9News failed to note that consultant who praised Tancredo used to work for him

Summary: In reporting December 19 that U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) was expected to announce his withdrawal from the 2008 presidential race, KUSA 9News aired commentary from "[p]olitical consultant Katy Atkinson," who praised Tancredo. However, 9News did not mention that Tancredo was a former client of Atkinson's or that she has consulted on several Republican campaigns, according to her website.

During its 10 p.m. broadcast on December 19, KUSA 9News noted a report that U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO) planned to drop out of the Republican presidential primary, and aired commentary supportive of Tancredo from "[p]olitical consultant Katy Atkinson." 9News, however, failed to note that Atkinson lists Tancredo as a former client on her website or that she has consulted for numerous GOP political campaigns.

9News anchor Bob Kendrick introduced the segment by saying, "Our partners at The Denver Post have confirmed that Tancredo will announce he's dropping out of the [presidential] race." (Tancredo on December 20 did announce that he was dropping out.) 9News' Thanh Truong reported that Tancredo entered the race "to be a lightning bolt striking at illegal immigration" and noted that the "message" linking illegal immigration and violence in Tancredo's controversial presidential campaign ads "became a Tancredo trademark." Truong further said of Tancredo, "Praised by supporters, opponents have painted him as a hatemongering monster." He then aired supportive commentary about Tancredo by Atkinson, identifying her only as a "[p]olitical consultant":

TRUONG: Tom Tancredo pulls no punches when it comes to illegal immigration.

CAMPAIGN AD: Pushing drugs, raping kids, destroying lives. Thanks to gutless politicians who refuse to defend our borders.

TRUONG: In his presidential push, that kind of message became a Tancredo trademark. Praised by supporters, opponents have painted him as a hatemongering monster.

ATKINSON: The demonizing of him, I think, is inaccurate. There's nothing demonic about Tom Tancredo. But his opponents like to envision him with horns growing out of his head.

TRUONG: Political consultant Katy Atkinson says Tancredo is not known for his subtlety -- and that's the plan.

[...]

ATKINSON: He makes a point, and makes it strongly, and makes it in a way that perhaps your average person might shiver a little bit, but they get the point.

Despite noting Atkinson's suggestion that Tancredo's "opponents like to envision him with horns growing out of his head," 9News did not mention that, according to Atkinson's website, she consulted on Tancredo's 1998 congressional campaign and her clients include many top GOP politicians and conservative ballot initiatives. The website lists the successful campaigns of Republican U.S. Senate candidates Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Hank Brown, and U.S. House candidate Scott McInnis.

From the December 19 broadcast of KUSA's 9News at 10 p.m.:

KENDRICK: Tom Tancredo is expected to make a major announcement tomorrow. He's the only Colorado candidate in the presidential race -- one widely dismissed as having but a single plank in his platform. Our partners at The Denver Post have confirmed that Tancredo will announce he's dropping out of the race tomorrow. 9News reporter Thanh Truong joins us now. Thanh, this really won't come as much of a surprise.

TRUONG: No, Bob, and it's something the Republican congressman anticipated. Tancredo's sole mission in entering the race wasn't necessarily to be the next president, but rather to be a lightning bolt striking at illegal immigration.

[begin video clip]

TANCREDO: And especially on the issue of immigration.

TRUONG: Tom Tancredo pulls no punches when it comes to illegal immigration.

CAMPAIGN AD: Pushing drugs, raping kids, destroying lives. Thanks to gutless politicians who refuse to defend our borders.

TRUONG: In his presidential push, that kind of message became a Tancredo trademark. Praised by supporters, opponents have painted him as a hatemongering monster.

ATKINSON: The demonizing of him, I think, is inaccurate. There's nothing demonic about Tom Tancredo. But his opponents like to envision him with horns growing out of his head.

TRUONG: Political consultant Katy Atkinson says Tancredo is not known for his subtlety -- and that's the plan.

CAMPAIGN AD: Mothers killed, children executed -- the tactics of vicious Central American gangs now on U.S. soil.

POLLY BACA (LARASA): I was appalled. I found this ad absolutely unconscionable and shameful.

ATKINSON: He makes a point, and makes it strongly, and makes it in a way that perhaps your average person might shiver a little bit, but they get the point.

TRUONG: Whether on 9News' Your Show, national debates, or talk radio, Tancredo pushed his single platform.

TANCREDO: At least I've got an issue, and I'm not just an empty suit standing there in front of you saying, "Vote for me, 'cause I'm a nice guy." I think I am a nice guy, but I think I've got -- beyond that, I've got an issue that does resonate.

TRUONG: With single-digit poll numbers, Tancredo may not resonate with voters. But Atkinson says he successfully forced both parties to consider what to do with both sides of the border.

ATKINSON: Immigration reform hasn't been on anyone's radar up until Tom Tancredo started making a big issue out of it.

[end video clip]

TRUONG: And Atkinson says the other Republican candidates will likely look for an endorsement from Tancredo when he drops out. That, she says, would strengthen the candidate's position on immigration. Tancredo will leave his congressional seat next year; by then he would have spent a decade in Washington -- much of that, Bob, trying to raise awareness about illegal immigration.

KENDRICK: And hard to ignore throughout. Thanh, thanks.

—T.S.P.