Chris Wallace is no Tony Snow!

December 8, 2003 | Mike Baker

[MikeBaker]

I was worried when I heard that Chris Wallace, a long time member of the liberal media elite, was taking over as host of Fox News Sunday, but I decided to give him a chance. After viewing his pathetic debut performance, I can see that my fears were justified. In his interview of Andrew Card, Wallace acted like an aggressive prosecutor grilling a witness. He was cynical, rude and repeatedly interrupted Mr. Card, barely letting the poor man complete an entire sentence. But when Wallace interviewed Howard Dean, the tone was more like two friends chatting. Yes, he did press him mildly on a couple of points, but mostly he let Dean ramble on uninterrupted, with lengthy answers that were more like speeches. I assume that they'll be getting James Carville to fill in as host when Chris is away.

All politics aside, the other problem I have with Mr. Wallace, is that compared to Tony Snow, Chris has the personality of a door knob. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE email Fox News and ask them to reconsider their choice of host! My suggestion would be John Stossel.

Regards, Mike Baker

[MikeBaker]

I was worried when I heard that Chris Wallace, a long time member of the liberal media elite, was taking over as host of Fox News Sunday, but I decided to give him a chance. After viewing his pathetic debut performance, I can see that my fears were justified. In his interview of Andrew Card, Wallace acted like an aggressive prosecutor grilling a witness. He was cynical, rude and repeatedly interrupted Mr. Card, barely letting the poor man complete an entire sentence. But when Wallace interviewed Howard Dean, the tone was more like two friends chatting. Yes, he did press him mildly on a couple of points, but mostly he let Dean ramble on uninterrupted, with lengthy answers that were more like speeches. I assume that they'll be getting James Carville to fill in as host when Chris is away.

All politics aside, the other problem I have with Mr. Wallace, is that compared to Tony Snow, Chris has the personality of a door knob. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE email Fox News and ask them to reconsider their choice of host! My suggestion would be John Stossel.

Regards, Mike Baker

[bmwcyle]

Mailed same and bTTT

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

In his interview of Andrew Card, Wallace acted like an aggressive prosecutor grilling a witness. He was cynical, rude and repeatedly interrupted Mr. Card, barely letting the poor man complete an entire sentence.

Sounds like Mr. Wallace considers himself to be objective.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Wallace struck me as equally hard on Dean and Card.

[dirtboy]

Wallace struck me as equally hard on Dean and Card.

Me too. Tony and Brit were always just as hard on Republicans as they were Democrats, and Chris Wallace seems to follow that trend as well - he fired some hard questions, and some even harder follow-ups - he has an instinct to go for the kill that Tony Snow often lacked.

[dirtboy]

I see you signed up today to post this rant.

[COBOL2Java]

I'll give him one more week. The difference I noticed between Andrew Card and Nikita Dean was that Card was in the studio right across from Wallace, whereas Dean was via video link. It's much harder to do hardball on a guest who isn't right next to you. If Wallace throws softballs at a liberal guest who is right across from him, then FNS is off my Sunday morning viewing schedule.

[veronica]

He pretty much stunk up the place. But maybe he'll improve.

[Bluntpoint]

Does anyone ever comment on the "sign-up" date of posters who agree with them?

[Salvation]

**Wallace struck me as equally hard on Dean and Card.**

Perhaps, but you did hear Tony Snow or Brit Hume bring up the name of Hillary Rodham Clinton two times! I almost lost my lunch when he did this!

[ken5050]

All I want for X-mas is for the show to dump Juan Williams...he's dumb as a rock...some of the best moments occur when Brit gets fed up with Juan's inane, and insane, comments...either the looks on Brit's face, or he finally erupts and tells Juan he's nuts...

[Lijahsbubbe]

Tony Snow has the personality of cardboard.

[Petronski]

Good point, Bluntpoint. (10-23-2000)

[Huck]

I missed him with Card, but I saw him with Dean and I thought he showed tenacity.

[kabar]

Give me Wallace any time. Snow is a self-absorbed, emotional marshmallow. I am tired of his pithy stories about his family and personal life.

[Catspaw]

Juan Williams is a good foil for Brit Hume. Without Williams, who would Hume tear into chunks and spit out in little teeny bits?

[Salvation]

Transcript: Howard Dean on 'FOX News Sunday'

[DCPatriot]

Tony Snow has the personality of cardboard.

But he plays a mean flute!

[jraven]

Roger hired him because he was an authentic journalist who would ask tough questions of BOTH sides. For shows that aim most of the hard questions at one side there's still Sean's tv and radio show and Rush. Fox was trying to take another step further towards being a broader-based news organization that people who are not registered with the GOP feel comfortable watching, something that clearly is already underway. Tony Snow was a GREAT interviewer and a major talent. Wallace is a great catch given what he offers Fox. But I don't think people who want a cheerleader will like him because, yes, he WILL grill people in the GOP -- and that's why he's likely to in the long run garner greater ratings and respect for FOX which already has respect from Republicans but not quite as much from swing voters/viewers and Democrats.
For your fix of only-the-Democrats are evil watch Sean and skip Chris (and skip Michael Savage by the way; he also asks questions of BOTH sides.)

[Petronski]

One misplaced letter, and you might have accidentally said 'But he plays a meat flute!'