During Fox News’ coverage of the Brexit vote, host Leland Vittert predictably took a swipe at President Obama.
As he discussed the results with co-anchor Abby Huntsman, Vittert said:
VITTERT: You have to wonder: For President Obama, who campaigned so strong for the “stay in the European Union” vote, for the remain vote, you have to wonder what he’s thinking in terms of, if possible, the way that voters in the United Kingdom rejected his message, will voters in the U.S. reject his message as he speaks out against Donald Trump?
Believe me, I find the results chilling and a possible harbinger of a Trump win, but not because of any rejection of President Obama. When he visited The U.K. in April, The Telegraph - which wrote a very critical analysis of Obama's efforts to stump on behalf of "remain," also noted that he had "rock-star approval ratings."
I’m surprised Vittert didn’t work in any swipes at Hillary Clinton, her emails or Benghazi. I've been following Fox's coverage non-stop and did not hear any references to the person who's actually running against Trump. But the results have caused a shockwave throughout the globe. I have faith that in time, someone at Fox will find a way.
Watch it below, from Fox’s June 24 coverage, via Media Matters’ Angelo Carusone.
Fox News: Gotta wonder if Obama's thinking since UK rejected him, will US voters reject him too as he attacks Trump? pic.twitter.com/dYt8VQQmUV
— Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) June 24, 2016
There has to be a psychological term for that . . .
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Heard in business news Scotland and Ireland might seek to exit the UK to get back in the EU. Speculation but from real business news, not bulls—t FBN.
“NewsHour” and NBC evening news covered Trump in Scotland where he’s absolutely hated. Don’t expect FOX to expose its viewers to the many Scottish protesters unless they can find a way to blame Obama and Hillary.
I think it was NPR this morning who noted the EU wants Britain out quicker than the 2 years often quoted (from Article 50?). Evidence the EU is pissed so don’t expect favorable trade deals defeating the purpose and advantages of membership.
Under Hillary Briton might get a decent trade deal but they’re only ~5% of our trade. The EU is Briton’s huge trading partner. Oh, whoops Boris Johnson. Your bigotry may come with a high price tag.
Under Donald ‘High Tariff’ Trump? Well, keep the happy thoughts Briton but….
All this upheaval to keep [what’s left of] the UK white.
The Brits will find it tough going getting favourable treatment from the individual countries – the EU will circle the wagons and try to make an example of them to discourage anyone else who fancies defecting.
Meanwhile, NPR points out expect a rise in Scotland and Northern Ireland the cry for a referendum to exit the UK. Not to mention other than the economist FOX dredged up from the right-wing Heritage Foundation, haven’t heard anything but economists questioning the wisdom of Brexit.
Trump gave a speech in Scotland yesterday in which he congratulated them on their desire to exit the EU. I guess he was a bit premature, today its reported that Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU. Apparently Scotland rejects Trump, overwhelmingly.
The younger UK voters were pissed at the outcome.
It’s gonna be a long day.
You’re right. Last night CNN interviewed a reporter in Britain and it’s pretty clear every indicator was the populace edged towards remaining in the EU. The one thing in favor if Brexit was that demographic was far more energized and motivated to vote.
Conservatives here have been whipped up into a lather by FOX News and talk radio for roughly 20 years. All it took here and elsewhere is a prolonged recession squeezing the middle class to bring out the inner Archie Bunker in many voters.
Western developed economies are all struggling against emerging, cheap labor economies like China. NPR and NBC “Today” pointed out the trend in much of the rest of the EU is for right-wing nationalist to play the same nativist, ’we’re the greatest brought down by foreigners’ bulls—t Trump is peddling. It’s likely Britain’s referendum won’t be the last as said nationalists are trying to get them going in many EU nations.
Will Trump win here? Scares the s—t out of me! Seriously. Hillary doesn’t get it, IMHO, and her campaign is pathetic. Pandering to liberal constituencies and the same stale Democratic talking point checklist totally ignoring the sentiments of our times. Now that Trump has a competent campaign manager in control it’s turning around.
However, one positive thing about the Brexit is it’s bound to fail. While the deterioration will be long-term, hopefully there will be enough of a stench like the sterling pound dropping ~10% today to give Americans pause to go the same nativist route.
They also pointed out the voter demographic behind Brexit is the exact Archie Bunker types having a love affair with nativist The Donald. They’re blue color, poorly educated, mostly rural, and white. They find solace in their personal failure when they’re told the nativist rubbish they’re inherently the greatest because they’re [white] Britons and it’s those scary inferior foreigners who are threatening their future and holding them back.
The Der Furor’s [and Johnson’s] rhetoric sounds a bit like Der Führer’s German Aryan ‘master race’ bulls—t, eh?
Coincidentally, I watched a bit of nostalgia last night. “West Side Story” was on TMC. Back then it was whites [Polish immigrants?] against the Puerto Ricans. Things never change.
That may well turn out to be true. Ellen is correct to have major concerns here. Dan Rather said about the same last week.
But I note that we’re not the same as the U.K. – we have a much larger and much more diverse electorate. Which has been exactly the problem that Donald Trump faces. I honestly don’t see Trump getting a landslide vote in his favor – not when he has yet to articulate anything coherent in terms of policy or careful thought. Not when he continues to issue ad hominem attacks and when he relies on right wing smear jobs as his fact papers. Not when he’s worked hard to alienate every voting group in this country other than angry white men.
It is true that Donald Trump could win this election. If his people show up and everyone else stays home. So if we have a lesson from the UK, I’d say that it would be: Don’t stay home on Election Day. And I note that the British vote had a high participation rate, where our rates tend to be lower. I urge anyone that cares about what happens this fall to actually take the time and vote.