Is this the evil conservative Fox News that those on the left portray? From the December 17 "Fox and Friends" interview with Senator Hillary Clinton, one has to wonder where it came from. After a surprisingly tough interview with David Gregory on NBC’s "Today," Senator Clinton sailed through a softball interview with the allegedly right wing Fox News.
After Hillary’s husband accused "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace of engaging in a "right wing hit job," and the left wing blog campaign to boycott the Fox News debates, co-host Gretchen Carlson asked such hard hitting questions like "how do you keep yourself going everyday?"
Co-host Steve Doocy asked the tough question of what her name would be if she pulls off a victory in Iowa.
"Your husband a couple of days ago said it would take a miracle for you to win in Iowa. Now, if you do come back, they can't really call you the 'comeback kid' because I think that title is already taken by somebody at your house. Would you be the 'comeback Senator,' would you be the 'comeback gal'? Have you thought about that yet?"
Throughout the interview, Senator Clinton gave long uninterrupted statements plugging her issues and sappy campaign trail stories. The entire transcript is below.
GRETCHEN CARLSON: Already known as one of the most powerful women in politics, she's now set her sights on the White House. Can she take the first step towards the presidency and win Iowa in January?
STEVE DOOCY: Joining us now for the first time ever on "Fox and Friends," we are pleased to welcome New York Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. And it looks like, Senator, you are in a diner in Des Moines, is that right?
SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON (D-NY): I wish you guys were here. We're in the Drake Diner. It's a famous place here in Des Moines, having a great time early in the morning. And I'm glad to be on your show.
DOOCY: Fantastic. I actually used to work in Des Moines and I know exactly where you're at. Now tell us about, I know somebody right now at the airport is gassing up, the Hill-o-copter. What is that?
CLINTON: [laughing] Well, it is what it says. It's a helicopter we dubbed the "Hill-o-copter." We're trying to do a 99 county blitz in five days, get around Iowa. Not only me, but a lot of friends and supporters, people I've known my entire life, people that I've helped along the way, to make the case for my candidacy. And of course we've got a great boost yesterday with "The Des Moines Register" editorial, which laid out the reasons why they believe that I'm ready to be president, that I am proven and tested and will begin on day one to get the job done.
CARLSON: Hillary, we've asked a lot of people to e-mail us in questions for you today. And a lot of people wrote this particular question.
CLINTON: Oh my goodness! [laughing]
CARLSON: I know! Well, actually this is a good one and it's kind of a general question, but what do you believe is the most important issue facing Americans right now?
CLINTON: Well, let me take two. One is ending the war in Iraq in the most expiditious and responsible way that we possibly can, which I will do as soon as I become president. And health care, which people talk to me about everywhere. I went door to door in New Hampshire on Saturday. And I probably talk to thirty people, including kids. And everybody talked about healthcare. Their premiums have gone up. They're not sure they're going to be able to continue affording it. They lost it because they lost their job or changed jobs. Across Iowa, yesterday, again the same story, lots of people concerned about what's going to happen to them. So I'm going to tackle that as well, and I've got a plan that I think is a uniquely American way of making sure we get quality affordable healthcare for everyone.
DOOCY: You know, something else, Senator, that people are really worried about is the global War on Terror. How would you fight the War on Terror?
CLINTON: Well, I take it very seriously because, obviously, as a Senator from New York you all know that we lived through that horrific attack on 9-11. And I have devoted myself as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and my work as a New York Senator to try to get our country to be as well prepared and vigilant as possible. We've made progress, but we have a long way to go. We still haven't done everything we need to do here at home to keep our, you know, our country safe. And I will attack that issue first thing. And I will put competent, qualified people in a lot of these positions. I mean, you know, we have a Federal Emergency Management Agency that we know was a national disgrace. And that's because we haven't seen quality people who are competent to get the job done and we need to do that again. And obviously around the world, we've got to have more, you know, allies in the war against terrorism because, ultimately, we need people who are siding with us in countries across the globe, who if they know somebody, you know, down the road, who is, you know, involved in some kind of terrorist training or there's a bomb factory at the end of their street, they're going to want to turn those people in. Because we've got to have a partnership in order to deter and defeat the terrorists. And I think I can do a better job getting people around the world once again to feel common cause with America.
CARLSON: Senator, when we wake up really early and we hear that there is yet another poll out there, and we try and digest all of the numbers, I can only imagine what the candidates like yourself go through in looking through all of these changing numbers. What do you make of the Barack Obama surge as of late?
CLINTON: You know Gretchen, I really don't pay a lot of attention to that. Maybe it's because I don't have to get up, you know, before the crack of dawn every morning and talk about it. I have a much longer view about this campaign like I always have. You know, campaigns are like life. You know, some days are good, some days you got some challenges. You got to get up the next day, overcome them. That's how I run my life, that's how I run my campaigns. And I feel really, really good about where my campaign is. I was obviously honored and thrilled by that "Des Moines Register" editorial, because it laid out exactly what I believe the issue to be. Who is best equipped, experienced and ready to make the kind of changes that Americans from across the political spectrum now not only need to make, but are anxious to make to start rolling up our sleeves and making it. And I believe that I am that person, so I just keep focused on my campaign about what I want to do to help people, the vision that I have for American and the plans that I've put out there, and what I would to do hit that ground running on the very first day.
DOOCY: Sure. Senator, right now in Iowa you and Barack Obama are neck and neck. Your husband a couple of days ago said it would take a miracle for you to win in Iowa. Now, if you do come back, they can't really call you the "comeback kid" because I think that title is already taken by somebody at your house. Would you be the "comeback Senator," would you be the "comeback gal"? Have you thought about that yet?
CLINTON: [Laughing] I will leave that to you. You all have a great way with a term or phrase, but what I'm going to do is to just keep working hard every day, knocking on doors, making phone calls, talking to people. I feel very good about where we were. This is always been a challenge. I'm going to start on January 3rd with the caucuses in Iowa, go all of the way until February 5th. Because at the end of the campaign what you need are enough delegates to actually get you the nomination. And I believe that I will get the nomination and that I will be the next president.
CARLSON: We've asked this question of so many of the other presidential candidates, Mrs. Clinton, which is how do you keep yourself going every day? Because obviously, this is a grueling task that you've put yourself in front of.
CLINTON: Right. You know Gretchen, what keeps me going are the people who invest their hope and their confidence in me. And, you know, I'll give you a quick story. I was in Sioux City a couple of weeks ago to talk about my plans for dealing with Autism, something that has really increased across our country. One in every 150 kids are going to be diagnosed with it, four times as many boys. And I've worked on this for many years, and I think as president, I need to tackle it. And I called on a woman, and she was in the back of the room, and it looked like she had a hat on. Well, it turned out she had breast cancer, she had lost her hair, and she had a friend paint her head with my campaign button. And she was at that event, because she wanted to tell me she hasn't given up. And she is investing her hope in me that I will do more to fight cancer, that I will help her two children, who have autism. That's what keeps me going. You know, I don't see this as a kind of horse race, who's up, who's down. I see this through the prism of my 35 years of experience. What matters to me at the end of the day, is have I done something to help somebody else? That's how I judge myself and that's what I'm going to keep score by, that's how I'm going to try to be the kind of president that Americans will know gets up everyday, and worries and thinks about you.
DOOCY: Alright. Well, for the people of Iowa over the next five days. If they see something going through the sky, it could be the Hill-o-copter, so go ahead and wave.
CLINTON: [laughting] That's right! So give a wave!
—Justin McCarthy is a news analyst at Media Research Center.
















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Comments Policy
Hill-o-copter... Cute by
December 17, 2007 - 16:50 ET by bigtimerHill-o-copter...
Cute by half...
You had better keep that on stand-by Hill-o-ree...
Stick a fork in it....You are so done.
I commented about Fox and all of this earlier today on Mark F.'s thread so....enough from me....
Of course if she's elected
December 17, 2007 - 17:50 ET by FlashmanOf course if she's elected the country will be going to Hill-in-a-handbasket.
Hill-arious
December 17, 2007 - 18:38 ET by stratmanExcuse me. I have to have a Hill-owel movement in the porcelain Hill-ceptacle (AKA Hill-oilet). I use some spray afterwards so it doesn't smell too Hillary.
Killing them with kindness isn't working. Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.
stratman
December 17, 2007 - 18:41 ET by MrShyPrepare for more disinfectant....
BEST OF HILLARY
We bid a fond farewell to Professor Talking Points & Cheetos
stratman
December 17, 2007 - 18:41 ET by MrShyPrepare for more disinfectant....
BEST OF HILLARY
We bid a fond farewell to Professor Talking Points & Cheetos
Botox + Trunk Junk Injections
December 17, 2007 - 22:41 ET by stratmanGood Grief!
Looking at those images from Hell I felt the urge to pluck out my own eyeballs like King Lear.
I'd rather watch monkees fling their Hillary than be subjected to that torture again.
Question: Aren't you worried your ISP will ban you for obscenity?
Killing them with kindness isn't working. Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.
Gretchen Carlson
December 17, 2007 - 19:27 ET by PShannonFor this, they let Kerin Chetry go.
Can not stand the woman.
After seeing the interview
December 17, 2007 - 17:06 ET by FairlightAfter seeing the interview this morning I decided I have no choice but to vote for her. I love her.
F-light
December 17, 2007 - 17:23 ET by upcountrywaterThen sleep with this
iranian uranium; iranian uranium, iranian uranium..
So when ARE the Russians going to finish the iranian atoms for peace power plant?
Fairlight is kidding, I hope
December 17, 2007 - 17:48 ET by Andante"We are going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."... Karl Marx? Nope, it was Hillary Clinton.
Justin, you'll think I
December 17, 2007 - 17:15 ET by charlietexasJustin, you'll think I stupid buttt........how about all that make
up Hillary had on???? whats up with that??? was it bronzer gone wild or
a sun burn??? was it wrinkle filler because of the pic on
drudgereport?? she looked a silly as Al Gore did during his debate with
Bush when he had too much blush on. oh well...ya know at least
Hill goes on Foxnews, the weeenies John and Obama wont.
mom
e-mail questions
December 17, 2007 - 17:51 ET by AndanteThat's not all Clinton said. I was watching and I distinctly heard her mutter something like..."Gretchen you ignorant slut, I'll get you for hosing me with a question I haven't preapproved."
"We are going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."... Karl Marx? Nope, it was Hillary Clinton.
Here We Go
December 17, 2007 - 17:45 ET by BourbeauLet's everyone feel sorry for Hillary and Bill; gee whiz, people are asking substantive questions about her and her experience, and why she's any more experienced then Obama. So along comes Fox and Friends to help her 'get her message out". Come back gal? Make me gag; they should be ashamed of themselves. Here's a woman claiming 35 years of experience; has 8 of them under lock and key; has never run a single agency of any kind, any where; her two largest governmental efforts were Education in Arkansas and healthcare in Washington, and both were monumental disasters. And then toss in seven plus years as a U.S. Senator - none of which resulted in a single piece of legislation initiated by her, and she want's the country to buy her story about experience. She has more experience baking cookies and refuses to take any credit for it. What's distasteful about some in the press is you now find there's a few outlets, and there will be more, that will want to change the subject to "Hillary the underdog". God forbid anyone should put a full court press on her and make her start answering some real questions.
Q for Hillary - Hsu's WH jacket?
December 17, 2007 - 18:15 ET by Gary HallWell, here's a question for Hillary. From a recent LA Times piece, which, as normal MSM proceedures require, implied no wrong doing on the part of the Clinton camp, Hsu associates touted his connections (my bold):
..and considering the history with the Clinton's and their foreign friends and fundraising, to wit:
..and further understanding that the media has yet to make a connection to the past illegal and corrupt activities of the Clinton's while in the White House; what about that "bomber jacket that bore the presidential seal, a gift from the former president?" Did Norman Hsu get it, that there presidential gift, from Bill Clinton during his term while in the White House; while meeting the president outside of the White House while discussing fundraising and favors; or, from the ex-President (or ex-1st Lady - curent US Senator) after they left the White House during this period of time of campaign fundraising and in which Hillary claims to know squat?
Is Fox & Friends the worst show on TV?
December 17, 2007 - 18:51 ET by L.N. SmitheeAlthough I don’t always agree with the hosts of the shows, I enjoy The O’Reilly Factor (especially when Laura Ingraham guest hosts), Hannity & Colmes, and even On The Record. I love War Stories with Oliver North, one of the best shows on television.
That being said, Fox and Friends may be the worst show on television. I couldn’t come up with a better name for an airhead like Steve Doocy than Steve Doocy, and whoever sits in the center of the couch between Doocy and whichever guy is on the right side seems to be there for her legs.
OK, so ALL the Fox females are there for their legs, but MOST of them have brains too. It seems they couldn’t find any with both that were willing to get up at 3:00 in the morning.
"Well, I've got nothing against the press...they wouldn't print it if it wasn't true..." -- Joe Jackson, "Sunday Papers"
Is Fox & Friends the
December 17, 2007 - 18:55 ET by Jack BauerErr, no. Not by a country mile.
That honor belongs to Countdown with Keith Olbermann the man with NO friends.
Hated your last movie by the way Mr Smithee.
Jack
December 17, 2007 - 19:00 ET by MrShyI know the UK gets Fox there, but do you really get all the shows? AND that vile, squinty-eyed Keith O?
Man, talk about representing your country in the worst light imaginable. That guy used to do sports, and even then he was an irritant.
We bid a fond farewell to Professor Talking Points & Cheetos
Mr S... Olberjerk,
December 17, 2007 - 19:10 ET by Jack BauerMr S... Olberjerk, no.
Just YouTube for that pleasure... but Sky has like a 1000 channels so we get CBS news and NBC news. No ABC news for some odd reason.
Also CNBC which is like a Euro version of MSNBC.. for Leno, O'Brien, etc.
I can't stand K.O. either. But....
December 18, 2007 - 14:07 ET by L.N. Smithee...he's not an airhead. I may not agree with anything Blowhardmann says, but there's no doubt he's an effective propagandist for his warped worldview, and you can't be without being smart.
I expect the people on ANY news channel not to sound like blithering idiots. I missed the GOP YouTube debate live, and taped the early morning replay, including the recap on CNN's morning show. What a difference! Sure, they all had the typical left-boosterism, but they all acted like they took their jobs seriously.
Have you ever listened to a liberal host take a call from a conservative who objects to something s/he has said, just to find that the caller doesn't have anything intelligent to say, only "You're wrong" or "You're stupid" or "You're un-American"? That frustrates the heck outta me. And that's what Fox and Friends is like to me.
Kiran Chetry is a babe, FWIW.
"Well, I've got nothing against the press...they wouldn't print it if it wasn't true..." -- Joe Jackson, "Sunday Papers"
Fox and Friends may be the worst show on television.
December 17, 2007 - 20:42 ET by BlondeAgreed. I can't stand the three airheads...as I've said before. Their weekend crew is far superior. The thing I object to most on F&F is their continual "teasing", and then idiotic 2 minute interviews....there's never anything of substance, even with a quality guest.
Lately I've been watching Morning Joe. It's actually pretty good....and Bubbles (Mika..."my DAD is Zbignew Brezinski") is just so over the top with her liberal twitisms I have to laugh.
Plus, they book pretty interesting guests....and even the ever blathersome Chrissy Mathews actually makes some sense in the mornings. (BTW....what is it with Chrissy going after Hillary Clinton lately?). Sweeeeeeet.
Finally, Tiki Barber made the jump from Fox to Morning Joe....it's worth watching just to hear him talk football.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde...contrary to what I
December 18, 2007 - 10:32 ET by JerBlonde...contrary to what I believe most at NB have thought, Matthews has been pretty tough on the Clintons for some time [Gore, too--but to a lesser extent].
It's a big reason that if you surf the major liberal/progressive sites, the depth of negative opinions regarding Matthews is just about equal to that which exists at NB [disliked here, I suppose, because he is a Democrat and has been occasionally critical of Bush. But he has also praised Bush from time to time.]
Jer
I heard the headline at 5am...
December 17, 2007 - 18:54 ET by timothe....and I turned off the television. I knew they weren't going to ask her anything pertinent, I could tell by the way the crew so smilingly announced her appearance. (like, why exactly did you decide to boycott Fox News for the last year?)
God!!! They are such frigging sellouts!!
However, if Hannity comes on tonight and says something to the effect of "Hillary must be desperate because she came on Fox this morning", then I'll calm down. I promise.
Hill on Fox and Friends
December 17, 2007 - 18:56 ET by dmartin72266Give 'em a break... it's the morning show. They're supposed to be light-hearted and funny not hard hitting, and besides Hillary's campaign is going down in flames. Maybe they didn't want to kick her while she's down.
Truly Disappointing
December 17, 2007 - 19:13 ET by TaserCatIt's really sad when the MSM including ABC and NBC both did tougher interviews than the puff treatment on FOX. Still, they're probably trying to make sure she comes back sometime. If they David Gregory'd her, she'd have all the evidence she needed to say "See FOX is bad!" and go raise more money. At least now she doesn't have anything to complain about. MSM nailed her today.
Wrecked
December 17, 2007 - 21:17 ET by nkviking75In my little county in Iowa, we usually only see a helicopter if there's a really big wreck.
Say, come to think of it... Seems like an appropriate mode of transportation for Hillary.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
FNC's Blondes
December 17, 2007 - 22:06 ET by Repeal 16-17Most of Fox News Channel's blondes are airheads. I remember a recent interview in which two of them laughed at a guy who was complaining about how commercials are making men out to be idiots. These FNC blondes wouuld be better suited toward modeling on The Price Is Right or Deal Or No Deal instead of conducting news interviews.
George Bush to Help Hillary
December 18, 2007 - 09:39 ET by Hero SquadTell me something; was this an actual story that was removed, or was Drudge just having fun with his headlines and the CNN Political ticker page response?
Bush Dad "will help President Hillary Restore USA Image"
The text:
*****
"There are no stupid questions. Only stupid people who ask questions." - Chris Berman
Try this: story. D Keep
December 18, 2007 - 10:00 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsTry this: story.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
DOOCEY: Now tell us about, I
December 18, 2007 - 11:06 ET by Jack BauerDOOCEY: Now tell us about, I know somebody right now at the airport is gassing up, the Hill-o-Tanking. What is that?
CLINTON: [cackling] Well, it is what it says. It's a Tank we dubbed the "Hill-o-Tanking."