Fox News in trouble again over Obama smear: 'baby mama'

Fresh from its fist bump flap, Fox News is taking new flak for a screen caption that referred to Michelle Obama as her husband's "baby mama."

Even conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, who was on camera Wednesday afternoon when the line "OUTRAGED LIBERALS: STOP PICKING ON OBAMA'S BABY MAMA" flashed underneath her, has distanced herself from the phrase.

In a posting Wednesday night, Malkin wrote: "I did not write the caption, and I was not aware of it when it ran (the Baltimore studio doesn’t have a monitor). I don’t know if the caption writer was making a lame attempt to be hip, clueless about the original etymology of the phrase, or both."

Still, Malkin goes off on a tangent on how Michelle Obama, in the past, has referred to her mate as her "baby's daddy" (the point being, presumably, that the phrase was thus in play). You can read Malkin's post here; it includes some of the nasty e-mails she received following her Fox appearance.

The folks at Fox are developing something of an obsession over Barack Obama's wife. Tonight's Bill O'Reilly show, according to network promos, will include a discussion of her by conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham.

The other recent brouhaha ...

... involving the network was sparked by a segment it did on the fist bump the Obamas exchanged on stage last week as he prepared to proclaim that he had secured sufficient delegates to win the Democratic presidential race.

A few days later, Fox anchor E.D. Hill, reading words on a teleprompter that someone else had written, wondered whether the gesture might be interpreted as a "terrorist fist jab." Hill later apologized.

Perhaps Fox hired a few too many summer interns to handle some of its behind-the-scenes writing chores.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Gromit]

Don, that's not a "tangent." Exactly as you (next) said, MM was explaining why she believes such terms as "babby daddy" and "baby mama" were put in play by Michelle Obama herself.

That's directly on point, Don, not a "tangent."

This is an opinion blog, and you're entitled to yours (that MM view IS a "tangent"), but you're flat wrong this time.

[jro]

She's da baby's mama. What is wrong wid dat yo?

[Mccain is Bush]

More than one person should be relieved of their job for allowing this racial slight to air.

The writer, the director, the producer, anybody who has a say in what is allowed to be aired should be held accountable.

What say you Fox?

[jon]

LOL!
Welcome to Hillary's world Michelle!

She had an entire convention dedicated to her in 1992!

But now the leftist media will be outraged!!!!!
Gimme a break. Deal with it!
Write in Hillary 08

[frank burns]

Fox gives conservative tabloid journalism a bad name.

[mkinla]

you insult interns: i think most middle and high school interns would be smarter than the writers at Fox News. and i am certain college ones would be.

[steve]

What can you expect from the white trash network known as FOX? Might as well run this after NASCAR so the ignorant closed minded demographic could of had another good racist laugh.

[cody mccall]

It's important to keep in mind that Fox News really isn't . . . news, that is. It's an agent of the GOP in general, the GWB White House in particular, and an integral part of Murdoch's obsession to demonize all things/people labeled liberal, progressive, and/or Democract, as in the Democratic Party.
I will look forward to the soon-to-be-launched campaign on Fox to rename a well-known national monument 'Mount Bushmore' and have his smirking visage chiseled therein.

[TJackson]

I think that the news caption concerning Michelle Obama ("Stop picking on Obama's Baby Mama") was really over the top. This country has too many problems and all we are doing at this point is playing games with the spouses of the candidates. If Michell Obama talks politics, call her out on it and leave dirt where dirt belongs. That news caption shows how out of touch you (Fox News) are with African Americans

[Ric Ross]

Fox News has demonstrated once again that they are not a professional news organization, and totally out of touch with America. Referring to Mrs Obama in this manner is disrespectful and derogatory. I'm certain that their pundits would be filled with outrage if one of the other news organizations referred to Mrs. McCain as a "trophy wife" - which she is not. ***Fox - unfair & unbalanced. sad.

[anonymous]

Why are you bringing your publication down to FOX News levels? Shame on you!
I think Michelle Obama would make a very elegant and refreshing First Lady. She's not a baby. She has the guts to wear what she feels appropriate (and it is by the way) and speak her mind (which politicians have been afraid to do for way, way too long).

[tani]

Remember in the 60's. you are not suppose to call a 6 yr old Negro "black boy" because it is "racist" and "demeaning". Now, the phrase baby mama is wrong? Why is it that we have to walk on egg shells when we talk about anything attached to blacks, but when blacks talk about whites, asians Latinos, they can say anything they want?

[Stephanie Marie]

Would you be referring to Mrs Obama as the baby's mama if she were of another enthic group? Oh is this acceptible because she is Black ? Once again America is showing that race is still an issue. When we are all one race the human race with many enthic groups.

When you all understand that we are all ONE

[moots]

Gromit -

The phrase "baby's daddy" quoted by Ms. Malkin in her defense, appears to be premised on a typographical error. At the time Mrs. Obama made the statement in 2004 (quoted as "My baby's daddy"), the Obamas had two children. Thus, the quoted statement should read "My babies' daddy." Certainly you can see the difference between a mother referring to her husband and father of her two children as "My babies' daddy" (a term of endearment) versus a TV "news" program referring to Mrs. Obama as "Obama's baby mama" (hardly endearing, as evidenced by the rest of the chyron: "Outraged Liberals: Stop Picking on Obama's Baby Mama!").

In case you can't see the difference, I'll do it for you. First, "baby mama" is a well-known derogatory term typically lodged against single African-American mothers. If you can locate any instance of the term "baby mama" being applied to a white woman, much less a married white woman, much less a white woman married to a major party presidential candidate, by any news program ever, please do so. (I'll bet you a beer that you can't.)

Second, Fox knows that subtext - as evidenced by the absence of an apostrophe-s ('s) after the word "baby." Putting aside that the Obamas have two children (and thus it should be spelled "babies'"), obviously the writers employed by Fox understand possessive nouns. By dropping the aprostrophe-s, Fox is seizing the racial/socio-economic subtext behind the phrase "baby mama" and applying it to the Obamas.

If you don't find Fox's behavior despicable, perhaps you'll be persuaded by Fox itself. In case you missed it, Fox has apologized for using the term: “A producer on the program exercised poor judgment in using this chyron during the segment,” Fox's Senior Vice President of Programming Bill Shine said in a statement to Politico.

[Cookie]

We still have a long way to go. She is his wife, partner and best friend. How dare fox run something that is so disrespectful. Not only to Michelle but to any strong, black, and educated woman. Fox owes the Obama family an apology. It definely shows that you are terrified. That this man and his wife could actually make a change in this Country. I know you would like for it to stay just as it is on the brink of destruction from 8 years of making deals, while sipping on your cognac and brandy in the back room. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!! NO MORE!!!!

[Cecelia Patmon]

Hillery may have been faced with sexism. but that's a far cry from both sexism and racism. I will not be a bit surprise that if the blatant racist remarks are continued against Obama and his wife. That it will help put him in the White House. Smut of this nature would turn the heads of the minority Republicans. Which have been silent lately.

[Bertie Jones]

I guess that it is politically correct for African American male stars to say in the movies that their female counterparts are holes, but to make it offensive to say someone is a baby mama is demeaning to every American. This gives a new meaning to the insanity of current media responsible journalism. By making this an issue and indicating that someone saying this is making a racial slur is bordering on lack of faith in society to use good judgement in our own use of articulation of slang and culture. The media including you Don Frederick should be ashamed of this kind of journalism that creates dissention of the public and divides this nation with racial division. Onced a wise person said that "A house divided could not stand" Please stop the nonsense. Bring us precise news, good issues, common sense, and a way for Americans to live the dream of Martin Luther King. No matter the color of the outside skin, black, brown, red, white, or yellow...we must focus
on one thing; we live together in the world with limited resources that must be shared so that each gets a equal share of the pie. We all have the same color blood, feel pain in the same sense, grieve for the lost of love ones,
and feel great humility when faced with the tragedy of others. When we were children we were all taught the rule of "if you have nothing good to say about someone, say nothing at all". What has happened to that basic rule, when everyone has only bad to speak of other good humans. Must we always second guess everyone's motives for what is been said. Most are only trying their best to do what they think is right at a given time with the options of choices they are presented.
I will end with this last statement. I have 3 sons and frankly I am proud to be called baby mama.

[ted winther]

Pathetic. Our nation's news is reported by juveniles. They have no value. These are people who just weren't bright enough to have careers in something meaningful. They should just read the facts and let people with normal intelligence draw their own conclusions. If we as a nation consider these people significant sources of information, then we are doomed to live in ignorance.

[David Dawdy]

It would be a step in the right direction if print media listings would refer to "Fox News" as an opinion or commentary show to differentiate it from news reportage.

Viewers could then enjoy it's editorial premise and crude humor and put-downs for what they are, and leave the real news reporting to the adult media.

Dave Dawdy

[Ellen]

I agree Fox's intent was a racist slur. It was like they got away with putting "Pickaninny" on the screen.

[Mr. Unite Us]

I stopped watching Fox after news analyst made a crack about killing Obama.

I think the advertisers should contacted and asked not to support this trash. I think if McCain or the RNC had class they would let Fox know that they don't condone this.

In attempting to discredit the Obamas Fox loses credibility.

www.fightthesmears.com

[Tom J]

For those who think there's nothing wrong with calling Michelle a baby mama, let's try an experiment. Starting now, all Fox News people will regularly mention 'Murdoch's baby mama' (Wendi Deng) and 'Ailes's baby mama' (Elizabeth Ailes) in their broadcasts as well as in meetings with Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes. They can let us know how that works out for them.

[Cheryll]

See ANY criticism of the Obama camp is ALWAYS a point of racism with them. I can see it now...IF Obama was president whining about racism when congress doesn't go his way.
Poor, poor Obama..with racism as his flag he can try to exempt himself from any mistakes...always the white man keeping him down...

[Patricia]

McCain, his sleazy slimy cohorts, the RNC and his faithful "Good Ole" Boys are running scared and master-mindeinthe smear and racist campaign, along with lining Fox's underbelly pocketaswith $$$$$$ to attack the Obama family. And the RNC sit s " innocently" by gasping in horror as each of their smear tactics continue to come across news station that are racist like Fox. McCain and his cohorts do not care about running a clean and honest campaign, they want to continue to hold this country hostage as we spiral down. So, they, which is not surprising, have developed a scheme where they are going to make up stuff on Michelle Obama to cripple Obama's chances for winning. I know that Fox is being handsomely being rewarded for his case. Yet this is prevalent all over our world.

[America the Beautiful]

Michelle Obama and Senator Obama should be treated the way the rest of the politicians are being treated.

If she can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

She's fair game.

[A Very Concerned American]

Michelle Obama should be able to take this comment.
Really.
Senator Clinton and her entire family were bashed daily
They have been accused of racism and God knows what else.
Personally, the media has not put the spotlight on these two since the beginning. of this campaign.
All I know is they both went to a church that I would have left the first day I heard such vicious remarks about race and the United States.
All candidates will be approached by off color remarks and should be able to take the heat without whining.
Both Obama and his wife have never been vetted.
I am thrilled that we are finally beginning to see who these two are.
The media needs to investigate both of the Obama's.

[Rick from NJ]

Every American that says anything about African American are racist.

Whites can talk about whites
Blacks can talk about whites
Blacks can talk about blacks

But God forgive whites talk about blacks.
Please.

[Ann]

This isn't about black and white. This is about a national network insinuating that Mr. and Mrs. Obama have near been married, and their children are illegitimate.

If you spent any time in the real world, you would know that the phrase is used just as much in the white community.

[Marlene]

YOU JUST DON'T GET IT!!! IT'S AMAZING TO ME THAT WHITE PEOPLE CAN SPEW THEIR HATE AND TRY TO BE SELF RIGHTEOUS ABOUT IT, WHINING, "BLACKS TALK ABOUT WHITES WHY CAN'IT TALK ABOUT BLACKS"

DO YOU UNDERSTAND HOW INSULTING THAT IS TO SAY MICHELLE IS BARACK'S BABY'S MAMA? IT IMPLIES THAT THEY ARE NOT MARRIED. ON THE OTHER HAND, MAYBE YOU DO UNDERSTAND THAT AND IT'S JUST ANOTHER WAY FOR YOU TO SHOW YOUR HATRED AND YOUR MEAN SPIRIT.

SAY WHAT YOU LIKE, BUT HILLARY WAS NEVER DISREPECTED IN SUCH A WAY AS THIS - THAT'S BECAUSE HILLARY IS WHITE.

FOX NEWS AND THE IDIOT WHO MADE THAT REMARK SHOULD BE OFF THE AIR. THEY ARE A DISEASE!!!!!

[Scotty]

Four years of walking on pins and needles with this Black racist. If he wins, England is for my family.

[Florida]

Fox news need to be sued for defamation of character.
There is enough evidence to prove this. News shows like this one reinforces that this country hasn't evolved when it comes to race.

[volunteer]

Its a sad commentary when some of the above comments refer to this latest incident as a racial incident - my god wake up

You can't hide Obama & his wife from the world-believe it or not race has been used in Obama's behalf

[volunteer]

Don't all of you think the media and all of us are getting carried away with tying all the terms, remarks, inference, etc to being racially motivated

Do we all carry around so much guilt?

Grow up - the world does not revolve around Obama's feelings

[sillysally]

Just because you don't agree with what Fox News reports, doesn't necessarily make them wrong. No station is perfect, and as a Fox News "regular," I was surprised and offended that Michelle O. was referred to as a "Baby Mama" by Fox. That was unprofessional and stupid, to say the least. It was also racist because only African-Americans refer to each other using that term.

Fox News was wrong in this situation. They are, however, a FAIR news station compared to MSNBC and others.

On a side note, Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain are totally fair game in this Presidential Election, just as all potential first ladies have been.

[Lanny Davis]

Baby Mama was never put in play ... even if she said my baby's daddy .. it was racist and maybe more telling, stupid

[LREKing]

This is not an isolated incident, but one more part in a concerted effort to misrepresent Democrats (and anyone who disagrees with Fox's reich-wing view of the world). Recall last week's "terrorist fist-jab" hoo-ha, or the several times the chryons referred to Obama as "Osama"? Fox News is not news--it is a circle jerk for facists and dullards.

[Kimm]

This is the main reason I do not watch the Fox News station or any station that has FOX on it. They have made it clear to the american people and this entire country that they will not have anything good to say about african-americans whether they be politicians, outstanding students, doctors, lawyers, etc. They are worse than the usual rag magazine you find in the grocery stores. What a disgrace.

Michelle Malkin pretends that she did not know the caption ran under her "5 minutes" of fame and the nerve of her. How would she like it if someone referred to her as the "Little Rice eating Girl" on Fox?
This is a very demeaning use of words especially to someone who has dealt with and has overcome the racism in this country, WHICH IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL TODAY!!!

I honestly do not belive the statement that was made by Mrs. Obama about being "proud to be an American for the first time in her adult life" was wrong. I'm still not proud to be an american, even after I have been afforded the opportunity to attend some of the best colleges and universities in the country to obtain my degrees (2 masters and working on Ph.D) and working for a state agency. What is there to really be proud of: Homelessness, children going hungry everyday, the cost of living getting higher and pay getting lower, the economy, an unnecessary war, where young lives have been and are being taken for the benefit of someone else's agenda and personal reasons. Senior citizens who can't buy meds and etc, etc, etc. None of these things I spoke of above have been fixed, and they can be.

So now, you tell me what is there to be proud about?

[Kathy]

I have read the majority of these blogs and it is so sad that people really think the way they do. Closed minded people are the ones who belive we should have gone to war for Bush and his Daddy. These are the same people who probably voted for him and now look at the mess this country is in. Get a real life and start living the way God wants you to. This would be a much better place to live.

[Gaias Child]

Well the apology out of Fox News was something at least. Now, if the organization could be a little more sensitive in advance, it wouldn't be haivng to apologize every day and fire somebody. For an organization considered so very Christian, there's a whopping bunch of neurotic heartlessness going on, smug, mocking, contemptuous. I can't say I experience it first hand coz that's not one of the stations I stop at for news.

[Hotguy]

Since we are all on the subject, what exactly is the Obama postion on the millions of teenage Baby Mama's who will spend their entire life on welfare. Who cares what race they are.

[Alex S]

It just goes to show that although The Times They Are A Changing, there are still a lot of racists in America. Just read some of the replies right here! Although this was hilarious: "Michelle Malkin pretends that she did not know the caption ran under her "5 minutes" of fame and the nerve of her. How would she like it if someone referred to her as the "Little Rice eating Girl" on Fox?" Bottom line is that the GOP is scared to death of Obama, so they will do ANYTHING THEY CAN, including appealing to some whites' basest racist instincts in an attempt to DISTRACT VOTERS FROM THE ISSUES. The fact is that the country is in bad shape on MANY levels and it's time for a change. It's time to THROW THE BUMS OUT and most of the country feels this way and if they VOTE this way, Obama will win. So the GOP is doing their best to DISTRACT voters with appeals to racism and flag pins, crazy Reverends, etc.

[tracy owen]

come folks give me a break are we really giving this much thought to a phrase. As a law enforcement officer, I can't tell you how many times I have heard the phrase "thats my babies's mamma, or that's my babies daddy", instead of simply saying mother, or father, and I hear from both black and white, so its not racial, its not derogatory its just a term or a new play on words. We have have got more serious issues to deal with in this country besides who said what.

[SoCal]

I love watching fox new. I truly due. But I want to go to heaven. I am old now. I cant HATE. The way I used to. I know in my heart. That it is wrong. Yet I still do it. I try LORD to be kind and good. But FOX news feeds the fire and hate within me. So I must block you fox news. Sorry! I must! I am old. I must repent for all the hate!

[Rick]

Only a natural born citizen. Should own a American network!!! Pass it on.. We are getting the propaganda. Of another country. Murdock is not a true American. MURDOCK SHOULD NOT OWN A NETWORK!!!!!! ONLY NATURAL BORN AMERICANS!!!! SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LET THEM COME INTO OUR COUNTRY!!!!

[TruthIsGold]

FOX News shows us the worst of human nature, again, and again, and again!

[TruthIsGold]

FOX News shows us the worst of human nature, again, and again, and again!

[MrBest]

I'm still waiting on the liberal media to claim the "blackout in D.C." was some sort of racial slur aimed at Obama....oops! maybe aimed will be misconstrued.

[Deadissident]

What Fox in essence said was that That Michelle Obama's Children are not legitimate. This is factually wrong. It is not just racist it is an intentional lie designed to defame the Obama's. A lie to insinuate that Barack and Michelle were not married at the time of their children's conception or birth. In effect saying their children are bastards. THIS IS RACISM in content and a racist attack against the Obama's

You can not trust anything FOX News says because at FOX News facts are secondary to ideoligy.

[Tom in California]

So are we surprised that Fox News spews racist and reactionary filth? That's what the network was set up to do! Murdoch is the William Randolph Hearst of our day: electronic "yellow" journalism.

[Julian]

America needs to shut this Nazi TV channel down. It is now infested with foul and abusive bricklayers and drug addicts turned into TV hosts and paid call-in shrews to read prepared texts at intervals.

(Wouldn't shutting down a TV network you disagree with be exactly the kind of thing the Nazis themselves would do?)