Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

by Chris Bowers, Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 07:40:03 AM EST

Harry Reid is now distancing himself from both Fox News and the Nevada Democratic Party over the debate partnership. From a local article (emphasis mine):

When the party announced in February that Fox would be broadcasting the debate, it issued a statement in which Reid was quoted as saying "This is more great news for Nevada. I'm happy FOX News will be a partner for the August presidential debate."

Asked Thursday if we was standing by that statement, Reid said "I hold elation" over the attention that the Nevada caucus is getting from presidential candidates and that Nevada debates will be televised. But he suggested his statement might have been different "had I known at that time that it would be a controversy."

In addition to distancing himself from the FOX decision Thursday -- "I don't like FOX News" -- the Senate Majority Leader reiterated several times that the Nevada Democratic Party is independent and not controlled by him, at one point going so far as to say "I just don't know what's going on in the party."

We have to be pretty close to stopping this debate now. If even one more candidate drops out, it is probably beaten. Give a campaign a call (make sure you are polite):

Barack Obama: (866) 675-2008
Hillary Clinton: (202) 263-0180
Bill Richardson: (505) 982-2291
Chris Dodd: (202) 737-3633
Joe Biden: (202) 547-2221

Dodd and Obama are probably the top targets, as their campaigns have shown the most willingness to take leadership over issues of this nature. But hey, you never know--sometimes a Democrat can surprise you.

Tags: 2008, Debate, Fox News, Harry Reid, Media, netroots, Nevada, presidential debate (all tags)

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I've never been a big Edwards fan (wanted Kerry to pick Graham as running-mate, which just goes to show how much I know), but the man knows how to lead. Sometimes when you lead you stumble, but at least he's out there.

Any idea what the rationale is in the Obama camp about dithering on this issue?

by BingoL 2007-03-09 07:51AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

Graham was one of my top choices in 2004.

Dean was my first choice, Graham (before dropping out) was my second, Edwards third and Clark was fourth.

by Vox Populi 2007-03-09 07:56AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I liked Graham, too, but he had that mild heart attack at exactly the wrong time in the campaign. I thought he'd have made a great complementary VP for Dean.

Sigh.

by joyful alternative 2007-03-09 12:00PM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

Here is an interesting thing to think about: what if NDP cancels the debate before Obama pulls out. Then the dithering becomes a wasted opportunity, a failed test.

P.S. I was witness to what almost became a disaster in the 2004 primaries. It was a Graham fundraiser, he climbed up on a coffee table to speak and was raising his hands in the air to quiet the crowd when somebody grabbed his arm a second before he stuck it through the high-speed ceiling fan.

by Bob Brigham 2007-03-09 08:09AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

Hey, now, that was just part of his 'job for a day' initiative. Graham as rotating cooling unit.

by BingoL 2007-03-09 08:12AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I seen some comments saying Edwards is explaining his refusal to participate as having to do with the schedule rather than Fox News. Has Edwards actually issued any statement denouncing Fox as an arm of the Republican Party?

by KCinDC 2007-03-09 08:44AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

"We will not be participating in the Fox debate. We're going to make lots of appearances in Nevada, including debates. By the end of March, we will have attended three presidential forums in Nevada - and there are already at least three proposed Nevada debates. We're definitely going to debate in Nevada, but we don't see why this needs to be one of them."

So no talk of schedule. And--at least in that statement--no denouncing. But given it was issued in response to a question from Markos, based on the fact that Fox is an activist organization, not a journalistic one, I think "we don't see why this needs to be one of them" is fairly clear.

Not sure if Edwards has denounced Fox elsewhere, though. Not really a supporter, though I'm heading that direction.

by BingoL 2007-03-09 08:54AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

Thanks. That really isn't much to give him credit for standing up to Fox, though. He doesn't even mention Fox. It's nice that he's not participating, but if he won't even say why I don't think it deserves an outpouring of netroots love.

by KCinDC 2007-03-09 09:38AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

So it's not enough to walk the walk, you also have to talk the talk?

Still, one thing is true: nobody else, at this point, is doing either.

by BingoL 2007-03-09 09:48AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

It just seems pointless to take the action without giving an explanation. I like the idea that he's refusing to participate because Fox News is not actually a news organization, but why can't he say so? Makes me wonder what's really going on.

by KCinDC 2007-03-09 10:25AM | 0 recs

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I disagree

The point is very much made.

There are times when a full frontal confrontation is necessary to make a point. There are also times when to do so will make people look at the confrontation without understanding why-"oh, look, a fire!"

The people who need to understand do understand.

by boadicea 2007-03-09 11:43AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

Considering no other candidate has stepped up at all yet, I'd say John Edwards deserves "lots of netroots love." Talk is cheap; John Edwards is leading on this and a lot of other issues.

Leadership sometimes is lonely. It has taken too long for any other candidate to step up. John Edwards has SHOWN where he stands.

I find your quibbles very weak.

by littafi 2007-03-09 11:49AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

Per Daily Kos: Richardson just stepped up!

Yay.

by BingoL 2007-03-09 11:56AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I'm glad he did it, and I generally like Edwards. I just find it bizarre that he's taking this position of refusing to participate but not explaining why. It makes no sense to me. I'm not asking for him to go into some spittle-flecked rant about how Fox is spawned by Satan, but he doesn't even mention Fox in his statement. It really sounds like he's just complaining about a crowded schedule.

by KCinDC 2007-03-09 12:06PM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

Why wouldn't Reid understand this would be "controversial?" Maybe DCers have been trying to make themselves appealing to Fox News viewers for so long they missed the big picture: Fox News isn't a news organization, no matter how many times they say it is. Let them continue with their cult following, but, you're right, Dems shouldn't have any part of it.

by lapis 2007-03-09 07:54AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

Edwards demonstrated that he is in tune with progressives on the Fox issue. Why is he alone on this path?

by Vox Populi 2007-03-09 07:54AM | 0 recs

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What the Sam Hill is going on?

It's barely inside my bailiwick - Reid as Maj Leader - but - Jesus H Christ!

I don't know whether we have confirmation from someone else on the conference call that Reid said what the guy says he said.

But let's skip that for the moment.

What Reid is quoted as saying -

I had nothing to do with choosing FOX

- is a non-denial denial.

What it doesn't cover is the most likely scenario - the boys in NV got excited about the Fox deal, but on the basis that they had to clear it with Harry.

And - I'm supposing - he cleared it.

Of course, he wasn't shopping around for sponsors for the debate - that would be ridiculous.

But equally ridiculous is the idea that the NDP would have gone ahead with the Fox deal without his approval.

And when it says

Reid also said he did not know who within the party had made the decision.

he must be referring to the decision to pencil a deal with Fox.

And

Reid repeatedly stressed that he does not control the Nevada Democratic Party.

is, of course, factually true. Except - he surely has an effective - not legal, but effective - veto over a matter as important as this.

I'm not really paying attention to this, and so missed Reid's statement last month that

This is more great news for Nevada. I'm happy FOX News will be a partner for the August presidential debate.

He is either prematurely senile (don't believe that for a second) or he'd given it the thumbs-up.

And - what does

I hold elation

mean?

None of this stacks up. Surely, the whole point of getting an early primary into NV was a recognition of Reid's position in the wider party as Maj Leader, and as the leading Dem from the state.

So he's not micromanaging - that doesn't mean they don't come to him on the important stuff.

And, if they don't, something's really wrong with Nevada.

by skeptic06 2007-03-09 08:07AM | 0 recs

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Re: What the Sam Hill is going on?

you almost get it.

by NvDem 2007-03-09 08:35AM | 0 recs

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Re: What the Sam Hill is going on?

I missed something?

Damn!

by skeptic06 2007-03-09 08:45AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I think Barack Obama will not participate in the debate sponsored by Fox News. He wasn't at their first one and could have cared less about all the chitter chatter as to why back then, I don't think he will do it this time. There may very well be , once again "Scheduling" issues.

by FreedomOFSpeechFromTheDNC 2007-03-09 08:13AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I've pledged to donate cash to Obama if he'll stay away from Fox. I recommend others do the same.

by dbt 2007-03-09 08:18AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

That's fine, but Edwards did it without being beseeched by supporters with offers of money.

Why is Obama of all people not stepping up? Fox attacked him with vicious lies.

Too cautious for me; not a leader.

by littafi 2007-03-09 11:52AM | 0 recs

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Fox and Democratic weasels

Great work from MyDD to bring this to the public and for keeping the pressure on those weasels in Nevada.

Read Nevada Democrats Drugged & Raped By Fox News

by Virt 2007-03-09 08:19AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

thanks for posting the numbers. I will try to make some calls this afternoon.

MoveOn put up the number for the NV Dem party if you want to call Tom Collin's answering machine and let them know what you think of lending legitimacy to the biggest liars on the air.

by greensmile 2007-03-09 08:42AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I just called Bill Richardsons office and told them that if Bill doesnt turn down the fox news debate,I am withdrawing my support.the person on the phone took my name and number and said Bill was still thinking about it.we have to hold people responsible for there bad choices.weather its the war vote or pretecting the constitution,if they make the wrong choice you cant keep telling them its o-kay becouse we like them or there still good people.we need smart good people running our country.we need people who see things for how they realy are and are willing to make the hard choices.

by idahojim 2007-03-09 08:47AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I emailed Obama, I'll call too.

by rikyrah 2007-03-09 09:44AM | 0 recs

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Re: Harry Reid Moves Away From Fox

I'm not at all surprised Reid got to it eventually.

I assume it took so long because he was (mostly) caught up with the Senate's Iraq Resolution?

by theodicey 2007-03-09 10:08AM | 0 recs