If White House communications director Anita Dunn thought she was going to get away with attacking the Fox News Channel without a response from the objects of her disaffection, she was sadly mistaken.
As NewsBusters previously reported, Dunn told CNN's Howard Kurtz on Sunday that Fox is "a wing of the Republican Party" and "not a news network at this point."
On Monday, FNC's Neil Cavuto answered Dunn, and did so in a fashion that should make all those opposing the Obama administration's position on this matter quite pleased.
In fact, I can't wait to see how the astoundingly thin-skinned White House will respond to this (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript, h/t Story Balloon):
So I'm hearing an awful lot about how the White House communications director hates Fox, really, really hates Fox. Anita Dunn saying, and I think I got this quote right, "Let's not pretend they're a news network." She just said that on CNN after saying the same to Time magazine. Lately, it's been her schtick, her game.
So, Ms. Dunn, let's continue playing it, shall we? Let's pretend you're serious. Let's pretend you're not a tad, oh I don't know, thin-skinned. Let's pretend you get your facts straight on whether we thoroughly reported Republican Nevada Senator John Ensign's affair which we did, or only trash Democrats and not Republicans, which we do not. Let's pretend you are open to criticism. Let's pretend you see alternative points of view on healthcare. Let's pretend when someone opposes your view, they might have a point and when you simply refuse to accept it, you're the one who may not have a clue. Let's pretend you have a memory and recall Fox programs like this one disparaging last year's financial rescues and whether they were pouring good money after bad. Let's pretend you know history and recall that a Republican was in the White House back then, and a Republican treasury secretary refused to come on this very show back then. Let's pretend you are aware that on Fox Business shows, in particular, this isn't about this president or the last president. This is about your money, our money, all of our money. Let's pretend you are interested in that and not dismissing that.
Let's pretend you work for the President of the United States and not some left-wing blog in the United States. Let's pretend you are as big as the historic place you work and not as petty as the less than historic words you spout. And let's pretend you care about all of our independent viewers and aren't being just careless about those viewers' cares. So let's pretend you're focused on the issues that matter and not the petty squabbles that do not, just as we should pretend you're not overwrought and snapping. Maybe you're just overworked and snippy.
Or, maybe since Obama was treated with kid gloves by so-called journalists since the day he tossed his name into the ring in February 2007 he just can't bear being scrutinized by anyone, and childishly sends his minions out to chastise those that have the unmitigated audacity to stand up to him now that he's President.
Unfortunately, this is what happens when press members let their own political interests get in the way of performing their jobs.
Bravo, Neil. Bravo.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
Go Cavuto!
October 12, 2009 - 22:02 ET by Forest for the TreesGood job Cavuto! Just what she deserves.
Cavuto just reinforces why
October 12, 2009 - 22:28 ET by bse5150Cavuto just reinforces why I love FoxNews.
Got all my homepages on my work and home computers set to FoxNews and it's the only news I watch.
NB, let's pretend that this
October 12, 2009 - 23:27 ET by jdhawkNB, let's pretend that this is a non story and that Fox can take care of themselves as can Rush. And, that there is legislation making its way to a final vote before a senate committee. The legislation - now wait for it - is obamacare.
If you all think that these non stories about Fox and Rush are worth spreading all over your pages for days, go for it.
However, you might consider that the insurance industry just dropped a bomb on Baucus' healthcare legislation. It is on the front page of the Drudge Report. Here is the link: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091012/D9B9QLO81.html
To all of you that think obamacare may just kill you, write, call, or e-mail your representatives and tell them to vote no on obamacare. Tell them you think that the insurance industry is right, you don't want your healtcare insurance to soar following the full implementation of this legislation as proposed by Baucus. The insurance industry hired Price Waterhouse to do the analysis of Baucus' legislation. They concluded that the legislation could add as much as $4000 dollars more to your health care insurance bill a year!
Stop the insanity. The bill may come up for a final committe vote this week and be on the floor of the Senate for a full vote of that body sometime next week. This legislation must be stopped.
You're absolutely right
October 13, 2009 - 02:24 ET by Indiana JoeYou're absolutely right about the Baucus legislation and the insurance industry report. Ditto that it's a good idea for all those opposed to Obamacare to write their representatives. The point is conceded.
That doesn't change the fact that Newsbusters is an organization dedicated to "Exposing and Combating Liberal Media Bias." It's not an organization dedicated to lobbying for or against this or that bill. And when the White House decides to join the liberal media in it's anti-conservative bias, that's exactly the kind of story I expect from Newsbusters. And I expect them to report on each and every article, TV spot, blog, or radio show that is relevant to that mission. That is NB's raison d'etre (pardon my French).
You've been around here long enough to know that.
"Four legs good... two legs better!" - George Orwell
Let's pretend that this
October 13, 2009 - 11:34 ET by Chris NormanLet's pretend that this site involves itself in media bias and as part of that, government's interaction with the media and it's potential to chill critical media coverage. Then, let's pretend that this site is not about public policy and congressional bills in general - pro or con - except as they affect the media or the media's coverage of them. Let's further pretend that there are more suitable web sites where to discuss and oppose the coming disaster of health care reform in detail.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Worst administration evah!
October 12, 2009 - 22:08 ET by JWFWe are not socialist yet. They can't shut down FNC at gunpoint and they can't stop me from watching at gunpoint.
I fail to see how demonizing 2 channels I watch and enjoy will further their cause in the slightest.
Post partisaniest President evah!
Sincerely,
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
Awsome! Let's Pretend the WH is listening
October 12, 2009 - 22:08 ET by Poljunkmaybe BO will rise above partisanship, racial disparity and actually stop his surrogates from these pathetic attacks on a single network. If I were BO I'd consider myself lucky there is only one network challenging him, last time I checked the Media is SUPPOSED to hold the Politicians accountable, the Media is SUPPOSED to be the watch dog on behalf of the folks! At last count we only have one network doing what all networks should be doing! Again, the WH should consider themselves fortunate (from 2001 to 2008 the Bush Administration had just about every networks, newspapers, radios, blogs, magazines and countless other sources of communication holding their feet to the fire), like it or not this is the JOB OF THE MEDIA, hold our officials accountable, what part of that is the White House not getting!
Bravo, Mr. Cavuto!
October 12, 2009 - 22:08 ET by ChupacabraFriends, Romans, Countrymen....lend me your ears!
Mean old Fox News!
October 12, 2009 - 22:25 ET by jefflebowskiWhy can't they be just like all the others? It's so much easier that way. Sad thing is Fox truly does give both perspectives. I would just as soon not have to listen to Geraldo, Shephard Smith and Mara Liasson but Fox always trots out a lefty when they interview a conservative.
The Old Media gave up the pretense of journalism a long time ago. As was said by one of the speakers at the 9-12 march, "the media that is mainstream is nothing more than a Democratic party propaganda machine!"
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Smith seems to have gotten better
October 13, 2009 - 08:39 ET by jon_torlinI've been avoiding any shows with Smith on it, ever since he went nuts a few years ago during NOLA after Katrina and then how he started getting liberal and etc like the so-called torture issue.(Boy did he make an ass of himself there)
But lately, he's been kinda mellow and reporting on the news rather than the talking head stuff that got him fewer viewers....or is he still doing that?
-Jon
Little Green Footballs posted Dunn's video.
October 12, 2009 - 22:27 ET by superconHere is what Chuckie said:
"
15
Charles Mon, Oct 12, 2009 12:36:00pm replyquote
"I have to agree with her -- strongly -- about Fox News. Fox has
become one of the worst examples of contemporary media in existence,
with their promotion of creationism, fear-mongering and race-baiting,
O'Reilly's disgusting "Tiller the baby-killer" remarks repeated over
and over (right up until Dr. Tiller was murdered), and the bizarre John
Birch Society-inspired craziness of Glenn Beck.
They're not just promoting the GOP, they're promoting the fringe, wacko right wing."
That place is a car wreck now.
" if Republicans are able to stop Barack Obama on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo, it will break him...." -Sen. Jim DeMint
Charles Johnson will be the next David Brock
October 12, 2009 - 22:32 ET by R D HelmOnly he is going to be an even bigger Johnson than was Brock.
:-)
-Dave
R.D. Clever..
October 13, 2009 - 05:37 ET by USA4freedomR.D.
Clever.. lol
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
I have an official request.
October 12, 2009 - 22:36 ET by JWFCan we now remove LGF from the list of blogs please.
He has gone over to some dark place.
I'll second that.
October 12, 2009 - 22:43 ET by superconHis contempt for conservatives is now the main theme of his blog. He bans everybody who won't drink his kool-aid. He makes the Daily Kos look reasonable.
" if Republicans are able to stop Barack Obama on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo, it will break him...." -Sen. Jim DeMint
Re That Website
October 12, 2009 - 23:52 ET by slickwillie2001I second. Nothing worthwhile there.
Charles Johnson is a total moron..who cares anymore?
October 12, 2009 - 22:37 ET by jefflebowskiLittle Green Footballs is a joke of a blog. If commenters don't agree with every pinheaded thought from their weird leader, they are immediately banned! The majority of his rants are against Christians who believe in Creationism. The rest seem to be against the tea party movement...who he seems to think is controlled by white supremacists! I used to read LGF when I first got into blogging 18 months ago but found it to be tedious and, now, just boring and repetative.
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
I used to post on LGF
October 12, 2009 - 23:20 ET by richb313I used to post comments on LGF but it is as you have described. The posters and most of the commenters are narrow-minded holier than thou athiests. They are the kind that think thier position is smart that any other view is stupid. I could always shut them up with where did all the stuff that made the big bang come from? The personal attacks followed of course. I am not a Scientist and I don't play one on TV but I have always had good discussions and debates with real scientists I have worked with through the years. These wanna bees on LGF do not understand that to be a real scientist you have to at least listen to an argument and then point out the flaws. There method is to not listen and then point out flaws you did not argue.
Yeah, Neil! Watch your back!!!
October 12, 2009 - 22:35 ET by cbrown90Thank God for Neil Cavuto!!! But I suggest that you look over your shoulder everyday from now on and double check your tax returns, too. This White House is so completely thin skinned that they are going to go ballistic on you for this. They'll come at you any way they can! I can see easily picture Rahm Emanuel, knife in hand- stabbing it into the desktop, yelling Neil Cavuto- dead! Neil Cavuto- Dead! Good work, Neil, but don't get yourself killed!!! These guy in the White house are clearly out of control!!!!
I bet Cavuto is smooooth
October 12, 2009 - 22:47 ET by Guapo DiabloI bet Cavuto is smooooth with the ladies. Heh.
I noticed Johnson was
October 12, 2009 - 22:50 ET by Guapo DiabloI noticed Johnson was aggreesively defending this White House Spokeswhiner at LGF and of course slamming Fox. Johnson reminds me of my ex-wife. Hint: Not a compliment.
Please, PLEASE, PLEASE!!
October 12, 2009 - 23:27 ET by TenebrousPlease, PLEASE, PLEASE!! remove LGF from your blogroll.
I've watched LGF go from being a beacon of sanity and fact-checking to a home for the invalid. It all started with CJ slamming creationists, picked up steam with his taking umbrage at not being worshipped at an anti-terror conference, hit warp speed with his year-long feud with the Gates of Vienna people, and now, there's nothing left.
Again, I implore you -- please take down to the link to LGF. Newsbusters loses credibility by linking to that site.
-----
Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
tenebrous -- spot on. I
October 13, 2009 - 03:16 ET by Jack Bauertenebrous -- spot on. I removed my personal link a long time ago.
The guy running that site (and it's his site he can do what he likes) used to pose as a conservative. His evolving paranoid obession and hatred of Christians went from mild to insane in a matter of months.
The site became unreadable, and left a really nasty taste. No story was too tangential to link to so-called "creationists."
Like that's the most important thing in America at the moment, whatever one's views.
Ick. After such a great
October 13, 2009 - 06:53 ET by HockeyKidIck. After such a great job fact-checking the Rathergate memo, you'd think he could apply the same seriousness to other topics. But it seems he's gone over to wholesale frothing at the mouth. He obviously doesn't realize that it makes him as insufferable as Rather now.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Neil Cavuto = A # 1
October 12, 2009 - 23:28 ET by dasherI think Neil is one of the best on Fox News. He is a great interviewer, and asks tough questions. And his little monologues are always a keeper. This one was for the ages. Way to go Neil.
I also vote to cast off LGF.
"Liberalism is just Communism sold by the drink." P.J.O'Rourke
As the notorious PAB said "
October 13, 2009 - 00:10 ET by chicagotraumaAs the notorious PAB said " N Cav straight Frontin"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbd0nnW-VMc
The WH response to this
October 13, 2009 - 02:27 ET by Indiana JoeThe WH response to this should be interesting. Maybe they'll just tap Cavuto's phones, pull his tax returns for the last 20 years or so, and start interviewing prostitutes in a 100-mile radius from his house.
Or maybe they'll play dirty.
"Four legs good... two legs better!" - George Orwell
Let's pretend Obama doesn't
October 13, 2009 - 02:54 ET by 10ksnookerLet's pretend Obama doesn't lie ...
Obama Lies
October 13, 2009 - 03:30 ET by Jeff in Miami BeachI'm not sure you can say Obama Lies any more (at least according to the New House Rules). I guess we just say Joe Wilson as the new code words for You Lie and let it go at that!
If you think medical care is expensive now wait until it is free!
The White House is playing "let's pretend"
October 13, 2009 - 07:52 ET by c5thenThey've been playing that game since January 20, 2009. They are just showing their high school mentality when someone (usually FoxNews) calls them on it.
Throw 'da bums out!!!
no incumbent re-elected, with very few exceptions!
www.loyaltoliberty.com
no no
October 13, 2009 - 09:05 ET by AJBThrow them ALL out!!
FAIL
October 13, 2009 - 08:54 ET by AJBHealthcare rationing already starting in Massachusetts where the Obozo administration looks as a guiding light to his massive overtake of the US Health Care system. Yeah, all you suckers who want Obozo care get ready for what you deserve! Reform? No. Payback to unions, politicians, ACORN, and all things liberal.
FAIL
October 13, 2009 - 08:55 ET by AJBHealthcare rationing already starting in Massachusetts where the Obozo administration looks as a guiding light to his massive overtake of the US Health Care system. Yeah, all you suckers who want Obozo care get ready for what you deserve! Reform? No. Payback to unions, politicians, ACORN, and all things liberal.
Fox News, and specifically
October 13, 2009 - 09:28 ET by SnappyFox News, and specifically Neil Cavuto are now officially, as of this moment, on DOUBLE SECRET PROBATION!
I could hug this man!
October 13, 2009 - 11:01 ET by katainkentthis guy (and his show) is the one thing I miss about having cable :) WTG Neil!
____________________________________________
The Emperor, he has no clothes
A more righteous
October 13, 2009 - 19:21 ET by MikeBA more righteous **tch-slapping there never has been. That is going to leave a mark ... at least it would if Anita Dunn had any integrity at all. But, then, if she had integrity, she wouldn't be a liberal.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Maybe Obama read the book Chavez gave him
October 13, 2009 - 22:45 ET by Redrowan2000Hugo Chavez says that he backs the president and the present administration in it's dealings with Fox news and any other news outlets that oppose Hussein. He also said that he will show him a few things later on, like how to shut down those who disagree with him.
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Red
Red, Obama IS the book that Hugo Chavez gave him
October 13, 2009 - 23:17 ET by R D Helm-Dave
Well said Neil keep it up!!
October 22, 2009 - 08:36 ET by Laffing at libs and leftiesLet's pretend you work for the President of the United States and not some left-wing blog in the United States.
Anita Dunn I'm so glad you run your mouth such as you do maybe now you'll be shown the door this weekend ala Van Jones!! You putz!!