Fox & Friends' Carlson failed to disclose tea party organizer's GOP ties
SUMMARY: During an interview with Atlanta tea party organizers Jenny Beth and Lee Martin on Fox & Friends, Gretchen Carlson did not point out that Jenny Beth Martin has been a paid Republican consultant.
During the April 14 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Gretchen Carlson interviewed Atlanta tea party organizers Jenny Beth and Lee Martin, saying to them at one point, "Now you characterize yourselves as everyday Americans." However, Carlson did not mention during the interview that Jenny Beth Martin has been a paid Republican consultant. During the interview, on-screen text identified Jenny Beth Martin simply as "Atlanta Tea Party co-chairman."
As Media Matters for America senior fellow Jamison Foser recently noted, USA Today reported on April 12 that Jenny Beth Martin is a "former paid consultant for local Republican candidates." Foser further noted that Martin's blog makes no mention of her having ceased her work for the GOP. Martin states on her blog, "Recently, I began getting paid for my political consulting services for the first time. From 1992 until July, 2007, I volunteered my time and services."
During the Fox & Friends interview, Jenny Beth and Lee Martin discussed their employment history, and Jenny Beth Martin noted, "I do a lot of blogging."
As Media Matters has noted, Fox News has aggressively encouraged participation in the tea parties, which the channel has often described as primarily a response to President Obama's fiscal policies. According to Fox News host Bill Hemmer, Fox News' new website, The Fox Nation, will "host[] a virtual tea party" for those who "[c]an't get to a tea party." Fox News has also repeatedly labeled the protests "FNC Tax Day Tea Parties."
From the April 14 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:
CARLSON: OK, well, people are mad, and they aren't only sticking their heads out, they're gathering around the country in large numbers, organizing tea parties, and protesting government spending. Jenny Beth and Lee Martin are organizing a tea party in Atlanta. They're also involved with the national movement. Good morning to both of you.
JENNY BETH MARTIN: Good morning.
LEE MARTIN: Good morning.
CARLSON: Now you characterize yourselves as everyday Americans. What do you mean by that?
JENNY BETH MARTIN: We've been hit by the financial crisis and the recession, and we are like everyday Americans. We don't want our neighbors paying for our mortgage. We don't want excessive taxes, and we want fiscal responsibility with our tax dollars.
CARLSON: You don't want a government handout even though you lost your home in this recession?
JENNY BETH MARTIN: No, ma'am, we don't. We are willing to work hard, and we think that that's the responsible thing to do.
CARLSON: I would like you to explain to our viewers, because I'm inspired by your story, the both of you. And you lost your home, and then you --
LEE MARTIN: Yes, ma'am.
CARLSON: -- told your twin daughters, "Look, we're going to go on an adventure." And you have reinvented yourselves several times over just to find work, have you not? Explain to our viewers what you've done.
JENNY BETH MARTIN: Yes, we have. Lee, you should start.
LEE MARTIN: Well, first, we have a twin boy and girl, just in case they're watching.
CARLSON: OK. Sorry.
LEE MARTIN: And -- that's all right.
JENNY BETH MARTIN: That's OK.
LEE MARTIN: But, yeah, we owned a temporary staffing service, and after that failed, we decided to try to take up a few different things to try to make ends meet. We did some housekeeping, and we continue to do some of that. We also do computer repair and website design.
CARLSON: So --
JENNY BETH MARTIN: And blogging. I do a lot of blogging.
CARLSON: So a lot of people in your situation would say, "Oh, we'll just go to the government and get help." Instead you're looking at it a slightly different way, which is what in organizing these tea parties?
JENNY BETH MARTIN: Well, when we first heard [CNBC on-air editor] Rick Santelli's rant back in February, we were going in between houses that we were cleaning, and we had just lost our house, and we -- he -- it really spoke to us, because we felt like we would rather be cleaning our neighbors' houses than our neighbors paying for a mortgage we could no longer afford. And so, we decided we wanted to be involved in this movement, and that's how we got involved.
CARLSON: Did you ever believe it would pick up the steam that it has? Now we're talking about 500 cities tomorrow having these tea parties.
JENNY BETH MARTIN: Yeah, on February 20, on that first nationwide conference call, there were about 22 of us on the call, and when we hung up with that call, we thought the following Friday we'd have about five or six tea parties around the country. Instead, we had 48 tea parties all happening simultaneously on February 27. Now we're in the second wave, and it's actually over 700 tea parties now.
CARLSON: Wow.
JENNY BETH MARTIN: And it's very close to 800.
CARLSON: Well, Jenny Beth and Lee Martin, good luck as you continue to get yourselves back on your feet. And we'll all be watching tomorrow to check out these tea parties. Thanks for joining us this morning.
What's funny is that Republicans are usually so much better at messaging than this. Were they really unaware of the homoerotic undertones of the term 'teabagging'?
I suppose not. And sure that is funny.
But what is more funny, IMO, is that the radical right is able to claim they are "organizing" a "grass roots" "spontaneous" movement while at the same time their "organizers" are actually just paid political operatives.
And they have corporate funding and promotion from Fox News, Rush Limbaugh's producers and Dick Army (oh boy) and his Freedom Watch org.
This is all completely AstroTurf and PHONY.
Keep your eyes peeled for the nasty racist anti-Obama signs tomorrow ...
They should've asked Senator Wide-Stance.
This is not about bush, would liberals get off of bush and tell obama to take responsibility it is his job now. And everyone saying he inherited a mess, sure he did. Just like bush inherited a recession and was followed by the worst tragedy on american soil in our history, remember?
These protests are not about bush tax rates, they are about taxation without representation, and huge government spending, 20% of obama's new jobs are in the public sector roughly 600,000 and that will increase taxpayer liabilites along with the 33 new programs created through obama's stimulus plan. Where do you think the money is going to come from for these new programs after the stimulus money runs out, taxpayers of course.
Wow. I honestly can't tell if you're parodying the lunitic fringe or you honestly have swallowed the talking points whole.
Asking FNC to disclose a Repub operative is like asking them to disclose which shade of blonde hair dye each of their female anchors (and Glenn Beck) uses.
The best part of this interview, and the one that strikes me as the most "funny" is how they're talking about not getting bailed out even though they lost their home due to the recession, and that for some reason, this appears to be just republicans and or conservatives who are willing to work hard, and don't want someone else to pay for their lost home. This is pure unadulterated BS. There are plenty of liberals, like myself, who have also lost their jobs, and guess what? I don't expect the government to pay for my home, should it come to that. I have worked hard my entire life, been employed since I was 13 (paper route), and have not been unemployed this long since that time (lost the job back in the middle of February), but because I didn't live beyond my means, and I had saved money for just such an occasion, I'm good to go, and I start a new job in a couple of weeks. Sounds like these folks didn't plan for bad times, and didn't stash a little nest egg in case something like this did happen. Too bad for them.
I love how they push out front these "ordinary" Americans, and being a republican operative, I guess you can be normal and all, but then to not disclose that they are paid republican operatives, what folly. The other funny thing is that, as most of us know, the Southern red states receive far more federal money than the liberal sectors of the country, in other words, the liberal blue states pay for the conservative red states.
That poor, poor family. You know, somebody should lower their taxes... and then the government should pay for their home... with taxes collected from even poorer people!
Then,
Fox News and the Republicans. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption.
Well, you've got a point there methinks. And at some point in time here in the near future, Fairliberal will be coming along to tell us how much praise that FoxNews has been giving Obama lately with a bunch of unknown liberal commentators (OK, some are known, some are really not known).
Let's see. George Stephanopoulos worked for ....who was that again? Oh, yes, He was a Clintonista. And he always reminds everyone of that while he 'reports' for ABC, doesn't he? And David Gergen (that Republican press secretary), he worked for...? And when he's all agog over Obama on CNN, they always mention that he worked for Bill, right? And some of you might rememvber Dan Rather of 'Memo-gate' fame. He always mentioned that he was a fundraiser for the Democrats of Texas, I'm sure.
CBS and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption. ABC and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption. NBC and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption. CNN and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption. PBS and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption. The NY Times and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption. The Washingtom Post and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption. USA Today and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption. LA Times and Democrats. They don't have to disclose the linkage. It's an automatic assumption.
Do you notice a pattern here?
Bob S. on CBS is certainly no Dem. Gergan worked for both Republicans and Dems. CNN has at least as many Republican pundits as Dems and gives Lou Dobbs his own show. NBC gave Joe S. his own show on cable, Brian Williams has said he listens to and appreciates Rush. NY Times? Who was beating the war drum louder? PBS? Do you watch PBS? Have you read the Washington Post, USA Today, LA Times lately or are you just spouting off?
The list is long and distinguished the incestuous relationship between the MSM and Dims:
Chris Mathews - aide to Tip O'neill, Russert was an aide to Pat Moynihan, Brokaw, Rather and Jennings were supporters of Democrats, and don't forget the godfather "Uncle Walter" he was a huge left wing loon.
Never had to disclose. Never will.
Mathews worked with Tip more than thirty years ago back when Micheal Savage was a far left socialist. That is hardly the same thing. As for supporting dems again that isnt having a business relationship WITH them. Your delusional slander of Walter Cronkite, who was Americas most RESPECTED NEWSMAN is ludicrous. I didnt even KNOW he was a liberal til he retired and started writing op eds. IF you are a commentator and you have a conflict of interest it SHOULD be disclosed that is journalism 101
What can you expect from F&F? Gretchen Carlson has no thoughts of her own except "gog" and "Kids". The rest is all teleprompter. She does not even know what she is spewing - her tight clothes are tacky as well.
Where did anyone say its not ok to protest? Don't you think full disclosure should be made?
Ah... the push for rugged individualism is so sickening!
What would we get here in America if we pushed the whole right-wing concept of how a country should be run upon us all?
Answer: Somalia? Saudi Arabia? North Korea? All of these are correct!
Of all the people that will likely show up at these tea bagging love fests... I wonder if any of them will have even the slightest clue as to the true reason behind the original Boston Tea Party this sick comedy is obviously trying to imitate?
wow and people complain about george soros and moveon.org. this is even more blantent than that dead talking point.
I found this piece over @washington monthly.com: THEY'RE GOING TO NEED A LOT MORE TEA BAGS.... As April 15 approaches, this is generally the time most Americans are inclined to complain about paying Uncle Sam. It's supposed to be as American as apple pie -- we all think we're paying too much in taxes.
At least, that's what we've been led to believe. The latest survey from Gallup shows these assumptions don't seem to apply right now: "A new Gallup Poll finds 48% of Americans saying the amount of federal income taxes they pay is 'about right,' with 46% saying 'too high' -- one of the most positive assessments Gallup has measured since 1956. Typically, a majority of Americans say their taxes are too high, and relatively few say their taxes are too low."
The same poll found that 61% of Americans believe the income taxes they paid this year are "fair."
This certainly isn't the kind of public opinion landscape Republicans were hoping for. In order for conservative talking points on the economy to be effective, Americans have to believe the current tax rates are never "about right" and anything but "fair." Broad satisfaction with taxes leaves Republicans with very little else to say.
Indeed, the semi-official slogan of the Tea Baggers' events tomorrow is "T.E.A.: Taxed Enough Already." It was hard enough to make this argument shortly after the president signed the largest middle-class tax cut in history; it's even harder in light of poll results like these.
You can't have a "red scare" when Americans aren't terrified of socialism, and you can't mount a tax revolt if Americans think current rates are reasonable.
So, those 800 sites of protests with 1000s of people just don't exist, I guess. Alternate reality alert!
Fox says ACORN will maybe, morethanlikly, might disrupt the teabagging (te he) party. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/14/tea-party-protestors-gird-possible-backlash/
shhh, don't tell the left, but Democrates will be at Tea Parties also.
Democrates, any relation to Socrates?
I saw that!! Democrates was Socrates teacher!
Maybe markbfoot was referring to Democritis, but I don't think he'd be caught dead at one of these fake populist rallys.
Philosopher Groucho might show up, in character: "Whatever it is, I'm against it!" but the real Groucho was a Democrat who opposed the Vietnam war.........
He even broke one of his own rules by joining the Democratic Party. He once said that he could never belong to any organization that would have a person like him as a member.
There will be clowns and pony rides too!! Whoopie!
"shhh, don't tell the left, but Democrates will be at Tea Parties also."
Shhh, don't tell the right, but so far, no Democratic elected official has agreed to participate, compared to at least 38 GOP lawmakers.
Really, did Fox "News" tell you that?
David Shuster last night: "And in Cavuto’s defense, if you are planning simultaneous tea bagging all around the country, you’re going to need a Dick Armey."
I thought Lawrence O'Donnell really drove home the point about the mixture of "socialism" and "capitalism" last night.
I too wonder how many of those "teabaggers" are willing to give up their Medicare?
Holy Cow, just heard Hannitys run down of the cavilcade of stars that will be joining him at his tea party broadcast. I can't friggin believe that they actually got "Joe the Plumber" to show up! Damm, can you imagine seeing "Joe the Plumber"in person. I thought seeing the Beatles was really a life event but that doesn't even come close to seeing "Joe the Plumber".
I'm always looking for the positive angle. I often wonder " what would it look like if we gathered up the stupidest, most gullible Americans, and had them all stand in the same place? I'll bet that would be amusing." Now, I get to see, simply by turning on the "news" reports of Teabagapalooza.
I got some wingnut radio in during my drivin time today, and they're all very good at saying "grass roots" repeatedly when referring to this sucker party. "Bubble up" movement was how El Lushbo described it to his monkeys.
Man I missed you HBL
Add an assortment of these nuts too or is it also?!?: http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2009/04/the-rotting-racist-underbelly-of-the-tea-party-protests/
thanks for the link, Conger. That video is hilarious.Morans!
I’m starting to become pretty convinced at this point that “socialist” is a some kind of code word for “n*gger”.
I starting to think that "progressive" is some sort of code word for "silly."
Sorry, I forgot to note that the firdst quote above was from the jack-n-jill politics site.
What's sad is that FoxNews' Gretchen Carlson made it appear that these kind of people like Jenny Beth & Lee Martin are the hardworking people who lost their home but refuse to ask for a hand-out from the Fed'l Gov't as they do odd jobs to get by on until they can get back on their feet again are the people that will be attending and participating in FoxNews' Tea Parties across America tomorrow. Sad, sad, sad.
Someone should tell FoxNews Channel that their Tea Parties are about two to three weeks "behind" where most of America is at as a whole these days. People are beginning to feel good again, and for FoxNews Channel to beg their viewers to "rise-up" against Pres. Obama as some type of protest for their Tea Parties is really going to slide this good feeling back into a slump. And, I'm sure people are tired of the slump feeling about our Country. Oh well, FoxNews Channel must really "hate" President Obama by begging viewers to "rise-up" against him so that our Country remain in that slump. This is sad too. So sad indeed.
I found this @washingtonmonthly that explained the tea-bag protest to me, it might help you guys understand too!
WITH AN EYE ON THE FUTURE.... Over at QandO, McQ wants to help me understand why the Tea Baggers are getting together tomorrow. Since I've been struggling with the point of the Tea Parties, I'm anxious to get some additional insights.
I see. So, at some point in the future (we don't know when), some politicians (we don't know who) might find it necessary to raise taxes. Whose taxes would be raised? It's too soon to say. How much would taxes go up? No one knows.
But the mere prospect of a possible future tax increase has led untold thousands of activists, an entire cable news network, corporate lobbyists, conservative bloggers, conservative talk-radio hosts, and Republican officials to organize a series of national events. With extraordinary foresight, they've organized thousands of rallies to register their outrage, not at existing tax rates, but at tax policies that haven't been proposed, but might exist at some undermined point.
Got it.
With this in mind, I can only conclude that the Tea Parties are the most forward-thinking political events in the history of the country.