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Eric Boehlert
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Fox News is in for a very rough 2008

January 29, 2008 10:42 am ET

My guess is that Fox News guru Roger Ailes has been reaching for the Tums more often than usual early in the New Year, and there are lots of reasons for the hovering angst.

Let's take an extended multiple choice quiz. Right now, which of the following topics is likely causing the discomfort inside Ailes' Fox News empire?

A) CNN's resurgence as the go-to cable destination for election coverage.
B) The incredible shrinking candidacy of Fox News' favored son, Rudy Giuliani.
C) The still-standing candidacy of Fox News nemesis and well-funded, anti-war GOP candidate Rep. Ron Paul.
D) The Democratic candidates' blanket refusal to debate on Fox News during the primary season.
E) Host Bill O'Reilly being so desperate for an interview from a Democratic contender that he had to schlep all the way to New Hampshire, where he shoved an aide to Sen. Barack Obama and then had to be calmed down by Secret Service agents.
F) Former Fox News architect and Ailes confidante Dan Cooper posting chapters from his a wildly unflattering tell-all book about his old boss. ("The best thing that ever happened to Roger Ailes was 9/11.")
G) The fledgling Fox Business Network, whose anemic ratings are in danger of being surpassed by some large city public access channels.
H) Host John Gibson's recent heartless attacks on actor Heath Ledger, just hours after the young actor was found dead.
I) Fox News reporter Major Garrett botching his "exclusive" that Paul Begala and James Carville were going to join Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign, and then refusing to correct the record.

I'd say it's A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. (I doubt Gibson's grave-dancing or Garrett's whopper caused Ailes a moment's concern.)

Bottom line is that Fox News is in for a very rough 2008. And the umbrella reason for that is quite simple: Eight years ago the all-news cable channel went all-in on the presidency of George Bush and became a broadcast partner with the White House. Proof of that was on display Sunday night, January 27, during Fox News' prime-time, "Fighting to the Finish," an "historic documentary" on the final year of Bush's presidency. Filmed in HD and featuring "unprecedented access," according to the Fox News press release, the show was pure propaganda. (I must have missed Fox News' "Fighting to the Finish" special back in 2000, chronicling the conclusion of President Bill Clinton's second term and his "extraordinarily consequential tenure.")

The point is that Fox News years ago made an obvious decision to appeal almost exclusively to Republican viewers. The good news then for Fox News was that it succeeded. The bad news now for Fox News is that it succeeded.

Meaning, when the GOP catches a cold, everybody at Fox News gets sick. As blogger Logan Murphy put it at Crooks and Liars, "Watching FOXNews getting their comeuppance has been fun to watch. They made their bed, now they're having to lie in it and it's not too comfortable."

The most obvious signs of Fox News' downturn have been the cable ratings for the big primary and caucus votes this year, as well as the high-profile debates. With this election season generating unprecedented voter and viewer interest, Fox News' rating bumps to date have remained underwhelming, to say the least.

For instance, on the night of the big New Hampshire primary, CNN, which habitually trails behind Fox News in the prime-time race, attracted nearly 250,000 more viewers than its top competitor, marking a changing-of-the-guard of sorts.

The turnaround was striking when you consider that in 2004, even with no Republicans running against Bush, Fox News was still able to draw 200,000 more viewers than CNN on the night of the New Hampshire Democratic primary. Yet in 2008, with a very competitive GOP field, CNN was the ratings winner from New Hampshire.

And just look at the ratings for January 19, which featured returns from the Nevada caucus coming in during the late afternoon, and then fresh returns from the South Carolina Republican primary being posted during prime time that night. In the past, Fox News would have absolutely owned that night of coverage, as conservative news junkies flocked to their home team -- Fox News -- to see the results. But no more. CNN grabbed nearly just as many prime-time viewers for the Republican South Carolina returns as did Fox News.

The problem for Fox News is that it's the Democratic race that's creating most of the excitement, yet Fox News has been forced to mostly watch the race from the sidelines. That's because last winter, after Fox News tried to smear Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) for purportedly attending a radical Muslim school as a child, liberal bloggers launched an initiative to get Democratic candidates to boycott a debate co-sponsored by Fox News and the Nevada Democratic Party. (The boycott, powered by Foxattacks.com, was later extended to any and all Fox News debates.)

The point of the online crusade was not to simply embarrass Fox News or rattle Nevada Democrats for being out of touch with the grassroots masses that distrusted and despised Fox News. The point, instead, was to begin chipping away, in a serious, consistent method, at Fox News' reputation. To spell out that Fox News was nothing more than a Republican mouthpiece and that Democrats need not engage with the News Corp. giant.

The lack of Democratic debates for Fox News has meant a huge setback for the news organization from a ratings perspective. Just look at the grand slam CNN hit last week when, on January 21, it broadcast the much-talked-about Democratic debate from South Carolina. The CNN event not only creamed Fox News in the ratings, nearly tripling its audience that night, but the debate set a new cable news mark for the most viewers ever to watch a primary debate.

In fact, of the 10 most-watched debates this election season, Fox has aired just two, compared to CNN's five. Of the 10 most-watched debates, six have featured Democrats; four Republicans.

CNN is virtually guaranteed another monster ratings win this week with a pair of high-profile debates staged in California -- the Republicans on Wednesday night and Democrats on Thursday.

No wonder CNN's so giddy these days. Here's the spin CNN president Jonathan Klein put out following its New Hampshire ratings win: "There's a freshness and exuberance to our coverage that the others just aren't matching. ... Fox almost seems downright despondent in their coverage."

So I'm not the only one who feels like Fox News coverage, especially of the Republican field, often feels like a televised wake. Or maybe that's just been Fox News' collective, subconscious mourning of the Giuliani campaign.

After all, Sean Hannity serves as Fox News' official ambassador to the Giuliani campaign; a campaign that Ailes and Fox News were hoping to ride back into the White House. Yet despite showering Giuliani with all kinds of laudatory coverage, both Hannity and Ailes have been powerless, as they've watched Giuliani's rudderless campaign go nowhere for months.

Even an all-out Fox News marketing blitz to label Giuliani "America's Mayor" never got traction. In fact, it ranked right up there with the launch of New Coke, in terms of branding success. (Watch this clip to see the Fox News absurdity up-close.)

In the meantime, the rise of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and especially Mike Huckabee, with his populist streak, has caused all sorts of consternation at Fox News. Even the conservative Weekly Standard took notice. The magazine recently wrote that "A lot of conservatives have problems with both Huckabee and McCain. Last night on Fox, for example, Sean Hannity could barely conceal his distaste for both pols."

And don't even mention Ron Paul's name to the folks at Fox News, who have stepped outside their role as journalists to try to kneecap the anti-war GOP candidate. The most blatant slap came right before the New Hampshire primary, when Fox News refused to include Paul in a televised GOP debate, despite the fact that just days earlier Paul grabbed 10 percent of the vote in the Iowa caucus, nearly doubling the tally Giuliani posted.

Paul's Republican supporters became so incensed by the snub that they literally chased Sean Hannity through the New Hampshire night chanting "Fox News sucks!" and captured the scene in a homemade clip that really has to be seen to be believed. (To recap New Hampshire for Fox News: Hannity was pursued by a Republican mob, O'Reilly got into a shoving match with an Obama aide, and CNN grabbed more viewers. Now that's a week to remember!)

Oh, and we can't forget the wildly hyped launch of the Fox Business Network, which, News Corp. execs bragged, would dethrone longtime cable business news champ CNBC. Of course, that might happen one day. But the early ratings for Fox Business Network have been unbelievably weak.

After two months on the air, Fox Business Network, available in 30 million homes, was attracting, on average, just 6,300 viewers on any given weekday, according to Nielsen Media Research. That was good for a nearly invisible .05 rating. (By comparison, CNBC during that period was attracting 265,000 viewers.)

Making matters worse for Ailes was the fact that on January 22, as fears mounted about a possible global financial crisis, CNBC posted its best ratings in seven years, attracting 401,000 viewers that day.

The hurdle for Fox Business Network has always been simple: Why would investors and day traders in search of reliable business information turn from CNBC over to the Fox brand, which is so well-known for passing along one-sided information? News Corp. always assumed Fox News would help launch the business channel. But Fox News is taken seriously by so few people, it may be hurting the business launch.

After all, Fox News continues to embarrass itself with a type of journalism that nobody else in the industry would dare call professional. And for proof of that look no further than Major Garrett, who is supposed to be one of the channel's nonpartisan, serious journalists. He landed a recent scoop about how former advisers to Bill Clinton, Paul Begala and James Carville, were getting set to join Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Carville immediately shot the story down, telling Talking Points Memo's Greg Sargent that very same day, "Fox was, is and will continue to be an asinine and ignorant network. I have not spoken to anyone in the Clinton campaign about this. I'm not getting back into domestic political consulting."

Begala did Carville one better and directly emailed Garrett to deny the story -- a story Garrett never bothered trying to check with Begala or Carville before it was broadcast. Garrett's response to Begala's blanket denial? Garrett told the Democratic operative that he would take his denial "under advisement." [Emphasis added.]

Garrett then went back on the air and repeated the same story, and added the fact that Begala had been on a conference call the day before with Clinton advisers, which was also false. And no, despite his earlier email exchange with Begala, Garrett never bothered to try to confirm the conference call story with him before reporting it on Fox News.

On his Fox News blog, Garrett did acknowledge the Begala email and claimed he'd be updating the fast-moving story soon -- which, he told readers, would likely be confirmed the next day when the Clinton campaign made the Begala/Carville announcement. But the next day when the story imploded, Garrett simply ignored the embarrassing gaffe.

Recounting the whole Kafka-esque charade at the Huffington Post, Begala wrote, "I've never had a more surrealistic day. If this is what one of Fox's best and most respected reporters is doing, what are the hacks up to?"

They're watching CNN capture the campaign ratings crown.

UPDATE: Fresh Nielsen numbers show Fox News' ratings woes continued over the weekend. During Saturday night's 8-10 p.m. ET coverage of the Democrats' South Carolina primary results, Fox News not only got trounced by CNN among viewers 25-54, but lost to MSNBC as well.

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    • Author by greekfurnace (January 29, 2008 10:47 am ET)
         
      One can only hope.  The fact that we still debate whether or not FOX is a 'real' source of 'fair and balanced' coverage... of anything... is absurd.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Sams Computer (January 31, 2008 6:03 pm ET)
           
        Excellent Post Tex...

        You've affectively cancelled me out.

        FOX NEWS HAS FAILED REPUBLICANS!...

        AND Fox News Should Be Fired! - - High Ratings Did Not and Do Not translate into keeping Republicans in Power. This Sorry News Outlet will go down in historic infamy as a major reason for conservative loss of control of our great country.

        Fox News will now "Stay The Course," a strategy found deep in heart of the Bush Playbook. They will hopefully adjust some of their tactics and programming. I ain't holdin my breath either!
        Report Abuse
    • Author by tex (January 29, 2008 11:02 am ET)
         

      Keep in mind, Karl Rove was the genius who was going to engineer a "PERMANENT REPUBLICAN MAJORITY".

      This was political dominance that was supposed to last a hundred years (or more). And FOX was poised as the "official" propaganda network for the regime. There was to BE no more ups and downs of political fortunes, there was to be a MONOPOLY. PERMANENT rule working hand in hand with PERMANENT media dominance.

      This was the plan, and for a while, it looked like it was coming TRUE.

      The one thing these powermongers didn't count on is that people would actually NOTICE what was happening in their lives as a result of relentless Republican policies. REALITY has intervened. And REALITY has a well-known liberal bias. 

      Report Abuse
      • Author by nerzog (January 29, 2008 11:45 am ET)
           
        I agree, Tex. I still won't breathe until we have a Democrat in the White House this time next year. We're precariously close to disaster; one more Neanderthal on the Supreme Court will screw us for the next generation. A Republican in the White House will likely lead to permanent warfare in the Middle East....which will mean stratospheric gas prices and deficits into eternity.

        It is gratifying, however, to read about FOX's misery.... nobody deserves it more. Now, if Rush Limbaugh's ratings would just hit rock bottom....my faith in the intelligence of humanity would be revived.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by hstybuf6553 (January 29, 2008 1:59 pm ET)
             
          do you look good in purple?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by dbeden4153 (January 31, 2008 3:49 pm ET)
               
            I was about to ask "what does that even mean?" but then I thought for a second.  HAHA, okay hstybuf, we get it, you're insinuating he's gay because he's not a republican.  Woo hoo, you got us, I think we'll all just slink away now under the power of your moral compass.  
            Report Abuse
        • Author by captfoster2 (January 29, 2008 2:52 pm ET)
            1

          NERZOG,

          You said, in part "I still won't breathe until we have a Democrat in the White House this time next year."

          I understand what you mean..... but me thinks that anyone short of Rotten Rudy going all the way to the WH and I can't imagine FOX being to embraced by McCain or Huckabee, let alone any Democrat the way that Bush/Cheney have!

          FOX literally put all of its eggs in the Bush/Cheney and hope for Rudy 08 in the same tiny basket.... they deserve everything coming to them in the near future, as they only have themselves to blame.

          Random thought..... I wonder if BillO will like white or pink pads to cover the walls?

          Report Abuse
          • Author by Bill from Palmdale (January 30, 2008 6:37 pm ET)
               

            It's delightful, it's delirious, it's delicious, it's a disaster.

            The Democrats only need to quote a Pew Research Survey from a year or two ago that had Fox News near the bottom regarding viewers being misinformed about WMDs, Iraq involvement in 9/11 and other items.  

            I've been hoping for Fox's demise for years and that if a Democrat becomes president that he/she would not have anyone in their administration grant interviews to Fox.  Do a Fox blackout.  

            Apparently, Bret Baer while doing the Bush interview said something about Lincoln 'leaving office' unaware that he was killed before he left office.  They are so stupid.  The best thing that could happen is for BillO to have his ratings drop after he's been bragging all these years. That's the only thing that he'll understand.  You can't win an argument with him no matter how wrong he is.   

            Report Abuse
            • Author by roundhouse (January 30, 2008 9:42 pm ET)
                 
              "Do a Fox blackout."

              That would be swell, but don't expect much from a friend of Rupert in the WH.
              Report Abuse
          • Author by temphandle lately92conditioner (January 31, 2008 11:18 am ET)
               

            >I can't imagine FOX being to embraced by McCain or Huckabee,

             

            In a couple more months you won't have to imagine it, you'll get to see it. They can turn on a dime faster than a nickel can.

            Report Abuse
      • Author by Kace (January 29, 2008 11:56 am ET)
           

        "And REALITY has a well-known liberal bias."

         Thank you, Stephen Colbert. ;)

        Report Abuse
      • Author by pete592 (January 29, 2008 12:22 pm ET)
           

        Well put, as always, Tex.

        America has woken up with the hangover of a 5-year 'cakewalk' and doubling health care costs.  Reality has indeed staged an intervention.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by jeter2 (January 29, 2008 11:26 am ET)
         

      You can add a "J" to the list.

      J. Jeter2 who used to watch FOX almost exclusively hasn't bothered watching in months & has no plans to ever watch again. MSNBC & CNN may not be perfect but they are still heads above anything offered on FOX.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by Sueelldd (January 29, 2008 11:27 am ET)
           
        Jeter, I agree FOX has become so bad , its graphics , its content. I do admit I watch Gretta sometimes at 10, its brainless gossip but rarely political and gives me a chance to veg out.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by jeter2 (January 29, 2008 11:41 am ET)
             

          SueEld,

          The program I really enjoyed on FOX was Media Watch, I think that's the name, how soon we forget;-) It used to be on at 6:30pm Saturday. FOX either moved it or canceled it, I haven't gone searching but it's really too bad because it was probably the best program they had. It was actually...fair & balanced :-O

          Since Greta isn't really political in nature, I don't think anyone would have a problem with this innocent indulgence ;-)

          Report Abuse
          • Author by captfoster2 (January 30, 2008 1:36 am ET)
               

            JETER,

            You said, in part "it's really too bad because it was probably the best program they had. It was actually...fair & balanced"

            Which certainly would explain why it was likely cancelled from FOX programming!

            Report Abuse
          • Author by rufas2000 (January 30, 2008 10:49 pm ET)
               

            I agree, Fox News Watch was their best show but its like finding a needle in a haystack now. It was switched to 2:30 Saturday afternoon but now its being pre empted by election coverage. Also, as far as I can tell it never gets repeated. By comparison the show that usually precedes it "The Beltway Boys" is not preempted as often and enjoys at least one late night repeat.

            For those unaware "The Beltway Boys" features a Fox News "fair and balanced" duo (a strong right winger paired with a moderate) discussing the Washington DC issues of the day. I won't badmouth the show, its decent but it's quite unremarkable, unlike Fox News Watch which was actually compelling.

            I would like to see MM or News Hounds research the ratings for Fox News Watch and compare them to "The Beltway Boys", "Fox News Live weekend" (which occupies the Sat. 6:30 timeslot now) and other shows. I think they should go back a year or more when it was shown more consistently.

            Think about it: It's a double damn on Fox News. If ratings were bad then it shows that Fox News puts ratings ahead of the public interest. Not surprising (and they don't stand alone there) but it still makes them look bad. If ratings were good then it becomes something else that shows that Fox News has an agenda and can't take a little heat on their own network (Fox News Watch did not spare Fox News Channel although the show did take it a bit easy on them at times).

            Report Abuse
            • Author by lapsedlawyer (January 31, 2008 12:15 am ET)
                 

              I go to the Fox News website -- having to comfort my computer afterword ("It's okay, it's okay, it was just for the schedule -- shhh the big bad right wing propaganda machine is gone now") -- to see when (or if) it's on, and it is rare.  The contempt with which they treat the show is proof that "fair and balanced" is like most of their content:  Empy blather. 

              BTW, anyone know what happened to Neal Gabler?  I don't see him on the show anymore, and usually he's replaced by either namby-pamby I-play-a-liberal-for-Roger or a short-skirted Rachel Sklar, who's okay, but too deferential by half to Pinkerton and Thomas.   (Really doesn't matter:  I miss Jeff Cohen.)

              Report Abuse
              • Author by lapsedlawyer (January 31, 2008 12:16 am ET)
                   
                The aforementioned namby-pamby is (of course) Juan Williams.  :p
                Report Abuse
              • Author by rufas2000 (January 31, 2008 6:34 am ET)
                   
                I was wondering about Gabler myself. I do have to say that Sklar is easier on the eyes though. And after all, isn't that what Fox News is about. They even trry to sex up Jane Hall a bit (her skirts have gotten progessively shorter as time has gone on).
                Report Abuse
    • Author by dbeden4153 (January 29, 2008 11:43 am ET)
         

      Even my super conservative step-father in law won't watch Fox News anymore, and for years, he was a huge O'Reilly fan.  Now he can't stand him.  Now, at least I can tell him "I told you so."

       

      Report Abuse
      • Author by Bill from Palmdale (January 30, 2008 6:41 pm ET)
           
        I love it.  Bush is taking everybody down with him; Fox News, Congressman retiring so they can lobby, Democrats having larger turnouts in the primaries and raising more money and McCain???  Will he make it to the election? 
        Report Abuse
    • Author by pete592 (January 29, 2008 12:25 pm ET)
         
      Well done, Eric.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by conleytgwinn (January 29, 2008 12:44 pm ET)
         
      The scary part for a confessed liberal: even with an electoral sweep, Congress veto-proof, the Repugnant appointees to the Courts still hold sway. Worse, some of the Dem candidates are Repugnants in drag, "centrists" and "Corporatists" and anti-populists. Right after we finally rid ourselves of Bungle, we get to see Reid (anti-FISA, pro-immunity) and Pelosi ("impeachment is off the table") and whichever Corporatist slug takes the Dem nomination, as our new leaders. I certainly hope the Democratic Party can survive our turn in the Corporate wilderness - and that our populace can survive them.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by nerzog (January 29, 2008 12:58 pm ET)
           
        How true. I forced myself to listen to Rush Limbaugh some yesterday. He is already articulating their fallback strategy, which is to let the Democrats take power so that they get the blame when all of Bush's chickens come home to roost... and poop on our heads.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by ImpeachBushNow (January 30, 2008 11:37 am ET)
           

        Pelosi, Reid and Hoyer need to be replaced in the next Congress or the Democrats will have a one term run.

        Investigation of the Bush Cheney regime can take place after they leave office and should, if we are ever able to claim again that we are a nation of laws.

         

         

        Report Abuse
    • Author by dave (January 29, 2008 1:08 pm ET)
         
      I still think Rush may actually be hoping for a Dem win....his ratings were very high under the Taxocrats for all eight years. While still popular, they have slumped when W took over.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by nerzog (January 29, 2008 1:12 pm ET)
           
        Exactly. Rush owes his fortune to the Clintons. As long as the Repubicons were out of power, he could pretend to be the "voice crying in the wilderness". Once his party took over everything, his continued whining about the Democrats seemed a bit petty.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by roundhouse (January 29, 2008 1:38 pm ET)
           
        I see the Rush slump continuing.

        There's mass, longterm disenchantment with the Republicrap brand and their conservative failures: 9/11, occupation, Katrina, predatory lending, housing crisis, joblessness, fuel costs, health insurance costs, education costs, recession, shrinking middle class and on and on. Don't think for a minute we are going to let these Republican market fundamentalist failures fade away.

        And we now have a sturdy communication infrastructure upon which to draw.

        For the first time in decades union membership has actually risen instead of declined. The Progressive blogosphere has gained a foothold in the collective conscience. Lib talkers are gaining in influence and in number. Lefty columnists are starting to balance the opinion pages.

        It's been a slow rise for Progressivism, just as Limbaugh's decline will likewise be slow. Now that the left is able to challenge Rush in real time directly, day in and day out his veracity and suction wanes.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by hstybuf6553 (January 29, 2008 2:01 pm ET)
           
        I suppose that's why Clear Channel paid him $250MM for five years, up front.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by bittermarv (January 29, 2008 9:44 pm ET)
           

        Taxocrats

        Um... you mean the Republican majority in the legislature?

        Report Abuse
        • Author by tonerpm9621 (January 31, 2008 1:34 pm ET)
             

          yea, republicans love to b!tch about taxes, but the only taxes the GOP cuts are for the rich.

          so if your a goper, really you are either a millionaire or an idiot- because only millionaires are getting those tax cuts  

           

          by the way- thanks for the censorship

          i didn't know the word b1tch was a profanity- given that it is said on netweork TV

          you know what really matters

          free expression B!TCHES  

          Report Abuse
      • Author by friedbergboy1422 (January 30, 2008 6:46 pm ET)
           

        Yes Dave,

        If we are the taxocrats, you all are the debtlicans. GEEZ!

        Report Abuse
    • Author by draftedin68 (January 29, 2008 1:14 pm ET)
         

      It's time for netroots TV...

      I don't think Rupert's empire is going to change much until he's gone, and even then, he's created a cadre of shills who are unlikely to change anytime soon.

      CNN was once an actual news network but has pretty much become Crap News Nonstop.

      MSNBC has one full-time token journalist (Olbermann) and many of the items he presents have been in the byteosphere for a day or more.  And remember, this network is a conglomeration of Billionaire Bill and General Electric - what could go wrong there? 

      The byteosphere seems to be the only place where actual news items from actual journalists have a chance to be shared with the public in proportion to their importance to the public.  Generally, the most informative sites in this medium (like this site) ignore an item's "news value", which is an advertising measure that has nearly eliminated journalism from broadcast/cable media.

      I think a netroot news cooperative might be viable as a broadcast/cable outlet, if not right now, very soon.  More and more, the really good web sites include sight/sound clips with their items, so they're moving closer to the MSM in their presentations. 

      If nothing else, a netroots-ish outlet would be capable of unwinding and fact-checking the growing torrent of spin and distortion that has become the norm in the MSM.  

       

      Report Abuse
      • Author by nerzog (January 29, 2008 1:24 pm ET)
           
        Wouldn't it be great if someone started a network that could take up the banner which CNN dropped long ago? The problem is that such an endeavor would require very deep pockets, and would inevitably become a Corporation which would have a vested interest in promoting Republican policies. That, I fear, is what has driven a stake through the heart of journalism in this country.

        Remember Michael Ware? Whatever happened to him? He seemed to be one of the few reporters who had the cajones to call things as he saw them, and ridiculed the notion of how well the surge was "working" back in September. Did that little flash of honesty get him yanked?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by pete592 (January 29, 2008 1:48 pm ET)
             

          I'm wondering what's going on with Michael myself.  I think September was probably the last time I heard anything from him.  Without any official knowledge of what he might be up to, something to keep in mind is how far he will go and how willing he is to risk his life to get a story.  

          I'd like to think Michael has isolated himself in another dangerous journalistic endeavor somewhere in Iraq.  He could also be on a vacation from the carnage.  Who knows?

          Report Abuse
    • Author by tonerpm9621 (January 29, 2008 2:23 pm ET)
         

      Good article -except it somewhat obscures the fact that CNN sucks only slightly less than fox and  MSNBC isn't much better- just because they give Olbermann about 1/2 hour to talk politics everyday and Abrams covers about 3 relevant stories a week. 

      What I would Really like to see is someone bankroll a news station that won't cover the elections as a horse race, and don't feel like they have to make up slights between hillary and obama because they think it boosts ratings  

      Report Abuse
      • Author by nerzog (January 29, 2008 3:44 pm ET)
           
        Agreed. I'm sick of the Horse Race saturation. Matthews has taken it to the point of absurdity by promoting it as if it was an "Ultimate Fighting" match. It's ridiculous.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Bill from Palmdale (January 30, 2008 6:53 pm ET)
           
        The number of words  the cable news stations have  used to critically analyse  the  3  Dems  health care plans , for example , could be  printed on one page-double spaced.  Yet, a photo of Obama turning his head while Hillary shakes Kennedy's hand at the SOTU is on every show for several days being dissected over and over.  Thank you Chris Matthews.      
        Report Abuse
    • Author by IRONY 101 (January 29, 2008 2:45 pm ET)
         

      Politics run in cycles and it was just a matter of time before FOX News began its descent. FOX can no longer prop up the Republican Party and vice-versa. I smell change in the air.

      Last night was particularly funny watching a distinguished FOX panel uncomfortably attempting to pretend there was substance and relevance in Bush's State of the Union Address. The only thing presently keeping FOX afloat are Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by hstybuf6553 (January 29, 2008 3:28 pm ET)
         
      I checked the ratings and it seems FNC continues to run ahead of CNN in all categories, although on the 23d CNN did very well.  must have been a debate or something.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by mefirst (January 29, 2008 4:42 pm ET)
           
        it says above, on the night of the new hampshire primary, cnn led fox by 250,000 viewers.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by swift (January 29, 2008 4:06 pm ET)
         
      This is great news, of course, but there's only one problem: TIME's CNN blows too. It's one shark attack after another, all the Britney news you can use, and not as partisan but still sucky political coverage.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by mercado (January 29, 2008 4:14 pm ET)
         

      Boehlert's book Lapdogs "How the Press Rolled Over for Bush," is a excellent read. He's lay's it out, just how the press laid around and let Bush rub their bellies!

       Very good read!

      Report Abuse
    • Author by mercado (January 29, 2008 4:17 pm ET)
         
      Eric Boehlert's book title should read: "LAPDOGS," How the press rolled over for Bush.
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    • Author by dandec5947 (January 29, 2008 4:22 pm ET)
         

      I agree it's nice to see Fox jumping from the Rudy bandwagon to the Romney bandwagon. The 84 percent that declared Bush's SOTU speech excellent shows that only the diehards are left watching Fox. (Pretty disgraceful that Fox labeled Sebellius's speech "Democrat's Response" Grammatically incorrect at best). 

      That said, I think CNN has the best group of talking heads, but the worst anchor group  of the bunch. Wolf Blitzer stammers and pauses mid-sentence, spouts "the best political team" like he has Tourrette's and just isn't smooth. When is CNN going to move John King into that role? CNN is still a mess and I find myself frequently going to Fox to hear a little less breathless discussion. Although I can't remember the  last time a Dem who wasn't on the DLC was on Fox.

      And as much as I enjoy Olbermann, Chris Matthews is a freak show, Jerry Springer wanna-be when it comes to politics making MSNBC a must-miss. 

       

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      • Author by Bill from Palmdale (January 30, 2008 6:58 pm ET)
           
        I can't listen to Wolf Blitzer.  His voice sounds like he's sitting on the toilet straining hard.  Maybe, he's constipated.  Plus, he's lousy at interviews and whatnot. 
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    • Author by glennz3773 (January 29, 2008 4:32 pm ET)
         
      Let's not get too congratulatory here. If anything, this is something of a pyrrhic victory. Look at all the damage that's been done to the country and the world during Bush's reign of error. It's satisfying to watch FOX's comeuppance, but I surmise that it's similar to the feeling a family member gets while attending the execution of their loved-one's murderer: closure, but little more. Watching FOX die won't bring back our beloved country.
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    • Author by Limit Corp. Ownership (January 29, 2008 4:45 pm ET)
         

      Well, I think we oughta give ourselves a collective pat on the back...

      I think we've dealt Fox a significant blow.  (And O'Reilly's pathetic attempt to get an interview with Obama was a hoot.  I thought maybe I was watching the Daily Show.)  But we've got a ways to go.

      The goal is really to render them a complete laughingstock.  And we've got a good start.  We need to keep the pressure on the Democrats to simply not show up.  Let the Fox heads chatter and babble among themselves, and watch their ratings plummet even further.  I'd love to see a group of bloggers destroy a "News?" station.  (Through laughter would be all the funnier.) 

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    • Author by Limit Corp. Ownership (January 29, 2008 4:57 pm ET)
         

      Great stuff by Eric Boehlert...

      Begala:  "I've never had a more surrealistic day.  If this is what one of Fox's best and most respected reporters is doing, what are the hack's up to?"

      PRICELESS

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    • Author by christianecon.com (January 29, 2008 6:09 pm ET)
         
      It's nice to see America works, eventually. First in the elections last year and now in the marketplace. Too bad America didn't respond a little quicker, like about 7 years ago.
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    • Author by lamowat592 (January 30, 2008 12:26 am ET)
         
      Am loving all this -- proposals for netroot journalism and all.  As a journalism junkie who grew up with Uncles Walter, David and Chet, I've been yearning to see ANY good broadcast journalism.  The closest I can get is Keith and NPR/PBS, and a few other glimmers here and there.  If only we could find someone who would put the money into broadcast journalism at the same level they put it into their reality shows.  Perhaps more Americans would pay attention.  I've often wondered if Ted Turner has a non-compete clause attached to his Time Warner shares -- what has happened to CNN must infuriate him. 
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    • Author by djgsd7382 (January 30, 2008 12:49 am ET)
         
      Please, this is the funniest and most wonderful thing I've read in weeks.  Sean Hannity pursued by Ron Paul supporters!  Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!  'America's Mayor'.  HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!  The cap on it all is that several weeks ago Rush Limbaugh was trumpeting that CNN's viewership was disappearing because they are 'obviously a liberal media outlet' and the local conservative talk radio jocks tripped over their own tongues when wondering how 'Judy Rulliani' would be doing in Florida.  HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!  This is too funny.  My sides hurt.  I have to go lay down...  HA HA HA HA....!!!!
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    • Author by bobisgood211 (January 30, 2008 2:24 am ET)
         
      What happened to "Send to A Friend"???
      Report Abuse
    • Author by brantl (January 30, 2008 9:23 am ET)
         
      Quote: " If this is what one of Fox's best and most respected reporters is doing, what are the hacks up to?". They're up to exactly the same thing, THey're the same people.
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    • Author by balthus (January 30, 2008 10:18 am ET)
         
      Actually, there is more we can do than "only hope." One thing I do is take action in public places where Fox News is being shown. For instance, if I go into a branch of my bank and Fox News is on the tv, being watched by customers,  I ask to speak with the branch manager. I then politely let him or her know that as a customer, I don't feel I ought to be subjected to political propoganda. I also mention how poorly it reflects on their company to promote a partisan agenda. And I request they change the channel to CNN or another more objective news source. Usually, they are much surprised, it not ever having occurred to them that Fox News is anything but neutral. They are ALWAYS willing to address my concern, and invariably change the channel. I do the same thing in restaurants and bars, letting the manager know that if they want my business, they need to respect me by not televising right-wing propaganda. It works! And if everyone did what I do, I think it could have an actual impact...think about how many people get their "news" in snatches during their daily routine. 
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      • Author by hstybuf6553 (January 30, 2008 5:25 pm ET)
           
        you must be a very popular guy. 
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      • Author by lovetobeliberal (January 30, 2008 7:27 pm ET)
           
        I have done the same thing, and it hasn't seemed to hurt my popularity one bit. In fact, they would usually have it on at the Cancer Research and Treatment Center when I would take my mom for chemo, and it got to the point when they saw us coming, they handed us the remote. :)
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      • Author by Sams Computer (January 31, 2008 11:08 pm ET)
           
        Quotation: - - YOU MUST BE A POPULAR GUY... - BUFFY -

        Yes Mr or Mrs History Buffy, and so am I. Often times I get acquainted with new and interesting friends from both sides of the island. Some say thanks, I didn't realize that. Others run the spectrum of agreeing to strongly disagreeing. Most DO agree to balance the different Media Outlets. Bottom line.... I'm friendly and likable when doing it and for doing it.

        When "DirectTV NewsMix" Launched its 8 News Outlets on one screen feature, I was concerned about a Fox News advantage. When selecting and arriving at the 8-NewsMix Screen, the Fox News Audio was automatically selected. I saw this as preferential so I shot a message out to DirectTV about this issue and now I'm happy. They change it around to be fair.
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    • Author by hstybuf6553 (January 30, 2008 5:27 pm ET)
         
      I just drove by the Kodak Theater where CNN is setting up for the debate tomorrow night.  On the sidewalk in front was the usual cast of characters, the street artists dressed as Jack Sparrow, Darth Vader, Spiderman, etc.  How appropriate, I thought.  Fakers on the outside, and fakers on the inside.
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      • Author by Sams Computer (January 31, 2008 11:17 pm ET)
           
        That Darth Vader is YOU BUFFY...

        That was a MIRROR in front of you!

        I'm only kidding Buffy because Darth Vader and the Dark Side of politics is on the way out of power. The Voters in 2008 will send Republicans to a Galaxy Far Far Far Away.
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    • Author by rustyboy33335705 (January 30, 2008 5:39 pm ET)
         
      ignorance...... Thats all this website is....Last nights numbers areFOXNEWS 2,512,000....CNN 1,882,000... fox was beat one time over the past years by cnn... how does that how thier numbers are falling??  Rush Limbaughs ratings are higher than ever... What is Air America's?? Wait a minute didn't they file for bankruptcy? If Hillary or Bararck Hussein Obama can't stand up to O'Reilly or even Hume, how the heck can they stand up to Iran??.... once again...one word....IGNORANCE
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Sams Computer (February 01, 2008 3:12 am ET)
           
        Once again..One word..IGNORANCE IS RUSTYBOY, 33335705 Times over.
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    • Author by Billy Hill (January 30, 2008 5:59 pm ET)
         

      HUH?

       

      http://insidecable.blogsome.com/2008/01/30/mondays-numbers-89/

      Report Abuse
      • Author by hstybuf6553 (January 30, 2008 6:16 pm ET)
           

        I'll try to spell it out.  In front of the Kodak, which is right next to Grauman's Chinese where they have all the stars footprints in cement, a lot of people dress in costume of movie characters.  Tourists have their pics taken with these guys/girls and pay them for the privilege.

        I thought it was interesting that on the outside you have these guys pretendiing to be some character whom they are not, and on the inside will be the dem debaters doing the same thing.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by Bill from Palmdale (January 30, 2008 7:07 pm ET)
             
          Unlike someone who calls himself 'America's Mayor' or 'Compassionate Conservative', the 'Decider', 'Straight Talker'.  Pure authenticity. 
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        • Author by lovetobeliberal (January 30, 2008 7:30 pm ET)
             
          Who are you and why do you bother us?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by hstybuf6553 (January 30, 2008 8:51 pm ET)
               
            I am here just to get your blood up.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by roundhouse (January 30, 2008 9:56 pm ET)
                 
              Talk about a lack of authenticity. That's called trolling.

              But seriously, what's so phony about the Dem candidates? Or even, what's so genuine about the other guys?
              Report Abuse
    • Author by Anonymous Dem (January 30, 2008 10:44 pm ET)
         
      Hey, I've got a crazy idea.  How about we vote for someone who will bring some principles back into our government which we pay for and we elect?  

      Obama is the one to do it.  Hillary has proven that she will not and cannot.  Place your vote and read some more on this topic if you feel like it at  http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/27/14512/4399/221/444226
      Report Abuse
      • Author by roundhouse (January 30, 2008 11:29 pm ET)
           
        Decent hit piece on Hillary.

        I'd be more impressed if he were taking aim at Republican failures. But you see, I am (was) an Edwards supporter. I will vote Democratic come November. As of right now I don't have a candidate and if Barack wants my vote he has to come get it.

        That means he has to shed his ambivalence toward organized labor and openly support and encourage our right to unionize. It would be nice if he could reconsider the jab he took at the unions, I think in the Iowa debates, when he addressed them, essentially, with the pejorative 'special interests.' He must commit to economic justice. He must commit to fostering an economy for all.

        He has to understand, as Edwards does, that the corporations and their lobbyists who basically write the tax code and regulatory legislation in DC, he has to understand that they are not about to negotiate.

        Some other things I'd like to see him articulate: Get off the nuclear energy fascination. Clean, renewable and sustainable energy is the right answer. He has the ablility to inspire a space race like determination to achieve a green revolution, but he has to do it.

        Healthcare is not a commodity, it's a human right and insurance has nothing to do with healthcare. That's all that needs to be said.

        He must not equivocate on a woman's right to choose, it's a deal breaker. He has been less than impressive on the abortion issue.

        I could go on and on but it's late.

        The first candidate to demonstrate an authentic adherence to the core Progressive values of effective geovernment, mutual responsibility, broad prosperity, smarter defense and a better future wins my vote.

        And by the way, good on you for posting that link here, it shows the kind of forward thinking, quick response the Obama team is gonna need to stay ahead of the Repubs. (Intersting timing I might add, given Edwards' exit from the race today.)

        Just realize a few rabid Hillary supporters lurk these hallways, you may be in for some harsh words.
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    • Author by himesp5150 (January 31, 2008 1:39 am ET)
         
      Don't underestimate FOX--please read about his Phoenix network in China as told by Peter Hessler in Oracle Bones. He will adapt his network.
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    • Author by ArchiesBoy (January 31, 2008 9:05 am ET)
         
      It's taken a long time, but maybe we're seeing the proper comeuppance and even the end of Fixed Noise... Hey, I can dream, can't I?
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    • Author by temphandle lately92conditioner (January 31, 2008 11:16 am ET)
         

      >For instance, on the night of the big New Hampshire primary, CNN, which habitually trails behind Fox News in the prime-time race, attracted nearly 250,000 more viewers than its top competitor, marking a changing-of-the-guard of sorts.

       

      Bad news for Fox, but I get the feeling we are replacing the Fox guarding the henhouse with his apprentice.

       

      Also, I like Fox Business News. I think they'll make be great competition for Comedy Central and G4.

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    • Author by moondancer (January 31, 2008 12:41 pm ET)
         
        I just like seeing Ailes getting his ass handed to him.  After the biz channel flop, the prospect of being the shopping network for unemployed goopers has to be unsettling. BWAHAHAHA.
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    • Author by jbuchholz2958 (January 31, 2008 2:35 pm ET)
         
      What planet does Boehlert live on?! FOX news has 8 of the top 10 rated news shows on cable network. 8 million tune into the O'Reilly factor every evening. Approx 4 million at 8 pm and another 4 million at 11 pm. MSNBC's ratings are abysmal and down another 30%.

      So people sign on to media matters to get their daily dose of misinformation and propaganda? Sorry, NBC, ABC, CNN, CBS, NYT and Media Matters. You do not control the news content any longer.
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    • Author by happygoluckytoyou2345 (January 31, 2008 5:07 pm ET)
         

      AND TO INCLUDE THE YOUTH VOTE...  MY CHILDREN REFER TO FOX NEWS AS AN OCCASIONAL COMPETITION FOR     ....COMEDY CENTRAL

      THEY KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE STORY IS... FOX WILL BUTCHER IT

      THEY KNOW THAT THE FOX OPINION IS.... IRAQ IS FINE AND THE ECONOMY IS BOOMING.... SIMILAR TO THE STATE OF DELUSION DELIVERED BY THE MOST UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT IN HISTORY...

       

       

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    • Author by Sams Computer (January 31, 2008 5:57 pm ET)
         
      FOX NEWS HAS FAILED REPUBLICANS!...

      AND Fox News Should Be Fired! - - High Ratings Did Not and Do Not translate into keeping Republicans in Power. This Sorry News Outlet will go down in historic infamy as a major reason for conservative loss of control of our great country.

      Fox News will now "Stay The Course," a strategy found deep in heart of the Bush Playbook. They will hopefully adjust some of their tactics and programming.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Sams Computer (January 31, 2008 10:56 pm ET)
         
      Quotation: - - YOU MUST BE A POPULAR GUY... - BUFFY -

      Yes Mr or Mrs History Buffy, and so am I. Often times I get acquainted with new and interesting friends from both sides of the island. Some say thanks, I didn't realize that. Others run the spectrum of agreeing to strongly disagreeing. Most DO agree to balance the different Media Outlets. Bottom line.... I'm friendly and likable when doing it and for doing it.

      When "DirectTV NewsMix" Launched its 8 News Outlets on one screen feature, I was concerned about a Fox News advantage. When selecting and arriving at the 8-NewsMix Screen, the Fox News Audio was automatically selected. I saw this as preferential so I shot a message out to DirectTV about this issue and now I'm happy. They change it around to be fair.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by djgsd7382 (February 01, 2008 1:30 am ET)
         

      The Republican Noise Machine has, for far too long, been attempting to change the course of American thought by taking over the airwaves.  It is far past time for this to cease.

       Don't get me wrong.  I don't have any problem with the airing of a conservative viewpoint.  Quite to the contrary, I believe that if we are to remain a healthy democracy, we must have all viewpoints aired and out there.  I believe that the conservatives and liberals need each other to balance each other out.

       The problem with Right Wing Talk Radio is not that they advocate a conservative position, it is that they preach that there is only one 'correct' way of thinking about things and that all other views are 'wrong', 'unpatriotic', 'surrender' or, as Rush said, the 'enemy'.  Right wing media sources are popular not because there is a demand for them, (they really do NOT represent the majority viewpoint), but because they appeal to the basest of instincts that man possesses, that of xenophobic exclusion of all that is different from you.  This message resonates with many people, people who are not emotionally secure, those not mature enough to understand tolerance and what the Constitution stands for, and those who simply find an outlet believing that their view is the only right one and that all others are without value.

      Fox network has done their level best to perform as a conduit for this view, but people are tired of it.  They are tired of right wing hate radio, tired of the inaccuracy and jaundiced viewpoints, tired of the constant harping on democrats and liberals as the enemy and, most of all, tired of the exhausting necessity of viewing most of the rest of the country as an armed nation about to attack.

      Ultimately, these ultra right wing xenophobic views never can completely take root.  Though many cannot elucidate it, the vast majority of people believe in the pie-in-the-sky ideas espoused in the constitution, such as 'all men are created equal'.  They have an inbred understanding that attacking other countries without sufficient provocation is wrong, that to support torture is a logical non-sequitur for a people who codify their belief in the rights of man in their founding documents, that all people have a right to due process under the law.  They understand that to say one thing and do another makes our entire history a lie.

      Fox News has discovered something that I was aware of all along, namely that saying you are fair and balanced is entirely different from being fair and balanced.  One is very easy to say in an offhand manner that you hope will make people think it's true.  The other requires hard work, an understanding of the personal requirements placed on those who say they believe in freedom, and a smidgeon of the idealism that drove our founding fathers to attempt the impossible.  Jefferson and rest knew that there was no way that we would ever achieve the perfect society that they pointed us toward.  But they also understood that unless you constantly keep reaching for that unreachable goal, you inevitably return to the savage and backward views that drove them to seek a new world in the first place.

       As for Fox's declining fortunes, they should have understood a very simple idea.  What you reap is what you sow. 

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