On Fox News, where hosts and “political analysts” openly endorse and raise money for Republicans, even the "Democratic" side is raising money for the GOP.
Today, the congressional campaign of John Gomez (R-NY) announced that it will hold a fundraiser this weekend featuring “top political strategist Doug Schoen.” Schoen is a Fox News contributor who is usually identified as a “Democratic pollster” or “Democratic consultant.” A brief look:
During this election cycle, Schoen has been on television and in the opinion pages purporting to give Democrats advice on how they can help their election chances. For instance, his most recent op-ed on FoxNews.com is titled, “What Dems Must Do If They Want to Hold the Senate.” In April, “Democratic pollsters” Schoen and Pat Caddell - himself a Fox News “Democrat” -- took to the Washington Post to urge Democrats to “start embracing an agenda that speaks to the broad concerns of the American electorate ... the agenda that is driving the Tea Party movement and one that has the capacity to motivate a broadly based segment of the electorate.”
Schoen's Gomez event appears to be yet another appearance linked to Fox News host Sean Hannity. As Media Matters previously documented, Hannity reportedly promised New York Republican and Conservative Party leaders he would “do all he could” to promote Gomez, help him fundraise and bring in headliners for events if they gave Gomez their party nods. In September, Newsday reported that “Gomez arranged [Fox News contributor Newt] Gingrich's [fundraising] visit through childhood friend and TV host Sean Hannity.” Gomez has also drawn support from Hannity pals Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Sarah Palin, and Mark Levin.
Schoen is a frequent guest on Hannity's Fox News program. According to a search of Nexis, Schoen has appeared on Hannity's Fox News program 27 times in the past year.
So now that Schoen is fundraising for the GOP, will Fox News still identify him as a “Democratic pollster”?
Doug Schoen - John Gomez fundraiser invitation:
John Gomez for Congress Announces
Top Political Strategist Doug Schoen to Speak at Meet & Greet for John Gomez for Congress
John Gomez, Republican & Conservative candidate for New York's second congressional district, will be the guest speaker at an informal gathering that will also feature top political strategist Doug Schoen.
The “Meet & Greet” will be hosted by the XXXXXXXXX family at their home in XXXXXXXXXX:
Date: Sunday, October 10th
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Address: XXXXXXXXXXXX
To attend, please RSVP XXXXXXXXXX at (XXX) XXX-XXXX or XXXXXXXXXX@aol.com.
Suggested contribution of $100 respectfully requested. Please make checks out to “John Gomez for Congress.”