Posted on 5/10/2006, 10:39:11 PM by Alissa
News Corp. Chairman Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News and the New York Post, said today that he his standing by his decision to host a political fundraiser for Sen. Hillary Clinton later this year.
During a conference call about his company’s robust earnings report, I asked Murdoch what conservatives are to make of his willingness to support the liberal New York senator.
“It will be pretty modest support,” Murdoch said. “It’s giving the opportunity to people in our office who want to join us at a breakfast.
“We think that she’s been effective on state issues and local issues here in a New York. She’s been an effective and good senator. And if people want to come to breakfast for $1,000, they’re welcome. It’s no big deal. It’s not a million-dollar raising. It’s got nothing to do with anything other than her Senate re-election.”
A News Corp. press officer invited HUMAN EVENTS to participate in the call—and ask about Hillary—following my report last night about a speech Murdoch gave to conservatives without mentioning the topic.
Last night’s speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., came a day after the Drudge Report broke the story about Murdoch’s decision to raise money for Clinton. The news was the talk of the town, leading some pundits to speculate that Murdoch was making a strategic move similar to his embrace of Tony Blair over conservatives in the United Kingdom.
Murdoch chose not to broach the subject during his speech to conservatives. He was in Washington to receive the Phillips Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award and honor recipients of the foundation’s journalism fellowship awards. He kept his remarks focused on Fox News and his other journalistic enterprises.
During a pre-dinner reception before Murdoch was honored, he entertained and chatted with some of the conservative movement’s VIPs. But everyone I talked to said they were either too nervous or simply too afraid to bring up the Hillary question.
When I told one attendee I planned to corner Murdoch and ask him about it, he suggested I avoid interacting with the News Corp. chairman for fear of angering the honored guest.
Following his speech, I made my way to the front of the room to ask the question no one else would dare pose to Murdoch: What are conservatives to make of his raising money for Hillary? Alas, I was too late. Murdoch made a dash for the door, and I missed him.
Today, however, after seeing my story, a News Corp. press officer called to apologize. He said Murdoch would have been happy to answer my questions about Hillary. He then offered me the opportunity to take part in this afternoon’s call.
Murdoch is a moron.
I wonder if she has Murdoch's FBI file.
What kind of businessman wants to turn his conservative base against his network?
Looks like he's hedging his bets on the outcome of the fall elections.
I challenge Rupert to name ONE state and local issue that Hilldebeest has been effective on.
Just ONE. Aid to NYC after 9-11 was done by a Republican President and a Republican dominated congress voting the money. Hillary and Chuckie Schumer did nothing but look sad and beg.
Rupert is just proving again the old adage that rich powerful people are more interested in other rich powerful people than in ideology.
Fox News has been slowly turning off its conservative base for some time now... Wesley Clark ??? Marvin Kalb??? Juan Williams??? what the heck????
Old Rupert is a liberal a heart who is a smart businessman that saw an unserved conservative market and used it to make a bundle of money.
Rupert is apparently tweaking Foxnews to a slight liberal bent!
Brit, Cavuto and Hannity have to play the game with Rupert because of pure financial reasons, Money, Money, Money!!!
Welcome to the Twilight Zone!
I have turned off Fox News for good!!
She be goods for comedy. Rating too.
If FoxNews goes liberal I'll do what I did to the rest of the liberal media - I'll turn them off.
That idea smells right...
I think murdoch is trying to keep Hillary in the senate, and forget about the white House
Perhaps he is supporting his choice for the 2008 Dem. Presidential Nomination. After all, what better choice than Hillary who would become one of the most galvanizing candidates in history. What Rupert is doing is akin to Republicans contributing to Howard Dean's campaign. We prop up those who want to run against.
I guess FOX joins CNN on the "programmed out" list at my house.
I will not support the enemy. Screw him and all he owns.
Nik
Their only principle is ....... power and money.
He knows she's bad for America. He's more interested in buddying up to powerful players so he's got a stab at future meat.
Full disappointment in progress.
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