UPDATED: How Chris Wallace became irrelevant
November 03, 2009 9:20 am ET by Eric Boehlert
In September, I detailed how Fox's Chris Wallace, who used to enjoy sort of hold himself up being part from the boisterous Fox News, how Wallace like to present himself as the adult supervising the Fox News romper room, had gulped the kool-aid and embraced the Glenn Beck era of Fox Land.
So just a couple thoughts re: Wallace's recent Limbaugh interview. Watching a Sunday morning talk show host leaving his D.C. studio and flying half way across the country to interview a AM talk show host really told us all we needed to know about the state of Wallace's journalism career, and how he had completely abdicated any sense of professionalism. It also told us all we needed to know about Wallace's last place Sunday morning show, which has been in the cellar longer than the Oakland Raiders. Meaning, going to kiss Limbaugh ring, to me at least, certainly had the air of desperation to it, as Wallace practically groveled for a one-time ratings spike via Limbaugh's large radio audience.
As for the interview itself? You expected actual journalism on display? Didn't think so. The whole thing was just a 30-minute Obama-bashing infomercial for Limbaugh. But this comment by Wallace, made to to the Fox online audience as Wallace tried to drum up interest in the softball interview, caught my attention [emphasis original]:
I was surprised by the strength of his feelings about this president.
Got that? Chris Wallace sat down to interview Rush Limbaugh who, in 2009, has literally run out of way to express his unabiding contempt, disgust and outright hatred for the President of the United States, and the tuned-out Fox anchor was surprised to find out Limbaugh really didn't like Obama.
-Limbaugh repeatedly refers to Obama as a "boy" and a "man-child"
-Limbaugh calls Obama "this little boy, this little man-child president"
-Limbaugh: Obama ordered "rape" of bailed out executives, or "those who achieve"
-Limbaugh: Obama "trashing," "destroying," "emasculating," America; Nobel committee "applauded"
-Limbaugh: Obama has put "child abusers" and "perverts" like Jennings in power
-Limbaugh compares Obama health care plan to Nazi policies
-Limbaugh: "The guy's [Obama] a menace. He's a dangerous, dangerous naïve soul."
Chris Wallace is a supposedly serious journalist, and Chris Wallace was surprised to find out that Rush Limbaugh really dislikes Obama?
That's just another example of how Chris Wallace has become irrelevant.
UPDATED: Crooks and Liars' John Amato did a nice job dismantling Wallace Sunday performance:
Chris Wallace had a chance to prove to America that he actually has journalistic integrity and is not part of the Fox Sphere of phony reporting when he interviewed Rush Limbaugh on Fox News Sunday. What we got was FOX News #1, fair and balanced reporter acting like a bowl of jelly for Limbaugh's rants.
Like we said, in terms of serous journalism, Chris Wallace has become irrelevant.
It isn't about talent as much as it is people tuning in to listen to the radio version of a car crash.
Second, Chris had Rush on because he could and also because you can't have the same Repubs on every Sunday of the month, you have to find someone or something different. (not the Rush is different than any of the other hate spouters)
Third, since Rush supposedly has an audience of 20 million, this somehow makes him "relevent" as a commentator on the current political situation.
As Rush has said himself, he is an "entertainer". He has identified his audience and he works at keeping that audience happy. If this was the 1860's his show would be about secession, states rights, and slavery. Since this is 2009 his show is about,,,,,,,,,, well, I will let you draw your own conclusions on what his show is about.
Of course, what they really meant was that it is unpatriotic to criticize a REPUBLICAN president.
Right? Yeah. Very very very far right.
Your winnings, sir.
In other words, "Chrissy, this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
In other words, "Chrissy, this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
He became irrelevant the minute he accepted the job at Faux News. There's only one journalist with integrity in the Wallace Family - and that's Mike Wallace.