by Mark Silva
Is President Barack Obama picking on FOX News?
Or is it the other way around?
Bill O'Reilly's producer was asking today, why the thin skin?.
"I am Barack Obama,'' the president had noted at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner earlier this year. "Most of you covered me. All of you voted for me.... (laughter) Apologies to the Fox table.'' (more laughter)
At a press briefing in late June, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was asked: "You said a couple of days ago that Americans are concerned and anxious as the president about the deficit, and they have a right to be. The president says it keeps him asleep at night. The polls also indicate...
"Keeps him awake,'' Gibbs corrected the questioner.
" Keeps him awake, I'm sorry...
"FOX is what puts him to sleep,'' Gibbs added. "Sorry, I just -- I couldn't resist.''
Then there was the fellow named Randy, a self-declared NRA member, at the "town-hall'' styled meeting on health-care reform last week in Montana, who told the president: "I also get my news from the cable networks because I don't like the spin that comes from them other places.''
"Oh, you got to be -- you got to be careful about them cable networks, though,'' said Obama, who has noted that one, in particular, seems to have it out for him.
At a town hall in New Hampshire, a man announced himself as "one of the people that turned myself in on the White House Web page the other day for being a skeptic of this bill.''
"Can I just say this is another example of how the media ends up just (completely) distorting what's taken place?'' Obama said. "What we've said is that... if you get an e-mail from somebody that says, for example, 'Obama-care is creating a death panel,' forward us the e-mail and we will answer the question that's raised in the e-mail. Suddenly, on some of these news outlets, this is being portrayed as "Obama collecting an enemies list."
At another town-hall on health-care reform in Ohio last month, the president spoke of "all those folks who are out there saying we can't afford this, this is socialism, this will lead to government-run health care; all the folks who are getting ginned up on talk radio and some of these cable news shows...''
And at a town-hall in Missouri in April, the president said, knowingly: "You know, when you see -- those of you who are watching certain news channels that -- on which I'm not very popular -- (laughter) -- and you see folks waving tea bags around ...'' (laughter)
Today, at the Vineyard White House's first press briefing at Oak Bluffs, Mass., a producer for FOX News Channel's Bill O'Reilly asked: "Why does the administration seem to be so thin-skinned with regard to Fox News?''
(O'Reilly Factor producer Jesse Watters "hits Martha's Vineyard to check in on President Obama's vacation!'' FOX notes of tonight's show.) While you're getting the microwave popcorn ready, see what the White House has to say about all this, here in the Swamp:
(Note: This was not Major Garrett, the sometimes combative FOX correspondent who likes to tussle with the press secretary.)
" Thin-skinned -- that's interesting,'' Bill Burton, the deputy press secretary drawing press briefing duty on Martha's Vineyard today, replied. "I wouldn't say that we're thin-skinned.
"I would say that we appreciate that there are people not just at Fox, but in all aspects of the media who are -- who come to this with sometimes very sharp opinions, sometimes very tough questions, and the president has, in the past, obviously been happy to take tough questions, and the administration certainly has.'' Burton said. "We've appeared with conservatives with Michael Smerconish as recently as this week. The president has appeared with Chris Wallace, even Bill O'Reilly....
"It just seems to be singled out a lot of the times, especially with regard to cable chatter,'' the producer continued. " Some people consider that maybe code for the Fox News Channel?''
"Oh, really?'' Burton asked. " Where do you think they've been singled out?''
" I don't know. It seems like it's been mentioned by (Press Secretary Robert) Gibbs, by the president himself, and by others.
"When?"
"Over the course of the last six months.''
" I'm not sure I agree with the premise of your questions,'' Burton said.
" It seems like in a number of occasions we've been singled out for maybe being a little more critical than some of the other cable networks, some of the other media outlets,'' the producer added. " Is that a strategy or is that some -- is that more haphazard?''
" Yes, like I said, '' Burton replied, "I don't agree with the premise of your question, and so I wouldn't really know how to answer it.''
Comments
Who cares, Faux is a joke. They'll always win the ratings game because they're not a real news outlet.
Posted by: former Republican | August 24, 2009 2:54 PM
Fox News and right-wing talk radio traffic in propaganda, not journalism. Obama has every right to point out that those outlets are not legitimate sources of information, but instead disinformation. They are responsible for perpetuating the ridiculous birther and deather nonsense that holds progress hostage.
Posted by: Quippy | August 24, 2009 2:55 PM
'Thin skinned'?
Ha Ha Ha! You haven't seen thin skinned until you've watched Bill-O cry about something.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edYeqzTJci4
Posted by: I'mAnemicRoyalty | August 24, 2009 2:58 PM
O'reiled up is an idiot, a mere puppet 'talking head' who will say anything for Viagra.
Folks should follow the lead of companies that have been removing their advertising from Faux News. Tell your cable company to remove Faux news because of their racism and plain ole' maliciousness.
Posted by: Hank | August 24, 2009 2:59 PM
Sounds like more O'Reilly whining to me. Waaah Waaah Waaah. Who even believes anything that guy says? He doesn't check his sources and doesn't care about accuracy. His job is to be ---- disturber and to sling tons of mud, in hopes that some of it will stick. He's right up there with Glenn Beck, Mr. Wonderful of the far right. Hey, boys, please take one more step to your right; the earth is flat and you're sure to fall off the right edge. So sad for Glenn Beck that his advertisers left him and that his white hatted network suspended him. Keep up the good work, boys! You have us all laughing .... and picketing your sponsors. Good job! Way to be egomaniacs! So impressive!
Posted by: Reddog | August 24, 2009 3:02 PM
Faux and PillHead Rush are where the Wingnuts gather to get their talking points. The right-wing lunatic fringe nutjobs have the mental capacity of a third grader. They can't think for themselves so they have to constantly be fed easy to digest slogans and propaganda without the use of big confusing words. Faux News provides them with this service free of charge.
.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-august-19-2009/fox-news--the-new-liberals
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Posted by: Jimi Jagger | August 24, 2009 3:09 PM
Fox News--"News" by crackpots for crackpots
Posted by: gibster | August 24, 2009 3:42 PM
Obama "joked" that all the media, except the Fox Table, voted for him.
For once, he told the truth.
For yet another example of an Obama lie about Obama care, see how FactCheck.org nails him:
"President Obama said on Saturday:
"When it comes to the current ban on using tax dollars for abortions, nothing will change under reform."
FactCheck.org reported on Friday:
"As for the House bill as it stands now, it’s a matter of fact that it would allow both a "public plan" and newly subsidized private plans to cover all abortions.""
If only reporters spent less time voting for Obama and more time reporting....
Posted by: Bruce | August 24, 2009 4:18 PM
Waters is a true Fox goon who should be jailed for trespassing and harassment a hundred times over...
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | August 24, 2009 4:40 PM
UPS drops ALL Fox advertising, Not Just Glenn Beck!!
Rich Hallabran, spokesman for UPS Stores, said today he has not only temporarily halted buying ads on the Glenn Beck Show but also on the Fox News Channel altogether as reported by AP Television writer David Bauder
.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090824/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_beck_s_advertisers
Congratulations to everyone for a boycott that has successfully driven 33 companies away from the odious and racist rantings of Glenn Beck! Beck is returning from vacation to even fewer advertisers than when he left!
Posted by: smileycreek | August 24, 2009 4:53 PM
"As for the House bill as it stands now, it’s a matter of fact that it would allow both a "public plan" and newly subsidized private plans to cover all abortions.""If only reporters spent less time voting for Obama and more time reporting....
Posted by: Bruce | August 24, 2009 4:18 PM
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No where other than RNC Brucie's fearmongering deluded mind does it state anywhere in any healthcare bill that abortions will be funded, but let's just pretend for a moment that it did say that - are Brucie and the rest of the goonish anti-Gov't Teabaggers here implying that they would like for 'Big Gov't' to intervene with the rule of law and ban all abortions?
I didn't think so...
Try staying on topic for once, Brucie
http://www.disillusionedwords.com/?p=1616
Posted by: Freeper | August 24, 2009 5:08 PM
Fox never has a good word to say about Obama or any Democrat...What's new???Only Repubs like O'Reilley anyway...
Posted by: kaye c. | August 24, 2009 5:17 PM
What is it with the Left and Obama that they fear and despise a free media? Is presentation of both sides of an issue now forbidden, as it is in former and current day Russia and Cuba? The major question is: Why is Fox News the only TV medium that will even acknowledge there is another side? The real shame lies with ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN for not doing what journalists are supposed to do: present the complete picture and allow people to make up their own minds.
Posted by: Derrick | August 24, 2009 6:06 PM
Obama must be proud of how his supporters rant and insult people they disagree with.
Since when does sliming people as "delusional", "goons", "thug", "lunatic" "nutjobs", "idiot" and "racist" (to quote but a few of the epithets used above) constitutes "civil" public debate? Though perhaps namecalling is the best that ObamaCare supporters can come up with...
Posted by: Bruce | August 24, 2009 6:19 PM
Silva puts out another piece of red meat for the flatliners, but the numbers tell it all
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE51P54920090226
Go watch Mr. Ed, Tingly Leg Matthews, Keith "I have problems in the bedroom" Olbermann, and Ms Madcow herself.
http://www.silverstatechronicles.com/wordpress/news/chris-matthews-keith-olbermann
Posted by: Terry | August 24, 2009 6:47 PM
The real shame lies with ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN for not doing what journalists are supposed to do: present the complete picture and allow people to make up their own minds.
Posted by: Derrick | August 24, 2009 6:06 PM
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Quit crying Bruce.
77% of Voters Support a Public Option: How NBC and right wing Rassmussen Got It Wrong:
SurveyUSA recently just confirmed that, just as had been indicated throughout the year by multiple pollsters, about three quarters of voters support a public option - a commanding majority.
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=5ba17aa2-f1b9-4445-a6b8-62b9d1ba8693
The mind reels when you think about how Dems and others protested a war (Iraq) based on lies and yet these right wing mouth-breathers (see Bruce and TrickleDown Terri above) think they're going to score points by "protesting" against poor and middle-class people having even the barest minimum of healthcare.
Posted by: civil war guy | August 24, 2009 7:18 PM
Fox is much better network than ABC unless you like Obama Socialism.
Posted by: Inky | August 24, 2009 8:21 PM
Regarding polls, the NBC-WSJ poll showed that In July, 46% were in favor of creating a public plan administered by the federal government, and 44% were opposed. In August, those numbers flipped, with 43% in favor and 47% opposed. All depends on how the question is asked. And remember, Medicare truly is an option, seniors can choose their own health insurance instead and many do. Many Democratic leaders, including Obama, have expressed their desire for an eventual single payer system.
Posted by: Derrick | August 24, 2009 8:42 PM
Let's see...obama has NBC-ABC-CBS-MSLSD-CNN-The New YorkTimes,LA Times-Chicago (Silva-Swamp) Tribune and just about every other nutty lefty media group in his back pocket, but FOX NEWS is the demon...ok, that's fair and balanced.
Can you spell s-i-n-k-i-ng p-o-l-l n-u-m-b-e-r-s???
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | August 24, 2009 9:17 PM
All depends on how the question is asked. And remember, Medicare truly is an option, seniors can choose their own health insurance instead and many do. Many Democratic leaders, including Obama, have expressed their desire for an eventual single payer system.
Posted by: Derrick | August 24, 2009 8:42 PM
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Quit fear-mongering RNC Brucie,
Single payer, unfortunately, is not even on the table, only a public option, period, end of story.
And yes, polls can be manipulated depending on the wording, Rassmussen and Zogby do it all the time.
Posted by: DNC | August 24, 2009 10:40 PM
Paulo,
Can you spell I.D.I.O.T.? ......... I'll go slow, it's P.A.U.L.O.
Posted by: Tim | August 25, 2009 9:35 AM
Thanks to Beck and others for now shattering the public perception of this failed presidency.
The public is becoming educated, and the numbers about it do not lie!
Obama is tracking lower than Carter did (and doing a worse job) and the leftist loons are in an uproar.
Keep up the boycott, Beck's ratings keep getting higher and higher! Do you sleep better at night knowing you HELP BECK'S SHOW? As for the advertisers, FOX is the #1 rated (in every single time slot, with every single program) cable news outlet. They will never hurt for advertisers. CNN, MSNBC? Not even HALF of the viewers that FOX pulls in.
Guess what libtards, you're losing...quickly!
Posted by: Mikey | August 25, 2009 9:59 AM
Derrick the real job of the news is to report what has happened using the facts of the story. Showing one side or the other is not the news its one side or the other. The news needs to report the facts and not take sides that is why they don't discuss birthers, death panels or Obama is a racist. All mentioned factually untrue. President Busch told us twice that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11. So why do so many Fox viewers still believe the opposite. When we have a so called news organisation telling lies we have a public that doesn't know the truth.
Posted by: No Spin | August 25, 2009 10:19 AM
Derrick the real job of the news is to report what has happened using the facts of the story. Showing one side or the other is not the news its one side or the other. The news needs to report the facts and not take sides that is why they don't discuss birthers, death panels or Obama is a racist. All mentioned factually untrue. President Busch told us twice that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11. So why do so many Fox viewers still believe the opposite. When we have a so called news organisation telling lies we have a public that doesn't know the truth.
Posted by: No Spin | August 25, 2009 10:19 AM
"civil war guy" pulls out a poll by survey USA and tries to tell us this exarteme outlier of a poll is correct and all the others are wrong. But, if you go to the web site he references, what jumps out at you is this:
"Sponsor:
MoveOn.org Political Action "
Hmmmm, sure MoveOn,org is where I go to get a sense of the pulse of the country. Yeah, right.
Rick
Posted by: Rick Caird | August 25, 2009 12:49 PM
Hopefully, advertisers will pull all advertising from all so called news channels that have a certain political lean. Both sides, then maybe we would get the real scoop.
Posted by: bill r. | August 25, 2009 3:22 PM
Like native american tribes of old, they judge their power by how powerful their enemies are. If Watters was able to get Burton to take the bait and single out Faux, it would have been a major coup and would have been their lead story. All the little ditto heads and nutbags would get to say that the administration is out to get them etc etc ad nauseum.
Posted by: Ol' Whip | August 26, 2009 8:43 PM