WTF?

From Mediabistro:

Fox News Channel will host an August 2007 Democratic Debate in Reno, Nevada.

The network is working with the Nevada Democratic Party and the Western Majority Project to host the debate, "which is expected to attract the top Democratic contenders for President," the press release says. It will air live on FNC and FNR on Aug. 14 in Reno.

"Fox News is proud to be a leader in coverage of the 2008 campaign season and a co-host of this important presidential debate. We look forward to working with the Nevada Democratic Party and the Western Majority Project," Roger Ailes says...

Seriously, wtf?

UPDATE: Hugh Jackson has more.

For an example of how disrespectful and counterproductive such Fox News-sponsored Democratic debates are, consider the September 9, 2003 Democratic debate in Baltimore, Maryland, hosted by Fox News in partnership with the Congressional Black Caucus. Fox News graphics, as well as a banner over the stage, titled the event as the "Democrat Candidate Presidential Debate," a misconstruction of "Democrat" used as an epithet. Fox News then summarized the debate with a story titled, "Democratic Candidates Offer Grim View of America," continuing with such jabs as, "The depiction of the president as the root of all evil began at the top of Tuesday night's debate...."

Tags: 2008, Debate, Fox News, netroots, presidential debate (all tags)

Comments

40 Comments

First Question

"which of you thinks terrorism is not a problem?"

by TarHeel 2007-02-20 10:08AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

Second Question:

Bush, great president or the GREATEST president?

by bedobe 2007-02-20 10:11AM | 0 recs
3rd Question

Why  do you guys want to raise all our taxes and give it to welfare queens and terrorists?

by TarHeel 2007-02-20 10:12AM | 0 recs
4th question

"Do you prefer abortion or gay  marriage?"  etc...

by TarHeel 2007-02-20 10:13AM | 0 recs
Why do you hate the troops?

And which Democratic plan do you prefer: a) Cut & Run or b) Let the Terrorists Win?

by lapis 2007-02-20 10:45AM | 0 recs
4th Question

Why do you want American to fail in Iraq?

by maddogg 2007-02-20 10:13AM | 0 recs
Questions

Funny thing is, if these questions were in a RedState diary the people would seriously think these were good questions.

by msstaley 2007-02-20 12:13PM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

We need to fight this.  I'm writing a letter to the DNC and the current Fox freeze-out candidate Barack Obama.

by Yoshimi 2007-02-20 10:20AM | 0 recs
yeah

Props to the first contender to tell Fox to take a hike.

by Bob Brigham 2007-02-20 10:24AM | 0 recs
supposedly

CNN is broadcasting  the Nevada september debate and passed on this one..

I guess it's better to have it broadcast rather than NOT broadcast at all - of course maybe they could get a non-fox moderator.??

by TarHeel 2007-02-20 10:29AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

I just called Senator Reid's office ... the young man answering the phone didn't have a clue what I was asking about ... how sad.

by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle 2007-02-20 11:00AM | 0 recs
Next question

Why does the Democrat Party persecute Americans who have faith?

by Bob Brigham 2007-02-20 10:23AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

Gentleman, when did you stop beating your wives, and Senator Clinton, who else have you murdered besides Vince Foster?

by jgkojak 2007-02-20 10:23AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

Want to borrow my loofah Mrs. Kucinich?

by joejoejoe 2007-02-20 10:26AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

I can't figure out whether this is some sort of strange Democratic jiujitsu move or just a f***up.

by Bruce Godfrey 2007-02-20 10:26AM | 0 recs
just a f***up

Q: Why do you think you would be the best candidate at raising hard-working Americans' taxes?

by desmoinesdem 2007-02-20 10:30AM | 0 recs
Compare and contrast

Let's see how the Faux News coverage of the Nevada debate compares with their coverage of the debate they're sponsoring here in Florida for the GOP candidates.

I imagine it'll be a tad different ...

by Sinfonian 2007-02-20 10:29AM | 0 recs
Thanks but no thanks campaign

Well, I think the Nevada Democratic party justs wanted cameras to cover the event.  They seem nieve to the fact that Fox News will go out of their way

by gasperc 2007-02-20 10:30AM | 0 recs
To Matt

Do you have an email that I can contact you at?  

by lisadawn82 2007-02-20 10:36AM | 0 recs
Re: To Matt

matt at mydd.com

by Matt Stoller 2007-02-20 10:47AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

Who should we complain to?  The DNC?  Invididual candidates?  The Nevada Dem. party?

by Go Vegetarian 2007-02-20 10:38AM | 0 recs
Contact DNC

I just emailed DNC to ask for an explanation.  I'll post anything that I get.

I suggest others make a contact as well.  Here's the URL:  

http://www.democrats.org/page/s/contacti ssues

by borlov 2007-02-20 10:54AM | 0 recs
Re: Contact DNC

Please also contact the NV Dem Party, as they're the ones actually hosting the debate, not the DNC.  I put contact info a few comments below.

by Fran for Dean 2007-02-20 11:30AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

Um. Someone should add to the original post that TVNewser reported last week that the debate was first offered to CNN. CNN passed on it.

by Newsie8200 2007-02-20 10:57AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

And I suppose that means that they couldn't go to some other network, like MSNBC, ABC, CBS? I mean, it's not like your choices here are CNN, FOX, or nothing.  Hell, even CSPAN might be an option, since it is a presidential debate.

I'm sorry that the NV Democratic Party hasn't gotten the memo, but Fox News is officially radioactive, at least in the Democratic Primary. They were FOOLS to even THINK about working with Fox in today's environment, much less agree to this.

by AmericanJedi 2007-02-20 11:43AM | 0 recs
Suggested question

How will you tell the mothers of our troops that you're going to take away their bullets, gasoline, and food?  Don't you owe an honest explanation to their families for putting them in danger?

by jhupp 2007-02-20 10:59AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

Which one of you most recently stopped beating your same sex spouse?

by Sidd Finch 2007-02-20 11:02AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

And we have a winner.

by Matt Stoller 2007-02-20 11:03AM | 0 recs
Contact NV Dem Party

Here's the full contact info for their officers.

I sent an email to the following people urging them to cancel the debate, and providing the above exerpt as evidence to why they should not make any deals with Fox News:
Chairperson, Tom Collins (tcollins0622@cox.net)
Political Director, Harriet Trudell (htrudell@earthlink.net)
1st Vice Chairperson, Teresa Benitez-Thompson (teresa_benitez@hotmail.com)
2nd Vice Chairperson, Bud Orange (bud.orange@charter.net)
Caucus Director, Jayson Sime (jsime@nvdems.com)

by Fran for Dean 2007-02-20 11:25AM | 0 recs
Good diary. No action. Why?

Matt, at least post some relevant contact info to Harry Reid's office and the Nevada Democratic party.
This is a diary that needs to be proactive. I guess I'm spoiled by America Blog's action-oriented emphasis.

Nevada Democratic Party contact info:

1210 S. Valley View Rd
Suite 114
Las Vegas, NV 89102
702-737-8683
www.nvdems.com

Harry Reid's contact info:

Carson City
600 East William Street, #302
Carson City, NV 89701
Phone: 775-882-7343 / Fax: 775-883-1980

Las Vegas
Lloyd D. George Building
333 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Suite 8016
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 702-388-5020 / Fax: 702-388-5030

Reno
Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building
400 South Virginia Street, Suite 902
Reno, NV 89501
Phone: 775-686-5750 / Fax: 775-686-5757

Rural Nevada Outreach Contact
Susan Lisagor
Phone: 775-686-5750 / Fax: 775-686-5757

Washington
528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542 / Fax: 202-224-7327
Toll Free for Nevadans: 1-866-SEN-REID (736-7343) -Restricted to calls originating from area codes 775 and 702

Reid Newsroom
Sen. Reid's Nevada Press Office 202-224-9521 (for inquires about Nevada issues or from Nevada media).
Senate Democratic Communications Center 202-224-2939

by rosebowl 2007-02-20 11:29AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

Is there a correlation between Faux News and this lovely fact?

And the founder of FN was a contributor to that Dem's campaign for Senator last year?

by benny06 2007-02-20 11:53AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

We should let candidates know that if they accept this invitation, progressive bloggers will be outraged.

I watched as they gave Clark only questions on foreign policy, and then criticized him for not talking about domestic policy.

I watched them lob Kerry an easy one of local interest to people in Iowa.  

They will have an agenda to work against the Democrats.  We don't want the kind of person to be president who will walk into this trap.  Fool me once....

by catherineD 2007-02-20 11:58AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

... you can't get fooled again!?

Or can you?  It looks like we just might, if Dems don't go in there call bullshit at the first whiff of it.

by bedobe 2007-02-20 01:50PM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

And why wasn't Connecticut for Lieberman contacted on this?

by Sprinkles 2007-02-20 02:29PM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?
Matt,
We have got to get more intelligent trolls, well, I mean at least not such stupid ones. Ok, I know it's a contradiction in terms. How about a troll meter that ranks their level of consciousness and sends the low-rankers to the bottom of the comments. Or better, back to Instapundit, for example.
by kamajii 2007-02-20 05:25PM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?
Fox News may include some centrist possible Dem-voters that a candidate would want for a general election, but why on earth would a Democratic primary accept to be televised by them?  
And what are they trying with the whole 'Democrat' thing - if that's an epithet, I sure don't get it.  Would Republicans be offended if we started calling the President, the Presid? Weird.
by Mr DC 2007-02-20 05:54PM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

ok I'll join in :)

Fox News = Murdoch = Hillary Fundraiser = light bulb moment anyone?...

Our Bill & Hillary have been busy making friends over the past 4 years:-

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/ electioncentral/2007/feb/19/are_conserva tives_burnt_out_on_hillary_hatred#commen t-209226

Remember Blair teamed up with Murdoch to beat Kinnoch so don't be surprised...  Strange things DO happen in politics... crazy crazy things...

"The hostile coverage of Mr Kinnock in Murdoch-owned papers, notably The Sun, led Mr Blair to declare: "Never again." He courted the media magnate as much as Mr Murdoch courted him. "It is better to ride the tiger's back than let it rip your throat out," he explained.

Some Blair allies insist that Mr Murdoch's alleged influence over decisions affecting his business interests and Europe have been greatly exaggerated. But Lance Price, who was deputy to the Downing Street communications director Alastair Campbell, is not among them. He has described Mr Murdoch as "the 24th member of the Cabinet", saying: "No big decision could ever be made inside No 10 without taking account of the likely reaction of three men - Gordon Brown, John Prescott and Rupert Murdoch."

The relationship certainly paid dividends for Mr Blair. Mr Campbell regards decision of The Sun, once a cheerleader for Margaret Thatcher, to back Labour at the 1997 election as his finest hour. The contrast with Kimnock era could not have been more striking.

Mr Blair meets the media mogul two or three times a year but goes to some lengths to keep their contacts secret..."
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/arti cle1202848.ece

by SandThroughTheEyeGlass 2007-02-20 06:58PM | 0 recs
You've Got to Be Kidding Me?

Sorry but this is a debate in August (low ratings here we come) which won't be the first one nor the last. Fox just wants to increase its stale ratings but this isn't going to be as bad as some of you think. In fact, it might be good to get in some jabs at Fox.

by risenmessiah 2007-02-20 07:09PM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

Chris,

Does it bother you that Walter Reed Hospital is in the condition that it's in...........given the fact that the former Majority Leader WAS A FUCKING EXTERMINATOR before coming to Washington?

Just wondering.

Oh, and you do know that the trade deficit goes another $13 Billion in the hole while you pass meaningless legislation, right?

by BLOGGINGBITCH 2007-02-21 05:10AM | 0 recs
Re: WTF?

There is a cancer on the Nevada State Democratic Party (NSDP) and especially in Clark County, Las Vegas, under Tom Collins and Liz Foley - they both MUST GO!

Until recently, I've been very active in the Party working my way up through the ranks as the Founder and Past State Chair of the Nevada Democratic Veterans & Military Families Corps Caucus and becoming a member of the State Central Committee - the only Democrats that get to vote for each generation of internal party leaders.

That all ended when Tom Collins insulted the GLBT community by saying "they have victumized themselves by CHOOSING their deviant life-style!"

Collins has been caught red-handed, in public, and there are many who witnessed this statement to include, when asked about Seperation of Church and State, he replied "I follow the teachings of my Church (Mormon)" and, unbelievably, "the reason the Democratic Party was nearly destroyed was because of women and their ERA thing!"

He barely got elected over the Rural Caucus Chair, Marcia deBraga, and just as soon as he won, every progressive activist was "purged into poltical purgatory" as blatant political pay back for refusing to submit to him.

At best the NSDP is a monarchy, at worst a dictatorship!  That's why, after being a loyal Democrat, I've publicly abdicated from the party to fight for fundamental principals of democracy and the common, uninformed, misrepresented, every day Democrats of Nevada!

Check out my "Guest Column" on www.taylormarsh.com titled "Fear & Loathing in the Las Vegas Political Jungle!" and make sure and read the comments...we desperately need all the help we can get from the big national blogs and our like-minded progressives - HELP!

You can get to my personal bio at http://www.vegascommunityonline.com/John athanAbbinett.htm - you'll see I'm totally legit and what I'm doing has caused me to risk everything in an effort to, finally, bring the truth into the light of day - now, the NSDP is "swift boating" me - and I was one of their own!

We MUST win this fight to save the good Dems in Nevada from the DINO's that have taken over most leadership positions - COME JOIN OUR FIGHT!

Remember, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!"

Nothing could be sadder than what's happenin' in Nevada!

De Oppresso Liber!

by J L Abbinett 2007-02-27 05:44PM | 0 recs

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