CNN joined other media in reporting McCain's attempted wooing of Clinton supporters, but not his prior attacks

Summary: Reporting on Sen. John McCain's efforts to court Clinton supporters, by "speaking right to them and flattering his old friend," neither CNN correspondent Carol Costello nor host Wolf Blitzer noted that notwithstanding his recent "flattering" words about Clinton, McCain has previously distorted Clinton's record on issues such as health care, taxes, the environment, and housing, and also issued several personal attacks against Clinton and her family.

On the June 4 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, host Wolf Blitzer stated that "both [Sen.] Barack Obama and [Sen.] John McCain are eying [Sen.] Hillary Clinton's core backers: women." Moments later, CNN correspondent Carol Costello said: "The fight for Hillary Clinton's loyal, white women supporters has begun. Suddenly Republican John McCain is speaking right to them and flattering his old friend, Democrat Clinton." Costello then uncritically aired a video clip of McCain saying of Clinton: "She has inspired generations of American women to believe that they can reach the highest office in this nation. And I respect her campaign, and I respect her." However, neither Blitzer nor Costello noted that notwithstanding his recent "flattering" words about Clinton, McCain has previously distorted Clinton's record on issues such as health care, taxes, the environment, and housing, and also issued several personal attacks against Clinton and her family.

From the June 4 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:

BLITZER: The battle lines now drawn -- both Barack Obama and John McCain are eying Hillary Clinton's core backers: women.

Let's go back to CNN's Carol Costello. She's watching this story for us.

What are they trying to do, both of these presidential candidates, to court women voters, those Hillary Clinton supporters?

COSTELLO: Well, both candidates, Wolf, are reaching out in different ways. And when I say both, John McCain is absolutely in the hunt for Clinton's loyal women voters.

I just got off the phone with the Minnesota Republican National Committee. They tell me Clinton supporters are calling to see how they can help John McCain.

But don't count out Barack Obama just yet.

[begin video clip]

COSTELLO: Army Wives is a Lifetime TV hit. It's sort of like Desperate Housewives on an army base. Millions of women watch it religiously. And don't you know it? Both presumptive presidential candidates gladly agreed to make public service announcements at Lifetime's request. Both think it's a fab show.

McCAIN: I know because Cindy makes me watch with her, and we're looking forward to season two.

OBAMA: I just want to take a moment to honor the people the show is about.

COSTELLO: It's official. The fight for Hillary Clinton's loyal, white women supporters has begun. Suddenly, Republican John McCain is speaking right to them and flattering his old friend, Democrat Clinton.

McCAIN: She has inspired generations of American women to believe that they can reach the highest office in this nation. And I respect her campaign, and I respect her.

COSTELLO: Analysts say his campaign will reach out to women using issues both McCain and Clinton agree on, like the gas tax holiday.

McCAIN: From Memorial Day to Labor Day of this year.

COSTELLO: And their unwillingness to meet with leaders of Iran and North Korea unconditionally.

—B.J.L.