Opening Salvo
Reported by Eleanor - July 25, 2004 -
On Fox News Sunday (July 25, 5:00 p.m.), Chris Wallace has a regular segment at the end of the show called "Power Player of the Week." The guest is usually someone with a powerful "behind-the-scenes" job. This week Wallace chose to highlight Howie Carr, Talk Radio Host for WRKO in Boston. The first words out of Carr's mouth were that Boston is not happy about the democratic convention being in town this week.
Carr cited "two Americas" as "two Bostons" this week - "those who can and those who cannot get out." He referred to John Kerry as a "palpable empty suit." He said that Kerry always wants to go to the head of the line, and breaks in line with, "Do you know who I am?" Carr continued by saying that now Kerry is surrounded by a bunch of "flunkies" who know who he is.
Wallace then said that Carr speaks for people who have no use for liberals or intellectuals of any kind. Carr went on with "the people I attack deserve a beating." He continued, "Bill Clinton is a complete fraud, and then said something like Hillary will never be president.
Comment: Wallace's guest said this, not Wallace. In previous weeks when I have viewed this segment the guest focuses on his job as a servant to the nation or to the community. I take from Wallace's comment about Carr serving those who "have no use for liberals or intellectuals" that he knew in advance approximately what this person would say. Therefore, it seems that the viewers can hold him and Fox responsible for this vitriolic political venom with no opposing view anywhere to be found. (P.S. A commenter tells me that Wallace said he plans to have a "fair and balanced response" at the republican convention. I missed the end of the show because the phone rang. In my opinion, a month from now is too late to make a difference. How about tomorrow?)
If this is the first salvo fired by Fox to open their convention coverage, it's time for everyone to hold on tight. It's going to be a rough ride this week as Fox tries to minimize that "15 point bounce" they keep saying is expected - with the intent to make the actual bounce look bad, since it will undoubtedly be more modest.
