CNN’s Reliable Sources discussed the role of Fox News in the upcoming Republican primaries. Sadly, it wasn’t a matter of if but how big a role the “fair and balanced” network would play
Guest Gabriel Sherman, author of the terrific book about Roger Ailes, The Loudest Voice in the Room, said that “Roger Ailes controls the largest block of reliable Republican voters” and candidates are already courting him.
SHERMAN: I can report that, according to my sources, Rick Perry came to New York before going to Iowa for the Freedom Summit to meet with Ailes, to have a meet and greet and kiss the ring. So these candidates are already courting Ailes and trying to get on his good side to get reliable coverage going into the primary season.
Host Brian Stelter noted that candidates visit other media executives. “What’s different about Fox?” he asked.
“Because Fox as I said controls this audience,” Sherman said. “So if you want to be a Republican frontrunner, you’ve gotta get the prime spots on Fox. You’ve got to get the prime bookings and Ailes is that ring that you need to kiss.”
Matt Lewis of The Daily Caller, the other guest, disagreed. He claimed Fox’s importance is due to its size and popularity and he dismissed the idea that Fox might “boost one candidate or another.” Lewis based his conclusion on the fact that the hosts don’t all support the same Republican. But, of course, the hosts are not Ailes. And if you don’t think that Fox takes a position then ask yourself why Fox has been so eager to hurry Sarah Palin off the “interested in running” stage.
However even Lewis said he thinks the Republican primary “will be fought on Fox News” but for different reasons.
As Karoli, at Crooks and Liars pointed out, the “Fox News primary” was “treated as though this is a perfectly normal function for a self-proclaimed ‘news’ outlet to perform. Shouldn’t someone have pointed out that kissing Roger Ailes’ ring is a perversion of what news and journalism is supposed to be about?”
Yes, yes and yes.
Sherman closed the segment by saying that Fox had been damaging to the party in a general election. “And so for 2016, I want to see, can this message that Fox promotes during the primary really resonate with a broader audience, ‘cause that’s what the party needs for their electoral fortunes.”
Apparently, it's just too much to ask that Fox uncouple from the GOP.
Watch it below, from yesterday’s Reliable Sources, via Crooks and Liars.