Stephanopoulos called Brownback "pro-family" because he is "a true conservative"

On the January 20 edition of ABC's World News Saturday, ABC News chief Washington correspondent George Stephanopoulos equated being "pro-family" with being "a true conservative, true social conservative." Discussing Sen. Sam Brownback's (R-KS) January 20 announcement that he is planning to run for president in 2008, Stephanopoulos asserted that "there is a bit of an opening for [Brownback] on the Republican side" to "try to carve out his place as a true conservative, true social conservative, the man most committed to pro-life, pro-family values." Brownback opposes abortion rights and same-sex marriage.

Stephanopoulos is not the first media figure to suggest that "pro-family" positions are those espoused by conservatives. For instance, as Media Matters for America has noted (here and here), CNN chief national correspondent John King has repeatedly equated Christian, conservative voters and "pro-family voters."

From the January 20 edition of ABC News' World News Saturday:

JOHN BERMAN (correspondent): Now, [Sen.] Hillary Clinton [D-NY] was not the only one to jump into the race today. Republican Senator Sam Brownback from Kansas also got in. Where does he stand right now among the Republicans?

STEPHANOPOULOS: Way back. You look at this poll we've got coming out just today. [Sen.] John McCain [AZ] and [former New York City Mayor] Rudy Giuliani way ahead on the Republican field.

Senator Brownback down at around 1 percent. But he's gonna try to carve out his place as a true conservative, true social conservative, the man most committed to pro-life, pro-family principles. And there is a bit of an opening there for him on the Republican side.

—J.M.