Friday, February 23rd, 2007...7:50 am
A Debate Over the Debate
At around 11:00, the State Democratic Party forwarded this release:
Reno, Nev. - In an effort to ensure that Democratic presidential candidates focus on issues important to Westerners, four key Western state Democratic parties will co-sponsor the August presidential debate in Reno with the Nevada State Democratic Party, the Western Majority Project and FOX News Channel.
The state Democratic parties in Arizona, Colorado, Montana and New Mexico will help to determine the focus of the debate to be held August 14, 2007.
Then, an hour and a half later, MoveOn sent this out:
The Democratic Party of Nevada just announced plans to let Fox News host a presidential primary debate. But Fox isn’t a legitimate news channel. It’s a right-wing mouthpiece like Rush Limbaugh and the Drudge Report—repeating false Republican talking points to smear Democrats.
Fox has already tried to skew the ‘08 race by accusing Senator Barack Obama of attending a terrorist school. CNN immediately exposed the charge as false, and Obama hit back by refusing to appear on Fox—sending them scrambling. Democrats can force Fox to be fair and balanced by fighting back hard.
Yeah, I know, we all hate Fox News. For many of us, even putting the word “News” and “Fox” together gives us ulcers. Yeah, part of me would rather the Nevada Democratic Party not give Fox News the prestige of hosting a debate that will introduce the next president to millions of voters.
However, I’m a bit taken aback that MoveOn would want to do something here that essentially is against one of our State Democratic parties. I know that a big part of their mission is accountablility, but it is counterproductive to go after our own folks over something that, in the end, has little policy or political impact. Fox would get little revenue off of a presidential debate, and as long as the coalition of State Parties that made this deal has final say over the format, I don’t see the problem. Heck, part of me loves the fact that for a few hours, Fox has to broadcast, unedited and unfiltered, what Democrats have to say.
5 Comments
February 23rd, 2007 at 8:59 am
you are suprised moveon would do something against a state party??? dont you remember that they own us http://www.truthout.org/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi/43/7778?
February 23rd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
If Fox “News” can host a presidential debate, then as far as I’m concerned any channnel should be eligible. Why not just let Jon Stewart do it on the Comedy Channel? He would probably do a good job and the viewers would get the entertainment they deserve.
February 23rd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
“unedited and unfiltered”? That WOULD be news!
February 25th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
If Jon Stewart hosted, people other than political junkies might actually watch. Sigh.
February 25th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
I think Colbert should be the host.
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