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The Obama Watch

Close Chavez

So now Mr. Obama goes after Fox News as if he were Venezuela’s presidente.

We live in a surreal time. The Presidency we are experiencing does not merely bend the rules of civility, it alters the outlines of reality. The danger posed by someone filling the vessels of our national institutions with bad content is limited. The next custodian of the vessels can refill them more healthily. The greatest danger occurs when the vessels are smashed or vitiated by misuse. There is no guarantee that a successor will be able to effectuate repair.

I want to say that I am shocked by the President’s latest utterance about FOX News, but I fear that we have moved past shock into numbness. Mister Obama, in a chatty colloquy with the publisher of Rolling Stone, while being treated with deference befitting a royal, thought it sporting to hound FOX. That network is destructive to America, he said, hawking a clearly discernible viewpoint like the Hearst papers of yore. It has been a successful strategy in fiscal terms, he noted: “wildly successful as an economic enterprise.” Good for Rupert Murdoch, bad for America. (Well, shiver me timbers, our fearless President has managed to unmask yet another profiteer!)

The idea that the journalism at FOX is unique by species is specious. The news is presented fairly and a rightward tilt often peeks through, no more prominently than the leftward tilt at CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN et al. Yet even if it were somehow more egregiously skewed, how is this destructive when so many viewing options are available? Remember, this fox came to the table last, long after the wolves had been seated. Who can reasonably argue that having one strident right-wing voice amid a gaggle of left-wing voices, or even amid neutral voices, is to inject a moral havoc into the culture?

Furthermore, everyone is aware that 89-91 percent of journalists covering Washington admit to voting Democrat. This is not seen to pose any threat to balance. Why would anyone accuse them of coloring the news to suit their views? (Not to get sidetracked here by citing the recent Journolist scandal, where many of the nation’s top reporters admitted — to each other, at any rate — that they were fighting for liberal objectives under the pose of objectivity.)

Interesting, also, that Obama detects no incongruity in saying that this model for news delivery is wildly successful while being so destructive. What is the secret of this success? Why are large quantities of people drawn to this approach? The implication here is that there is some pandering to the demons within people, that Murdoch is an urbane upscale pornographer. He is giving his audience permission to be selfish, greedy, grasping, bigoted, xenophobic, as Rosalynn Carter once said of Reagan. They are coming to Murdoch to buy indulgences, as Martin Luther once said of the Catholic hierarchy.

So upon examination, the vehicle is not intrinsically destructive. Because if you had a Hearst-style liberal network (of which Obama can locate none), and if it were to attract a lot of viewers, that would not be pandering. That would be edifying. The people who signed up as viewers would not be patting themselves on the back. No, they would be volunteering to hear of new responsibilities and duties they might otherwise have shirked. They would be bettering themselves and the world.

Obama should admit that he does not really find the Hearst style destructive. He just does not like the particular viewpoint that FOX advances. And now — hold on to your hats — he does admit that! In the very same interview, he turns around and says that it is promoting a destructive viewpoint. Get it? He could not keep up the façade of being outraged by one-sided reporting either way. He can live with one-sided when it is his side.

Back to our larger point. To use the Presidential bully pulpit as a blunt instrument against a news organization, to label its approach destructive, to label its content destructive, that is — to coin a phrase — destructive. Think back to our first clue that Hugo Chavez was an autocrat, bent on subverting those national institutions which did not refract his glory. It was when he came out against various newspapers and television stations, saying much the same things as our own El Presidente.

This President has again set a bad precedent. When I meet him next, in the polling booth in 2012, I hope it will not be too late to tell him what I think: “Hugo!” 

About the Author

Jay D. Homnick, commentator and humorist, is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. He also writes for Human EventsHere he speaks at the Rally for Religious Freedom in Miami on June 8, 2012.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (139) |

kee mackey| 9.29.10 @ 6:37AM

I have watched fox news for years but am disturbed by the fact of a Saudi Prince owning 15% of News Corp. He owned I think 12% but Murdoch recently let him buy more.
How much imput do you think the Prince has in the content of New Corp and Fox News? This is a question that bears discussion.

greghawk| 9.29.10 @ 7:41AM

Well, none. What's to discuss other than conspiracy theory?

loulou| 9.29.10 @ 10:51AM

Plenty of lefties on Fox News. Too many.

RCV| 9.29.10 @ 2:17PM

Only you could find a "leftie" on Fox News. To the left of Louis XIV?

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 4:48PM

Jerry Rivers (Geraldo Rivera) is a conservative? Do tell!

RCV| 9.29.10 @ 6:28PM

Geraldo Rivera is a fool and not a serious journalist or commentator. (Remember the silly Al Capone stunt?) He couldn't tell left from right, using both hands.

Dave M. (now in S. Korea)| 9.30.10 @ 8:34AM

Chris Wallace, registered Democrat. Bernie Goldberg, registered Democrat and admitted liberal. Greta Van Susteren, registered Democrat and admitted liberal. Jerry Rivera, registered Democrat and admitted liberal/leftist. Shepard Smith, registered Democrat. Juan Williams, registered Democrat and admitted liberal/leftist.

Raving Rabbi| 10.11.10 @ 9:55AM

Hey, Greta stays fair, as does Wallace, so I don't care what they are in their private life. And Bernie G. has made at least 2 clear shifts to the right since his Rather-slanted views, and is now right-of-center.

intruder| 9.29.10 @ 11:28AM

Murdoch does not own the whole NewsCorp, but 35% of it and sold perhaps the percentage you mention from his shares. Nevertheless the political correctness keeps amounting in FNC programs. It seems that Murdoch, just like Bernard Lewis, both in their twilight years, is looking more and more for "moderation" in Islam. It's not only a shame but a huge mistake.

Ray| 9.29.10 @ 12:34PM

"How much imput do you think the Prince has in the content of New Corp and Fox News."

Well, since he doesn't have a controlling share, I would would say: very little.

Claudia Monteverdi| 9.29.10 @ 7:56PM

Dear Mister Mackey,
You ask a two pronged question to which I will respond with a forked tongue respose--The first of these prongs? 15% stock by some Saudia animal (my word) etcertera--HSSSST (that's my forked tongue doing it's thing) News Corp is a PUBLIC COMPANY..as is the wont with piblicly traded companies; anyone, including you, your barber, your tailor or your runof the mill Saudi Shiekling can buy the stock of such freely and without anyone's permission...now let's speak influence:
Mr Murdoch, who I briefly met a while back, impressed me as a very bright, straight forward chap who would not be influenced by King Daviis, Sait Mathew, or Buddha let alone some miserable saudi royal...sooooh, please rest well and enjoy Sean and Dr. Krautheimer, throw stones at O'Reilly, cheer Sarah and expel noxious gasses in the direction iof the reverend Doctor Beck--
Love,
Claudia

Alan Brooks| 9.29.10 @ 9:22PM

Fox is over-commercialized celebrity sludge

Christopher Holland| 9.29.10 @ 9:43PM

An interesting concept, Alan. One wonders how one defines under-commerialized, non-celebrity solids (or liquids - both solids and liquids appear to be the alternative to sludge)? Where does one find these things, have they ever existed at all, outside of an incoherent discharge from a mangle of Brooksian brain synapses?

Alan Brooks| 9.29.10 @ 11:51PM

Yeah you yourself are a picture of cogency-- that's why you come to a site such as AS.
AS, that calm debating society.
AS that site dispensing the love of Jesus.

Alan Brooks| 9.29.10 @ 11:54PM

Tyrrell, the 21th century WFB, running for mayor-- how kind of him.

Oldefarte| 10.1.10 @ 11:29AM

AB, you're an IDIOT!!!!!!

ruth| 9.30.10 @ 1:40PM

Maybe, just maybe Murdoch sold Saudi part of Fox News so it would be broadcast in Arabia...I hope that is the case...

JohnL| 9.29.10 @ 6:38AM

What I find so outrageous about Barrack Obama is his unending supply of ridiculous objections. This man majors in racism but whines about racism, constantly. He is like... Nancy Pelosi, who couldn't find integrity with a flashlight and a search party.

Darin| 9.29.10 @ 7:13AM

Pelosi doesn't know what integrity looks like, so any reference to hear searching for it doesn't jive.

Alan Brooks| 9.29.10 @ 9:25PM

"Geraldo Rivera is a fool and not a serious journalist or commentator. (Remember the silly Al Capone stunt?) He couldn't tell left from right, using both hands."

Agreed, 'Firing Line' was far superior.

Oldefarte| 10.1.10 @ 11:30AM

And MSNBC's Ed Reed is far superior, right??????

Christopher Holland| 9.29.10 @ 9:45PM

It is worse than you think. San Fran Nan isn't even looking for integrity, she does not want it and has no intention of finding it, no matter how many flashlights you heap on her head.

Ret. Marine| 9.29.10 @ 6:58AM

Under all of his pretences, he's really worried about the truth. Fair and balanced. Not by a long shot. If it were true, they would hang onto the birther issue and hunt that dog until it gave way to the truth of the matter, an illegal allien working in our House of We the People. But as we see it is not happening. We have a LtCol. ( Lanken) a highly decorated medical officer in the Army demanding a positive proof, i.e. obamas Bin Ly'n long form birth certificate and an Army JAG denying him his rights under the article of military justice, to acquire information regarding all of his records to prove his case. Even while a large Senior Officers Corps gaggle of honorable men, prior senior officers from all the branches demanding the pretender-n-thief release the records, and who do you suppose is the only news coverage sponsored lately, you guessed it FOX news.
This pretender-n-thief's days are slowly dwindling down to the wire and he knows it. It is only natural for a person with everything to hide to go after the very people who are exposing his dirty dealings. He's no hugo, he actually dumber than hugo, of course no one has the balls to tell it to him to his face with the exception of the American people. November people, let the investigations begin. Semper Fi.

R Lee| 9.29.10 @ 1:01PM

Nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it say you do not need to comply with the document if you claim doing so might cause you some embarrassment!
The “Judge” presiding over this farce then defies all sense of justice by ruling one persons possible embarrassment outweighs anothers right to freedom and right to a defense.
The U.S. State Depart has publicly stated Obama is not eligible – no further finding needs to be done.
The judge in question has failed the test when called on to uphold the oath and one day soon will have to account for this crime.

Ret. Marine| 9.29.10 @ 8:14PM

Agreed, Seems everyone is afraid to insult the white/black hacker but, you know one day he too will answer for his sins before God. The people of this country are basically cowards and it shames me to refer myself as a veteran, it seems we have become the enemy. Too bad for them because of the thirty years of combat/training/ Intel. gathering skills/counter insurgency and basically a mean son of a farmer, they better hide when the iths hits the fan. I'm already one pissed off puppy, and its only going to get worse for those in front of me. Justice will be served one way or the other.

Lawrence Boccardi| 9.29.10 @ 7:13AM

I would not concern myself about a Saudi prince's 12-15% ownership interest in Fox. Would that not make Fox an Obama, Muslim favorite?

RCV| 9.29.10 @ 12:14PM

Except that it's been the GOP, led by the Bush family, who have carried the Saudis' water for ages.

Ned| 9.29.10 @ 1:21PM

not to try to explain the Bushes, but who in the oil business does NOT have extensive contacts in Saudi? And, aren't they at least ostensibly our strongest ally in the region?

RCV| 9.29.10 @ 2:16PM

Wasn't suggesting otherwise, only responding to the notion that Obama had some special affinity for them.

PJ| 9.29.10 @ 6:48PM

Our strongest ally in the region should be the Israelis not those autocratic Saudis!

PJ| 9.29.10 @ 6:53PM

Another reason to dislike Papa Bush. And if I'm not mistaken quite a few democrats crossed over to the dark side--------Let's start w/Bill Clinton.

Alan Brooks| 9.29.10 @ 9:27PM

"not to try to explain the Bushes"

No of course not, who would want to explain the Bushes?

Christopher Holland| 9.29.10 @ 9:51PM

Allan, why the sudden outbreak of modesty? This is right out of character. You have the answer to everything - finding the answer to the Bushes should be a mere bagatelle to your mighty intellect. I thought you would be able to do this before my coffee turned cold.

Oldefarte| 10.1.10 @ 11:35AM

At least 'the Bushes' didn't rape women, have sex on the floor of a restaurant, sexually grope a masseuse therapist, cause the car drowning of a female campaign worker,etc; right????????

justasimplepatriot| 9.29.10 @ 7:41AM

And Obama can't even blame botox for his lunacy.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 9.29.10 @ 7:46AM

The article needs a clarification.

How can a two-bit sissy have a bully pulpit?

Maximurandb| 9.29.10 @ 9:51AM

It's a "whiney" pulpit.

rainmaker1145| 9.29.10 @ 7:48AM

Yet America doesn't agree. When it comes to trusted news and information, nobody even comes close to Fox. I started watching the day following the 2000 election. After a month I realized what I had been missing and never looked back. Obama is just sore because he's a narcissistic sociopath and a charlatan - thus making the res of us narcissistic sociopaths look bad and I wish he would stop.

Texas Mom 2010| 9.29.10 @ 10:33AM

Ditto! Watched so much Fox News during the aftermath of the 2000 election that I burned their logo into our TV screen! They helped me keep my sanity. My husband has taken the Houston Chronicle to work since we got married in '86 so he wouldn't get my calls about the bias and unbelievably bad reporting in that rag...

Mattled| 9.29.10 @ 8:10AM

Last year when he was immoculated, every news person in the world was heralding Odingo as God. At first I was disgusted. Then I remembered something my mother used to do to us kids when we were caught eating candy when we weren't supposed to.
More. More. More.
The more we see Odingo. The more we hear him talk. The more he opens that big Affirmative Action Ivy League claptrap, the better off we are. His approval rating is inversely proportional to how much he talks.
Talk more, drop more. He's a genius!

MadMarlin| 10.1.10 @ 2:45AM

I agree with Mattled, let the illegal immigrant keep talking! Let's see... "I'm a Christian because my Mother was Christrian...", now it's "I'm a Christian by choice." Obama is nothing but an illegal muslim immigrant liar.

Brian Mc| 9.29.10 @ 8:24AM

By his very words, the alien is hinting at his contempt for 'the people'. If Fox is what he says it is, then we, the people are simpletons of the highest order, led astray due to our easily manipulated mindsets that propels Fox to the top of the ratings heap. Fox is not the problem-they are the symptom of the problem commies have with liberty that is given to the ignorant masses. Yep, the alien's contempt is showing, yet again.

Nunya| 9.29.10 @ 6:10PM

Brian, you obviously know that Obozo has those EXACT thoughts--and it's not just him, it's the MAJORITY of the leftists that think that those who disagree with them are intellectually inferior. Bill Maher did it the other night on his show, when he was told the majority of Americans want Obamacare repealed, he responded "Because they're idiots". I recognize that he's supposed to be a comedian of sorts, but I think it is truly indicative of his mindset.

The problem is, most leftists (though not all by any stretch) are simple minded in their approach to many subjects, and when one confronts them they are reduced to ad hominem attacks, and/or tactics straight out of Alinsky's playbook.

Brian Mc| 9.29.10 @ 10:57PM

Liberals wallowing in their own self-agrandizement remind me of children playing with their feces...both give a warm, slick feeling but in the end are unhealthy.

Albert Anthony Turner| 9.29.10 @ 8:25AM

The interviewer asking the "is Fox News destructive" question from Rolling Stone is what scares me. Does that person actually believe what he asked? If he does, he needs a lesson in many things, including the Constitution of the United States of America.
Some(most?) people in the press/media are nothing but order takers for left wing causes and it will come back to bite them and us on our collective asses.
Rolling Stone and others should be ashamed but not shut down like they want to do to us.

Deborah D | 9.29.10 @ 9:03AM

Let's hope Fox is "destructive" -- destructive to the leftist media, the leftist dominance of our culture, the leftist dominance of Washington, D.C. That's what they're afraid of. Leftists want to be able to do their destruction with the compliance of the mainstream media as they've always been able to do. They can't survive with the light of truth shown on them. That's what the lefty questioner meant by "destructive."

It's kind of like Rush saying, "I hope he fails," right after Obama's election. OMG the audacity of a conservative hoping a leftist radical would fail in his destruction of the country!! They were afraid that Rush would make it so. I don't think Obama has failed (just look at what he has done to destroy the country thus far.) But, politically, with the American people -- who, thank God, have awoken -- he has failed. And, Rush is a big part of that.

Let's make Obama and his party a big failure in November. They are the authors of their own destruction.

CopyKatnj| 9.29.10 @ 8:25AM

"I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration somehow you're not patriotic. We should stand up and say, we are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration." -- Hillary Clinton 2003

TR| 9.29.10 @ 2:18PM

Thanks, CopyKatnj. The Republicans should play this audio every time the socialist democrats scream that we MUST follow obamao.

Christopher Holland| 9.29.10 @ 9:58PM

I guess this must explain why Hillary Clinton was so outspoken about defending the rights of the woman who had to go into hiding for proposing to make cartoons about Mohommod - she received death threats. Oh wait, I forgot - Hillary didn't say anything at all! Freedom of speech only applies to liberals and islamic terrorists - conservatives get to stand at the back of this particular bus.

bluecollarbytes| 9.29.10 @ 8:28AM

Political editorializing is rife throughout PopMedia and it clearly leans, but mostly falls completely on the Left.

Obama talks of 'the days of Hearst', as though that phenomena is a thing of the past. Obama's void of knowledge of American history continues to show.

FoxNews mentions the things the other TV networks decide not to mention- which is generally Any serious attention to, or discussion of Obamagenda negatives.

I look for FoxNews to explode in growth as we get closer to 2012's moment-o-truth, a point in history even more 'historic' than 2008.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 8:42AM

So since our Supreme Overlord, The Sail Eared Simpleton, doesn't "agree" with the "slant" that Fox takes, then therefore, it must be "destructive" to our country. This just goes to show you what kind of a Neo Facist/Marxist thug we have in office.

"A forbidden writing is thought to be a certain spark of truth, that flies up in the face of them who seek to tread it out."...Sir Francis Bacon

Nunya| 9.29.10 @ 6:22PM

Excellent post.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 8:56PM

Thanks, Nunya!

Redstateboy| 9.29.10 @ 8:54AM

It's simple.. FOX News is the Light-switch turned on sending Hussien and his Democrat/Liber-ul Cockroaches scurrying for cover.. and Cockroaches don't like that.

Petronius| 9.29.10 @ 8:59AM

The MSM hath clothed their emperor. Fox usually understates the case anyway. They may mention that the president has a wardrobe malfunction. The fact is, his diaper is loose.

Insight| 9.29.10 @ 9:04AM

Hopefully this guy and his illegal czars will be a one trick pony! I just hope that the next one there will be able to keep their hands of of industry and get America moving again... FOX is not the problem!

Dan Hirsch| 9.29.10 @ 9:13AM

Jay!

Rosalynn Carter was wrong about Reagan;

Martin Luther was right about the Catholic Church.

Keep your history and your demons straight, please. You don't want to have to start buying indulgences again, do ye?

davelnaf| 9.29.10 @ 9:31AM

More liberal whining from the Whiner-in-Chief. Liberals’ beautiful world of liberal wickedness is going and going and soon will be just another scary story we can tell misbehaving children. Throw more water on that witch.

Mimi| 9.29.10 @ 9:40AM

When the HISTORY books are written about the years, 2009 and 2010 there will be HEROS!...The books that were published, the TALK-RADIO crew..Rush,Levin,Hannity, Beck, Savage, Laura on and on! Of course Fox news and all their people. Medals of HONOR should be awarded for what they did to speak for the PEOPLE...And save the country. They deserve America's heart-felt THANKS !!!!

Mimi| 9.29.10 @ 9:52AM

I have more HERO'S Do you? AMERICAN SPECTATOR, AMERICAN THINKER, All the editorial writers...Thomas Sowell, Victor Davis Hanson,WSJ...Rick Santelli & Larry Kudlow. Thank-You all who have given us the TRUTH!!

Deborah D | 9.29.10 @ 10:21AM

Hear! Hear!! I'll add all of the Tea Partiers. Sarah Palin with her straight talk from her Facebook page. Instapundit's Glenn Reynolds. Pajamas Media. Breitbart!! Let's keep adding to this list! Human Events. National Review. Jonah Goldberg's book, Liberal Fascism. Levin's Liberty and Tyranny.

Christopher Holland| 9.29.10 @ 10:10PM

You have to give a big cheer for Arlen Specter and John McCain too. Without these people, the Tea Party would never have happened, there would have been no reason for it. Specter and McCain were the tooth aches that bought about the trip to the dentist and the remedial treatment that worked so well. Now conservatives have a dazzling smile and everybody admires those lovely capped teeth. God works in many strange ways.

Rong| 9.29.10 @ 10:00AM

I spent decades shouting the other half of the story at the TV when I was forced to watch the offerings of ABC, NBC & CBS. FOX came along and now I can sit back and let the journalists present me with both half of the story.

Mattled| 9.29.10 @ 10:00AM

Odumbo is an idiot. I was in the TV business for years and this mention of Fox is something Fox and other networks and TV stations pay for. It's called tune-in. People who would otherwise not watch Fox will now tune in to see what he is talking about.
He is so self-absorbed and angry-----seething---- he unwittingly makes Fox' s audience bigger and bigger.
He needs to bash Fox, and Rush more. And more. And more. I would say that his handlers are probably telling him not to bring them up, but Baghdad Bob Gibbs bashes them as well, so there are truly idiots all across the spectrum increasing viewership of Fox News.
Way to go Barry Sotero!, Roger Ailes and Murdoch are laughing their a**es off right now.

rjh| 9.29.10 @ 10:12AM

"The Presidency we are experiencing does not merely bend the rules of civility, it alters the outlines of reality. "

Sums it up very well. These Marxists cannot survive in this country with the light of truth shining on them. They did not count on this, and they are truly scared. They see the generations of their "progress" about to be swept away. In their arrogance, they have fully exposed who they are.

Mimi| 9.29.10 @ 12:08PM

rjh...A Great WAy To Look AT It...and oh so TRUE!

Nunya| 9.29.10 @ 6:25PM

I hope....

George S| 9.29.10 @ 10:37AM

The Fox News that Obama would like to see will one day become a reality. Their present and future employees come from the liberal schools of journalism -- only a matter of time before the virus they'll carry will do the network in. Rivera is infected; O'Reilly seems to have caught it; and Karl Rove was exposed to it.

christopher| 9.29.10 @ 10:47AM

rivera is way past his time. i agree about 0'reilly. he seems interested only in what others think of his comments. it is all about him. he wants to be "fair" to obama, but he seems oblivious that obama is out to destroy him and fox. thank God for hannity, and greta.

Ned the Red| 9.29.10 @ 10:39AM

The first time I saw Fox News was on a trip to Missouri. We stayed overnight in a motel in Kansas which had cable, something I didn't have at home.
I had just turned it on when they said Wayne LaPierre of the NRA would be on for an interview. I almost turned off the set, experiences from the networks told me he would be hectored by the interviewer and cast in the worst light possible.
I left in on and was shocked, mind you, to hear him being treated fairly and actually being allowed to speak his piece without being mocked.
I have watched Fox News since then, except for the election nights reporting losses to Democrats. I love seeing the dismay and sadness on the Anchor’s faces who are reporting objective news. Dan Rather was the best.

Ken (Old Texican)| 9.29.10 @ 10:42AM

Mr. Homnick,
I'm actually amazed. Fox seems to bend over backwards to be fair, especially in their news department.

Their opinion shows lean pretty good in the "right" direction, but they found their niche.

I rarely watch folks on TV. I read a lot instead, and often from the Fox web-site.

You know, folks, just as Walter Cronkite was called the "most trusted man in America", bent over left as he was...
Rush/Palin are the most trusted people in America today. Jim DeMint gets in there too.
God would I love to see a DeMint-Palin ticket emerge for 2012.
See...Venezuelan citizens are not armed. A whole different ball-game.
When bad comes to worst, Americans will say no, and enforce it.

Tim*| 9.29.10 @ 11:00AM

Uh Oh !
President For Life Idi Amin Obama wants to purge the noncooperating media.

Obama's Banana Republic will not tolerate such insolence .

vtwin| 9.29.10 @ 11:05AM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com.....e17626.jpg

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 12:08PM

Go figure. A bunk link from a bunk troll. Not that I held out any hope that anything you linked to was of any great significance.

Tim*| 9.29.10 @ 11:28AM

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 29% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as president. Forty-three percent (43%) Strongly Disapprove, giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -14 .

Only 34% of voters believe last year’s economic stimulus plan helped the economy. A plurality holds the opposite view.

RacerJim| 9.29.10 @ 11:34AM

I'm 67 and never in my lifetime have I known a more anti-America, anti-U.S. Constitution, anti-capitalism/free-market, anti-white and anti-criticism POTUS...never, Never, NEVER!

Remember in November...2010 & 2012

Richard| 9.29.10 @ 11:47AM

Obama is right when he says Fox News is destructrive--truth is destructive of the Leftist fantasy in which he lives.

Ned| 9.29.10 @ 1:33PM

"destructive"? - visualize Obummer as the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz, and Fox as a bucket of water... now, THAT'S "destructive"... and just what the situation calls for....

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 11:59AM

It is curious that Fox waves a banner of objectivity while having on its payroll many probable 2012 candidates (read: http://t.co/UImc6sf). It's fine if a media organization wants to represent opposing views, but it shouldn't exist under the guise of an objective news outlet. It's not.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 12:06PM

Spare me. Giving a show to Elliot "Client No. 9" Sptizer & Keith Olberdouche lend credebility to other networks? In what universe do YOU reside?

Ray| 9.29.10 @ 12:30PM

What are you talking about when you say "probable candidates?" The last time I looked, NONE of the people who work for Fox news is offering themselves as a political candidate. Some may have been candidates in the past, and may even have held public office, but what difference does THAT make? People, even those who once held office, are allowed to work any place they like, including Fox News.

Oh, and this may come as a surprise to you, but people who work in the entertainment and/or "journalistic" sectors, all private sectors, mind you, are also allowed to run for public office. So who cares if someone who is employed by Fox News is a "probable candidate?" You see, MOST American citizens are "probable candidates," including Lawyers, Actors, Teachers, Doctors (and not just the Liberal Arts Majors) and, yes, you guessed it, Journalists and Entertainers. That's the beauty of our political system. Each and every one of us are "probable candidates" in local, State, and Federal elections. What is it about that simple fact that bother's you so much that you believe it's "biased" when applied to the "employees" of Fox News?

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 1:32PM

On Wednesday, Sept. 15 Sarah Palin, a paid contributor to Fox News, advised Christine O’Donnell, the Republican nominee for a United States Senate seat in Delaware, to “speak through Fox News.”

Telling endorsement of a 'fair and balanced' news organizations, eh?

When I say probable, I mean that it's likely but not certain that Palin, Gingrich, Huckabee and Santorum will run for 2012. Obviously anybody can run for office, including a media contributors, but don't pretend that the Fox pulpit is a normal, objective format. It's a propaganda machine for polarizing ideologues to spew their GOP infomercials of half-truths and deceit.

Ned| 9.29.10 @ 1:37PM

Given the way Palin has been/is treated by the Gotcha "journalists" of the MSM, telling O'Donnell to "speak through Fox News" sounds like pretty good advice... I'd also take that as less an "endorsement" of Fox, and more a "condemnation" of the scum suckers like "One Trick Katie"...

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 1:38PM

"On Wednesday, Sept. 15 Sarah Palin, a paid contributor to Fox News, advised Christine O’Donnell, the Republican nominee for a United States Senate seat in Delaware, to “speak through Fox News.”

Again, spare me. If a chef who works for a particular restaurant wants an up & comer to be successful, would that person not say, "hey, come to my place to get noticed. We cook the best food & have KILLER crowds every night"?

"It's a propaganda machine for polarizing ideologues to spew their GOP infomercials of half-truths and deceit."

Baseless & mindless mental flatulence from another Obama fellator.

"When you have no basis for argument, abuse the plantiff."...Cicero

This what you fools have been doing to Fox since forever. Go cry in your beer somewhere else.

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 1:48PM

The menu of an inept chef is far less damaging than the policy inspired by deceitful sermons of inept right-wing ideologues.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 2:17PM

How are they "deceitful?" "Deceitful" to whom? Guess what, Junior? There's 2 buttons on that remote that change the channel up & down. Don't like it? Don't watch it. Unless, like your Sail Eared Simpleton Dear Leader, you belive this:

"It is the absolute right of the state to supervise to formation of public opinion."...Goebbels

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 2:39PM

Funny, I considered unearthing a Goebbels comparison for Fox... “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as [News Corp.] can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie."

Also, I think Palin, O'Donnell, et al should appreciate this: "“Intellectual activity is a danger to the building of character."

As evidenced by this O'Donnell statement:

“God continued to strengthen and empower us... When all logic said it's time to quit, we pursued, we marched on, because we knew God was not releasing us to quit.”

Religious narcissism at its worst. Bush did the same thing, as if their political successes and decisions were divine providence.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 3:58PM

Really? And do you have a direct line to G*d so you can ask him who's cause He blesses? No? Then shut your schlongsucker. Barack & his supporters have mentioned many times that they're doing the work of G*d, so what's the difference in Ms. O'Donnell's case? Hypocrite.

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 4:17PM

Well, without getting too theological for you to understand, I think everyone has in his or her own way a 'direct line' to God through prayer, meditation or otherwise. I do not think it's appropriate, however, to proclaim with great arrogance that your financial or political successes are the result of a direct intervention by God. Saying that you're doing the work of God (though you provide no examples) is different than saying your campaign is chosen by God and he would not 'release us' as if comparing a primary battle to a Biblical challenge. Complete bullsh*t.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 4:51PM

"I do not think it's appropriate, however, to proclaim with great arrogance that your financial or political successes are the result of a direct intervention by God."

Who gives a shat what you think is "appropriate." If that's what someone believes, then so be it. Since when are YOU the arbiter of what is proper when one is referencing G*d's influence on their lives?

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 5:16PM

The thing that you and others of similar thought continually ignore are the potential EFFECTS ON OTHERS of an individual's skewed belief system. If everyone went through life ignoring blatantly stupid comments as 'just someone's belief', then we'd never progress. Civil rights come to mind. O'Donnell's beliefs matter to me because she will have a voice in matters that effect me.

I know it's not a big deal to you that O'Donnell thinks she's God's chosen political child, but for rational thinkers it gives reason for pause.

Ironically, you give a 'shat' what I think, because you continually respond to my comments.

TR| 9.29.10 @ 6:09PM

"The thing that you and others of similar thought continually ignore are the potential EFFECTS ON OTHERS of an individual's skewed belief system"

No, we have too clearly seen it for decades from the propoganda machine for the democrat party - ie ABCCBSNBCCNNWASHPOSTNYTIMES

One truly balanced news network does well and the controller party and their questionably eligible leader will spend much of their time attempting to discredit it. Their mistake. But their privilege.

We won't get fooled ever again by the liberal skewed democrat footstool so-called MSM.

Oh,and how can anyone consider Rolling Stone to be a credible newsmagazine? Did you read the questions that were asked of ObaMao? All were conclusion drawn- leading questions. Not one opened ended non-leading question. That's real journalism. I'm impressed.

Nunya| 9.29.10 @ 6:35PM

The problem is, the far-left media you mention above have presented themselves as "middle of the road" for so long, people believed them. Then, when FOX came along and actually started a "balanced" format the leftists went crazy and started calling them "right wing" or the "GOP" news agency.

Unfortunately, most leftists I've met over the years cannot be convinced of contravening facts once they've made up their mind. Once they cling to something like "Bush lied people died", no amount of proof is enough to change their mind and it is ridiculous to try.

Liberalism really is a mental disorder.

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 6:36PM

Rolling Stone doesn't pretend to be 'fair and balanced' like Fox News so proudly and misleadingly proclaims.

Fox News has become more entertainment than news, and should be placed in a category with Rush Limbaugh's money making EIB network. After all, many of its hosts pawn their material gimmicks (t-shirts, mugs, books, etc.) like Rush. Viewers of Fox don't get they're manipulated with polarizing messages that exploit racial and class warfare so that they go buy another O'Reilly book or subscribe to Beck's online 'university'. Like the small town Tea Bagger who forfeits financial regulation in favor of connected, moneyed corporate elites, Fox viewers blindly follow its vitriolic hosts and commentators, praising vague ideas of individualism while they laugh all the way to the bank.

Nunya| 9.29.10 @ 6:45PM

CH, you obviously don't watch FOX, as your comments above are completely false, besides being ridiculous and intentionally insulting.

"Fox viewers blindly follow its vitriolic hosts and commentators, praising vague ideas of individualism..." Really? I have yet to see anyone on FOX be "vitriolic", ever. I would also be willing to bet that they average IQ of FOX News viewers is significantly higher than the morons who watch Olberman or any other leftist news, but that's just my opinion.

You really should do some of your own research before you spew Democrap talking points.

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 6:55PM

Despite what seems so obvious to you, I do on occasion watch Fox News, and to be objective I engage in a willful suspension of disbelief so that I can digest what's being said.

I never said Fox viewers are stupid, I said they blindly follow. If someone is only presented 25% of the story, it doesn't mean they're stupid for not knowing the other 75% - It simply means they're woefully uninformed. The Shirley Sherrod debacle comes to mind.

Many of the hosts are vitriolic because they engage in talking points and controversial subjects (Is Obama a Muslim? Was Obama born here? Is a radical mosque being built on top of the Freedom Tower?) that do not objectively contribute to contextual debate.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 6:55PM

Little Chrissy Hammond vomits:

"Fox News has become more entertainment than news, and should be placed in a category with Rush Limbaugh's money making EIB network."

First off, this is your OPINION. Its like an asshole. Everyone has one, they all stink to everyone else. Secondly, "Rush Limbaugh's money making EIB network." What? The Washington Compost is a non-profit org? NBC, owned by GE, is non-profit?!

Please, mental midget, continue to show us MORE of your supposed intellect. It makes for good laugher material.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 6:57PM

"LAUGHTER"

Chris Hammond| 9.29.10 @ 7:05PM

I never said that Washington Post or NBC are nonprofits.

Clearly it's my opinion. Do I need to preface every sentence with 'In my opinion..."? I thought that was implied.

I'd rather observe your inability to make a post without making a 7th-gradish insult that involve body parts. They are great anecdotes for your inability to engage in meaningful debate. 'Chrissy Hammond', 'schlongsucker', 'Obama fellator'... Interesting, though not particularly creative.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 7:21PM

Little Chrissy Hammond:

Like I care ONE iota of your opinion of my writing style. YOU were the one who wrote THIS little poorly worded gem:

"Fox News has become more entertainment than news, and should be placed in a category with Rush Limbaugh's money making EIB network."

You linked Fox to Rush's "money making network" like making money is a bad thing. If that wasn't your intent, then you should've written it differently.

And I will continue to hurl insults as I see fit. Who're you, the moderator?

TR| 9.29.10 @ 7:04PM

The racial and class envy warfare I see comes from our very own president. I have never seen it on Fox unless it is when their opinion show hosts are playing video and/or audio of leftist marxists that are attached to the obaMao administration.

As others have stated, I guess you are only concerned that Fox and its shows are capitalist, and you ignore by chioice that your favorite networks are capitalist also. You duplicitous troll.
You know, envy is a sin.

WELL, BYE| 9.29.10 @ 12:05PM

Well, Bye!

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 12:26PM

More likely, you f-ed it up when you posted it, bong boy.

JmsA| 9.29.10 @ 2:54PM

NavyBrat,

Why bother with anything posted by the moron; after all, he doesn't even know that Medicare and Social Security projections from the goverment, even when he cites them as posted by the goverment under "Actuarial Publications," are based on statistics.

NavyBrat | 9.29.10 @ 12:28PM

Gee, thanks for wasting my time with that link. Just as I predicted, nothing of any relevance whatsoever. Kinda like you & your ilk.

dw| 9.29.10 @ 12:29PM

So he goes to a noted left wing rag that got its start by glorifying all things related to marijuana and the hippie generation and has since doubled down on their liberal bias to blast what he calls a right wing biased news network, that incidently is the most popular news outlet on T. V.
By doing this it must be realized that odumbo, in his narcissistic personality, truely believes that we, the pedestrian masses, are so stupid that we can not discern that blatant hypocrisy.
It stands as the perfect example of what these elitist really think of us and why it is imperitive that he and his leftist gang must be eliminated from influence in American policy.
And by the way, the network he supports garners 12% of the T. V. audience and he believes bathtub boy Olberman is his newscast hero.
obama constantly shows that rather then rise to the office of president of all of us, he will only represent his leftist base and his obsession to communist theory.
They must be defeated or we can kiss America goodbye.

John II| 9.29.10 @ 12:51PM

Professor Inemeritus Clinton said something similar when he complained about Fox and talk radio: "We don't have anything like that."

As usual with Clinton, the whine was vague enough to be taken in many senses, including "We don't have anything as good as that." But in the sense most likely to be taken, the comment follows the pattern of a serial liar and spoilsport: "All we have are the mainstream media, most newspapers and newsmagazines, Hollywood, the universities, the teacher unions rooting for us in public school classrooms, the general mood of a degenerate culture, and a majority of the flakier churches. That's not enough! We want it all!"

Professor Obama, meet your kindred spirit, Inemeritus Professor Clinton. God, what losers those two mortals be.

Ned| 9.29.10 @ 1:41PM

"Mortals?" What do you MEAN "mortals?"

- Bite your tongue, heathen!

JJ| 9.29.10 @ 2:46PM

el presidente, I am going to use that. Thanx Jay. :)

Joslyn| 9.29.10 @ 2:51PM

"Only you could find a "leftie" on Fox News."

Here's a few:
1. Juan Williams
2. Kirsten Powers
3. Geraldo
4. Bob Beckel
5. Tamara (last name? covered the Blago trial)

JmsA| 9.29.10 @ 2:56PM

And don't forget one of the first and most prominent, though now formerly a Fox News liberal, Mr. Alan Colmes.

dw| 9.29.10 @ 4:14PM

Don't forget Alan "the most leftist ideologue there is " Colmes

dw| 9.29.10 @ 4:15PM

Whoops, missed JmsA's post.

Claudia Monteverdi| 9.29.10 @ 8:02PM

please don't omit Mr Bill O'reilly--Mr Fullovit---his left wing biases exude from his very soul whilst mouthing rightward lingo--we are speaking of the last and loudest of the Obama apologists
Claudia

Benjamin| 10.3.10 @ 10:14AM

O'Reilly is no leftist, but he's certainly no conservative either. I would say he leans right, particularly on social issues - but he's pretty much a populist and a self-promoter. What frustrates me about O'Reilly is that he has seemed completely naive about Obama. Even after the massive stimulus, the massive budge with trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, and cramming cap and trade through the House, O'Reilly was still wondering if Obama was going to govern from center, or if he was really a "far left guy." Anybody who had done some basic research would have known who Obama was well before the election. O'Reilly intentionally softens his rhetoric about Obama so he can pat himself on the back and say he is "fair" to Obama. He's still holding out hope for that elusive interview.

Anthony| 9.29.10 @ 3:06PM

Our Marxist-in Chief is getting hot under the collar. He recently chastised his brain dead progressive minions to "buck up", that change does not come easy. Notice too that he hides his progressive mask less and less.
Well put President Obozo, change to socialism is indeed not going to be easy, especially with us standing in your way.
If you actually thought you were going to get away with this crap, "buck up" ain't the right phrase here, you f***** up, and we will start bucking ass starting Nov 2nd.

RightIsWrong| 9.29.10 @ 3:29PM

What a circle jerk of clowns. This site has the same problem as fox, all of you just repeating and reading what you want to hear and that's everything wrong with this country is Obama's fault and the republicans are going to come to the rescue when they get off their lazy butts.

Why are tea bag candidates scared of any other national media other than fox? Because it shows when they get asked real questions their views are way out of line with the rest of America.

John II| 9.29.10 @ 4:34PM

By "the rest of America," Wrongie, may I assume that you mean the 20 percent or so who identify themselves as sympathetic to statism when they're asked "real questions" by the pollsters?

Losers eventually lose, Wrongie. Get used to it.

TR| 9.29.10 @ 6:15PM

But here you are reading and posting. You must be a masochist.

I don't call intentional hostile questioning to one party and soft-ball non-questions asked of democrats to be balanced. That is probably why most TEA PARTY candidates avoid the leftist media. It serves no purpose.

Benjamin| 10.3.10 @ 10:25AM

Recent poll found that 70% of all Americans agree with the primary tea party issues of less spending, lower taxes, fewer regulations, and less government intervention in our lives. So tell me: who is out of line with America?

jomo2009| 9.29.10 @ 3:38PM

Aren't you forgetting Leslie Stahl? In a 2000 interview with Bill O'Reilly she stated that journalists "had their biases surgically removed" before they began their job.

Oldefarte| 9.29.10 @ 4:01PM

Wait a minute, are you trying to tell us that we DON'T HAVE HUGO CHAVEZ AS OUR PRESIDENT? What bullexcrement are you trying to pass off on us readers by your insinuation? You must be one of these elitest, ivy league university graduates disguised as a normal person, right? Listern here buddy, I'll have you know that I'S BEEZ A'S COLLEGE GRADUTE and I don't appreciate your trying to pull a fast one over on us readers! Has this MORON [disguised as a president] ever had the common sense to [1] view substantially the nightly lineup of word smearing goofballs on MSNBC? and [2] does he have the common sense to understand that they are simply repeating his political party's talking points in typically arrogantly condecending fashion? This BOZO has to go [and November 2012 can't get here soon enough]!!!!!!!!!

Bob Mack | 9.29.10 @ 4:30PM

the "Leader" is perturbed because more folks watch Fox than listen to him. And since when has Rolling Stone become an appropriate venue for a U.S. President? Answer: Never. But the fading Rock Star Obama decided it was a reliable outlet in which to admire himself.

cacky| 9.29.10 @ 5:25PM

I agree with you and Mimi. I would love to add Michelle Malkin to the list as well. Huckabee has shed a lot of light also. There have been a lot more that I will remember later.

ShortNSweet| 9.29.10 @ 5:31PM

The endless yammering about anything that doesn't line up with TheObamAgenda that's really tiring. He really makes himself look ridiculous when he feels that it's necessary to answer every remark made by conservative americans. It quite reminds me of the neighborhood kid that brought the football, and when he, unfortunately, is loosing the game, decides to pack up his ball and go home.

cacky| 9.29.10 @ 5:33PM

I have grown very tired of Juan Williams and Bob Beckel though.

Oldefarte| 9.30.10 @ 10:56AM

Juan is either completely stupid or he's paid to pollyannish repeat Obama's/Democrats' talking points; Beckel was formerly a political operative for some well known Democrat [maybe Carter or Gore, can't remember] which explains his arguments on Hannity's show!!!!!!!!!!

Nate| 9.29.10 @ 7:57PM

There's nothing Chavez-like about Obama criticizing Fox. Presidents routinely single out press organizations that are being unfriendly for criticism.

Fox News does not just question Obama's policies; day after day, it questions his legitimacy as a president and as an American citizen.

Is Fox News destructive? You betcha.

There are plenty of conservative (print) news sources that feature excellent journalism, especially including the Journal.

Interested Conservative| 9.29.10 @ 8:03PM

And WAPO didn't question Nixon's "legitimacy as a president"?

Try again.

Nate| 9.30.10 @ 11:56AM

The point is that Chavez SHUTS DOWN news organizations he doesn't like.

I think it's pretty clear Fox News has not been shut down.

And frankly, I'm sick to death of the fucking WHINING from conservatives.

Since when has "conservative" meant perpetual victim?

So Obama criticized Fox News. So what? He didn't accuse Glenn Beck of being an illegal alien or a fascist. He didn't make nasty comments about Sean Hannity personally. For HOURS every day, day in, day out, these guys questions whether Obama "hates" America or wants to "destroy" it, whether he's a Christian or a Muslim, a Marxist or a fascist. If Obama were anything like Chavez, I think these guys would have BULLETS in their heads. But they don't. They'll be there tonight, and tomorrow, feeding the weak and the willing the same line of bullshit.

It's a FREE COUNTRY folks. Stop your whimpering!

Oldefarte| 10.1.10 @ 11:46AM

If you feel this way ['.....And frankly, I'm sick to death of the fucking WHINING from conservatives....'] then why don't you take your winey ars and go blog on Rachel's, Keith's, Chris',Ed's [@MSNBC] website [since few people hear want to have to tolerate your 'stupidly' issued moronic tidbits of BS anyway]?????????

Oldefarte| 9.30.10 @ 11:02AM

Fox legitimately questions Obama with FACTS, similar to TAS, Newsmax,etc. because same are TRUTHFUL and not distortions. Alternatively, MSNBC's lineup of political morons such as Olbermann, Maddow, Matthews, and Reed use fabrications to justify their politically biased hack jobs that they do nightly. The former is TRUTH whereas the latter is BULLEXCREMENT [of course the stupid morons that watch/believe the latter are the same idiots that put EL CHOSEN ONE at 1600]!!!!!!!!!!!

Oldefarte| 10.1.10 @ 11:40AM

Oh Nate, you're so intellectual.......I bet you have a 'tingle up your leg' watching Rachel, Chris, Keith, and Ed on your favored [and completely unbiased] MSNBC, right????????

Benjamin| 10.3.10 @ 10:31AM

You're right. His criticism of Fox is more in line with Richard Nixon like paranoia. But we know he would shut down conservative talk radio and Fox News if he could. His appointed "Diversity Czar" at FCC is an avowed Marxist and fan of Chavez who has openly discussed a kind of backdoor Fairness Doctrine using diversity rules.

Interested Conservative| 9.29.10 @ 8:02PM

1st Amendment. The POTUS may be familiar with it.

Meanwhile - Fox is still decades behind the bias and danger built up by what's left of the competition. Unfortunately, the POTUS doesn't seem to know much about history or competition. That's what's showing in his comments.

Claudia Monteverdi| 9.29.10 @ 8:10PM

Shame on all of you, including me, for jibber jabbering about Murdoch and Beck and Chavez et al....All of our comments should be of praise, no strike that please..of ADULATION heaped upon the robust fram of Jay, the Scribe of Homnickshire..OMG..he actually threw VESSELS at us, used the words precedent and president in the same stinkin sentence, tossed venom laced posies to the Pahskunyak in Chief, what's his name?.. Vessels, and contain, and putify and clean...sounds like a DRAINO commercial to me, and if it is, may I suggest that El Presidente find safe passage downward--did you know that the water whirls right to left in Argentina and Australia? MY GOD what learn by studing Jay!

Beautiful, gorgeous super duper swell column Jay..speaking of Mr. Murdoch---If you are reading this Mate, (me born in Perth) kindly give Jay an immediate and handsome raise.

Love & Kisses
Claudia

jacky | 3.20.11 @ 6:02AM

I was in a McDonalds a while ago

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