Dems Cancel Fox's Co-Sponsored Debate

Party Cites Fox News Head's Comments About Obama Rather Than Edwards' Boycott

(AP)  The Nevada Democratic Party has canceled an August debate that was to be co-hosted by Fox News Channel, citing comments by the network's president about Barack Obama rather than an online protest launched by liberal activists and bloggers who believe the channel is biased.

"Comments made last night by Fox News President Roger Ailes in reference to one of our presidential candidates went too far. We cannot, as good Democrats, put our party in a position to defend such comments," state Democratic Party Chairman Tom Collins and Nevada Sen. Harry Reid wrote in a letter sent Friday to Fox News.

Ailes reportedly made a comment playing on the similarity of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's name to Osama Bin Laden.

"And it is true that Barack Obama is on the move. I don't know if it's true that President Bush called Musharraf and said, 'Why can't we catch this guy?" Ailes said at a Radio & Television News Directors Association Foundation event in Washington on Thursday, according to a transcipt provided by Fox.

A call to Obama's campaign spokeswoman was not returned Friday night.

Ailes' comment fueled an existing firestorm over Nevada Democrats' partnership with the network. Reid and party leaders had announced the deal for the Aug. 14 debate in Reno as a way to reach new voters.

MoveOn.org Civic Action, a network of liberal activists, called on the state Democratic Party to drop partnership with Fox, which the group calls "a mouthpiece for the Republican party," two weeks ago.

Fox News vice president David Rhodes said the party's decision Friday showed the online group owns the Democratic Party in Nevada.

[frankly6]

Only a moron could possibly believe that FOX news is anything but the propaganda wing of the GOP.

[wdrussell1]

The dems would get a more honest debate on the Colbert Report than on FOX.

[skyk-2009]

It makes absolutely no sense for the Democratic Party to be associated with the Nazi News Group, Fox News. There's nothing they can gain by being involved with them and much they can loose. When you look at the World Wide hatred for American Fascist and the reality that the next President must deal with the distruction created by Bush and his FOX mouthpieces, it just doesn't make sense. As a Democrat I agree whole heartedly.

[frankly6]

This is a nice picture of the very fat and greasy Roger Allies.

[hawksprings]

Only a moron could possibly believe that the DNC is anything but the propaganda wing of Move.org.

[oleander8]

Congratulations to the DNC on their decision.

[iceman_1960]

"And it is true that Barack Obama is on the move. I don't know if it's true that President Bush called Musharraf and said, 'Why can't we catch this guy?" Ailes said...

In fairness to Ailes, that sounds like a put down of Dubya, not Barack Obama.

The joke seems to be that Bush got "Obama" and "Osama" confused.

Given some of Dubya's past verbal goofs, which to me present unmistable evidence of neurological damage brought on by his years of alcohol and cocaine abuse, the joke is on target.

[iceman_1960]

"...unmistable evidence of neurological damage brought on by his years of alcohol and cocaine abuse..."

A mistaken spelling of UNMISTAKABLE.

Such substance abuse does not cause ordinary misspellings and typos. (I hope.)

I spelled "neurological" correctly.

Geeze.

[elz523]

Way to go Nevada Democrats!

[iceman_1960]

The Fox News Channel doesn't deserve much respect.

I'm still laughing about that "Iraqi General Georges Sada" interview that Sean Hannity did on Fox, that was cited by One_American the other day.

Hannity called him "Saddam's top military advisor" with information about the alleged transfer of alleged Iraqi WMDs to Syria.

It was a total hoax by Hannity, who is little more than a pimp for the Bush administration's policies.

That was the kind of disinformation that cost Dan Rather his job at CBS.

At Fox News it's business as usual.

[johnshaft4]

In addition, Ailes looks like the "squeal like a pig" chump in the movie Deliverance.
Cavuto looks like Eddie Munster and Hume looks like he should be a mortician.

[iceman_1960]

Here's the typical Fox News headline.

It's about as fair and balanced as an al Jazeera editorial:

"Reverend Jerry Falwell Praises Newt Gingrich's Admission About Affair
Friday, March 09, 2007

LYNCHBURG, Va. %u2014 Newt Gingrich's admission of an extramarital affair as he pursued President Clinton's impeachment in the Monica Lewinsky scandal has won praise from another conservative Christian leader: the Rev. Jerry Falwell."

[jebby_one]

it's pretty obvious that John Edwards is running for vice president rather than president. He is trying too hard to appeal to just 20% of the American people ... namely the neo-commie wing of the Democrat party.

When the issues of whether global warming is serious or a serious hoax comes up the Democrat presidential candidate will have to bend with the political wind. To prevent keeping the Green vote from bolting (again) the Democrats may need a Hugo Chavez type VP candidate to hold them. John Edwards will fit the bill.

[webdepot]

One thing nice about the English language, most points can be made in multiple ways... so, when Ailes says:
"Recently, 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,"

That's the CYA way of admitting that FOX's coverage would be unfavorable.. Nice to see Ailes admit that finally.

I certainly can't blame the Dems for not wanting to be part of a rigged debate...
As a "news" outlet, Fox isn't worth sh*t, and anyone that quotes their diatribe as factual news, is among the most ignorant in this country.

[wogerwabbit]

"Only a moron could possibly believe that the DNC is anything but the propaganda wing of Move.org."

... so what? Though, it's more likely MoveOn.org is the propaganda wing of the DNC.

You repubs always get it wrong.

[jebby_one]

Neo-commie Democrats think that they won the last election. Actually it was the republicans who lost and it wasn't over Iraq but over immigration. Lots of Republicans are annoyed with one another over this issue.

For Democrats to believe they have a mandade is foolish and maybe more a step towards suicide than success. Remember what happened when Clinton thought he had a mamdate? The American people stepped in and nutered him.

[randalds]

"Dems Cancel Fox's Co-Sponsored Debate"

Bravo! It's about time someone publicly said that FOX "News" is nothing more then right wing propaganda. They're about as "fair and balanced" as Pravda was 30 years ago. they constantly twist the truth and when they can't find any to change they make up lies out of whole cloth. Why should the democrats associate themselves with this stinking slimy pile of sleaze. That means Ailes too.

[karlimhof]

Ailes is a closet neocon from Reagan era when he was a political consultant - the guy has got "smear" written all over his face -

faux news is part and parcel of Bush/Cheney's neocon game plan. the WH feeds stories daily into it - they spew it out to us-

real good news that the dems won't play with them - why legitimize the fraudsters ?

[formrusmcsgt]

Soros OWNS the democratic party, he pulls the strings.
Posted by janem4 at 12:52 PM : Mar 10, 2007


Source?

[bigdadpatrio]

PLEASE......CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN etc. etc. etc, are ALL Liberal mouthpieces. You can watch any of them on any given night and see that. So FOX is a conservative mouthpiece, BIG dEAL. Give us at least one. This issue shows NO GUTS on the part of the Democrats as they know there might be some questions of SUBSTANCE lobbed at them, instead of the mamby pamby soft questions they'd usually get from the media.

[sandycat2]

So the Democrats can't handle free speech in their own country. Then why should I vote for a Democrat to be President of the United States. If they can't handle Fox News, how are they going to handle our real world problems and the likes of Iran. Democrats appartantly want to be the only ones with free speech, but not the ones they don't agree with. I'll give my free speech at the ballot box. I'm disgusted.

[jebby_one]

"Queen nance said she was going to restore civility"

----------------------

you expect a democrat to tell the truth?

[formrusmcsgt]

This issue shows NO GUTS on the part of the Democrats as they know there might be some questions of SUBSTANCE lobbed at them, instead of the mamby pamby soft questions they'd usually get from the media.
Posted by BIGDADPATRIO at 01:39 PM : Mar 10, 2007

I guess the same reason why Cheney will only appear on Fox, eh?

[hawksprings]

You see Liberals, all these years you've been watching or listenting to left-leaning, liberal media.

CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, Public Radio...

Now there is ONE, and only ONE national news network that doesn't parrot the DNC talking points, or make up evidence like Dan Rather did, and all you libs have your undies in a twist.

What's Fox News gonna do to Edwards anyways? What's he so scared of?

Conservative candidates have had to go on Liberal Lock Step shows for years and endure harassment and slants and cra p. Edwards can't even go on one debate with an organization he doesn't like.
He's pathetic. A good posterboy for Democrats.

...

[dvsden]

Good for the Dems for boycotting these right-wing derelicts who have nothing but scorn for those who are not ultra-conservative and actually think for themselves. Obviously, the Faux News watchers on this board do not know the difference between corporate "mainstream" news media, which has always catered to urban and suburbanites in the northern and midwestern U.S., and right-wing conservative propaganda of Faux News, which caters to religious conservatives and hyper-patriots.

As far as these childish plays on Obama's name, let't travel back to WWII. Many of our top officers, as well as the supreme allied commander Dwight Eisenhower, had German last names. Did thay mean that Ike, Admiral Doenitz, and the tens of thousands and German-Americans who fought against the Axis had divided loyalties? Of course not. But a biracial man with an African last name and middle-eastern middle name-- he could not possibly be loyal to the U.S? Grow the h#ll up, folks.

[bigdadpatrio]

"I guess the same reason why Cheney will only appear on Fox, eh? "

We're not talking about Cheney. Stay with the discussion if you can follow.

[scott4261]

Roger Ailes' comment was uncalled for. As far as the Democrats cancelling the debate; I say good for them! FOX News has a clear conservative bias and has in some not-so-subtle language been consistant in their distain for Democrats since its inception. Now how can that be "fair and balanced," when they have consistently given the Republicans a free pass?

[formrusmcsgt]

Rather telling, I'd say:

News viewership among ABC, CBS, FNC and NBC:

ABC - 8.9 million
CBS - 7.8 million
NBC - 9.6 million
and Fox - 1.3 million

So there are 20 viewers of ABC, CBS, and NBC news programs for every FNC news viewer.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/09/arts/television/09swee.html?ex=1323320400&en=eb46a096f6444a75&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=397&num=8294

[formrusmcsgt]

"I guess the same reason why Cheney will only appear on Fox, eh? "

We're not talking about Cheney. Stay with the discussion if you can follow.
Posted by BIGDADPATRIO at 02:00 PM : Mar 10, 2007

As usual, you think you can dictate the flow here just like your idol, Dubya...

Shove it...this is still a free country in spite of you neocons.

[mikeyy53-2009]

What's the problem YOU LIBERALS own the news media!!!!

[formrusmcsgt]

What's the problem YOU LIBERALS own the news media!!!!
Posted by mikeyy53 at 02:12 PM : Mar 10, 2007

I really find it amazing that the neocons categorize any media that will not give them a favorable slant as being "liberal".

Obviously, in the neocon mind anyway, there is no such thing as an "unbiased" or neutral news source....

[djconklin]

make up evidence like Dan Rather did

Dan Rather didn't make up the evidence; the guy he interviewed did. Bearing false witness agianst your neighbor is a sin and the wages of sin is death.

[bigdadpatrio]

formrusmcsgt, MY INSINUATION WAS THAT IT TAKES SOME INTELLIGENCE TO FOLLW THE CHAINE OF DISCUSSION -- A FACT THAT YOU OBVIOUSLY MISSED, TOO.......

[david1737]

I didn't like it when the Repubs. did it., And I don't like to see the Dems doing it. If you can't stand "Freedom of the Press" get out of Politics.

[formrusmcsgt]

formrusmcsgt, MY INSINUATION WAS THAT IT TAKES SOME INTELLIGENCE TO FOLLW THE CHAINE OF DISCUSSION -- A FACT THAT YOU OBVIOUSLY MISSED, TOO.......
Posted by BIGDADPATRIO at 02:29 PM : Mar 10, 2007

The discussion is about Fox and their getting booted. You made the statement that the Dems were afraid to face Fox, or something to that effect.

To which I pointed out that Cheney is afraid to face anyone but Fox. Plain and simple.

I know you love Fox badaxmofo, as they are the only ones who will tell you that the world is as you prefer to view it.

[edward troup]

I'll vote for whoever promises to build a new gas refinery so the oil companys can stop using that as and excuse for raising gas prices .
fox would put this guy on in his underpants if they thought it boost there rateings .
no rateings = can't get paid to advertise dodads
people don't buy dodads = no network its entertainment folks = more people get fired up
more people watch . so complain your butts off
sells dodads....

[sero5]

How about Rush Limbaugh host the Democratic debate on his radio show? lol!

[formrusmcsgt]

How about Rush Limbaugh host the Democratic debate on his radio show? lol!
Posted by sero5 at 02:36 PM : Mar 10, 2007

With or without his OxyContin?

[david1737]

Everybody...

Sit down and count the number of Television/radio anchors/hosts who are (specifically) advertised/marketed by the media corps. as "conservative". Then think, really sit down and think. Is there really a bias in the media or not?

[bigdadpatrio]

What I said was...This issue shows NO GUTS on the part of the Democrats as they know there might be some questions of SUBSTANCE lobbed at them, instead of the mamby pamby soft questions they'd usually get from the media.
Posted by BIGDADPATRIO at 01:39 PM : Mar 10, 2007

[david1737]

Make a list of TV/Radio hosts who are marketed as "conservative" then "Liberal". Remember I'm talking about those that are (marketed as such) to be either lib or con.

[ramos937]

I go back to a comment ED Hill made when she was a cohost of Fox & Freinds. While the name escapes me, a mother who lost a son in Iraq was in the gallery to hear President Bush deliver a State of the Union address as was a Republican Rep's wife. Both were ejected due to violating chamber rules. The next day Hill stated that the mother (who lost a son in Iraq) was an American Hater but not the same for the Rep's wife. These type of comments are common and everyday on Fox News. Fox cannot possibly be a fair and unbalanced network due to its far right wing bias.

[jimfinster]

Nice picture of Boss Hog.

[alphaa10-2009]

Whose bright idea was it to have the Fox organization host anything involving truthful discussion of issues? Fox is a propaganda and spin machine for Bush and Cheney.

Even a simple text-analysis comparing Fox transcripts with other networks shows Fox is loaded with unprofessional, biased usage that is completely extraneous to the news. This does not even consider what Fox actively excludes from its coverage. Not so with other networks, whose productions are far more deserving of the term "news networks" than Fox ever has been.

Fox and owner Rupert Murdoch are simply the senior partner in a GOP media empire that includes Sinclair, Disney (but not ABCNews) and the CanWest publishing empire of Canadian neocon (and pro-Israel hawk) Leonard Asper.

Those troglodytes insisting the "liberals own the media" mindlessly ditto GOP cant that has been on the shelf for 50 years, going nowhere. But their propadanda does have a purpose-- to conceal a steady and concerted campaign by GOP money to silence all publishers who do not agree with them. The irony is the GOP does not want fair reporting, only a GOP-friendly media system.

[scott4261]

How about Rush Limbaugh host the Democratic debate on his radio show? lol!
Posted by sero5 at 02:36 PM

-------

Did anybody else hear Limaugh ranting about the Scooter Libby convictions with the comment about liberals, "They are poking the bear!"

He has lost his Oxycontin-addled mind!

[scott4261]

Nice picture of Boss Hog.
Posted by jimfinster at 03:11 PM
-------

LOL!!!!

[alphaa10-2009]

Whose bright idea was it to have the Fox organization host anything involving truthful discussion of issues? Fox is a propaganda and spin machine for Bush and Cheney.

Even a simple text-analysis comparing Fox transcripts with other networks shows Fox is loaded with unprofessional, biased usage that is completely extraneous to the news. This does not even consider what Fox actively excludes from its coverage. Not so with other networks, whose productions are far more deserving of the term "news networks" than Fox ever has been.

Fox and owner Rupert Murdoch are simply the senior partner in a GOP media empire that includes Sinclair, Disney (but not ABCNews) and the CanWest publishing empire of Canadian neocon (and pro-Israel hawk) Leonard Asper.

Those troglodytes insisting the "liberals own the media" mindlessly ditto GOP cant that has been on the shelf for 50 years, going nowhere. But their propaganda does have a purpose-- to conceal a steady and concerted campaign by GOP money to silence all publishers who do not agree with them. The irony is the GOP does not want fair reporting, only a GOP-friendly media system.

[jebby_one]

neo-commie Democrats simply ramped up the partisan rhetoric and posted notice they they were not interested in a one America.

[scott4261]

The idea the media is "liberal" is ridculous. The one thing that broadcasters care the most about is money. And whatever sells to their audience is what they will dish out. On cable television, what passes for news in their surveys of their respective niche audiences is what they'll be reporting. But this has nothing to do with real news. One has to comb through several bookmarked internet sources to find out what is really happening in the world. Sad to say, but CNN, MSNBC, and especially FOX News, do not pass for real hard news, IMO.

Ever since Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996, media has not focused on real news, but infotainment. I just read a report on Monday morning which stated that one is much more likely to be current on Britney or Anna Nicole than on the war on terror. The cable news networks are among the worst offenders, with FOX News ten times more likely to be giving tabloid fluff than real news.

It's the dumbing down of America.

[scott4261]

Seven-pesos,

What is your problem? I am one of many unapologetic liberals who happen to live in the South. My state of Arkansas experienced a Democratic landslide, much like the rest of the country, this last November. We are not all ignorant hicks. So cool it, because your rants make you seem woefully unintellegent.