Fox News Calls Michelle Obama "Baby Mama"

Graphic Is Latest Controversial Obama Reference To Air On The Cable Network

(AP)  Fox News Channel referred to Michelle Obama as "Obama's baby mama" in a graphic on Wednesday, the latest in a trio of references to the Democratic presidential campaign that have given fuel to network critics.

The graphic "Outraged liberals: Stop picking on Obama's baby mama" was flashed during an interview with conservative columnist Michelle Malkin about whether Barack Obama's wife has been the target of unfair criticism.

In the past two weeks, Fox anchor E.D. Hill has apologized for referring to an affectionate onstage fist bump shared by the couple as a "terrorist fist jab," and Fox contributor Liz Trotta said she was sorry for joking about an Obama assassination.

The incidents are further indications of how closely the endless cable campaign chatter is being watched this year. Hillary Clinton's campaign was angered by what it described as the pro-Obama tilt of some MSNBC commentators. Amid protests, MSNBC's Chris Matthews said he was wrong this winter to say Clinton was a candidate because "her husband messed around." And MSNBC reporter David Shuster was suspended for two weeks for saying Clinton's campaign had "pimped out" daughter Chelsea by having her make political phone calls.

"Obama's baby mama" was never said on the air. Malkin said during her interview that she had seen no gratuitous or cheap shots taken against Michelle Obama by Republican or conservative critics.

Joan Walsh, a columnist from Salon.com, criticized the graphic on Thursday as a slur.

"Do you try to explain that `baby mama' is slang for the unmarried mother of a man's child, and not his wife, or even a girlfriend?" Walsh wrote. "Are they racist, or just clueless? Isn't there racism even in their cluelessness, if somebody didn't know what `baby mama' means, but used it anyway? Even at Fox, won't somebody have to apologize?"

"Baby Mama" also was the title of a recent movie about a woman who hired a surrogate to bear a child. It starred Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, both of whom are white.

Bill Shine, senior vice president of programming at Fox, said in a statement that a producer "exercised poor judgment" during the segment. The producer was not fired; no other disciplinary action was announced. Hill's "terrorist fist jab" comment came in a tease to a segment on the candidates' body language, and it wasn't repeated during the subsequent interview. She told Fox it was taken from something she had read online.

No matter: "terrorist fist jab" quickly became an online sensation.

Hill apologized on-air four days after she said it. Hill said some people "thought I had personally characterized it inappropriately. I regret that. It was not my intention and I certainly did not mean to associate the word `terrorist' in any way with Sen. Obama and his wife."

Fox subsequently canceled Hill's weekday afternoon program as part of a larger reorganization. She remains on staff.

Trotta's assassination joke came May 25 as she commented about how some considered it distasteful for Clinton to refer to Robert F. Kennedy's assassination when explaining why she was staying in the presidential race.

"Now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama," she said, quickly correcting herself. "Obama. Well, both if we could."

Obama's name has often been confused with terrorist leader Osama bin Laden's, by people ranging from Mitt Romney to CNN's Alina Cho. And MSNBC once flashed a picture of bin Laden as Chris Matthews talked about Obama.

Trotta apologized on-air the next day, and hasn't appeared on Fox since.

"I sincerely regret it and apologize to anybody I've offended," she said. "It's a very colorful political season and many of us are making mistakes and saying things that we wish we hadn't said."

[luvusa]

and you still claim the unbiased and fair mantle ?Posted by clovisbuford

Did I claim that, Clovis? Such passion from you and for what? Who really gives a *** about Fox News, baby mamas and what ever else you are ranting about. The problem with our country is people like you, always making mountains out of mole hills. Do you have as much passion for the real issues at hand or are we going to go back and forth about the insignificant?

[clovisbuford]

Well I do have a sense of humor. Why does this "baby mama" statement have to be interpreted any other way?..hmm lets examine that with the other statement you made about Mr obama and his wife Michelle "Your utter disdain for Bush has brought you to the brink of insanity, so much so that you would defend and probably vote for Obama. You would have two America haters in the white house...and you question my patriotism. "yeah ha ha .. you are all about the chuckles ..no agenda ..silly treasonous american hating libs have no sense ofhumor

[clovisbuford]

Well I do have a sense of humor. Why does this "baby mama" statement have to be interpreted any other way? LUVUSA You yourself describe it as black slang , then when shown what it means in black slang "unmarried mother with *** children" basically defend it as humorous , on a "news channel" and about the first viable black candidate for president while defending their news intregrity ..I know they can be confused with the comedy channel and stewart ,they are so divorced from reality .but really which are they ? and you still claim the unbiased and fair mantle ? cough ..Denial is not a river in egypt

[luvusa]

I will give you the benefit of the doubt and say you personally wouldn''''t mind your wife being described that way...Posted by clovisbuford

Well I do have a sense of humor. Why does this "baby mama" statement have to be interpreted any other way?

[clovisbuford]

"Do you try to explain that `baby mama'' is slang for the unmarried mother of a man''s child, and not his wife, or even a girlfriend?" Walsh wrote. so if Faux news implies Michelle Obama fits this description , they should not be called on it? I will give you the benefit of the doubt and say you personally wouldn''t mind your wife being described that way ,or you even as the wife or implying your children were born out of wedlock? especially if untrue .. to borrow a page from the National Enquirer "Enquiring minds want to know LUVUSA"

[clovisbuford]

"Who cares that someone on Fox news called her "baby mama"...she is isn''''t she? She''''s black isn''''t she...that''''s a black slang term...what''''s the f''''n problem? Why is ''''baby mama" only a racist term when a white person or Fox News is saying it?" LUVUSA err it wasnt said it was one of those so derogatory or flat out wrong scrolls they like to do across the screen so no one takes responsibility . I look forward to the one on Faux news about cindy Mccain with her 300 million fortune saying "conservatives bawling dont be mean to Mccains sugar mama".. should I hold my breath for that one? During the mark foley scandal(R) you know the one, had a lets say gourmands appetite for young pages , they continually identified him as a democrat in their scroll. Recently obama and his wife did a fist bump in celebration a faux news commentator called it a terrorist salute.Continue to get your news spoon fed to you from Faux news and the radio , but dont act all injured when they promote obvious falsehood and from a particular view point and people call them on it.Or do and just know in Nov. you will have so much more material, as you watch the white house shift hands and dem majorities in both houses increase substantially . Its not about the name calling its real policies and effects.

[kansas1946]

Why would anyone be surprised by anything that comes out of Faux News. They are not a news station. They are the Bush apologist network, nothing else. The only people that watch Faux News are the ditto-heads that we already brain washed by Rush, and just want an affirmation of the narrow, twisted, views. If I were Michelle and Barack, I would just laugh about it and go on. Arguing with Faux, is just like trying to argue with a spoiled five-year-old. Ain''t gonna'' work.

[clovisbuford]

"Now go take your meds or a few drinks...lighten up a$$hole." LUVUSA again the name callin, and i am the one with the anger issues? however a little improvement,I was not insane with a pathological hatred of Gw this time ,or an america hater .....wheew small steps,small steps..Physician heal thy self.

[luvusa]

"I brought up your name LUVTHEUSA only from the point of its a way for you to deflect criticism ,by wrapping yourself in the cloak of patriotism,"Posted by clovisbuford

Actually you are way off, I chose the name LUVUSA because, well, I do; not as a way to deflect criticism. If that were the case it would have been pointless because you keep riding my a$$ about it.

[luvusa]

clovisbuford,
"I can think of a lot worse to say about Michelle Obama, why can''t Fox News or any news media for that matter?" Where in this statement am I defending Fox news? Can you read? I think EVERY news channel should report the facts on the Obamas but they aren''t. Who cares that someone on Fox news called her "baby mama"...she is isn''t she? She''s black isn''t she...that''s a black slang term...what''s the f''n problem? Why is ''baby mama" only a racist term when a white person or Fox News is saying it? If it were said on ABC would you still be b!tching...I think not. Now go take your meds or a few drinks...lighten up a$$hole.

[clovisbuford]

"You would have two America haters in the white house...and you question my patriotism. "LUVUSA
errr I questioned your assertion that faux news only be held to the same standards as you , an anonymous online poster . Now the obamas are America haters? . I do dislike GW bush''s policies ,but thats easy to do,we are living the proof of failed republican thinking. Your boys have been in charge for most of the decade and in the congress since 1994. No response to my assertion that faux news should be held to a higher journalistic standard.Instead of responding to that I am an angry insane person who supports traiterous anti americans for higher office,now that is a example of civil discourse on the issues eh. Questioning your positions on the issues is not the same as questioning your patriotism.I brought up your name LUVTHEUSA only from the point of its a way for you to deflect criticism ,by wrapping yourself in the cloak of patriotism,like some kind of kelvar coating that frees you from talking about the issues rather than just emotive words without any basis in reality. Feel free to argue your position with a little logic.If you can do that without actually accusing everyone who disagrees with you of being unamerican and insane ,what a delightful and novel thing for you to attempt. good luck with that .

[luvusa]

clovisbuford,
Such anger, you forget to take your medication? Your utter disdain for Bush has brought you to the brink of insanity, so much so that you would defend and probably vote for Obama. You would have two America haters in the white house...and you question my patriotism.

[trishab4]

Goodnight America. Goodnight CBS. Goodnight John Boy.
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Posted by galvestontex at 01:22 AM : Jun 15, 2008

-good nite tex!

[trishab4]

F0X news is repukons news! and they smell when I tune on to their channel/website!

[galvestontex]

Goodnight America. Goodnight CBS. Goodnight John Boy.

[galvestontex]

I%u2019m going to go over to ABC News (a.k.a. the real Clinton campaign headquarters) and rattle sabers. Then, to CNN. I don%u2019t even bother with F-U-X News. Fair and balanced my A-S-S. Nothing but T&A over there (ditzes). Some nice cleavage though.

[galvestontex]

Oh well. I got here too late. Nobody home.

[galvestontex]

Obama/Edwards 08! Done Deal!

[galvestontex]

F-U-X News is bigoted and biased. Fair and balanced my A-S-S.

[galvestontex]

F-U-X News is bigoted and biased. Fair and balanced my A-S-S.