Fact Check: Reich Claims Non-Existent Fox News Led Conservative Charge in 1994

Big Journalism ^ | Jan 26th 2010 | Frank Ross

[kingattax]

Former Obama economic advisor, Clinton Secretary of Labor, and Berkely Prof. Robert Reich claimed yesterday in his column at Salon.com that Fox News played a role in the conservative resurgence of 1994:

In December 1994, Bill Clinton proposed a so-called middle-class bill of rights including more tax credits for families with children, expanded retirement accounts, and tax-deductible college tuition. Clinton had lost his battle for healthcare reform. Even worse, by that time the Dems had lost the House and Senate. Washington was riding a huge anti-incumbent wave. Right-wing populists were the ascendancy, with Newt Gingrich and Fox News leading the charge. Bill Clinton thought it desperately important to assure Americans he was on their side.

But Prof. Reich overlooked one minor detail: Fox News Channel’s first broadcast wasn’t until October 7, 1996.

The plan for FNC wasn’t even outlined until January of 1996, so what could explain such a patently false claim? Is the professor suggesting that even in 1994, Fox News’ imminence did in fact play a role in the political upheaval of that year? Or is this a moment where Fox Derangement Syndrome enters the realm of full-blown paranoia?

Either way, where was Salon on this one to save Reich from himself? And would Prof. Reich tolerate fact-checking this poor from his college students?

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Always reminded me of Doctor Loveless...

[castlegreyskull]

Okay, so the Selma March in 1964 was nothing like the movie “The Terminator” and how John Connor was conceived and cannot be compared to how Obamas parents met.

[Dryman]

Yeah, Stick to stuff Academics really know about.

Like that Peer-reviewed Global Warming Stuff.

[castlegreyskull]

Obama wants to save his nation, that is the Nation of Islam.

[TexasFreeper2009]

wow has FNC only been around since the end of 1996? seems much longer ago.

[CPT Clay]

THAT was funny!

[left that other site]

They know their base very well.

Ah but they don't know US!

And at the rate things are going, pretty soon,

"All their base are belong to US!" LOL!

[left that other site]

Yep, you just described the liberal left voter.

And that's what they count on.

[Niteranger68]

[left that other site]

I never realized how easy it was to be an intellectual. I thought you actually had to know stuff, not just SAY stuff. My dumb.

This is why the first victims of the communist purges are the "Intelligentsia".

Because they REMEMBER.

[Defiant]

If ever a guy was to small to see the big picture it is Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiichhhhhh.

He couldn't see the forest for the bushes?

[left that other site]

A strategy which seems to work for some of the population

A segment, which according to polls, is dwindling at a rapid rate! LOL.

[left that other site]

They must have replaced Karl Rove's Hurricane Machine with a TIME TUNNEL!

[Outlaw Woman]

Good point....Mass is a great example isn’t it?

[Publius6961]

Right-wing populists were the ascendancy, with Newt Gingrich and Fox News leading the charge. Bill Clinton thought it desperately important to assure Americans he was on their side...
...But Prof. Reich overlooked one minor detail: Fox News Channel’s first broadcast wasn’t until October 7, 1996.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

FAIL!

The most incisive and redefining event for both "progressives" and "professors!"

You can't make up stuff like this.

[mikey_hates_everything]

Finally! He always sounds like he is lecturing to children. I always knew that he was full of crap and eventually he’d trip up big. He won’t be getting the audiences he’s been getting after this.