Here's something virtually every American likely thought they'd never see: the New York Times declaring Fox News the winner in a fight with Barack Obama.
Yet, that's what David Carr declared in "The Battle Between the White House and Fox News."
In his piece published at the Times website Saturday evening, Carr almost seemed disgusted with all the attention the White House is giving to a cable news network:
The Obama administration, which would seem to have its hands full with a two-front war in Iraq and Afghanistan, opened up a third front last week, this time with Fox News. [...]
"We're going to treat them the way we would treat an opponent," Anita Dunn, the White House communications director, said in an interview with The New York Times. "As they are undertaking a war against Barack Obama and the White House, we don't need to pretend that this is the way that legitimate news organizations behave."
Ah, but pretending has traditionally been a valuable part of the presidential playbook. Smiling and wearing beige even under the most withering news media assault is not only good manners, but also has generally been good politics. While there is undoubtedly a visceral thrill in finally setting out after your antagonists, the history of administrations that have successfully taken on the media and won is shorter than this sentence.
After discussing past Presidents who unsuccessfully fought the press, Carr first scolded the White House, and then declared an unpredictable winner:
Even though almost all the critiques contained a kernel of truth, in each instance the folks who had the barrels of ink, and now pixels, seemed to come out ahead. So far, the only winner in this latest dispute seems to be Fox News. Ratings are up 20 percent this year, and the network basked for a week in the antagonism of a sitting president...[T]he administration, by deploying official resources against a troublesome media organization, seems to have brought a knife to a gunfight.
Carr seemed even less impressed with the tactics the Adminstration has been employing in this battle:
On the official White House Web site, a blog called Reality Check provides a running tally of transgressions by Fox News. It ends with this: "For even more Fox lies, check out the latest ‘Truth-O-Meter' feature from Politifact that debunks a false claim about a White House staffer that continues to be repeated by Glenn Beck and others on the network."
People who work in political communications have pointed out that it is a principle of power dynamics to "punch up " - that is, to take on bigger foes, not smaller ones. A blog on the White House Web site that uses a "truth-o-meter" against a particular cable news network would not seem to qualify. As it is, Reality Check sounds a bit like the blog of some unemployed guy living in his parents' basement, not an official communiqué from Pennsylvania Avenue.
Ouch. That'll leave a mark, as will Carr's conclusion:
The American presidency was conceived as a corrective to the royals, but trading punches with cable shouters seems a bit too common. Perhaps it's time to restore a little imperiousness to the relationship.
Which puts this author in the uncomfortable position of actually agreeing with the New York Times.
Mark it on your calendar.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
Reality Check?
October 17, 2009 - 22:50 ET by CO2MakerHow about Background Check, by BetterVetter?
And really... "Truth-o-meter"? What does that do, measure "Truth-o" ness? From Politifex Maximus, I'm guessing, an infallible source.
He doesn't seem to know the
October 18, 2009 - 03:42 ET by notonmywatchHe doesn't seem to know the meaning of presidential.
It's the thug-style politics he's always been involved in. He instinctively thinks he can destroy Fox News/Rush Limbaugh/whoever, by talking trash about them.
Man this guy is crashing & burning. More & more I just can't see this guy just going back to Chicago in 2013/17. http://the-left-will...
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Graphical conservative commentary - animations & pictures for posting on forums: http://ubama.org/chu...
Okay...
October 17, 2009 - 22:51 ET by Forest for the TreesSo what's the NY Times angle?
They may really like Obama but they are not stupid
October 18, 2009 - 00:08 ET by richb313They may really like Obama but they are not stupid. If they allow Obama to run un-checked they know that anyone who is critical of the President will be in for the same treatment. The Times wants to protect themselves more than they want to protect the President. I have a small suspicion that the love fest is coming to an end and not because they disagree with his stated positions. It is because he can't deliver. They are finally realising that he is the empty suit we all knew he was. The boy wonder is fast becoming the boy blunder. When the press finally does turn it won't be pretty. The press will be out for blood because they were willing participants and have been made to look the fool.
I could be wrong, but I am seeing more and more critical stories. I give Obama until the new year, and if he hasn't been able to get Health Care passed and the economy is still getting worse they know that they will not be able to cover for him any more and worse they won't be able to cover for them selves. Thier own survival will depend on being critial. I expect many programs and hand wringing episodes where they discuss how they could have let this happen. They did the same thing after Bush was elected and it got to be understood how the Press tried to throw the election by declaring States before the poles were closed. They are real big at hand wringing.
Oh, how I wish you were
October 18, 2009 - 10:36 ET by KevroyOh, how I wish you were right. This media is going to follow Dear Leader right over the cliff. And when they do they will blame 'hate' radio, FOX NEWS, and the racist angry white conservatives. You see, Democrats never lose, they are always cheated.
This media is going to
October 18, 2009 - 21:23 ET by Dan The Man 2This media is going to follow Dear Leader right over the cliff
Lemmings one and all.
Know how to keep a Troll in suspense? Ill tell ya in the morning.
The NYT is either offering
October 18, 2009 - 00:19 ET by d1carterThe NYT is either offering to take up the fight for the White House or they are waving the white flag themselves and admitting that Fox News has kicked their butts as well... who knows?
White house vs Fox
October 17, 2009 - 22:58 ET by charlietexasIt is really, REALLY stupid to take on a single news corporation. I hope they continue....it will bury them with the public. I can't wait until the 10 election cycle.
Marketing 101
October 17, 2009 - 23:06 ET by WagaIt's a basic rule that if you're in a position of power, you don't mention the guys behind you: Pepsi to Coke, Burger King to McDonald's, Avis to Hertz. You never hear it the other way around.
This White House thinks it's the first administration questioned by the press--must be racism.
Olbermann to O'reilly
October 17, 2009 - 23:53 ET by tssclsOlbermann to O'reilly
"thinks it's the first
October 18, 2009 - 03:45 ET by notonmywatch"thinks it's the first administration questioned by the press--must be racism."
Clinton had the same attitude. Dem pols think they are elite and cannot be questioned.
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Graphical conservative commentary - animations & pictures for posting on forums: http://ubama.org/chu...
Yea, I dont know Noel
October 17, 2009 - 23:07 ET by general companyPerhaps it's time to restore a little imperiousness to the relationship.
Seems to me that Carr is offering advice to Obama. The simple acknowledgment that Fox has the upper hand is only to emphasize said advice. Carr want Fox isolated and ignored.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Class-less
October 17, 2009 - 23:15 ET by BKeyserIt's the element of "class" which is clearly lacking in this White House that separates it from all others. Bill Clinton could sit in front of a nationwide audience and say "it depends on what your definition of 'is', is" with more grace and class than this adminsitration can collectively muster for an informal fundraiser. And I use the example of Billy since he managed to denegrate the office more than any president outside of JKF.
I threw together a stupid photoshop earlier that sort of illustrates this. Biden's always good for a coy expression...
Ya Know BK
October 18, 2009 - 09:38 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonI haven't seen a 'stupid' piece of your work yet.
Another excellent piece of work, and I THANK YOU wholeheartedly for your efforts.
http://gjresult.com
1) Because of lowered
October 17, 2009 - 23:14 ET by kevcad1) Because of lowered subscriber numbers, maybe they're trying to lure back former "non-liberal" ones?
2) The "Fox News" watchdog I've read they've empolyed, is starting to show some effects?
Start each day with a smile, then get it over with. - W.C. Fields
Pick up the phone and call Glenn you cowards
October 17, 2009 - 23:18 ET by legacyrepublicanWho cares about the truth-o-meter when the cowards don't even have the courage to pick up the phone and call the phone Glenn Beck set up for them on his stage during his show. If it is that important to you, call!
Obama can't endure the
October 17, 2009 - 23:51 ET by G. MayObama can't endure the glare of one cable news network, so he demeans the office of POTUS by going after FNC like a spoiled celebrity lashing out at the tabloids. His narcissism is more evident by the day.
Meanwhile, Bush endured eight years of unrelenting criticism from every other network both broadcast and cable, as well as most print media and a huge chunk of the internet. I wan't a big fan of Bush and I never thought I'd say this, but the more I see from Obama, the greater my appreciation for Bush.
Bush has...
October 18, 2009 - 01:54 ET by Forest for the TreesBush has more natural class in his left cowboy boot than Obama will ever/could ever pretend to have in his entire being.
Obama
October 18, 2009 - 08:10 ET by BondPlainBondObama is filled with desperation and paranoia.
I guess the obamaists
October 18, 2009 - 00:09 ET by MidAmericaI guess the obamaists can stop any favorable comparisons of obie to Ronald Reagan. Reagan was dubbed the Great Comunicator because of his ability to go over the heads of yapping congress people and the harping media to speak directly to the people and get them to side with him. In spite of a mostly adoring media, obama blames his troubles on one network that won't sing his praises. He's not yet ready to sit at the adult table.
President Reagan was the real deal.
Even the grey old lady takes notice
October 18, 2009 - 01:16 ET by JimmeThe vendetta the Obama administration seems to have with Fox is already beyond childish and down right pathetic. Especially now that Rush has already shown us how you really deal with "lies and misinformation", with cease and desist letters, demands for sourcing and threats of legal action. But thats what you do when you know you are in the right and have nothing to hide.
Fox, which is owned by News Corp., now the most powerful name in news media, With the Wall street Journal being the most respected and largest circulating daily paper, the NY Post beating both the Times and the Daily news in Liberal NYC, FNC totally dominating the cable market along with FBC and the Fox network channel commanding some of the largest audiences of any network (American Idol being #1 by far), has entirely too much influence to be dismissed or bullied by a government entity.
President Obama, Vice
October 18, 2009 - 01:37 ET by lnthompPresident Obama, Vice President Biden, Rahm Emmanuel, Robert Gibbs, and the rest learned absolutely nothing last spring when they went after Rush Limbaugh and succeeded only in increasing Rush's ratings and listenership.
Lee T / USN(ret) / Oregon City, OR
Be careful -- the U.S. Department of Homeland Security thinks I'm dangerous because
1. I'm a U.S. military veteran.
2. I'm not in favor of the government spending money it doesn't have.
3. I believe free speech is for everyone.
and...
October 18, 2009 - 02:00 ET by Forest for the Treesof course you are a legal citizen too, so that is #4. on why you are dangerous!
Re Legal
October 18, 2009 - 09:20 ET by slickwillie2001Good blog post on that Obama-AP article from 2004:
http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2009/10/kenyan.html
Why won't the 0bumma Admn.
October 18, 2009 - 07:34 ET by rockyracoonWhy won't the 0bumma Admn. declare the continuing war on Islamic terrorism, which is likely to begin again some time soon?
I don't remember who said "Never pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel," but IMO it seems appropriate in this instance.
Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
War on terror? Later! War
October 18, 2009 - 07:40 ET by bse5150War on terror? Later!
War on unemployment? Not now!
War in Afghanistan? We'll get back to you!
War in Iraq? What war in Iraq?
War on the deficit? Ummmm....
War on FoxNews? Priorities! All hands on deck! Charge!
It sure seems that way,
October 18, 2009 - 07:57 ET by rockyracoonIt sure seems that way, don't it??
Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
War on Unemployment?
October 18, 2009 - 13:21 ET by Jerry MackJust a second now. He did declare war on unemployment! He said: " My stimulus bill will create 3,000,000 jobs and keep the unemployment rate from exceeding 8%. " He, Biden or one of his minions tell us almost daily how well it is working.
The Problem is that he actually expects us to believe him instead of the facts.
Oh, I see, thanks!
October 18, 2009 - 13:25 ET by BlondeWar on Unemployment....Cut and Run!!!
It all makes perfect sense now.
I hope he fails, too.
→ Cut and Run
October 18, 2009 - 13:28 ET by Cool ArrowAin't that the truth? Cut the jobs and they'll run to the government.
We'll see just how effective this strategy is. It is my hope that Americans aren't particularly interested in being okey-doke slaves.
White House enemies list.
October 18, 2009 - 07:48 ET by nadadhimmiFox, Rush, Savage et al on the Enemies List, too bad the Taliban and Hamas aren't! Obama wants to win his little war with Fox, I wish he cared as much about the COUNTRIES enemies as he does his own PERSONAL enemies. This President is an immature little boy, and we are paying and will pay even greater penalities for electing this vindictive fool.
Enemies List
October 18, 2009 - 09:31 ET by DoktorFrankenThe Taliban, Terrorists, Communists, and Dictators aren't on the White House's enemies list because Hussein's trying to take over our country - not theirs.
JMHO, you understand.
If Saul Alinsky owned a news channel it would be MSNBC. ---- Me
Looking for the liberals
October 18, 2009 - 11:08 ET by TheHistorianI'm looking for the liberals who will call you a racist because you referred to Obama as a "boy". I caught hell and was finally banned from a site because some liberal thinks that word is racist also. Probably need to change the word to puerile rather than boy to satisfy liberals.Remember what happened to the word "niggardly" which has nothing to do with black people. We need more speech codes, obviously.
"What experience and history teach is
this - that people and governments never have learned anything from history,
or acted on principles deduced from it."
G. W. F. Hegel
Re Words
October 18, 2009 - 11:31 ET by slickwillie2001I'm wating for denigrate, blacklist, blackguard, blackmail, halfrican, etc, to be buried in the PC grave as well. I fear we will have liberal language-checkers soon that everything has to be run through. The Bamster administration is showing favor to the UN movement to criminalize language that 'offends' some people, and look at the Canadian experience with a Human Rights Tribunal.
Fox
October 18, 2009 - 09:54 ET by jessieHFox has no problem with obama. It is the corrupt polititions in the govt.. I know, they are all ( with the exception of very few) corrupt. obama is corrupt. Otherwise he wouldn't have sealed his records. I'll stick with Fox, thank you. I like to hear the truth.
Obama is the Emperor...
October 18, 2009 - 10:12 ET by Mitch NJand FOX is the boy who cried: "He's naked!"
Nothing stings quite so much as the truth.
Obie vs Fox News Channel
October 18, 2009 - 10:22 ET by Joseph BrownLeave it to another South Carolinian congressperson to skewer Obama.
According to the state owned Associated Press, when asked about Obama winning the Nobel, US Congressman Gresham Barrett replied:"I'm not sure what the international community loved best; his waffling on Afganistan, pulling defense missles out of Eastern Europe, turning his back on freedom fighters in Honduras, coddling Castro, siding with Palestinians against Israel, or almost getting tough on Iran."
Damn , we've got Jim Waterloo Demint, Joe You lie Wilson and now, Gresham Waffle Barrett. It don't get no bettern' that.
What's the Time's angle?
October 18, 2009 - 13:12 ET by ruffedgeMy guess is the dose of reality that comes when one realizes that if a sitting president can actually take dow a national broadcast news organization another sitting president could take down a newspaer, regardless of size, with even greater ease.
Another Pathetic Piece of Clap Trap by The N.Y. Times
October 18, 2009 - 18:05 ET by John Galt1776Most of the article was spent attacking opponents of Obama's socialist policies as nut cases.
The Times is a piece of Progressive dog sheet and its readers are the flys that are attracted to this kind of crap.
Waaaay too late for this
October 18, 2009 - 23:24 ET by RR GOPWaaaay too late for this Citizen to give a damn what the Old Incontinent Lady has to say about anything.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.