Is Obama Warming Up To Fox News?

Politico: This Week, Hopeful Gave His First Lengthy Interview To The Network Since Declaring Candidacy

(The Politico)  This story was written by Michael Calderone.

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On Wednesday morning, Sen. Barack Obama appeared on “Fox & Friends,” giving his first lengthy interview to the Rupert Murdoch-owned network since declaring his presidential candidacy.

Perhaps even more surprising, Obama indicated earlier this week that he might one day appear on “The O’Reilly Factor.”

On Monday, Fox News host Bill O’Reilly aired his much-talked-about “scuffle” with an Obama campaign staffer during a New Hampshire event. When O’Reilly got Obama’s attention, he asked, “Can we have a word sometime?” The Illinois Democrat replied, “How about after the primary?”

While it’s not clear from the Fox News transcript whether Obama meant after the entire primary cycle or just New Hampshire, either way, it looks like a strategic change.

Not to mention, his chief Democratic rival has already done so.

In 2007, Hillary Rodham Clinton sat down for interviews on both Fox News and the Fox Business Network. And on Wednesday, the senator from New York appeared on “Fox & Friends” too - just 15 minutes after Obama did. 

So far this election cycle, the only other time Obama has answered questions on Fox News was on Nov. 7, when correspondent Major Garrett briefly caught up to him at an Iowa campaign stop.

Of course, the Democrats have long refused to participate in Fox-sponsored debates. When Obama followed John Edwards’ lead last April, opting out of a proposed Fox News debate, his spokesman Bill Burton said, “CNN seemed like a more appropriate host.”

Burton did not respond to an e-mail request Thursday asking whether the Obama campaign is indeed changing its strategy toward Fox News.

That Obama chose not to participate in the proposed debate on Fox News should not have been unexpected. In early 2007, his Senate staff criticized the network for propping up a now-debunked Insight magazine story that Obama was educated in a madrassa. CNN later proved the story false by dispatching a correspondent to Indonesia to investigate the rumor.

“Fox News quickly parroted the charges,” read the Obama staff memo at the time, “and ‘Fox & Friends’ host Steve Doocy went so far as to ask, ‘Why didn’t anybody ever mention that that man right there was raised - spent the first decade of his life, raised by his Muslim father - as a Muslim and was educated in a madrassa?’”

So Obama not only didn’t appear on “Fox & Friends” this election cycle, but he also turned down requests to go on the Chris Wallace-hosted “Fox News Sunday.” Clinton, on the other hand, appeared on Wallace's program in September.

Last month, Wallace told Politico that he guessed the Democratic candidates would show up more on Fox News once there is a nominee, “because they know that we get a lot of voters they are going to need if they are going to win the election.”

There’s no nominee yet, but with a thinning Democratic field, Obama appears to already be following that advice.

[hwy71so]

Oh are the democrats afraid of a wittle fox? lol

[bobmarisol]

FoxNews is the only station that is not liberally biased, thus, the Democrats are afraid of it. If they are afraid of getting asked a tough question, how can they possibly have enough guts to stand up to Al Queda and Bin Laden?

[samthetvcat]

Fox is for the most part highly supportive of Obama, mostly because they despise Hillary. At the beginning they kept harping on his name and stuff (Murdoch, the madrassa report) and Hannity still seems fixated on Obama''s church, but with the rebound of Hillary in NH now is the perfect time for him to forge some new relationships. I highly doubt they''ll do anything to tank him at this point because they know what''s at stake.

[prairiefox1]

PART 1
Probable U.S. presidential candidate, Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama, Sr. a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a white ATHEIST from Wichita, Kansas Obama''s parents met at the University of Hawaii. When Obama was 2 years old, his parents divorced. His father returned to Kenya. His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from
Indonesia. When Obama was 6 years old the family relocated to Indonesia. Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakarta .
He also spent 2 years in a Catholic school. Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that
"He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic School." Obama''s political handlers are attempting to make it appear that Obama''s introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best.&n b sp; In reality, the senior Obama returned to
Kenya soon after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over his son''s education. Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama''s mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school in Jakarta.
Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western
world.

[prairiefox1]

PART 2
Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking Major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background. Let us all remain alert concerning Obama''s expected presidential
candidacy.
The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the U.S. from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States, one of their own!!!
Also, keep in mind that when he was sworn into office - he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran (their equivalency to our Bible, but very dif ferent beliefs)

[prairiefox1]

PART 1
Why didn''''t Obama attempt to make change when he was in the senate? Thats right! He wasn''''t there! But wait! He could stand on his record and use it for his platform! Wont work either!
Senator Obama doesn%u2019t HAVE a record. At least not much of one in the Senate. He
is among the overall leaders in Senators who miss votes. Of the last 80
opportunities to participate in making the laws of the land, the Senator has voted
only 9 times. Forget HOW he voted. His recent record shows a 11% interest in the
job the people of Illinois hired him for. (Voting records available on the Senate
web site or the Washington Post.)
Granted he is a good speaker and has a good personality, but I do hope this nation
doesn''''t elect someone on that basis!

[prairiefox1]

PART 2
Let us look at his record and at its best it is pitiful! I will vote for a person that has
the best past record! with that you will know how he will be if elected!
I have talked to people in Illinois and they do not think much of him! and Illinois
will never re elect him to the Senate! To To be able to deliver the campaign promises you have to be a credible leader that congress will follow willingly , But as you can see Obama served very little time in congress! instead he was campaigning to be president! His promises are just so much air without congress!
So that means if he doesn''''t get to be President then he is just unemployed!
and with a job reference that he has he will be lucky to get on at McDonalds!
So with that information which can be verified, just what kind of person would
vote for him?

[liberalvet]

FoxNews is the only station that is not liberally biased, thus, the Democrats are afraid of it. If they are afraid of getting asked a tough question, how can they possibly have enough guts to stand up to Al Queda and Bin Laden?


Posted by bobmarisol at 01:51 PM : Jan 11, 2008

FoxNews is nothing more than a NEOCON propaganda organization. They never report anything of intelligent value or much accuracy. Thier sole intent is to smear anything and anyone that has different view points, even those from the Republican party that does not follow the far rightwing. The only way to combat that action is to ignore it, which has occurred to this point.

[logicanada]

P-fox. . . On the other hand doesn''t Hillary claim to have been working on some issues for 35 yrs.-all to no avail? There are more ways than one to be ''absent''.

[cptdeuce]

Barack ''Muslim'' Obama has no credibility but is in fact working off the stupidity of his race and the American Public.

[hwy71so]

"FoxNews is nothing more than a NEOCON propaganda organization. They never report anything of intelligent value or much accuracy. Thier sole intent is to smear anything and anyone that has different view points, even those from the Republican party that does not follow the far rightwing. The only way to combat that action is to ignore it, which has occurred to this point.

Posted by LiberalVet at 02:27 PM : Jan 11, 2008"

They sure don''t seem to have a problem with Guiliani, McCain or Romney. They can''t stand Huckabee or Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter is not even considered. Duncan Hunter is the ONLY true conservative on the ballot at this time and the best choice for the seat of President of the US.

[shutupnvote]

ha ha ha, well I did feel the neo con hard core press of the mainstream media last week during the coup to enthrone their new prince, it was sooooooooo powerful that united coalition of anti Clinton swiftes with out the cover of a 527. And I had some suspicions of what was and who were really behind this push to fresh face and those flocking crowds of supposed Dem Independents, so they come out from behind the mask%u2026%u2026.the old guard indeed%u2026%u2026.so I guess women and blacks Dems are supposed to play the part of the political sect of the Christian right this time %u2026%u2026.the subservient sheepeople who believe one of there own has been anointed, inclusive of crazy fringe types attack dogs throwing out the Wedgies to stifle decent %u2026memo to Dem Party Leadership NOT GOING TO WORK%u2026%u2026. Neo Cons stay in the Republican Party or go with Bloomberg you are not wanted here we want President for the People this round good people Clinton Huckabee in 08 would fit the bill nicely

[prinzowhales]

FOX supported Bush, Murdoch is supporting Hillary now and many on Wall Street, in the Defense Industry and Israel-firsters are supporting Clinton and Obama...its not surprising that the Israel-firt War Pig FOX would not be cozying up to Clinton and Obama.

Afterall, Clinton voted for war...and Obama, he and his advisors are for war just about everywhere else.

[bella_triana]

You cannot ignore the fact that Barack belongs to a church promoting and living by the oath of African Power and Black Power. That my friend, is black supremacy, and you can sugar coat it all you like and call me a racist, but I defy you to take a good hard look at his church website and decipher for yourself if you think those are codes to live by while at the same time promoting some empty filled rhetoric that Barack is going to
bring people together. This is no better than the KKK that lives by White Power and White Values.

Take a look at this and take it all in-

In the 21st century, white America got a wake-up call after 9/11/01, Wright wrote in a church-affiliated magazine. White America and the western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just disappeared as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring black
concerns.

cont...

[bella_triana]

Wright is the preacher at Barack''s church. The same man he''s known
for 20 years and writes about him as an inspiration in his book. Now
ask yourself, do you believe whites in America are to blame for 9/11
and 9/11 was their wakeup call? He states "people of color have not
gone away". Read that carefully, who attacked us? Islamofacists.
So he is putting himself into the same category as these Muslim
terrorists. Is that very Christian? Hell to the no! I don''t for
one second believe this is a Christian denomination church. There is
no scripture cited, it reeks of supremacy and hate.

Barack needs to answer these questions before he ever expects to be
handed the keys to the white house. He is a long standing member
there and these are the things they preach. He must support their
doctrine or he would not be a member.

Oprah is also a member of this church. We all know she has schools
in Africa. Barack told her he wants to put our troops into Africa.
Go back and read his churches pledge and figure it out. Notice he
never says pull our troops out and bring them home like the others
have...he only says pull them out.

I haven''t even began to touch on the issue his church is also
anti-Semetic putting blame on Israel for Palestinan terrorists.

I pray Americans that support Barack wake up before it''s too late.

[heartlight3]

Prairiefox1 - your post is word for word one of the false emails being circulated about Mr. Obama. Check it out on snopes.com, or read the Newsweek article which goes into great detail on their investigation into the truth or falsehood of the unfounded rumors in those emails. http://www.newsweek.com/id/91424

[antoniof123]

I do not support Obama but guess what just like MaCain in 2000 he is being done wrong. He is not a Muslim and his church is not a radical church that does not accept white people.

Neo cons take it back to your own party we are on to you again.

[gunownerdan]

"How a politician stands on the Second Amendment tells you how he or she views you as an individual ... as a trustworthy and productive citizen, or as part of an unruly crowd that needs to be lorded over, controlled, supervised, and taken care of."
- Suzanna Gratia-Hupp

www.a-human-right.com

[shutupnvote]

ha ha ha, well I did feel the neo con hard core press of the mainstream media last week during the coup to enthrone their new prince, it was sooooooooo powerful that united coalition of anti Senator Clinton swifties with out the cover of a 527 sheeps cover. And I had some suspicions of what was and who were really behind this push to a fresh face and those flocking crowds of supposed Dem Independents, so they come out from behind the mask%u2026%u2026.the old guard indeed%u2026%u2026.so I guess women and blacks Dems are supposed to play the part of the political sect of the Christian right this time %u2026%u2026.the subservient sheepeople who believe one of there own has been anointed, inclusive of crazy fringe types attack dogs throwing out the Wedgies to stifle decent %u2026memo to Dem Party Leadership NOT GOING TO WORK%u2026%u2026. Neo Cons stay in the Republican Party or go with Bloomberg you are not wanted here we want President for the People this round good people Senaotr Clinton and former Govoner Huckabee in 08 would fit the bill nicely

[bella_triana]

Barack Hussein Obama is an empty suit and all talk! He pledges to Africa and NOT America. He is a disgrace to this good nation!

Now he is playing the race card against Edwards supporters. Screw that!

Edwards and his supporters are racists for standing in the way of
Barack Obama according to Lawrence O''Donnell.


"If John Edwards stays in the race, he might, in the end, become
nothing other than the Southern white man who stood in the way of the
black man. And for that, he would deserve a lifetime of liberal
condemnation."



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lawrence-odonnell/john-ed...

Listen Up Hussein bin Obama YOU WILL NOT SCARE PEOPLE INTO VOTING FOR YOU AND NO AMOUT OF PLAYING THE RACE CARD WILL HELP YOU.

[logicanada]

All you conservative posters here had better pull your finger out of the **** and seek high ground. The cracks in the dam are growing and a wave of change is about to drown you.

[ljb6599]

To cptdeuce.
Barak Obama is not a Muslim!!! and even if he was there are plenty of Muslims that are peaceful and non-violent.The way I see it you are nothing but an angry hateful racist.

[smirk5]

If Jesus Christ himself came back and looked as he used to look, most Christians would lump him in the Arab Muslim category.

[liberalvet]

If Jesus Christ himself came back and looked as he used to look, most Christians would lump him in the Arab Muslim category.

Posted by Smirk5 at 03:08 PM : Jan 11, 2008

LOL...so true. The hypocritcal biggots would turn thier backs on him, just as the Hebrews did.

[g02342000]

John Edwards is the only one that will fight poverty and bring health care and education to the poor & middle class of America. The Edwards / Biden ticket would be the best Presidency for all America, anything less will be as bad as keeping Bush in office forever. America deserves honest men of integrity that will fight for all Americans. Edwards is a true patriot that can make America great, he has the substinance, determination, and will to fight greed, corruption and end the outsourcing of our jobs, His economic, education, health and welfare policies are now being copied by all the canidates. Edwards spoke out months and even years before the others. America needs to think about why are the "Washington Greed, Corruption, Large Corporations and Media" trying to make this a two candidate Democratic race? Edwards is the only one able to win the Presidency from the democratic side, and any republican that is nominated will beat Clinton and/or Obama. Only Edwards can fix Bush''s mistakes!

[bizzzz-2009]

Obama takes great care to conceal the fact that he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once a Muslim, but that he also attended Catholic school."
Obama''s political handlers are attempting to make it appear that that he is not a radical.
Obama''s introduction to Islam came via his father, and that this influence was temporary at best. In reality, the senior Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama''s mother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in a Wahabi school
in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that is followed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against the western world. Since
it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN when seeking major public office in the United States, Barack Hussein Obama has joined the United Church of Christ in an attempt to downplay his Muslim
background. ALSO, He was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, but instead the Koran. Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. While others place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to the flag and slouches.
The Muslims have said they plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level - through the President of the United States.

[cptdeuce]

To cptdeuce. Barak Obama is not a Muslim!!! and even if he was there are plenty of Muslims that are peaceful and non-violent.The way I see it you are nothing but an angry hateful racist.
Posted by ljb6599 at 02:57 PM : Jan 11, 2008
------------------
Name one non-violent muslim besides Barack Hussein Obama? ljb666 - are you a muslim lover? Have you ever served your country? Do you also wish JIHAD on this great country? Answer those and then look out the window behind you!

[shutupnvote]

Folks lets admit it the on the right and left the Main Stream Media, is the enemy of our democracy, this lining up these vitriol attacks over the last week the lies the hate spewed ONE REASON ONE only to elect their choice not that of the voter to steer voters and money away from their choice%u2026%u2026%u2026.

That it was not sublets because of the vitriol hate spewed against the Senator, exposed what America have been feeling in their souls, that the Mega News Corporation Billionaire moguls have been determining the outcomes of our election, not We the People, that it is they who benefited and not us is obvious

If there is an, ah hah the click that happened this weekend is that the good primary voters of New Hampshire unmasked for the America the Wizards behind the curtain for all in the country to view.

Clinton Huckabee in 08 wouldn%u2019t that drive they crazy.

[gunownerdan]

Look at these news stories:
Obama, Clinton, Obama, Clinton, Obama, Clinton.
The best prostitutes will always get the most media attention.

[teamsterwif1]

EDWARDS IS THE ANSWER! VOTE EDWARDS!

[candide777]

THE TRUTH ABOUT FAUX NEWS:

Faux News is what republican men watch at home after work because their wives won''t let them pop in a porn video. I''m not kidding you, try this, turn on Faux News and count the number of totally done-up blonde bimbos you see within a two-minute period. It''s soft porn for republicans who can''t think for themselves. Murdoch is using his prostitutes to brain wash them, and the funny thing is, it totally works!

[mcg5312]

Edwards is the only who will stand up for us and stand by his word and principle. Obama is already backtracking by talking to Fox and Hillary is basically a republican that is hated by republicans. Edwards-Biden ''08!!

[realpatriot1]

cptdeuce,

There are 6 billion Muslims in the world and hardly any of them have ever participated in or supported any act of terror. Many Muslim-Americans are serving in our military, our intelligence services, our defense industries, and our diplomatic Corps.

We were supported in Desert Storm by Muslim allies and leaders like Sadat, King Hussein & King Abdallah, Mubarak and others have supported our peace efforts at great personal risk. Even President Bush realises that the War against terror is not a war against Muslims.

And besides, Obama is not a Muslim, never was a Muslim, and since he was born to a Muslim father but was raised a Christian is a super-Infidel to the fundamentalists.

First you folks jump on him for wanting to take action in Pakastan then you call him a Jihadist sympathizer...do you make sense to yourself because you don''t make rational sense to me.

[straightener--2008]

The FNC, or For Neo Cons network slants every single story to pander to the WASP vote. I wonder if it is even syndicated anywhere but in "flyover" america? I watch it from time to time just to see what outrageous news is being invented to suppress, distort, and deflect from the truth. I urge loyal Fox viewers to at least watch Lou Dobbs and Glenn Beck and Tucker on the other stations to get some REAL balance that you WILL NOT get from O''Reilly & Doocy.

[logicanada]

Liberal vet...historically speaking, Jesus of Galilee was about four-foot-six and had the olive-to-dark complexion typical of ancient, and of todays Palestinian peoples.(He was Palestinian according to historical maps)
Heck, why come back as Jesus?
If he were a woman (and handicapped) he could be elected Prime Minister here in the Great White North.

[tejasdemo]

There is no reason to pander to the crooks at fox anymore. Right wing fanatics no longer have the upper hand. They dont have any hand.

Time to blow them off. Bad move Obama.

[hypnotoad72]

realpatriot1 - there are over 6.5 billion people on this planet. How do you know 6 billion OF them are Muslim?

Surely none of them is an atheist? China and Russia loved atheism at one point or two...

My response isn''t much, but yours was absolutely off the wall!

[lawyertom1]

Ah, Faux Noise, the partisan quack of the far right. Remember the famous comments on Barack not wearing a flag pin? No wonder the Brit''s do not consider Fox a news channel, and so do not allow them to broadcast in the UK. Speaking of the Fox Business Channel, I am oh so happy to see it drain money away. A complete farse. No viewers whatsoever -- okay, for the sake of accuracy, they have 6 thousand as a daily peak. What a joke!

[donbl1]

Strictly marketing by Obama.

FOX leads in cable news so, if you are trying to get votes in the general election, you must reach people who do not watch CNN or MSNBC (most do not....)

[logicanada]

I soon see the website ''Sweet Jesus I hate Sean Hannity'' to match the website, ''Sweet Jesus I hate Bill O''Reilly''.

[ljb6599]

To Ceptduce,
So I guess service in the military gives you the right to be a racist so be it.I think it is quite silly that I should give you some names of Muslims whom are peaceful and non-violent but I will give a few Yusaf Islam(Formerly Cat Stevens) and Muhammed Ali.Please read his book" The Spirit of a Butterfly to tuly know what it like to live a peaceful life as a Muslim.

[pepperp1]

Obama spokeswoman Candice Tolliver on charges by Senator Obamas team and his Co Chair Representative J Jackson on charges of racism against Senator and former President Clinton be as racist%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026..
%u201CThere%u2019s a groundswell of reaction to these comments %u2014 and not just these latest comments but really a pattern, or a series of comments that we%u2019ve heard for several months,%u201D she said. %u201CFolks are beginning to wonder: Is this really an isolated situation or is there something bigger behind all of this?%u201D
Clinton supporters responded to that suggestion with their own outrage.
%u201CTo say that there is a pattern of racist comments coming out of the Hillary campaign is ridiculous,%u201D said Ohio Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones. %u201CAll of the world knows the commitment of President Clinton and Sen. Clinton to civil rights issues %u2014 and not only the commitment in terms of words but in terms of deeds.%u201D

Are the Clintons Black enough is the question going into South Carolina , I believe the obvious answer is no that cant be%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026but I am with Representative Tubbs Jones from Ohio no slouch on this subject


%u2026%u2026%u2026the cards all on the table now though not all bad is it?

[katg21]

What are the dems afraid of, the tough questions? I admire Obama for going on Fox News.

[katg21]

You dems are afraid of hearing both sides of the political story, why is that? Just curious.

[Razzl]

Fox is whipped these days, lying fully exposed to the world as propagandists, their beautiful wickedness ended by Bush incompetence, so they''ll be ripe pickings for any smoothie who will show them a little kindness. I predict O will have them eating out of his hand by October...

[Razzl]

"You dems are afraid of hearing both sides of the political story, why is that? Just curious."

Fox does not present another side of the story, they simulate the structure of a newscast or a discussion so they can present just one side of the story. Until very recently most of their panel discussions consisted of a table full of right-wing ideologues (as opposed to journalists or scholars) nattering about "what Democrats think" without any attempt to book a live Democrat to actually frame that question. You''ll notice panel discussions on other networks, even ones where the host has a firm viewpoint, book a variety of viewpoints so the viewer is not mislead by not hearing all the arguments laid out. That would be the thing we call "journalism"...

[pakaal]

katg21: "You dems are afraid of hearing both sides of the political story, why is that? Just curious."

Your first error was in thinking that Fox Noise has a "side" rather than an "agenda". Although the very idea that a news network is supposed to have a "side" is ridiculous to begin with - your argument is proof in of itself that Fox has a "news problem".

No, scratch that last bit about your first error; your first error was in watching Fox Noise at all.

[candide777]

Faux News is soft porn for republicans whose wives won''t let them watch the real thing. How many totally done-up blonde bimbos can they fit into each story?

[likeitis5050]

Well, that''s refreshing. The next president, Republican or Democrat, has to lead for everyone, so they need to be prepared to hear from both camps, unlike many voters are prepared to do. Hearing an issue from both sides doesn''t diminish an affiliation with a preferred party. Too many people act like switching stations to get information from a variety of sources will damage their DNA. Faux this and liberal that...it''s becoming putrid and stale. Can we all just agree that growing up might be in order for a large number of people?

[sgtrds]

"Is Obama Warming Up To Fox News?"

Why bother? FOX Noise is so biased that they''re just going to twist up anything he says and lie about it anyway. They''re useless except as a joke.