MyDD :: WTF?

WTF?

by Matt Stoller, Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:01:21 PM EST

Fox News Channel will host an August 2007 Democratic Debate in Reno, Nevada.

The network is working with the Nevada Democratic Party and the Western Majority Project to host the debate, "which is expected to attract the top Democratic contenders for President," the press release says. It will air live on FNC and FNR on Aug. 14 in Reno.

"Fox News is proud to be a leader in coverage of the 2008 campaign season and a co-host of this important presidential debate. We look forward to working with the Nevada Democratic Party and the Western Majority Project," Roger Ailes says...

Seriously, wtf?

UPDATE: Hugh Jackson has more.

For an example of how disrespectful and counterproductive such Fox News-sponsored Democratic debates are, consider the September 9, 2003 Democratic debate in Baltimore, Maryland, hosted by Fox News in partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus. Fox News graphics, as well as a banner over the stage, titled the event as the "Democrat Candidate Presidential Debate," a misconstruction of "Democrat" used as an epithet. Fox News then summarized the debate with a story titled, "Democratic Candidates Offer Grim View of America," continuing with such jabs as, "The depiction of the president as the root of all evil began at the top of Tuesday night's debate...."

Tags: Fox News, Presidential debate, debate, 2008, netroots (all tags)

Permalink :: 40 Comments :: Post a Comment

First Question (3.00 / 3)

"which of you thinks terrorism is not a problem?"

McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions

by TarHeel on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:08:38 PM EST

Re: WTF? (3.00 / 3)

Second Question:

Bush, great president or the GREATEST president?

Vox Mia -- Adding My Voice to the Chorus

by bedobe on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:11:00 PM EST

3rd Question (3.00 / 0)

Why do you guys want to raise all our taxes and give it to welfare queens and terrorists?

McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions

by TarHeel on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:12:38 PM EST

4th question (none / 0)

"Do you prefer abortion or gay marriage?" etc...

McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions

by TarHeel on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:13:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Why do you hate the troops? (3.00 / 1)

And which Democratic plan do you prefer: a) Cut & Run or b) Let the Terrorists Win?

by lapis on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:45:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

4th Question (3.00 / 0)

Why do you want American to fail in Iraq?

by maddogg on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:13:58 PM EST

Questions (none / 0)

Funny thing is, if these questions were in a RedState diary the people would seriously think these were good questions.

by msstaley on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 05:13:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: WTF? (3.00 / 3)

We need to fight this. I'm writing a letter to the DNC and the current Fox freeze-out candidate Barack Obama.

by Yoshimi on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:20:34 PM EST

yeah (3.00 / 4)

Props to the first contender to tell Fox to take a hike.

by Bob Brigham on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:24:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

supposedly (none / 0)

CNN is broadcasting the Nevada september debate and passed on this one..

I guess it's better to have it broadcast rather than NOT broadcast at all - of course maybe they could get a non-fox moderator.??

McCain - a serial Opportunist, from marriage to policy positions

by TarHeel on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:29:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

I just called Senator Reid's office ... the young man answering the phone didn't have a clue what I was asking about ... how sad.

John McCain: Bush right to veto kids health insurance expansion

by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:00:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Next question (3.00 / 1)

Why does the Democrat Party persecute Americans who have faith?

by Bob Brigham on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:23:20 PM EST

Re: WTF? (3.00 / 1)

Gentleman, when did you stop beating your wives, and Senator Clinton, who else have you murdered besides Vince Foster?

Would you hire George W Bush to be YOUR latex salesman?

by jgkojak on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:23:54 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

Want to borrow my loofah Mrs. Kucinich?

"Nothing seems to embarrass the political class today." - Bill Moyers

by joejoejoe on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:26:21 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

I can't figure out whether this is some sort of strange Democratic jiujitsu move or just a f***up.

by Crablaw on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:26:56 PM EST

just a f***up (none / 0)

Q: Why do you think you would be the best candidate at raising hard-working Americans' taxes?

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

by desmoinesdem on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:30:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Compare and contrast (none / 0)

Let's see how the Faux News coverage of the Nevada debate compares with their coverage of the debate they're sponsoring here in Florida for the GOP candidates.

I imagine it'll be a tad different ...

by Sinfonian on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:29:59 PM EST

Thanks but no thanks campaign (none / 0)

Well, I think the Nevada Democratic party justs wanted cameras to cover the event. They seem nieve to the fact that Fox News will go out of their way

by gasperc on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:30:36 PM EST

To Matt (none / 0)

Do you have an email that I can contact you at?

by lisadawn82 on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:36:06 PM EST

Re: To Matt (none / 0)

matt at mydd.com

by Matt Stoller on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:47:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

Who should we complain to? The DNC? Invididual candidates? The Nevada Dem. party?

Get a Vegetarian Starter Kit and a Dem. Party Mastercard

by Go Vegetarian on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:38:23 PM EST

Contact DNC (none / 0)

I just emailed DNC to ask for an explanation. I'll post anything that I get.

I suggest others make a contact as well. Here's the URL:

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contacti ssues

by borlov on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:54:29 PM EST

Re: Contact DNC (none / 0)

Please also contact the NV Dem Party, as they're the ones actually hosting the debate, not the DNC. I put contact info a few comments below.

Rudy Giuliani hates firefighters. And puppies.

by Fran for Dean on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:30:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

Um. Someone should add to the original post that TVNewser reported last week that the debate was first offered to CNN. CNN passed on it.

by Newsie8200 on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:57:41 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

And I suppose that means that they couldn't go to some other network, like MSNBC, ABC, CBS? I mean, it's not like your choices here are CNN, FOX, or nothing. Hell, even CSPAN might be an option, since it is a presidential debate.

I'm sorry that the NV Democratic Party hasn't gotten the memo, but Fox News is officially radioactive, at least in the Democratic Primary. They were FOOLS to even THINK about working with Fox in today's environment, much less agree to this.

by AmericanJedi on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:43:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Suggested question (none / 0)

How will you tell the mothers of our troops that you're going to take away their bullets, gasoline, and food? Don't you owe an honest explanation to their families for putting them in danger?

by jhupp on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 03:59:05 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

Which one of you most recently stopped beating your same sex spouse?

by Sidd Finch on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:02:45 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

And we have a winner.

by Matt Stoller on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:03:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Contact NV Dem Party (none / 0)

Here's the full contact info for their officers.

I sent an email to the following people urging them to cancel the debate, and providing the above exerpt as evidence to why they should not make any deals with Fox News:
Chairperson, Tom Collins (tcollins0622@cox.net)
Political Director, Harriet Trudell (htrudell@earthlink.net)
1st Vice Chairperson, Teresa Benitez-Thompson (teresa_benitez@hotmail.com)
2nd Vice Chairperson, Bud Orange (bud.orange@charter.net)
Caucus Director, Jayson Sime (jsime@nvdems.com)

Rudy Giuliani hates firefighters. And puppies.

by Fran for Dean on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:25:50 PM EST

Good diary. No action. Why? (3.00 / 3)

Matt, at least post some relevant contact info to Harry Reid's office and the Nevada Democratic party.
This is a diary that needs to be proactive. I guess I'm spoiled by America Blog's action-oriented emphasis.

Nevada Democratic Party contact info:

1210 S. Valley View Rd
Suite 114
Las Vegas, NV 89102
702-737-8683
www.nvdems.com

Harry Reid's contact info:

Carson City
600 East William Street, #302
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: 775-882-7343 / Fax: 775-883-1980

Las Vegas
Lloyd D. George Building
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8016
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 702-388-5020 / Fax: 702-388-5030

Reno
Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building
400 South Virginia Street, Suite 902
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: 775-686-5750 / Fax: 775-686-5757

Rural Nevada Outreach Contact
Susan Lisagor
Phone: 775-686-5750 / Fax: 775-686-5757

Washington
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542 / Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans: 1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343) -Restricted to calls originating from area codes 775 and 702

Reid Newsroom
Sen. Reid's Nevada Press Office 202-224-9521 (for inquires about Nevada issues or from Nevada media).
Senate Democratic Communications Center 202-224-2939

by rosebowl on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:29:46 PM EST

Re: WTF? (3.00 / 0)

Is there a correlation between Faux News and this lovely fact?

And the founder of FN was a contributor to that Dem's campaign for Senator last year?

by benny06 on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:53:38 PM EST

Re: WTF? (3.00 / 1)

We should let candidates know that if they accept this invitation, progressive bloggers will be outraged.

I watched as they gave Clark only questions on foreign policy, and then criticized him for not talking about domestic policy.

I watched them lob Kerry an easy one of local interest to people in Iowa.

They will have an agenda to work against the Democrats. We don't want the kind of person to be president who will walk into this trap. Fool me once....

by catherineD on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:58:50 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

... you can't get fooled again!?

Or can you? It looks like we just might, if Dems don't go in there call bullshit at the first whiff of it.

Vox Mia -- Adding My Voice to the Chorus

by bedobe on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 06:50:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

And why wasn't Connecticut for Lieberman contacted on this?

by Sprinkles on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 07:29:37 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

Matt,
We have got to get more intelligent trolls, well, I mean at least not such stupid ones. Ok, I know it's a contradiction in terms. How about a troll meter that ranks their level of consciousness and sends the low-rankers to the bottom of the comments. Or better, back to Instapundit, for example.

by kamajii on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 10:25:45 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

Fox News may include some centrist possible Dem-voters that a candidate would want for a general election, but why on earth would a Democratic primary accept to be televised by them?
And what are they trying with the whole 'Democrat' thing - if that's an epithet, I sure don't get it. Would Republicans be offended if we started calling the President, the Presid? Weird.

by Mr DC on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 10:54:18 PM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

ok I'll join in :)

Fox News = Murdoch = Hillary Fundraiser = light bulb moment anyone?...

Our Bill & Hillary have been busy making friends over the past 4 years:-

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/ electioncentral/2007/feb/19/are_conserva tives_burnt_out_on_hillary_hatred#commen t-209226

Remember Blair teamed up with Murdoch to beat Kinnoch so don't be surprised... Strange things DO happen in politics... crazy crazy things...

"The hostile coverage of Mr Kinnock in Murdoch-owned papers, notably The Sun, led Mr Blair to declare: "Never again." He courted the media magnate as much as Mr Murdoch courted him. "It is better to ride the tiger's back than let it rip your throat out," he explained.

Some Blair allies insist that Mr Murdoch's alleged influence over decisions affecting his business interests and Europe have been greatly exaggerated. But Lance Price, who was deputy to the Downing Street communications director Alastair Campbell, is not among them. He has described Mr Murdoch as "the 24th member of the Cabinet", saying: "No big decision could ever be made inside No 10 without taking account of the likely reaction of three men - Gordon Brown, John Prescott and Rupert Murdoch."

The relationship certainly paid dividends for Mr Blair. Mr Campbell regards decision of The Sun, once a cheerleader for Margaret Thatcher, to back Labour at the 1997 election as his finest hour. The contrast with Kimnock era could not have been more striking.

Mr Blair meets the media mogul two or three times a year but goes to some lengths to keep their contacts secret..."
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/arti cle1202848.ece

by SandThroughTheEyeGlass on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 11:58:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You've Got to Be Kidding Me? (none / 0)

Sorry but this is a debate in August (low ratings here we come) which won't be the first one nor the last. Fox just wants to increase its stale ratings but this isn't going to be as bad as some of you think. In fact, it might be good to get in some jabs at Fox.

by risenmessiah on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 12:09:54 AM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

Chris,

Does it bother you that Walter Reed Hospital is in the condition that it's in...........given the fact that the former Majority Leader WAS A FUCKING EXTERMINATOR before coming to Washington?

Just wondering.

Oh, and you do know that the trade deficit goes another $13 Billion in the hole while you pass meaningless legislation, right?

"Caring" isn't an aquired skill

by BLOGGINGBITCH on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 10:10:45 AM EST

Re: WTF? (none / 0)

There is a cancer on the Nevada State Democratic Party (NSDP) and especially in Clark County, Las Vegas, under Tom Collins and Liz Foley - they both MUST GO!

Until recently, I've been very active in the Party working my way up through the ranks as the Founder and Past State Chair of the Nevada Democratic Veterans & Military Families Corps Caucus and becoming a member of the State Central Committee - the only Democrats that get to vote for each generation of internal party leaders.

That all ended when Tom Collins insulted the GLBT community by saying "they have victumized themselves by CHOOSING their deviant life-style!"

Collins has been caught red-handed, in public, and there are many who witnessed this statement to include, when asked about Seperation of Church and State, he replied "I follow the teachings of my Church (Mormon)" and, unbelievably, "the reason the Democratic Party was nearly destroyed was because of women and their ERA thing!"

He barely got elected over the Rural Caucus Chair, Marcia deBraga, and just as soon as he won, every progressive activist was "purged into poltical purgatory" as blatant political pay back for refusing to submit to him.

At best the NSDP is a monarchy, at worst a dictatorship! That's why, after being a loyal Democrat, I've publicly abdicated from the party to fight for fundamental principals of democracy and the common, uninformed, misrepresented, every day Democrats of Nevada!

Check out my "Guest Column" on www.taylormarsh.com titled "Fear & Loathing in the Las Vegas Political Jungle!" and make sure and read the comments...we desperately need all the help we can get from the big national blogs and our like-minded progressives - HELP!

You can get to my personal bio at http://www.vegascommunityonline.com/John athanAbbinett.htm - you'll see I'm totally legit and what I'm doing has caused me to risk everything in an effort to, finally, bring the truth into the light of day - now, the NSDP is "swift boating" me - and I was one of their own!

We MUST win this fight to save the good Dems in Nevada from the DINO's that have taken over most leadership positions - COME JOIN OUR FIGHT!

Remember, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!"

Nothing could be sadder than what's happenin' in Nevada!

De Oppresso Liber!

by J L Abbinett on Tue Feb 27, 2007 at 10:44:34 PM EST

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