By Jennifer Parker

Apr 10, 2007 9:03am

Clinton Joins Boycott of Fox Debate

ABC News’ Eloise Harper Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., a 2008 presidential candidate,has joined her democratic rivals — former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. — in boycotting a presidential debate hosted by the Fox News Channel.

On Monday, the Obama campaign said that the senator would boycott a proposed debate to be broadcast by Fox News Channel.

The first senator to formally boycott the Fox News debate was former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.

A statement released by the Edwards campaign read:

"We believe there’s just no reason for Democrats to give Fox a platform to advance the right-wing agenda while pretending they’re objective. If there was any uncertainty as to Fox’s objectivity, it was put to rest when they attacked Democratic candidates, Democratic constituency groups, and the Nevada Democratic party when their last proposed debate was cancelled for lack of support."

The debate is to be held on September 23 in Detroit and is hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus.

User Comments

Why they are so hostile to people that holdss different views It is a shame. I think that they should express their views in front of all the Americans not just whom they like.

Posted by: Gregory markzon | April 10, 2007, 9:55 am 9:55 am

I totally agree. Fox Noise is nothing but a mouthpiece for the neocon movement, a movement which gladly is seeing its last days, due to its total disaster with this brainless president. President Rove that is, or shall I say President Cheney? Well either way, they are brainless and finished and americans are FINALLY waking up to what some of us have known for years.

Posted by: Anna | April 10, 2007, 9:56 am 9:56 am

It appears that the Democrats are backing biased CNN while saying Fox is biased. This is not a political campaign issue. This is a media issue. Talk about biased!

Posted by: Caroline | April 10, 2007, 9:58 am 9:58 am

They only feel comfortable debating on networks (CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS) that advance the left wing agenda………..

Posted by: Phil Hammons | April 10, 2007, 10:03 am 10:03 am

Looks like these “Lefties” are afraid. Maybe they can’t handle tough questions. The Fox News Channel employs more Democrats that Republicans. These candidates cannot face facts.

Posted by: Ryan | April 10, 2007, 10:04 am 10:04 am

Boycotts work best when there is solidarity, so I’m glad to hear about Sen. Clinton’s decision.

Posted by: Craig | April 10, 2007, 10:04 am 10:04 am

Yeah Fox TV is really for conservative Republicans. They continue to back the president in all his stupidity and a war in which young Americans are being picked off by IEDs and EFPs. Thanks to them and a divisive split in the Senate, the Democrats can’t get anything done in this country that will help average people.

Posted by: Bob | April 10, 2007, 10:05 am 10:05 am

It is about time that somebody recognized publicly that the Fox network is NOT a true news network, but rather a noisy mouthpiece for the far right in America. NO ONE should take Fox seriously.

Posted by: WAYNE Schlueter | April 10, 2007, 10:05 am 10:05 am

Cowards – they can’t compete on a level playing field.

Posted by: d. murdock | April 10, 2007, 10:11 am 10:11 am

Perhaps the Republicans should boycott any debate that CBS, ABC, and NBC. These three networks could arguably have left wing agendas. The Republicans should say, in Edward’s words, “there is no reason to give these networds a platform to advance the left-wing agenda while pretending they’re objective. If there was any uncertainty as their objectivity, it was put to rest when they hid any negative news about Demoncratic candidates, and attacked Republican candidates.” Still the Republicans don’t shy away from debates with these networks. My question is, why do the Democrats fear Fox News?

Posted by: jfm | April 10, 2007, 10:16 am 10:16 am

The democratic contenders already have the attention of their party affiliates: to win, they need to convince a few independents and republicans. Why not go to Fox and face a few tough questions bias or not, defend themselves like Mr. Clinton did, refute their arguments with their point of view and state their ideas firmly to them and more importantly to us, the public. Those aspiring to become the democratic candidate will have to answer this question sooner or later as the republicans will certainly use it:
If you are willing to run from Fox, what would you do if we were attacked again? Run?

Posted by: JRGonzalez | April 10, 2007, 10:19 am 10:19 am

The dems have now officially admitted they cannot win in the battle of ideas.

Posted by: Manny | April 10, 2007, 10:22 am 10:22 am

LOL – Chickens!

Posted by: Mike | April 10, 2007, 10:28 am 10:28 am

It is apparent the Dems will continue to hide behind their lackluster ideas and not open themselves up to debates. Neither party is reflecting the long term needs of America…they are all to short sighted.

Posted by: Durbs | April 10, 2007, 10:34 am 10:34 am

I guess its time the republicans boycott every debate planned for a liberal media.

Posted by: JLM | April 10, 2007, 10:35 am 10:35 am

These actions by the Democrats magnify their own hypocrisy. It is no secret that a strong liberal bias dominates much of the media on an ongoing basis. Yet, when the media won’t push their own leftist agenda they cry “foul.” How pathetic!

Posted by: tim dane | April 10, 2007, 10:55 am 10:55 am

They can have their opinion on the bias of Fox News, but this boycott just shows how weak they are. Who cares who is asking the questions, if you have good ideas and responses and can defend your position it shouldn’t matter who is asking the questions. Just the Dems wanting a favorable audience. Boooo hoooo hooo, cry my a river Hil, Obama and Edwards…

Posted by: Bryan | April 10, 2007, 10:56 am 10:56 am

ONCE AGAIN, the democrats are dodging a bullet, FOX doesnt give them the warm happy fuzzy feeling that they strive for when sugar coating the issues, so the dummycrats run away as “victims” from FOX & republicans. They are segregating themselves as usual. Since FOX is more conservative Democrats refuse to play “nice” with them. Haven’t they ever heard of “tough love”? They should be ashamed of themselves.

Posted by: tmh | April 10, 2007, 10:59 am 10:59 am

I love it!! It’s about time the Democrats stood up to the so-called “fair and balanced” network!
If you’re going to call yourself a “news” network, then report the news. All of the “reporters” on Fox obviously are biased and should consider themselves political pundits that lean right.

Posted by: Chuck | April 10, 2007, 11:05 am 11:05 am

Good move by the Dems. We should not bow to the Bush fanatics.

Posted by: bahaa | April 10, 2007, 11:10 am 11:10 am

WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF?????? THEY KNOW FOX DOES NOT PLAY GAMES.

Posted by: Buffy | April 10, 2007, 11:17 am 11:17 am

The bottom line is the Democratic Presidential candidatates are only willing to lead liberals. Republican Presidential Candidates are leaders of all Americans. Republicans do debate in both a conservative and a liberal setting. Republicans do reach out to everyone and provide leadership for everyone. The Democrats clearly only offer leadership to those that are liberal. We need a President for all Americans.

Posted by: Virginia Hale | April 10, 2007, 11:19 am 11:19 am

My question would be how many years have the conservatives had to endure being ‘summed up’ through the muddy colored glass of liberal media? How hypocritical for each of these candidates to state that they are reaching out to ALL of America, to unify us because of all the recent years of bipartisan divide while marginalizing the broad base of viewers who support Fox because it doesn’t treat them as gently as they would like. It’s going to be difficult to get the other half of America to warm up to these candidates when they promote the very notions which have continued to support division in our country. America is looking for a balanced strength, something I’m afraid these candidates lack.

Posted by: Wendy | April 10, 2007, 11:27 am 11:27 am

funny how fox has not addressed this issue on their website yet… i think it’s GREAT that FOX is being exposed …

Posted by: my2cents | April 10, 2007, 11:33 am 11:33 am

Any “news” network run by a Republican operative, that routinely slanders Democrats is no place for a Democratic debate.
Kudos to any Democrat who calls Fox “News” what they really are – part of the rightwing spin machine that is helping to ruin this nation.

Posted by: D Andrews | April 10, 2007, 11:34 am 11:34 am

Good for these Democrats. Why would they do anything to legitimize a republican run propaganda organization?

Posted by: Kent Hancock | April 10, 2007, 11:36 am 11:36 am

I agree with the Dems decision to boycott Fox. As long as Fox remains an ideological mouthpiece for the right, you know any “debate” will be pre-loaded and biased from the outset. How can anyone take Fox as a serious “News” organization any longer? They have lost all credibility. Fair and Balanced? What a load!

Posted by: Cress Bohnn | April 10, 2007, 11:46 am 11:46 am

For decades the media has blasted at the Republicans, and have yet to provide any truth to their claims of wide spread corruption, and immorality. But you take a media company that presents the truth, and backs them with facts of the corruption and immorality of the Democrats, and they scream bloody murder. Yes a few Republicans have committed immorality, but NO WHERE NEAR WHAT THE DEMOCRATES HAVE! Fox Broadcasting is promoting the truth and the Democrats can not stand it. In fact the truth is killing them. They can’t even agree among their selves on issues national importance.
Bill Clinton joining the boycott is like allowing a rapist to sit in judgment of pedophiles. If you think this is un-called for or a slander, then you better look real good into Bill Clintons past. Has there ever been a Republican President or Representative that have committed the immoralities that Bill Clinton and other Democrats have?
“Treason doth never prosper,” wrote an English poet, “What’s the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
Bill Clinton instead of being herald as a great president should be tried for TREASON.
I ASKD THAT YOU NOT BELIEVE ONE WORD HERE, BUT INSTEAD TAKE THE TIME TO SEEK OUT THE TRUTH.

Posted by: Alex Freeborn | April 10, 2007, 11:48 am 11:48 am

I don’t blame any of them for boycotting this “debate”. Fair and balanced my rear end.

Posted by: Larry | April 10, 2007, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

I agree, Fox news is not objective – if you understand politics and view Fox news reports it is quite obvious it reports one-sided news. This is a well-known fact.

Posted by: v100 | April 10, 2007, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

Dems send their own into foreign territory to go elbow to elbow with the enemy but won’t go on Fox. What are they afraid of? They make me SICK!!!!!!!

Posted by: carolyn cox | April 10, 2007, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

Democrats afraid to promote their agenda if there is any threat doesn’t speak well for the party or individuals!!!!

Posted by: Bruce | April 10, 2007, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm

It is no secret that FOX is a conservative news network, and that is thier right. What these three backing out of the debate shows is simply that they are not willing to play ball on a bi-partasin field.

Posted by: Chris | April 10, 2007, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm

This Boycott of Fox is so petty and silly. Fox does have the highest ratings so they could reach far more viewers and appear less partisan.

Posted by: J. Thomas | April 10, 2007, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm

This is getting comical! These are the folks who want to run this country but they are too afraid to go on a TV network that they consider not nice?
Oh, grow up.

Posted by: Ellen Meeling | April 10, 2007, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm

Almost every single media outlet is pro-Democrat. It is typical liberal Democratic behavour. The Democratic party has always done what ever it takes to get elected not what is best for the long term of the country.
I really like the part about it being hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus. And they are supposed to be the party that is for blacks.
The entire Democratic party is a joke. And I am not a republican.
Leave to the liberals at ABC to try to make an issue of this.

Posted by: Matt Johnson | April 10, 2007, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

So the republicans have our best interests in mind? Are you kidding me, here we go with vietnam the second coming, great work republicans. They keep saying we have to “win” in iraq, yet every time i ask a republican to define what “win in iraq” means, they just stare at me with a dumb look.

Posted by: anon | April 10, 2007, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm

Fox is not News Network……..
Its a Republican Network owned by Republican with money.
Enough is enough Republican have lied over and over, again and again to the Great American Public.

Posted by: P | April 10, 2007, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm

It’s about damn time someone stood up to the Fox Network. Have you tried watching their broadcast? I sometimes wonder if they are in another planet. Fair and balanced my foot. I am glad the Democrats are speaking with one voice. They should have cranky ugly Ann Coulter on there.

Posted by: Maurice | April 10, 2007, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm

I love that FOX is attacked and villified for seizing on a lucrative marketing strategy. No other news network is even remotely balanced. They all tend to be left-leaning in their coverage. So I applaud the democratic candidates decision to bow out in the view of adversity, fine specimens of potential presidents.

Posted by: T S | April 10, 2007, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

I say lets have the debates on C-SPAN. Cut out the commentary and let the people decide for themselves. Choose a non-partisan group to architect the questions and have at it. Why do we need any one news station telling us how to think? Get an opinion people, we’re on our own.

Posted by: Renee | April 10, 2007, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm

wow.. the democrats are showing backbone and not giving into the “divide and conquer” technique for once. Just amazing to me, that after years of knuckling under the spinmachine, the democrats are finally learning to stand up for themselves. I get a chuckle out of the ‘fair and balanced’ network but I’m under no illusions about where it stands.
I’m not bleeding heart democrat either.. I just can’t take any more “fiscal responsibility” and “moral compass” from this administration. Now if I can finally get my state to actually change my voter registration properly like I’ve been trying for the last few years, I’m going to keep writing in “William Clinton” on my Republican primary ballot.

Posted by: LC | April 10, 2007, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm

What a sissy!! She wants to sit head to head with world leaders and she is sfraid to answer questions from Brit Hume?
She will probably hide under her desk rather than talk to Assad or CAstro.
WIMP.

Posted by: Pittsburgh Bob | April 10, 2007, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm

both parties are corrupt! I dont believe a word from neither. I voted for mickey mouse, he would of done a better job.

Posted by: space man | April 10, 2007, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm

I seem to remember that when Clinton was going through the whole Monica Lewinsky debacle, that ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN covered his screw up pretty much 24/7. I didn’t hear conservatives crying foul then. Now that their guys (Bush & Co.) are in a hotseat of their own making, and the press is covering it just like they did Clinton, there is some big left wing media takeover. Give me a break! It’s the media’s job to call those in power to task, be it Democrat or Republican. It’s not like they are making this stuff up, the current administration has given them plenty to go after.

Posted by: J Zyon | April 10, 2007, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm

Good news. It was about time. Fox is way too biased towards the right. At least cnn is more balanced, sure I have to endure that idiot of Dobbs, but after that I get to watch Wolf, which is more smart. As oppose to the fox Network where they are all conservatives.

Posted by: EJ | April 10, 2007, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm

I appreciate the comments herein concerning CNN having an absolute, shameless bias toward the Democatic Party. A News Journalist’s job is to report the facts and allow the listener to make the decision. I abhorr partisan reporting and have sent countless email notes to CNN criticizing Wolf Blizer and Richard Ware; neither of which I consider to be credible journalists. I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat; I am an American. I would consider myself to be the same average American who would just ask for the facts, and be left to make up my own mind concerning the issues.

Posted by: Pat Wallace | April 10, 2007, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm

CNN is not News Network……..
Its a Democratic Network owned by Democrats with money.
Enough is enough Democrats have lied over and over, again and again to the Great American Public.

Posted by: Charrito | April 10, 2007, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm

Clinton’s decision shouldn’t shock anyone. It not that she’s in solidarity with the rest of the candidates, she just is taking the easy way out and following the pack. Gee, how original. But, what can we expect from a person with no real world experience, except for being married to Bill and she has the gall to say Barac is wet behind the ears. She didn’t even want to take a chance of being elected Senator from her own state and had to come to New York City to get elected. We sure didn’t vote for her in the rest of NY.

Posted by: Rudy Valley | April 10, 2007, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm

The format of Fox News is a lot of talk. Often this talk turns to right-leaning opinions and/or a conservative spin on a subject. Sometimes it becomes very pro-conservative to the point of becoming propaganda. When guests with opposing viewpoints are invited on, as I have seen, they are outnumbered by rightwingers so that in the end it seems that the consensus of the majority outweighs the views of the few. Why would Democratic candidates want to support a business that otherwise opposes (sometimes vociferously) their viewpoints? On MSNBC, for every Olbermann there is a Scarborough. For every Tucker Carlson there is a Chris Matthews. At ABC, George Will for a Sam Donaldson.

Posted by: TSnow | April 10, 2007, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

Bravo to candidates who chose to boycott an institution that fabricates stories and then refuses to acknowledge their error as Fox did with the madrassa school/Obama Barak story. An ‘institution’ that tries to make a connection between a candidate for President and a terrorist with a play on words, an ‘institution’ that belittles and derides other candidates. Such an ‘institution’ is no place for serious discussions.
Enough is enough already.

Posted by: KM | April 10, 2007, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

I’m am so GLAD the dems are standing up to the fox news channel. They are NOT fair and balanced. Fox does nothing but bash the dems and complain about every other american denoucing the bush agenda. Bush’s approval rating is at 30%, that means 70% feel like he is doing a terrible job, no wonder you hear more bad than good.

Posted by: JAMES N. SMITH | April 10, 2007, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm

Good work dems! It’s not enough to boycott FoxNoiseNetwork…it is also important to boycott those running the place. After all they will still be in our community spreading the same old filth and lies afer Fox goes out of business. Filth begets filth.

Posted by: Sanman | April 10, 2007, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm

Looks very much like the dems are afraid to field any really tough questions.
Since they offer nothing but rhetoric, like most politicians, regardless of political party, it is no wonder they want to avoid any real questions or issues.
This country needs some really hard nosed, get something done people, in Washington, instead of a bunch of rich kids.

Posted by: Rick McDaniel | April 10, 2007, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm

Yeah Fox is the most whacky news channel ever. It’s like for people still living in the 50′s or something.

Posted by: Rod M | April 10, 2007, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

Just like the current Dems to run and hide if they don’t have an audience to their liking…they are all just a bunch of gutless candidates Obama…Hillary…Edwards? obviously not up to facing tough questions from a conservative network…what happens when they have to face foreign leaders who do not share their viewpoint? are they going to hide from them as well?

Posted by: common sense | April 10, 2007, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm

Maybe these 3 need to talk to John Kerry about not showing up on Fox. He regreted not going on Fox during his campaign. He openly admitted that he got a fair shake on Fox to O’Reilly. It says somthing when he showed up for the second time to get a plug in for his new book.

Posted by: cuervo | April 10, 2007, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm

I agree with a prior comment – FOX is just one against many: ABC, CBS, NBC, & CNN so why the complaining? Face it Liberals just want it their way period. Let’s just go to C-Span, can we all agree that would be fair?

Posted by: Rob | April 10, 2007, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm

It’s amusing to me that Fox News is portrayed as ultra conservative by so many commentors. I suspect many of you commenting on this issue do not watch Fox regularly. If you did, you would realize it is the ONLY news network that consistantly offers point/counter point. NONE of the other networks do this on a regular basis. Yes, they may do it occasionally, Meet The Press with Tim Russert often has a mixed panel, however, Fox News always provides both sides. I suspect some of you are speaking out of ignorance. Shame on the dems for trying to make a point here. And that point must be that if you are conservative minded you watch Fox News, and if you watch Fox, we don’t care what you think. 50% of the nation has conservative/traditional values and views. What a slap in the face to those folks.

Posted by: Dea Driscoll | April 11, 2007, 2:54 am 2:54 am

I recently told my 7 year old that even though you don’t get along with everyone in your class at school, you still have to go. It doesn’t matter that your views and interst are different from theirs, but what matters is that everyone learns something about each other.Show respect even though you maynot like SIR TALKS-A-LOT, and if you listen carefully you may learn something about him. Well I guess we are learning an awful lot about the Democrats. They don’t like the other kids or the teacher, so they aren’t going to go to school. The other kids (American Citizens) can’t learn anything about SIR-TALKS-A-LOT (Democrats) if they don’t go to school(the Debate).

Posted by: lori | April 11, 2007, 11:08 am 11:08 am

FOX is just one against many: ABC, CBS, NBC, & CNN so why the complaining? Although CNN is loosing so many viewers, what’s the point? Face it Liberals just want it their way or the highway. May be the 3 should just stop crying like little children and try and convince the public of their worth, unless they are afraid of letting the public know exactly what their worth is. As was stated so well in a recent praised movie,” You can’t handle the Truth!” If your not sure who I’m talking about its Liberals. Get over it and do your campaigning or get out of the fire!

Posted by: Mike Satterfield | April 11, 2007, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm

FOX News?…sorry, wrong vowel! That O should be a U…

Posted by: J.L.Stone | April 12, 2007, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm

Liberals are just cowards.

Posted by: E.F.Wilson | April 15, 2007, 9:58 am 9:58 am

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