Did top Dems make a dangerous right turn?

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 5/1/8 | Joe Garofoli

[SmithL]

Some supporters say Clinton, Obama had nothing to gain by appearing on Fox TV -

Presidential candidates rarely turn down a network television interview, especially on a highly rated program. But some prominent liberals are wondering why Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama agreed this week to sit down for interviews on the Fox News Channel, for years the highest-rated cable news network and the bastion of conservative TV news analysis.

The dilemma for the candidates: Is appearing on Fox a smart political move before Democratic primaries in two largely conservative states - Indiana and North Carolina - or not worth the effort to court what could be a small amount of persuadable Republican voters.

"I understand the need to reach out to different audiences," said Robert Greenwald, the director of "Outfoxed," a 2004 film that described Fox as a Republican mouthpiece. He also produces an online series of "Fox Attacks" videos that chronicle the network's coverage of African Americans, Obama and Clinton. "But this is a decision that will have virtually no gain for Democrats."

MoveOn.org Executive Director Eli Pariser said Wednesday that appearing on Fox helps to "legitimize Fox" as a news source.

[SmithL]

MoveOn wants them to stick with the Networks they own.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

“Legitimize Fox as a news source”...I thought the ratings already did that.

[harpo11]

It is a calucalated but esesential risk. Fox is tops, so what choice to these two dems have but to gird their loins and go into the lions den.

Like they really got tough questions. Hillary probably negotiated what could be asked and not before she gave O'Reilly his testicles back.

[TeleStraightShooter]

Is appearing on Fox a smart political move before Democratic primaries in two largely conservative states - Indiana and North Carolina - or not worth the effort to court what could be a small amount of persuadable Republican voters.

Joe.G foolishly thinks (D) voters do not watch FNC.

[MCCRon58]

After reading the article in the SFJ, and looking at their “sources”. It seems that it is the San Francisco Journal who needs legitimizing as a news source.

[DGHoodini]

Awwww! Tthe little Leftist Gestapo goons are uppset their blackmailing of Democrat candidates is no longer working so good. Too Bad...So sad...Go harass and attack a Republican at a speaking event like good little Leftie National socialist brownshirts! The waty your gandparents did to Jewish professors in Gemany...*That’ll* make you feel better!

[stylin19a]

Somewhere down the line, OB & Chillary have to start appealing to the general population, not RATS only.

This actually was a good move by both of them. Especially those who would vote for a Repub but wont vote for McCain.

[Erasmus]

Did top Dems make a dangerous right turn head fake?

[y6162]

“Legitimize Fox as a news source”...

Moveon.org and HufPo’s have to smear Fox as it presents a rational alternative to their crazed universe. Zsa Zsa Huffington’s new book asks why does MSM even bother with conservative opinion as we’re wrong..wrong wrong.

Conservatives, in Zsa Zsa’s view, are the same as global warming deniers. The debate is over, the left won. Lions..tigers and bears..oh my!

Heh heh..can’t wait to see the outraged headlines on HufPo when McCainiac wins in November even though he’s a jerk.