Chris Wallace interviewed Barack Obama Tuesday and asked the new president about unflattering comments he's made in the past concerning the Fox News Channel.
Obama's answer was rather telling:
I think it's fair to say that I don't always get my most favorable coverage on Fox, but I think that's part of how democracy is supposed to work. You know, we're not supposed to all be in lock step here..
Doesn't that suggest everybody other than Fox IS in lock step as far as Obama is concerned?
Watch the embedded video below the fold and decide for yourself (partial transcript included, h/t TVNewser):
CHRIS WALLACE, HOST: Let me throw another one at you and you tell me whether this is an exact quote. You were widely quoted, when you met with the House GOP caucus saying, go ahead, (inaudible) I'll watch Fox News and feel bad about myself.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: That one I did say.
WALLACE: Is perhaps -- let me just raise the possibility -- are you a trifle thin-skinned?
OBAMA: No, no, no. I said it in good humor. I think everybody understood that that was a joke.
No, I think, Chris -- I think it's fair to say that I don't always get my most favorable coverage on Fox, but I think that's part of how democracy is supposed to work. You know, we're not supposed to all be in lock step here, and you've always been very gracious to me and...
(CROSSTALK)
WALLACE: ... improves or hurts my stock at Fox.
OBAMA: But they heard it.
Fascinating. Shouldn't we conclude from this that Obama is quite aware that every other media outlet is in lock step with him?
Isn't that rather frightening?
After all, it's one thing for press members to be completely in the tank for an elected official let alone the most powerful man on the planet.
However, doesn't said official have unlimited power if he not only knows this to be the case, but is willing to admit it?
Be afraid, America. Be VERY afraid.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I saw this and thought the
February 3, 2009 - 22:19 ET by d1carterI saw this and thought the same thing....scary.
I've been afraid of Obama
February 3, 2009 - 22:29 ET by WorriedI've been afraid of Obama since he came out of the woodwork. He's an enigma and I think he and Immanuel have plans. Big plans.
Noel
February 3, 2009 - 22:31 ET by shawn228I believe what he meant by that was not everyone has to be on the same page, thats how democracy works.
I found nothing scary about it.
He had my vote
Shawn
February 4, 2009 - 00:54 ET by Scout FinchWhat do you not find scary about what he said? Obama admitted he doesn't get his most favorable coverage on Fox. Then he said "we're not all supposed to be lock step here..."
The way I heard it, and almost everyone here, is that it's okay for Fox to march to a different beat than all the rest of the alphabets that do march in lock step with him.
Don't you find it scary, by Obama's own implication, that the vast majority of the media are in "lock step" with him?
Would it have worried you if all the alphabets, minus Fox, were in lock step with Bush on everything he said?
Scout
February 4, 2009 - 01:44 ET by shawn228He said not everyone is supposed to be lock step, I believe that applies to NBC, ABC or CBS.
I guess it is open to interpretation.
He had my vote
Shawn
February 4, 2009 - 02:02 ET by Scout FinchObama infers that since all the alphabets are in lockstep, it's OK for Fox to not be in lockstep. All the other guys have his back.
You can interpret it anyway you want, shawn. As of today, it's still a free country. I can't make any promises for tomorrow.
Only if...
February 4, 2009 - 14:01 ET by CobraMan"He said not everyone is supposed to be lock step"
Apparently that only applies if being out of lock-step doesn't threaten Obama's chance of implementing his policies. When someone like Rush (who Obama must believes has quite an affect on his listening audience, the American electorate) voices his opposition to one of Obama's policies, Obama tells us to ignore that voice of dissent, correct?
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
So, Rush isn't on the same page, but...
February 4, 2009 - 13:45 ET by CobraManRush Limbaugh isn't "on the same page," isn't "in lock step" with Obama when it comes to the bailout (or just about any other of Obama's policies), yet Obama tells the Republicans to ignore him. I would call that hypocrisy.
Obama: My job is above my pay grade
Yes I'm afraid -it's obvious he knows it
February 3, 2009 - 22:32 ET by Dee BunkThat vid of him "surprising" the White House press core was very telling also. They were all drooling over him and the one person who had the nerve to ask a question was chastised in front of the group. Obama was like a teacher telling his students that if even one of them screws up, they will all suffer with no more visits.
That vid
February 4, 2009 - 09:31 ET by trpt4himis also very telling when you see the guy, shortly after it starts, shake hands with Obama and say "I was almost gonna call you Senator.... glad I can call you President."
What happened to objectivity and accountability, possibly the two most important links between government and citizen?
What this really means is
February 3, 2009 - 22:45 ET by SpaceManSpiffWhat this really means is that they've identified the group of people who will take the blame, or be the object of fear, for those who are IN lock step with Dear Leader.
Be afraid all you want. It's
February 3, 2009 - 22:55 ET by balboaBe afraid all you want. It's not as scary as you propose. You _shouldn't_ conclude that Obama is aware that "every other media outlet is in lock step with him."
Obama is aware
February 3, 2009 - 23:36 ET by dark_dsBalboa, I think Obama is smart enough to know that other than Fox most outlets are in lock step with him.
I think he is fully aware of it .....and like a good politician he using that to his advantage ... he is also using the worshiping Obamatrons as well to his advantage
His statement to Wallace is pretty clear on his awareness of who is doing their jobs and who is in the tank.
Water Boarding is illegal but Koolaid Boarding is still an option... dark_ds said that
"You know, we're not
February 4, 2009 - 00:19 ET by stratmanBal:
A) We don't know Obama's thought processes and speech patterns well enough to accurately state Obama's intent. Maybe, but I think there are plenty of people that can read him like a book given his own biographical admissions, associates, and collectively one-sided political actions.
B) Grammatically, Obama's sentence infers that some are supposed to be in lock step.
C) We do know without a doubt that many MSM folks are in lock step with Obama. It is safe to assume Obama knows this fact as well.
D) Obama had his Billy Dee Williams game face on during the interview. Was Colt 45 served?
You stated it better than me, stratman
February 4, 2009 - 00:56 ET by Scout FinchGrammatically, Obama's sentence infers that some are supposed to be in lock step.
Thanks.That was the main
February 4, 2009 - 01:59 ET by stratmanThanks.
That was the main point of the post and the most significant thing I gleaned from the snippet of video. Obama has expectations of a conspiratorial Press. And why not, the MSM polished that apple for him early on.
I must approach Obama based on his words and deeds. The man clearly understands the power of language:
Yes, they do, Barrky. That's why I'll hold his words to him like white on rice. You know, how the IRS holds its employees to that higher standard of honesty in paying their taxes, like how the head of the IRS and Treasury used to be kept to a higher standard of honesty in paying their taxes.
But I digress. It is late.
True, bal, but ...
February 4, 2009 - 01:09 ET by KC MulvilleHe notices when you're not his friend, doesn't he? He knows where he can find a supportive friend in the media (MSNBC) and who you shouldn't listen to (Rush Limbaugh).
What scares me is that he clearly pays a lot of attention to the media. What they say matters to him. His media image is important. And I think if someone ever threatens to disrupt that media image, he quickly orders a nearby bus, and the threat gets tossed under it. Which means no one, even in the service of the truth, will have the guts to disrupt his media image. Group-think is right around the corner.
I like the fact that he went on FoxNews, even though he "joked" about their coverage. He's not in group-think yet, but the game is young. Let's just hope he stays "mirthful" about unflattering coverage, and never tries to block it out.
KC
February 4, 2009 - 02:31 ET by thebutlerdiditI think it is interesting he has all these young under 25ers who work day and night scouring the news and blogs and keeping up with what is being said. I wish he had someone reading this site. maybe they would learn something. ;.)
Bringing the government in to run Wall Street is like saying, "Dad burned the dinner, let's get the dog to cook." PJ O'Rourke
As I replied on a previous thread......
February 4, 2009 - 06:34 ET by old cromethinks he does, they are your typical "troll" who goes about dispupting comments by changing subjects, foul language and general absurdity.
Old Cro
February 4, 2009 - 07:37 ET by thebutlerdiditDo you really think those that troll through NB are on the pay roll, or just ding dongs who just happen to find the site and want to tinkle in the punch bowl? That's a disturbing thought.
Bringing the government in to run Wall Street is like saying, "Dad burned the dinner, let's get the dog to cook." PJ O'Rourke
I don't think all........
February 5, 2009 - 04:35 ET by old croare on the payroll, but seeing the way this thug operates it would not suprise me that low level staffers are assigned the job of disinformation/distraction/tracking of high profile right wing blogs. I would put NB under high profile, since it is mentioned on a lot of shows. Hope I'm being paranoid enough ;) Added thought - Acorn is pretty big and that would be in their MO. Remember, the organization that got him elected was huge, I don't think they all went home to play house.
Agreed Bal He had my
February 4, 2009 - 01:48 ET by shawn228Agreed Bal
He had my vote
well, duh
February 4, 2009 - 10:59 ET by i was just thinking"Agreed Bal"
We already knew that. Tell us something new. (... he says with a friendly smile.)
Not raggin' on ya, Shawn. :D
"Friends don't let friend's vote Democrat."
Really? You have read the
February 4, 2009 - 08:59 ET by txradioguyReally Bal? You have read the news stories (I believed it was covered here as well) that Rahm, Carville, Begala and Stephanopolus have daily meetings to discuss what the Dem topic of the day is going to be haven't you?
If Obama's Chief of Staff is doing this, you can damn well bet his boss knows and approves of what he's doing.
"I May Be Changed By War, But I Will Not Be Defeated By It" - Audie Murphy
Balboa - If Obama's not aware of it then
February 5, 2009 - 09:41 ET by Dee Bunkhe's one of the most stupid people on the planet. I don't think he is. It's obvious the way he struts among them and warns them of less visits if they step out of line.
You can't really be that blind can you balboa? Are you really claiming that the Press don't love him? If you really believe that then you are so far gone in Obama love that nothing reasonable will ever get through. Even most liberals can see that the Press are in love him.
I have thought all along
February 3, 2009 - 23:00 ET by BKeyserI have thought all along that Obama is not smart enough to swindle 51% of the country, the entire media industry, and 1/3 of the world's population all on his own. For that matter, no human is- so this is not necessarily a knock on Obama. The fact that he earned the moniker "The One" is more a factor of a simple-minded electorate and a solidly left media than anything else.
I believe his biggest problems arose when he began to believe what people were saying about him. More than likely it was a bit surprising at first; like a movie star that is discovered in some West Hollywood diner, who's instant success can lead to an inflated ego and a self-belief that because people want to hear your voice, what you're saying actually means something. Take Rene Zellwegger as an example- or Ashley Judd- or (okay, I don't have time to list them all...)
So, I understand why he said what he said. He has received the benefit of an amorous and dilusional media and obviously began to believe all of the praise was deserved, and appropriate. Fox, the only network that provides normal coverage of a normal man must seem antagonistic compared to the worship he receives from the others. Clearly he is aware of this, since he mentioned it to Chris Wallace, but it does not mean he orchestrated it. Poor choice of words, for sure, more a product of his own inflated ego than any thing else.
Of course, George Soros could be pulling the strings in which case we're all in trouble...
Soros was very quiet during
February 3, 2009 - 23:37 ET by kgSoros was very quiet during this election (working behind the scenes) and now after he got Obama elected he is popping his head out with plans to "save" the US economy. A wolf in sheep's clothing.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Those eyes of his look like
February 3, 2009 - 23:07 ET by FairlightThose eyes of his look like he knows he has done something very naughty and he's just dreading on the day it comes out -- and it will. When it does, it's going to make Clinton seem G-rated.
I wonder what Larry Sinclair is doing right now.
My hubby has taken courses in body language
February 4, 2009 - 00:33 ET by thebutlerdiditand speech patterns. He also used to be a killer poker player. He says he would love to play with Obama, he has so many "tells."
Bringing the government in to run Wall Street is like saying, "Dad burned the dinner, let's get the dog to cook." PJ O'Rourke
Obama and friends
February 3, 2009 - 23:41 ET by iveseenitallAs the first few weeks of his presidency are already proving, Barry is in way over his head. He may be able to swim in Hawaii, but he'll sink in Washington unless his strings are being pulled by others, which is what scares me. The "stimulus" bill, for example, appears to be more a concoction of Pelosi and Reid than Barry himself. And those "behind the scenes" talks in the Middle East? Who is truly behind them, and what are they really all about? Bad times ahead. How bad remains to be seen. Hide your children.
NEVER, NEVER trust a "liberal"
Barry in way over his head
February 3, 2009 - 23:49 ET by merlin61I believe that Obama is just a puppet. He was
pushed by the libs, told what to say and what to
do. He has appointed half of the Clinton
admin. already and doesn't have a clue as to what
he is doing and is only acting according to what he
is told. All of a sudden, Soros has come out
of the woodwork publicly. Before the election
he was hiding behind the scenes, pushing all the
money forward for "The One". Now, he isn't
bashful about expressing his far left ideals and
will be pushing the far left agenda even further.
Merlin61
February 4, 2009 - 00:02 ET by iveseenitallRight, Merlin61. George Soros and the entire left are leading him around by the nose. They got him elected. Obviously, he owes them plenty and he has to pay. Futhermore, he doesn't seem to be a person of strong character. Moreover, he is not ready to lead the world. What all this will do to our country is the big question. Scary.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
I am not afraid of what
February 4, 2009 - 00:05 ET by ConservativeRexI am not afraid of what Obami said.
I take it for what it was, it was an attempt to intimidate Fox news.
This man is the president of the US. By him saying he doesn't get the friendliest coverage from Fox News he was saying he had better start getting some good coverage from Fox News.
When this joker starts talking we must always remember he is quoting from Allinsky's little red book. I am convinced there is not one sincere bone in his body. I am getting more and more convinced of this every day.
Stay tuned.
Machiavelli --> Marx -->
February 4, 2009 - 01:03 ET by stratmanPlaying street activists, manipulating poor people using lawyerese gamesmanship is Obama's comfort zone. No real risk of life or limb to him.
In the big leagues as world leader, Obama's showing himself to be a chickenshit. Putin plays chess to Obama's checkers:
Wow. For a lousy 3% of what the Porkulus Bill costs, Obama could have had real, tangible, long term security for American personel in the Middle East and futhered US interests in the region. We probably could have secured a deal with Kyrgyzstan for a lot less if we were perceived as strong.
But noooooooooo! Putin just beyatch-slapped our prez and America's foreign interests for cheap. And the Arabs and Persians took notice.
America's enemies smell blood in the water. Obama's presidential orders to
have signaled WEAKNESS in the US government to our enemies and allies.
Since I don't believe Obama takes his number one duty seriously - securing our Nation - I hope Barry will buy a clue after the first attack on our soil occurs.
→ What they don't say
February 4, 2009 - 00:42 ET by Cool ArrowI wasn't quick to pick up on what he didn't say when he singled FOX out for the "lockste" comment.
But you're right. The obvious insight is that all the rest are in lockstep.
This could pay dividends, though, since the other major conduits are parrots while Fox offers another angle.
HE HE.
February 4, 2009 - 01:07 ET by madbradwilsonThe past 15 days, have been DELIGHTFUL to watch. (if it weren't so sad at the same time.) The sickening thing is the LACK OF ATTACKS by ANY/ALL involved in the media.
It doesn't need to be said what would happen if this were a circus sideshow brought to you by ANY/ALL republicans in the media.
SICKENING. Thank GOD for newbusters, and FOX news teaming up, and doing the right thing by American citizens.
You know, we're not
February 4, 2009 - 01:40 ET by RR GOPYou know, we're not supposed to all be in lock step here..
Possible subtext: "You know, this President thing isn't as easy as I thought it would be, and being surrounded by fawning 'yes men' is, in retrospect, maybe not the best thing for my presidency and securing my place in history after all."
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
Wait a minute
February 4, 2009 - 01:45 ET by RowaneI thought Biden was supposed to be the gaff-machine.
This is so ridiculous.
February 4, 2009 - 02:06 ET by danebramageThis is so ridiculous. Obama's comments do not imply that he thinks everyone else is in the tank for him (even if they are). Let's reverse the case:
O'Reilly: Let me throw another one at you, President Bush, and you tell me whether this is an
exact quote. You were widely quoted, when you met with the House Democratic
caucus saying, go ahead, (inaudible) I'll watch MSNBC and feel bad
about myself.
President Bush: No, I think, Bill -- I think it's fair to say that I don't always get
my most favorable coverage on MSNBC, but I think that's part of how
democracy is supposed to work. You know, we're not supposed to all be
in lock step here, and you've always been very gracious to me and...
Where is the implication that everyone except Fox/MSNBC is in the tank for Obama/Bush? It's in your imaginations, that's where.
Do you watch TV?
February 4, 2009 - 02:28 ET by Scout FinchWhere is the implication that everyone except Fox/MSNBC is in the tank for Obama/Bush? It's in your imaginations, that's where.
You must have forgotten to pay your cable bill this month. Don't worry, There may be something in the "Stimulus" bill to help you with that.
The obvious follow ups: Do
February 4, 2009 - 02:06 ET by snaggletoothieThe obvious follow ups: Do you approve of the democratic elements in our government? Do you think you might allow us to keep them? Did you ever read Milton's Areopagitica? Do you think you might read it soon?
At least he didn't say........
February 4, 2009 - 06:37 ET by old crogoose step.
We are not in lockstep but
February 4, 2009 - 08:56 ET by traditionalistI do fear that we will be expected to be so. This pretender has continued to be not only disparaging but also laying out subtle warnings (threats?) that we had better be. The only organizations that should be in step is the military and not necessarily with orders coming from this CinC. His frustration and disgust is plainly obvious on his face and in his body language.
Point of reference to thebutlerdidit: Ma'am, your hubby is right. From my experience interrogating the terrorists (yes I call them that) I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is hiding something. Consider his reluctance to appear on FOX.
20 Jan 09: The day the Republic died
What's next?
February 4, 2009 - 09:43 ET by Ole_SargeBe afraid, be very afraid; now do something about it.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing"
I have to say
February 4, 2009 - 11:01 ET by klchadwickI have to say this since this topic was posted. I was talking to my mother last night and she brought up the "Daschle Debacle" along with the issues of Geithner, closing Gitmo, the lifting on the "Mexico City" law as well as Obama's views on abortion and government spending. Whiel discussing these issues, she actually said to me (and I quote since it is burned into my brain) "Why didn't I hear about any of his radical ideas and plans during the election?".
I think that I had to pick my jaw up off of the floor before I could give her an answer which I simply stated as "Mom, watching Nancy Grace, Oprah, Larry King Live, the Today Show, Katie Couric and Rick Sanchez is WHY you didn't hear about it. I have told you that you watch the WRONG "news" channels".
Seriously, after the primary elections (we didn't discuss so much during the primaries because she is a registered Independent and in FL can only vote for an Independent in the primary here) she would bring up certain topics that she had heard watching the "news". I asked her time and time again to just for one night, watch the Fox line-up from 6pm to 10pm. I told her that she may not agree with everything that was being said, but she would come away if not more informed, at least asking a lot more questions.
I have to say that my mother is not an internet maven...or even a regular user, but in the last few months she is getting online more and more frequently and is starting to at least ask some of the right questions and not just taking what she hears as fact. Of course, she is still watching some of the same old, same old and last night she asked me "Why is ol' Palin in a snit this time?" after she saw an interview with John Ziegler from howobamagotelected.com on "The View" (cringe), she told me "Boy Barbara was really nailing him hard". For about 30 minutes I explained what howobamagotelected.com was about and some of the clips posted there. In the end, I sent her a link to some of the stories here along with a link to howobamagotelected.com with instructions to watch the videos posted.
After I laid some of this out for her (and tried my very best to do it objectively...except for my sneering at her watching "The View" and "Nancy Grace" for her news) she had already started asking a bunch of new questions. At one point she told me that she isn't sure that she wants to know all of the information that I know and had been relaying to her because she said that it would likely send her in spirals and make her angry. I told her that if she didn't start to pay attention to the real "news" she was just setting herself up to be another uninformed consistuent. I also told her that if she didn't ask questions, she would never learn and brought up the fact that she herself told me this numerous times while I was growing up. I must say that she certainly didn't like having that one thrown back at her!
In the end after she said that she wasn't sure she wanted to know all of this and I informed her that first of all, I only knew a small fraction of what I believe is realy going on while I may have my suspicions and second of all, I was only relaying to her only a small portion of that yet she said that she might get sprial and get angry if she knew this stuff. My response was, "Welcome to my world". ;0)
Well done! I went through
February 4, 2009 - 15:40 ET by stratmanWell done!
I went through a similar process with my mother, a lifelong Democrat. As mom refuses to work with computers, I helped open her eyes the old fashioned way - printing out articles for her to read.
My mom's eyes are opened a lot wider and she's asking good questions - a major achievement as she never was interested in politics before or discussed politics at all.
Now I give mom a couple minute review of what Barry et al have done today. The brevity and somewhat humorous context i try to place the information in seems to make it tolerable for mom. Not bad for a lady that previously didn't want to discuss anything political.
Funny what a 'little skin in the game" will do for perking up interest.
H/t to Obama for bringing mom and me closer.
Obama's Endorsement...
February 4, 2009 - 15:14 ET by AMR1960Roger Ailes should take that sound bite and make a Commercial out of it.
What better way to show the general public, than in the choice words of TheOne himself.
FOX NEWS: Fair...Balanced & Independent! Because you need to Know, more than you need to Cheer...
Long Live...THE REPUBLIC !
Don't Worry
February 4, 2009 - 16:19 ET by jdubyaThe beauty of the internet is that material like this spreads like wild fires, or Montezuma's Revenge (in this case).
With the repeated blunders caused by the Democrats in recent days, this administration may have to do some serious explaining.
God bless Fox News, the
February 4, 2009 - 16:22 ET by InfidelphiaGod bless Fox News, the last bastion of objective journalism in America.