Kucinich Defends FOX News

ABC News’ Jennifer Duck Reports: Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, says Democratic nomination rivals Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., are making a mistake by choosing to skip a FOX news sponsored debate.

Kucinich asserts the trio "(is) trying to avoid a forum where there will be hard-hitting questions from people who may not agree with them," adding that they are not only snubbing Fox, but also the debate’s host, the Congressional Black Caucus.

The Ohio Democrat called the blow "troublesome" because "the concerns of African Americans should take precedent over what network is broadcasting the debate."

"Certainly many Fox viewers are not part of the traditional Democratic base," he said, "but they have a right to hear from the Democratic candidates and we as candidates have an obligation to reach out to them. Families who view Fox News have lost loved ones in Iraq, lost their jobs to NAFTA, and lost their homes to medical bills, just as have the viewers of other networks."

Kucinich continued, "I know some people object to Fox News, and they take issue with Fox coverage, and the way Fox covers the news. I’ve taken issue with Fox on many occasions, but I don’t hesitate to be questioned by Fox or any of its affiliates."

An avid baseball fan, Rep. Kucinich said, "Fox broadcasts the World Series, too, but is it any less of a World Series because it’s on Fox? Ask the fans in St. Louis, or Anaheim, or Boston."

Continuing the baseball analogy:  "Not only can they (Clinton, Edwards and Obama) not hit right-handed pitching, they’re even afraid to step up to the plate and take a swing. Well, I’m one candidate for president who can hit any pitch anyone throws at me. And I’ll be taking the field in Detroit this September with the Congressional Black Caucus."

Kucinich mentioned his hometown Cleveland Indians saying he will be there when Fox broadcasts the World Series games. He added,"And when Fox broadcasts a debate sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus, I’ll be there, too."