Oh dear, gentle reader, I fear a storm is brewing. In an interview with the New Republic, released this morning, President Obama criticized some elements of the media - naming Fox News by name - for helping to feed the Republican obstructionism and hostility that marked his first term in office. And I can already hear the first ominous rumblings of thunder in the distance.
The interview covered a variety of topics - gun control, executive orders, and football - but a lot of it focused on the dysfunction in Washington. When asked about Republicans' unwillingness to work with him, Obama responded: "I don't think the issue is whether or not there are people of goodwill in either party that want to get something done. I think what we really have to do is change some of the incentive structures so that people feel liberated to pursue some common ground. One of the biggest factors is going to be how the media shapes debates. If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you'll see more of them doing it."
Greta Van Susteren has already written a critical blog post: "Apparently President Obama wants his usual media pass and Fox challenges his policies – which happens to be the media’s job." She also accused Democrat brass of intimidation: "Some Democrats have told me that they want to come on Fox to discuss issues but they get heat from their Leadership for appearing on Fox. Does President Obama know that? So which Party is intimidating its members?"
Van Susteren is one of the more reasonable Fox personalities. I am waiting with bated breath to see how some of the others respond.
(h/t Mediaite for putting me onto this story)
“One of the biggest factors is going to be how the media shapes debates. If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you’ll see more of them doing it.”
BRAVO, Mr. President. I have just one question:
What the hell took you so long to call out Faux Spews and Rush Limpblob by name?
“Greta Van Susteren has already written a critical blog post: “Apparently President Obama wants his usual media pass and Fox challenges his policies – which happens to be the media’s job.”
EXCUSE ME Greta — YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A LOUDMOUTHED HIGHLY PAID HYPOCRITE! Do YOU remember the HUGE MEDIA PASS that was given to your dear former Fuehrer Dumbya Bush for eight years, especially by your bosses “Jabba the Ailes” (i.e. Roger Ailes in “truman-ese”) and Herr Goebbels II (i.e. Rupert Murdoch)?
No, I don’t think so.
’Nuff said.
Fox and their bevy of ‘Fact-Checkers’, credible ‘analysts’ and spot-on ‘pollsters’ will have a great chance to appear even more irrelevant by attacking him in their own inimitable fashion.
