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Rupert Murdoch's non-apology apology

November 11, 2009 10:12 am ET by Eric Boehlert

First, it was News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch concocting a phantom quote from Obama, claiming he had made a "very racist comment." Now its Murdoch's flak claiming his boss didn't really mean to suggest Obama was racist.

Just asking: Do they use a slightly different English language over there in Fox News world? Because there's simply no way to square what Murdoch said on TV and what his flak is saying now.

And if Murdoch is actually sorry he called President of the United States a racist on international television, than why doesn't the businessman apologize, instead of sending a minion out to try to spin it away by claiming Murdoch "does not at all, for a minute, think the president is a racist."

I'm sure Obama is quite flattered.

But again, the flak's comment completely contradicts what Murdoch--as plain as day--told a TV interviewer, which was that Obama had made "a very racist comment" and that Glenn Beck "was right" when he called Obama a racist.

Maybe to clear things up, Murdoch's paid point person can solve the key mystery and determine which comment Murdoch was referring to when he announced the president had made a "very racist" remark. If nobody inside News Corp can locate that quote, than Murdoch needs to publicly apologize to Obama. And not send his flak out to do the dirty work.

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    • Author by DellDolly (November 11, 2009 10:22 am ET)
      5  
      They are trying to snow us by saying that a non-racist made a racist comment. Murdoch didn't 'say' that Obama is a racist, but he is saying that he said a racist thing.

      Because, don't you know, people who aren't racist make racist comments all the time. I mean, why would you assume that Murdoch thinks the guy is a racist just because he says that Obama made a racist comment?

      <end sarcasm>
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      • Author by papa bear3 (November 11, 2009 1:01 pm ET)
           
        I liked the subtitles, was that Australian English, or did he just make a bunch of sounds and plug in a few words, "FOXisms" that the audience would immediately understand.
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    • Author by Max Credits (November 11, 2009 10:28 am ET)
      3  
      Fox News spokespeople and its defenders will continue to FAIL to point to President Obama's "very racist comment", because no such comment exists. This FNC-Murdoch contradiction is pretty amazing. They're equal parts bold and frightened. I did not expect the election of America's first black president to cause Fox News to destroy itself, but I am nevertheless pleasantly surprised.
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    • Author by historygeek001 (November 11, 2009 11:05 am ET)
      3  
      I'm waiting to hear all the Repubs claim that Obama's actions show that he is racist because...well...you know, he's just racist and uppity! And elitist! And socialist/nazi/put your own nasty label here, and everything else.
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    • Author by dave (November 11, 2009 11:40 am ET)
      1 5
      ...than Murdoch needs to publicly apologize to Obama.


      Or what, Eric? What will you do if he doesn't publicly apologize? Or Rush? Or Hannity? Or anybody?

      You can use this website to try to do whatever you want, but Rush, Hannity, and even Beck are still on the air. Have at it if you must, but its not working.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Max Credits (November 11, 2009 11:51 am ET)
        5  
        The only reason News Corp is now trying to explain away Murdoch's "racist" charge is because it was spotlighted here and at Think Progress.
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      • Author by pete592 (November 11, 2009 11:59 am ET)
        2  
        A threat and an opinion are not one in the same.
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      • Author by Brabantio (November 11, 2009 12:16 pm ET)
        3  
        Does the phrase "moral obligation" mean anything to you?
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      • Author by magnolialover (November 11, 2009 12:22 pm ET)
        2  
        Or, it is entirely possible since a lot of advertisers (80+ at last count) have departed the Glenn Beck show BECAUSE of him calling Obama a racist, this could have further implications for NewsCorp as a whole now, because, Murdoch runs the whole show there.

        As in, a lot of those advertisers pulled ads from the Beck show only, but not from say, FoxNews as a whole, and now, they might re-think that, because of Murdoch.

        This could be interesting.
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      • Author by DellDolly (November 11, 2009 12:55 pm ET)
        3  
        This is not that difficult to figure out, dave.

        MMFA, and posters here, and the Obama White House too want FoxNews to either straighten up their act (ie, apologize when they make stupid and untrue accusations like this), or lose the credibility and influence they have.

        So, for his offense, Murdoch does 'need to' publicly apologize. Just like criminals need to do their time for the crimes they committed. Does that mean that every criminal voluntarily turns themselves in, or when caught admits to all the crimes they've ever committed? Of course it doesn't.

        And it is working. FoxNews and Republicans in general are being rejected now to a greater degree then they were even a couple of years ago. Rush Limbaugh has lost a lot of the credibility he used to have. Republicans have lost a lot of the influence they used to have because people know that often, their 'stories' can't be trusted.
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      • Author by Disputed Zone (November 11, 2009 1:01 pm ET)
        3  
        President Obama, Democratic Congress, health care reform, Republicans divided.

        Something is working.
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    • Author by davemccarthymusic9410 (November 11, 2009 12:18 pm ET)
      2  
      Rupe-

      "...he made very racist comments, about blacks and whites and so forth..."

      Seriously, WTF?
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    • Author by paul8616 (November 11, 2009 7:17 pm ET)
      1  
      Time to change the question from 'Who is still advertising on the Glenn Beck show?" to:

      WHO IS STILL ADVERTISING ON FOX?
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    • Author by VJ (November 12, 2009 1:14 am ET)
      1  
      Why do you Americans allow this foreigner to sabotage your democracy?

      He is using devious methods to twarth the democratic will of Americans, as expressed in the 2006 and 2008 elections.

      Being Australian,he took US citizenship only for monetary gain.

      Further,he has strong Chinese connections.

      USA,beware.

      VJ
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    • Author by blk-in-alabam (November 12, 2009 8:10 am ET)
         
      Throwing hate on someone else,makes your hate not look like hate.Just another page in whatever that book is Murdoch has modeled his empire after.
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    • Author by Bad News (November 12, 2009 10:44 am ET)
      2  
      Is there anything that can be done about News Corp. being allowed to Own Two News Papers in New York City?

      I understand Rupert Murdoch received a special waver.

      Can that Waver be Rescinded?


      Mr. News
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