Obama to Nix Fox Debate

“Pressure groups are forcing candidates to conclude that the best strategy for journalists is divide and conquer, to only appear on those networks and venues that give them favorable coverage,” Ailes said, adding that any candidate “who cannot answer direct, simple, even tough questions from any journalist runs a real risk of losing the voters.”
Anyone who has listened carefully to FOX news understands the “so-called” reporters have an agenda to ask questions of the “Have you stopped beating your wife” ilk. The “Gotcha” mentality is clear.
For real news without the BS, try PBS.

“Any candidate for high office from either party who believes he can blacklist any news organization is making a terrible mistake about journalists,” Ailes said at a Radio and Television News Directors Foundation dinner in Washington last month.”
What does that have to do with Fox which is neither a news organization or has any journalists on staff?

Way to go Barack! There is no need to justify this Fox organization as a news network or as anything that should be taken seriously. I only hope to see more of this in the future from any politician more concerned with the good government CAN do and the level of discourse we CAN have, than with getting their face and message out there regardless of the venue. Cheers!

Bill O’really’s job must be hanging by a thread.
What is the Congressional Black Caucus? Is there a Congressional White Caucus?

Good! It’s about time that people stop treating Fox like a real news outlet.

Happy to find your sight.
My preference for President and
Vice Pres would be Edwards & Obama!
Smart men for a nice change.

Hillary????

It seems to me that Barack Obama’s feud with Faux is only begining to heat up. Imagine Obama as president. Would he shut Faux out of the White House??? Should he and can he???

I totally agree wih Barack Obama and John Edwards and believe they are setting a course that all Democratic candidates should follow. Anyone who believes FOX News is a legitimate news organization is as uninformed or misinformed as anyone can be.
We have had enough of an “ersatz” news organization that supports the likes of the current president and his regime who fail to hear or accept the will of the majority of Americans.

DONT FORGET FOX NEWS IS THE #1 NEWS STATION KNOWN FACT.I’M A INDEPENDENT I WATCH CNN CBS ABC BUT I PERFER FOX. I FIND THEY HAVE A BETTER WAY OF TELLING IT LIKE IT IS.

Fox “News” is a joke. There is no news on FOX, just conservative garbage and lies all the time.

Any similarity between Faux News and a legitimate, objective news organization is purely coincidental. Well done, Senator Obama.

That’s the way to go, Mr. Obama!
Let them hold the Republican Debates. Here is the major question on Iraq:
Q: How is our success in Iraq impacting your campaigns?
McCain: I support the troops and Gen. Petraus. And that’s straight talk.
Romney: No, I support the troops and Gen. Petraus, and I’ve offered my trusty rifle to the cause
Giulliani: Yeah, I support the troops and was the Mayor on 9/11. Who’s Petraus? Is he one of Bernie K’s guys?
Tancredo: I support the troops, but I wonder who this Petraus character is, is he a foreigner? Sounds like.
Fred Thompson: I support the troops. That General Petraus reminds me of a story…..

“But in that same address, Ailes joked about the similarity of Obama’s name with that of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, saying, “It’s true that Barack Obama is on the move. I don’t know if it’s true President Bush called [Pakistan President Pervez] Musharraf and said, ‘Why can’t we catch this guy?’ ”
This statement by the head of FIX “news” says it all. They are slime merchants plain and simple. The closest they get to news is when the do the weather. Thank you Obama for sticking to your values. And shame on the Congressional Black Caucus for agreeing to do this debate with the merchants of slime and propaganda.

“What is the Congressional Black Caucus? Is there a Congressional White Caucus?”
yes, that would be the other 493 congresspersons as compared to the 42 in the CBC.

It’s always funny when someone from Fox calls themselves a news agency but that ok I can call myself a pirate that doesn’t make it true

I’m disappointed that Obama will not attend fox cosponsored debate. Obama has gotten pretty good press on Fox ( I watch all outlets). As a relatively unknown BUT very promising candidate who seems to have good instincts I would hate to have him fall into a right/left rut!

So if Fox News is right leaning…what do you call CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, and NPR? “Fair and Balanced”…I think not

This is music to my ears! I pray that all dem candidates avoid Faux News like the plague that it is!!! They are a worthless bunch of wanna be journalists! DEMS/LIBS, stop legitimizing these freaks on the NO NEWS channel!

Any politician that is trying to become the president and is afraid to debate on Fox News will never be strong enough to confront our country’s enemies

“Faux” News still won’t learn but I agree with the approach

Let me get this straight. It’s ok for CBS, ABC, NBC, MSNBC & CNN to all have liberal biases but it’s not ok for Fox to have a conservative bias. I don’t understand why the media is allowed to have any bias but they do so DEMS, show some courage and show up.
Despite DEM fear tactics, I am a moderate that finds FOX news interesting and a bit refreshing from all the doom and gloom of the other “enlightened” networks.

What a joke! Obama and Edwards have all the cash and coverage they presently want. Both these guys will be talking to FOX ‘journalists’ as soon as it suits their political need (and it certainly will once the general election draws near…). It’s all about timing the exposure and the spin.

The Democratic candidates aren’t snubbing Fox they’re snubbing everyone who watches Fox (apparently that’s quite a few people).
If you don’t like Fox news then don’t watch it. I don’t necessarily agree with the manner in which they report everything but it’s no different than any other news outlet, including this one.
Grow up!

It’s about time our country started to stand up to the twisted and half baked stories that Fox News has been airing these last 10 yrs. Obama and Edwards are willing to lose a few votes in order to stand up for what they believe in. Where is Hillary’s stand?

Fox news is a complete JOKE. No sane person watches those neocon hack artists.

I’ve read both the story and the comments. You guys have missed the boat. A debate doesn’t promote the people asking the questions, it’s about the answers given. If you ever wanted a chance to influence some conservatives, broadcast your platform on Fox. What’s gained by having a debate in front of your friends where questions are asked by your friends? Nothing.

Fox has coasted on stirring up conservative rage for too long. This network has helped the neo-cons tear the nation apart. It’s time to get back to real, unbiased news.
In the same way that porn stars find it impossible to make the jump to a mainstream film career after they’ve gone all the way on the XXX screen, I’ll bet a lot of Fox “journalists” will find the ceiling of their post-Fox careers very low. It will serve them right.
Ditto for any candidate who bets their image on exposure via Fox. Republican, Democrat or Independent — Lie down with Fox, wake up with fleas.

Thank God for these two. Will Clinton have the guts to follow suit? It would be a real star to her character and would actually make me consider voting for her again.

Hey georgembush, yes, there is a white caucus. It’s called… CONGRESS

Bravo, Obama and Edwards! The curtain of ‘fair and balanced’ is continually being pulled back inch by inch to reveal the media manipulation perpetrated by Fox.

Typical liberal politicians hiding behind a false veil of the media. Everyone knows the mainstream media has a huge liberal bias, then , when the shoe is on the other foot, they all go home crying.
No need to insult Edwards or Obama, as their weak-minded actions speak for themselves.

Fox News it NOT a legitimate news source but rather a distortion of the news. Even their slogan is a distortion of the truth, “Fair and Balanced”. If people are going to make their decision on our next President based on Fox News our democracy is over. All politicians should boycott Fox News.

This is a win-win: First, candidates who take action to back up their words; second, pulling back the curtain to expose the sham of a “news” network that Fox pretends to be.

Wise strategy. We must ensure a Democrat wins the presidency next time around. We cannot afford to have any of the Democratic candidates made to look foolish in the event they decide not to answer a specific question or choose to sidestep an issue. It is best they be with CNN. That network has been friendlier to us in the past. Go Barack!

All of the above posts are from people/groups that obviously encourage partisan participation by the so-called “fair” news organizations of today. Maybe the Repub candidates should boycott CNN, ABC, CBS and all other “news” oultets that have a political agenda contrary to their political beliefs. I do not condone these types of actions and in fact believe that this is yet another confirmation that our news today is run by left/right-wing partisan groups. There is no such thing as “fair and unbiased” news today (left or right wing)!

I don’t consider Foxnews to be bias towards any party but if canidates from the democratic party felt that way, it seems that they would want to express their views on such a channel. Unless they have nothing to bring to such a debate that would make all listen and not just some, the biased view.

Member of the Congressional Black Caucus. I’m getting tired of committees or organizations that are based of skin color. I don’t know how this is not considered racist in itself.

Democrats will watch ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN with all the liberal slant that goes with those networks. Rebublicans will watch Fox and the conservative slant that goes with it’s network. So whats the problem? I’m Sure Fox will take those ratings and run.

Good ! About time a stand was taken.

I dont think its good idea to boycott Fox. Stand up and be the canidate that can face any advisary. Show us what your made of. Because there are going to be alot harder challenges than a “bias news chanel.”

This is a case of the “race to the left” that is inevitble in the democratic primary season. MoveOn.org has paid for the party… its theirs… and the candidates are following the Soros marching orders.

“Bill O’really’s job must be hanging by a thread.
What is the Congressional Black Caucus? Is there a Congressional White Caucus?”
Yeah, practically the rest of the congress.

Its ok to speak with Syria and Iran but not debate on Fox?? Are we fearless or fearful? The democrats are consistently inconsistent.

Being devils advocate here, but, if you’re 100% true to your position, why should you boycott any outlet? What would the opinion if a Republican nominee boycotted CNN which is very liberal? I say buck up and be a man, or woman, which ever the case may be and participate. Who knows, they could win over a Republican vote and the vice versa could happen. Isn’t that what debate is about?

I’ve stopped watching FOX news a long time ago. I don’t like narrow minded news…. Or the reporters who spread it.

I watch both FOX and CNN and The truth is that FOX does not lean anymore to the right than CNN leans to the left. The hate mongers that showed their true colors in this comment session are blind to reality. Why is Obama really afraid of FOX? It is not because of the stupid reasons listed by the recent comments. He just doesn’t want to have to work hard. Come on people stop this stupid business of making FOX your favorite whipping boy. By the way, there are some very good reporters on FOX and there are some true idiots on CNN so the mix about right. Why is everyone part of the “right-wing conspiracy” ? Is there never a left-wing conspiracy? ABC, NBC, CBS are absolute models of middle of the road – NOT ! Wake up.

So Democrats want their own freedom of speech while trying to shut down the free speech of Fox News and all those who like watching it. That says a lot of unflattering things about all who think this is okay. The most damning is that it’s unAmerican.

“But in that same address, Ailes joked about the similarity of Obama’s name with that of terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, saying, “It’s true that Barack Obama is on the move. I don’t know if it’s true President Bush called [Pakistan President Pervez] Musharraf and said, ‘Why can’t we catch this guy?’ ” ”
These are the types of tough questions that Fox asks, as part of its “fair and balanced” coverage.

It’s about time progressives got together and showed Faux News who’s boss. We need to take it a step further and get this “news” channel taken off the air.
Why should we pay to watch garbage? Moreover, my neighbors aren’t smart enough to know the trash Faux is shoveling them – we need firmly ensure lies and anti-progressive hate speech have no platform, anywhere.

Interesting that Obama feels compelled to bitch-slap the Congressional Black Caucus in this way.
Sad that so many paragons of integrity choose to be defined more by their choice of enemies than by their friends.
(p.s. to JE – if a debate sponsored by the Teamsters was to be held on Fox would you have such immediate access to self-righteous indignation?)

i’m glad obama also pulled out of the fox “news” debate. fox channel is not a news channel, its a talk show. its not news. there is no reason any democrat should go on fox channel for any reason. by appearing on fox, they only legetimize fox. so good work edwards and obama. fox would only try to find ways to make the democrates look foolish. they would use clever tricks with lighting and comments here and there and all kinds of industry tricks to make the democrats look foolish and silly.

Wake up to all those out there that can’t think for themselves! I think its pathetic and cowardly for the Dems to boycott Fox News. I watch ALL the networks/cables shows and then make up my mind – Fox is no more 1 sided than anybody else! If you think Fox is skewed, try to listen to Dobbs on CNN. He should be banned from reporting anything except traffic reports.

Hmmm…I find it interesting you all approve of the Left-Wing bias that spews from CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, et al but not the Right-Wing bias from 1 itty-bitty channel.
All ‘journalists’ have an opinion and an agenda, folks…get a grip if you think they don’t. Why? Because all humans are like that too!
I’m also quite pleased they’re boycotting Fox…shows me who’s too cowardly to handle actually being questioned!

Interesting: The democrats are afraid of debating themselves on the Fox News Channel. What are they afraid of? A hard question? Or do they prefer a softy that is set up by the liberal media? If they can’t handle hard questions how are they going to do on the international scene. Are these the type of wimps we want to lead the country? I think not!!

The FOX Network is as bias to the right as CNN/ABC/CBS/NBC networks are bias to the left.

Okay I was a Democrat 20 years ago and left the party after the bias and petty fighting going on. I have been Independent since and vote about 50/50 on candidates and issues, but this is really starting to get me ticked because I was hoping to maybe come back to the party.
The actions of every candidate who has pulled out of this debate tells me this is NOT the Party for the people, but the party for it’s closed inner circle. Based on the fact of these people pulling out of a debate hosted on a specific news station that does not match their ideas 100% tells me they don’t care about me as an Independant voter. I watch ALL news sources because as someone stated, they ALL have an agenda and bias based on the reporters slant. This is true of Every Media organization out there and if you don’t know this or believe it you need to wake up to reality.
Bottom line of what these actions are saying? These candidates are telling me I am not smart enough to watch a debate and determine for myself what is going on. Sorry, but every single candidate who pulls out of a debate on Fox has completely lost my vote now because they are telling me I am too stupid to make an intelligent decision on my own.
This also goes the same for those ignorant people who refuse to watch Fox news because they say it is bias. What you are saying is you are too stupid to make and intelligent decision on your own.

….any candidate “who cannot answer direct, simple, even tough questions from any journalist runs a real risk of losing the voters.”
I agree with Jeff, any candidate that can not answer the questions THEY PREAPPROVED AND AGREED TO just because it will be aired on Fox News is not worthy of my vote. I will have to give Rudy and McCain a closer look.
I WILL NEVER watch Al-CNN after watching the lies they aired while I was in Iraq. The prison network is so far out that most of their viewers are watching to see themselves on TV.

To the people who are disapointed in Obama for shutting out the red-staters:
He’s not shutting us out. He’s smacking down FOX for lying about him repeatedly. They knew he didn’t attend a madrassa and they ran with that. That’s crazy. I live in a red state [AK]. I can watch the debates on some other channel. We ALL need to smack FOX down.

Seriously, there was a study done by UCLA and Fox News was a lot closer to the center than ABC, CBS, or NBC.
Really, if the Dems can’t answer the tough questions, then they have absolutely no reason to be running for office.
To be honest, I doubt some of the people here whom say they are conservative really are conservative.
I honestly like Fox News, cause I find it a lot easier to filter out what is just what the “Journalist’s” opinions are from what actually happened. It’s actually quiet easy, cause they clearly state when they are giving their opinions. So to some it up Fox News is conservative, but unlike the “Mainstream Media” they’re honest about it and clearly indicate when they are giving their opinions.
Btw, Alan Colmes whom works at Fox News is a Liberal not a Conservative.
O’Reilly is a commentator not a news anchor.
Get your facts straight people.

One of the problems that I have with the democratic party leadership is that they are hard to find!
While I am clearly inspired by Barack, as I have joined this grassroots campaign to do my part. However, not going on Fox was a missed opportunity to turn the tables (as Bill Clinton did)! What? Are we incapable of spinning and spewing the rhetoric? Are we not just in our causes “by the people and for the people?
If we cannot kick FOX Television’s distorted butt, how the heck can we defeat, Papa Doc Bush, Karl Rove and Dick Cheney? COME ON!

Black Leaders: Stop ‘hatin’ on Barack !
I regularly listen to talk radio ranging from Air America, which is more progressive or Democratic…to Rush Limbaugh, Dennis Prager and Michael Medved which are Republican….and black radio particularly Warren Ballentine and Rev. Al Sharpton on the Radio 1 Network which is doing a great job of reaching the black community and creating an opportunity for voices nationwide to be heard. I find it interesting to hear the different views from the hosts….as well as callers nationwide…on the subject of Barack Obama for President. Many of the hosts, even callers, on both Air America and the Republican shows voice massive approval and support of Barack Obama. It’s actually quite refreshing to see and hear that so many white Americans are ready for a black president, basically because they feel he is the best choice regarding the issues of America and the world. Now, that’s progress.
Then I listen to the Rev. Al Sharpton. First of all, let me state that I greatly admire Rev. Sharpton. The work that he does through his National Action Network is developing into become a mighty force in the black community nationwide and I feel that all blacks should be supportive of NAN. But when I listen to Rev. Sharpton talk about Barack Obama’s presidential campaign I am totally amazed, shocked and beyond extremely disappointed. I’m almost embarrassed. Here we have Rev. Sharpton, who many blacks, including myself, look at as the number one leader for justice and empowerment in the black community…..and here we have a black man…Barack Obama…who is a very serious, capable, qualified candidate for President of the United States, supported by millions nationwide, with a realistic chance to enter the White House. But instead of rallying, supporting and stating this black historic opportunity as it is….Rev. Sharpton would rather not express his support of Obama at all !!! What’s wrong with this picture ? I can not believe that the leader(s) of the black community like Rev. Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson are NOT supportive of what could be the first black president of the United States, ever? That is crazy !!!! We, as blacks, know that in order for the black communities to rise up out of the muck and mire that permiates, we must all work together….as a family. We know that we always preach that we should be supportive of black achievement, black businesses, our black youth and each other. If that is the case, that we are to be supportive of each other, which I do believe that to be true, than never has that need been more evident than now. ALL black people should be in absolute support of Barack Obama for President, not just because he’s black, but because of his stance, capabilities and qualifications. This should be a period of rallying in the streets, shouting with pride that we have a true opportunity to change history and put a black man in the White House. And this rally cry should be lead by our leaders. Yes, Rev. Al, Rev. Jackson, the NAACP…ALL black leaders should be sounding the trumpet to inspire all black people to vote for this historic change.
Why aren’t they. Rev. Al states that he hasn’t heard enough from Obama regarding the issues to make a decision. I find that a bit disingenuous seeing as to how I know where Obama stands on the various issues….and so do the millions of white Obama supporters. Rev. Al also says that Obama may not have enough experience. I find that to be a sadly interesting comment, particularly considering both Rev. Al and Rev. Jackson ran for President with absolutely NO political experience, but never stated that they were too new for the post. (NOTE: Rev. Al knows that Barack Obama has been a U.S. Senator for over 2 years…..and that Abraham Lincoln was a Senator for 2 years….and turned out to be considered one of the greatest Presidents of all time). Rev. Al also states that he is not hearing enough talk from Obama regarding specifically what he will do for the black community. Now common sense should tell all black folks that Obama has to play the political game. Keep in mind, he is running for president of the United States…that means everyone, black, white, hispanic, muslim, jews,and all others. Obama can not be appearing as if he will only be concerned with the black community needs or he has absolutely no chance of winning. Maybe that’s where Rev. Al went wrong with his campaign. Does Rev. Al think that Obama should be shouting ‘ungawa…Black Power’ during each debate ? There is no way that he could do that and expect to win. But once he is President, common sense tells us that he would be more receptive to the needs in the black community than any other candidate. That’s just common sense based on what we DO know about Obama. Then some folks want to say he’s not ‘black enough’. That is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever heard. First of all, his name is Barack Obama……not like Jesse or Al. Secondly, Obama is half Kenyon…..that’s pretty black !!!
Sometimes I just wonder to myself, why aren’t Rev. Al and Rev. Jackson leading the rally to support this historic cause. Could they be jealous that Obama has already achieved more acceptance than they did during their campaign efforts. I would hate to think that to be the fact. Or, are they hopeful that Hilary will win because they feel that she will assist them in their personal efforts if elected President. I hope that too is not the case…..that would be selling out…..and I would never believe either to be sell-outs. But for our leaders to not support Obama is like saying that they feel a white person would do better or more for the black communities, which history has proven is just not the case. Then what can it be ? That is the question. I believe that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be very proud and thankful to see that, in spite of all of the weights that have burdened and held the black community down, one black man has risen to such a level that he is a viable choice to be President of the United States in 2008. I believe that Rev. King would truly lead a powerful movement to change the tide of history. I see marches, flags, signs, songs, t-shirts, buttons and millions of blacks proudly expressing jubilee for this opportunity to make a real change in our country. WE SHALL OVERCOME….has been our motto for the black struggle for many generations and we are still struggling, in oh so many ways. And we will never overcome, until our leaders wake up, stop ‘hatin’ and vigorously lead the cause that will truly make a positive difference in our country, in our black community, and in the entire world. Rev. Al….Rev. Jackson….
It’s Time To LEAD !!!

CNN obviously pushe obama down our throats.. If Obama can’t handle Fox news then he is too weak to be president.

PLEASE, PLEASE,PLEASE GET ON WITH IT. eNOUGH OF THE NONSENSE…

all u people who are saying Obama is scared of fox are missing the point. He is making a statement that all of you should realize. Fox news is not free press, its controlled propaganda and it needs to be shut down or restructured. Theyre pulling the wool over your eyes and only report what they feel furthers the republicans. Why would barrack enter a biased debate it ruins the whole point of having a debate.