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Fox News Starts "The Obama Watch"

March 17, 2008 11:06 AM

On Sunday, Fox News Sunday anchor Chris Wallace started "The Obama Watch" counting down the days, hours, minutes since Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., told him he'd come on the show, according to Wallace, and has yet to live up to that promise.

Since Obama is running to be president of the whole United States and has made a point of condemning pundits slicing and dicing the US into red states and blue states, going on FNC is entirely in keeping with his message of outreach.

Yet on the other hand let us recall the context.

You have the Fox & Friends spreading of the false madrassa story. (Remember that? Watch HERE or read HERE.)

And now THIS TODAY, from a prestigious Fox News Sunday contributor, likely doesn't help either.

Also recall there was that Democratic boycott of the Fox News debate last year…An official for the campaign of former Sen. John Edwards, D-NC, had said "there's just no reason for Democrats to give Fox a platform to advance the right-wing agenda while pretending they're objective."

Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes criticized Edwards at a Radio and Television News Directors Foundation dinner in Washington, saying "Pressure groups are forcing candidates to conclude that the best strategy for journalists is divide and conquer, to only appear on those networks and venues that give them favorable coverage," adding that any candidate "who cannot answer direct, simple, even tough questions from any journalist runs a real risk of losing the voters."

But in that same address, Ailes joked about the similarity of Obama's name with that of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, saying, "It's true that Barack Obama is on the move. I don't know if it's true President Bush called [Pakistan President Pervez] Musharraf and said, 'Why can't we catch this guy?' "

What do you think?

- jpt

March 17, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (108)

User Comments

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YES YOU HAVE IM GONE GOD BLESS YOU ALL THANKS USMC

Posted by: RAR | Mar 18, 2008 5:58:09 PM

RAR...I apologize. It seems I may have hit a nerve by pointing out the TRUTH.

Posted by: Thomas | Mar 18, 2008 5:53:42 PM

BECAUSE HE WASNT SITTING IN THE CHURCH MAKES HIM A BETTER PERSON, YOU REALLY BELIVE THAT, I WISH I WAS THE CAR SALESMAN THAT SOLD IT TO YOU. HE COULDNT EVEN WASH THE AMERICAN FLAG LESS HONER IT.

Posted by: RAR | Mar 18, 2008 5:44:57 PM

Thomas:

Because it's a crock, don't you see it?

GabbyGibby

Posted by: GabbyGibby | Mar 18, 2008 5:10:28 PM

Why won't FOX News give Obama speech the same air play like they gave his former pastor speech?

Posted by: Thomas | Mar 18, 2008 4:31:36 PM

Barack Obama just gave what will be known as one of the most honest and revealing speeches in American history on the difficult subject of race relations.

Headlines from the internet:
CNN - " Obama urges Americans to help heal racial divide"
MSNBC - "Obama tackles race"
Neweek.com- "One for the History Books"
Time.com - "Obama's Bold Gamble on Race"
nytimes.com - "Criticizing Pastor, Obama Assesses Race in U.S."

and even in from some non-liberal sources:

washingtontimes.com - "Obama tackles racial divide"
from David Brody of the cbn.com - "Obama Hits the Mark in Race Speech"

the headline at Fox news? "Obama Won't 'Disown' Pastor"

Is it ANY wonder he's not been on Fox News Sunday?

"Faux News - We distort. You comply."

Posted by: reggie | Mar 18, 2008 4:22:32 PM

It's so arrogant of Chris Wallace to feature a countdown/demand for an appearance.

I watched a 4-member panel on Chris Wallace last Sunday wherein not ONE comment happened which gave Barack Obama any benefit of doubt. It was all negative, demeaning, cruel. And especially on the part of Juan Williams from whom I have noticed an abiding dislike of Barack Obama - never have I seen Juan go on the offensive against any democrat, having heard him defend democrats to an almost ludicrous degree.

So, Chris Wallace - when you and your panel can be fair and balanced like you claim, present both sides of a story, then maybe YOUR program will deserve to have a countdown.

Until then, you dont.

Posted by: Dianne | Mar 18, 2008 3:28:25 PM

Fox news does have a bias to the right. Everyone has a bias. It is good to have more than one bias to listen to. It gives us a greater understanding of each other's views. For many years the only bias was the left. To have at least one right-sided news network gives us a choice. Isn't freedom of speech one of our best freedoms? I agree, Obama should be open to be interviewed by any network. He needs to choose someone on Fox who is more open like Greta.

Posted by: Carol | Mar 18, 2008 3:16:32 PM

Racism started before eighteen hundreds. Have congress, Senators, and this present Republican party put racism to rest? Have Americans been deceived?

Have FOX NEWS put racism to rest? Can FOX NEWS put to rest racism in America? Will Fox news distance itself from America or will FOX NEWS work to bring about a change.
Racism is an American problem.
Major G. and Other people at Fox News will you change racism in America by separating and denouncing America?
Will Hillary, Obama, or McCain change America by denouncing America?
Will Governors, Congress, Senators, and American Leaders denounce a church because it has been reported that over the last 20 years it has drawn some very sharp lines against civil rights? ( this is not the church in the city of Chicago)

Who is the Republican American Senator that dislike a person because of a name. Will the American Government separate and denounce this Republican Senator?
Racism is a Republican and Demarcated problem. Racism is an American problem.
Can America put racism to rest?
Can American bring about an economic change?

America has over a hundred years of healing which need to take place.
CAN FOX NEWS BE A BETTER PART OF THAT HEALING? Will FOX NEWS use racism to separate or will FOX NEWS go beyond?

Where are the jobs which was promised to the people in Upstate New York? Should words match our actions?
Who designed NAFTA, CAFTA and others? America need better Trade talks!
Past leadership and past thinking has placed Americans in this present position.
America need to see all tax returns.

If you see this election as history making for a woman, or the words black. You are wrong. This is a United Stated States of America so don't try to separate the people.

This is an election about:
A yes vote for this war ( ABOUT ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY FIVE THOUSAND AMERICANS ARE FIGHTING THIS WAR) HOW MANY AMERICANS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THIs WAR? HOW MANY MORE WILL DIE?--America have a war committee now let us elect a new President.
Economic Change
Safety in America
OIL IN IRA
Gas prices
job prosperity
Trade talks
Housing (foreclosure campground)
Education--Financial IQ


THIRD CULTURE THINKING VOTED FOR CHANGE
THIRD CULTURE THINKERS WILL PROSPER
What will help America?

IOWA VOTED FOR CHANGE

Posted by: Em | Mar 18, 2008 3:00:39 PM

I keep hearing OBama telling us he joined the Christian church 20 years ago.I assume he is in his thirtys. What religion was he before he became a Christian?Also, what was his mothers religion.He always talks about his grandmother,but has never mentioned much about his mother.

Posted by: Pete | Mar 18, 2008 2:25:16 PM

fox news is just interested in smashing OBAMA'S chances at winning. NO MATTER who the dem's put out there it will get ugly. OH yea that the Rep"s were not the crazy about Mccain what happen to quiet them down.

Posted by: ISAIAH | Mar 18, 2008 2:09:56 PM

Obama expects us to believe that you can reject Hitler's views while still standing by as a friend and get spiritual advice from the nut job. REALLY?

Posted by: Anita | Mar 18, 2008 1:56:08 PM

I listened to Obama's speech today. First on Friday, He never heard Rev Wright espouse these racial words. Today he said yes he heard them.So which should we take in consideration to make up our minds on how Obama really feels. Does he hate us as much as he minister. I have never heard a minister or priest speak such hatred towards Americans. Rev Wrights sermons may explain why Mrs Obama is just now proud to be American. Maybe she should have been proud when America helped pay for her College education. I sure didn't get a free ride and I don't hate other people. We all have to take responsibility for what we do, including black people. What will Obama do now. I know, he have Rev Sharpton protest, march, etc because Obama listened for 20 years to a racist minister.

Posted by: Gerrie | Mar 18, 2008 11:58:08 AM

Obama has no experience of course and also as he always talking about judgment would he explain why after 20 years of been next to this rant pastor he still not yet realizing that with ideology like this there's no way he can be president of this great pays

Posted by: i j | Mar 18, 2008 11:35:58 AM

Ghoastrider:

Did you mean "some of that hate speach has 'Rubbed off' not 'worn off on him.'"?

Posted by: GabbyGibby | Mar 18, 2008 11:28:25 AM

Mr. Obama can't tell me he didn't know what kind of sermans his pastor was preaching. He has been a member of that church for 20 years. I'm sure some of that hate has worn off. Be careful America. I think Mr. Obama is a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Posted by: Ghostrider | Mar 18, 2008 10:44:54 AM

How desperate the Clinton camp has become. My parish priest was a mentor for many years. Only later did I find out that he had been molesting altar boys. Should I forget all the things he taught me about Jesus, about being good to others and caring about the poor? Hell no.

I reject his actions but will always remember the good advice and teachings he bestowed on others.

Obama hit it right on the nose. He loves the guidance he received but, rejects some of the crazy things he said, like a crazy uncle you still love.

Posted by: Mountain Jack | Mar 18, 2008 10:09:47 AM

One Bishop told a small child he will never be saved. God proved this Bishop to be wrong. When this child became older this Bishop asked the man to forgive Him.

IOWA VOTED FOR CHANGE

We need:
Economic change
Job prosperity
Trade talks
War

Posted by: Em | Mar 18, 2008 8:45:28 AM

One Bishop told a small child he will never be saved. God proved this Bishop to be wrong. When this child became older this Bishop asked the man to forgive Him.

IOWA VOTED FOR CHANGE

We need:
Economic change
Job prosperity
Trade talks
War

Posted by: Em | Mar 18, 2008 8:45:23 AM

It is bad that americans can punish someone for another person's sin. My friends' and family's belief are quiet differnt from mine even though I have known them for more than 30 yeras. I still like my family and friends even though they are negative @ times.

Posted by: Doris | Mar 18, 2008 4:21:36 AM

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