Wallace made some news when, appearing on this past Friday's Fox & Friends, he criticized the hosts for dwelling longer than Chris thought appropriate on Obama's comment that his grandmother was a "typical white person."
On this evening's Hardball, Chris Matthews devoted a segment to the exchange. Eugene Robinson, the affable WaPo columnist and MSNBC political analyst, suggested that refuge awaited Wallace should he need it.
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CHRIS MATTHEWS: I want everybody to watch a bit of tape from last Friday's Fox & Friends, that's the early-morning program on the Fox channel, where the news host, of course Chris Wallace, our colleague, chastises the hosts of the program.Cut to Fox & Friends clip.
CHRIS WALLACE: I love you guys, but I want to take you to task if I may respectfully for a moment. I have been watching the show since six o'clock this morning when I got up and it seems to me that two hours of Obama-bashing on this "typical white person" remark is somewhat excessive and frankly I think you're somewhat distorting what Obama had to say. I just was unhappy with what you were doing today.Wallace's criticism of FNC's treatment of Matthews' hero Obama naturally thrilled the Hardball host.
STEVE DOOCY: Well, in all fairness to the Fox & Friends show, you did 20-some-odd hits and obviously you missed a lot of our dialogue.
WALLACE: Well, I heard enough of it.
MATTHEWS: I have to say, that's one of those rare moments, Norah and you guys, that I have seen in politics or in journalism where somebody really says "I don't like the way this is going. It's not that I don't like a remark. I don't like this whole programming. I think this is bashing of Barack over something that's arguable, controversial. It's not -- the subject of a denunciation or shouldn't be. What did you make of it? It was where he said --That's when Robinson made his offer of asylum.
EUGENE ROBINSON: As a columnist I can say yea!, Chris, good for you. I'm sure we can find exile for you, sanctuary somewhere if it gets too rough over at --MATTHEWS: You mean he may be chased away from Fox?
ROBINSON: From Fox, yeah.
I wonder if Matthews would similarly applaud a fellow MSNBCer taking Keith Olbermann to task for his unrelenting, over-the-top, you're-a-bunch-of-fascists attacks on the Bush administration? And if Olbermann ever were chased from MSNBC, where else in the media do you think he might find refuge?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Umm isn't that why they call it.........
March 24, 2008 - 21:04 ET by connmanfair and balanced? I don't particularly care for the three regular morning hosts on F&F, but what other news network would do what Fox did? Could you imagine the response of a Matt Lauer or Diane Sawyer? I read earlier on Drudge how the BHO website was critical of Fox but applauded the actions of Wallace. Isn't Obama the one wanting to be "fair and balanced"? Nope, he'll rarely even appear on the network! Hyprocrite!
This town needs an enema! - The Joker
yeah, im done with Fox.
March 25, 2008 - 08:52 ET by dronetekAfter this past weekend, I'm done with Fox. Its obvious they are trying to steer their bias to the left now, since they see that as the incoming majority.
I just keep seeing Wallace with tht dumb smirk, agreeing that white people are typically racist.
Sure they'll welcome him as
March 24, 2008 - 21:12 ET by SMGalbraithSure they'll welcome him as long as he critiques Fox News.
But Wallace, being a professional journalist, would go after that fraud Olbermann too. And given that hack's record, Wallace would do it every hour of the day.
Oby wan with out a job
March 24, 2008 - 21:31 ET by Rovin"And if Olbermann ever were chased from MSNBC, where else in the media do you think he might find refuge?"
Huffington or Kos comes to mind
Rovin
If FNC is stupid enough to can Chris Wallace over this...
March 24, 2008 - 21:26 ET by R D Helm...(and I really don't think they would) they can pretty much kiss me goodbye as a viewer.
Chris Wallace is far and away the best interviewer in the business. If it were not for the fact that he once owned up to his party registration (Democrat) I would never have been able to guess it based on his extremely professional conduct. He is a class act all the way.
As for much of the rest of FNC, I am about half disgusted with them for their tabloidization of so many news stories. I cannot stand F&F, and I have gotten to the point where I cannot even watch BOR or H&C for very long.
The only digestible programs they have left is Fox News Sunday & Special Report.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
What he said.(R D Helm)
March 24, 2008 - 22:10 ET by well99I dont watch BOR much anymore since that racist Geraldo insulted Michelle.The problem with all pundits is too much talkover.They cant think on their feet.As long as it on topic allow them to talk.I dont agree with Mike on Obama but both him and Brit have my respect.
well99, I will never forgive them for what Geraldo did to MM.
March 24, 2008 - 22:35 ET by R D HelmI saw that exchange between Geraldo and Michelle. He pretty much ran her right off the network.
Personally, I think they should have fired his worthless butt and given Michelle his show.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Yes I agree
March 24, 2008 - 23:00 ET by well99After her showing him the video which he lied about he continued to use the same lies.BOR didnt nothing.Michelle was always straight up.As long as you stayed on topic she didnt talk over anyone.
RDH
March 24, 2008 - 23:06 ET by shawn228Chris Wallace is awesome, He should be in prime time. He might have a hard time getting guests, because of how blunt he is.
IMO Fox already lost a huge umm asset to CNN
Shawn
March 24, 2008 - 23:11 ET by well99That is sexist.True but sexist..lol
Shawn,
March 24, 2008 - 23:16 ET by R D HelmYep, and they lost Lauri Dhue (an Atlanta girl) too.
Dammit.
LOL-They better be careful, cause at this rate, they won't be the "Fox" News Channel for much longer. :-(
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Chris Wallace is far and
March 25, 2008 - 00:12 ET by JerChris Wallace is far and away the best interveiwer in the business.
You are 100% correct, R D. I honestly could never have guessed to which political party he belonged. His dad was an admirer of Ronald Reagan [but then so am I for that matter] and a close friend of Nancy. Chris's predecessor at Fox News Sunday, Tony Snow, did a fine job, too...and rarely permitted any hint of his strong conservative credentials to surface.
Other than Doocy's occasional humor, the Fox and Friends threesome are pathetic. Wallace is on the show quite often and is generally very cordial, but he also gave them a serious dressing down when they were in an absolute frenzy over the Obama/Madrassa story.
Jer
Jer, I personally was glad that he took them to the woodshed.
March 25, 2008 - 00:31 ET by R D HelmHeck, he should do it more often, if you ask me.
It wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least if they canned all three of the F&F people and started the thing all over from dead scratch.
Too bad more in the MSM don't operate with the integrity Chris Wallace does. Most of the rest out there aren't fit to hold a door for the man.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Yes, but I would rather
March 25, 2008 - 06:56 ET by BobAnthonyYes, but I would rather have F&F than the ultra-leftist over-indulgeance that happens to be the other three morning shows. Thank goodness for talk radio...except for Imus. He still is a mumbling, grouchy old drug-induced hippie.
Oh, well, I can always relive my childhood and pop in cartoon DVD's. Then again the corporate media consists of rubberized brains and personalities!
RELAX.....
March 25, 2008 - 00:27 ET by donsalesSlotted between Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, Wallace would look for the very first window to jump out of regardless of his personal politics......second story......10 stories....doesn't matter.....he'd be out that window.....lol
Wallace is going nowhere because Fox News has better ratings than CNN. MSNBC, NBC, CBS or ABC.....and he's the new dauphin at Fox News which is WHY he went there in the very first place.....
So take a chill pill and relax....your guy is staying put.....
Nowhere to Run....Nowhere To Hide.....
I smell a commercial
March 24, 2008 - 22:09 ET by pbthinkerI smell an ad for Fox News Sunday, a voice saying "Only on Fox News could this happen." and then Chris Wallace taking Fox & Friends to task for their coverage. Let's face it, none of the other news networks seem to have the integrity to understand what they're supposed to be doing.
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Is there a difference?
March 24, 2008 - 22:21 ET by ScrapironI would like it if he took the job. You can't tell the difference in the two prissie Chrissie's anyway. That way they could alternate storing their head up the other's butt.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
I haven't found anything
March 25, 2008 - 00:00 ET by usinkoreaI haven't found anything wrong with Wallace in the past - though I haven't watched him much, but I found his comment about Obama to be a load of poo.
He didn't just tell them they were being bias. He said that Obama gave two speeches on 'issues that really matter' the next two days after giving what the media has called his speech on racism. Wallace did EXACTLY what the MSM has been doing all along: "Nothing to see here. Move along. Move along. Nothing to see here."
It was obvious from what he said to the morning show crew - he doesn't believe the Wright contreversy really means anything, and that it shouldn't have a bearing on the election.
In short, he showed he just doesn't get it.
And when Chris Matthews comes out singing your praises on it, you should be able to get a clear picture that you might have mispoken.
The only two people I can
March 25, 2008 - 00:05 ET by usinkoreaThe only two people I can stomach in the news are Brit Hume and Tim Russert. I place Hume far ahead of Russert - that that's probably because I fit in line more with Brit's politics. Both are high quality journalists, I almost feel bad using that term to describe them because of how little respect I have left for journalism.
University of Fox School of Jounalism
March 25, 2008 - 07:38 ET by ledurchiFox personnel going to the other shows would be beneficial to everyone. Instead of Columbia graduates laying the conduit which bias news to the portside, Fox News alumni could better fill the void at all of the other cable channels. Bring other wet-behind -the-ear talent into the Fox incubator for OTJ training.
Chris Wallace
March 25, 2008 - 08:49 ET by TigerI love Fox and Friends and always have. They are funny, sharp witted and such a refreshing change from the goo that is Today and GMA.
I can understand why MCNBC would want Chris Wallace. He will ask the questions they will not.
Corny humor
March 25, 2008 - 09:14 ET by general companyI also like FF, seems the folks that dont are looking for hard news shows. FF is just a light show about current events, with corny humor. But then I like a lot of folks on Fox, at least they all seem to have a sense of humor. Watching the regular MSM just makes me angry.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
Regular Acts of Delusional Hypocrisy
March 25, 2008 - 09:25 ET by pilsenerSomebody help me. What is the proper term for regular acts of delusional hypocrisy that allows one to demonize people you don't like while simultaneously believing that you are scrupulously fair and objective. Whatever that term is - Chris Matthews is the poster boy.
There are moments when I think he has serious mental illness. As part of his complimenting of Chris Wallace, Matthews said that he has done the same thing on occasion.
Matthews has a man crush on Wallace?
March 25, 2008 - 11:49 ET by lareeWhy would Chris Wallace leave a highly rated cable news channel to go to a low rated cable news channel? So less people can see and hear him? I don't think MSNBC can afford A list talent. They had to down size remember they took a hit when they fired Imus they lost alot of money ratings dipped they had to give advertizers their money back. I remember when NBCU had to return Advertizing $$$$
I watch Imus in the Morning.
I guess I'm the only person
March 25, 2008 - 12:17 ET by Chris NormanI guess I'm the only person here who didn't like Wallace's actions on Fox & Friends. It was tacky and boorish. I don't particularly care for the show either - they get way too silly - but it's wrong for a fellow employee - even if he may be correct - to presumptuously dress his colleagues down on the air - and on their own show. How would he like it if they came on his show and criticized his interview techniques and show content? This is one of the problem when you try to cross hard news (Wallace) with fluff (Doocey) - they just don't mix.
No Chris..you aren't alone
March 25, 2008 - 15:36 ET by bigtimerNo Chris..you aren't alone here...I feel the same and so did a lot of other posters the other night on Noel Shepperd's thread...I posted on OT yesterday that I made a point of watching F&F just to see if there would be a reply to Wallace from the morning shows three amigo's...there was, I couldn't find a link, but anyway like they said with Doocy leading the way, Chris had the time-line wrong and how long they harped on poor poor Obama...which Wallace seemed to have wrong...What Wallace did in my opinion was despicable, he should of done his so-called critique in private with this work-mates on Fox...
Wallace has never impressed me that much...Tony Snow was much better, that is who Wallace replaced as I am sure you know...the only great interview Wallace ever did was with Clinton in my opinion, to take the side of Obama like he did, because that is just what he did while he was doing this on the air, and all of the sudden the left-wing sites and newscasts just think Wallace is the best there is since sliced bread tells you all you need to know in my opinion.
Btw...I saw this segment with Matthews and Robinson...Wallace has to be pleased as punch...his dad too.
...but hey...that's just me.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Don't discount FOX so fast
March 25, 2008 - 12:10 ET by xyzzypoofsThis is how it has been before the last two presidential elections. FOX starts making some actions that appear to be left-friendlier than usual. The left usually fall for it once or twice in the season and give their congrats. Some (not many, but hopefully some) liberals tune in to see if FOX is really ok, then they get a dose of reality news and hopefully convert (or at least tone down their bias a bit -or start questioning little Katie's proclamations a little). FOX News is not perfect, but it is (in my humble opinion) the best we have got.
Where Was Chris Matthews?
March 25, 2008 - 16:17 ET by deerjerkydaveWhere was Chris Matthews when Trent Lott was crucified for TWO WEEKS straight after making an indirect racial comment during Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party about how he should have become President. Thurmond in the 1960s was a Dixicrat, meaning that at the time he supported segregation. I'm no fan of Trent Lott, but the liberal media ran stories for two weeks straight with standard dumb headlines like: "A LOTT TO EXPLAIN."
So let's see the score:
Foxnews: one morning on Obama's indirect racial comment
Big Media: two weeks on Lott's indirect racial comment