“The Republicans Are A Bunch Of Cowards”: Fox News' Overt Political Activism

Over at Fox Nation right now, you'll see the following story:

The headline, and the article that accompanies it, are shocking for a couple of reasons. First of all, this is Fox News, where charges of Republican cowardice are about as commonplace as Tasmanian tigers.

Secondly, this is not Fox Nation's interpretation of someone else's reporting -- this is their voice. The article does not link to any outside party, but instead declares outright:

Senate Democrats are proposing $4.7 billion in cuts, about 0.1% of this year's total federal spending. But the Republicans are not much better. The GOP is proposing $57.5 billion in cuts, about 1.6% of this year's total federal spending.

Let's be clear. This is not why the American people sent the Tea Party to Washington. This is not the bold action America needs. It is cowardice plain and simple. Let your voice be heard.

They also provide a link to Fox Nation's contact page for government officials, telling readers: “Click here to contact your representative!”

So yes, Fox News is calling Republicans (and Democrats) “cowards” on the budget and is actively encouraging readers to pressure members of Congress adhere to the platform of the Tea Party, which is an overwhelmingly pro-Republican group. Usually they at least take some perfunctory half-measures to conceal their motives, but this is straight-up political activism.