Dems in Uproar over Fox Plan to Cover Debate

[babylonsister]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0223-04.htm

Dems in Uproar over Fox Plan to Cover Debate
by Joe Garofoli


The first presidential primary is 11 months away, but liberals are arguing among themselves over how to best reach new voters -- and whether to cooperate with one of their biggest media nemeses. Their dilemma:

Should we Fox?

"Fox," as in partner with the Fox News Channel. Liberal bloggers and the online political powerhouse MoveOn.org launched a campaign Thursday to persuade the Nevada Democratic Party to boot Fox News as the broadcaster of the state's August Democratic presidential debate.

The reason, according to an online letter MoveOn sent to 2 million of its members Thursday, is that "Fox is a mouthpiece for the Republican Party, not a legitimate news channel. The Democratic Party of Nevada should drop Fox as its partner for the presidential primary debate." Joining the chorus Thursday was liberal filmmaker Robert Greenwald, the director of the anti-Fox film, "Outfoxed," who released a video online of Fox's coverage of Democratic candidates.

But the Nevada party organizers -- and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean -- said Thursday that while they may not think much of Fox's reporting, they want to reach out to viewers of the largest cable news network, one with double the number of prime-time viewers of CNN. And one whose believability is much higher with Republicans than Democrats, according to a 2005 study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism.

So why not reach out, party officials say? At a time when President Bush's approval rating hovers around 30 percent, there may be disgruntled conservative voters to be found there. The network has broadcast Democratic debates before, and is close to announcing a second debate it will air in the next week.

And Fox's reaction to this controversy? They're content to watch liberals fight from a distance, and network officials hope that the buzz will send more viewers to their debate broadcast. Presidential debates ordinarily double their audience, and this quarrel could pad that number with those curious about Fox.

more...

[Demit]

1. Bah. Democrats still acting like the schmo who, when somebody steps on his

foot, HE says "Sorry."

Do Nevada Dems really think Fox is going to let them "reach new voters"?? That they'll be allowed come across unfiltered? Without being framed in ridicule? Schmos.

[EV_Ares]

2. We should not let up on this. That is pure and simple BS they are

putting out on having Fox do this. There is nothing to be gained from this at all. The only one who wins is Fox.

Why would the dem leaders want to do this? Makes no sense at all.

[truebrit71]

3. Fuck Faux Spews. Until they act like journalists, they don't get access...

...pure and simple....

Arguing like this simply gives them more ammunition about how important they are...

Ignore these fuckers and they WILL go away...

Don't believe me? Ask KO....

[nebenaube]

4. Anybody who still watchs Fox

is brain dead anyway...

[KansDem]

5. Well, this says a lot...

But the Nevada party organizers -- and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean -- said Thursday that while they may not think much of Fox's reporting, they want to reach out to viewers of the largest cable news network, one with double the number of prime-time viewers of CNN. And one whose believability is much higher with Republicans than Democrats, according to a 2005 study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism.

Never mind if it's the truth or not, viewers of FOX "believe" what they see and hear. Perhaps "gullibility" would be a better term here...

[KansDem]

6. Video here...

The reason, according to an online letter MoveOn sent to 2 million of its members Thursday, is that "Fox is a mouthpiece for the Republican Party, not a legitimate news channel. The Democratic Party of Nevada should drop Fox as its partner for the presidential primary debate." Joining the chorus Thursday was liberal filmmaker Robert Greenwald, the director of the anti-Fox film, "Outfoxed," who released a video online of Fox's coverage of Democratic candidates.

Fox attacks Obama