Running Around Trying to Get Votes
Reported by Melanie - September 8, 2004 -
Your World w/Neil Cavuto opened today (September 8, 2004) with a discussion between Cavuto and Gerard Baker, identified as the US editor of the The Times (of London) and a "Fox News Contributor." Cavuto and Baker discussed Bush's second "hurricane call" to Florida in two weeks, Cavuto wondering whether it was "registering with registered voters there as well." Baker though it was, saying a presidental visit can generate a lot of attention and give the president the opportunity to play the role of national, or state "healer." Baker said the president can become a "unifying figure" because he's "no longer just a candidate running around trying to get votes."
COMMENT: Earlier this afternoon, beginning at approximately 1:10 p.m., Fox News went live to Florida to show Bush handing out ice and water to Floridians, doing their best to help Bush's visit register with registered voters. As I watched, it sure looked to me like he was "running around trying to get votes," but I guess this segment was an attempt to dispel that notion.
Fox aired Bush's visit live for ten to fifteen minutes (CNN and MSNBC dipped in for brief periods each). It was clear Fox wanted to draw attention to his visit and to do its part to portray Bush as the "healer" and maybe the provider and nurturer too. (Interestingly, MSNBC's reporter on the scene said that the station Bush went to had no ice whatsoever until minutes before Bush's arrival.)
Also, Fox's viewers were never told that The Times is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who owns Fox News - information that might have caused them to question the objectivity of Mr. Baker.
