Jun 17, 2009 11:05am

In CNBC Interview, President Obama Attacks Fox News Channel

In January, then-President-elect Obama told CNBC’s John Harwood that because he thinks “it's important not to live in the bubble,” he very rarely reads good press and often reads bad press “because I want to get a sense of are there areas where I'm falling short and I can do better.”

“You haven't gotten a lot of bad press so far,” Harwood noted.

“Well, I'm sure it's coming,” the president said.

In another interview yesterday, Harwood told the president that “media critics would say not only has it not come, but that you have gotten such favorable press — either because of bias or because you're good box office — that it's hurting the country, because you're not being sufficiently held accountable for your policies.”

The president said “it's very hard for me to swallow that one. First of all, I've got one television station entirely devoted to attacking my administration.”

“I assume you're talking about Fox,” Harwood said.

“Well, that's a pretty big megaphone,” the president said. “And you'd be hard-pressed, if you watched the entire day, to find a positive story about me on that front.”

The president went on to say that he “welcome(s) people who are asking us some, you know, tough questions.” He said he’s “been probably as accessible as any president in the first six months — press conferences, taking questions from reporters, being held accountable, being transparent about what it is that we're trying to do. I think that, actually, the reason that people have been generally positive about what we've tried to do is they feel as if I'm available and willing to answer questions, and we haven't been trying to hide them all.”

– jpt

 

User Comments

How long before there is new executive powers and a new regulatory agency to get Fox News?
Since ABC is making camp in the White House to shovel out one sided bias news out of the Administration, its probably only a matter of time before ABC is the only news station with an FCC license.

Posted by: KR | June 17, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am

Freedom of the Press goes two ways Mr. Obama..you should be celebrate it not criticize it for without it you would not be President…

Posted by: Parallex View | June 17, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am

I don’t have a problem with his statement about Fox. He failed to mention MSNBC as being a megaphone, though I admit it isn’t very large, for him. Thrills up their legs, etc. Anyway, the more he criticizes Fox for covering him, the more people will gravitate over there to see if it is so. He did the same thing with Rush and boy, did that ever backfire on him.

Posted by: Axey | June 17, 2009, 11:19 am 11:19 am

The president has harsher words for his critics than he does, you know, actual enemies of our country.

Posted by: Axey | June 17, 2009, 11:22 am 11:22 am

Dog bites man.

Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn | June 17, 2009, 11:26 am 11:26 am

Worst. President. Ever.

Posted by: jhlj | June 17, 2009, 11:33 am 11:33 am

Maybe, the president can appoint a panel to decide that there are too many news outlets for them to be profitable and take away Fox News’ license. And, some of you will acquiescently, obtusely or blissfully agree with this action. This would have been a joke 6 months ago, now it is a possibility.
“A free press can of course be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom it will never be anything but bad… Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better, whereas enslavement is a certainty of the worse.” Albert Camus

Posted by: WhereWasThePress? | June 17, 2009, 11:45 am 11:45 am

Good grief! I’ve seen sophomores in high school show more maturity. This behavior is embarrassing for someone holding the highest office in our country.

Posted by: jennifert7 | June 17, 2009, 11:52 am 11:52 am

I didn’t realize Fox was a “real” news channel….I thought it was more like those scripted reality shows….

Posted by: joannie | June 17, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am

Personally, I think Fox is far too kind.
Obama is MUCH worse than what Fox says.

Posted by: Terry | June 17, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am

WhereWasThePress:”Maybe, the president can appoint a panel to decide that there are too many news outlets for them to be profitable and take away Fox News’ license. And, some of you will acquiescently, obtusely or blissfully agree with this action. This would have been a joke 6 months ago, now it is a possibility. ”
Now is is a possibility? Please provide any basis in REALITY for that absurd suggestion.
Is the Rightwing really this disconnected from the actual issues and facts that mainstream America is dealing with right now (health care, the economy, changing gears on the war on terror, North Korea, Iran)?

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 11:55 am 11:55 am

What incredibly thin skin this man has. George Bush had ever network (not TV Station, incidentally) there is, including Comedy Central and the Travel Channel, undermining his credibility at every opportunity.
Bush never complained, never whined like a 6th grade school girl. Obama can’t show a sliver of the class, nor dignity that Bush showed on a daily basis.

Posted by: LeBron | June 17, 2009, 11:57 am 11:57 am

jennifert7:”Good grief! I’ve seen sophomores in high school show more maturity. ”
? He answered a direct question honestly and clearly, stating his supporting evidence (Fox rarely airs a positive story about Obama) in a manner that allows for reasonable verification and challenge. About what I expect from the President (and what we got from Clinton, Bush Sr.,…).

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am

I didn’t realize Fox was a “real” news channel….I thought it was more like those scripted reality shows….
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No, scripted would be Obama’s speeches. Regardless, for not being “real”, Fox and Limbaugh sure do seem to be a thorn in his side.

Posted by: jennifert7 | June 17, 2009, 11:59 am 11:59 am

Oh give me a break!
on MSNBC ‘Morning Joe’ begins the day with considerable criticism of Obama (others are positive)and many times have opposing guests.
on CNN ‘Lou Dobbs’ mostly critisizes Obama others have many opposing voices
FOX..go see, they are all opposed to Obama with all guests agreeing with them. They even bumped Colmes off of Hannity

Posted by: watching | June 17, 2009, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm

I think Tapper needs to look up attack in the dictionary and rethink the headline on this article.

Posted by: kendal | June 17, 2009, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm

In CNBC Interview, President Obama Attacks Fox News Channel
He was actually responding to a question, and the answer was hardly an attack

Posted by: honestly | June 17, 2009, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

“First of all, I’ve got one television station entirely devoted to attacking my administration.”
_____________________________________
Hmmmm …. I suppose it’s better than something John McCain could say today:
“First of all, I’ve got at lest six broadcast and cable networks entirely devoted to attacking my campaign, my VP pick, etc. etc. ….”
With all due respect, Mr. President, you get 90 percent positive coverage out there. Probably more than any President since the media went after Nixon. Stop complaining!!

Posted by: Obama, the Second Coming | June 17, 2009, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

Is the Rightwing really this disconnected from the actual issues and facts that mainstream America is dealing with right now (health care, the economy, changing gears on the war on terror, North Korea, Iran)?
Posted by: jhw539 | Jun 17, 2009 11:55:09 AM
_____________________________________
First, while you are right to think its absurd that Obama will kill fox, why is it you liberals ALWAYS misinterpret pure, honest (well, mostly) disagreement and debate as being “disconnected from the actual issues,” etc. We’re not disconnected at all, we just disagree that this administration’s solutions are the right way to go. We have a different opinion. And guess what – that’s our right!!We care about all of those things, we just have a different way to fix them. Are we right? Are you/Obama right? Who knows, but we should debate these things to try and come up w/ the best solution. You libs always want to act like we’re out-of-touch and disagreeing for disagreement’s sake. But we’re just trying to have an honest debate! When did this concept go out of style???

Posted by: Obama, the Second Coming | June 17, 2009, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

Obama the Second Coming:”First, while you are right to think its absurd that Obama will kill fox, why is it you liberals ALWAYS misinterpret pure, honest (well, mostly) disagreement and debate as being “disconnected from the actual issues,” etc.”
He stated the president could “take away Fox News’ license” for their critical reporting. This absurd fear is not based in any reality whatsoever and yes, it has nothing to do with the issues the majority of Americans care about.
“You libs always want to act like we’re out-of-touch and disagreeing for disagreement’s sake. But we’re just trying to have an honest debate! ”
Trying to have an honest debate? By making up some fantasy about Obama shutting down FoxNews for critical report (that is what my comment was specifically in regards to)?
An honest debate means sharing the same facts. When anyone comes into a debate shouting a conclusion and refusing to provide any verifiable facts from reality they it is just not possible to have an honest debate. We can have different opinions but an honest debate requires sharing the same FACTS. Even you agree that “you are right to think its absurd that Obama will kill fox,” so I’m not quite sure what to make of your vehement agreement.

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm

“First of all, I’ve got one television station entirely devoted to attacking my administration.”
WOW, One network dares to criticize the president!
What a whiny wimp!
Lets see, ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, CNN…
Poor Obama, he never seemed to concerned for Bush when all those stations were blasting him. The President need to get a reality check. ~60 Million people voted AGAINST HIM! Time to stop whining about the fact some people do not agree with you.

Posted by: Mike_C | June 17, 2009, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm

=== Probably more than any President since the media went after Nixon===
Obama has had more coverage, the majority of it positive, than either Clinton or Bush at the same time in their presidencies.

Posted by: Axey | June 17, 2009, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm

===When did this concept go out of style???===
Rhetorical, right? As soon as Obama won.

Posted by: Axey | June 17, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

” When anyone comes into a debate shouting a conclusion and refusing to provide any verifiable facts from reality they it is just not possible to have an honest debate”
Hmmm…that sounds like just about every single Barney Frank held hearing!

Posted by: Mike_C | June 17, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

A 2008 Pew Institute study showed Fox News was the most fair and objective of all the major media outlets in covering the 2008 election. Balance positive and negative stories for both McCain and Obama.
Obama is delusional. Dozens of studies have shown that upwards of 85% of those in major media self identify as democrats. A look at the 08 election data shows that those same journalists gave to democratic candidates 3 to 1 over republican candidates.
Of course the media hasn’t held him accountable. That’s even a complaint by well known liberals in the past couple months.
The post-partisan president who was supposed to rep ALL Americans is the phony everyone said he was. A blank slate anyone can project their best image on. No one knew they were projecting their own values onto a think-skinned sissy.

Posted by: J. Taj Bozeman | June 17, 2009, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm

” changing gears on the war on terror”
jlw….you lost your Obama Administration Reference Chart didnt you!
Remember there is no longer a war on terror. It’s now called “overseas contingency operations”!

Posted by: Mike_C | June 17, 2009, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

all i can say is–thank God for Fox news–if you want the truth–listen to both sides–Fox is the only news station to question anything that obama does–except for Lou Dobbs.This is not the USSR yet……….

Posted by: sifto77 | June 17, 2009, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

Fox News
Lou Dobbs
Rush Limbaugh
Jim Cramer
Rick Santelli
These are the news/media people who President Obama has criticized while in office. Did I miss any?

Posted by: MayBee | June 17, 2009, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

So basically, the president admitted that there is only one news network that still does its job — it is the media’s job to criticize the president.
You know, I do watch Fox news frequently and I’ve always seen them being quite fair – presenting both sides – and even though many of their opinionists are not Obama fans, they discuss his policies and actions, they don’t criticize him personally and they regularly bring in guests who do defend the president’s policies.

Posted by: Next Comment | June 17, 2009, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm

What’s shocking is that the mainstream media has stood silently by as Obama has put hundreds of legal auto franchise holders out of business.
If Bush had gone in and decided who should remain in business and who should be forced out – the media would have been all over it. But now, the media is largely silent – only Fox news is telling the stories of these car dealerships and the financial consequences they are facing because of Obama’s decision.
And now, Obama is asking for formal authority from Congress to decide when a business should be forced to close. Again, if Bush had done this, it would have been big, big news.
Thank you Fox News for doing your job. I wish more would follow suit.

Posted by: C'est Moi | June 17, 2009, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

Thank God someone is still asking the critical questions! Obama, thanks for pointing that out!

Posted by: Meyers Flyer | June 17, 2009, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm

C’est Moi:”What’s shocking is that the mainstream media has stood silently by as Obama has put hundreds of legal auto franchise holders out of business. ”
Right. Because they were in great shape and would be turning a profit today if only Evil Obama hadn’t personally shut them down…
Or maybe they and thousands of others would all have closed with the bankruptcies if the administration hadn’t stepped in. Which scenario has more support from reality?

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm

Next Comment:”So basically, the president admitted that there is only one news network that still does its job — it is the media’s job to criticize the president.”
Actually, it is the media’s job to accurately report the facts. Something FoxNews is not so great at, hence their heavy load of ‘entertainers’ (what Hannity/OReilly and such are referred to by FoxNews management when called out for spreading proven wrong information, aka lies).

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

“Or maybe they and thousands of others would all have closed with the bankruptcies if the administration hadn’t stepped in. Which scenario has more support from reality?”
The truth is we WASTED billions trying to prop up those companies! Both administrations should have left things alone and allowed those companies to go chap 11. In the end, the only real difference (besides Obama deciding to give the tax payers an ownership stake) is the fact that Billions were wasted.
jlw is correct, neither Obama OR Bush put those guys out of business, the auto companies and the UAW screwed themselves on that one!

Posted by: Mike_C | June 17, 2009, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm

“Right. Because they were in great shape and would be turning a profit today if only Evil Obama hadn’t personally shut them down…
Or maybe they and thousands of others would all have closed with the bankruptcies if the administration hadn’t stepped in. Which scenario has more support from reality?”
Posted by: jhw539
good point, except that those franchise holders who have been brave enough to defy the gag order imposed on them tell a different story. Many successful, profitable dealerships have been shut down, their employees put out of work. Many have strong sales records, long histories, good financial plans and no financial trouble. Most say they have no idea why they were selected for elimination. Their franchises were shut down by the Obama administration — there is simply no arguing that.
Many of these dealership were strong companies yet their franchise licenses were stolen by the administration. Again, if Bush or any other president had done this, we’d all be outraged.

Posted by: C'est Moi | June 17, 2009, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

“Again, if Bush or any other president had done this, we’d all be outraged.”
“The Bush administration said it would lend $17.4 billion to General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, buying them a few weeks of financial relief but leaving the biggest decisions about the industry’s future to President-elect Barack Obama.
Under the White House plan, the companies are required to extract enough financial concessions from workers, suppliers, dealers and other stakeholders to demonstrate their long-term viability by the end of March.”

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

The auto dealership are just the beginning. There will be more. And with that, even higher unemployment.

Posted by: jennifert7 | June 17, 2009, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

“Now is is a possibility? Please provide any basis in REALITY for that absurd suggestion.”
You cannot be this naive. The government take over of the auto industry is based in REALITY. Talk to profitable Chrysler dealers who lost their dealerships, taken away by the President’s “Automotive Task Force”.
“Is the Rightwing really this disconnected from the actual issues and facts that mainstream America is dealing with right now (health care, the economy, changing gears on the war on terror, North Korea, Iran)?” Posted by: jhw539 | Jun 17, 2009 11:55:09 AM
First of all, everyone who disagrees with Obama is not “Rightwing”. That is a red herring/strawman that allows you to dismiss what people say.
While I agree that North Korea and Iran are hotspots (and Obama has looked weak on both fronts), there has been no reason to fasttrack health care other than to try to take advantage of all the purposefully overload of crisis opportunities.
If you are not concerned with the blending and blurring of lines with the government and various industries including the press, than you are either purposefully ignoring the trends and/or you agree with Obama that government should be running everything. In either case, I will be unable to sway you on this comment board.

Posted by: WhereWasThePress? | June 17, 2009, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm

C’est Moi:”Many of these dealership were strong companies yet their franchise licenses were stolen by the administration. ”
Are you nuts? GM and Chrysler were going bankrupt. And you’re surprised none of the franchisees are saying “Yeah, we suck and should have been shut down”?

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

“Many of these dealership were strong companies yet their franchise licenses were stolen by the administration”
“In a tough automotive market, Chrysler’s sales have fallen faster than any automaker — down 46 percent through the first five months of the year.”
“For the year, Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge U.S. sales decreased 30 percent (1,453,122 units) compared with total 2007 sales (2,076,650 units). Total sales were significantly affected by the industry’s largest reductions in fleet sales, 63 percent for December and 31 percent for the year.”
Strong and profitable dealers?

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm

This article is one sided. Where is the reporting balanceing it? Where is the opposite side’s story in this article. Hmmm . . its not there. ABC = OBAMA NEWS

Posted by: Bryan | June 17, 2009, 1:12 pm 1:12 pm

I will stipulate that all cable news sucks when it comes to actual news.
You watch them for the personalities discussing the events of the day.
If you want news, you go online.

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

Strong and profitable dealers?
Posted by: Ryan C |
Yes Ryan C, they many were strong and profitable. Try talking to a dealership to learn how they make up for any potential losses in sales. Most are diversified enough that they can survive an economic downturn and still turn a profit — it’s called good business planning.

Posted by: C'est Moi | June 17, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

On the GM side, you simply have WAY, WAY too many dealerships and models. This was going to have to happen no matter which course was taken. No doubt many of the Pontiac delaerships may indeed have been successful, but the thats true of each model line. 7,000+ dealerships was just unsustainable. Some had to be cut loose.

Posted by: Mike_C | June 17, 2009, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

WhereWasThePress:”"Now is is a possibility? Please provide any basis in REALITY for that absurd suggestion.”
You cannot be this naive. The government take over of the auto industry is based in REALITY. ”
I called the suggestion that Obama would close down FoxNews absurd. Are you suggesting the bailout and involvement in getting GM and Chrysler out of bankruptcy offers some support for the idea that Obama would shut down FoxNews? What is the connection? So SAVING companies going bankrupt is similar to shutting down a hostile (and profitiable) television network? What?
As I stated earlier, it is not an honest debate when one side is throwing out accusations with absolutely no basis in fact or reality.

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

Are you nuts? GM and Chrysler were going bankrupt. And you’re surprised none of the franchisees are saying “Yeah, we suck and should have been shut down”?
Posted by: jhw539
Again, many of these dealerships were strong enough and diversified enough to still turn a good profit despite slow sales. The manufacturer’s problems do not necessarily reflect on the auto dealers.
These dealers were forced to stop selling these brands while other dealerships were allowed to continue selling — there was no appeals process, no fighting the system in this situation. How can you possibly defend that? If all dealerships were closed, it would be one thing. But selective elimination is another thing completely.
Look at it this way, what hope do these auto manufacturers really have of turning around when many of their top-selling dealerships have been closed. I’m no business wiz, but I’d think the goal would be to sell more cars, not fewer – so you stick with your strong selling dealerships.

Posted by: C'est Moi | June 17, 2009, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

Are you nuts? GM and Chrysler were going bankrupt. And you’re surprised none of the franchisees are saying “Yeah, we suck and should have been shut down”?
Posted by: jhw539 | Jun 17, 2009 1:09:29 PM
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It appears you don’t understand how these franchises work. They were profitable. GM was not.

Posted by: jennifert7 | June 17, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

Any news station that is not questioning the actions and words of the incumbent President (no matter which party he belongs to) is not doing their job.
And if I was Fox I would quote Obama’s words in an advertisement. Fox could not get any better endorsement than from the President who is afraid of Fox News. You know Obama must be watching Fox daily, if not hourly.

Posted by: Sally J | June 17, 2009, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm

C’est Moi:”These dealers were forced to stop selling these brands while other dealerships were allowed to continue selling — there was no appeals process, no fighting the system in this situation. How can you possibly defend that?”
It made excellent business sense. There is a reason Toyota had less than half as many dealerships as GM, and it was not because they have half as many sales. GM could not afford to continue supporting those dealerships, it diluted their brand and forced prices down for all their dealers.
GM would have cut dealerships years ago if they weren’t hamstrung by contracts as odious as the UAW’s forcing them to keep them supported.

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

Ryan,
Have you ever been in the car business?

Posted by: stndtDrvr | June 17, 2009, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

“It appears you don’t understand how these franchises work. They were profitable. GM was not.”
Because the franchises can survive without the manufacturer?
And you claim jhw doesn’t understand franchises?

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

“It made excellent business sense. ”
Posted by: jhw539
You are saying that based on nothing but blind faith. If the administration had released facts and figures showing exactly why certain dealerships were selected for elimination over others, I might agree with you. In the absence of those facts, however, I’m going to side with the only folks who are presenting facts and figures – those dealerships who have come forward with facts to support their position.
I agree that some dealerships may have had to close — but the process needs to be fair and consistent. It was not. Dealerships were given no avenue to appeal or fight the decision. They were placed under gag order and the administration did not release anything to the media to support its decision. I actually like Obama, but something about this whole selective dealership shut-down just doesn’t sit right with me. And surprisingly, the only news station telling the stories of these dealers is FOX News, which Obama is now criticizing. Again, something doesn’t sit right with me.

Posted by: C'est Moi | June 17, 2009, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

“And surprisingly, the only news station telling the stories of these dealers is FOX News,”
And why because they thought they had an early talking point because 80% of the dealers being closed donated to Republicans.
Of course when someone took the next logical step of doing further research and found 80% of dealers donate to Republicans overall, they looked like partisan morons they are.

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm

Sally J:”And if I was Fox I would quote Obama’s words in an advertisement. ”
I’d love to see that advertisement.
(opening banner) FoxNews: Fair and Balanced
(scare still of Obama with extra shadows and a slight green tinge with the voice over) “I’ve got one television station entirely devoted to attacking my administration… you’d be hard-pressed, if you watched the entire day, to find a positive story about me on that front.”
(deep voiced announcer) We hate Obama just as irrationally as you do. FoxNews, the Republican station.

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

Well, how can you sit there an think that sales makes up 90% of a business’s income? There is also parts/service. Warranty work is a huge benefit to a dealer. At the dealership I worked at, this was the majority of our profit. It’s not that our sales were low, but our service and parts departments were always busy. Besides, at what point do these dealers cost the manufacturers money? The dealers buy the cars from GM/Chrysler to turn around and sell. These dealers buy parts from suppliers (which are now hurting as well). I guess GM and Chrysler believe they will be better off to have fewer dealers to sell their products to? Sure, production is being cut, but if you have someone that’s willing to buy your product…why not sell it to them?
While car salesmen can be idiots, I do not think they are the scum of the earth. Perhaps you should not throw stones.

Posted by: stdntDrvr | June 17, 2009, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

He obviously has never been in the car business, nor does he understand anything about how the franchises work. He only blindly spews the king’s talking points and throws in personal digs for good measure.

Posted by: jennifert7 | June 17, 2009, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

StdntDrvr:”There is also parts/service. Warranty work is a huge benefit to a dealer. At the dealership I worked at, this was the majority of our profit.”
The dealerships are welcome to continue offering service and used car sales, and some of them are taking that tack.
“Besides, at what point do these dealers cost the manufacturers money?”
The competition with each other cuts into their margins, resulting in less money for advertising and promotions and an overall neglect of the brand. A Toyota dealership has a nice new showroom with a video game area for kids and no wait to take a test drive. Meanwhile, the GM dealer’s carpet is threadbare and a few ballons tied to antennas are the biggest advertising lure. Who do you think will be perceived as the premium product? That image carries real costs and goes all the way up the supply chain.
“I guess GM and Chrysler believe they will be better off to have fewer dealers to sell their products to? ”
Toyota and Honda certainly seem to believe that, and always have. I have not heard any economist argue that fewer dealers are in GM and Chrysler’s best financial interests and many conservative economists point to the restrictive contracting (in most states, they were forbidden from ending a dealership relationship by contract) as another small reason they failed.

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm

C’est Moi:”If the administration had released facts and figures showing exactly why certain dealerships were selected for elimination over others, I might agree with you. ”
The automakers are partially government owned at the moment, but they are being operated and run as private businesses (and I predict by 2012, they will be fully private again). As a partial owner, I am glad they did not take the incredibly foolish move of providing their competitors with detailed sales and demand information localized down to such a level. That sort of targeting information is proprietary and valuable for a reason.

Posted by: jhw539 | June 17, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm

I will stipulate that all cable news sucks when it comes to actual news.
You watch them for the personalities discussing the events of the day.
I agree!

Posted by: MayBee | June 17, 2009, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

FOX News has been in Obama’s sights for a long time, probably because they do not promote the “company message.” I don’t think there’s ever been a president who has singled out an individual network, and tried to polarize public opinion against it.

Posted by: Ms Trish | June 17, 2009, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

The competition with each other cuts into their margins, resulting in less money for advertising and promotions and an overall neglect of the brand. A Toyota dealership has a nice new showroom with a video game area for kids and no wait to take a test drive. Meanwhile, the GM dealer’s carpet is threadbare and a few ballons tied to antennas are the biggest advertising lure. Who do you think will be perceived as the premium product? That image carries real costs and goes all the way up the supply chain.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If that was true and those were the only dealerships that were closed, you might have had a point. That’s not what happened.

Posted by: jennifert7 | June 17, 2009, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm

jhw:
The competition with each other cuts into their margins, resulting in less money for advertising and promotions and an overall neglect of the brand.
Whose margins? Perhaps you haven’t noticed the rather large number of new dealerships being built in the last 10 years?
The point is that it’s not the dealers fault that the companies cannot provide a product that the public wants. THAT is the main reason they are now Chapt 11. Name one GM or Chrysler car that can compete with a foreign model? Do you want to drive a cobalt, neon, caliber? Sure, the new malibu is nice…but in the past, it was total crap. The cobalt is just as bad as the cavalier was. The only quality product these companies offer are trucks/SUVs. The dealers are the only ones purchasing these products. As far as service work, once a franchise is pulled, they can no longer offer warranty work…which is a rather large revenue source for a dealer.
As far as the minimal wait for a test drive/video games for kids…
Sure, that’s all nice and great…but when it’s a week before the dealer can look at your car when it’s broken down…what are you going to be saying then? ‘At least I don’t have to wait for a test drive?’ Woo hoo! Yes, it happens. A good friend of mine was a service writer for a toyota store and I worked at a mazda store for some time. I’ve been told that it would be a week before they could even look at my car. Yep, fewer dealers are a GREAT thing.
Perhaps you should step back and look at the big picture. This will probably do more damage to these companies than good, imo. This country is all about convenience. When it’s a pain to get your car serviced at a GM or Chrysler store or the only one within 100 miles is a little ‘shady,’ people will start going with other brands. When there were mulitple dealers, you had options. You could spend a day visiting several dealers looking at quite a lot of inventory and get your best price. Competition is a good thing (and remember, the manufacturers already have their money because the dealers have paid for these cars).
Perhaps you can present a more logical reason as to why this makes sense…because, as I see it, they are only hurting themselves and the lives of thousands of people.

Posted by: stdntDrvr | June 17, 2009, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm

So, why isn’t the firing of the Inspector General , Gerald Walpin, news worthy

Posted by: Gregg Donat | June 17, 2009, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm

“So, why isn’t the firing of the Inspector General , Gerald Walpin, news worthy
Posted by: Gregg Donat | Jun 17, 2009 2:10:55 PM”
If you look to the left you can see the latest on that.

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm

Fascists do not tolerate dissention.

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm

Sally J:”And if I was Fox I would quote Obama’s words in an advertisement. ”
I’d love to see that advertisement.
(opening banner) FoxNews: Fair and Balanced
(scare still of Obama with extra shadows and a slight green tinge with the voice over) “I’ve got one television station entirely devoted to attacking my administration… you’d be hard-pressed, if you watched the entire day, to find a positive story about me on that front.”
(deep voiced announcer) We hate Obama just as irrationally as you do. FoxNews, the Republican station.
———————
And, you’re worried about “socialism” when you have a “Republican Station”? What is up with that statement? Fidel, and any other “dictator” — did u get your dose of your ‘channel’ today?

Posted by: bigtaco2002 | June 17, 2009, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

Fascists do not tolerate dissent.

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm

The only other president I remember complaining about the media was Nixon. Nixon viewed the media as the enemy. I can’t understand why Obama would even mention Fox News when he has the rest of the media in his lap. Seems awfully Nixonian to me at any rate.

Posted by: MK | June 17, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm

“And you’d be hard-pressed, if you watched the entire day, to find a positive story about me on that front.”
Perhaps that is not Fox’s fault…

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm

Perhaps that is not Fox’s fault..
Fascists do not tolerate dissent.
Posted by: tjp612
if you had any clue as to what ‘fascist’ actually means, your comments would not be so moronic.
All you hear from Republicans is nonsense and faux outrage at everything and anything… how come you see them on all the news channels and Sunday show all the time…?
Even some Dems express their dissent with Obama’s policies…. guess you missed that..
You represent exactly what Obama refers to, a lot of hate rhetoric with no substantive solutions…

Posted by: Terse | June 17, 2009, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm

fun to see the crazies complain about FOX ‘news’ being called for what it actually is… a lying hate monger of the right wing… if there’s a lie to be told, you’ll hear on on Fox 1st…..

Posted by: PO'd | June 17, 2009, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm

“if you had any clue as to what ‘fascist’ actually means, your comments would not be so moronic.”
fas-cism: [fa] shizzem: noun; dictatorial movement: any movement, tendency or ideology that favors dictatorial government, CENTRALIZED CONTROL OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, REPRESSION OF ALL OPPOSITION, and extreme nationalism.
Moronic, no. Open your mind and eyes. It’s real and it’s here.

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm

CENTRALIZED CONTROL OF PRIVATE ENTERPRISE, REPRESSION OF ALL OPPOSITION, and extreme nationalism.
Posted by: tjp612
of course, just post a dictionary meaning..
as if that somehow fits 2009 America…
where’s the repression of the opposition?
Extreme Nationalism? that’s coming from the right wing lunatics who kill people, not Obama.
As far as ‘centralized control’, dealing with catastrophic economic conditions is hardly that, he’s trying to save industries and jobs that republicans wanted to see fail so they could blame Obama.. I guess you wanted to see all the banks fail .. typical.

Posted by: Terse | June 17, 2009, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm

tjp612
btw: men in black,.. FEMA re-education compound coming to your neighborhood

Posted by: Terse | June 17, 2009, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm

“You represent exactly what Obama refers to, a lot of hate rhetoric with no substantive solutions”
(a.) “hate rhetoric”? Your skin is as thin as Barry’s
(b.) I was not elected to provide “substantive solutions”
(c.) If I was elected to provide “substantive solutions” I have plenty of them (that they happen to be in diametrical opposition to Our Dear Leader may be because I understand economics, I am not prone to lying, and because I believe in the power of the individual and not the power of the nanny-state government).

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 3:40 pm 3:40 pm

“btw: men in black,.. FEMA re-education compound coming to your neighborhood”
Good one…very thoughtful and deep…

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm

Hellooooo, 1984. Obama is attacking the only objective voice left in the media. He wants to eliminate all dissent. No wonder he loves Ahmadinejad and Chavez so much.

Posted by: Funkmaster Chis | June 17, 2009, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm

“of course, just post a dictionary meaning..as if that somehow fits 2009 America…”
It has begun, Terse, it has begun…

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm

I was not elected to provide “substantive solutions
“Posted by: tjp612
another excuse…. just like the Republicans in congress
re: ‘I believe in the power of the individual and not the power of the nanny-state government).
so your for dissolution of the armed forces and you local police, because you don’t want the ‘Nannys’ interfering in the right to protect yourself…
you believe in the power of the individual?
great cliche, you left out ‘I believe in doing good and helping people’, on second thought you probably don’t.

Posted by: Terse | June 17, 2009, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm

“Posted by: tjp612
I believe in the power of the individual
the right wing murderers are definitely showing
‘the power of the individual’
talk about repression

Posted by: Terse | June 17, 2009, 3:51 pm 3:51 pm

===He wants to eliminate all dissent. ===
He can only accomplish that if the media allow him to. It isn’t Obama that should be blamed. It is our “free” press. They should look south to see what happens to a “free” press when they worship at the alter of an elected official. He never goes away and they do.

Posted by: Axey | June 17, 2009, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm

Speaking of crazies, what did barrack tells you to think next?
Posted by: ReallyMeanIt
he told me to think for myself and get educated on the issues so that I won’t fall for the lies and distortions of the ‘right wing’ fanatics and their stooges in the congress… the Republicans

Posted by: PO'd | June 17, 2009, 3:55 pm 3:55 pm

I don´t watch CBS, NBC, or MSNBC. Fox is generally not fair and certainly not balanced, but there are exceptions. Shepherd Smith is objective as is Chris Wallace. Baird´s program leans to the right in the topics it covers and its panel, except for Juan Williams who tries to be a moderate. Bill O´Reilly can be even handed at times, depending on the topic. His criticism of the President has been fairly low key (for O´Reilly). The really dreadful nonsense comes from Glenn Beck and Sean Inanity, oophs, Hannity. And of course, the “contributors” are mostly on the right. What do you expect from the likes of Ann Coulter and Karl Rove, etc., objectivity????

Posted by: BachisBest | June 17, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

Obama obliquely refers to FOX News saying, “…I’ve got one television station entirely devoted to attacking my administration.” On the other hand, FOX News is the highest rated cable news network.
This must cause him considerable irritation.

Posted by: Ms Trish | June 17, 2009, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

“so your for dissolution of the armed forces and you local police, because you don’t want the ‘Nannys’ interfering in the right to protect yourself…”
It seems that libs only show support for our troops and police when they are arguing in support of the need for big government (otherwise they tend to say things like our troops are responsible for “air-raiding villages and killing children” – In case this quote doesn’t sound familiar it comes from The One when he was on the campaign trail back in September)

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm

I guess the “Deity” takes umbridge
when all of the media don’t fawn over
him, bow and scrape, and kiss up to him!
How dare anyone question any of the
policies or decisions of the Great Obama and his aides.
NBC, ABC, CNN, The New York Times, La
Times etc are an embarassment to
Journalism!
But wait here’s what the “Deity”
has to say about these institutions
which are firmly embeded in his hip
pocket:
I think that, actually, the reason that people have been generally positive about what we’ve tried to do is they feel as if I’m available and willing to answer questions, and we haven’t been trying to hide them all.”
Yes and the questions he’s willing to
answer from these sham news
organizations consist of
“Mr President where are you taking
Michelle to dinner and what are you
both wearing”! UGH.

Posted by: reaganfan | June 17, 2009, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm

Another comment: the headline “President Obama attacks Fox News Network” is misleading, even false. His comments were more an observation, maybe a criticism, but certainly not an “attack.” Jack Tapper certainly doesn´t usually give the President a favorable press all the time!

Posted by: BachisBest | June 17, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

Even if Fox News is biased, so what? Don’t we have free speech — especially on cable?
And can anyone point me to a single public interview or speech where Bush himself ever complained about the media? I can’t remember any.

Posted by: jordin | June 17, 2009, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

tjp612
anything to avoid the truth eh?
re” they tend to say things like our troops are responsible for “air-raiding villages and killing children”
so your in favor of that…? ’cause we ‘know’ that never happens….
most ‘libs’ knew the Iraq war would be the disaster it is….they supported the troops by trying to spare them dying for no reason and oil

Posted by: Terse | June 17, 2009, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm

===What do you expect from the likes of Ann Coulter and Karl Rove, etc., objectivity????
Posted by: BachisBest | Jun 17, 2009 3:56:31 PM===
Don’t know. I’ll have to see if Lanny Davis, Bob Beckel, Susan Estrich, Kirsten Powers, Geraldine Ferraro, Mort Kondracke, Mara Liasson, Dennis Ross and Juan Williams say. That isn’t counting Shepard Smith, Geraldo Rivera (God, y’all’s side please take him), Bill Hemmer, Steve Harrigan, Greg Palkot, and a host of other reporters that have worked for major news organizations other than Fox.
I’ll go over to MSNBC and see what Keith Olbermann is saying. Or Rachel Maddow. Objectivity? I don’t think you are looking for a cable channel that is objective. You are looking for one that doesn’t allow conservative view points.

Posted by: Axey | June 17, 2009, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

Even if Fox News is biased, so what? Don’t we have free speech –
Posted by: jordin
think back, not too long ago , the Irag war, anyone who dared question the Bush/Cheney policy was labeled a ‘traitor’ and terrorist supporter…

Posted by: PO'd | June 17, 2009, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

Way to much to expect CNBC to ask him specifics about these “attacks” and defend himself. The man never speaks in specifics, is constantly constructing straw men and shooting them down. He speaks in vague platitudes, he doesn’t SAY anything, he just insinuates things.
Fox actually irritates me when the follow the approved MSM stories, but they do cover stories that the rest of the media will not. Obama has violated contract law and broken his oath to protect and follow the constitution.
If Bush had fired people in private industry, taken over segments of these same industries, approved DHS memos targeting average citizens of the opposition party, …. the outrage would be deafening.
One more thing, he is on my TV CONSTANTLY, and it’s usually on FOX NEWS. I seldom saw coverage of George directly addressing the nation. I’ll never forget the MSM griping about how he should address the nation on the Iraq war. When President Bush scheduled an address, they refused to run it.
The left has zero integrity, they have most of the cards but that’s not enough, they want them all. Zero tolerance, zero dissenting voices, shut down talk radio, it’s “hate speech”. I am so SICK of this one sided, stacked deck.

Posted by: Katie Jo | June 17, 2009, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm

Or Rachel Maddow. Objectivity? I don’t think you are looking for a cable channel that is objective. You are looking for one that doesn’t allow conservative view points.
Posted by: Axey
I’ve listened to Maddow the last few nights and she has been very critical of Obama.
Olbermann surely has a side he presents, but he seems to back up what he says with info.
I have watched FOX and heard a great deal of innuendo presented as fact.
Everyone likes ‘tailored news’, in the ‘old’ days news broadcast were a lot less show biz, sort of ‘just the facts’….. opinion was presented as opinion.

Posted by: TJ | June 17, 2009, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm

When President Bush scheduled an address, they refused to run it
Posted by: Katie Jo
your FOX network does the same.. the point?

Posted by: IT | June 17, 2009, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

“most ‘libs’ knew the Iraq war would be the disaster it is….they supported the troops by trying to spare them dying for no reason and oil”
So are you suggesting that most Iraqis are longing for the good ol’ days of Saddam?

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

If FOXNews is the only negative news outlet BO has to live with, he should consider himself lucky. Bush had all the network stations, CNN, MSNBC, all the major newspapers, like NY Times, Washington Post, LA Times, etc., Hollywood and the European press against him from the minute he took office – only talk radio and FOXNews were fair to him.
BO needs badly to man up!

Posted by: MissButterfly | June 17, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

When do the AmeriCorps summer internships end? Please let me know if y’all would like some input offered up to your supervisors.
What’s next assignment?

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm

So are you suggesting that most Iraqis are longing for the good ol’ days of Saddam?
Posted by: tjp612
the war was a mistake ..
the estimates of Iraqi civilian dead from the pre-emptive war vary from 50,000 to 100,000, or more.., all those dead might ‘long’ to be alive in the good old Saddam days…

Posted by: Terse | June 17, 2009, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

“all those dead might ‘long’ to be alive in the good old Saddam days…”
Just as there are those who are alive today who most likely wouldn’t be if Saddam were still in power. Cuts both ways, my friend.
Given the choice as an Iraqi (if I were Iraqi), I like my chances of personal survival under an elected government than under a brutal dictator.
And let’s not forget, many/most of your Democrat heroes votoed for the war.

Posted by: tjp612 | June 17, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm

After reading these comments, I believe that FOX news groupies, Republicans and Conservatives have nothing else to do with their time but attack and go grade school with name calling in any forum they can find freely open for comment. School yard bullies never win. This should have been learned after the election and the antics that came from the Republican camp….the people said NO to that kind of thing. It is time to learn and time to grow up.

Posted by: Jonna | June 17, 2009, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

So The One isn’t happy with Fox News. Too bad. Every other station – CBS, MSNBC, CNN, NBC, ABC is in Obama’s hip pocket.
Now that ABC will be setting up office in the WH for O’Pravda news, we can be assured this narcissistic president will have 24/7 POSITIVE and HAPPY coverage – it will be like one eternal agenda-driven informercial. All the sycophantic news people can experience what Chris Matthews called “that tingling feeling going up the leg” on a regular basis. Brian Williams can continue to bow to The One, and all those at ABC who agree with Newsweek’s Evan Thomas that “Obama is like God” can worship every day.
Journalism has become a dinosaur that is sinking in the tar pit of cronyism and leftist agendas. Thank God for independent bloggers and talk radio who break stories well before the regular news. Or break stories the regular news wants to bury so as not to tarnish their empty suit in the WH.

Posted by: Dee | June 17, 2009, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

Barry, the cowardly little prince, cannot handle criticism.

Posted by: Michelle | June 17, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

After reading these comments, I believe that FOX news groupies, Republicans and Conservatives have nothing else to do with their time but attack and go grade school with name calling in any forum they can find freely open for comment. School yard bullies never win. This should have been learned after the election and the antics that came from the Republican camp….the people said NO to that kind of thing. It is time to learn and time to grow up

Posted by: daniel | June 17, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

NBC,CNBC and MSNBC owned by GE = State run television.

Posted by: 3rd party | June 17, 2009, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm

Poor little Obama only one station not in the tank for him.

Posted by: Ken | June 17, 2009, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm

“On the other hand, FOX News is the highest rated cable news network.”
And even then it has less than half the viewers of the worst rated network news.

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm

I have heard FOX say many positive things Obama. He only like stations that are totally in the tank for him, like MSNBC-CNBC and NBC.

Posted by: Keith Olbermann | June 17, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm

===And even then it has less than half the viewers of the worst rated network news.
Posted by: Ryan C | Jun 17, 2009 5:42:56 PM===
You are comparing apples to oranges.

Posted by: Axey | June 17, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm

The White House is lying about Gerald Walpin….and the White House broke the law….they were suppose it give a 30 day notice before letting him go.
Question Obama on this issue…if you have the guts.

Posted by: Dawn | June 17, 2009, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

“You are comparing apples to oranges.”
Very true.
Network newscasts are about the news of the day.
Cable news shows are about who can shout louder.

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm

“The White House is lying about Gerald Walpin….and the White House broke the law….they were suppose it give a 30 day notice before letting him go.”
He was suspended for 30 days with pay, at the end of the suspension he is fired.

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

Are you at all aware that the implied endorsement of your news agency along with all the other so called main stream news agencies by President Obama is really a slam on your integrity as a news agency. You have just been told you have no integrity in your reporting. Didn’t think that was what being a news agency was all about. Always thought you were suppose to help the public understand what was going on not shade it so the President thinks your great.

Posted by: Bert | June 17, 2009, 6:17 pm 6:17 pm

And let’s not forget, many/most of your Democrat heroes votoed for the war.
Posted by: tjp612
and lets not forget who supplied the info, and lied about it……. Bush, Cheney et.al
re: ‘if you were an Iraqi’….
please………………….

Posted by: Terse | June 17, 2009, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm

Did you realize that the implied endorsement that President Obama gave your news agency along with the other so called “main stream” news agencies while he was attacking Fox was really an indictment of your integrity as a news agency. I always thought that the job of a news agency was to report the news not shade it so the President thinks your great.

Posted by: Bert | June 17, 2009, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm

ABC would benefit greatly by asking ONE tough question of this President. Americans are owed that. I was always a loyal ABC watcher until this election. Now the bias that has been shown by the national media is so over the top it is sickening. Please wake up and realize you reporters are AMERICANS first and should report as such. You are acting more like street paparazzi – you should be ashamed.

Posted by: Sue | June 17, 2009, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

Did you realize that the implied endorsement that President Obama gave your news organization along with that for NBC and CBS while attacking Fox was really an indictment of your integrity as a news agency? I always thought that the job of the news reporters was to report the news-all the news good and bad. Seems like you have forgotten that in your rush to be liked by the President.

Posted by: Bert | June 17, 2009, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm

“If Bush had fired people in private industry, taken over segments of these same industries, approved DHS memos targeting average citizens of the opposition party,”
The DHS report on right wing terrorism was ordered by the Bush admin.
The DHS report on left wing terrorism last year was ordered by the Bush admin.
The lesson for the day? Right wingers are stupid.

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm

Fox News does what responsible journalists should be doing. Reporting the facts, it is funny how they are the only real news source that investigates and backs-up their findings. The media that is all “warm and fuzzy” w/Obama reports only what Obama wants out there.Where are these journalists on issues like ACORN corruption, the firing of Mr. Walprin, and the back door $$ going to fund the released terrorists. Come on this is real news that is fully backed up. What is Obama afraid of? Why won’t he give an interview to the Fox Network? Is he afraid of having to give an explanation?
Real journalists investigate and report, network news just reports.

Posted by: amy | June 17, 2009, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm

“Fox News does what responsible journalists should be doing.”
Reading GOP talking points on air is responsible journalism?
“Reporting the facts, it is funny how they are the only real news source that investigates and backs-up their findings.”
Backs up their findings?
ROFLMAO!
“In purporting to “take a look back” at how the economic recovery plan “grew, and grew, and grew,” Fox News’ Jon Scott referenced seven dates, as on-screen graphics cited various news sources from those time periods — all of which came directly from a Senate Republican Communications Center press release. A Fox News on-screen graphic even reproduced a typo contained in the Republican press release.”

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm

“Real journalists investigate and report, network news just reports.”
Then there’s a 3rd category in which an organization just makes up the news.
That’s where FoxNews falls in.

Posted by: Ryan C | June 17, 2009, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

Is ABC the network that will provide hours of unquestioned, unrebutted promotion of the Obama Rationed Health Care & Future Hospital Bailout Bill which will cost trillions and trillions of dollars and decrease the quality of care? Medicare costs have been off by a factor of 1000. It is very sad this will be a unquestioned Pravda production.

Posted by: Elliott R | June 17, 2009, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm

Poor, poor Bawack, just can’t understand why all the media isn’t buying into “hope and change”. Thank the heavens for Fox, that’s all I can say. The fourth estate is supposed to be keeping our elected officials accountable, not driving around trying to find a motel room. Jake Tapper, you are the one bright spot in a sea of submission and groveling so intense it boggles the mind. Two planeloads of press for “date night” in NYCity, but the latest scandal with the firing of IG Halpin will be history by tomorrow if the MSM has their way. The MSM protection of Obama used to be just shameful, now it’s bordering on criminal.

Posted by: babs | June 17, 2009, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm

Uh, Jake….
“President Obama “Attack” Fox….”
If this is what you call an attack… no wonder ABC didn’t make you a war correspondent.
Note: Obama did not state “Fox News” by name, the interviewer automatically assumed so, which is a no-brainer of the easiset sort.
I don’t agree that stating a fact passes the grammatical nor realistic meaning of “attack”.
Fox is very biased against Obama. They serve a certain group of people that agree with them. This is the provider and the listeners right, certainly.
Interesting how it is so oft repeated that Fox has such high ratings. If you understand ratings, that has to be true. But, only because there are SO MANY other choices that folks have to watch on TV (broadcast and cable) that are not so specifically skewed as Fox News programs.

Posted by: dassis | June 17, 2009, 8:10 pm 8:10 pm

This is a shameless example of sensationalism and exaggeration in the news. Nowhere in this story did the president “attack Fox News Channel” via CNBC. What are you trying to instigate here, cbs? Unbiased? I think not.

Posted by: Lisa | June 17, 2009, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm

So this just makes it official. The media is the advertising arm for the Obama administration. So much for unbiased an free news. We have not seen any investigative reports either during the election or after. So we’ll have to look for unbiased news in other areas but certainly not with the 3 major networks or the major cable news. Edward R. Murrow would be turning over in his grave.

Posted by: jschmidt | June 17, 2009, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm

I was looking for a story on the ABC News blogs about the stunning announcement that ABC will devote prime time coverage from the White House and then an additional hour for a separate “town hall” type meeting…….I guess it is hard to cover your own shortcomings.
Jake, leave OBC..the OBAMA BROADCASTING NETWORK……..you will shine away from this journalism joke.

Posted by: socialism101 | June 17, 2009, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm

ryanc..the fbi just annouced it investigting mayor kevin johnson for obstruction of justice. the fbi appreciated the IG s work. getting to close to obama and acorn fed organization are we? hence the attack on fox news

Posted by: catman | June 17, 2009, 10:15 pm 10:15 pm

…….This is a shameless example of sensationalism and exaggeration in the news. Nowhere in this story did the president “attack Fox News Channel” via CNBC. What are you trying to instigate here, cbs? Unbiased? I think not.
Posted by: Lisa | Jun 17, 2009 8:22:18 PM
=——
I hope you’re new reading this particular blog, otherwise I would call you naive if you just realize this is to instigate. I used to read this guy’s posting every opportunity I had, only to find that he’s always looking for a negative story to rile up the haters on this site. It’s too bad people cannot really express themselves more freely where we could really find out what’s in someone’s mind.
I would have loved to hear what this guy really thinks of this particular president.

Posted by: David | June 17, 2009, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm

Its very clear as to what drew the fly to his interview it was drawn to what he was saying , B.S.

Posted by: 4ucidugeb | June 17, 2009, 11:08 pm 11:08 pm

What Obama attacked FOX Channel sounds like SOOOOOOOO GREEDY. Thanks to the greedy President, American journalism has totally death. Nowadays, CBS, NBC, CNBC, CNN and NY/LA Times have been being depraved to JUST PR Dept. of Obama with Liberal Party. Thank you God for FOX NEWS CHANNEL HAS KEPT ON FAIR & BALANCE AND ABC TRIED TO BE NEUTRAL POSITION.

Posted by: Sharon-NY | June 17, 2009, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm

Thin skin Mr. President?

Posted by: LongT | June 18, 2009, 7:48 am 7:48 am

I think Obama may be getting uncomfortable with what’s being reported about ACORN.

Posted by: LongT | June 18, 2009, 8:01 am 8:01 am

Poor baby Obama. He is not getting his way with FOX NEWS. I love Fox news. THANK YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! One day ABC and the other butt kissers will wake up from their nightmare into reality. This president got where he is only because of the media. If he had to run on experience and substance alone we would have someone else as our president. Obama is failing miserably in all arenas, including turning the U.S. into a gov controlled, private sector business owning growing monopoly.
I have lost all interest in the main stream media and search out the real news.. online. I never watch nightly news… gag. Fawning over how M. Obama is cooking her foliage in the WH kitchen, and offering recipies too? Please..
It is sickening at best. Fox news is doing the RIGHT THING… and Obama can’t stand it.
I love it!!!

Posted by: mjl | June 18, 2009, 8:17 am 8:17 am

Don’t worry, our president can bask in the glow of ABC’s week-long informerical about his “health plan.”
Talk about losing all journalistic intergrity. ABC says it’s a debate; between who? Debate is two opposing sides. Yet, the networks refuses to run an ad of the opposing view and then having the audacity to say that ABC’s policies is not to run “advocacy advertising,” yet the informerical is advocacy advertising.
I digrees.
The president needs to realize this isn’t a popularity content. Not everyone is going to agree with him. I thought that’s what makes America America. The fact that we are free to question government and voice our disagreement with government.
I don’t think many of you realize how bad this may become. I honestly see hades of state run media (well, it’s voluntary right now.) And even more, some don’t care. May be you don’t understand how detrimental this can be. This isn’t an issue about Fox News and the favorite party line about them being Republican-favored. When I hear this, it’s obvious that it’s not understood the difference between a commentator and a journalist.
I used the think that the media’s role was to question the government – look at the Bush years – even the second part of the Clinton years, when the shine wore off. I never thought it would be like this and have a president complain about it. Do you know (or even care) how this looks to the rest of the world? Oh, the president can’t take criticism or even have hard questions asked by the media. God forbid, if something happens. Who is going to be there to ask the hard questions, and will it be allowed.
Journalists today are nothing more than star-struck and it really shows, and it’s pathetic and laughable at the same time. It’s frightening to know that there’s really not many news outlets looking out for the general population. They are cheerleaders for the current administration.
What’s the saying, “Pride cometh before Fall,” or the other “What goes up, must come down.”
Think about it.

Posted by: AJ | June 18, 2009, 8:57 am 8:57 am

Hey I can say the same thing. It would be hard to find one Bad thing said about Obama on MSNBC.

Posted by: JOE REPUBLICON | June 18, 2009, 9:10 am 9:10 am

Frankly, I am rather tired of Mr. Obama’s love to be seen and heard. He should have learned by now that the American Voter likes to hear from their leader (…not their “Czar) when he has something to say which warrants our attention. Mr. Obama speaks in platitudes….while the nation calls out for specifics! I hope that Sawyer and Gibson don’t throw him all softballs during the so-called “Healthcare” debate..debate? ..what debate? I would like to know the composition of the 46 million of Americans who have no health insurance, for example. ARE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INCLUDED IN THAT NUMBER? ASK OUR LEADER FOR A BREAKDOWN. As far as “preventive” medicine is concerned, your sister organization TIME is out this week with a big discussion of that topic describing what the Cleveland Clinic is doing…..it is a 1100 bed hospital….surely not all 1100 beds are filled with folks requiring some sort of preventive medicine. While it is nice that pre-diabetics meet the hospital dietitian to “learn how to cook,” and their employees have their health club and gym memberships paid…that’s a nicety not new to American business organizations. Suffice it to say that the drumbeat of “preventive” medicine will not…and should not…overcome the true focus of health care in all its forms…..to make sick folks well again. The President should be enrolled in a good smoking program right now….that’s not preventive medicine…that’s an effort to eliminate something we all know to be not a good thing………..so, Diane and Charlie….no softballs, please. It is time for Obama to do something he often fails to do….SPELL IT OUT…DEFINE YOUR TERMS….NO PLATITUDES ON THIS SUBJECT.

Posted by: justj joey | June 18, 2009, 10:25 am 10:25 am

Please people, Barack did nothing but speak the truth. Some of you still can’t get past the Nov.4th victory can you? Some of you have been filled with nothing but hate since Nov.4th when posting your comments but the fact still remains Barack Obama is the POTUS Thick skin,thin skin in reference to this story is ignorant.Barack can voice his opinion,what’s wrong with that.Most know that the good ol girls and boys and Barack Obama Haters are still moaning,groaning,complaining and some of you feel as though you’re entitled to everything,Why did Barack do this ,that and the third,Barack needs to apologize for that,why did Barack do it that way,why didn’t they get their dog from a shelter,why is Michelle showing her arms,why did Michelle and Barack do a fist pump.Even the fist pump had to explained to some of you that think you are so entitled. Rididculous!!

Posted by: vanessa penney | June 18, 2009, 10:51 am 10:51 am

The good ol boys and girls and Obama haters are still moaning,groaning and complaining.Obama spoke nothing but the truth.Some of you have been filled with nothing but hate when posting your comments since Nov.4th. And some of feel so entitled don’t you? Why didn’t Barack do it this way,why did he do this,why didn’t they get their dog from a shelter,why did he and Michelle do a fist pump, RIDICUOLOUS The man told the truth.Has nothing to do with thick skin,the man told the truth and some of you have been used to shady,shiesty politics in the Whitehouse until you can’t accept a president that will be TRUTHFUL when speaking about your beloved FOX NEWS

Posted by: vanessa penney | June 18, 2009, 11:08 am 11:08 am

“President Obama Attacks Fox News Channel”… which is to say, Fox News Channel Attacks President Obama, and President Obama makes note of the fact in his usual calm, rational fashion.

Posted by: Yukon Sam | June 18, 2009, 11:21 am 11:21 am

Thank you FOX !!!

Posted by: Denisea213 | June 18, 2009, 11:58 am 11:58 am

Iran sorry, we can’t help you, please “Free US”

Posted by: Freedom | June 18, 2009, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

A President attacks a news organization that questions his administration. The same President attacks private individuals and private companies for not following his guidance. I wonder in which of his mentioned 57 states of the Union does Fox have the largest viewership? If someone wants to receive the daily DNC talking points all one has to do is watch: NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, et all.

Posted by: Freedom Cost | June 18, 2009, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

It is obvious that if your an Obama fan that you will not see that he “attacked” FOX news. Just like he did not attack the Chrysler bond holders, the GM bond holders and anyone else that does not go along with him. I am sure none of the Obama supporters watch FOX news anyway. I want all news channels and by far, FOX is the fairest. Yes, the hannity’s and the Beck do attack Obama but at least the other shows report both sides. ABC, CBS and MSNBC are in love with the man. Obama has created the biggest social agenda since rosevelt and all these station barely even discuss it that way. This president is adding trillions to the budget. Whether you like it or not, this is big news and should be discussed as such. Unless you are in love with him and can not even get the words out.

Posted by: Jack | June 18, 2009, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

Jimmy Kimmel interview. Czar’s watching…beware

Posted by: Freedom | June 18, 2009, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

Hey, how soon we forget 9/11

Posted by: Patricia | June 18, 2009, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

I remember that during the campaign, Barry said that if it weren’t for the Fox Network, he would probably be ahead by another 3 points in the polls. He was probably right.
But, what he should have said, is that if the other networks and the NY Times and Washington Post had been doing their jobs and reporting reality, he never would have even gotten the nomination. Why in the world did the Mainstream Media of this country decide that it needed a Marxist, inexperienced, community agitator as the leader of the free world? Why?

Posted by: Clancy | June 18, 2009, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm

Why is Obama so scared of the conservative media? Is he to small to take a couple of insults?
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Posted by: James D | June 18, 2009, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm

President Obama attacks FOX news? PLEASE! Fox news has nothing positive to report on the president. From the day he ran for office he was criticized by FOX news. They have nothing on him so they make up things. Lets see, we have Sean Hate Hannity who is surely intimidated by Obama’s intelligence so he calls him arrogant. Rush Limbaugh (their favorite) who turns red and holds his heart because a black man is in charge. Ugly betty Ann Coulter, who cant even quote her own words from her book because she don’t know what’s in it. I don’t think she wrote. FOX news is a racist station. Remember these are the same people who praised Sarah Palin for holding her hate rallies. Now they organized little Tea parties just to get heard. Face it FOX, Obama is here to stay. Hope he’ll be here another four years. I am a true American and don’t judge anyone especially by the color of their skin. Obama lover!

Posted by: imortact | June 19, 2009, 1:27 am 1:27 am

There is something to be said about CLASS or the lack thereof. President Busch was attacked by every major or minor network during his presidency. I don’t recall any negative comments from him.

Posted by: GLeonhardt | June 19, 2009, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

There is something to be said about CLASS or the lack threreof. President Busch was attacked by every major or minor network during his presidency. I don’t recall that he ever commented.

Posted by: GLeonhardt | June 19, 2009, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm

What are the people of the U.S. waiting for. When are they going to realize this imposter we have playing president has only one thing in mind. He is bound and determined to make this a second class country. I admit I am no scholar when it comes to its total content, but someone who is needs to step forward and prove that what this pretender is doing goes against what our forefathers intended. Somebody has to step up and file charges to have this person impeached. And it’s time for our so called media to step up and admit they backed the wrong candidate and stop covering for Him. They know He can’t answer a question unless He knows ahead of time what’s comming. I am ashamed to call this imposter president.

Posted by: Mack | June 23, 2009, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm

When is the media going to stop covering for this imposter we have in the whitehouse. As much as they lied about President Bush. they are lying even more for Obama. I am ashamed and can not bring myself to call this man preident

Posted by: Mack | June 23, 2009, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm

“Second class country”….yes, we are there….the Bush family took care of that. Check the taxes we are still paying for the baseball team and the Bush fortune.

Posted by: NickTexas | September 22, 2009, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm

gee, I wonder why 98% of the comments on CNN, are critizing Obama for Crying about Fox news.
I have almost ;had it with all of the media outlets. Every station has a definate political stance. Shame really. What is your political views CNN? Are you really un-bias, or just another lap dog, devoid of any news intergerty?

Posted by: F Tomek | October 19, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

It did not sound as if Obama attacked Fox News, but it did sound as if Fox Interviewer was disrespectful to President Obama. I feel like President Obama is recieving a lot of criticism because our economy is bad, and it is not because of Obama’s Administration. It is because the U.S. had some unexpected misfortune incidents that began with 9/11. It took that to began ripping our economy apart, and now it’s going to take time to build the economy up; given those circumstances, I feel that Obama is doing a great job. Another reason why I feel like Obama is getting hit hard is because of the color of his skin and not the content of his character, and he is an intelligient man. I believe in time he could turn our country back into a functional status. As for all of you professional spellers, well you know what you can do began teaching our children, and stop adding to their failures.

Posted by: Barbara | March 18, 2010, 10:45 pm 10:45 pm

That’s misfortunate incidents

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