Sunday, October 18, 2009

A First in Modern Politics


Never in the history of modern politics has a President forbid his Administration officials to talk or be interviewed by a major news agency - especially the #1 news agency in the country. But that's exactly what President Obama has done with Fox News. There's only one reason I can think of why Obama would do such a thing. The reason is fear - fear of being caught in a lie. In Chicago politics, if there's someone who disagrees with you or holds you accountable, you cut them off at the knees. Chicago politicians don't convince by using good reason and common sense. They convince by eliminating the opposition. Rahm Emmanuel, Obama's Chief of Staff, is the epitome of a Chicago politician.

It's interesting to look at how the Bush, Clinton, and Nixon administrations handled tough questions and being held accountable for their actions. Not one of them cut off a major network for asking tough questions. Bush continually sent his administration officials to face the press despite the rising opposition becoming obvious, especially at NBC and CBS. CNN has often been referred to as the Clinton News Network, until the Lewinsky affair when even CNN asked tough questions. Nixon even compiled an "Enemies List", but didn't cut off a news network.

However, there were others who have used similar techniques to attempt to control the media. Presidents from the countries of Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, and Iran are some current examples. We need to look at what Obama is doing very closely. There's a reason he's cutting off Fox News and I don't think it's a good one. Be suspicious, very suspicious.

4 comments:

Mike West said...

Interesting - hadn't heard this. Is there an actual story out there where BO is quoted that he will not work with FOX?

twest said...

Big time! When he did his whirlwind media tour he appeared on EVERY major Sunday news outlet - and some not so major - except Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace, Fox News Channel, and Fox Business. He even did Letterman - I guess in appreciation for his continued hatchet job on Palin.

I guess it's in response to Glenn Beck's continued investigation into the myriad relationships of administration officials. Some of this stuff goes beyond Chicago poltics. Beck put in a hotline phone directly to White House for them to correct any "mis-statements and falsehoods" he's broadcasting. He's a bit theatric, but it's good theater!

Brodad Unkabuddy said...

Can you imagine the uproar if Bush would have forbid his administration officials to comment to MSNBC reporters or be on any MSNBC shows?

twest said...

Remember Condie Rice's remark (she didn't know the mic would pick her up) that Fox News were her favorite reporters because they would get it right? My, how times have changed...

Just curious, whatever happened to her?