By now, the cat is out of the bag - President Barack Obama and his administration are no fans of the Fox News Channel and have been all too eager to wear that sentiment as a badge of honor.
However, Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer identified the vigor with which the Obama administration has attacked Fox. He explained on the Fox News Oct. 20 broadcast of "Special Report with Bret Baier" that it's different than just fighting back; this is an effort to destroy the cable news channel.
"Look, it's one thing for the government, the administration to attack opponents, institutions, media," Krauthammer said. "It is another to go out to try and delegitimize them and destroy them."
But as Krauthammer explained, the White House attacks could have more far-reaching repercussions than just promoting an agenda the Obama administration wants in place. According to Krauthammer, it has the potential to scare advertisers from Fox News and any media outlet that could follow up on a story broadcast on the channel.
"I thought it was sort of repulsive audacity on the part of the administration to go out and to declare Fox is not a real news organization, particularly when there might be big companies out there who might think twice about having an ad on Fox or other news media who might think twice about following a Fox story because it might incur the displeasure of the administration," Krauthammer continued.
And Krauthammer said there were also similarities to how the White House is attacking the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He explained that efforts by administration officials to go to the boardrooms of major corporations and influence their participation in the chamber is similar to politics associated with Chicago.
"Similarly, to go after the Chamber of Commerce - you can argue against it, defend yourself on the arguments - but to try to induce defections as a way to destroy it is a new level," he said. "It's Chicago-level politics."
Recently in Newsweek magazine, Slate editor Jacob Weisberg argued the Fox News Channel was un-American, suggesting it was patterned more after the British or Australian press and that it didn't follow the traditions of American journalism. But, as Krauthammer explained, the tact the Obama administration is taking toward Fox News and the Chamber of Commerce isn't exactly traditional either, if you consider the democracy in the terms of founding father James Madison.
"And look, there is nothing illegal about it," Krauthammer continued. "It's not unconstitutional. But it is outside the Democratic norms of our society, which are Madisonian. Our idea is that you have as a way to protect against tyranny in governments is to have the growth, the interaction, and the clash of what Madison called ‘factions' but what we call ‘interests,' special and otherwise, and you argue, you interact and you clash. But you don't undermine, delegitimize, and destroy. That is the Madisonian way, and we are getting, instead, is the Chicago way."
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Comments Policy
And what happens next if it works?
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 07:11 ET by c5thenWhich network will be next? Or will this administration start to go after individuals?
This is not just a "slippery slope" this is an elevator to fascism.
Throw 'da bums out!!!
no incumbent re-elected, with very few exceptions!
www.loyaltoliberty.com
Our lamestreamers
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 07:17 ET by 10ksnookerDon't read history ... the same old same old repeats like a worn out 45.
A 45 called "Backlash"
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 07:36 ET by VT Con ManThat is what is now brewing.
They have already
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 09:51 ET by general companyGone after "individuals" Rush, Board members, Hannity, and others.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Including
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 15:03 ET by jdlybrandJoe the Plumber
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
Attitude adjustment
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 07:16 ET by 10ksnookerUse their head for a mop and their butt for a broom.
Obama said he wanted help didn't he?
You Can Trust A
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 07:26 ET by GeneralAlThere once was an article in Reader's Digest titled "You Can Trust The Communist, to be COMMUNISTS!" The guilty whites and the racist blacks have elected a Communist as President! He has loaded his Kremlin with CZARS and bows to the will of Comrades Asselrod and Amanfromhell! Why the surprise at their attempt to destroy out freedom? You stupid American voters bought their line and now its time to pay the piper! The worthless education system in this country has succeeded with its dumbing down to a point that a clueless electorate has handed are government to the Commies!
You do realize why Obama is
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 07:49 ET by dscottYou do realize why Obama is attacking FNC and the Chamber of Commerce, he and his mouthpiece Gibbs, his advisor Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel mentioned they are guilty of the most evil thing a liberal can think of, the "P" word, PROFIT. You notice he decried the banks and those making bonuses because of the "P" word as greedy. This goes right to the core of what liberals are against.
Secondly, and probably just as important, Obama is picking an opponent he believes will engender the most support from his liberal base in a David and Goliath struggle. FNC is the only one Obama can win little battles with the appearance of slaying the giant. It's the classic case of the big mouthed runt picking fights with anyone taller than himself to prove his own worth. Obama kicks FNC in the shins and declares victory. As a feckless leader Obama needs to win at something, we all know the Dear Leader of the DPRK out smarted him, we all know the Mad Hatter of Iran out talked him and we all know Putin of Russia blew him off and then said what else are you going to give me for nothing to prove your sincerity? And the Chinese? They continue to laugh all the way to the bank.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
I "heart" Charles
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 07:57 ET by RousseMy crush on Charles Krauthammer grows stronger every day.
Rousse~
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 08:50 ET by Georgia GirlTotally understandable. He's a witty, wise and a cool guy. He's also got a great (dry) sense of humor. If you're going to have a crush, it's not a bad one to have. ;) Thank goodness for people like Charles, who articulately voice the grave concerns many of us have as US citizens.
I can't believe our country has gotten to this point. It's a nightmare. But at least many of us are awake.
Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace ~Amelia Earhart
Amazing
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 10:20 ET by StarAZSince I determined Obama was a mysterious wrong number I didn't trust and never would, Krauthammer seems so much smarter. Funny how that works.
Star~
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:35 ET by Georgia GirlWelcome to the Charles Krauthammer Fan Club. :)
"There is nothing to fear except the persistent refusal to find out the truth, the persistent refusal to analyze the causes of happenings."
~Dorothy Thompson, writer ("First Lady of American Journalism")
Amazing---
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:43 ET by matthewdeanStarAz:
"Obama = a mysterious wrong number I did'nt trust and never would".
Even though we eventually learned some things about him (all bad), that is absolutely the best line I have seen yet on his persona.
I forgive you your take on Arpaio of Arizona.
MD
"I may not agree with what your bumper sticker says, but I will defend to the death your right to stick it." (Unknown)
Pay attention and remember this in the 2010 elections!
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 08:01 ET by JacknhooThese kind of authoritarian and dubious tactics to forcefully silence the opposition to the Democratic Party of America's partisan policies, non-representative totalitarian and anti-American legislation and new taxes will continue.
The Democratic Party's politicians and non-representative czars true colors are becoming apparent to more and more American voters who believed America needed change. The upcoming elections in 2010 will hopefully return some sense of sanity and create bipartisanship to Washington politics. Real reform can then take place...reform that is good for America and not simply the special interests of the authoritarians in uncehecked political power for almost three years to date.
If history is any indicator, America has performed best economically with a conservative majority in congress and a liberal/left president in office. Hopefully in 2010 we can achieve some sense of balance and representative democracy again in this great republic of the United States of America.
The 2010 elections have the potential to turn this economy around and remove the majority of and the ability for serious successful corruption in Washington.
(Luke 12:51. Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
I agree for the most part
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 08:02 ET by bobthemanI agree for the most part with Charles, but not completely with scaring off advertisers. Madison avenue will advertise where the audience is and Fox is a rating juggernaut. They pull in the masses which in turn will pull in the advertisers. I don't think advertisers can turn their backs on that kind of money.
Politics of Destruction
This is the MO of the
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 08:03 ET by MazziThis is the MO of the "community organizers". Hopefully this tactic, which works for a group of poor underdogs, will NOT work for people who are actually in power.
Think about this - the current administration personnel are really pretty stupid. All they know is the "Alinsky" techniques. But Alinsky never told them what to do once they have the power. So all they know to do is to keep doing is the same old stuff.
The guilt factor and the "preying on humanity" factor do not work once they are no longer the radical little guys, and what they are doing now is pissing off the masses. But they are too blind to see it.
Power is only a good weapon when it is in the hands of people who know how to use it. These guys are completely unaware of how to use it. Thank goodness. Not to say they can't totally hose things up - as they have been doing - but the LEVEL of damage that they are doing is nothing even close to what they COULD do if they were actually smart.
It's time to start seriously working to oust as many of these corrupt politicians as we can - we have a year. Find any way you can to get the word out. Focus on the oldest and most ensconsed congressmen and senators (REID, Boxer, Shumer, Dodd, Leahy, etc.) and do anything you can to help them get overthrown. It's the only thing we can do now.
"I would rather be historically accurate than politically correct" ~ My husband's T-Shirt
I Would Hope
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 08:06 ET by capavthat the other news organizations would think ahead and wonder... what if the next administration is Republican and decides which one of us doesn't qualify as a news organization?
Wishful thinking of their
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 09:13 ET by dscottWishful thinking of their moral rightness and popularity by liberals precludes such thoughts. Besides they can count on "normal" people to play by Queen of Marksbury Rules even though the liberal's self derived moral imperitive directs them to disregard all rules hindering the agenda. The rules are for thee (evil) and not for me (self righteous).
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Wishful thinking
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:56 ET by matthewdeandscott:
I read "Queen of Marksbury", and thought, what the hell?
Then I got it. Good one.
MD
"I may not agree with what your bumper sticker says, but I will defend to the death your right to stick it.: (Unknown)
Laura Ingraham is just now
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 08:27 ET by celatorLaura Ingraham is just now playing a tape of an Obama telephone conference call of some sort held last night with reporters and commentators where he once again is bashing Fox News. She is saying that Maddow and Olberman were included in the call. Have no idea how she got the tape or anything else about it but, man, it is straight out of Totalitarionism 101.
This Obama character is completely off the wall. He and his fellow whack jobs just don't live in the America the rest of us live in.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
small wonder
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 09:08 ET by jon_torlinThey aren't trying to hide who they are anymore, obviously.
That in itself should be frightening if nothing is done about it.
-Jon
Mixed motives
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 08:29 ET by KC MulvilleThe essence of bipartisanship is a mutual respect and recognition of others' concerns. But the Obama style is all disrespect and dismissal of any agenda other than their own. Obama's style guarantees that there will be absolutely no bipartisanship.
Obama claims that we are one America. And that's why he's going to force everyone to be one ... all same-thinking, all following his lead. Tyranny comes so easily, doesn't it?
Krauthammer is one of a dying breed
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 09:21 ET by lotrThat is, intelligent, rational journalists.
However, I disagree with him on one minor point here: It's not so much the "Chicago way" as it is the Alinsky way.
"Steady." -- Keith Olbermann to Chris Matthews
Fox yesterday, Drudge Today.
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 09:22 ET by upcountrywaterThe story raised the prospect that foreign governments were in talks to
replace the U.S. dollar as the default currency for oil trading. Any
kind of coordinated attack on the value of the dollar could be seen as
a national security threat, and defense and intelligence officials were
curious about the source of the anti-dollar rumors that day.
“I think Drudge has been taking a page out of Fox News’ playbook,”
Sue 'em out of business...GAWD
Attacks on Fox News and Chamber of Commerce
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 09:40 ET by Retired GeekI hold Charles Krauthammer in great regard, but I think he is overlooking a major component in the Obama Administration attacks on Fox News and others.
Barack Obama is a 'Narcissistic Megalomaniac' and as such WILL NOT TOLERATE any criticism of himself, his ideas or proposed legislation on his behalf.
It was predicted that he will become more dangerous with each criticism that is lodged against him.
Barack Obama is a loose cannon and has surrounded and insulated himself with those who caters to his every whim and his 'Handlers' are finding Barack Obama more difficult to control with each passing day.
At some point in time, Barack Obama will lose all 'Control' publicly, against those who criticize him in any way - the 'Time Bomb' within Barack Obama is ticking away.
Agreed...
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:05 ET by jpatchSo let's take your comment as being correct...
What would this breakdown look like? I've been racking my brain since 2004, when I knew that Obama would be the next President, as to what would happen to America if he took office. What would the consequences be if we were lead by an inexperienced, anti-American Marxist bigot? How would he be able to change our country?
Now this "War on Fox"; it's almost unbelievable...except that I believe it. Completely. And I expected it.
So what IS Baraka Hussein Obama Jr. going to do when his fuse blows? Or when he fails at silencing Fox News? Who will the White House attack next?
Who will the White House attack next?
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 14:15 ET by Prester JohnGood question.
They took on Rush and while the peanut gallery kept him out of the NFL they and BHO have certainly not shut him up. If anything he will be even more aggressive in his criticisms. Ooops.
The attacks on Fox News will backfire since many of even the most liberal reporters (as opposed to pure Leftist reporters) will swallow hard as they contemplate this president and his administration setting a precedent for future presidents to determine who is "legitimate or not".
Go after specific people on Fox, as Gibbs hinted at with his "let's watch Fox together at 5 and 9" comment? Maybe, but that will only drive more people to Fox.
Who is left? I don't know, perhaps conservative mags like National Review, Weekly Standard, the Washington Time etc? But those magazines are preaching to the choir and are not that particularly well known among the masses, so why spend the time and effort going after them?
Seem to me that would drive even more libs in the media to reconsider what is going on.
What was that comment about never picking a fight with people who by ink by the barrel?
BRILLIANT strategy Barack!
Or perhaps he will pull away from direct attacks on his opponents and hit up his buddies in Hollywood and have them engage in a full frontal assault on America with a barrage of propaganda films that Stalin and Hitler would be proud of?
Not that I enjoy comparing reality to science fiction, but I can't help but compare this whole situation, particularly in light of yesterday's liberal commentator talking about BHO's "intellect", to Star Trek II a.k.a the Wrath of Khan.
Khan had the "superior" intellect and breeding over his old foe but unbridled arrogance led him defeat at the hands of the starship captain from Iowa.
We can only hope.
"The Truth is Treason in the Empire of Lies"
www.campaignforliberty.com
Our savior...
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:47 ET by jpatchEverything that is happening in the White House is as if we are operating under a dictator.
They will not tolerate dissent, as they are actively attacking U.S. citizens that are excerising their 1st Amendment rights. This is a very shocking development, especially in how they've acted in concert and used multiple individuals in high levels of govt. to attack Fox's integrity.
We always knew that liberals were childish and vindictive, but now they're really getting all "wee-weed up," and they think they have the power to crush anyone that would dare to stand in their way of saving America.
They will never have control of the military...do we think that Obama and Co. will try to implement their "Civilian National Defense Force?"
The point of being
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 19:28 ET by dscottThe point of being provocative is to get your superior opponent to do something rash, thus turning the tables on them. It's called Gaslighting... Just like with the birth certificate and his numerous other sealed records, he is trying to provoke or bait an emotional response from otherwise level headed people in order to claim they are irrational and violent. Liberals are already making this charge against the Tea Party protestors. Once having done so, he will be free to unleash the DHS on the population in the name of national security. Obama needs rioting in the streets in order to convincingly order the DHS, FBI and NSA to do things they would ordinarily would say to Obama that he was out of bounds and disregard such orders. Even the military and national guard can not and will not obey Obama UNLESS there is internal disorder. Anyone would forments violent acts against the government is literally playing into Obama's hand. He is an evil man, surrounded by equally evil followers, lest you think Chairman Mao is a figure to be admired as they do.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Santelli, Cramer, Health Insurance industry, Greedy Doctors,
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 10:05 ET by OxyCon...Fox News, Chamber of Commerce.
I'm sure this list of people and organizations which Obama has singled out and tried to destroy will only grow in the coming years.
Hugo Chavez to run FCC
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 10:10 ET by Redrowan2000Obama has taken a page from Mr. Chavez who gave him the book on how to handle any opposition. Go after the media that disagrees with you and the others will cower too. Seems to work pretty well. Except that the state run media was in place before his coronation.
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Red
The Neoleftists
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 10:37 ET by okiehawk44Hate FOX (no self respecting neoleftist can admit to watching FOX -- just can't!)
Love Cuba and Fidel (i.e. nobody in Cuba could read or get a bandaid before Fidel)
Love Hugo Chavez because he hates America
Hate America (everything was just given to our ancestors -- no work or sacrifice or willingness to succeed -- just luck)
Believe natives in America were peaceful and funloving before Columbus gave their grandmothers smallpox infected blankets
Believe blacks really yearn to return to Africa where whole villages raise the children
Love gays but like to make fun of them in films and on stage etc
Love women's rights but like to trash the essence of those rights ala Clinton & Letterman (why do both these old men abuse the young female interns who work for them -- why do you females laugh at them?)
Hate Sarah Palin
Hate questioners (i.e. deniers and tea-partiers)
Love blacks and then take them for granted -- "they have no place to go"
Love Global Warming or Climate Change or whatever they are told to believe in
Hate the military
Love the ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center
Hate Christian and Jewish religious beliefs
Hate marriage of men and women
Love lying traitorous newspapers like the NYT -- don't buy them but love them
Hate free speech unless it is their own profanity
Love PEACE and nonviolence and LOVE those who like to kill (William Ayers and his wife)
Love Saul Alinsky (Hillary was an even bigger fan than Barack)
Hate America's benign hegemony -- love those Soviets though (ever get an estimate of how much Russia/Soviets donate to disasters?)
Love Communist China and Mao (i.e. Anita Dunn et al)
Love Marx and Lenin (i.e. redistribution of wealth?)
Hate tea party participants (stupid and did we say stupid?)
Love labor unions
Hate scams except ACORN's (white Rathkes using black skinned people kind of like slave owners in the 1800s)
Love Detroit's prosperity (i.e. don't move where there may be work just sit and wait for Barack Dollars -- how did your ancestors get to Detroit?)
Love all animal species except humans
Hate capitalism (forget Barack making millions off books about himself and Soros' billions off 9/11)
You can tell in advance where neoleftists will be on these and many other issues if you know any and listen to them. They know things because they were told things and that's that. The end of the conversation. They have a high IQ or a degree from Yale or whatever. They are the elites who you shouldn't rely on if you are lost in a wilderness or are facing people who want to kill you in an alley or in your foxhole.
The neoleftists know everything and nothing.
Scare away advertisers
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 10:59 ET by PeterStoneProgressive Insurance (Peter Lewis) and GE are big advertisers on FOX and massive supporters of Left-wing causes.
Go figure !!!
They need to sell stuff to
Wed, 10/21/2009 - 13:17 ET by dscottThey need to sell stuff to stay in business, our dollars are the same color - green. Why alienate 41% of the population (conservatives) in a down economy? Even an idiot liberal realizes they can't make it on only 21% of the population of self identified libs who denounce the evils of consumerism as consuming the planet. That leaves only 38% (independents) as customers they can depend on.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.