Obama tells NY Times he'd do better without Fox News around
The New York Times, of all places, has a long interview coming out Sunday with the freshman senator from Illinois, Barack Obama.
In it, the Democratic presidential nominee, who's leading in most recent political polls, still bemoans the existence of Fox News because he feels he'd be doing even better in voter polls without it.
That's actually a feeling shared by many in public life, not just politicians. The McCain-Palin campaign might feel the world would be a better place without, say, MSNBC's Keith-meister, for example. Or the New York Times.
Although you don't often see/hear public figures turning down opportunities to use the media pages/airwaves for free exposure when invited, as Obama was, in fact, doing.
Here's Obama's complaint, with a Hat Tip to all-knowing MediaBistro:
"I am convinced that if there were no Fox News, I might be two or three points higher in the polls. If I were watching Fox News, I wouldn't vote for me, right?
"Because the way I'm portrayed 24/7 is as a freak! I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal. Who wants somebody like that?"
Last we heard, the New York Times subscription department isn't turning folks away.
Senator Obama's comments about Fox News are misdirected. If he is uncomfortable with tough questions, it may be because he has faced so few from the news media.
The McCain campaign also complains when we make them squirm. We will continue to do hard, honest reporting and let American viewers decide if we're being fair.
Next chance to see the squirming: Fox News Sunday, when Chris Wallace will interview Sen. John McCain.
--Andrew Malcolm
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Rupert Murdoch, the Australian billionaire who owns Fox is focused on selling ad time and if Fox can do that by pushing a right wing agenda that is okay with him. Sensationalizing the news has certainly been a successful model for him. He's got the right wing niche and he plans on holding on to it. Fox established its bona fides when during the days of the initial occupation of Iraq they must have announced at least twice a day for two weeks that, breaking news, WMD had been found!
So Barrack Obama welcome to Fox's world where the "Facts" are fleeting, in headline form and then gone.
Posted by: Jack | October 17, 2008 at 04:28 AM
I am not a supporter of whining but, in this case, I have come to feel that there is a strangeness about Fox News. Not all of it negative, for there are some folks who work for Fox that are very fair and honest. I'm not talking about Bill O'Reilly when I say that, however, he does try at times.
I guess, my gut feeling when I change the channel after watching some of their commentary, is that, I can hardly wait to push the button on the remote. Maybe it's the shouting, snideness, or arm-twisting nature of it. Steam-rolling. Straw-grasping. Whatever it is, it's akin to being bashed over the head and sucker punched.
Posted by: cdl | October 17, 2008 at 05:12 AM
From what I read and see from my position in Europe is nothing but positive support from the MSM (TV stations, newspapers and magazines) for Senator Obama. None have really called him on the issues or his former friends. Oh the NYT and WashPost printed an article on Ayers, but, they did not really disclose anything except what the Obama campaign has stated. No wonder Senator Obama would love to see Fox News shut down. Considering the fact that the Democrats want to bring back the Fairness Doctrine to shut up opposition TV or newspaper articles it only fits the pattern of keeping Americans dumb on the issues, just vote Democrat.
Posted by: Gene44 | October 17, 2008 at 05:42 AM
this country would be better off without the lies perpetuated by rupert murdoch's news corp outlets. it's a matter of record that fox viewers are less informed and reliably ignorant of facts re policy. but they are well-versed in the rnc spin.
Posted by: linda | October 17, 2008 at 06:20 AM
"If he is uncomfortable with tough questions, it may be because he has faced so few from the news media."
Aren't these the people who came up with, "Terrorist Fist Bump?"
News media. Right.
Posted by: spinsLPs | October 17, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Well Fox news (and talk radio) will no longer be a problem after the democrats fully takes over our government. High on their agenda will be taking action to shut them both down. It is about time, why should they be allowed to say what they want................do they think this is still a free country.
Posted by: Jim Ramsdell | October 17, 2008 at 06:38 AM
I find Obama's comments on Fox ridiculous and callow. MSNBC and most of the media are behind Obama, Why does'nt Obama go on Fox and face his adversaries and actually answer tough questions that he has avoided from most of the media. His obsession with Fox looks sophomoric,
Posted by: Will | October 17, 2008 at 06:45 AM
If you think Mr.Obama is whining,just wait until we get closer to elections.Let's hope and pray every vote is counted in all 50 states in America!
Posted by: Sunny | October 17, 2008 at 06:46 AM
The Fox response highlights the very thing Obama is talking about. Stating that Fox is only asking "tough questions" that Obama hasn't had to answer from any other media source. Absolute baloney.
Fox has consistently carried the GOPs water as far as what the current smear is supposed to be, (elitism, flag pins, terrorist fist bumps, Wright, Ayers, etc ad nauseum).
There is a big difference between asking legitimate tough questions and portraying the candidate in the worst possible light. Anyone who is even slightly objective knows Fox has never given Obama a fair hearing.
They are too busy sneering at him at every opportunity.
Posted by: Larry Brown | October 17, 2008 at 06:53 AM
only in american can a major new organization with undeniable right wing agenda vigorously wave a flag of impartiality and keep offering "cool_aid" to its republican base citizens ever more eager to drink it like the sheeps that they are
Posted by: jon | October 17, 2008 at 06:55 AM
It may be missed by others, but Obama's comment that he "would be better off without FOX News" is ominous on its face. To have the leader of a political party, a potential President, say that a media outlet, however disagreeable its content may be to him,should be eliminated is dangerous talk.
I thought Bill O'Reilly was tough, but even-handed in the Obama interview; O'Reilly didn't make things easy for McCain, either. Does Senator Obama prefer to be interviewed by Chris Matthews, he of tingling leg, or only that socialist prima donna keith Olbermann? I haven't heard McCain say he'd "be better off not having MSNBC around".
I recognize that, if there is a Democratic congressional majority and if Obama is elected, a big issue will be the reimposition of the "Fairness Doctrine", with the express intent of forcing conservative talk radio off the airwaves,and an attempt to silence FOX News on cable. Fairness, indeed. What's next? Forcing people who blog or respond in the online comment sections to be licensed, and forced, by law, to provide "equal" and "tolerant" comments in their spaces? There's already one Ivy League type recommending that as a requirement for conservative websites to be "allowed" on the internet. Where is this going? Who will be silenced in the name of "tolerance"?
Posted by: monkfellow | October 17, 2008 at 07:00 AM
My prediction is Fox News will disappear if Obama wins. Rupert is a businessman and he doesn't tolerate underperformance.
Posted by: rob | October 17, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Gee - he's whining because the news network with the biggest ratings is not in the tank for him. Anyone who votes for this inexperienced empty suite is a fool.
Posted by: Rod Mann | October 17, 2008 at 07:04 AM
No one takes Fox News seriously, not after the soft lobs they tossed at Sarah Palin.
And Fox got it wrong in the first place.
It's not about getting tough questions from conservatives; it's about the lousy commentary and rah-rah for the wrong party.
Posted by: gerrrg | October 17, 2008 at 07:06 AM
So the one and only comment displayed is the one calling Obama a crybaby?
Ironic.
Posted by: Larry Brown | October 17, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Fox news has no journalistic integrity. It's run by a buffoon. It's the television equivalent to Rush. That dittoheads believe that propaganda is cause to develop deep doubt in the intelligence of the masses. They're millions of "Plumber Joes" out there, confused by rhetoric, voting against their own self-interest. No wonder the rich are able to gorge themselves on bigger and bigger pieces of the eoonomic pie, proclaiming prosperity, as wages, jobs, and benefits vanish, languish, or finish.
Posted by: Steve Wimer | October 17, 2008 at 07:11 AM
The McCain campaign also complains when we make them squirm. We will continue to do hard, honest reporting and let American viewers decide if we're being fair.
____
Wow...how did the spokesperson keep a straight face writing that last sentence??? I guess the Hannity interview with Palin was a hard hitting example of Fox News? Or O'Reilly's attacks on everyone who doesn't see the world in his narrow and outdated view?
Yeah....however I'm not sure Obama would be any higher, as the Fox News base audience are mindless sheep who think Jerry Springer is the male Oprah.
Posted by: Mitch | October 17, 2008 at 07:13 AM
fox news should be renamed the fox comedy channel.sean hannity is that the same guy who worked under the name sean mooney and worked as a professional wrestling announcer for vince mcmahon in the late 80's.obama should not be paying them any attenion.
Posted by: brian | October 17, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Obama is right! Without FoxNews he should be 15 or 20 points up. The other news(?) outlets are news outlets but propaganda outlets spewing the Obama line. In the nearly 2 years that Obama has been running for presidential nomination I have seen almost no news on the other outlets that questions Obama or that is negetive. When they ask Obama questions they are not the hard questions that are ask of the other candidates. So without FoxNews Obama would be treated more like the MESSIAH than he is at this time.
Posted by: Curly | October 17, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Faux News is simply a farce of a "news" station. They have been a mouthpiece for the GOP for years without any shame. The greatest irony is their smartly worded slogan "Fair and Balanced." The network has had a Rovian twist on it since its inception, and the research shows how most Faux News viewers vote -- it's no accident. They provide a skewed view of the world and have continually provided fear-based reporting with everything from the "terrorist fist bump"to "Obama's a Muslim!". The world would be a much better place without Fox's vitriol.
Posted by: Jay | October 17, 2008 at 07:44 AM
If the liberals get Obama and their supermajority they will push for the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" to silence their critics. This isn't Nazi Germany or Communist China... yet. There is still a chance. Vote McCain/Palin on November 4th, and as many independents and Republicans as you can to the House and Senate. They are the only ones who will stand in the way of the liberal steam rolling machine that wants to stamp out dissent and other points of view. Tolerance? I don't think so.
Posted by: tkd28803 | October 17, 2008 at 08:08 AM
i just neutered the cat now he's a liberal just like obama!!
Posted by: bobby | October 17, 2008 at 09:10 AM
FOX and FOX news is a powerful corporation that is made up of mainly republicans. They are so disrespectful to the public with all that indicent programming that they put out there. Of course they are going to do whatever it takes to get republicans elected. This way the republicans remove all regulations for the use of our airways, and FOX may be allowed to put profanity, sex, violence, and the worst things you could think of in programming, that our kids and our society are somewhat enticed to watch, and is aired when kids are watching. This means tremendous profit for FOX. What I don't understand is that what FOX puts out there is exactly what the republicans are SUPPOSEDLY against--INDECENCY IN OUR SOCIETY. Yet FOX is promoting pure indecency and LIES about Obama! So it is ludicrous for FOX to claim that the only reason Obama is upset is because he can't answer hard questions.
Posted by: JB | October 17, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Obama isn't satisfied with having Because having...
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In his corner.
Posted by: Iben Hakenluggis | October 17, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Dissent isn't treason?
Posted by: Hawkins | October 17, 2008 at 11:53 AM