A senior White House advisor on Tuesday told Campbell Brown that Fox News is biased, but refused to comment when the CNN host asked her, "Well, then do you also think that MSNBC is biased?"
During a taped interview at the Woman's Conference in California later broadcast on CNN's "Campbell Brown," Valerie Jarrett sidestepped this marvelous question and instead haplessly said, "I don't want to just generalize all Fox is biased or that another station is biased."
Actually, Jarrett already had, and the incredulous look on Brown's face when the high-ranking Administration official contradicted herself and refused to talk about MSNBC's eminently apparent political leaning was absolutely priceless (video embedded below the fold with transcript, h/t TVNewser):
VALERIE JARRETT, SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR: What we're saying is is that we want the public to understand what's going on. When we saw the kind of distortions this summer, particularly directed at seniors, over health care reform, it was really outrageous. And I think what the president said in his message before Congress is we're going to speak directly to the American people and make sure that they understand the truth. And so, certainly, if we see somebody distorting the truth, we're going to call them on the carpet for that. But we don't want to take our focus away from the core issues that are so important to the American people. Now, when there's all that chatter and distortion and false information, we have to disseminate -- we have to distinguish between truth and fiction.
BROWN: So do you think Fox News is biased?
JARRETT: Well, of course they're biased. Of course they are.
BROWN: Well, then do you also think that MSNBC is biased?
JARRETT: Well, you know what, this is, this is the thing. I don't want to -- actually, I don't want to just generalize all Fox is biased or that another station is biased. I think what we want to do is to look at it on a case-by-case basis. And when we see a pattern of distortion, we're going to be honest about that pattern of distortion.
BROWN: But you only see that at Fox News. That's all, that you've only spoken out about Fox News.
JARRETT: That's actually not true. I think that what the administration has said very clearly is that we're going to speak truth to power. When we saw all the distortions in the course of the summer, when people were coming down to town hall meetings and putting up signs that were scaring seniors to death. When we've seen commercials go up on television that are distorting the truth, we're, we're actually calling everybody out. So, this isn't anything that's simply directed at Fox. We really just want the American people to have a clear understanding. There's so much at stake right now. We really don't have a lot of time for nonsense and distortions. The American people are also smarter than that. Let them reach their own judgments based on the facts. Let's just take health care, for example. Reasonable people could differ about the right approach. So let's have a conversation about that. Let's not scare people by telling them that things are going to happen that are actually not even on the table. Let's just talk about the facts.
Yeah, let's just talk about the facts, but don't ask us about the biases of other media outlets, okay?
Any questions?
Post facto commentary: the hypocrisy on display here was amazing, and very much explained the expression on Brown's face.
Here's this senior advisor saying, "[I]f we see somebody distorting the truth, we're going to call them on the carpet for that." Yet, when she's asked about MSNBC, who even the astoundingly liberal Marc Lamont Hill admits is further to the left than Fox is to the right, Jarrett refused to apply the same standard.
As such, when Jarrett said, "[W]hen we see a pattern of distortion, we're going to be honest about that pattern of distortion," that was obviously a lie, for she wasn't willing to discuss MSNBC's distortions.
Beyond this, when she said, "The American people are also smarter than that. Let them reach their own judgments based on the facts," she was also lying, for if the American people are indeed smarter than that, then they should be allowed to make their own decisions about which news organizations are telling the truth and which aren't.
Given how Fox destroys MSNBC in the ratings, it appears the people have already made that decision.
More importantly, the most poignant aspect of this segment was once again the look on Brown's face, for it's become clear in the past week or so that most of the mainstream media are realizing just how off-base the Adminstration is with this attack on Fox, and they're all beginning to have a problem hiding their embarrassment.
With each passing day, it's becoming more and more apparent just how hapless this White House is, and the folks in the media who aided and abetted Obama's presidential campaign clearly are getting sickened by the trainwreck that's happening before their very eyes.
If only they would have asked him some tough questions last year rather than being dazzled by his charm and overcome with a desire to help elect our nation's first black president maybe they wouldn't be acting so surprised by the lack of adequate attire adorning this exceedingly less than qualified emperor.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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It truly is amazing how stupid liberals must be!
October 27, 2009 - 21:56 ET by jefflebowskiThis attack by Hussein Hopenchange is indeed incredible to watch unfold! How can any adult say with a straight face Fox is not a news organization? If not, then what is the White House definition of a "news organization?" I understand their desire to pat the Democrat propaganda networks on the head..but is anyone really buying this? If so, libs are more pathetic than I originally thought. Which is pretty pathetic!
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Dayuum......
October 27, 2009 - 23:09 ET by pantryman....what a fine example of double-speak, polito-bable and bullshit !
And just what the hell is 'speak truth to power' ??
These silly bastards wouldn't know what truth was if it reared up and bit them on the ass.
I SO look forward to the November elections in 2010...I refuse to vote for a single incumbent...throw them all out ! Let us show obama just how fragile his position truly is.
This bufoon is NOT our master !
Remember in November 2010
I believe there is a large
October 28, 2009 - 20:25 ET by Dan The Man 2I believe there is a large contingent of people that beleive Duh VAin One and the WH. The President and thw bully pulpit he wields along with the SCM see to it the message is skewed to their ideology.
Valerie Jarratt
October 27, 2009 - 22:19 ET by charlietexasThe single scariest woman in the administration.
She is.
October 28, 2009 - 06:55 ET by Red JeepDoesn't she remind you of a villian in a bad computer game or a Grade B horror flick?
Actually, she reminds me of
October 28, 2009 - 08:46 ET by rwesleyActually, she reminds me of the scene in Conan, when James Earl Jones' character morphs into a giant serpent. There. I said it.
Obviously Follow-Up Question
October 27, 2009 - 22:24 ET by srqvetCampbell flunks journalism 101 yet again. Obvious follow-up question would have been; "Valerie, give me a specific example of a distortion made by FOX?"
Another question would have been; "Valerie, have you always been a lying communist?"
Brown is flathead
October 28, 2009 - 15:52 ET by Jerry MackCampbell Brown is just another Obama supporting flathead. This is caused by the praise and head pats from Obama and his administration.
Valerie Jarrett
October 27, 2009 - 22:26 ET by Big MommaHey Val, is it true in New York they call owners of sub-standard housing "Slum Lords", but in Chicago they call them "Administration Advisors" ?
Obama Lies....Freedom Dies
Good one, Big Momma...
October 28, 2009 - 16:28 ET by BO STINKSI would add 'Community Organizer' to your definition.
"How strangely will the Tools of a Tyrant pervert the plain Meaning of Words!" Sam Adams
OK- Mrs. Jarrett-let's have a conversation about scaring seniors
October 27, 2009 - 22:29 ET by Gary HallOkeedokee, Ms. Valerie Jarrett, "let's have a conversation about scaring seniors." Jarrett said:
OK. Mrs. Jarrett. Here's your clear understanding. It was Yo boss, Mr. Adolescent-running-for-President-Obama who was out there scaring seniors (now he's graduated to trying to scare everyone). Source - none other than the left leaning and left supported "FactCheck.org."
I think they nailed it. Anyone who had watched the news during those years knew that wasn't true. Oh, that's the problem here, isn't it. Senator Obama was so uninvolved as a senator, that he probably found out what he believed to be true from the MSM, and the MSM was so biased that they typically mislead all who paid attention to issues such as to how President Bush and Senator McCain were actually proposing to reform SS.
End of story. Unfortunately, Rep. Joe Wilson's little meek "it's a lie," really did not get the message across. President Obama has a habit of lying and scaring all Americans by saying things that just really aren't true.
(;~/ gary
Spin the Tail on the
October 27, 2009 - 22:30 ET by bigtimerSpin the Tail on the Donkey.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Truth to power
October 27, 2009 - 22:32 ET by MadRat"That's actually not true. I think that what the administration has said very clearly is that we're going to speak truth to power." -Valerie Jarrett
I'm sorry Mrs. Jarrett but you are power, the protesters are speaking truth to you.
Tropes for Dopes
October 27, 2009 - 22:47 ET by CO2MakerWatch how often memes become verbal fads, catch on, multiply like Catholic* rabbits after the rain, and then reach a tipping point, collapse, and are never heard from again. I am pretty confident that when the president's apologist asserts that she's speaking truth to power, we're way pass the tipping point and over where you need high waders.
*Don't flame me. I claim a cradle-Catholic exemption to say sh*t like that and get away with it. You wouldn't understand. It's a papist thing. [Aside: not sarcasm, properly. That's smart ass talk.]
<g> That's the universally recognized Internet g-spot.
That was my EXACT
October 28, 2009 - 05:50 ET by rockyracoonThat was my EXACT thought, madrat. B0 IS the power and FOX is speaking the truth she talks about, and they don't like it!! Tough cookies Ms. Jarrett, the whole of the media aint in the tank for you, so deal with it and quit yer whining.
Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
The only
October 27, 2009 - 22:32 ET by jessieHThe only thing I can think to say is " Valerie Jarrett, YOUR FIRED!.
Barry & HIs People Are Hurting Themselves
October 27, 2009 - 22:35 ET by rammingspeedCampbell Brown is a liberal but she's bright. She knows damn well what's going on - the WH calls Fox names because Fox allows the telling of the other side of the story. That hurts Barry. Fox News bad! MSNBC is horrible, but they are on Barry's side. So MSNBC good! I think Campbell swallowed some vomit on that one.
"When we saw all the
October 27, 2009 - 22:51 ET by Alana"When we saw all the distortions in the course of the summer, when
people were coming down to town hall meetings and putting up signs that
were scaring seniors to death."
The people holding the signs WERE the seniors.
Overheard at a town hall meeting
October 27, 2009 - 22:57 ET by CO2Maker"Take my sign, please. It's scaring me too much."
Alana... The people
October 27, 2009 - 23:05 ET by bigtimerAlana...
The people holding the signs WERE the seniors.
....for the most part something the msm choose to ignore.
Wonder why that is?
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
The parable of the pizzas
October 27, 2009 - 23:16 ET by CO2MakerThey ordered three pizzas for a small party, one pepperoni, one half-plain cheese and half-green peppers and onions, and the third one half-mushrooms and half-anchovies and pineapple.
When everyone sat down to eat, there was one guy named Fox who said he liked pepperoni and did anyone else, because he wanted at least two slices, maybe three. The other people said, No thanks.
One guy said with condescension in his voice, "Only the worst people in the world eat meat. I prefer free-range portobello mushrooms on my pizza." Another guy said the pineapple and anchovies made him tingle all over. Another person said it was a joy for her to eat something that Bush didn't eat, so she would not eat a slice of pepperoni either. One after the other, the guests all said they didn't want the pepperoni but preferred the other non-meat pizzas.
After a while, they looked around and realized that, while they hoped to get two slices, no one had changed their minds, so in the end, all the veggie people only got one slice. No one had the courage to speak truth to pepperoni. It didn't even occur to them that they could take a slice of pepperoni pizza, pick off the meat, and wind up with a second slice.
Meanwhile, that Fox guy got his two slices, and a third, and then he closed the box and took the rest of the pizza home when he left.
C02... LMAO... That was
October 27, 2009 - 23:26 ET by bigtimerC02...
LMAO...
That was a great night-capper for me.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
180 turns on sentences
October 27, 2009 - 23:18 ET by timrfrench61Jarrett and Obama have the same superpower: able to say onething in one sentence and the exact opposite the next with out breaking stride.
I guess it's what America gets for trying to be isolationist... when we are the only superpower...
Another superpower they share..
October 28, 2009 - 02:27 ET by ckc1227They both can come up with a lie faster than a speeding bullet.
She really has some nerve complaining about scaring folks. Wasn't it her guy who slandered doctors nationwide by claiming they're out to steal your tonsils and chop off your feet?
"inside out and bakkerds"
October 27, 2009 - 23:20 ET by diskinetic...as my Dad was wont to say.
Truth to Power???
October 27, 2009 - 23:30 ET by slickwillie2001So when the government of the United States of America attacks a TV network, that's "speaking truth to power"? That's ludicrous. And yes, Jarrett is one of the most dangerous persons in this socialist administration.
Yep... Plus looks can be
October 27, 2009 - 23:49 ET by bigtimerYep...
Plus looks can be deceiving.
Take that how you will...I think so much when watching her...I'll leave it at that.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Jarret is only another dim
October 28, 2009 - 05:31 ET by Andrew H.Jarret is only another dim dem who operates with the assumption the American people are stupid enough to believe them.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
The American People
October 28, 2009 - 06:04 ET by actionARE stupid enough to believe them....Obama was elected, wasn't he??
The Left Knows
October 28, 2009 - 06:23 ET by KC BeachThe left knows the people are stupid enough to believe them because the Left has been indoct..., I mean educating the people for too long.
"Stumbles"
October 28, 2009 - 05:57 ET by mad53PAIt was a twofer last night.
Campbell Brown stumbled into "real journalism" with her question and Jarrett just stumbled, period.
I don't even think she believed her answer.
Re-defining words
October 28, 2009 - 05:58 ET by NonanonJarrett said they are dealing with these things on a 'case by case' format. I would define that as naming a specific anchor or program host and a specific example of the 'bias'. Yet they are targeting a whole network as biased and not worthy of Americans' time or interest. But then she also backtracks and said that not all of Fox is biased. Clearly they are not organized or deliberate in their presentation of 'facts' but rather winging it by throwing out insults and charges against their enemies (conservatives) and are used to the adoring 'news' media figures just lapping it up without any hint of disagreement.
I am a bit skeptical about how deep the awakening or resistance the liberal networks are voicing goes, but it is refreshing to see the few examples of questioning the DNC party line we are seeing.
This Jarrett character is
October 28, 2009 - 07:43 ET by celatorThis Jarrett character is one who had flown under the radar for far too long. We need to know a lot more about her, where she gets her agenda, why she has so much power over the Obamas. She gets a free pass from the media. That should end now.
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Just further proof that
October 28, 2009 - 06:39 ET by HockeyKidJust further proof that Obots have no original thought. "Speaking truth to power", eh? What tired old cliche are you going to haul out next, Mizz Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison? I'm guessing you might not want to use "stick it to The Man" in the near future.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
In The meantime......
October 28, 2009 - 06:44 ET by GeneralAlIn the meantime, while our young women and men are dying in Afghanistan, The Teleprompter Play Boy Prez wages war on Fox news! While they die on a foreign battlefield, he plays golf, basketball, jets to fund raisers for his Dummiecrap Commie buddies, and campaigns for a loser in Virginia!
HEY OBAMA! A COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IS SUPPOSED TO COMMAND HIS TROOPS! Instead, you have made FOX the enemy and eat steak while they eat MRE's [That stands for meals ready to eat in case you were wonderin', Suh!].
You are the equivalent of a raw recruit being given command of all the forces! But that doesn't matter! All that matters is that FOX doesn't kisssssss your royal behind [Call me a racist for that but I no longer care! Our military is more important!]!
In 2010, your Dummiecommiecrap buddies will be reduced to a real minority this time and will pay the price for all these indiscresions! You'll be glad to have FOX around then!
What are they so afraid of?
October 28, 2009 - 06:52 ET by Red JeepIn one sense it is comical to see Barry Soetoro
and his thugs get all in a tizzy about a news network that 99% of
America doesn't watch. What are they so afraid of? Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm?
Who is speaking truth to whom?
October 28, 2009 - 07:37 ET by zawnickI cannot believe that the most powerful office on the planet is playing the victim card. It is scary.
Fox should officially BAN
October 28, 2009 - 07:45 ET by Jack BauerFox should officially BAN all members of the Obama Administration from appearing on its opinion shows.
Then sit back and watch the girly hysteria as those who wanted to cold-shoulder them suddenly want to appear on Fox, as is their "right."
Don't call it a "ban"
October 28, 2009 - 08:33 ET by CO2Maker"At this time, Fox News will not make an interviewer available to the Administration interviewee for an interview. We have been quite forthcoming in making our interviewers available to members of Congress, to various state and local officials, and to entertainers and athletes. We will be reviewing our policies and address this issue later in the year. Or maybe next year."
Re Fox
October 28, 2009 - 10:01 ET by slickwillie2001The Bamster's blacklist does ensure that the Fox entertainment channel will not carry any more of the Bamster's speeches, addresses to Congress, or Press Conferences. Perhaps that will even push other networks into dropping him.
it's very clear
October 28, 2009 - 08:36 ET by rowdygirlThe message they're sending is this: "We're punishing Fox for telling the truth, and if you follow their example, we'll come after you too"
I think the other news organizations need to take a long look at they way the administration is behaving. If they go after anyone who disagrees with them, then no one is safe. Any organization that dares to contradict or asks questions that they don't want to answer will end up "exiled" just like Fox News.
Her comment about Americans being smart enough to know the truth is sweet... yeah, we know the truth and they're not telling it.
Alana, great POINT
October 28, 2009 - 08:50 ET by TomoramaUnlike the coward in chief and his haggle of inept minions, ALANA actually made a point to buttress her words.
The elderly WERE the ones holding up the signs, of course the bootlicking media isn't going to point that out.
I like Campbell Brown, and the single follow-up question was pure gold Jerry, but will someone please ASK the next time one of the minions make a remark about Fox's bias to uh, h, uh, uh provide some uh, uh, uh facts to back up their statement?
Alana did it, why can't these geniuses?
A great man once said, YOU only get out of life what YOU put into it, he obviously wasn't a liberal.
Not directed at Fox?
October 28, 2009 - 10:27 ET by awffp1890"So, this isn't anything that's simply directed at Fox."
Could have fooled me!
"Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty." - From the barracks at Ft. Benning
What incredulous look?
October 28, 2009 - 11:24 ET by Yephora"the incredulous look on Brown's face"
I saw no incredulity at all. Disappointed because I really wanted to.
Yeah, I didn't see it
October 28, 2009 - 13:17 ET by deerjerkydaveYeah, I didn't see it either. I think if Brown was really incredulous she would have challenged Jarrett, which she didn't. I think Brown was smiling because she was embarrassed to ask such a question of someone she considers to be a religious figure.
The great irony is that Obama and friends censor themselves by going on CNN since nobody watches CNN (which now has fewer viewers than even their Headline News channel).
Valerie
October 28, 2009 - 11:46 ET by client8Jarrett has about as much credibility as Cody Jarrett. Come to think of it, I would feel better with the Jarrett gang in charge of the Whitehouse. "Made it ma, top of the world."
FACTS???
October 28, 2009 - 16:27 ET by SkipperMLM"Let's just talk about the facts" Ms. Jarrett
Ok Ms. Jarrett..what are the facts? The bill isn't even written, much less published!
And when the first bill was
October 28, 2009 - 19:17 ET by Radical1979And when the first bill was written they wanted it passed without a discussion because it had to be done immediatly.
Also, they keep talking in vague terms about FOX news's distortions. Give me some specifics. Oh, you can't can you Jarrett?
Said this before
October 28, 2009 - 16:47 ET by cajun2There will come a day when these people will have to face the truth. I then want all of the fringe media talking heads to stand up, live on air, apologize to the American people as they hand in their resignations. I AM WAITING.
More...
October 28, 2009 - 19:02 ET by slickwillie2001Campbell Brown just teased her 8pm ET show on Dobbs show, and promised a followup to Jarrett's interview last night.
Let the American public reach their own conclusion?
October 28, 2009 - 19:07 ET by rebel_outlawMizzzz Jarrett proclaimed..."Let them reach their own conclusion".
Please, Mizzzz Jarrett, please stop deciding for us. Please stop lying to us.
I'm amazed at how the liberals in power can all lie in unison without screwing up. They don't have that much brain power, even if you combine it...so how do they all manage to keep their lies straight and keep a straight face. Mind boggling.