UPDATED: Glenn Beck goes after Color of Change co-founder Van Jones

Glenn Beck used his popular Fox News show this afternoon to attack the background of Van Jones, a White House environmental advisor who co-founded an African American political advocacy group that organized an advertising boycott of his program.

During his 2 p.m. PDT show, Beck did not address the boycott spearheaded by Color of Change to protest the talk show host’s remark last month that he believes President Obama is “a racist.” 

Instead, he spent a large share of his program suggesting that Jones, who co-founded Color of Change in 2005, is a radical. Jones now serves as a special advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

During a six-minute biographical profile, set to ominous music, Beck said Jones was twice arrested for political protests and has described himself as a "rowdy black nationalist." The talk show host cast the piece as part of a broader examination of Obama's "czars," special advisers to the president who "don't answer to anybody."

"Why is it that such a committed revolutionary has made it so high into the Obama administration as one of his chief advisers?" Beck asked.

Christine Glunz, a spokeswoman for the White House Council on Environmental Quality, noted that Jones has been lauded as an environmental hero and said his entire focus is on “building clean energy incentives which create 21st-century jobs.”

“Glenn Beck is trying to change the subject,” said James Rucker, executive director of Color of Change, who noted that Jones has not been active with the group in almost two years. “The issue is his baseless fear mongering.”

Beck has gone after Jones in the past. On July 28, he called the activist a "self-professed communist" and questioned the role he was playing in the administration. His latest assault on Jones came as Color of Change announced that it has secured commitments from 36 companies who have pledged not to advertise on Beck’s popular program, including Wal-Mart and Sprint. However, some of the companies never had a presence on "Glenn Beck." Representatives of Procter & Gamble and AT&T – listed by Color of Change as companies that had signed onto the boycott – told The Times that their companies did not run spots on Beck’s program to begin with.

While the advertising boycott has generated substantial media coverage, Fox News said it has not impacted the network’s revenues or Beck’s audience. "The advertisers referenced have all moved their spots from Beck to other programs on the network so there has been no revenue lost," a spokeswoman said.

Since his Fox News show launched in January, Beck has attracted a sizable audience with his strident denunciations of the Obama administration and apocalyptic warnings about the country’s direction. Late last month, during an appearance on the morning show “Fox & Friends,” he accused Obama of having “a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture.”

“This guy is, I believe, a racist,” he added.

The flap that ensued did not appear to dampen Beck’s viewership. This month, his show has averaged 2.25 million viewers, 99% more than tuned in during the same period last year, when the network aired “America’s Election HQ” during the time period. And his ratings are up from July, when Beck's program averaged 2.05 million viewers. Fan websites such as Defend Glenn have called for viewers to fight back against the advertising boycott, and some media veterans have denounced the tactic as a suppression of free speech.

The controversy has triggered a broader discussion about the risks to advertisers of running commercials amid the incendiary rhetoric of cable talk shows. Clorox announced last week that it was pulling its ads off all political talk shows.

"We do not want to be associated with inflammatory speech used by either liberal or conservative talk show host,” the company said in a statement. “After a comprehensive review of political talks shows across the spectrum, at this time we have made a decision not to advertise on them. Clorox has done very little advertising on political talk shows overall, and given the sometimes inflammatory nature of these shows, we feel our advertising investment is best directed elsewhere.”

-- Matea Gold

File photo of Glenn Beck by Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times

RELATED:

As boycott continues, Glenn Beck's audience swells

Comments

[Scott Austin]

Gagan,
Is there any proof that Obama is a racist? Well his reaction to the Gates situation is a very good indicator. But let us reason together. If a white politician had studied under the leader of the KKK for tweny years, was considered a friend of the Grand Dragon and respected in the KKK community, would we hesitate to call him racist? Yet Obama sat under Rev. Wright for 20 some odd years. The Rev, who is anti white and anti american, as expressed by his rantings from the pulpit, consideres Obama a friend and respected member of that spiritual community. So Obama has sat under the teachings of a rasist and has endorsed those teachings through his presence. So by just using a little reason and maybe some logic, it would be safe to say that Obama is racist, and is now acting as an elitist socialist. Regarless of Obamas elequence his actions speak very very loudly.

[Alan Bean]

All of this "Yeah, Beck"; "Boo Beck," back-and-forth is missing the point. The man called our President a racist and claimed, without a shred of documentation, that Obama hates white people. Sure, the man retains his freedom of speech; but advertisers also have the freedom not to be associated with a moron who spouts the same reverse racism nonsense commonly associated with hate groups like the Council of Conservative Citizens. Check out their website and tell me what part of it Glenn Beck would object to. In Beck's mind, there is no place in America for people who don't look like him and think like him. Why else would Beck feel hatred and rejection from a centrist politician who is bending over backwards to make himself acceptable to white voters? Beck says he is losing the America of his childhood. That America had no place for non-white politicians and neither, it appears, do many of the people who have commented on this story.

[Scott Austin]

Airplane,

How do think Hitler took over. By doing just what the government is doing now. Read your history and you will see we are in the dawn of very bad situation unless we as a people wake up!

[Helen Claunch-Jones]

Glen, the uninsured delima can be resolved without govt killing our current system by three things: Pass a consumption tax (5%)across the US to replenish Medicare, VA and Medicaid ONLY for their bucket of $ and it can't be touched by anyone; then, LIMIT PHARMACIES PATENTS TO THREE YEARS(!) all over 10yrs @ this time should be null and void; so GENERIC DRUGS can be available REDUCING medical cost by 70%; last but not least, Set aside a "blanket policy" to cover 8-14 million who have lost their jobs and are on cobra, shared by all insurance companies in a pool just as they do "high risk drivers" through EACH STATE and mandate triage payments for providers and hospitals who are going bankrupt because they get "nothing"@ this time for those services. This is not rocket scientist stuff, for anyone who is not a US citizen, or here illegally, they must pay "pool of insurance companies" premium paid by the others who will be eligible due to recemt unemployment, etc., it will eliminate discrimination and those who are the ages of 19-30 that the govt is soooo wanting their $ will still have the choice NOT TO BUY insurance.
Keep up the good work, love the program, "common sense is not common" but these three remedies will work. Insurance companies have the actuaries to pencil whip the numbers, why not ask the Congress and Senate why they can't do the
just thing. Save the three govt insurances they now have, provide coverage to the 8-14 million out of work and/or on cobra, and last, offer insurance to those who are not citizens @ the same "pool coverage" paid by those who are out of work?
Sincerely,
Helen Claunch-Jones
3150 Soft Breezes #1037
Las Vegas, NV 89128
702-243-6322
HelenClaunch-Jones@doclv.com

[Cole Kelley]

Notice how the article does nothing to refute that Van Jones was arrested twice, is a "rowdy black nationalist" or a "self avowed communist". Instead the article chooses to focus on the boycott of Beck's show. Why would the reporter avoid the issue of Van Jones' background. It helped validate my research these claims are not refuted by Van Jones, the administration, or left wing media outlets. I'm also curious to see the "a racist" quote in full context. I don't believe that Beck has ever directly stated that President Obama is "a racist".

[Larry Spencer]

Glenn Beck is far more American than you are. All of the "mainstream" media are so caught up in wanting to be Obama's lap puppies. You make me sick!!! Our America is being threatened by ex-cons, radical left-wing communists, Marxists, etc. If you and they hate our America so much go live in North Korea, Venezuela, or some other fascist, totalitarian country.

America is the ultimate symbol of freedom and we want it to stay that way. We are the world watchdog; we have helped more countries than any other in the course of history.

Open you eyes and ears and stop being Pollyannas concerning this most corrupt administration and Congress in the history of America.

So there!

[Nathan west]

Glenn beck is trash always have been and always will be

[DKMiles]

So what's more offensive to liberals? The fact that Van Jones is a self avowed communist? Or that Glen Beck actually had the stones to do the mainstream media's job and let you know that not only is Jones a communist, but he's advising the administration on green jobs. Imagine that, a communist advising the president of a capitalist country on jobs... Nice...

So why are liberals so upset at beck?

[Steve in Arizona]

Slavery was a result of the Arabs getting together with Africans, and Africans selling their fellow Africans as slaves. Let's get it right! Van Jones has no business in the Whitehouse, and he was appointed because he couldn't pass an FBI background investigation. Who needs self-admitted Communists in the Whitehouse? Certainly not I!!!

[davecatbone]

Van Jones is a self avowed COMMUNIST. He hates America the way it IS. He is also an unelected official who has never sworn to defend the Constitution, yet has the ear of our President. These are facts. The Apollo Alliance, comprising the SEIU, ACORN, the AFL-CIO, has claimed credit for writing the Stimulus bill. These are FACTS. The White House is NOT denying these. The FCC "diversity" Czar, openly admires the Chavez Communist Revolution in Venuzuela, and seeks to gain total control of Media in America. Another non elected official never swearing to defend the Constitution with the ear of the President. These are FACTS. Middle America is waking, and we won't stand for the attack on our freedoms the Democrat party, or any other party tries. Glenn Beck doesn't give a rat's rear what you Libs think about him, nor do I. See you in 2010.

[allen]

Why should we believe Glenn Beck, is there any actual proof that Van Jones is a ex con, or has ever been a part of radical organization, or ever stated that he was a communist, because if there was any truth to any of this, im sure Oboma would of never hired him in such a high position, with a record like this, you would never get a state job, much less a high position in the government, So Glenn must be lying, right?

[SJ]

What a "Dead Beat " government, my eyes are seeing people wake up everyday . It's nice to hear some loud voices pointing out the tyrants.
What is the sole purpose of our government? most politicians/citizens can't even answer that question correctly. White man, Black man, Yellow man who cares we all still have some rights left that need to be protected. This started long before Obama, he's just setting in motion plans that have already been there and it needs to stop!.

to protect our life, liberty and property......nothing else!

[ken]

It's not right for Glenn to call Obama a racist, just like it shouldn't be right for blacks to denounce whites as racist. So the "Go Glenn" slogan is wrong. Is there any proof that Obama is racist.******************************** Gagan, just to read that one line "Glenn called Obama a racist" is not enough information. Do your DD...go listen to Glenn's explanation and then decide whether it was accurate or inaccurate. Heres the link (or go to Glenns site and look it up): http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/28574/ ***********Now, if you refuse to do so, then you are part of the problem. We have to start getting facts and not trusting the media. Im not saying Glenn is right or wrong, just saying that we have to start getting our own facts and not depending on the biased media (biased in either direction).

[Barbara]

Glenn beck has mental problem s if you read his bio you will see he has a family history of mental illness. He lives in mansion in New Cannan ,ct. One of the most arian locations in this country- He became a mormon just so his now wife would marry him not for matters of faith. He is a dangerous element in this country - he uses a sly underhanded manner to divide the races and to instill fear in the frindge element in this country that fears they have lost hundreds of years of power. Glenn beck what America should fear is you.

[MrRezister]

Seems like a lot of people miss the point that Beck attracts an audience because he's filling a HUGE GAP in media reportage. He may be over-the-top, but he also points out things that are either just not heard on other networks, or do not the scrutiny some viewers think they deserve. Maybe his critics should check out the facts he reports instead of attacking him personally or insulting his viewers.

Accusations of racism (in either direction) are pointless and do not advance anyone's argument. Nonetheless, the Obama administration is NOT above criticism. Maybe that's the gap filled by Beck and some of the other reporters and commentators on Fox.

[Ann]

I am in my sixties and I cannot recall when a president has been the subject of such disrespect as has President Obama.
Not only are derogatory remarks and signs made about him,but also his wife and children.
I was so proud of this country when Mr Obama won.I have been disappointed at the actions of a small group of people in country for whom racism is alive and well.

I believe most people in this country are good and decent people.All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
The main stream media need to show America the deplorable things written
on theses signs at some of these town hall meeting and tea parties.The media need to show these people for what they are.I starting to believe that African Americans may need to go back to the protest mode of the Civil Rights
movement.

[Deborah]

Personally I think Glenn Beck is a passionate American who says what the “average” middle class American yell at their televisions across this great country but unfortunately the only ones that hear us is our loved ones.

When we ask questions in public forums or state our opinions, what is reported or spun on the “alphabet” networks and the “Obama merchandising cable channels” is that we are racists, radical, uninformed, ignorant people that couldn’t possible form an opinion or disagree with this administration unless we were hypnotize by the Glenn Becks, Sean Hannity and the Rush Limbaugh’s of the world.

It is a real crime that journalists have lost their objectivity. Years ago I remembered journalists use to “report” the news of the day; they didn’t give their opinion and definitely didn’t try to become part of the story. What happened to covering both sides, questioning the validity of the story? Now it seems that a good part of the journalists of today want their opinion to be heard instead of reporting the facts of the story and letting the audience form “their” opinion.

I think this type of writing is called “Expository writing”. Definition of Expository writing is a mode of writing in which the purpose of the author is to inform, explain, describe, or define his or her subject to the reader. I believe this is a course that every college freshman takes their first year of college as well as “critical thinking”. Perhaps the present day journalists should brush up on their writing skills.

Of course this is just one woman’s opinion, someone who is scared of what she sees and hears today and is afraid that most Americans are too busy to inform themselves or overwhelmed and believe their favorite journalists has a “fiduciary” responsibility to report the facts of the story.

[brenda]

Glen Beck is the best.
brenda

[Rafael]

Typical, Average, God Fearing, Tax Paying American's LA TIMES Blog Comments Prove Benefits Of Home Schooling! See more at http://www.wakebook.ning.com.

[keanon]

Wow. Took me all of about 2 article paragraphs and 8 comment posts to determine that LA Times likes Glenn Beck.

Garbage.