Blogs and Stories
How Fox News Outsmarted the White House
Gerald Herbert / AP Photo
The White House's war on Fox shows its ignorance of the network's true purpose: show business. And Team Obama is giving Murdoch just what he wants.
After David Axelrod sneaked into Roger Ailes’ office in New York to powwow on Sept. 30, the White House brain trust of David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel decided that it is shrewd and useful to attack Fox News as a Republican tool—or as White House Communications Director Anita Dunn remarked, as “a wing of the Republican Party.” It is a guess that the president is not annoyed by this tactic. It is a better guess that the White House has not had a chance, in its custard pie-throwing glee, to pause and consider why this is a stupid idea—not only unfair to all other networks that will become suspect, but also guaranteed to give comedy skits about Fox an attention around the globe not achieved since Walter Cronkite’s moon-landing moment.
What’s worse than stupid about the conspiracy theory that Fox News is a pachyderm is that it is wrong. Fox News has nothing to do with the Republican Party or its dreary state. “We go to Fox because that’s the only place that will put us on TV,” a desultory Republican source admits. “But they don’t help us by telling everyone that we suck.”
Axelrod and Emanuel are confusing campaigning with entertaining and then letting this mistake blind them to the fact that the White House is for governing, not just staging.
If Fox News is a Republican research and communication “arm,” as remarked by Dunn, then the results for the last four years are shocking—with a deeply Democratic majority Congress, a Democratic president, and worshipful reception of all Obama administration gestures by the United Nations, the European Union, the Organization of American States, and the Arab League, in addition to the choir-singing on the BBC, Reuters, Al-Jazeera and Xinhua, not to forget the Norwegians of the Nobel Peace Prize committee.
What is also wrong-headed in the Axelrod and Emanuel anxiety is that Fox News is joyously good at what it means to be—a popular platform for its advertisers. Ailes knows how to make the confusion of the news into a nervous and strangely comforting comic opera. Most of the Fox News day’s production is a reading of helter-skelter bulletins into a coherent narrative consistent with themes of super-patriotism, progress, profit, and paranoia. In the evening, Fox News becomes a variety show of cattiness, gossip, chants, and whoppers. Recently Fox News has added the theme of “Survivalism for Dummies,” though this subplot could soon slip into an extended version of the classic Twilight Zone episode “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.”
• Alex Massie: Glenn Beck on the Rise in BritainThe decision by the golden-hearted crank Bill O’Reilly to attack the warm-hearted crank Glenn Beck over the latter’s swine flu denial spiel is at once first-rate showbiz and slapstick teamwork. Not since Abbott and Costello have two guys in suits, one tall and impatient, the other chubby-cheeked and childlike, had more fun debating “I Don’t Know’s on Third.”
None of what goes on in the evening has anything to do with government. The president and the Congress are discussed as omnipresent villains in a fairytale that begins with a happy kingdom of worthies, introduces an ogre, a witch, and a curse, and then interviews champions to come forward to rescue the frightened children and save the USA. All the while, Ming the Merciless, aka Rupert Murdoch, rakes up the ratings and the bucks.
The worst mistake Axelrod and Emanuel are making by confusing Fox News with the Republican Party is that they are confusing campaigning with entertaining and then letting this mistake blind them to the fact that the White House is for governing, not just staging.
Fox News is not in the news business; it’s in show business. The Republican Party, like its blood kin the Democratic Party, is in the campaign business. The White House is in the government business, though, from the evidence so far, it doesn’t know how to break out of the campaign business.
Stars Celebrate the Super Bowl
The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
The Michael Steele Debacle
John Batchelor is radio host of the John Batchelor Show in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Mike Huckabee's End Times
John Batchelor is radio host of the John Batchelor Show in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
The Unsinkable Sarah Palin
John Batchelor is radio host of the John Batchelor Show in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
spotted
Batchelor sums it up in one phrase:
"Fox News is not in the news business; it's in show business."
Imonlyhere2hateU
Exactly!
But I would say that fox news, is in the smear, fear and propaganda business.
Glenda1976
Your dear leader has CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Wash Post, NY Times etc in his corner. That's isn't enough, he wants total obedience???
Glenda1976
Imonlyhere2hateU
Exactly!
But I would say that fox news, is in the smear, fear and propaganda business.
So what. So is MSNBC. Except people actually watch FOX.
crngndmhm
Sure people watch Fox, they also purchase the national enquire.
GinaRN
Another false equivalence argument.
No, MSNBC doesn't use daily lies to frighten and control the public by appealing to racism, sexism, homophobia and ignorance.
Fox is GOP propaganda, pure and simple, and is not a real news network.
yweston
Glenda1976
is just "bitter" because your "Dear Leader" Ronald Reagan never won any awards other than whatever Rethugs gave him.
Faux Entertainment is definitely an "arm" of the Rethug Party and everyone knows it. The writer of this story is "full of crap".
Keep fighting White House Administration. You guys spent (3) minutes talking about Faux and Faux spent the entire weekend trying to counteract your remarks by pretending to be fair and biased (oops) I mean balanced
robmac
Wrong, both you and the author. Fox News is the ONLY TV news out there, and the only network that consistently challenges the Obama-worship that the other news sources pass off as "journalism."
AlanD2
Glenda1976: "CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Wash Post, NY Times etc" are news organizations. They are not in anybody's corner. Only a paranoid conservative like you would think such a thing.
But I'm glad you mentioned that "people actually watch FOX".
"A study by the Pew Research Study shows that viewers of the Daily Show and the Colbert Report have the highest knowledge of national and international affairs, while Fox News viewers rank nearly dead last."
The study is at:
http://people-press.org/report/319/public-knowledge-of-current-affairs-l ittle-changed-by-news-and-information-revolutions
(Take out the extra space at the line break if you copy and paste this link.)
diamondgirl
alan, Why do you persist to spew this nonsense? the rating are as follows:
for the 100th time.. Fox is to be compared to CNN,MSNBCHLN cable network news stations, not those comedy shows!
http://tvbythenumbers.com/category/ratings/top-news/cable-news
Johnnyappleseed
Here to hate, you are full of it.
amanda07070
Glenda1976 - CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Wash Post, NY Times report the NEWS dear.
Fox is a cartoon watched only by Republicans and their paranoid, brainless, frightened and poor minion followers.
chiefjgmac
You would, especially if you worked for the Chicago mud slingers in this WH.
hemi426
u are righ fox is in the smear and fear business because they report on the antics at the wh
amanda07070
Your "ratings" argument is weak.
Rating soar for many, many inane programs. I've known people that refused to go out on Monday nights because Melrose Place was on. I know people now who have to rush home to watch "America's Got Talent" or a "reality" show. I'd rather watch grass grow.
So, you can proclaim to the highest mountain that Fox's ratings are high, and I contend that this country has some pretty sad people in it. Sad frightened little people that allowed a brainless puppet to be in office for 8 years. And sad, frightened little people, some of which voted for President Obama ONLY because the insanity of Bush and his pals was finally too glaring for even their tiny little brains to ignore.
Then, there are those who investigate things for themselves, look at all sides of an issue, admit mistakes, TELL THE TRUTH. Only thing is, it takes time, intelligence and humility to do the above. Fox focuses on lies, sensationalism, fear tactics and histrionics, that is their stock in trade, and their appeal is to the moronic minions.
I only hope that many of their viewers simply suffer from "train wreck" sickness. If not, the moronic minions will take over and we will be doomed.
Glenda1976
crngndmhn,
And libs watch the trash on MSNBC & CNN . Different strokes for different folks!
Glenda1976
Amanda,
Ratings is the only reason Dear Leader is attacking FOX. People actually watch.
Glenda1976
Amanda,
So, you can proclaim to the highest mountain that Fox's ratings are high, and I contend that this country has some pretty sad people in it
Yes, I agree. Starting with those who waste brain cells listening to Olberman & Maddow.
Imonlyhere2hateU
To Glenda1976
People watch Fox because PROPAGANDA is way more entertaining than the FACTS.
BTW, I don't watch MSNBC or any other mainstream media "news" network, they are all bullshit, But specially FOX.
Johnnyappleseed, hates the truth, and he know I am right.
dbro0009
Glenda1976. you're a lot of hot air and no depth. sounds like you watch a little too much cable news
and for all of you who believe that Dems and Repubs are really on two different sides of the world when it comes to politics and that CNN and FOX are as well I implore you to pay more attention. They are corporate media. CORPORATE. Politicians in general get more money from corporate lobbyists than any other type of interest group. CORPORATE. it's time for us to stop letting Repubs, Dems and the media fool us into thinking that these two parties truly represent left and right simply because they pretend to deeply care about wedge issues like gay rights. They are all pro-big business and bought and paid for by the wealthy. Time to start thinking third party.
but still Glenda1976, you are dumb
dowhatsright
This is 100% correct: " fox news, is in the smear, fear and propaganda business" Obama is finally doing the smart thing, he has been far too nice. Batchelor says he should kowtow to Fox because they might make attack him if he doesn't. Earth to John - they attack him no matter what he does. Why waste time on them. They are in the business of making money. Why help them? John, you say it is "entertainment". Read the article here about Glen Beck coming to England and you will see hundreds of posts from people who think it is news and who are so insulated that their only source of "news" is Fox. The Democrats don't have a TV channel in their pocket like Fox is in the Republicans pocket. Nor do they attack at every chance like the Republicans, but they need to start fighting back against the lies, insults, ridicule and attacks. Fox News is nothing more than a training and propaganda channel for right wing hate groups.
ncopas
Watch Fox news. Then watch MSNBC news or CNN or something. Notice how Fox does subversive little things like, "Some might say..." and then follow that with some unfavorable opinion on Obama. They're told what to report. It's not journalism. They get memo's from the "top" telling them what kinds of words to use when describing things, so that right wingers look good, and so that left wingers look bad. Fox is a smear network. Period. There's documentaries (complete with former Fox employees speaking anonymously) out there about how Rupert Murdoch slowly converted it from a news organization to a GOP propaganda tool. It all started when Murdoch got a huge hard-on for Reagan. Here's one: http://www.outfoxed.org
Really, if you simply watch the show, it's painfully obvious... unless you're a Republican who believes you're guided by Jesus and your beloved political party can do no wrong... :P
escomments
amanda07070
Holy Crap!
Your entire statement did nothing but complain!! You must be a real thrill to be around.
Any solutions? Or just more of the same.
The anti Fox News comments have become boring!
No evidence for anything they say, unless they find some chopped up video from Media Matters and call that evidence that Fox News Lies.
We get it. They have a Conservative bent. Big Deal!
So does the usual suspects on the left. They actually have allot more.
CNN's Campbell Brown actually thinks that they have an unbiased news organization over there. They can't explain why they only fact check Saturday Night Live skits that are ANTI OBAMA. Especially since SNL actually had their take on the administration, right on. It's the CNN fact checkers that were trying to stretch that Square Peg to fit into that Round hole but they just couldn't quite get it in there.
So, as I said, this issue is played out. Liberals Don't like Fox News! WE GET IT!!
Although calling those people moronic is pretty mean spirited but there again, I guess it's just your personality.
Charlemagne712
so does that make them exempt from freedom of press?
spotted
Let's call it "freedom of speech" and they, like everyone in America, are entitled to exercise it.
newswoman
MSNBC gives the NEWS, glenda. State for me when Keith or Rachel or Chris misquoted someone or lied or took something out of context? They always show the news clip of the person talking, so there is no mistake in what was said. Beck and Hannity actually lie or make stuff up. Like Beck's remark that the President is a racist!! That was actually funny, but no basis in fact. Fox is entertainment, now news, that is why they have a lot of viewers.
Baddchild
"MSNBC gives the NEWS, glenda. State for me when Keith or Rachel or Chris misquoted someone or lied or took something out of context?" newswoman
------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------
oh oh, Gatekeeper has competition for the "Nobel Dumbist Post Award"
Even the flaming liberals in my office are ROTFLMAO on this one... please stop newswoman, my chest hurts from laughing so hard.
reardongalt
newswoman, if it wasn't for Fox Keith and GirlBoy wouldn't have anything to talk about. That goes for Jon Stewart also.
This author got one thing right. The White House is clueless as the day is long. It's amazing how anyone who could rise to that height in the political game could be so naive. They remind me of the Bad Guy in the movie "The Sting" who fall for the simplest tactics.
As Bugs Bunny would say about Ax and Rahmbo, "What a maroon." But then again look who their pandering to. The likes of newswoman and her ilk.
Alan, forget that crap about the Daily Show and Colbert's audience being intelligent. I know alot of them, and they are categorically incapable of an independent thought. Their idea of news is, "Sparky said....."
Nickster
Amanda,
It is evident from your remarks that try to generalize that Fox News never tells the truth and that it uses fear tatics and so on makes it hard to believe that you are one of those people who actually investigate in an attempt to find the truth. If you did actually do your due dilagence to find the truth you could not have made such an ignorant statement, unless of course your research arm is the Huffington Post or MSNBC or NBC or CBS or ABC. You might want to expand your information resources to include those that actually strive to present the truth, rather than the ones that present pretty much everything with a socialist agenda.
AlanD2
reardongalt said: "Alan, forget that crap about the Daily Show and Colbert's audience being intelligent."
If this is true, Reardon, then the intelligence of Fox News viewers must be truly abysmal. No big surprise there, I guess...
KemCho
Obama controls ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNN. He is winning 5 to 1. Now he wants to control Fox. Are we living under Putin, Mullah in Iran, Chavez? Not sure, how Obama became a college professor in Constitution Law.
dbro0009
Nickster, i thought that Glenda1976 was the dumbest one posting on here but you are definitely up there. Republicans and Democrats both support a socialist agenda. They both support medicare, public universities etc. I find that whenever I ask a person like you what a socialist is they sound like an imaginative child trying to explain where babies come from.
Glenda1976 and Nickster are in a race. let's see who wins
pennsykid2000
Right. How long does it take for Repubs to figure that out? or do they not care that they are being misinformed? I'm still floored by the poll in mid-2004 that found that the percentages of people who still believed that Iraq had nuclear weapons or was involved in 9/11 was 25% among viewers who got most of their news from PBS, about 40% among viewers of the broadcast networks (NBC, ABC, CBS), and nearly 60% among viewers of Fox News! That is irrefutable evidence that Fox News makes their viewers stupid (or that it attracts stupid viewers; either way, not a good ad in favor of Fox News).
nummer1rhino
How long does it take for libs to figure out that they are only being spoon fed only part of the actual news because they believe the American people are too stoopid to figure it out for themselves.
GL1234
While those stats are shocking. It is even more shocking that the White House would employ Van Jones as the Green Jobs Czar (A 9/11 truther)
Nickster
Where did you dig up that poll from, MSNBC
diamondgirl
I cant believe you still feel that ABC,NBC,CNN give you the truth, its the truth that they want you believe. When cnn fact checks saturday night live. This country is in big trouble. LOL
johnwr3
spotted...Have you ever watched Fox? I think I know the answer but I thought I'd ask anyway. The reason Fox has the highest rating is because more people watch it. That's it. Fox is a great BUSINESS model. MSNBC, CNN, etc. offer products that people aren't buying. Have you asked yourself why? Fox News is different that Glen Beck or Shawn Hannity. Brett Baier is a news program...Shepard Smith is a news program...Chris Wallace is a Sunday news program. O'Reilly is a news/commentary talk show, he has both right and left people on his program. A recent PEW Research report shows Fox to be far and away more balanced in their reporting. BTW, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann doesn't even pretend to be fair and balanced.
diamondgirl
Johnwr3,Exactly!
veralani
Touche!!!
Johnnyappleseed
Olbermann, remains a hack,nothing more.
Nickster
Agree Completely
dioriod
Simplistic, dismissive....what else could be expected from the Daily Beast? The Whiner-in-Chief is using high school popularity threat tactics to silence any dissident voices. Why would anyone in the media want to suppress the very job the news media across the board is supposed to be doing - questioning the seats of power. You would rather our news media act like a fanzine. Pathetic.
kilroy
yeah. agree. stupid article. skimmed it, but couldn't make myself read it all the way through. Roger Ailes got Bush 41 elected as his Spin Doctor and now he runs Fox News. Doesn't take much sense to work out the details from there. Hello????
Only old people watch TV news any how. for everyone else there's twitter and Jon Stewart.
hemi426
what u have got to be joking fox IS THE ONLY REAL DEAL the rest of the cronies are still in love with the socialist party disguised as a democrat if u dont agree ask arnold bunch of drones!!or ask deadfish about the iranian whos was sentenced to death by iran for speaking his mind maybe obama can go bow down to them and spare us the tears . the wh is such a joke that it actually seams like entertainment ha ha like
libertyville
So which network is still in the news business? It is not MSNBC, and CNN has become known as the channel that just makes material up. CBS, ABC and NBC news have long turned to entertainment and occassionally a headline. FOX has just been better at mixing the news with entertainment.
By the way, if I want news analysis, I go to PBS and NPR. Though leftwing biased, they are more objective than any of the broadcast venues.
LauraNo
This is the thing. I wouldn't care what they said, if they were honest about their motives. They pretend to be a news channel in order to spread propaganda to people too gullible to understand they are being played for fools.
DeaconDrJones
"Fox News is not in the news business; it's in show business."
Isn't that kinda what the White House said? They are not a trustworthy news source? Ooh, they're so clever.
MaliciousDisorder
News is when someone learns something new not from where they learn it. If you choose not to accept the source it's still news.
Veronicaxy
Anyone who wants to see the birth of Fox News watch the 70s movie 'Network'.
Very prophetic.
Or Murdoch must have taken a play by play from it.
Nickster
That was a GREAT MOVIE at the time.
chalfonte
Actually, Fox does deiver the news here and there. BUT their stars- - Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity spew fear-mongering poisonous anti-government garbage somehow wrapping it all up in the American flag!
It's beyond ludricous. I think they are seditious. Calling them pro-republican demeans that party unless this is the NEW republican party. If so, our country is really in trouble.
Mauiboy
I see the administration putting the GOP in a box by suggesting that Beck and FOX represents the GOP. One comes out ahead by defining the opposition and if the public believes that this is the case related to FOX, then the GOP has lots of work ahead of them to dispel that notion. When asked, Rush couldn't name the leader of the GOP. That hurts. The Obama administration has successfully marginalized the GOP and even Beck's so-called populism can't help them get out of the FOX box.
newswoman
Rush is a joke, a mean joke, but a joke just as well. He will be viewed in the near future as another Father Coughlan (who spewed anti-semitism before the 2WW). He doesn't spew anti-semitism, but he does talk about blacks in a derogatory way. He is a big blow hard and full of hate which he thinks is opinion.
GL1234
Who is the leader of the Republican Party is a 24 hour news cycle question. Six years ago Barak Obama was a state senator.
Nickster
I can not actually point to a leader of the GOP as well. That is a real problem for republicans. They have as many weak kneed pinheads in their party as the Dems do. It is becoming harder and harder to tell the Republicans apart from the Democrats
newswoman
Have you noticed how suddenly O'Reilly is now the 'voice of reason'? He argues with Ann Coulter, and Laura Ingraham and now supports a healthcare bill! He seems to want to distance himself from the buffoons, Beck and Hannity, and pretend that he is now reasonable and doesn't HATE the president like the other two do. What gives?
GL1234
O'Reilly does not support the public option or the Baucus bill
diamondgirl
Chalfonte, you don't know what you are talking about, Beck shows actual film with sound of what Obama or any of his targets, as they hang themselves. It's always more convincing when I see it up close and personal. That what makes it believable, people take this films with camera phones sometimes, when the speaker has no idea they are being filmed. I love Fox it is quite entertaining. If you say the show with Beck the day after the white house went to war with them, I just couldn't stop laughing. He is very funny most of the time, he is also a little crazy, which amuses me too. Watch Him when you get a chance, and you might learn something.
Nickster
I agree, he is funny and I have yet to hear anything from him that I could not verify as the truth. Again, if you think you have something that he has stated that is not the truth and can back it up with fact I would love to see it.
diamondgirl
Nickster, did you see him today, he has a phone set up with a man sitting next to it waiting for the White House to call if he reports an incorrect comments about his todays people of interest. I laughed so hard, because he keeps telling them to call him and let him know is Cas Sunstein is a Marxist or not, and he went down the list of people in Obamas administration who are Marxist or Communist. Very disturbing
Nickster
Actually pretty much everything Glenn Beck has spewed has come to be seen as truth, ask Acorn. If you peolpe on this site can actually back up your comments with fact I would love to see it. In other words instead of demeaning FOX, Beck, Orielly and Hannity, show some actual examples. (Hint; Try to avoid getting your info from the Huffy Post and MSNBC. If you can actually show where they are spewing mis-truths I would love to see it. And oh yeah, I am not really interested in your opinions of truth, just the truth.
Jinglebob
Right on. I actually get bored at times watching Beck show the actual footage of Obama and his buds over and over as they "trap" themselves in their own words. No spin, nothing made up, it's right there for all to see...if you take the blinders off.
amanda07070
Here's a couple Nickster:
He claimed $1.4 million of stimulus money was used to repair a door at Dyess AFB. The doors repaired were aircraft hangar doors and the cost was was $2,460,00 out of $1.4 million in repairs funding.
He said that no other President had been sworn into office without a Bible.
John Qunicy Adams used a law book. Franklin Pierce didn't even swear. He affirmed. Teddy Roosevelt used no Bible. Several Presidents kissed a Bible but did not swear on one.
He said that the US was the only country that had a natural birthright provision. Here is the list of other countries that do:
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/learn/issues/birthright-citizenship/na tions-observing-birthright-citizenship.html
He said or implied that Van went to prison for taking part in the Rodney King riots.
Van has never served time in any prison. He has never been convicted of any crime.
I could go on but I have a life.
ConstitutionalDave
chalfonte,
Last time I checked, anti-government is Pro-American. I like your rhetoric though: "fear-mongering poisonous..." Wow, now if you could just add "KKK", racist, and domestic terrorist, you could work for MSNBC or the DNC.
Here's what you need to understand, Hannity is a talk show on daily news topics. He does not pretend to be non-partisan. He says every week that he is a Reagan Republican. Glenn Beck, is somewhere around a libertarian, but with a Republican mentality or something. He also, does not claim to be non-partisan.
I will say that fox does appear to be a channel for the conservative viewer or savvy entrepreneur with their business channels.
I like many can't stand to be called racist for disagreeing with the President - thats why I go to Fox instead of the other liberal propagandists.
AngryJ
This whole subject makes me laugh. To think our illustrious President is scared what a News outfit thinks of him. If W was that thin skinned he would have had to slander every News station including Fox. Of course this is all just Lib-fanatic nonsense. Grow up and quit your whining...
Imonlyhere2hateU
You are right! especially when Obama protesters showed up with assult rifles to one of his Obamacare rallies, and everyone was freaking out!
On the other hand, lets not forget the couple who wore anti-Bush T-shirts to the president's Fourth of July appearance only to be taken away in handcuffs by the police, from the event, which was billed as a presidential appearance, NOT a campaign rally.
They were wearing T-shirts that read, "Love America, Hate Bush."
Spectators who wore pro-Bush T-shirts and Bush-Cheney campaign buttons were allowed to stay.
The white house is not "fighting" criticisms, they are fighting lies, smears and Reich-wing PROPAGANDA.
AngryJ, you are probably another one of those short-term memory Glenn Beck eaters.
roadhunter
You need to look up the definition of "assault rifle".
Nickster
Actually you are misrepresenting what actually happended with the so called assault rifle and who was actually carrying the gun. Again, those of you who get your info from the Huffy Post and MSNBC are never going to fool those of us with your misinformation. I suggest you all research the issue that "IamonlyhearbecauseIamanidiot" shared about the peson carrying the assult rifle. The truth shall set you free
Imonlyhere2hateU
So what do you call the semiautomatic AR-15 he was carrying????What do YOU call it????
The point is, that there was not just one armed man outside the Obamacare rally protesting but multiple, if that would have happen during a Bush rally, secret service would have kill or arrested ANYONE protesting armed with any type of firearm or even a knife....
roadhunter, would you be so kind to explain to me what kind of firearm, the man in Phoenix was carrying.....and does it really matter, what kind of goddamn guns these idiots had that day? Don't be stupid, these fools are gun carrying scoundrels, are you a gun carrying scoundrel?
And to Nickster, I don't get my "news" from "huffy post", "MSNBC" or "Fox" like you apparently do... The FACTS are that, Ernest Hancock, the man who organized "Chris's"(guy with the AR-15) trip to the Obamacare event and himself came to the event ARMED, had close ties to a violent militia group charged with plotting to blow up federal buildings in the mid-1990s.
Now stop eating Glenn Beck and denying the facts, and the Truth shall set YOU free.
Tiger01
So, was everyone who attended a townhall event carrying a gun and threatening to shoot Obama? Is that your point? Was everyone who protested against Bush arrested. Wow, I just never heard that before. But it must be true because otherwise what would be the point of posting something so obscure that doesn't represent a widespread phenomenon. Leftards. You Kluckers crack me up.
Jinglebob
What about the "other" networks cropping in on the guy so the viewers could not see that he was Black...and armed, and for the right to bare arms.
Jinglebob
The Liberals call any weapon that looks scary an "Assault Rifle," as they are so in fear of firearms.
Imonlyhere2hateU
Oh no....
tiger and jingle have been eating glenn beck lately, you guys seriously need to cut back on that glenn beck only diet, its making you idiotic and completely stupid.
so-cal-centrist
Exactly, for every right-winger on Fox, there's an equal and opposite left wing loon on MSNBC etc. Bottom line, Fox doesn't employ the barn yard animals the other networks do and they resonate with more people than the others. It has been proven better looking people get a more positive response....enough said.
If you don't like it, don't watch....however, as ratings prove, FOX is KILLING the OTHER NETWORKS!!!
connie47
Fox's ratings are in line with WWW Raw and Spongebob Squarepants for October 2009. They're being watched by the mindless herd, some of whom find it acceptable to refer to others as "barnyard animals."
Glenda1976
Connie,
Besides you and 10 other people who's watching CNN?
so-cal-centrist
No Connie, I am correct and so is Glenda....you're in denial. The mindless few watch MSNBC and CNN....sorry.
connie47
The information about Fox's ratings, WWW Raw and Spongebob Squarepants is fact. Look it up, if you know how.
Glenda the Troll: I don't watch CNN, but thanks for posting.
so-cal-centrist: You make my point for me. The kind of person whose idea of a debate is "I'm right. You're wrong," is part of the mindless, innumerate herd.
Glenda1976
Connie the Troll: CNN, MSNBC they'll all the same. But answer the question. What are CNN ratings in line with? Red Eye a FOX show that comes on at 3 am has more viewers than Campbell Brown at 8 pm. Look that up!!!!
connie47
Sorry, Glenda, I couldn't care less what CNN's ratings are at 3:00 AM. Maybe if you spent your time on issues that are important, your posts would be more intelligent.
so-cal-centrist
Well, then Connie, I then concede that WWE and Sponge Bob are are more popular than the schlubs at MSNBC and CNN.
Glenda1976
Brain dead Connie,
A woman who is bringing up Spongebob Squarepants is talking castigating somone's intelligence? What else do you want to talk about Sesame Street?
Glenda1976
So cal,
The libs hate FOX because they want what FOX has : RATINGS!!
spotted
Guys -
Just because people in large numbers do something does not mean its correct. Just because Fox has better ratings doesn't mean they are objective.
If peer pressure were so important you folks, why didn't you agree with the Europeans when they called for us not to invade Iraq?
newswoman
MSNBC may be more left than right but they don't have LOONS on their shows. They get Reps and Dems on their shows and let them give their views. And I fail to get the 'barnyard' reference you refer to. However, Fox does have "interchangeable" pretty blonds, if that is what you mean. They all look alike so I can't remember their names. And as for having more viewers than the other news programs, it is because they are an entertainment network. The people Fox appeals to don't have the smarts to listen to real news. They just want to hear fun stuff, like slams at the president and other 'liberals.
crngndmhm
Popularity does not equal intelligence. As for bringing up Sponge Bob and WWE they're perfectly relevant to the conversation when the only point you have is the number of people who watch. So their might be mindless few who watch CNN and MSNBC but there's mindless masses who watch Fox, Sponge Bob and WWE
yweston
so-cal-centrist
If Faux was as explosive as you say then I guess Your Party would have won the election on Nov. 4, 2008. And.....I guess healthcare reform would have been over a long time ago. And.......I guess the Pres. wouldn't be a Nobel Peace Prize winner as a matter of fact he wouldn't even be President. I could go on and on.
You poor Faux lemmings don't have anything else to look at but Faux. They're the only network willing to lie all day to feed you pathetic, bitter, loser lives. I'd huddle there too if that's the only people who'll feed my delusions.
AlanD2
so-cal-centrist: Fox News and networks like MSNBC are not opposites.
Almost all Fox News commentators are liars. The only exception I can think of offhand is Shepard Smith.
Very few commentators on other networks are liars. For example, Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann of MSNBC apologize on-air after they report false information. I have never seen this on Fox News.
captain69
spotted you got this right: Just because people in large numbers do something does not mean its correct.
Look what happened during the last election.
You Idiot!
diamondgirl
Hey Connie you keep thinking that, us mindless herders, we love it and we don't care what you think, or what Obama thinks. Most of us herders watch a variety of news shows and read most papers, magazines and we still like Fox News anyway. The difference is you probably never watch Beck, or Hannity for the full hour. on a regular basis...There is the difference
diamondgirl
Hey Connie, you do the same thing when a left nut can't win an argument; you try to minimize Glenda in this case. That's how she chooses to express herself. Let me ask you a question, would you give a shit even if she did? I don't think so, you are a left leaning wing nut, now and I don't think that going to change any time soon.
http://tvbythenumbers.com/category/ratings/top-news/cable-news
diamondgirl
Hey Connie, you do the same thing when a left nut can't win an argument; you try to minimize Glenda in this case. That's how she chooses to express herself. Let me ask you a question, would you give a shit even if she did? I don't think so, you are a left leaning wing nut, now and I don't think that going to change any time soon.
http://tvbythenumbers.com/category/ratings/top-news/cable-news
Snertly
I think there's some interesting parallels between WWE's relationship to wrestling and Fox's relationship to news.
amanda07070
Good one spotted!
amanda07070
Hey cap, too true, look what you guys put us through for 8 years? Nice name calling.
joedeleonardo
Reading all the back and forth of who did what to whom, is entertaining enough. I have lived all over the world, experienced different cultures, watched their polotics, lived among the people. Fox news is watched alot more overseas than the other wanna-be news stations.
While living in Egypt, the locals watched the anticks of a saturday night live show but you were actually watching NBC. As you flipped for other stations ( international ) the American news is a joke. ( if it bleeds it reads ). The only station that gives you informed news, fare and Balanced is FOX NEWS.
nortonclybourn
No, the President is not trembling in fear of Fox News, but that is the point of all of Batchelor's hatchet jobs--Emanuel is evil and out of touch and must be stopped. He has an agenda and I don't trust his "analysis."
newswoman
Who cares about ratings except the networks who have to make money for their advertizers? The best shows on TV, like 'Masterpeice Theater', 'West Wing' and such like did not get as many viewers as, probably, 'The Kardashians", yet they were the best. So viewership is meaningless in the end.
AlanD2
newswoman: This might be nice if it were true. Unfortunately, viewership affects ratings, which affects advertisers, which affects revenue, which determines whether a show stays on the air, or whether a network stays in business.
GL1234
The White House boycott of Fox News is a mistake. They should go on Fox and debate the issues. This way they can actually change peoples opinions. If the people on Fox news are lying challenge them.
AlanD2
GL1234: You've gotta be kidding! Change the opinion of a Fox News viewer?
The sun will rise in the west before this happens.
Jinglebob
The true can be told, the President is now being torn apart by the far left and the far right. He will be nothing but hambuger by Christmas.
joedeleonardo
This adim. has more chicago like thugs than anyother admin. They are shifty. fly under the radar and we are now finding out who's who. Thanks to all the people who tried to tell the truth but the big news stations kept burying the truth on pge 8 and leaving the lies in the front. Very few people actually look for the rest of the story. Read the beggining and leave the rest.
With this last election ( what a joke ) People voted on emotion and NOT the issues, even though when Mr Obama was confrotnted on certain things, he would say lets stay on the issues, but had no answere; he always tapped danced around the questions. He still has no plan!! He will always be a community organizer. I will never use his name and the the tittle president together. I respect the office, but not the socialism he's putting forth!!
rtchap2
DITTO!
newswoman
Your poiint, AlanD2?
AlanD2
newswoman: Without viewers, ratings, and advertisers, even the best shows will not be shown on TV.
diamondgirl
AngryJ, I can believe it, Obama is so used to getting the press to do his bidding, he cant take it when anyone doesnt obey him...I am impressed that TDB has the guts to post these stories. They seem to post the good the bad and the ugly. Which I find real fair and balanced.
cbeenthere
It has nothing to do with the press obeying the President, you seem quite content to have a news organization that advertises fair and balanced; yet is clearly and consistently biased against the President. How weird is that? We are supposed to have he choice with both sides presented from any and all sources, and then make up our own minds; yet you think it perfectly fine to have a single dare I say major news source tell you what to think. OK.
newswoman
Faux News kissed Bush's a## for years. What are you talking about? And for what it is worth, the President is hardly scared to appear on Faux News. Why should he when he can get FAIR AND BALANCED reporting on Cnn and MSNBC, and CSPAN? Hmmm? Grow up and quit whining....
UltimateFitz
"Blah, blah, blah, and Jon Stewart rules."
That is all I heard.
hithere3
Why did Batchelor mention Stewart? What does Jon Stewart have to do with this? He doesn't even ask for access to the White House...Stewart is nigh-irrelevant to the issue.
I guess Batchelor is just misinformed.
MajorRevisions
Because Stewart is the most non-biased "reporter" out there. All the so called "news" networks are fair game. Left or right, doesn't matter, The Daily Show will show how silly both sides are.
TexGent1
Huh MJ? Jon Stewart is a comedian for crying out loud!
And doesn't that just beg the question about what does it say about those who receive their information primarily from comedians?
newswoman
Ultimate Fitz, you can't handle the truth!!
ukeman
Baloney.
Just because Bachelor bemoans the loss of his beloved GOP, it doesn't mean FOX doesn't need to be put in its place for the disingenuous crap they produce 24/7.
Calling it the "arm of the Republican party" is merely a fact.
Gee don't we want to wee wee up the low info's that are FOX viewers? Just tell it like it is. I think they'll get it, and the WH will have done its job in responding to the crap that flows and flows...
MWaterman
RIGHT ON UKE!
I THINK THE PRESIDENT WAS CORRECT TO POINT OUT THE FACTS.
EVEN IF ONE MINDLESS TEABAGGER WAKES UP IT WILL BE WORTH IT.
EXPOSE THE INFOTAINMENT FOR WHAT IT IS.
DON'T ENGAGE FAKE NEWS AS IF IT WERE REAL.
diamondgirl
ukeman, You left wing bloggers have it all wrong, Fox is so not the arm of the republican party, because the Republican party doesnt have the guts to do what some do on this network.. They are hiding, hardly ever hear them speak out on any of the attacks unless the its so obvious they have no choice. They figure why stick their necks out and get in trouble, let the paid networks do it, and just stay out of the way...
Nickster
I still have not seen one of you back up your garbage about FOX with any facts. You are however really good at calling people who disagree with you names and spewing out lies you no doubt obtained from your left wing sources. The funny thing is you all act like MSNBC, Huffy Post and other far left loonyoutlets are Gospel, and becasue you disagree with some of the people on Fox, they of course must be idiots. A typical Liberal ariticratic response, We are right therefoe everyone who disagrees with us must be stupid.
newswoman
Whew! "because you disagree with some of the people on Fox, they of course must be idiots". Who can take a 'news show' seriously when they deliberately disagree with ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING that the President says and does? "A typical rightwing response"
allonfla
FOX a business? No Kidding!! It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. So if you got it, and the readers here got it, The White House has got it also. I don't know what their REAL end game is, but it is certainly not to bring down FOX.
I honestly wish that they would call out ALL media, because you ALL suck. Left, Right, Center - you all suck.
downbytheriver00
Word!
newswoman
Not so, Allonfla. Only Fox preaches hate for the President and "hope he fails".
peppermint
Hey newswoman, the Weak One is failing ---- in just about everything about uplifting our country he has failed. Oh I forgot a bunch of Norwegian libs think he's the greatest, not to mention Khadaffi, Chavez and Castro. What does that tell you? We all know why ---- that they are America haters!
If Fox is an arm of the Republican party, how many arms make up the Democrat party? Shall we start with MSNBC, CNN, CBS, ABC & NBC and thats just TV ----- it's a freaking octopus when you finish with the newpapers!
Nickster
Fox does not preach hate "newswoman", I would guess most of you do not even watch FOX from your comments. Also, just because one wants Obama's policies to fail, that is the making of a socialist state, does not make them hateful. Actually, those who oppose the "Change" have more in common with our founding fathers than people who spew hate. I would guess howeve,r that if "newswoman" were around when we were fighting for our independence, she would have been commenting about how "Hatefull" Washington, Franklin, etc. were.
Desertpenguin
My friends, if anyone had questions about what it means to spin the lies, insults, and hysteria of Fox "News", this article is a perfect example of spin.
No lengthy dissection is necessary because Bachelor uses Rules # 3, 4, & 5 of THE 5 RULES OF PROPAGANDA --
3) The rule of disfiguration: discrediting the opposition by crude smears and parodies.
4) The rule of transfusion: manipulating the consensus values of the target audience for one's own ends.
5) The rule of unanimity: presenting one's viewpoint as if it were the unanimous opinion of all right-thinking people: draining the doubting individual into agreement by the appeal of star-performers, by social pressure, and by 'psychological contagion'.
mrkoampah
Glen Beck , warm hearted?... please. where do get the idea that this channel is neutral, its anti democrat entertainment. Thats all it is. the pity of it is that its creating a climate in the country which is regrettable at best.
newswoman
Rightwingers love to call the President a 'socialist' because they don't have an understanding of our political system. We have many 'sociaist' programs that we needed and couldn't do without...Medicare and Social Security. Thank God that previous presidents weren't afraid to do government programs that today would be considered socialist because the government provided them: i.e., Rural Electrification, the Interstate Road System, the G. I. Bill and the VA. I rest my case.
Veronicaxy
Interesting DP. Whose rules are they? I'd like to find and read the rest...
neverlate
So MSNBC is not in the business of selling soap?
newswoman
Not is place of the truth!!
GL1234
HA! So is it true Chris Matthews gets a chill up his leg when he listens to Obama?
ChanRobt
White House Communications Director Anita Dunn is the biggest doofus mouthpiece I've seen working for the White House since the hapless Ron Ziegler.
But then, Mr. Gibbs isn't coming across as either very clever or very diplomatic.
They should hire Mike McCurry back. Though I doubt he'd want the job.
winston1
Gibbs..."um-um-um"--- "I'll get back to you on that"---"I don't know" "Helen your hot" These are some of Robert Gibbs quotes we hear day in and day out.
AlanD2
Phony
Attention troll.
Attempting to provoke a response-
Insincere
Unconvincing.
diamondgirl
ChanRobt, I love Anita's hair doooooo, she needs a make over big time.LOL
ChanRobt
Smart presidents don't bitch about the media. They should just smile and say nice things.
Don't get mad, get even.
But, personally, I love seeing this White House make asses of themselves. They may be brilliant at campaigning, but so far, not at governing. Two different skill sets.
i know a lot of brilliant advertising guys who made millions in ad biz. But always lost their shirts in every other business they tried.
pennsykid2000
"They may be brilliant at campaigning, but so far, not at governing. Two different skill sets."
Bush et al. certainly proved that comment correct. They couldn't learn how to govern competently even after 8 years. Maybe 9 months isn't long enough to judget Obama on governing?
yweston
ChanRobt
Still "bitter" about the election I see.
ChanRobt
yweston, if you have an intelligent point to make, let's hear it. Otherwise, don't be a putz.
The Daily Kos would be happy to have you back. They don't mind idiots there.
GL1234
Bush did a great job getting his policies through. Whether you liked his policies or not he was able to get through his agenda of tax cuts and a war in Iraq, which a lot of democrats voted for. Obama is having trouble getting his agenda through with huge majorities in both houses.
Ozone69
If the WH would stay focused on fighting terror, Afghanistan, the economy, and illegal immigration rather than Fox News, maybe the President would have actually accomplished something. Other than being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his hope and vision rather than anything tangible like other laureates have done.
yweston
Ozone69
If he's not doing anything then what is Faux Entertainment and the "Pee Party" screamin' about. What were those Real "Hatriots" doing in Washington with misspelled signs making fools out of themselves.
They traveled to D.C. to protest someone who's doing "Nothing". You comment doesn't "jive" with the Right Wing nonsense we're all witnessing.
BTW Pres. Obama's Healthcare Reform plan is moving right along. As long as he continues to do nothing the nation will continue to progress
diamondgirl
yweston, these people were exercizing their freedom of speach! We still have that here in Iranica, or at least until Obama tries to stop /ignor that..He hates the consitution you know!
Ozone69
I wouldn't comment on other people's spelling and grammar if I were you. But that's beside the point. My guess is that the anger at the town hall meetings and the large protest in our capital were a combination of people who don't want the federal government taking over 1/6 of our economy (health care) and the enormous spending that this administration has proposed. That money has to come from somewhere. I don't think China will buy anymore of our debt for a while until we are on less shaky ground financially.
Back to the point. I don't ever recall President Bush whining about the media, which was very hostile to him BTW. Obama has to man up and get something done.
lindavis1
FOX is the National Enquirer of TV. I worked for the 2010 Census this summer, and met several people who "knew" I really worked for ACORN (Of course untrue. The only prejudice the government shows in hiring for the census is towards veterans.). They all got their info from FOX news.
TexGent1
Might not have been too much of a stretch actually. The Census bureau had contracted with ACORN to gather census data and recently canceled the contract due to the allegations of illegal activities by ACORN.
jaimo62
Didn't the National Enquirer break the John Edwards story a year before any other news outlet picked it up? Sounds like the National Enquirer does more hard hitting news than your ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC and CNN, huh?
newswoman
They like to focus on sensational stories that are peripheral to the real news in the country, like the economy, the wars, etc. You need an attention span to watch what is really important in the news.
Ozone69
lindavis1,
Not only did the Enquirer break the John Edwards affair and out of wedlock child story, they broke the Bill Cllinton affair with a college intern story. CBS' Dan Rather tried to discredit President Bush's National Guard service with a forged document (a poor one at that) weeks before a presidential election. Dateline NBC rigged cars with explosives causing them to blow up. ABC's 20/20 is guilty of a similarly staged and rigged fire caised by rear end crashes of all Ford cars not jus the ill-designed Pinto. Incendiary devices were utilized to create the false effect of Ford cars bursting into flames when rear-ended.
Please indicate which inxtances FOX News staged anything to get a desired result or any false news stories they broadcasted. I eagerly await your response.
rtchap2
Seems to me that Obama and his band of Socialists wants everyone to worship him. They really can"t stand that a media company actually reports negatively against his Regime. Perhaps he should focus on issues of substance, for that matter, why is unemployment still rising? How come so many are against his government run healthcare? How Come he don't listen to his generals? How come Iran is making the U.S. look like idiots? How come his poll numbers are tanking? How come he caved to Russia on missle defense and got nothing for it? How come he seriously wants to pass Cap and Tax and screw the American People? How come someone who has done nothing but apologize for America's shortcomings and kiss everyones foreign ass won the Noble Peace prize? How come he and his regime are wasting their time with Fox News? Their SCARED and you finally have to ask.... How Come???
nortonclybourn
Okay, have it your way. Fox News is really, really earthshakingly important and the Executive Branch has nothing better to do than fret about it's opinions that are held in universal awe and respect worldwide.
But if you look like an idiot, I don't think you can blame Iran.
andrew0823
Sure FOX is "show business", but it also tows the party line. Is it simply a conicidence that they concentrate on President Obama now, but when the previous administration was in office they did all they could to avoid the mess in Iraq and all the other missteps of the Bush administration? It's content is not good for America, but instead is polarizing
Noontime
Andrew0823:
Exactly. Since when is acting upon some people's worst fears---a horrible economy, a seemingly endless war in Iraq and a bloody mess in Afghanistan, rampant unemployment, and a President who doesnt resemble anyone theyve ever known in their lifetimes--a viable means of "entertainment?"
There are serious issues at stake here. And playing upon the half-baked, paranoid, uninformed views of the ignorant masses who lap up the rabble at Fox News is hardly funny or entertaining.
You're right. Its at best, polarizing, and at worst, dangerous. Look at our social climate: some folks actually kept their children home from school when the President spoke about education; there are people showing up at rallies with freakin assault rifles! The Becks, Hannitys and O Reillys, by not overtly condeming such things, promote them.
This may be light hearted fare for some folks in here ( those conservative types for whom political talk is a sport: Hey, Obama sucks! Ha Ha Ha! Look at me, I'm so freakin clever and bold hiding behind my terminal!)
But there are some truly ignorant people out there--folks without education or fully formed cognitive skills, who are socially retarded and who truly believe that everyone who isnt white is out to get them. These are the people who think Glenn Beck really is some passionate patriot calling them to arms.
cbeenthere
Sad, but true noontime. There should be a difference between news and even opinion vis a vis entertainment and gossip. I know many conservatives though who are educated and exposed who buy this hook, line and sinker, so Fox does attract a varied audience, with one thing in common-conservatism.
jaimo62
Ok, let's take your arguments one at a time.
There aren't many people out there who haven't met a person "who doesn't resemble anyone they've ever known in their lifetimes" i.e. black people, ooohhhhh!!!!!!! They're so scary. You idiot.
The half-baked, paranoid and uninformed people are those on the left who haven't realized the hopey changey lied to you.
Yea, I agree that keeping the chil'rens home from school when the President spoke was silly, however if the liberal media reported on the original content of his speech and it's accompanying lesson plan for the wonderfuly underqualified teachers who slobber all over the WON (which was posted, then disappeared when the sh*t hit the fan) you'd be a little nervous too. If GWB wanted to do that with that exact lesson plan you'd be hanging yourselves in protest. God you guys were pissed that he was reading a book to kids in Florida on 9/11.
I'm glad you brought up the guy with the assault rifle at the town hall meeting. CNN showed the clip of the back of a man with a rifle, and then proclaimed that townhallers were racists for bringing a gun to a meeting. However, we all learned later that CNN cropped that picture so you couldn't tell the MAN WAS BLACK, HE WAS BLACK, BLACK, BLACK, yet CNN didn't really make a big deal about it when they are caught trying to mislead you poor misguided liberals, did they, since to this day you didn't have any idea the MAN WAS BLACK, BLACK, BLACK. Who's polarizing now, sounds like CNN.
For the record, I won't ever forget the truly dispicable way that GWB was treated during his Presidency by you "enlightened morons" on the left, and you will receive it back two-fold. So next time you "clealy superior beings" want to slap down those on the right who have issues with the guy you voted for, just as you on the left had issues with the guy we voted for, just remember....payback's a b*tch.
jaimo62
Are you kidding me, "tows the party line". Are you sure you're not talking about the National Barack Channel (NBC). Obama owns NBC lock stock and barrel with Immelt on his economic policy team. Gees, wake up will ya.
It seems to me that NBC could be reporting on some news that didn't involve how wide Michelle's belt was today or did Obama take the dog for it's walk this morning.
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.