Media Research Center President Brent Bozell warned conservatives to watch out for biased moderators in the upcoming presidential debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Appearing on Fox Business’s Varney and Company, Bozell wondered, “Who is going to moderate these debates and how good are the Republicans going to be this time around?”
He reminded, “You have to remember, the Republicans sign off on these things. So, I'm watching to see to what degree are you going to have more impartial moderators this time?” Bozell also noted that the Democratic candidate is dodging journalists: “The reason Hillary Clinton hasn't done a press conference in 240 days since December 5th of last year is because she just simply is not likable to the television screen.” He joked, "God only knows what accent she's going to use on any given day, depending on the audience."
Speaking of Clinton, Bozell analyzed:
BRENT BOZELL: She looks evasive. She's looking away. She scowls. When she laughs, it is forced. God only knows what accent she's going to use on any given day, depending on the audience. No, she does doesn't come across as likable. Now, this is not a function of bias on my part. This is a reality. This is why she announced her presidential campaign. She didn't even do that live. The more she sold her book, she sold lots of books but her numbers that straight down.
As for debate moderators, the MRC’s Geoffrey Dickens exposed the bias of CNBC anchor John Harwood/moderator during the 2016 primaries.
A transcript is below:
Varney and Co.
8/1/16
11:46ASHLEY WEBSTER: Trump taking on the debate commission and the NFL, saying that two of a scheduled presidential debates should be moved. They’re up against primetime NFL games. Joining me now is Brent Bozell, Media Research Center President. Brent, listen, do you think Donald Trump has a point here with this debate conflict?
BRENT BOZELL: Well, you know, he wants as large an audience as possible. I find it interesting, the silence from the Clinton campaign. She doesn't. This is the confidence level he feels. And so, he's got a lot riding on the line. Now, it is true all of this was set up before he became the nominee. And so, it’s not an anti-Trump effort that’s at play here. But still, he has every right to suggest that this not be done during the time of the most popular sport in America is running.
WEBSTER: Yeah. Especially when you’ve got a Packers/Giants game in there. We had a viewer tell me I was making fun of the Falcons/Saints match up And they said, “Hey, that's a big rivalry.” I'll take that back. But what are the chances of these things being moved now? I’d say close to zilch, right?
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BOZELL: Well, it is going to be hard. Maybe you can organize something else. But I think it's more important, Ashley, than the timing, is who is going to moderate these debates and how good are the Republicans going to be this time around? Because, you know, historically after-the-fact, does all sorts of beating of breasts and gnashing of teeth and expressions of frustration because the moderators were so one sided. You have to remember, the Republicans sign off on these things. So, I'm watching to see to what degree are you going to have more impartial moderators this time? I think that’s a bigger issue.
WEBSTER: How do you think they match up? I mean, to be honest I can't wait for the first debate. And I think many people are the same. They don’t know what to expect. How did they match up? Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton?
BOZELL: I think you have to think of these in terms of not being debates. These are shows. I don't know that Donald Trump on a single debate during the primaries. And yet he won the show every single time because these are cattle calls. I think people are going to watch it for the entertainment value and I think he’ll win. Here's another thing, Ashley. Ashley, we have to remember this. This is just a fact of life. The reason Hillary Clinton hasn't done a press conference in 240 days since December 5th of last year is because she just simply is not likable to the television screen. Where a debate like this is concerned, I think Donald Trump is counting on that. She's just not likable on television.
WEBSTER: Is it because when it comes to press conferences and answering questions, she just cannot think on her feet?
BOZELL: Well, you know, it’s not the questions. She looks evasive. She's looking away. She scowls. When she laughs, it is forced. God only knows what accent she's going to use on any given day, depending on the audience. No, she does doesn't come across as likable. Now, this is not a function of bias on my part. This is a reality. This is why she announced her presidential campaign. She didn't even do that live. The more she sold her book, she sold lots of books but her numbers that straight down.
WEBSTER: But the more that Donald Trump and he made a big deal of this last news conference, does that put pressure on it or does she just ignore it?
BOZELL: Well, he is going to try and bait her. That is what Donald Trump does as a rule. And I think she will be baited. I think that if she decides to fight him on his terms, she's going to lose. So, she's going to have to find a way to get him to fight her on her terms. Donald Trump doesn't seem to be a sucker for those things.
WEBSTER: Very quick question. Ten seconds. Can Trump beat Hillary in the debates to the point where he can win the nomination or win the presidency?
BOZELL: No question. I think he really could peel the bark off the Clinton mystique if he wanted to.
WEBSTER: Peel the bark. Great expression. Brent Bozell, thank you so much. Appreciate it.
