Fox & Friends Weekend hasn't lost Kiran Chetry -- it's gained Ainsley Earhardt. The recent FNC hire began her tenure on this weekend's shows, and by all appearances has made a smooth landing. Sandwiched between the "Kelly Brothers," Kelly Wright and Greg Kelly, one of the first stories the trio discussed this morning was the results of the presidential straw poll at this weekend's CPAC conference in Washington.Kelly Wright described Mitt Romney's straw poll win as a surprise "because of his Mormon background," then added that "he isn't running to be chief theologian, he's running to be chief executive officer of the United States." Observed Earhardt: "a lot of people were skeptical about [Romney] but many people after hearing him speak at the CPAC conference yesterday, many people were calling to say he's going to be the top candidate." Ainsley also made reference to Newt's relatively strong showing of 14% despite the fact that he won't join the race, if at all, until at least September.
View video here.
My two cents say that while Romney's win was mildly surprising, this was after all not an evangelical gathering but a conservative one. Among the frontrunners, McCain wasn't present and Rudy is openly liberal on the social issues. Mitt's win thus shouldn't be much of a shock. He also was apparently the best-organized candidate at the event, the halls and corridors thronged with T-shirted supporters.But back to Ainsley. I bit of Googling unearthed this article, which reveals that she comes to FNC from KENS TV in San Antonio, Texas. A reporter there writes of the move:
- It certainly helps to be liked by the CEO of Fox News, Roger Ailes . During her interview at the channel, Earhardt personally met with Ailes. Clearly the meeting went well; she was practically hired on the spot.
- It couldn't hurt that Earhardt is a strong Christian with fairly conservative values, considering Fox has a reputation of being further to the right than other national and international news outlets, right?
- Maybe, but Earhardt told me Ailes emphasized that Fox News didn't deserve that rep and was dedicated to fair and balanced coverage and news reporting.
As long as we're getting biographical, in researching this item I learned that Greg Kelly spent nine years as a fighter jet pilot in the Marines and is now a Major in the Marine Reserves. Kelly Wright is an Army veteran who attended Oral Roberts University.
In any case, welcome Ainsley -- we'll be watching!
Aside: As for the headline -- yes, I know that Ainsley's last name isn't spelled quite the same as that of the famed flyer, Amelia Earhart. Call it a bit of aviation license on my part.
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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I know that Ainsley's last
March 4, 2007 - 08:50 ET by Jack BauerI know that Ainsley's last name isn't spelled quite the same as the famed flyer, Amelia Earhart. A little aviation license on my part, so to speak.
That's a relief. Didn't Amelia go missing, never to be seen again by the general public?
A bit like Rita Crosby?
The theory is that Amelia's
March 4, 2007 - 10:54 ET by DyneThe theory is that Amelia's plane went down somewhere in Micronesia and the Japanese, who were occupying and fortifying the islands at the time, killed her as a spy. 'course it's just a theory I've heard as one who lived in that area for a good number of years.
"And [Moroni] called it the Title of Liberty" - Alma 46:13
Slow news day?
March 4, 2007 - 09:27 ET by Roger the ShrubberSlow news day?
FNC
March 4, 2007 - 09:45 ET by iveseenitallI'm glad for this young lady. However, I must comment that it is a shame the "news" has become so obsessed with personality and looks. True "journalism" in America is gone. The days of competence and experience, the true credentials one needs to analyze the news, are over. Sad in a democracy, but unfortunately, a sign of the times.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
It's always been about look
March 4, 2007 - 10:00 ET by Dee BunkIt's always been about looks for women anchors/hosts on T.V. I'm just glad to see a conservative one make it through. Even on FNC most of their recent hires have been liberals so I think this story is very pertinent.
I have no idea what her compitence is, but just the fact that she is conservative means she isn't an air-head. To go through all the liberal classes and be around all those liberals for so long and still be able to think independently says something in my book.
small favors
March 4, 2007 - 10:05 ET by iveseenitallThank God for small favors. But "at least she's conservative" is pretty discouraging to an old timer like me. I think we can do better.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Welcome Ainsley! All the best
March 4, 2007 - 11:55 ET by winston smithWelcome Ainsley! All the best and more as the new FOX beauty! Although I must say I will miss the captivating, dark-eyed Kiran and I think she would have been a better fit as a F&F weekday regular than Grechen Carlson. But I heard that her agent made some outrageous demands in her contract (one, that Carlson should be terminated!) which permanently poisened the once tranquil waters with FOX News. Kiran was seen reading the news rolls on CNN the very next day which means I will not likely see her again. And one enthralled CNN exec said that he thinks Kiran is in the same league as Katie Couric! I do hope Kiran was not offended. Sad, she's no longer on a No. 1 network but I wish her luck all the same. And ditch that lousy agent, Kiran! I bet he'll be demanding Paula Zahn be terminated when Kiran's contract comes up for renewal.
WS - For a moment there, I th
March 4, 2007 - 12:03 ET by ThisnThatWS - For a moment there, I thought you were talking about Greta Van Susteren, instead of Grechen Carlson. We can't ask for Greta to leave! I haven't yet seen the 203rd episode of the Anna Nicole burial. Take away Greta, and I won't be able to get to sleep at night.
Don't worry there's still p
March 4, 2007 - 12:07 ET by winston smithDon't worry there's still plenty of episodes on the continuing saga of Natalie Holloway that will keep you glued to the set. And if you're still not satisfied, I have some old Chandra Levy tapes I can lend you!
On Kiran Chetry
March 4, 2007 - 23:09 ET by UnsaneCan someone fill me in on what became of Kiran? If she switched to CNN, I will begin a rapid slide into a week-long depression...
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
thank you fox
March 4, 2007 - 12:26 ET by foolnomorekeep the blonde!! good bye kiran, i'll be watching a little more over the weekends,plus"she" may know something about "nascar" too,
Mark-I beg to differ. I act
March 4, 2007 - 13:10 ET by CaringwhiteguyMark-I beg to differ. Those astute comments you liked were probably right on the teleprompter. I actually found her reportage to be far less skillful than her looks were good. However, for those interested in the physical aspects of cable reporting I can say without a doubt that not one single hair will ever be out of place on this babe, her colors will always coordinate and her smile will always be Pepsodent bright. Poor Chetry, from time to time, especially after returning from maternity leave, her hair was a bit mussed . . . . and Gretchen Carlson, please sweetie we don't need to see any more of your middle-aging thighs.
it wouldn't be so bad, but
March 4, 2007 - 14:50 ET by tumbler_2007My closest attention is on the CPAC take; by which we're supposed to realize Mitt Romney now takes over the GOP lead. If this is true,
We can hand it to Hillary over the telephone, she's a shoo-in come 2008. The "inclusion" of Romney is simply bad news, I feel. He won't win the White House.
Undoubtedly, Mitt would make a much better President for this country than Hillary Clinton. But it's doubtful the voters will turn out in force to elect him. He won't appeal to any swing voters or liberals. Whereas, Rudy would. Rudy can beat Hillary; since he actually could steal a portion of her liberal base while still motivating many hard-line conservatives.
I dislike his social conscience as much as any other conservative. But do I acknowledge how terrific he is as a leader? As a public servant and charismatic personality? Everyone acknowledges it. I do too. Unless Newt runs, I'll support Giuliani.
I'm willing to cut this woman
March 4, 2007 - 21:06 ET by CaringwhiteguyI'm willing to cut this woman some slack because Fox News has had some very knowledgeable and articulate blonde female personalities, and in fact, still does. However, my reaction to Ms. Earhardt was that we were watching the Miss South Carolina Pagent . . . . . and after Ms. Earhardt told everyone she was for peace, curing AIDS and being nice to puppy dogs, we found there wasn't much else "there" there.
I lived in San Antonio for th
March 4, 2007 - 14:54 ET by TEI lived in San Antonio for three years and am familiar with the author of this piece Jeanne Jakle of the San Antonio Express-News. Surprise: Jakle is a militant feminist/leftist. Jakle writes: "It couldn't hurt that Earhardt is a strong Christian with fairly conservative values, considering Fox has a reputation of being further to the right than other national and international news outlets, right?" "Strong Christian with fairly conservative values"? Will we ever see a single useful idiot in America's press corps, when writing a fawning tribute to one of their fellow leftists in the U.S. press corps, accurately identify that fellow leftist as an "atheist with fairly liberal values"? Don't bet on it.
Damn you! I had ALMOST purg
March 4, 2007 - 23:05 ET by UnsaneDamn you! I had ALMOST purged the name Jeanne Jakle from my memory...until you brought it up again!
I avoid the Express-News every bit as much, if not more so, than I do the Houston Comical.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
The RC is very upset about th
March 4, 2007 - 15:11 ET by QueenMumThe RC is very upset about this. He's particularly fond of Kiran Chetry. I told him he has the option of watching CNN in lieu of Fox News. He's still weighing the pros and cons of that suggestion. ;)
I haven't had the pleasure
March 4, 2007 - 23:03 ET by radiofitz34I haven't had the pleasure of seeing Ainsley yet. I'm still hypmotized every time by Jane Skinner's lips. Problem is I forget what she said after she said it. By then I'm usually in the land of duh. ....Which way he go George?