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Axelrod: Fox News "really not news, it's pushing a point of view" and other outlets shouldn't treat them as news

October 18, 2009 10:36 am ET

From the October 18 edition of ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos:

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Previously:

Memo to the media: Fox News is now the Opposition Party

Fox's news programs echo its "opinion" shows: Smears, doctored videos, GOP talking points

"Voice of the opposition": Fox News openly advocates against Democratic Congress, White House

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    • Author by Bad News (October 18, 2009 10:59 am ET)
      4 2
      Fox News "Really Not News" It's about time somebody said it.
      It's hard to say you're a News Channel when you have the integrity of a Snake Pit.
      "Please Don't Fox News Me" This should be the Main Stream Media's Anthem.
      Smear & Lies are at the Heart of News Corp's inner Sanctum.

      Speak truth to power.


      Mr. News

      Report Abuse
      • Author by joetea48 (October 19, 2009 12:21 pm ET)
        1 1
        Fox News is nothing more than a pretentious, bafflegab of extreme bias virtually void of critical thought and bullish on analyses from mindless conservative twits. I would call it an extension of the Republican Party, but these guys are so right of sensible right, they make even the most fervent of Republicans look like a bunch of whining pinkos by comparison.

        Not a credible news source, just shock value and infotainment of the poorest form. Like if Gerry Springer ran a news room, about that believable.

        They bring a high degree of shame and a suspended feeling of disbelief to America around the globe and simply re-affirm the notion of the 'Ugly America' at a time when the President is attempting to build bridges, not destroy them. But, what would a black, educated President know about anything anyway? He probably wasn't even elected, it's no doubt simply a conspiracy to keep 'fascists' down - that's all it is, a damn conspiracy!
        Report Abuse
      • Author by sectumsempra (October 19, 2009 8:04 pm ET)
        1  
        This is all an attempt by the other equally biased "news" sources to discredit Fox News for reporting from the other side of the isle. The scary thing is that most people don't even realize this. Fox has been ahead of the curve on many topics (ACORN) and it is in the best interest of the nation to have news outlets that examine both parties. If Fox is not news, what does that make MSNBC?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by TheDayV (October 18, 2009 11:05 am ET)
      1  
      "...other news organizations, like yours..."

      And especially you, Stephanopoulos.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by DAWUSS (October 18, 2009 11:42 am ET)
      2 1
      So where does Shep Smith fit into all this?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by thundavolt (October 18, 2009 11:46 am ET)
      6 2
      I'm finding this so hilarious. Fox are actually trying to fight this charge. There is mountains of evidence and even if it had not been collected before you sure as hell could build a solid case between the beginning of Fox and Friends and the end of Hannity's America tomorrow. They have been doing this without challenge for so long they are now convinced they can get away it this time.

      They have made the error of trying to drag it out for short term finacial gain. This is going to do so long term damage because once a significant portion of viewers take them for the joke they are it's going to take a lot of work and money to fix it.

      I encourage all media to be critical but fair of all elected officials but not just attack and push an agenda.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by progressiveright (October 18, 2009 11:53 am ET)
        5 3
        The problem with that is the Fox viewers and listeners believe Fox is correct and nothing anyone else can say will change their minds. Fox needs to put a warning on all of its shows that this opinion and have the ticker show every lie at 3/4 of the screen.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by thundavolt (October 18, 2009 12:11 pm ET)
          4 1
          I forgot to mention the ticker. Some places have a TV tuned in to Fox with the volume off. All you have is a ticker streaming lies and regular "Breaking News" flashes doing the same or just attacking. There are Fox viewers that will never change but there is a group that are independent. They can't afford to lose this group, because as far as I'm concerned businesses advertise to people with money and that's not the Fox faithful.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by DixieChyc (October 18, 2009 11:54 am ET)
      4 15
      With most all of the main stream media (MSM) so far up the hind quarters of the White House that they cannot see clearly, Fox News is the only media outlet that airs what the others will not. How dare Fox News question the motives of the current White House administration? How dare Fox News point out corruption and uncover the questionable practices and goals of those in power - from the president, to his czars, to his communications team? Of course, no one in the media did that when Bush was in office, did they? Sarcasm intended.

      My G*d, for 8 years all I heard on MSM was everything anti-Bush/Cheney, from pleadings to impeach, to demands for prosecution, to endless jokes about Bush’s ineptness at public speaking, to Cheney’s bad aim while hunting, and to the bottom line: Bush did it (whatever was wrong at the moment).

      You claim that Fox News has transformed itself into the Opposition Party of the Obama White House, when, in reality, Fox is taking the hard road in saying, Wait a minute, let's take look at what is going on that others are missing. Imagine the audacity of a news outlet being a watchdog? What I want to know is this. What happened to all of the media outlets being watchdogs? Did that go out the window with Hope and Change?

      What is blatant and exponentially wrong is this. We have an angry White-House that declared war on Fox News, conservatives, tea partiers and town hall demonstrators while going around the world kissing the hind quarters of our real enemies and apologizing for America! Mr. President – you and your followers – What you are saying to millions of Fox News viewers, is that you declared war not only against Fox News, but also against the many millions of us who view and support Fox. So, pray tell, does that make me (a law abiding, tax paying 8th generation American citizen) an enemy of the state?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by John Paradox (October 18, 2009 12:07 pm ET)
        5 4
        We have an angry White-House that declared war on Fox News, conservatives, tea partiers and town hall demonstrators while going around the world

        Right.. like the US 'declared war' on Iraq.

        So, now that we've got today's faxed talking points, what else is there to do?
        Report Abuse
        • Author by DixieChyc (October 18, 2009 12:16 pm ET)
          3 11
          Faxed? What are you talking about, John? I am just your average citizen taking time to comment (using the writing skills I learned in higher education) on matters of import to me on this fine Sunday morning. Why not answer my question? Am I an enemy since I did not vote for or support the current White House, or am I an enemy just because I watch (OMG) the dreaded scourge of our times: Fox News?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by political_left-religious_right (October 19, 2009 2:46 pm ET)
            1 1
            Let's tally up your first entry, shall we?

            With most all [most or all, not both]
            main stream [mainstream]
            hind quarters [hindquarters]
            White House administration [White House or administration, not both]
            Sarcasm intended. [sentence fragment]
            G*d [God--what, is that profanity where you come from?]
            on MSM [from the MSM]
            saying, Wait [saying, "Wait]
            take look [take a look]
            know is this. What [this: What]
            wrong is this. We [this: We]
            White-House [White House]
            hind quarters [hindquarters, again]

            And remember, she was "using the writing skills I learned in higher education."

            I hope she gets a refund.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by jjamele2880 (October 18, 2009 12:13 pm ET)
        7 2
        Your grip on reality, always tenuous, has finally slipped completely. I hope the fall doesn't bruise you too badly.

        Just for starters, please link all the ABC, CBS, and NBC hosts and guests "pleading to impeach" and "demands for prosecution" (what alternate universe were you living in, where you saw this?, the national media-driven scandal that was Cheney's bad aim (seriously- compare that to the media's reaction to Bill Clinton having sex in the White House. You are unreal) and the constant jokes about Bush's ineptness at public speaking (you might need to be reminded that MAD TV and Saturday Night Live are NOT NEWS SHOWS.)

        No, your support of Fox doesn't make you an enemy of the state. It makes you a brainless, clueless twit with a head full of mush and a persecution complex. And really scary. And weird.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by DixieChyc (October 18, 2009 12:23 pm ET)
          2 7
          Congratulations! You have just referred to millions upon millions of Americans as brainless, clueless twits with mushy heads, persecution complexes, not mention being really scary and weird. Since when did freedom of speech and voicing your opinion warrant such labels?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by jjamele2880 (October 18, 2009 12:26 pm ET)
            7 2
            Judging from the tea parties, the "Obama-Hitler" signs, and the drooling morons who would rather miss the birth of their first child than an episode of Glenn Beck, I have no problem in declaring that there are millions of millions clueless morons among my countrymen. The existence of Fox "news" is proof positive that they are out there- how could the network exist without them?
            Report Abuse
            • Author by loonz (October 18, 2009 12:45 pm ET)
              8 2
              And they're confused about what took place Boston. The colonists thought it was unconstitutional for them [and rightly so] to pay taxes since they had no representation in parliament. These teabaggers have representation and they're still complaining.
              Report Abuse
          • Author by loonz (October 18, 2009 12:34 pm ET)
            7 1
            They're nut cases. There's no better way to describe them. And why are you talking about freedom of speech to us? We're not the government.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (October 18, 2009 12:40 pm ET)
            5  
            Congratulations! You have just referred to millions upon millions of Americans as brainless, clueless twits with mushy heads
            "Think of the Average American. Now realize that half the country is dumber than that bastard." --George Carlin
            Report Abuse
          • Author by DellDolly (October 18, 2009 12:56 pm ET)
            6 1
            We didn't force anyone to act like they are brainless, clueless twits with mushy heads and persecution complexes. The portrait is accurate.

            And get a clue about freedom of speech arguments. For someone who pretends to come here to educate us, it's pretty sad that you are so clueless about that.

            The First Amendment protects US citizens from the government restricting their free speech.

            It does NOT protect you from having us tell you why you're full of it. It doesn't stop anyone from criticizing FoxNews.

            It's a strawman argument to claim that we're saying that your head is full of mush because you disagree with us. It's your dissing of reality that makes us say that. It's a strawman argument to claim that you're clueless because you've voiced your opinion - it's that your opinion is not based on full and factual information that makes you clueless.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by pros2pros2940 (October 18, 2009 1:08 pm ET)
            5  
            Actually, FauxNews has a fraction of the audience the major networks have.....abc, nbc & cbs have between 20 - 23 million people watch - FauxNews 3-5 million. That would put you and FauxNew in the fringe

            FauxNew lies on air each and every day and the likes of hannity, Beck, et al just make things up.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by DellDolly (October 18, 2009 4:32 pm ET)
              6  
              According to a news story on FoxNews Online today,

              "Though Fox News has won the cable news ratings race consistently for years and is closing in on network news numbers, Axelrod and Emanuel both encouraged other news outlets to not treat Fox News as a news organization."

              Not sure how they expect to ever catch up with broadcast news!
              Report Abuse
              • Author by srichardson (October 18, 2009 5:29 pm ET)
                3  
                Fox keeps touting that they win the ratings war, but have they ever won any journalism awards? Surely Beck will win the Pulitzer to exposing Obama and his secret cult within the WH walls. I ready the above story DellDolly mentioned and also read the blogs. It's obvious this is an arm of Fox. Some idiot wrote that Fox needed to put up a basketball goal so Obama would come to Fox. That kind of crap gets old really fast. And people wonder why we feel racism is a part of the hatred toward all things Obama. It's sickening.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by political_left-religious_right (October 19, 2009 2:54 pm ET)
                1  
                I remember going to a tractor pull once with my older brother, who is into such things. Before the real machines came out, there was a "peewee" division, where people pulled the triangular device with lawn mowers.

                Fox is the perpetual winner of the lawn mower portion. It's still not the main event.
                Report Abuse
          • Author by freaktank (October 18, 2009 8:14 pm ET)
            2  
            There is nothing wrong with voicing opinions and no one is trying to censure Fox News or prevent it from spreading its opinions. The problem comes when you call these opinions "news". Once upon a time news organizations were structured such that the front page, or hard news topics, were what drove the content of the editorial page. Fox has flipped this relationship. The reporting that is done on their "hard news programs" is driven by the agenda of its editorial dept which is most likely driven by Rupert Murdoch's desire to generate advertising dollars via ratings. Here is a perfect example. http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/10/post_16.php
            Fox can't even offer opinions that are based on fact (see birthers, tea party people, Glenn Beck (who alledgedly raped and murder a young girl in 1990), etc...) so they offer lies and misinformation instead.

            To paraphrase: A poo called by any other name will smell as rank

            It is unfortunate for you DixieChyc, that the conservative movement in America gets too much its information from a BS source like Fox. It is unfortunate for the rest of us that you are all so closed minded and whiny.

            Why a bunch of "Red Blooded Americans" would prefer to get their "news" from an organization run by some British guy will never make sense to me. At least Ted Turner is an American.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by bintx (October 19, 2009 10:12 am ET)
            3  
            You are vastly over stating the number of Fox viewers. During the day, Fox comes in a poor third in its "reach." At night, Fox has an average viewership for its ENTIRE night time programing of between 2-3 million.

            BTW, freedom of speech refers to the ability of the population to speak without GOVERNMENT interference. You can say whatever you want and so can I. Just because you have the "freedom to speak," doesn't mean that I don't have the "freedom of speech" to critique and rebut what you've said.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by loonz (October 18, 2009 12:30 pm ET)
        5 1
        "With most all of the main stream media (MSM) so far up the hind quarters of the White House that they cannot see clearly, Fox News is the only media outlet that airs what the others will not. How dare Fox News question the motives of the current White House administration? How dare Fox News point out corruption and uncover the questionable practices and goals of those in power - from the president, to his czars, to his communications team? Of course, no one in the media did that when Bush was in office, did they? Sarcasm intended."


        If the media was on the White House side, they would play up the stimulus package more instead of adopting the conservative talking points that it's not having an effect; they would be making the point that the president is not responsible for most debt; they would be playing up health care reform and the public option instead of trying disparaging it; They republican party would be painted as knee-jerk obstructionist to anything the Democrats propose; The tea baggers would be reduced to the nut cases that they are instead of being treated as though they're sane; Cap and trade would be on the White House desk; etc. The media is picking up on too many right wing memes but no organization is as blatant as FOX "News".

        "My G*d, for 8 years all I heard on MSM was everything anti-Bush/Cheney, from pleadings to impeach, to demands for prosecution, to endless jokes about Bush’s ineptness at public speaking, to Cheney’s bad aim while hunting, and to the bottom line: Bush did it (whatever was wrong at the moment)."


        You didn't hear that in the MSM. Liberal blogs are not the MSM.

        "You claim that Fox News has transformed itself into the Opposition Party of the Obama White House, when, in reality, Fox is taking the hard road in saying, Wait a minute, let's take look at what is going on that others are missing. Imagine the audacity of a news outlet being a watchdog? What I want to know is this. What happened to all of the media outlets being watchdogs? Did that go out the window with Hope and Change?"


        It didn't transform into the opposition party; it has always been that way. They've always tried to tear down the Democratic party and propped up the republican party hence they're the propaganda arm of the republican party.

        "What is blatant and exponentially wrong is this. We have an angry White-House that declared war on Fox News, conservatives, tea partiers and town hall demonstrators while going around the world kissing the hind quarters of our real enemies and apologizing for America! Mr. President – you and your followers – What you are saying to millions of Fox News viewers, is that you declared war not only against Fox News, but also against the many millions of us who view and support Fox. So, pray tell, does that make me (a law abiding, tax paying 8th generation American citizen) an enemy of the state?"


        FOX News declared war on the White House and finally the administration is taking a stand.

        Also, we don't think you're an enemy of the state; we think you and buddies are nut cases.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by DixieChyc (October 18, 2009 12:43 pm ET)
            4
          -we don't think you're an enemy of the state; we think you and buddies are nut cases-

          Thanks for clearning that up. I guess I must be a nut case for turning off Fox News long enough to try to communicate and to understand the view points of others.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by loonz (October 18, 2009 12:57 pm ET)
            5  
            You buy the crap that FOX News is selling so in my book you're not all there.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by DellDolly (October 18, 2009 12:59 pm ET)
            6  
            You aren't a nut case because you turned off FoxNews. That was a good choice. You're a nut case because you're going to turn it back on and believe that you get a fair and balanced view from them. You're a nut case because you think that their lies, distortions and omissions make them a good foil for the Obama Administration.

            You came here to try to understand the viewpoints of others? Don't make us laugh. You did nothing of the sort.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by pilotx (October 18, 2009 10:41 pm ET)
            1  
            Didn't Fox get its talking points directly from the Bush WH? And isn't Rove and Bush's former media spokewoman Fox contributors? What more do you need, Michael Steele guest hosting for Chris Wallace? If Fox isn't the propaganda wing of the RNC I must be missing something. Fair and balanced my hindquarters. And I don't think there are millions of tea partiers, maybe hundreds of thousands but not millions.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by bintx (October 19, 2009 10:15 am ET)
            1  
            Try turning off Fox and investigating what they've been telling you from reliable NEWS sources. You trash the "MSM" [technically, Fox is a member of the MSM], but I doubt that you ever watch it. You just get your information on what is being said from your heroes on Fox.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by worrierking (October 18, 2009 12:33 pm ET)
        8  
        The watch dogs have rabies. All they talk about is death panels, birth certificates, FEMA camps, communists and various conspiracy theories with absolutely no evidence. NONE.

        And their bright new star has made it his mission to bring down the administration. For what? Because he thinks he can?

        It's strange that your whining about whether someone considers you an enemy of the state. Remember, that each and every one of the cowards on the right who refused to serve this country, like Limbaugh O'Reilly, Hannity and Beck, have all called honorable people on the left traitors and un-American for asking legitimate questions about real policies.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by eweston8542983 (October 18, 2009 1:37 pm ET)
          2  
          Mr. Steele has an opinion. Will we see this on our liberal media? Doubtful, they're shivering from imagining the noise machine's hyperbolic reaction, if they were to do such a foolish thing
          Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (October 18, 2009 12:50 pm ET)
        5  
        We have no issues with any news organization questioning the White House, their motives and their policies. The problem is that FoxNews doesn't do so in a fair and impartial way. There's no problem with any news source being a watchdog. But going after innocent people, smearing people, lying about results, failing to include relevant details that debunk their talking points, that's not being a watchdog, and that's what FoxNews does. That behavior has been documented here for years - for you to ignore reality is very typical of FoxNews lapdogs here. News sources are not supposed to be lapdogs, nor are their supporters supposed to ignore reality as you clearly do.

        Bush was pretty terrible as a President, and there was lots to legitimately object to. Obama, on the other hand, not so much, yet FoxNews didn't go after Bush like they should have and they've gone after Obama and his hires way too much given the actual evidence of wrongdoing from all of them.

        And yet again we see the "victim card" being played with the comment that the White House has declared war on FoxNews. Sorry, they declared war first, so you don't get to play the victim card here.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by opus15b (October 18, 2009 2:51 pm ET)
        2  
        What does being an "8th generation American citizen" have to do with anything? Does that give you more rank than a 2nd generation??
        Report Abuse
        • Author by bintx (October 19, 2009 10:22 am ET)
          1  
          I think I can beat her . . . not only do I qualify for the DAR on both sides of my family, I'm also part Cherokee on both sides [and yes, to the genealogy nut who doubted my claims on another post a while back, I KNOW this to be a fact . . . we do genealogy in MY family, too.] Don't think that gives me more rank than anyone else.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by LKL (October 19, 2009 12:06 pm ET)
          1  
          Good point - what was that supposed to prove? That she's more American than some lame 4th-generation citizen?
          Report Abuse
      • Author by srichardson (October 18, 2009 3:47 pm ET)
        4  
        Do you honesty think that Fox News is the only network that tells the truth? So, the rest of TV land is in cahoots and lying to America. That is beyond paranoid. And you say the White House is declaring war on Fox's millions of listeners!!! Maybe 3 million out of how many American people! Get real. The WH is not alienating anyone with any moral sense when they call Fox out for what they are. Or should I say what they are not, a real news network. There is a difference in calling out corruption in politics and making up corruption in politics. The Tea Baggers are mad about their taxes. They haven't went up (and in most cases went down) since Obama has been in office. The right wing is furious that the rest of America spoke and elected a President that finally has some sense. They can't deal with it so they listen to the conspiracy theories coming from Fox and take it as gold. In reality, it makes people look stupid. Obama isn't going around the world apologizing for America. If people would listen to what he really says, and not just what Hannity and Beck say Obama says, they'd see for themselves. If you compare the corruption from the Bush/Cheney era to what is supposedly in the WH these days, Bush/Cheney win hands down.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by bintx (October 19, 2009 10:08 am ET)
        3  
        Lord help us, a 24/7 Foxbot. Hon, you need to turn off the television and get out in the real world. BTW, there aren't "many millions" of you watching Fox. During the day, Fox has less than half the viewership of CNN and MSNBC combined and at night, an average of 2-3 million watch Fox. Reruns of Smallville on The CW has higher ratings that Fox's entire night-time line up. Most people get their news elsewhere and watch REAL entertainment at night.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Boxer1979 (October 18, 2009 12:20 pm ET)
      6  
      Axelrod: Fox News "really not news, it's pushing a point of view" and other outlets shouldn't treat them as news

      Any objections??? Hmm???
      Report Abuse
      • Author by jjamele2880 (October 18, 2009 12:24 pm ET)
        7  
        I guess the 100% approval of Bush's illegal war in Iraq in 2003 was just a trap set up by the evil, Bush-hating media so they could turn on him later, when things went wrong. I guess the constant, deferential treatment given to the Swift Boat Veterans Who Didn't Serve with Kerry was another part of the evil plot- get Bush re-elected, so we can stomp on him later.

        Bizarre.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by DixieChyc (October 18, 2009 12:35 pm ET)
            8
          This just in from the Miami Herald...
          An unclassified U.S. intelligence report says Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is moving forcefully to stifle media criticism by closing scores of radio stations, tightening controls on one TV station and maneuvering to seize control of another.

          Chávezs government is moving forcefully to silence critics, the Open Source Center wrote in a report dated Aug. 3.

          Do any of you denounce what Chavez is doing, or do you think those pesky Venezuelen media outlets are just causing trouble for their govt and deserve to be shut down? Just wondering.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Easy to refute wingnuts (October 18, 2009 12:43 pm ET)
            9  
            False equivalence is a logical fallacy. But logical fallacies are the only arguments you are able to make.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by DellDolly (October 18, 2009 12:43 pm ET)
            6  
            Okay, after you explain what the choices made by a ruler in another country has to do with FoxNews being called a partisan, unfair news channel, sure, be happy to tell you how I feel about Chavez.

            Until then, you're off topic and trying to derail a thread with an off topic rant.

            That makes your post a troll post.

            Please don't feed the troll.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by pros2pros2940 (October 18, 2009 1:10 pm ET)
            6  
            So......now you're worried about the democraticly elected head of a country breaking laws ?

            Did you sleep through the previous 8 years ?
            Report Abuse
          • Author by pilotx (October 18, 2009 10:50 pm ET)
            1  
            Depends, if Chavez has a legitimate reason to silence those media outlets then I don't have a problem with it. If he is doing it to gain political advantage then of course I oppose it. He says he is doing it because they are advocating for violent revolution but I would need to talk to a few Venezuelans or make a trip down there to see what's going on myself before I denounce anything. This is a tactic used by Hannity, get someone to denounce something he disagrees with without knowing all the details.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by bintx (October 19, 2009 10:24 am ET)
            3  
            Nobody's saying that Fox should be shut down. They are just calling Fox out for what it is . . . . purely propaganda.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by atum (October 19, 2009 2:56 pm ET)
               
            there is no logic to your argument, so I will not waste my time to refute it. Find something else
            Report Abuse
    • Author by nerzog (October 18, 2009 1:40 pm ET)
      4  
      The only way the cancer of FOX "news" can be cured is for other Media Outlets to do their jobs and call them out on their lies. FOX is hiding behind the First Amendment while it acts as the propaganda organ of one political party. It's up to the Free Press to police its own back yard.

      If the MSM continues to play dumb and allow FOX to spread its lies unchallenged, we will probably see a repeat of the Political cycle that poisoned the country from 1994-2006.

      I realize there's not much hope for the true-believers like our little FOX Apologist here today, but maybe enough independents can be convinced not to allow the Troglodytes to seize power again.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by DellDolly (October 18, 2009 4:29 pm ET)
      6  
      FoxNews has a story on their website about today's events.

      Michael Clemente, Fox News' senior vice president of news, said the administration's strategy appears to be misdirected.

      "Surprisingly, the White House continues to declare war on a news organization instead of focusing on the critical issues that Americans are concerned about like jobs, health care and two wars. The door remains open and we welcome a discussion about the facts behind the issues," Clemente said in a written statement.

      ---- Yeah, somehow this President can't walk and chew gum at the same time now, huh? ----

      Former Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove said Fox News' commentators have been tough on Obama but the White House appears to be confusing the news and opinion that appears on the network.

      "They're conflating the news side and the opinion side in order to -- in order to attack a media outlet. Again, it's undignified for the president of the United States to be doing" Rove said on "Fox News Sunday."

      ---- So, Rove is pushing the debunked talking point that their news side is honest, fair and balanced, and that this supposed fairness from their news source is the only criteria we can look at, and it's unfair to judge their opinion shows based upon their lack of factual honesty and bias. ----


      Report Abuse
      • Author by political_left-religious_right (October 19, 2009 3:01 pm ET)
        1  
        the critical issues that Americans are concerned about like jobs, health care and two wars

        And when did Fox suddenly become interested in these topics? I mean, other than in a way they could somehow use them to smear Obama yet again?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by ItaloSuave (October 18, 2009 7:18 pm ET)
        3
      Quite frankly, when David Axelrod worked in the Media in Chicago, covering politics as it so happened, he pushed a "point of view" relentlessly, in my own view, to exclude any coverage provided for Chicago Tribune readers of the two congressional candidates I served as campaign press secretary, in both 1982 and 1984. James Moynihan, and Charles Theusch, each of who ran against then incumbent Frank Annunzio, in a Congressional District that stretched from almost Downtown Chicago, all the way out to the O'Hare Airport in Des Plaines, Illinois.

      I sent David Axelrod press release after press release. I sent him press kits. I sent him photographs. Nothing. No coverage. No call to our campaign. It was a total white-out snow storm condition.

      Finally, I called David Axelrod up, and just asked him, why no coverage? Didn't he think it was important that voters be well informed, before casting their votes in what was then Chicago Illinois' 11th Congressional District? Mr. Axelrod replied, that I had no idea how many press kits and press releases he received in his office in the Chicago Tribune. Lamely, he explained that he could not possibly spare a spot of ink to cover my candidate, a Republican.

      So then, encountering his stiff necked refusal to do his job, I just said to him, "David, if I were you, and I were as partisan as you are proving to be, I would just be more honest with myself, and with others who vote, by quitting my Journalism job, and going into Politics myself."

      I have to say, I think that was the year David Axelrod did indeed quit his media career as a political columnist and journalist, and start his very successful political consultancy career.

      I would like to take the credit for that development, at least. And now, of course, "the shoe is on the other foot," so-to-speak, as David complains about biased coverage for his political campaign Client, our new President, Barack Obama.
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    • Author by pam95650 (October 19, 2009 1:45 am ET)
      3  
      You know FOX is going to jump all over this statement. I can just hear the whiner Hannity talking trash with that darn pen in his hand. NO ONE on FOX has ever said anything nice about this President.
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    • Author by bluestate69 (October 19, 2009 2:37 am ET)
      2  
      this ratings argument is always being brought up by right wingers. rush limbaugh has the highest ratings in the business, but the republicans still lost badly in 06' and 08', and they lost in red states. ratings me nothing as far as political movements are concerned. millions tuned in to watch erckel and alf.
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    • Author by ronnieflores079378 (October 19, 2009 2:43 am ET)
        3
      david axelrod gets so nervious when his on this shows its like seeing a student go to the principal`s office to see the principal and that statement about Fox is not like ABC MR. Axelrod please give me a break, ms.Valerie seems to have what a men does not have or in other words Men up men you don`t look or sound good when you do this appearances Thank You
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    • Author by bdipier (October 19, 2009 4:29 am ET)
      3  
      As most people here are surely aware, the rest of the world also knows that Fox "News" is nothing but crap. I live in New Zealand and I can honestly say that most everyone on this side of the globe knows that Fox News isn't really news...it's right-winged propaganda aimed at mindless drones who believe anything some lunatic chants from behind a fancy looking news desk. Case in point: Glen Beck. How is such a moron so popular?! I honestly feel sorry for the majority of intelligent Americans who have to share their space with such nut jobs. Good luck to you all!
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    • Author by Plinko14 (October 19, 2009 7:24 am ET)
        1
      Why is this news? I'm an independent and it's widely known that FOX is full of conservative crazies. It is also widely known that CNN (Clinton News Network) is a bunch of blue-blooded die hard democrats. Get over it, every media outlet is pushing their own agenda. Just like every single person in our government is corrupt. All politicians are crooks. You gotta break a few rules to get as far as they do in the brutal game of politics.

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      • Author by bintx (October 19, 2009 10:30 am ET)
        1  
        It's news because many people don't realize that Fox, CNN and MSNBC are not, technically, news outlets. Fox presents itself as a "fair and balanced" news network when, for the most part, it is neither fair nor balanced and it most certainly is NOT a news network.
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    • Author by keaton (October 19, 2009 9:38 am ET)
        1
      Folks, if everything is true that you've said about Foxnews, conservatives, etc. then why do you continue to yell at them?

      If they really are "morons" then stop discussing this point. If you really are arguing with "morons" and "retards" then what's the point ... it's the equivalent of arguing with a tree.

      As supposed intellectuals you've put yourself in an idiotic spot.
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      • Author by bintx (October 19, 2009 10:30 am ET)
        1 1
        You are conflating conservatism and Fox . . . that is an incorrect posit. Fox is simply pushing a Republican agenda. There is nothing "conservative" about it.
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        • Author by keaton (October 20, 2009 5:11 pm ET)
             
          Classic. Let's ignore the content and challenge a technicality.

          You write like a lawyer.
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      • Author by bintx (October 19, 2009 10:31 am ET)
        1 1
        You are incorrectly conflating Fox with "conservatism." Fox is an opinion network which pushes and supports the RNC . . . . there is nothing "conservative" about it.
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    • Author by Lizinbklyn (October 19, 2009 10:31 am ET)
      1  
      This link will take you to a Court ruling which gives faux the 'RIGHT TO LIE' to their lemmings . .

      http://philly2philly.com/politics_community/politics_community_articles/2009/6/29/4854/fox_news_wins_lawsuit_misinform_public

      *
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    • Author by ugenius (October 19, 2009 6:34 pm ET)
         
      thanks for pointing out the obvious. hope i don't break your heart when i tell you that CNN does what Fox News does, just from the left instead of the right. very few unbiased news sources remain. CNN and Fox News are the worst of the bunch.
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    • Author by gingerdog (October 19, 2009 7:12 pm ET)
         
      Whether or not FOX reports what the White House (or anyone else, for that matter) likes, believes, or agrees with is beside the point. This is a First Amendment issue. Do you really want the gov't deciding where you get your news? While you are childishly throwing insults about IQ and typographical errors, remember that it is the First Amendment that gives you the right to do so. I vehemently oppose Obama and his administration. However, I absolutely support the right of those who disagree with me to express their opinions..............no matter where they get their news.
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      • Author by mikehuck1976 (October 20, 2009 5:55 pm ET)
           
        This is NOT a first amendment issue. No one tried to keep Fox News from spewing their nonsense. They are free to do so. And the White House is free to label them the opposition. Learn what the First Amendment is all about. You sound ridiculous.
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    • Author by fairliberal (October 19, 2009 9:56 pm ET)
         
      The Obama administration has a more cohesive plan to combat Fox than they do in Afghanistan. Shouldn't it be the other way around.

      Help help, Michelle, Fox is picking on me. Get your mother , maybe she will know what to do.
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    • Author by brvanisi (October 20, 2009 11:32 am ET)
         
      I'm so glad we are finally exposing Fox News. When I want unbiased news I turn to Olberman, Matthews, Sanchez and the rest of the truly fair, and unbiased news sources!
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    • Author by tada (October 21, 2009 1:35 am ET)
         
      Axelrod and Emmanuel are nutcases. Everyone who is anyone in PR knows you don't attack a "checks and balances" new organizations. It is outright comical! Why are thou so afraid? Never had opposition before? The appearances on ABC News and such this weekend were embarrassing for the Obama administration. Fear tactics and bullying....pluhhhhese! get a life guys....Not only do they attack FOX News, they also warn and threaten the local networks and other cable new networks not to associate with them?! Gosh, I recall Jr. High so well, and, uh, this was it! Or this IS it....come on guys. Grow some backbones.
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