Fox continued its relentless campaigning for Republicans this week by hosting three more GOP candidates as well as the campaign attorney for Nevada GOP senatorial candidate Sharron Angle. Fox had kicked off the week before the election by hosting seven* Republican candidates in the course of 24 hours, and RNC chairman Michael Steele twice, while hosting just one Democratic official, DNC chair Tim Kaine.
Day 2: Fox continues its relentless GOP GOTV efforts
Written by Christine Schwen & Eric Schroeck
Published
Fox continues its campaign for Republican candidates, hosting no Democrats
MacCallum gives Whitman an opportunity to “do-over” her unpopular answer to a debate question about ceasing negative ads. On the October 27 edition of America's Newsroom, co-host Martha MacCallum discussed an October 26 California gubernatorial forum during which moderator Matt Lauer asked if candidates Meg Whitman (R) and Jerry Brown (D) would agree to stop airing negative ads. MacCallum then hosted Whitman and asked, “Did you think that was a fair question from Matt Lauer last night? Was it fair that he put you both on the spot in that way?” Whitman later stated, “I would've liked nothing better than to run an entirely positive campaign on the issues,” and then attacked Brown. MacCallum later said to Whitman, “I'm going to give you a do-over right now. You know -- how do you wish you answered that question last night if you would change it?”
Kelly hosts Angle campaign attorney to advance baseless accusation that Reid “intends to steal” NV Senate election. On the October 27 edition of America Live, Megyn Kelly hosted Cleta Mitchell, the campaign attorney for Nevada GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle, to discuss her baseless claim that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “intends to steal this election.” During the segment, Mitchell stated: “We follow the law -- try to follow the law scrupulously, and we're always held to a higher standard. We get punished when we get even close to line; the Democrats skate very close to the line” and don't get punished." As Media Matters has noted, Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller noted that offering free food to voters “irrespective of how and for whom they voted” does not violate state law and is a commonly employed tactic.
Hannity hosts “real Republican” John Raese. Sean Hannity hosted West Virginia senatorial candidate John Raese on the October 27 edition of his Fox News show, referring to Raese as a “real Republican” and asserting that Raese's opponent, Gov. Joe Manchin, is “running as far away from being a Democrat and Barack Obama and Harry Reid of anybody else out there.” Hannity noted during the interview that “we have also offered Governor Manchin an opportunity to appear on the show, and he as not yet responded to our interview request.”
Van Susteren hosted Whitman for eight minutes to talk about her campaign, discuss Allred “ambushing” her. On the October 27 edition of On the Record, host Greta Van Susteren led her show with an interview of Whitman. Whitman encouraged Van Susteren to “call me Meg,” and Van Susteren let Whitman advocate her positions with few interruptions for over eight minutes. Van Susteren also introduced a question about Whitman's former housekeeper Nikki Diaz by saying that Diaz's lawyer, Gloria Allred, was “ambushing” Whitman. During the interview, Van Susteren stated that Whitman's opponent, Jerry Brown, is welcome on her show “at anytime” but has so far “refused” to appear.
Fox kicked off the week by hosting GOP candidates and officials nine times
Fox & Friends interviews Steele in his “Fire Pelosi” bus. On the October 26 edition of Fox & Friends, co-host Gretchen Carlson interviewed RNC chairman Michael Steele inside the RNC's tour bus, which featured the slogan, “Need a Job? Fire Pelosi!” Carlson allowed Steele to push GOP talking points, such as claiming that "[if] you want a job, then you're going to have to fire [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi, because she's the one who's blocking your ability to get that job."
America's Newsroom hosts Rand Paul to discuss reports of assaulted MoveOn.org member. On the October 26 edition of America's Newsroom, MacCallum hosted Republican Kentucky senatorial candidate Rand Paul to discuss reports that a MoveOn.org member was assaulted by Paul supporters outside a debate. After addressing the incident, Paul promoted his policies, including his support for cutting the Department of Education. At the end of the interview, MacCallum claimed they had also invited Paul's opponent, Jack Conway, and were awaiting a response.
Your World hosts Rick Scott to attack his opponent and tout his candidacy. The October 26 edition of Your World featured both Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott and Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX). Cavuto allowed Scott to attack his opponent, Alex Sink, for allegedly receiving a text message during a recent debate, which violated the rules of the debate. At both the beginning and end of the segment, Cavuto claimed that he had invited Sink on the show, with no response.
Beck hosts Bachmann, DeMint, and Chaffetz at the same time, asks them, “What kind of help do you need?” On the October 26 edition of Glenn Beck, Beck hosted Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC). Beck began the show by calling them “good representatives in Washington that are -- that are standing there in a lion's den every day” and “good guys that need your help.” Beck asked DeMint: “What kind of help do you need? What should we as citizens be looking for in a candidate?” In response, DeMint claimed that anyone who votes Democratic in the upcoming election is “just not thinking.” Later, Bachmann plugged her Facebook page.
Hannity hosts Steele to attack Democrats, Obama, and to give Hannity some RNC paraphernalia. On the October 26 edition his show, Hannity hosted Steele. After Hannity claimed Obama “said Republicans can go to the back of the bus,” Steele called him “not very presidential” and “tone deaf.” Steele gave Hannity a “Fire Pelosi” baseball cap and miniature football, “because I know you've been talking to me” about it.
Hannity hosts Rep. Frank's opponent Bielat to fundraise for his campaign. Later on Hannity, Hannity hosted Rep. Barney Frank's opponent, Sean Bielat, claiming Frank was “facing the toughest re-election race of his political career.” After playing a clip of Frank saying “the right-wing media, talk show hosts decided to target me. I've had Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck, basically saying things about me that weren't true,” Hannity said “nice try, Congressman, but I think the reason you are in the toughest race of your career has nothing to do with me or any other talk show host and everything to do with our next guest, Republican Massachusetts congressional candidate Sean Bielat.” Bielat used his appearance to fundraise, promoting his “money bomb” and mentioning the website where viewers could donate.
Hannity includes California congressional candidate Nick Popaditch in his “Great American Panel.” Later on Hannity, during the “Great American Panel,” Hannity hosted Republican candidate Nick Popaditch, who is running for California's 51st District. During the segment, Popaditch attacked President Obama, claiming he “is in trouble” because he's “campaigning, so he's out there only representing some of the people, and a pretty extreme some.”
By contrast, Fox hosted just one Democratic official
Fox & Friends hosts DNC chairman Tim Kaine. On the October 27 edition of Fox & Friends, Carlson hosted Kaine to discuss whether “Blue Dog Democrats” are going to “take the hit” in the midterm elections. Carlson claimed that “one of the things the voters are upset about with many of the Blue Dogs and Democrats in general was that they voted for health care” and asked Kaine if Gov. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is “trying to take a step away from health care because he really wants to be elected the senator of West Virginia?” Carlson also asked Kaine about a quote from Frank Caprio, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Rhode Island, who said Obama could “take his endorsement and really shove it” after Obama declined to endorse a candidate in the race.
* Number corrected.