GMA touted Giuliani as “America's mayor,” misleadingly claimed he is “beating” Clinton in polls

Written by Josh Kalven

Published


Narrating the introduction to the January 11 edition of ABC's Good Morning America, co-host Diane Sawyer announced that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) would be appearing on the show and described him as "America's mayor." Sawyer went on to claim that he is “already beating” Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) in polling on the presumptive 2008 presidential candidates. In fact, the results of recent polls asking voters to choose between Giuliani and Clinton vary:

  • Fox News (December 5-6): Giuliani, 48 percent; Clinton, 39 percent
  • Newsweek (December 6-7): Clinton, 48 percent; Giuliani, 47 percent
  • CNN (December 15-17): Clinton 48 percent; Giuliani, 46 percent

From the January 11 edition of ABC's Good Morning America:

SAWYER: As the president heads out to sell his controversial plan to the American people and the troops, America's mayor, Rudy Giuliani -- the man already beating McCain, even Hillary Clinton, in the polls -- comes to Times Square for the big questions.