"Special Report" host Bret Baier thinks Tuesday's election results changed the White House's view of the Fox News Channel.
He further believes that Obama senior adviser David Axelrod's interview with Fox's Major Garrett Wednesday was a sign "they’re gonna start playing ball on the news side."
During his Thursday chat with WOR radio's Steve Malzberg, Baier also agreed that Fox's ratings domination on election night had to be an eye opener for the folks at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (15-minute audio available here, relevant section at 8:50):
STEVE MALZBERG, HOST: David Axelrod back on, back on Fox yesterday. He did an exclusive interview, you know, with Fox, one on one I should say with Major Garrett. Is this some kind of signal, or, or was were the election results just so bad that he just needed to put the White House spin on Fox?BRET BAIER, FNC: (Laughs) Well, you know, I think it's a signal. I really do. I think that the White House realizes that, that perhaps it's time to stop what they were doing which was, you know, speaking out against our news shows. They obviously have a problem with the opinion shows, and they're tough on the Administration. But, but it appears that they're, they're gonna start playing ball on the news side. I also think however as you mentioned the elections did affect the, David Axelrod going out because they look at those numbers. 63 percent of independents in Virginia voting Republican and 58 percent in New Jersey voting Republican. And, you know, a lot of independents and moderate Democrats and even Democrats watch Fox News Channel, so...
MALZBERG: You guys killed in the election. I mean, you, CNN was fourth. You guys had over 4 million and everybody else had under 1 million. I mean, you guys were, were, were, I mean devastating in the ratings.
BAIER: Yeah.
MALZBERG: So, I guess they're looking at that.
BAIER: (Laughing) They look at the numbers, I'm sure they do.
Will Baier's prediction hold true and we're going to be seeing a lot more White House officials on Fox?
Frankly, with healthcare reform passing in the House Saturday, it is quite possible the change of strategy towards FNC will be put on hold pending how the bill moves through the Senate.
If Reid can keep the Democrats in line enough to get this disgusting piece of legislation passed, the Administration might not feel the sense of panic that led Axelrod to chat with Garrett Wednesday.
On the other hand, if a couple of moderate Democrats join Republicans in a filibuster, the White House might be more inclined to make some appearances on Fox.
As the late Ed Hart was famous for saying, we will know in the fullness of time.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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I think the White House Fox News Hatred...
November 8, 2009 - 16:45 ET by traderjamesintensified when Chris Wallace (in his calm, professional, yet stern manner), tore apart that Veterans Affairs chica, who was unprepared to say the least, and misleading, to say the worst. I mean, he ripped her to shreds on that 'end of life' manual that supposedly was not being passed out by the VA, but indeed was being passed out. That's my theory on when this campaign of 'not a real news channel' began.
Very fun to watch.
Never
November 8, 2009 - 16:51 ET by slickwillie2001Not going to happen. Attacking anyone that disagrees with them is this thug administration's way of doing business, it's the Chicago way, and they are not going to change. Under a Republican House or Congress the Bamster would be incapable of changing like Clinton did. The Bamster is more likely to go into permanent rage mode. He'll be Obama Rage Boy, like the famous islamic rage boy in Pakistan.
White House on Fox
November 8, 2009 - 16:59 ET by burtonrobsonIf the W H called and asked to be on Fox, I wish they would answer with a quote from the Fonz, "Sit On It"!
Those were my first thoughts, too!
November 8, 2009 - 20:45 ET by Cape ConservativeTell them to take a number and we'll get back with them at OUR convenience!
For some reason politicians never seem to be able to learn from their mistakes. Rush turns Harry Reid's STUPID letter into a gigantic charitable contribution and yet the White House thinks making him or Glenn Beck or FoxNews boogeymen is going to bring them credibility????????? I certainly hope the Republican politicians are watching and listening and LEARNING what NOT to do ever again!!!!!!
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise designated by Homeland Security as a Domestic Right Wing Terrorist! And now by our president as a 'swiftboater' - both titles I'll wear proudly! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
202.224.3121 LET CONGRESS HEAR THE ROAR OF THE SILENT MAJORITY!
202.456.1111 WHITE HOUSE COMMENT LINE
Heck...even if the
November 8, 2009 - 17:00 ET by bigtimerHeck...even if the O-Administration uses the usual tactics they do regarding Fox with the back and forth spin...they always have the dependable CNN/msnbc to use as surrogates....just listening to these networks attempt to slander Fox is amusing anymore...Howie did it again this morning on CNN...it was really fair and balanced let me tell ya.
They really don't have any common business sense....either one of the networks...they keep sinking and yet keep spinning the same hateful propaganda.
Idiots all of them...buying a clue won't help...they have to know by now they are sinking in the ratings and have been for a very long time and do not care....their hatred rules....agenda is all that matters.
I just hope they keep digging their on holes....
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
bt - except........... they are all standing there waiting for
November 8, 2009 - 20:49 ET by Cape ConservativeTHEIR bailout $$$$ (from your and my pockets!!!) I know JohnFnKerry is trying to find dollars to keep the Boston Globe from going under...and with our fairness in media, I can just see more of OUR $$$ going to aid these lying monsters! The president has already made several mentions of assisting the media.
This comment comes from a proud Tea Party attendee, otherwise designated by Homeland Security as a Domestic Right Wing Terrorist! And now by our president as a 'swiftboater' - both titles I'll wear proudly! It is no dishonor to be in a minority in the cause of liberty and virtue ~ Sam Adams
202.224.3121 LET CONGRESS HEAR THE ROAR OF THE SILENT MAJORITY!
202.456.1111 WHITE HOUSE COMMENT LINE
→ Fn Kerry
November 8, 2009 - 20:54 ET by Cool ArrowWhy doesn't he get his ketchup soaked meal ticket to buy the Globe for him.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Taaarasa must have told him
November 8, 2009 - 20:56 ET by bigtimerTaaarasa must have told him 'No'.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Don't know about anyone else, but it really galls me to know
November 9, 2009 - 11:04 ET by Cape Conservativethat these two are out there enjoying the wealth of a REPUBLICAN! Must make it all the better for JFnK!
→ Yup
November 9, 2009 - 11:06 ET by Cool ArrowThey built an outhouse over his grave.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
I told you so....
November 8, 2009 - 17:07 ET by CatherwoodI must say I told you so. Two weeks ago I predicted that the White House would fold their cards, say it was all a little misunderstanding, and they would play nice from now on. Several on this blog disagreed and said the White House would never capitulate. I am not here to gloat, though about being right. What I would like to point out is many of you still underestimate how weak and cowardly a ferret like Rahm Emanual and a bottom feeder like Axelrod are. These guys only fight when they know that they will win. They have no spines. They slink around just high enough off the ground to lick Barry's boots. They and that media woman Barry employs just say and do things because they think Barry will tell them 'good job my minions'. The battles they pick have no substance and they fight them onlyh when there are five of them and one of the enemy. Slimeballs like these will always surrender when the going gets a little tough. I knew they would back off on the challenge to FOX because they would do what it takes to make Barry feel like the undefeated, unscarred champion that he isn't. Guys, just be aware in the future that your dealing with the lower forms of life and never forget how weak they are when it comes to fighting the good fight.
Call your cable or satellite company and demand that they remove CNN, MSNBC, and MTV from your entertainment package. Stop subsidizing the liberal left.
They are not capitulating
November 9, 2009 - 02:10 ET by Dan The Man 2They are not capitulating merely backing off and regrouping. They will again show up and we must be vigilant.
Putz of the United States
November 8, 2009 - 17:07 ET by miss911ninjaI just want to say how much I love the photo of Barry in full tantrum mode with his puny little fist all clenched and threatening! What a putz!
You know if the WH maybe
November 8, 2009 - 17:15 ET by kangarooYou know if the WH maybe looked at the ratings 'FOX' had in the first place a few eggs may have been created or saved from hitting them full on in the face.
Are you drinking the Fox News kool-aid?
November 8, 2009 - 17:21 ET by CO2MakerWhy would A-Rod and Co. now be inclined to treat Fox any differently because FNS's viewer numbers were so much better than MSCNNBC on election night? They're always better. Fox beats the other "cables" combined every night.
Instead, A-Rod might reason that because Fox is consistently so much stronger than the others that the WHies should preach to those viewers and not to the 10 or 15 choir members on the other networks.