For Debate Analysis, Fox News Leans On Former Bush Officials (And Herman Cain)
Written by Simon Maloy
Published
To help recap and analyze last night's presidential debate, Fox News' America's Newsroom trotted out a string of former Bush administration officials -- including Donald Rumsfeld and John Bolton -- to pile accolades on Mitt Romney's performance and attack President Obama. The Bush veterans were joined by several conservative commentators, Romney surrogates, and the occasional Democrat.
Below is the list of non-reporter guests America's Newsroom featured this morning to comment on the debate, in order of appearance.
Stephen F. Hayes: Weekly Standard columnist, Dick Cheney hagiographer, and chief chronicler of the (nonexistent) “operational relationship” between Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden.
Stuart Varney: Fox Business Network host, jobs report conspiracy theorist, and Romney campaign messaging troubleshooter.
Herman Cain: One-time Republican presidential candidate who probably knows where Libya is and boasts expertise on American-Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stani relations.
John Bolton: Romney foreign policy advisor, George W. Bush's ambassador to the United Nations, and advocate of bombing Iran.
Gen. Jack Keane: Romney supporter, rumored candidate for White House national security advisor under Romney, and "intellectual architect" of the 2007 Iraq “surge.”
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH): Office of Management and Budget director under George W. Bush, Romney surrogate, and Romney's debate coach.
Donald Rumsfeld: Secretary of Defense under George W. Bush who praised Romney's “terrific” speech at the Virginia Military Institute earlier this month.
Gen. Wesley Clark: Former Democratic candidate for president and Obama campaign advisor.
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO): Romney surrogate.
Bob Beckel: Democratic strategist and Fox News host.
Andrea Tantaros: Republican strategist and Fox News host.