that same day “in a written statement issued by the Bush campaign,” according to the article. That year's Republican National Convention was held July 31 through August 3 in Philadelphia.

A March 25 statement from the McCain campaign quoted Reagan as saying, “Although it has been my custom to wait until after the Republican National Convention to announce my support of a candidate, it is clear that the Party has chosen its nominee. So it is with great pleasure that I endorse Senator John McCain for President of the United States.”

From the 4 p.m. ET hour of the March 25 edition of MSNBC Live:

BREWER: A campaign alert right now -- Nancy Reagan's endorsing Senator John McCain for president. Mrs. Reagan says she typically waits until after the GOP convention to announce her support but says it's clear the Republican Party has chosen its nominee. The highly coveted and symbolic endorsement is a significant boon for John McCain's campaign today.