Fox Figures React To Daniels' SOTU Response: “A Star Is Born”

Chris Wallace: “A Star Is Born.” During Fox Broadcasting's State of the Union coverage, Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace said that Daniels' response was a “strong speech” and that “some of these responses from Republicans and Democrats fall flat; some of them, like [Daniels'], you'd say a star is born.” Wallace concluded: “I think some people are going to be looking at that speech and saying, 'Why isn't he running for president?'” [Fox Broadacasting Co.'s State of the Union coverage, 1/24/12, via Media Matters]

Charles Krauthammer: “That Was One Of The Best Speeches I've Heard As A Response To The State Of The Union.” During Fox News' State of the Union coverage, Fox News contributor Charles Krauthammer said of Daniels' speech:

KRAUTHAMMER: I could hear sighs all over the country from Republicans, what might have been. That was one of the most - that was one of the best speeches I've heard as a response to the State of the Union. And I think it was one of the best presentations of the conservative idea against the larger government of Obama. [Fox News' State of the Union coverage, 1/24/12, via Media Matters]

Fox Panelist AB Stoddard: “It Was Very Well Written. It Was Funny. It Was Direct.” During Fox's State of the Union coverage, panelist AB Stoddard said of Daniels' speech:

STODDARD: I thought it was quite impressive as well. I think that he obviously has the best bona fides on the issue of debt, known to balance the budget in the state of Indiana and is very popular there in both parties. And I think that he was - was - he has better bona fides than the rest of the contenders in the field. That's why he is yearned for by Republicans now. It was very well written. It was funny. It was direct. [Fox News' State of the Union coverage, 1/24/12, via Media Matters]

Fox Nation: Daniels “Delivers Poetic Pro-American Response To Obama SOTU.” From Fox Nation:

[Fox Nation, 1/24/12]

Brian Kilmeade: Daniels' Response Was “Very Strong,” “Very Crisp.” On the January 25 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Brian Kilmeade said: “I thought Mitch Daniels [would] have a really hard time yesterday, a la Bobby Jindal. I thought he was very strong, very crisp, and not personal.” [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 1/25/12, via Media Matters]

Fox Has Similarly Swooned Over Other GOP Politicians

Fox “Fell Hard” For Chris Christie. As New York magazine reported in May 2011, Fox News CEO Roger Ailes “fell hard” for Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) and “encouraged him to jump into” the Republican presidential race. Fox News figures similarly “fell hard” for Christie, with on-air figures lavishing praise on him, asking him about a presidential bid, and giving him ample airtime in the run-up to his 2009 election. [Media Matters, 5/23/11]

Fox On Marco Rubio “A Political Star Is Born.” Following then-GOP Senate candidate Marco Rubio's February 2010 speech at CPAC, Fox News declared that “A Political Star [Was] Born.” Fox News personalities also described him as a “rising star” and an “amazing leader” who “knocked it out of the park during his speech.” [Media Matters, 2/19/10]

Fox Figures Gushed Over Scott Brown. Following GOP Sen. Scott Brown's election win, America Live host Megyn Kelly said that Brown “brought the sexy back to Washington.” Fox News has also asked, “Is Scott Brown the new Ronald Reagan?” and declared that his election was “the birth of potentially a presidential or vice presidential candidate.” [Fox News, America Live, 2/3/10, via Media Matters; Fox News, Your World, 2/18/10, via Media Matters; Fox News, Fox & Friends, 1/21/10, via Media Matters]