Did you know that if you have a negative view of Michelle Obama, it's all Fox News's fault?
Such seems to be the opinion of Barack Obama who told the magazine Marie Claire, "I think that if you've been watching Fox News then probably she's misunderstood, because I do think there's been a fairly systematic attempt by the conservative press to paint her in a completely false way."
Fox News's Greta Van Susteren heard about this statement by Obama, and took issue with it during an interview she did Monday with the magazine's editor (video embedded right, h/t NBer Thomas Stewart):
GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST: Is the FOX News Channel systematically and deliberately painting a false picture of Michelle Obama?
Senator Obama says yes, the Senator slamming FOX News in an interview with the magazine "Marie Claire." Senator Obama said this in part when asked if his wife Michelle is misunderstood-
"I think that if you've been watching Fox News, then probably she's misunderstood, because I do think there has been a fairly systematic attempt by the conservative press to paint her in a completely false way."
We have been trying to get senator Obama here "On the Record" for months. He and his wife Michelle are welcome here any time.
So what is senator Obama talking about? Joining us live is Joanna Coles, the editor in chief of "Marie Claire." She interviewed Senator Obama for the magazine.
It's nice to see you Joanna.
JOANNA COLES, "MARIE CLAIRE": Thank you.
VAN SUSTEREN: Joanna, did he say anything more about FOX News? Was he say specific as to who he has a beef with here?
COLES: No. It was really a much more general attack on the conservative media. He didn't single you out, Greta, but I'm sure you would have been in there.
And he felt very much that FOX had portrayed Michelle as angry and not at all as the woman he knows her, and he felt anxious that he wants people to know that she is actually friendly and really wrestling with the issues that a lot of women in America are wrestling with, namely jobs and family.
VAN SUSTEREN: I guess I am a bit curious that he would, at least for our show at 10:00 that he would think that we had ever said anything derogatory about Michelle. I do not think we have. I would have to go back through.
We certainly have pounded him on Reverend Wright. There is no question about that. But was unable to say-was he the least bit specific so I can go back and try to see what it is that he finds so offensive?
COLES: No, he wasn't specific. He felt it was a general thing by the conservative media, and it slightly was an echo of the phrase Hillary Clinton had used when she said that she felt that there had been a right- wing conspiracy against her husband Bill.
Senator Obama felt but the conservative media, and, in particular, FOX News, was deliberately misrepresenting Michele as angry, and I think that is one of the reasons that they have really kept her back from the current phase of the campaign.
We have noticed that she is much less visible than she was certainly during some of the earlier primary rallies, and she is just much less in evidence than she was earlier in the campaign. And I think that is a shame.
We know that we will see her at the convention, and we are very much looking forward to it. But I think it's a shame that she has not been out there a bit more, and maybe that would alleviate some of the criticisms he has had.
VAN SUSTEREN: What is so interesting is that Michelle Obama, likewise, has an open invitation here. But Senator Clinton, who had that criticism of many in the media, has appeared on this show a number of times, she's appeared with Bill O'Reilly, she's been on with Chris Wallace.
She is not running for cover, and, in fact, it was Senator Obama, I think, who would not even participate in debates here. So, whatever.
Anyway, he does not like us. I got that.
Yep. Must be nice to be able to bash an entire network while refusing to do interviews with those you're attacking. I guess this is a character trait some people admire in a presidential candidate.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.



















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Marie Claire?!
August 13, 2008 - 10:12 ET by Dr_LibertyWhat are these magazines? I never heard of it.
And wasn't there some controversy reported in "Cookie" magazine that was reported on NB last week?
So Obama will talk with Marie Claire and Cookie, but not Fox News? Geez... what if Putin calls his wife names. "I refuse to talk with Russia. That's not nice."
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Marie Clare's a glamour or
August 13, 2008 - 10:24 ET by marpelMarie Clare's a glamour or fashion magazine with a few articles (left leaning) thrown in for good measure; sort of a slightly less provocative version of Cosmopolitan.
Greta Van Sustern (I call her "dead behind the eyes"), is a one of the token leftist employees of Fox, so I'm surprised Obama will not speak with her as she would give a very soft interview with very easy questions. She was all fluff with Clinton, no doubt. I can't stand her or her show. I used to like her during the OJ trial, but something seems to have snapped in her. Anyway, I don't think Fox has a chance in hell of getting an Obama interview. Yes, he's great Presidential material, isn't he?
That explains it
August 13, 2008 - 11:08 ET by Dr_LibertyI'm not the glamorous type. Every time I leave the house my wife asks me "You're not going out looking stupid again, are you?"
To which I reply, "Who is going to see me? The horses? The dog? Some crows?"
<insert witty signature here>
Dr. Liberty, you are spot
August 13, 2008 - 12:08 ET by marpelDr. Liberty, you are spot on about Greta. She's a sensationalist, but dumber than Geraldo (if that's possible). Even though there are a couple of shows that are still journalistically superior to anything else on TV, i.e., Fox Newswatch, Fox News Sunday and the daily Special Report with Britt Hume, the rest is tabloid crap. That includes that pervert, Bill O'Reilly. If you watch him, you'll notice that he has one story on a night about some sort of sexual perversion. He's creepy. I used to like him, but not anymore.
I'm sure your wife is just trying to make sure you look like the good looking dude you were when she met you. :o) I used to do that to my wonderful, handsome husband (God rest his soul). But, he also tried to wear a leisure suit to work once...He thought they were still in style. :o)
Greta Goofy
August 13, 2008 - 11:15 ET by Dr_LibertyI haven't watched Greta's show enough to say she is left or right. Whenever I have seen it, usually scrolling through the channels, there is some story about a police chase or something. Most of the discussion just strikes me as downright "goofy."
And I guess this is a point to mention that I am disturbed by Fox News's website whenever there is a major tragedy. The seem to have a morbid way of marketing breaking stories:
"Helicopter Crash in Phoenix: Watch Live Now!"
"Plane Crash in Minneapolis: Watch Live Now!"
"Teenagers Stabbed in Park: Watch Live Now!"
"John Edwards Sited with Mistress in Beverly Hills Hotel: Watch Live Now!"
<insert witty signature here>
Y'know...you extreme right wingers
August 13, 2008 - 10:15 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltare just so damn angry and mean, not to mention judgemental...
/sarc off
and phobic
August 13, 2008 - 11:10 ET by Dr_Libertywe're really phobic too!
<insert witty signature here>
Yeah!
August 13, 2008 - 14:27 ET by DoktorFrankenOff with Greta's botoxed head!
I could never understand why Fox needed a female counterpart to Horendo Revolver. Any of the stories Greta covers I have absolutely no desire to hear.
Since Fox is constantly being critizied for being Far Right, then why in the heck don't they hire folks like Jonas Goldberg, Mark Steyn, Ann Coulter, et al, and give them all their own shows? Steyn alone would steal his time slot.
The Messiah is too much of a
August 13, 2008 - 10:16 ET by SickofLibsThe Messiah is too much of a coward to appear on ANY FNC show, Greta, BOR or otherwise.
Doesn't bode well as to him standing up to the despots of the world. (Those that are immune to his many charms.) Like Putin, who apparently did not do what he was commanded to do by The One.
Funny how they talk about
August 13, 2008 - 12:49 ET by mattmFunny how they talk about something called the "conservative media" yet they continually deny the existence of the Liberal media.
Besides, the "conservative media" is waaaaay more balanced than the Lib MSM...
(Posting here because I was having problems making a new post)
conservative press to paint
August 13, 2008 - 10:26 ET by Dan The Man 2conservative press to paint her in a completely false way - yeah those pesky things called facts get in teh way of images they want to portray.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
More Truth
August 13, 2008 - 18:56 ET by rocknrobynI remember distinctly Obama's campaign manager saying that Michelle was going to take a back seat and stay at home more to take care of her two young daughters instead of dragging them along on the road. One more thing they seem to have forgotten, along with all the other promises he has broken or somehow just forgotten. Surely not a flip-flop on what the campaign said..... again! I figured at the time that they wanted her to stop galvanizing the public in the wrong way, but it suits the Dems purpose to accuse the Conservatives of having been the cause of her not being in the spotlight.
The Truth Hurts
August 13, 2008 - 10:26 ET by NoMoreClintonsThe truth is that Mee-Shell IS angry . . . very angry. Why, I don't know. But I know this: I'd rather be locked in a room with Aunt Esther flailing away at me with her pocketbook than the angry Mee-Shell (no "belle").
Too much Sanford and Son.
August 13, 2008 - 10:30 ET by Dan The Man 2Too much Sanford and Son.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
We are officially in Bizzaro world...
August 13, 2008 - 10:30 ET by c5thenFox tries and tries to get interviews with Obama and/or his wife for months, and is relegated to showing clips from other networks. This apparently constitutes an "attack" on Obama's wife and 'painting her in a completely false way'.
Meanwhile Russia is taking over a small neighbor just like in the late 1940's and all anybody cares to discuss is the Olympics and what a marvel young Michael Phelps is.
P.S. It looks like the Georgian airlift has begun.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
We the USA should go into
August 13, 2008 - 10:35 ET by Dan The Man 2We the USA should go into Georgia and bomb all Russian armor units using stealth planes. Geogia is our ally and we should not let them down. Lets not let Russia grow bolder. Damn the oil and damn the cost this is a matter of honor. The fact Russia is getting away with this is dispicable.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
use surrogates
August 13, 2008 - 11:32 ET by wizardjrDo the slavic thing and use surrogates. Let the Poles, the Czechs, and Ukranians strike at the Russians (with our help). At the least we can finance the hit job or provide logistical support to our friends. On the back channel we tell Tsar Putin if he brings in the heavy stuff we jump in with both feet. We may not have a large contingent of ground troops to supply but we can put air assets in play and supply tons of shoulder fired tank busters and ammo.
Surly you jest wizard. You
August 13, 2008 - 11:41 ET by bassndudeSurly you jest wizard. You would send fewer than 200,000 troops to confront a military of 1.2 million?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
This sounds eerily familiar...
August 13, 2008 - 17:13 ET by ontheright...I believe this is exactly how we addressed the Afghanistan "situation". That turned out really well. Just look what happend a few years later (9/11)...this is not shaping up too prove much better for the USA.
With the outside chance that a socialist bed-wetter is elected president and then all hell breaks loose, we're as good as sunk.
Or, we have a tried and true military minded president elected and then all hell breaks loose.
As much as I'm praying for the latter, we may want to brush up on our Slavic nonetheless.
Meanwhile Russia is taking
August 14, 2008 - 00:16 ET by R D HelmMeanwhile Russia is taking over a small neighbor just like in the late
1940's and all anybody cares to discuss is the Olympics and what a
marvel young Michael Phelps is.
Agreed, c5. A shallow and superficial people, we have become.
I honestly do not think that most people (and that includes many here at NB) fully appreciate the significance of what is currently going on in Georgia, and what soon might (as in probably will) be repeated in the Ukraine.
Ill tidings for us, as Europe's days of being a significant "Western Power" are rather numbered.
"America Alone" is becoming more of a reality as each day passes.
-Dave.
Interesting...
August 13, 2008 - 10:31 ET by Secret ConservativeI find it interesting that Obama says that Fox News is portraying his wife as "angry," so the campaign has decided that she needs to keep a low profile. Since they weren't appearing on Fox News anyway, why shouldn't Michelle be out there, front and center, representing the "Hope and Change" campaign?
Either they are overestimating the influence of Fox News, or maybe Michelle IS angry and nasty and elitist and they've realized she's not helping the campaign? I seem to remember Teresa Kerry getting put under wraps when she proved to be an angry, nasty elitist who wasn't helping HER husband.
Right On SC!
August 13, 2008 - 10:55 ET by CaringwhiteguyMy thoughts exactly. They're keeping Michelle in the background so that FOX News doesn't portray her as angry and mean? Gosh, I didn't know FOX was that powerful. Furthermore if Michelle really isn't that angry and mean why hold her back? Let her out there for everyone to see and judge for themselves. If she's really the sweetheart BOH says she is the American public will flock to her and her message just as they have flocked to the Messiah himself.
Although I doubt it
August 13, 2008 - 10:41 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarMaybe Bill O. will now stop kissing B Hussein's a$$ in an attempt to get him the network.
Memo to FOX ... B Hussein ain't commin' on. Period.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
If he's right, then why has
August 13, 2008 - 10:42 ET by iconoclastIf he's right, then why has she gone into privacy? If she was an asset, seems to me that he'd want her out there working for him. Just sayin'
"we should immediately give every working family in America a
$1,000 energy rebate, and we should pay for it with part of the record
profits that the oil companies are making" Barak Obama, Communist
Obama's lament!
August 13, 2008 - 10:43 ET by pocomocoAnd what was it that Truman said about the kitchen and Shakespeare said about protesting?
Can a Muskie/Schroeder moment be far behind?
It sounds like Greta is......
August 13, 2008 - 11:47 ET by connmanmore interested in knowing if Obama thinks "her" show is unfair to Michelle.Geez, get a grip Greta! Besides why would he be talking about you? You're to busy with the tabloid junk, how many months did you run with Natalie Holloway again? The latest being the missing kid in Fla with the wacked out grandma and the dumb as a pale of rocks mother. Tell us more Greta, tell us more! Uh... by the way, isn't your 15 minutes of OJ fame just about up yet?
This town needs an enema! - The Joker
if bh'0' appears on fox
August 13, 2008 - 11:59 ET by larry on LIit will be a cold day in hell and he would lose the kos kids.it ain't goin to happen!
"And he felt very much that
August 13, 2008 - 12:08 ET by stratman"And he felt very much that FOX had portrayed Michelle as angry and not at all as the woman he knows her..."
Yet another person The Obamanation has no clue about. It's bad enough when you admit you don't know your Pastor and confident of 20 plus years (Wright), or your close friend and political financier of nearly 20 years (Rezko), or your neighbors and workmates of 15 years (Ayers and Dohrne), but it's absolutely imbecilic to not know your own wife.
The only person he has remained sure about has been his racist grandmother. Ain't that sweet.
His Hopelessness: The Obama is an empty suit and an empty skull.
RRAM Tough!
Hear, Hear!
August 13, 2008 - 12:41 ET by CobraMan"Yet another person The Obamanation has no clue about."
That's just what I thought when I saw that statement. So far, Obama's batting close to .000 when it comes to the ability to accurately judge someone's character. This includes his latest subject of character misjudgment, John Edwards. Yet, despite a almost non-existent character evaluation success record, even for the people he’s know for DECADES, Obama still believes that, as President, he’ll be able to accurately judge the charter of foreign leaders and influential people he DOESN'T know and make policy decisions based on those judgments. Obama, get a clue!
Another example of Mr.
August 13, 2008 - 14:11 ET by stratmanAnother example of Mr. Hopey-Changey's naive intellect/intuition is how he is approaching Putin/Russia's naked aggression. Obambi thinks he can talk Putin into submission. The child-man Barry truly is a caricature of the old Coca-Cola commercial where people of the world drank a Coke and sang about "liv[ing] in perfect harmony." Contrast that with McCain's dead-on assessment of Putin as having "KGB" in/behind his beady eyes.
Putin knows Obama is a weak chump, easily frightened and manipulated by blitzkreig military action and the palpable fear of ordering others to potential death (unless they are a fetus/baby.). Georgia is an early chess move of Russia's which also tests the resolve of America's presidential candidates and her people to additional military conflagration. American Media will desperately spin McCain as callous and bloodthirsty, a move Putin hopes for in keeping effective American response from altering planned imperialistic re-conquest for Russian dominance on the continent.
Then again, maybe B. Hussein thinks he can convince Putin that as President Obama they will be comrades in the eternal struggle of the people against the Capitalist Machine. Afterall, they both probably enjoy Marx and Alinsky as mentors.
But I thought Michelle was
August 13, 2008 - 13:25 ET by mjgBut I thought Michelle was angry all the time. Now he wants to insulate her from the attacks. I never liked Hillary but at least she had the courage to stand on her own. Now Michelle has to be treated with kid gloves. It's almost as though he is restricting what the press may say about her.
"It's almost as though he
August 13, 2008 - 16:43 ET by Indiana Joe"It's almost as though he is restricting what the press may say about her."
"ALMOST???"
Obama and cake
August 13, 2008 - 12:33 ET by pocomocoMcCain has had no problem going into he lion’s den where liberal MSM types attempt to tear him apart, but Obama prefers to go into the lemming’s den where the MSM types march in lock-step heaping fawning praise on him.
There is something glaring weak about a presidential candidate refusing to be interviewed by a woman then, in the same breath, assures us that going into the lion dens of the world’s dictators would be a piece of cake.
I could listen to her talk
August 13, 2008 - 13:30 ET by benrandI could listen to her talk all day, not Greta, of course, the other one.
Obamanation has to blame
August 13, 2008 - 13:54 ET by bigtimerObamanation has to blame someone or something for their loss besides racism.
Big bad Fox will do for now, he has also been attacking Hannity too lately.
Not too wise...but then again I haven't seen much wisdom going on with his campaign, but then again look at what they have to work with...an empty-suit and a loud mouthed angry wife.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Puuleeez Ms Coles?
August 13, 2008 - 14:43 ET by JPR1"...and really wrestling with the issues that a lot of women in America are wrestling with, namely jobs and family."
Michelle Obama has TWO adolescent children and a $316 THOUSAND dollar a year salary!
Anyone struggling under these conditions has to be thoroughly incompetent.
Must run in the family.
Maybe she just doesn't
August 14, 2008 - 05:55 ET by BuxomAnnieMcGreggorMaybe she just doesn't understand that the "70% effort" she gives in life (a level of effort she feels totally competent at) is only 20% of what 50% of Americans thinks is giving their "100%".
Give the MSM the middle finger.... vote for John McCain! WELL... OK, just give them the finger- BuxomAnnieMcGreggor
When are the Democrats
August 13, 2008 - 14:49 ET by Chris NormanWhen are the Democrats finally going to realize that trying to make Fox News the bogey man just simply will not work?
McNotObama '08
Obama is just playing to the leftist
August 13, 2008 - 14:54 ET by well99Blame Fox and the left wing yuppie puppies will wag their tails.Typical of the left.Maybe if they gave Obama 2 teleprompters he would be on Fox.
Women's mags
August 13, 2008 - 15:29 ET by greenfairieI keep saying you guys are missing a GOLDMINE of liberal bias in women's/fashion magazines. This month's Marie Claire had the Obama whine fest about the eeeville Fox News. This month's Elle featured an article by ex-Wonkette Ana Marie Cox on how John McCain "opposes a lot of women's issues" (lib speak for abortion) yet had a lot of women influence his life. A puzzler, I'm sure. The same mag had an article by Planned Parenthood's Gloria Feldt on "where are all of the women running for office?" I'm sure they are not at all concerned about conservative women not running for office. Let's not forget Harper's Bizarre, er, Bazaar, featuring Tyra Banks dolled up as "first lady" Mrs. Obama.
Trust me, there is no liberal more rabid than a women's magazine staffer.
To maintain his leftist
August 13, 2008 - 23:58 ET by Free StinkerTo maintain his leftist street cred, Uh-uh-uh-bama has to attack Foxnews. It's an article of faith with the left that Foxnews is the Cable TV source of all evil.
"They're both doofuses!" --Mark Levin (speaking of Obama and McCain)
Obama's real problem with FNC can be summed up in 1 name:
August 14, 2008 - 00:22 ET by R D HelmSean Hannity. :-)
-Dave.
Fox conservative?
August 14, 2008 - 08:01 ET by catnamedjakeHuh? Who is conservative on FoxNews? Hannity, Brit (mostly) maybe Megyn a little. I don't know why they stick O'Reilly in there all the time. He's no conservative. Neither is Chris Wallace for that matter. I agree w/ previous comment that maybe if they had folks like Mark Steyn, Ann Coulter, and Jonah Goldberg on all the time, or at the very least, kept Laura Ingraham's show on, then you could say the channel is conservative.