The day after it was revealed that former ABC News Capitol Hill correspondent Linda Douglass was going to be joining Barack Obama's presidential campaign, "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace said this was a perfect example of how liberal and biased the mainstream media are.
As my colleague Brad Wilmouth reported Wednesday, The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder wrote at his blog that Douglass was going to be leaving her position at National Journal to "join Barack Obama's presidential campaign as a senior strategist and as a senior campaign spokesperson on the roadshow."
The following day, Wallace was interview by WOR radio's Steve Malzberg, and was asked, "Do you have a problem with media people, you know, switching to go to work for political campaigns like that?
Wallace responded (audio available here, relevant section begins at minute 2:40):
I don't have a problem with somebody doing it. I do have a problem if they've been talking as a non-partisan, objective journalist when they're in the process of negotiating their deal to go work for the campaign. I mean, that, that certainly bothers me. And we've seen some cases of that, Carole Simpson, and both of them I worked with at ABC. And I like both of them, and admire both of them, but, you know, they seem to have made this very strange move in the midst of, you know, one second they're an objective journalist, and the next second they're a mouthpiece for a campaign. It's, you know, and, and I have to also say, you know, we always get hammered at Fox for complaining about the mainstream media and how liberal and biased they are. I mean, here are two reporters that went right from the mainstream media to work for, one for the Clinton campaign, and one for the Obama campaign. Coincidence? I think not.
For some background, former ABC News anchor Carole Simpson endorsed Hillary Clinton for president last October. As my colleague Brent Baker reported on October 21:
Endorsing Hillary Clinton for President at a Tuesday night rally in New Hampshire, former ABC News anchor/reporter Carole Simpson exclaimed, an NBC News blog reported, that “it's very freeing now that I'm not a journalist, that I'm able to speak my own mind.” But Simpson hardly hid her liberal political views during her years at ABC. “Long Live Hillary” read the headline over an online tribute from Simpson, then anchor of World News Tonight/Sunday, following Clinton's 2000 senatorial victory. At about the same time, she denounced Clarence Thomas as the “cruelest” Supreme Court justice “because he has consistently voted against human rights.” If Bush names more like him, she groused, “God help us.” The 1994 GOP congressional victories upset her: “I would like to think that the American people care about poor people, about sick people, about homeless people, and about poor children. I am shocked by the new mean-spiritedness.”
As for Douglass's biases, Baker reported on May 21 (emphasis his):
Weeks before Linda Douglass announced she would be jumping aboard the Barack Obama presidential campaign as a senior strategist, the former CBS News and ABC News Washington correspondent was already aiding the Obama campaign. Back on the May 4 Reliable Sources on CNN, for instance, she became defensive: “I hate to keep being in the position of defending Barack Obama...” Yet that's exactly what she did on a panel with Amy Holmes and Joan Walsh. On that Sunday, the weekend after Obama held a press conference to denounce Jeremiah Wright, she pronounced media attention on Wright to have “been too much” and contended: “To make your judgments about how to cast a vote for President based upon the statements of this pastor seems to be a bridge too far."
Makes Wallace's case a bit of a slam dunk, doesn't it?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.




















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I wonder just how Douglas
May 26, 2008 - 15:19 ET by bigtimerI wonder just how Douglas and her ilk are going to spin this and this when it comes out and gets more msm attention on down the road.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
What's more honest,
May 26, 2008 - 15:19 ET by scamoramaWhat's more honest, Noel?
Working for Obama while drawing an ABC paycheck, or working for him on his dime?
If everyone in the MSM got honest, there'd be a network hiring boom.
scam... That's how I felt
May 26, 2008 - 15:31 ET by bigtimerscam...
That's how I felt about this whole situation when it first came out about Douglas going to work for Obama...heck I remember when she was in the bag for years for the Clintons and it was never reported about the dinners the Clintona spent with Douglas and her husband...not in the msm anyway.
Like you say, too bad all the msm isn't this honest and did the same thing...we would need replacements instantly..the majority of the news rooms would be bare.
Just thinking about the silence for a brief period of time is golden.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
If people can accept George
May 26, 2008 - 15:48 ET by motherbeltIf people can accept George Stephanopolous as a straight-line moderator and interviewer, anything can happen.
Amen to that
May 26, 2008 - 19:38 ET by docbGeorgie is so in the tank for clinton that when i called him on it he emailed me back with an 'Are you kidding me"!
Clintons latest noticed problem:
I'm watching The Situation Room on CNN, and they're discussing the importance of Ohio in the general election, and whether or not Clinton supporters will rally behind Obama in the general election, and they played a clip of Senator Clinton speaking on the matter, and here is the transcript of what she said:
I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that anyone that supported me, the 17 million people who have voted for me, understand what a grave error it would be not to vote for Senator McCain-ah, Senator Obama, and against Senator McCain.
This was an interview on 5/15 with Wolfie... The full interview is here
nobody here seemed to get
May 26, 2008 - 18:31 ET by crsheddnobody here seemed to get worked up when tony snow was working at fox while negotiating his contract with the white house. how is this any different?
How is it any different,
May 26, 2008 - 18:52 ET by Roger the ShrubberHow is it any different, Sparky?
Odd for you to defend TWO obvious examples of Liberal media bias from two different MAJOR news outlets by citing the same old ONE tired, over-used lib whipping-boy, one cable news network, Fox News, who has 1/4 the audience.
Are you really this stupid?
Yes, you really are, apparently. Too stupid to realize what it says on the top of every page on this website.
Hey, Rog, do you think it's
May 26, 2008 - 19:00 ET by balboaHey, Rog, do you think it's OK, though, for Snow to do that?
Since Fox News is the only
May 26, 2008 - 19:18 ET by Roger the ShrubberSince Fox News is the only obviously-Conservative media organization out there, I am not surprised one of their people would go to work for a Republican administration.
Personally, I frown upon moves like this.
That being said, Citing the same Fox example over and over and over (because I guess you gotta use what little ammo you have) to somehow excuse the numerous Clinton administration officials who are now serving on MAJOR news networks, and now these moves, is laughable, and worthy of scorn.
Do you find these moves acceptable, and not another obvious example of Liberal media bias?
I hear ya' on pointing out
May 26, 2008 - 19:31 ET by balboaI hear ya' on pointing out Snow when it's not applicable.
I don't have a problem with this if the person stays in politics. If they come back into journalism, I don't know how you can see them as anything other than a commentator.
But, yes, so many liberal journalists going into politics means there's a liberal bias.
i find it as acceptable as
May 26, 2008 - 20:14 ET by crsheddi find it as acceptable as republicans doing the same thing with conservative reporters.
i damn BOTH parties for doing it, not just go after the ones i don't like and give the ones i like a pass.
Karl Rove
May 26, 2008 - 20:22 ET by Cool ArrowSo if somebody has a deeper insight into politics than the run of the mill conjecture it's not OK?
I don't think the hiring of Karl Rove could be considered a hoodwink on the public. Some people are favorably interested in his thoughts, and the rest can't stand the guy. But nobody's getting fooled.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
bal
May 26, 2008 - 19:26 ET by Noel Sheppardbal,
Take this the way it's intended: are you kidding?
Do you see a difference between working for a campaign and working for the White House? When the POTUS calls you up, and asks for your service, you say, "Yes."
To me, this is FAR different than speaking superlatives about a candidate on national news broadcasts, and then going to work for that candidate. FAR different. ns
bal
May 26, 2008 - 19:31 ET by Cool ArrowYou honestly weren't aware Tony Snow was a Conservative commentator before joining the WH?
It was no secret. He had a radio program also.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
You honestly weren't aware
May 26, 2008 - 19:41 ET by NewsbusterbrownYou honestly weren't aware Tony Snow was a Conservative commentator before joining the WH?
Exactly. Snow never pretended that he wasn't a conservative anymore while he worked at FOX or didn't have biases.
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
I knew he was on Fox, but I
May 26, 2008 - 19:44 ET by balboaI knew he was on Fox, but I don't think I knew he had a radio show. But you're right in that he wasn't just a reporter, like this woman.
And that's the difference
May 26, 2008 - 19:49 ET by Cool ArrowIf she was a "chief capitol hill correspondent" her job should demand an unbiased approach.
People like Snow, Hannity, and Colmes are hired for their political leanings, not in spite of them.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
i used "...the same old
May 26, 2008 - 19:58 ET by crsheddi used "...the same old ONE tired, over-used lib whipping-boy..." to keep it simple for you to understand.
almost every single press secretary since 1928 (?) has come from the 'news' service, first newspapers, then radio, then tv. without searching every single one of them, i am willing to bet that their reporting before becoming the spokesperson was most likely a bit biased.
since this has almost always been the case, for democrats and republicans alike, i can't get worked up about more of the same.
i could have gone on with fitzwater, ziegler, hagerty, but then you would have thought i was making things up.
cr
May 26, 2008 - 19:09 ET by Noel Sheppardcr,
Long time no see. How are you doing? Hope all is well.
I think the difference is that we admit FNC is right of center, and Tony Snow has never hidden his conservatism. He is INDEED a conservative, was before he worked for FNC when in Bush 41's adminstration, and never tried to hide that.
By contrast, the folks that are liberals in the mainstream media don't admit such, do they? Instead, they do everything in their power to present themselves as non-partisan. In fact, I quite imagine Simpson and Douglass both believing themselves to be moderate and impartial, and there was nothing ABC did to apprise the viewer of their leanings.
When Snow starts his new gig at CNN, do you think he'll be presented as a conservative contributor much like Bill Bennett is? Or, do you think this will be hidden?
The mainstream outlets hide the political affiliation of their anchors and hosts, and THAT's the difference...a very big one! ns
hey noel. doing fine,
May 26, 2008 - 19:48 ET by crsheddhey noel.
doing fine, thanx for asking. just have had major upheavals in my life so far this year. my whole family is falling apart health wise.
you said "I think the difference is that we admit FNC is right of center..." (my emphasis). you may, but fox doesn't. i'm sure you have heard 'fair and balance' somewhere.
my point is that you can go back to 1928 (i think [the first official press secretary]) and find almost every one of them came from the 'news' media. every president has picked one that was in concert with his views, ie conservative, moderate or liberal. and, this is just a hunch, that each one that was picked was probably not totally free of bias in their reporting.
because this 'appointment' is standard operating procedure, i don't see a story here.
cr
May 26, 2008 - 19:54 ET by Noel Sheppardcr,
Sorry about your family woes. I hope they all work out for the best.
Well, as you stated, there isn't anything odd about a press secretary coming from the press. And, Tony before working for 43 worked for 41. It's no shock he's conservative.
By contrast, folks like Douglass, Simpson, and their employers feign this impartiality. I just find it unseemly.
Understand that this to me is different than going to work for a President. This is leaving a news position to go work for a candidate. Don't you see a difference here? ns
most press secretaries
May 26, 2008 - 20:10 ET by crsheddmost press secretaries leave news positions to work for a campaign, and then become the presidential press secretary if the candidate wins.
even though snow worked for 41, didn't we always hear how 'fair and balanced' he, his show, and his network are? i bet i can go thru the archives and find people who flamed me for saying snow was biased. wanna take me up on it?
ari fleisher is rare, not having ever worked in 'news' before becoming a press secretary.
jerald terhorst, another rarity, quit after 1 month speaking for ford after ford pardoned nixon. but, he returned to reporting the news at the detroit news. who would have thought, a reporter with a conscience?
coming from 'news' services is very common for both parties. and they usually start during the campaign.
as you noted, i've not been
May 26, 2008 - 20:11 ET by crsheddas you noted, i've not been around much lately. is that a new photo?
cr
May 26, 2008 - 20:21 ET by Noel Sheppardcr,
Yeah. Just installed today. What do you think? ns
don't get me started.
May 26, 2008 - 20:52 ET by crshedddon't get me started.
cr
May 26, 2008 - 20:20 ET by Noel Sheppardcr,
most press secretaries leave news positions to work for a campaign, and then become the presidential press secretary if the candidate wins.
What makes you come to that conclusion? Here's a list of press secretaries since the position was created, and I can't identify that most left their positions with media outlets to work on the campaign of the president(s) they eventually worked for: http://en.wikipedia....
ns
dana perino daily
May 26, 2008 - 20:55 ET by crshedddana perino daily reporter wcia-tv, cbs, springfield, il
tony snow fox news
marllin fitzwater 'various kansas newspapers' can't indentify job
larry speakes editor oxford (mississippi) eagle manageing editor bolivar commercial cleveland, ms
ron nessen washington correspondent nbc
james hagerty before white house-reporter new york times after-vpnews, special events, & public affairs, abc
theodore joslin reporter boston evening transcript
george akerson reporter minneapolis tribune
i just looked at the republicans on your link all the way back to 1929, george akerson, the first official press secretary. i did skip a couple cuz page wouldn't load.
cr
May 26, 2008 - 21:10 ET by Noel Sheppardcr,
Forgive me, but are we having a serious discussion here? For instance, you cite Perino having worked for WICA. However, this is what came after that and BEFORE she worked for Bush:
As for Fitzwater, he worked for Kansas newspapers when in college in the '60s DECADES before becoming press secretary.
Do you want to have a serious discussion about this or not? ns
cr
May 26, 2008 - 21:00 ET by Noel Sheppardcr,
Actually, it appears very few press secretaries left positions with media outlets to join campaigns. Let's go backwards, shall we:
That takes us back 30 years with very few journalists becoming press secretary. ns
joe lockhart "a longtime
May 26, 2008 - 23:23 ET by crsheddjoe lockhart "a longtime NBC producer associated with the Huntley-Brinkley Report and special-events coverage. He volunteered for the Jimmy Carter 1976 presidential campaign, worked for NBC at the 1976 Democratic National Convention, and worked in Carter's fall campaign press office..."
dee dee myers "Ms. Myers also spent two years as the liberal co-host of the CNBC talk show Equal Time, discussing daily political developments with conservative co-hosts Mary Matalin and later, Bay Buchanan. She left the show in 1997." http://freshfiction.com/author.php?id=18184
larry speakes "Speakes received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Mississippi. He served as editor of the Oxford (Mississippi) Eagle in 1961, and as managing editor of the Bolivar Commericail in Cleveland, Mississippi from 1962 to 1966. From 1966 to 1968 he worked as general manager and editor of Progress Publishers of Leland, Mississippi."
these press secretaries left positions with 'news' organizations. you do have a point that lockheart and speakes as well as perino didn't to straight to presidential politics. they went from 'reporters' to congressional campaigns. and this is okay how? it's the same thing, imho. just lower on the food chain.
cr
May 26, 2008 - 23:53 ET by Noel Sheppardcr,
Your original premise was, "most press secretaries leave news positions to work for a campaign, and then become the presidential press secretary if the candidate wins."
Now, this appears to have changed.
Yes, Joe Lockhart worked for NBC in 1976. However, this was 22 years BEFORE he became Clinton's press secretary. 22!
Dee Dee Myers went to work for CNBC AFTER she left the Clinton White House in 1994. AFTER!
Larry Speakes was general manager and editor of Progress Publishers in 1968, 13 years BEFORE he became Reagan's press secretary. 13!
Sheesh. ns
Gee all this time the MSM talking heads were trying out for jobs
May 26, 2008 - 19:39 ET by JayTeeEvidently, the Candidates were reviewing who to HIRE from the MSM...and they were all going thru a 6 month try out for the Democratic Candidate Teams. Once Chosen, Stephanopolie has shown you can come back to the MSM.
Such a difficult choice it must have been...although Olbermaniac must have been in the First Cut.
The MSM Talking Head Draft.....
Obama chooses a White Woman.....Gaffe # 38
Next.....Hillary chooses Stephanopolis...Ooops....he's too valuable to take off the MSM air..choose again....
In defense of Douglas
May 26, 2008 - 20:06 ET by Cool ArrowIt shouldn't be too hard to sell out one's personal feelings regardless of the administration.
What if the Obama Administration called Douglas up prior to our involvement in WWI?
It would be easy to sell the Lusitania as something we deserved because the cargo hold was filled with guns and ammo bound for Britain.
Douglas could send out a Press Release apologizing for our meddling.
She could do the same if it were Pearl Harbor. Just apologize for engaging in trade practices that caused Japan to strike back.
It won't be hard for the Obama Administration to offer the silent surrender of retreat from Iran. Lots of Americans will be just fine with it, and the cameras will only catch the first few minutes of the following conflagration anyway.
Then Ted Kennedy can claim the withdrawal was peaceful and uneventful just like Vietnam.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Another plant in the MSM
May 27, 2008 - 20:38 ET by needleApparently Linda Douglass thinks that she can do more for Obama as another cog in his sizeable campaign team, than as another allegedly unbiased plant in the MSM. Maybe she is right – er, I mean correct – in how she sized all of this up, though I would have thought the opposite.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.