UPDATE with video link below jump.
On the April 10 "Tonight Show," host Jay Leno joked about Democrats boycotting the Fox News Channel/Congressional Black Caucus Institute debate. Wondered Leno, "How are you going to stand up to terrorists when you're afraid of Fox News?"
Maybe Jay should ask Time magazine's Joe Klein, who called the Fox News debate a "sordid event" that was a clever ploy to "pander" to a Democratic interest group.
Here's the setup and punchline:
Jay Leno: Well, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards as well as a number of other Democratic candidates say they will not participate in a presidential debate next month because the debate is on Fox News and Fox News is biased. Well, how are you going to stand up to terrorists when you're afraid of Fox News? [audience laughter]
NewsBusters senior editor Rich Noyes wrote about Democrats' boycott of the Fox News debate two days ago.
Video clips: Real (663 KB) or Windows (758 KB) Plus MP3 (116 KB)
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Comments Policy
Look at the deplorable lead
April 11, 2007 - 10:04 ET by newstalkmachineThe dems are willing to 'vi
April 11, 2007 - 10:09 ET by JDWThe dems are willing to 'visit' terrorist countries to 'debate' foreign policy yet are boycotting FOX and the republicans? Hate America and love terrorism?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
JDW - does seem to part of th
April 11, 2007 - 10:36 ET by FastEdJDW - does seem to part of their ethos - friends with terror mongers, but fear other americans who have a different view. This point needs to hammered, and often. The demolibs and the msm (Lsm) are cowardly losers. Cowards I say!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
"One terror leader, Kh
April 11, 2007 - 11:03 ET by JDW"One terror leader, Khaled Al-Batch, a militant and spokesman for Islamic Jihad, expressed hope Pelosi would continue winning elections, explaining the House speaker's Damascus visit demonstrated she understands the Middle East."
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
JDW...Pelosi understands the
April 11, 2007 - 11:15 ET by Clear thinkerJDW...
Pelosi understands the Middle East but ain't got a clue about her own country!
Maybe she could run for office in one of those quaint peaceful Mid-East countries, that at least would get her out of our hair.
The liberal MSM has become an enemy of the USA.
Pelosi was attempting to ne
April 11, 2007 - 11:28 ET by JDWPelosi was attempting to negotiate for Bush?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
Pelosi should invite Khalidi
April 11, 2007 - 11:33 ET by JayTeePelosi should invite Khalidii and his Islamic Friends to visit her HOME base for elections, San Fransicko, and they can have a GAY Islamic time visiting Pelosi's constituents ?.
Maybe go into one of the local Bars, if they can find a Parking space.
At Times like these, it becomes more than just a Moral Obligation to express ones opinion, it becomes a Pleasure.
Go on FOX?JDWNews media: Sc
April 11, 2007 - 11:36 ET by JDWGo on FOX?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
The Dems are just proving how
April 11, 2007 - 10:09 ET by SmartypantsThe Dems are just proving how silly and petty they truly are. Nancy Pelosi can fly overseas and break bread with a terrorist-loving dictator, but Dems are afraid of FOX News because it might be biased. Using this logic, shouldn't the Republicans back out of any debate televised by CNN, ABC, CBS or NBC? That Democrat party is an absolute joke right now; they offer nothing but platitudes and empty gestures designed solely to improve their own political standing.
Actually, they're probably af
April 11, 2007 - 10:18 ET by danboActually, they're probably affraid they'll actually be asked tough questions.
The dems won't stand up to the UN and the Environmentalist. How can you expect them to stand up to someone with a gun or bomb.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
That should become a bumper sticker
April 11, 2007 - 10:10 ET by RJ"How are you going to stand up to terrorists if you're afraid of FoxNews?"
Ha! That should become a bumper sticker, and repeated over and over.
I'm a big Jay Leno fan and
April 11, 2007 - 13:07 ET by Challenger GrimI'm a big Jay Leno fan and I remember that distinctly last night. It was his best joke of the evening and had me tearing up with laughter. I'm pretty much going to use that now whenever I talk with any dem about boycotting fox.
Although a Fred Thompson/Jay Leno '08 bumper sticker would be fun.
What I did today.
Not only that, but Pelosi is
April 12, 2007 - 07:10 ET by ThisnThatNot only that, but Pelosi is willing to meet with the enemy, but not with President Bush after he extended an invitation? They're afraid of everything -- but let's not forget, they "are expresssing the will of the people", as measured by their slimist of election margins.
It's obvious that MoveOn.org
April 11, 2007 - 10:11 ET by KC MulvilleIt's obvious that MoveOn.org is behind a dangerous ultimatum: it's either us or FoxNews. Democrat candidates have to choose between MoveOn and FoxNews. Note that FoxNews doesn't issue that ultimatum.
For the record, Edwards obeyed first. He gets the Lucius Malfoy Award as the most obedient servant to Lord Voldemort.
I <3 Leno
April 11, 2007 - 10:15 ET by wiwfI <3 Leno
Leno could run for governor
April 11, 2007 - 10:17 ET by MC RoveLeno could run for governor of CA, if he weren't so Italian looking.
And . . .nah, too easy.Ther
April 11, 2007 - 10:38 ET by FastEdAnd . . .nah, too easy.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Let the netroots have their way
April 11, 2007 - 10:18 ET by RJKC, MoveOn tried to steal the election here in CT. Their candidate, Ned Lamont, was a slave to their demands. They even sent a large contingent of staff to this state to implement their progrom, but pro-war Leiberman still won in this VERY blue state, and by a large margin.
So, I say let the netroots have their way with the Dems....it's a formula for failure.
I admit, I forgot about that.
April 11, 2007 - 10:48 ET by KC MulvilleI admit, I forgot about that. They're experienced at political extortion, aren't they? The cynic in me wonders whether MoveOn is pulling this crap because it's so far away from the actual primaries, hoping people will forget.
This is another perfect examp
April 11, 2007 - 10:29 ET by mattmThis is another perfect example of the debate avoidance tendency of the Left.
They're trying (and hopefully failing) to discredit FOX as biased so they won't have to go there and actually answer tough questions - they're much more comfortable on the MSM networks who claim objectivity, but are merely a Liberal echo chamber.
Libs are so funny in their
April 11, 2007 - 10:34 ET by Matthew SheffieldLibs are so funny in their attitude toward FNC. They are so used to never being challenged by the press that a single outlet that isn't skewed leftward sends them all into fits of rage.
But Matt, aren't they the par
April 11, 2007 - 10:41 ET by FastEdBut Matt, aren't they the party of acceptance? If their "ideas" as so good for the country, why the "Run Away" attitude? Just answered my own question.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Matthew, you just said it,
April 11, 2007 - 10:49 ET by BlameTheMediaMatthew, you just said it, but it isn't that they aren't skewed leftward, it's that they are skewed rightward. Let's face it, any news program that is the ONLY one dick cheney will watch on every television can't be too fair and unbiased. And I don't see this as cowardace -- they are taking a stand against something that is obviously not balanced.
If you read leftward blogs like mediamatters you'll find they are always whining about the media too, but that they are too right leaning.
Everybody is whining about something.
Only difference is that the M
April 11, 2007 - 10:54 ET by mattmOnly difference is that the Media Matters people are wrong. Look at the facts.
Media Matters is a large prac
April 11, 2007 - 11:05 ET by Clear thinkerMedia Matters is a large practical joke on the public, and MM knows it.
The liberal MSM has become an enemy of the USA.
MM is like a little kid in the playgound
April 11, 2007 - 11:38 ET by exLibRemember in elementary school.
Someone calls you a name and the immediate response is either to call them the name back or to say "I'm rubber your glue....."
MM is childish and usually when I check their site out it is LOL funny the things they come up with.
They might not accept that
April 11, 2007 - 13:19 ET by Challenger GrimThey might not accept that as a source mattm. If you want an even HARDER to dispute source, you should check out News Prism. Know what's ironic? I found the link to it off a DEMOCRATIC UNDERGROUND poster.
What I did today.
Blame - that means nothing.
April 11, 2007 - 11:02 ET by Dee BunkBlame - that means nothing. Most of us think Fox is too left leaning with Sheppard Smith, Greta, Geraldo, Colmes, Wallace, O'reilly and many of the guests. Fox is by far the most balanced but if anything it's still leans left. Most of the stories are still driven by the AP - which is left.
A little taste of what it's l
April 11, 2007 - 12:17 ET by TruthMongerA little taste of what it's like to be conservative facing the far-left MSM EVERY DAMN DAY...
Even, for the sake of argument, if Fox leans FAR TO THE RIGHT - these prissy democrats can't handle it for just one evening?!?!? Excellent point Leno - right on the money...
What a bunch of schmuck pansies...
Fox News Leans Left
April 11, 2007 - 14:02 ET by River CityDee, you nailed it. It's all based on who you are being compared to. They added Harold Ford to the list of lefties they count on for commentary. Another media darling. When the MSM is so far left FNC appears Right you know it is all based on perception. News Flash, Libs: FNC is NOT conservative. Only when you look at it through a liberal's eyes can it appear conservative.
"It's all based on who
April 11, 2007 - 14:16 ET by JDW"It's all based on who you are being compared to."
Anyone recall Pelosi sitting next to Sheehan on her web?
www.house.gov/pelosi...
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
Question "blame" is unlikely to answer
April 11, 2007 - 21:42 ET by UnsaneIf Fox is so skewed to the Right, please explain why Alan Colmes, Juan Williams, Mara Liasson, Jane Hall, and Neil Gabler, just to name a few, are on their payroll.
Or, for instance, why, on Brit Hume's "Grapevine" segment, he pointed out that Obama and Clinton have been making their Senate votes, missing only three times, while McCain tops the list of Senators who are running for Presdent in missing votes.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
I think its even funnier
April 11, 2007 - 10:54 ET by Ken ShepherdI think its even funnier because let's assume their worst suspicions are right. Who benefits least from that? Hillary Clinton. So if you're a candidate other than Hillary Clinton, you should want to go on the debate and her to either be a no-show or her to show up and bear the brunt of the criticism, thereby building up her negatives and giving the non-Hillary candidates room for growth in the polls.
Liberal hypocrisy
April 11, 2007 - 10:43 ET by goldenthroatLiberals have always believed in free speech and dialogue - just so long as it is on their terms. Anyone beginning to smell a conservative backlash brewing in '08?
no
April 11, 2007 - 10:49 ET by BlameTheMediano
Tremendous insight in that
April 11, 2007 - 10:51 ET by MightyMouthTremendous insight in that response.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Updated dem response. JDWNe
April 11, 2007 - 11:14 ET by JDWUpdated dem response.
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
Jay, welcome back from the da
April 11, 2007 - 11:24 ET by ucJay, welcome back from the darkside - or is this your first time? Jay, over here we have truth, dignity and "the best offense is a good defense" over there you may have noticed are the crumbling dogmas Clintonites are still proping up as sound and true.
Please take your time looking around, and here is a chair if all this brightness starts to be too much for you.
Hearing obvious question (on Dem's own Network), refreshing
April 11, 2007 - 11:30 ET by Ten7sThat's a wonderful question that goes directly to the heart of the sad situation. Anyone with an ounce of common-sense realizes that the Democrats don't have the backbone or ability to lead America, much less confront a dangerous and determined enemy. But to hear someone prominent like Leno ask the obvious question with the obvious answer (on a Democrat Party Network) is refreshing.
Great question, but I don't b
April 11, 2007 - 12:07 ET by muh-oonGreat question, but I don't beleive Democrats plan to stand up to terrorists. Better question might be "How are you going to negotiate with terrorists when you can't even make a deal with Fox news?"
They are so obvious!
April 11, 2007 - 14:01 ET by Mr. TerryHow can the dim-lib-wits actually stand there and say this with straight faces? They won't debate on Fox because Fox is biased? Then they say they will debate on "news" outlets like CNN? Didn't we used to call them the Clinton News Network? Talk about biased? I'm surprised CNN doesn't appear on this blog more often.
Ms. Pelosi just told me if Br
April 11, 2007 - 14:06 ET by ratso ferrariMs. Pelosi just told me if Brit Hume dresses up as a Muslim terrorist moderator for the debates she would change her mind and allow the candidates on FOX.
That would be funny as hell
April 11, 2007 - 14:09 ET by sarcasmoThat would be funny as hell, IMO.
JMR
Jay Leno said it all!Period!Y
April 11, 2007 - 14:21 ET by bigtimerJay Leno said it all!
Period!
You can bet that it wasn't appreciated by Edwards, Clintoon and Obama.
Truth hurts.
The Democrats are not "
April 11, 2007 - 14:31 ET by rainlillieThe Democrats are not "afraid" of Faux News, they just
don't want to legitimize it by appearing in a Faux News debate.
"Murdoch was said asked if his News Corp. managed to
shape the agenda on the war in Iraq, Murdoch replied: “No, I don’t think so. We
tried.” Asked by Rose for further comment, he said: “We basically supported the
Bush policy in the Middle East…but we have been very critical of his
execution.” After the way Faux News went after Obama, with lies and
distortions about his past, every single Democrat should boycott the show. We
all know how Faux News works, they say anything as long as it's in the form of a
question. Like did Bush create more terrorists by invading Iraq? This is an
old trick that they use time and time again. Now people are starting to see how
unfair and unbalanced they really are.
The biggest threat to the Bush Administration is an informed public.
Some say dems are not afrai
April 11, 2007 - 14:52 ET by JDWSome say dems are not afraid of legitimizing terrorist countries by negotiating with them without White House permission. How do you feel?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
Wasn't the source of the Obam
April 11, 2007 - 15:21 ET by BuffNBoneWasn't the source of the Obama comments you referred to out of Clinton's camp?
"Fighters are fun but bombers make policy"
That was the impression Fox
April 11, 2007 - 16:01 ET by WhichWingThat was the impression Fox tried to give you, but I don't think anyone was able to confirm that (which is something they really should do before reporting it).
Ever notice that so many of
April 11, 2007 - 15:24 ET by Challenger GrimEver notice that so many of the people that rag Fox for a typo or misreported story here and there are even quicker to excuse other MSM reporters for equally terrible gaffes and lies? Heck how many times have we heard the "fake but accurate" defense of Rather? Unless rainlillie is going to surprise me and actually be honest and critisize all those other "news" channels.
What I did today.
You talking about how Mark
April 11, 2007 - 16:08 ET by WhichWingYou talking about how Mark Foley suddenly starting showing up with a "D" after his name on Fox in the wake of the page scandal? And that was on pre-recorded programs, not live coverage.
I'm always amazed at how quick most of you are to come to the defense of Fox News, but you offer nothing like that for the other networks. I think its obvious that everyone and every network shows some bias, but you never have a complaint about Fox because their bias is consistently right wing, whereas the other networks will occasionally report from both ends of the political spectrum.
So, what I'm saying is: Even if the other networks report from the left a majority of the time, Fox reports from the right all the time.
Fox is only "rightward a
April 11, 2007 - 20:58 ET by TruthMongerFox is only "rightward all the time" to a left-wing whack job...
"So, what I'm saying is:
April 11, 2007 - 21:10 ET by NeoConfirmed"So, what I'm saying is: Even if the other networks report from the left a majority of the time, Fox reports from the right all the time."
Translation:
Four major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN) reporting left most of the time is balanced by one network reporting right most of the time. Therefore, this media bias thing that you people talk about has been proven untrue.
No, not most of the time, b
April 12, 2007 - 17:17 ET by WhichWingNo, not most of the time, but ALL of the time that one network reports from the right. Show us all a Fox report that has a some left wing bias in it. Networks aren't supposed to balance each other, they should balance themselves. While you might feel, and you'd be right to do so, that the other major networks do not make enough of an attempt to be balanced, I don't see how you could make an argument that Fox makes any attempt to be balanced.
Please. It fills you with u
April 11, 2007 - 21:54 ET by UnsanePlease. It fills you with unspeakable levels of sheer rage to see the conservative side even get presented in the media. (That is the crime that Fox News is guilty of; PRESENTING the conservative side as a legitimate political viewpoint.) That is why you hate a little harmless network that MIGHT reach 1 million people on a busy news day.
You, and whinylillie/naivelillie above, desperately want to see the Right SHUT UP under ANY circumstances. "Free speech for me (the Leftist), but not for thee (the Rightist)." Never mind that the market seems to justify Fox's approach.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Now you're just getting sil
April 12, 2007 - 17:21 ET by WhichWingNow you're just getting silly, I haven't called for anyone to be silenced.
Rainlillie's A Big Old Dem Apologist
April 11, 2007 - 15:35 ET by emjem24Rainlillie...
Where to begin with the piece of work bias that you're known for. It's nice to know you're in the thick of preaching to all of us about how poor, poor Obama was victimized by evil Fox News. Have you been imbibing much Daily K, DU, or Huff n' Puff? So Fox News posted a story that Obama went to school at a madrassa. What's your point, baby? Or would that be cry baby?
Look, babe, I know you don't know a damn thing about REAL bias being the uber-freakin'-lib that you are. You might want to include, oh, I don't know (thinking really hard), CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, PBS, and MSNBC in your "fair" assessment of the state of the media.
You also may want to stick around and make sure you understand a true definition of "bias." I would like you to post the Rose interview, oh, I don't know, NOW, or your "quote" isn't cited which means you made an, OOPS, lie like you do time and time again. Or, must I do all your work for you, like many NBers, in proving you lib fools wrong time and time again.
Oh, and BTW, staying and discussing is much better than running away from a fight. However, I'm sure that cutting and running is something you and many libs are much acquainted with. But then you weren't here to make a point, were you? You were here to just exemplify lib idiocy first hand. Bias? Instead of reaching out, you libs want a handout!
The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. Air Force Motto
emjem says: When your brain's stuck on liberalism it self-destructs.
Now people are starting to se
April 11, 2007 - 15:46 ET by bigtimerNow people are starting to see how unfair and unbalanced they really are.
The above mentioned words by your own little self lillie-pad describe you to a tee.
Hop away now...
For the adolescent whinylillie/naivelillie
April 11, 2007 - 21:49 ET by Unsanewhinylillie, I know it will be much too much to ask this question and expect an answer, but:
Why are you so consumed with overwhelming, intense, palpable FEAR of a news channel that MIGHT reach one million people out of 300 million on a busy news day?
Could it be that the potential of you hearing something that just might cause you to think critically just might cause 1) a stroke, 2) an aneurysm, 3) a heart attack, 4) an extremely violent fit of rage that will be quite injurious to others near you?
The greatest danger to naivelillie's health is critical thinking.
Dems So Phony And Transparent
April 11, 2007 - 15:43 ET by emjem24So much for substance over fluff....Oh, gosh Fox News is gonna ask the tough questions so they might as well bail! What will these phonies do when Fox News moderates the national debates? It won't be Moveon.org or Green Peace that these dems are trying to impress and sway, it will be the American electorate, people like me, moderates, and independents. Or do they even care about that? Would someone like Obama, Hillary, or Edwards, put aside their partisan patty-cake routine and be adults and debate...in what they see as enemy territory? Of course not when you got CNN so close by ready to eat out of their godly palms. Makes me sick...but then America has been acting so schizophrenically these days, it's not surprising that dems will get a pass.
The difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. Air Force Motto
emjem says: When your brain's stuck on liberalism it self-destructs.
Leno said it like it is! Fo
April 11, 2007 - 15:56 ET by c5thenLeno said it like it is! For years (dacades?) conservative candidates have had no choice but to be interviewed by and debate on liberal leaning MSM. Now, that a ballanced network is available, the liberals are scared to death.
It is telling and instructive (if you pay attention) that Fox News went from nothing to the highest rated 24 hr news network in a few short years.
The liberals can not be trusted to defend and protect the US and it's constitution. They will "negotiate" a compromise with any and all enemies until this country is nothing and no more.
If one always sides with one'
April 11, 2007 - 16:13 ET by ahusserIf one always sides with one's enemies aren't you the enemy. They are traitors. Their true allegiance is to some Socialist Utopia that doesn't exist.
That socialist utopia is taug
April 11, 2007 - 16:21 ET by Clear thinkerThat socialist utopia is taught non-stop to our kids in all of our universities, so they still think they can create it. All I can say is... over my dead body!
The liberal MSM has become an enemy of the USA.
Don't you know that the onl
April 11, 2007 - 16:27 ET by lnthompDon't you know that the only reason socialism has never worked before is because Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid weren't in charge? As soon as they take over and toss Bush, Cheney, Rice, and Gonzales in front of a firing squad, the US will instantly become a flower-filled utopia of socialist wet dreams.
/sarc off
Lee T.
U.S. Navy (ret.) / Hillsboro, Oregon
I have enough money to last me the rest of my life. Unless I buy something.
Wait a minute, I thought we w
April 12, 2007 - 17:24 ET by WhichWingWait a minute, I thought we were all gathered here to expose and combat the liberal bias in the media. What's this character doing exposing right wing bias?
Which Wing - this isn't right
April 12, 2007 - 17:28 ET by Dee BunkWhich Wing - this isn't right wing bias - it's a rare joke made about the dems. Don't worry though Jay followed up last night with a similar Joke but it mad fun of FOX this time. So he balanced it out. They don't do that when they make fun of conservatives.
Fabulous comment. Thanks fo
April 13, 2007 - 17:57 ET by dahliatraversFabulous comment. Thanks for posting this, Ken.