Fox News Hits Back At 'Bitter' Newt Gingrich Over Claims of Campaign Bias [Seeks "A Gig At CNN"]

Guardian (UK) ^ | April 12, 2012 | Ewen MacAskill

[Steelfish]

Fox News Hits Back At 'Bitter' Newt Gingrich Over Claims of Campaign Bias News channel says Gingrich is 'auditioning for a gig at CNN' after former House speaker complained Fox favoured Romney

Ewen MacAskill 12 April 2012 Sruggling Republican presidential candidate, Newt Gingrich, after an outburst in which he blamed the network for the failure of his campaign and claimed it was biased in favour of Mitt Romney.

The channel, where Gingrich had a contract before hitting the campaign trail, dismissed the accusations and claimed his criticism of the network was motivated by a desire for a job at rival CNN.

Gingrich's outspoken criticism of Fox came at a meeting in Delaware on Wednesday with Tea Party activists.

According to the RealClearPolitics website, which was given access to the meeting, Gingrich said: "I think Fox has been for Romney all the way through. In our experience, Callista and I both believe CNN is less biased than Fox this year.

"We are more likely to get neutral coverage out of CNN than we are of Fox, and we're more likely to get distortion out of Fox. That's just a fact."

Fox hit back in a strongly personal attack. In a statement provided to the Guardian, it said: "This is nothing other than Newt auditioning for a windfall of a gig at CNN – that's the kind of man he is. Not to mention that he's still bitter about the fact that we terminated his contributor contract."

While Gingrich has chosen to remain in the Republican race after the exit of Rick Santorum on Tuesday, he has won only two states so far and is trailing well behind Romney. He is also struggling financially, having accumulated huge debts during the campaign and suffered the indignity of seeing a $500 cheque to....

[GeronL]

The primary is half over... so much for fair and balanced

[Gene Eric]

>> While Gingrich has chosen to remain in the Republican race after the exit of Rick Santorum on Tuesday

Now all of Santorum’s supporters will help defeat Romney by supporting Newt all the way to the convention.

Awesome - Go Newt!!!

[sheikdetailfeather]

Fox has absolutely no standing in this matter. I have detailed documentation both video and in writing as to their bashing of Gingrich. They proved they are in the tank for Romney for a long time. Now they own who they are. They deserve to have to deal with their ruined reputation and it is about time Ginngrich called them out for their attacks.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Fox News Bashing Newt Gingrich:

1-14-2012 Charles Payne on Fox financial show calls Newt a crybaby. “He can’t help going to the Bain Issue.”

1-14-2012 Judge Jeanine with Sarah Palin “Newt got booed for criticizing Romney

1-17-2012-Megyn Kelly on Fox. (1:05 pm est) She showed what Newt said to Juan Williams. She asked several people if Newt would get a bump from last nights debate. Some raised their hands yes. Of course, Megyn called on a woman who said no. Megyn asked her why. The woman said “He the absolute worst guy to represent us! He is an old, fat, rich, white guy.”

[sheikdetailfeather]

January 12, 2012

Gentlemen:

I have watched Fox News for many years. I recently have noticed a huge shift to being disingenuous, false and unreliable in your reporting. Obviously, you are for Romney. Many of your viewers know Rove is associated with a SUPERPAC which is being used by Romney against Gingrich called “Restore Our Future.” Yet he is brought onto Fox as an analyst who supposedly is neutral. Furthermore, your station quoted the nonpartisan tax center as being an authority in their criticism of Gingriches tax plan. Because I have been noticing your obvious bias in your reporting, I looked on the internet to investigate this center. Guess what? They are liberal and not worthy of Fox News to use as a credible source. Gingrich has sent out a legal notice to the media warning them not to show ads by Romney which falsely say he was fined in the 90’s. After Gingrich sent out this legal notice…..lo and behold….I saw Shepherd Smith yesterday LIE and say the Speaker was fined. I have heard chiding remarks by several people on Fox such as Brit Hume saying Gingrich has “road rage” and Ann Coulter on Redeye saying “Gingrich is crazy, you know.” For the sake of brevity, I am not listing all the instances I have seen here. I am astounded to see such bias, viciousness, unprofessionalism and downright false news reporting from a station I depended on to get my real news. The fact that I know your true agenda now makes me want to tune out more than tune in and I feel quite disappointed to learn that you cannot be relied upon for the truth. I have literally switched to CNN or MSNBC when I wanted to see a particular speech or event now that you will not show and I have not watched them since the 90’s. The way I look at it now …what is the difference between them and you when you quote liberal sources as legitimate? I guess it took this election to open my eyes to your station and now I know your news is not reliable. I will never quite view Fox again in the same way. Your credibility is in the toilet now and I cannot believe you think your viewers are that stupid. By the way, Stephen Moore with the WSJ has called for Newt to stand down and save his dignity. Well, with you people dragging him through the mud every day what does he have to lose if he stays in? Today I saw Fox show that old false ad that Newt warned media not to run or there will be legal ramifications. You showed the whole ad. I would think your station would abide by the law and have some ethics in your reporting but that will not happen when you are trying to push Romney across the finish line. Destroying a reputation for your own agenda shows me it is you who has no dignity. Why am I still watching your station? Well, I like to find out what you are up to so I can stay on top of it and let others know.

Sincerely,
A disappointed viewer

[Christie at the beach]

Fox News/Romney headquarters.

And remember Rush Limbaugh said that Romney sent him emails asking Rush to kinda go easy on him. Sounds like Obama; don't criticize him.

[Grams A]

Amen. FOX Business is becoming as bad. I no longer watch either of them.

[liberty or death]

I quit watching the minute Obama was elected. They did not do anything to expose Obama. Riley made me ill. Lookin out for the folks eh? Not.

[sthguard]

You’re forgetting that Newt committed the Unforgivable Sin: not being Rick Santorum.

[Steelfish]

Regardless of Fox, Gingrich sunk under his own heavy baggage and his unbridgeable gender gap. He needs to stop whining and end this quixotic campaign. In one breath he predicts Romney will be the likely nominee for which he will campaign his heart out and then on the next day says he’s going all the way to Tampa. To do what?

[marron]

Aside from the debates, I haven’t watched Fox since Beck left.

I haven’t watched CNN since their disgusting coverage of Israel’s Lebanon war a few years ago.

And I can’t remember when I watched the others last. I get most of my news off the net. It would be nice if there were a TV news channel worth watching. When Al Jazeera is less biased than your typical American channel, an important limit has been crossed. The non-Fox networks are DNC hacks, and Fox isn’t much better.

[VinL]

he’s going all the way to Tampa. To do what?

*************

To give his acceptance speech of course- geez steel- silly question, even from you. -:)

[Steelfish]

You get A+ for humor

[ReneeLynn]

Didn’t they just prove their bias with those comments?

[wolficatZ]

Just listen to this sickening, babbling drivel vomiting out of Rick Santorum's mouth, absolutely sickening.

 

WATCH THE VIDEO, PEOPLE.

 

WARNING: It WILL make you absolutely sick.

 

This is the mind, this is the soul of Rick Santorum.

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

 

Rick Santorum is unfit for ANY public office.

 

 

VIDEO: Santorum: Zimmerman 'has a very sick mind ... - The Daily Caller

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/03/25/Santorum-Pronounces-Zimmerman-Guilty-Before-Charge

 

My God, what a deranged, sickening human being. Only an ignorant fool would support this sanctimonious, deceptive creep..

 

NO RETRACTION, NO CORRECTION, NO NOTHING AFTER HE MADE THESE STATEMENTS. IT STANDS AS HIS LEGACY FOR ALL ETERNITY.

[Gene Eric]

>> He needs to stop whining

Interesting criticism given that was Rick’s behavior from day one.

Wouldn’t you rather have Newt than Mitt given the deal isn’t sealed?

[Steelfish]

This is biased coverage. Santorum simply opined on what was the then known state of facts. He won 11 states and over 3 million people voted for him and did all this on a shoestring budget. Not since Reagan has there been such a stirring of an insurrection against GOP-e. Nothing sickening about the man. This is stuff you’d get from MoveOn.org websites against Santorum.

[cableguymn]

News flash for ya. Santorum quit.. Another news flash for ya, you are way off topic.

[Steelfish]

You can’t go on blaming Romney’s negative ads, FoxNews, Rush, Mark Levine and on and on.

[Gene Eric]

>> NO RETRACTION, NO CORRECTION, NO NOTHING

Typical pride and arrogance that stems from that crowd — the moral vanity brigade.

Now that Rick is out, why isn’t there an incredible wave of support for Newt? Because Team Santorum is full of it. It was nothing but one big-ass bitch slap at Newt.

[af_vet_rr]

Has Fox News justified their hiring of Jesse Jackson’s daughter yet?

[rawcatslyentist]

Hey Newt, in case you forgot George S has deep pockets with the skeletons of almost 100% of the media in them.

[Gene Eric]

A lot of delegates still up for grabs. Will Team Santorum do anything to help Newt grab ‘em? Doubtful.

[Steelfish]

No way. Gingrich cost Santorum MI and OH that could have stopped Romney in his tracks. Even Gingrich concedes that Romney will be the likely nominee.

[SpaceBar]

I quit watching Fox News back in 2004 when Sean Hannity was having Al Sharpton on as a guest every other day, and slobbering all over him and calling him reverend with the deepest respect and humility. Savage is right, they’re just a bunch of leg crossers.

[Gene Eric]

It ain’t the candidates. It’s the people voting for them. And the bullshit began with Florida. Newt should have owned the South.

Team Santorum is not interested in defeating Romney now that Rick is out. It’s obvious, and shameful given all the rhetoric about the evil Romney.

BTW, Newt’s comment about “likelihood” was accompanied by the statement that the game ain’t over — the improbable not being an impossibility.

The only thing at this point that will ensure Romney’s nomination is the refusal to support Newt.

[Marcella]

I get regular news from both Fox and CNN. I ignore their political interviews/discussions on both channels. Fox has been a big disappointment and their hiring of Jessie Jackson’s daughter was disgusting.

[cricket]

"This is nothing other than Newt auditioning for a windfall of a gig at CNN – that's the kind of man he is. Not to mention that he's still bitter about the fact that we terminated his contributor contract."

This bully slap (even if on 'return') gives evidence of what was clear from the 'get go'. Fox was 'more fair' to Newt than the other networks; but by 'Mitt comparison'; the 'fair and balanced' disappeared. Be it personal/political or both; Fox News, by and large; did not support Newt and it was obvious.

Better of course; for Newt to have resigned himself to 'what is'; and not gone 'here'. 'Fox' may not his best friend in Media; they were however; the best friend he had.

(As for favorable coverage; Mitt OTOH was a beneficiary.)

As for his contract not being renewed as 'contributor'; Newt had to quit; once he declared. Seems Fox News allowed the 'door' to hit him on the backside; as he exited, however. Or this too; part of the slapback.

Too bad; other than John Bolton; few articulate the issues; and the threats; as well as Newt.

[cricket]

Good thoughts; but needs paragraphs! (and, perhaps,fewer I's!)Full bore, and block does not fly; but perhaps, you just missed spacing per 'this' posting. . .

Share your sentiments; and have shared them as well with Fox News. Feel like 'here we go again'; with Election just shortly ahead of us; and Fox News, not doing it's utmost to get 'nothing but the truth' out.

You are right; Fair and Balanced means 'zip'; when the balance is propaganda/lies from the Left - and not identified as such; by Fox News.

That said; Fox News remains; still; above it's competition. (And while taking note of Fox News 'disappointments'; if Trayvon; continues to be a major headliner and usurper of 'time/space' with regard to reporting; (so remember OJ. .) then Fox News; will fail even more/again; it's commitment to responsible journalism'.

[cricket]

Has Fox News justified their hiring of Jesse Jackson’s daughter yet?

Oh, Jesse is busy! Missed this; but wondering why he did not get her onto Obama's almost 'all-white' staff at White House. Perhaps because he pays 'less' for women? Such an opportunity to make a difference. . .

As to Fox News motivations. . .cannot guess. But she will learn something new; perhaps.

[octex]

Has Fox News justified their hiring of Jesse Jackson’s daughter yet?
************************
I happened to catch some program on Fox News Wednesday when she was on. In fact, I was somewhat impressed at her demeanor and knowledge. She was nothing like that POS JJ that supposedly sired her. ...She seems to be a reasonable person. ...Time will tell. .....She came across more like a Kirsten Powers than that blatant mouthpiece Jehmu Green who only can spout racist and Dem talking points. JMO

[octex]

As for his contract not being renewed as ‘contributor’; Newt had to quit; once he declared.
*****************************
Bret Baer (sp?) was on O’Reilly Thursday and said Newt had been on Fox News programs 106 times while Mitt had only been on 56 times.

[maryz]

And remember Rush Limbaugh said that Romney sent him emails asking Rush to kinda go easy on him.

I didn't catch that . . . do you remember specifics, like when and Rush's comment on it? The worst I've heard Rush say about Romney is that he's a "moderate" and the candidate Obama's counting on running against.

[Recon Dad]

Who can forget Newt’s pronouncement after he won that straw poll down in Florida, “The race is over and I will be the GOP candidate.”

I still like Newt, but his problems should not be blamed on FOX. One minute he’s a tiger in the debates the next he’s becomes a wallflower. Newt got almost double the air time as any other candidate on FOX.

Besides for two months now he has not drawn flies in any primary, he’s not resonating, so he figures by banging FOX he’ll get press coverage.

[trebb]

Looks like Newt hit a nerve - Fox had no record to prove him wrong, so they attack/belittle him.

That's why FR is so important - if I see something that bgrabs my attention on news sites, I come here to see what the FR takes are so I don't fall into the trap of taking it at face value. We have a lot of fools with us, but FR also has a bevy of truly fine conservative minds working for our freedoms.

[muawiyah]

It’s been pretty clear for some time now that FOX is in the tank for Romney. Why they should deny what’s obvious is not clear.

[muawiyah]

Florida is not "the South' ~ it's another name for New York and New Jersey. In fact, duplicate registrations are most numerous in the New York/Florida nexus.

[Rearden]

I have been watching re-runs of 30 year old game shows, mostly as background noise, as I gather news info from other sources.

Who would have thought that I would come out so much more well informed from watching those old shows. S/

[broken_arrow1]

Looks like Newt hit a nerve - Fox had no record to prove him wrong, so they attack/belittle him.

I saw the reporting and I agree. It was pretty obvious to anybody watching Bret Baer or Shep Fag that Gingrich was belittled.

A long list of in-the-tank for Romney Fox contributors were always rendering an opinion, it was sickening, Brit Hume among them. Fox has transformed under pressure from Soros and Obama, to a more "balanced" position than fair. They dumped Beck and Judge Napolitano to appease the appeasers - giving up without much of a fight. Now, obviously the attack dogs and the pressure is off Murdock - pretty obvious what happened.

[DOGEY]

Regardless of Fox, Gingrich sunk under his own heavy baggage and his unbridgeable gender gap. He needs to stop whining and end this quixotic campaign. In one breath he predicts Romney will be the likely nominee for which he will campaign his heart out and then on the next day says he’s going all the way to Tampa. To do what?

Couldn’t agree more. It’s all about Newt. Sound familiar? The current occupant of the WH is the same way. Both are charlatans

[jersey117]

Last I heard Newt was supposed to sweep the south. It never happened - even with my candidate Perry’s endorsement. He even came in dead last after Ron Paul in some of the recent contests. At some point there needs to be a reality check.

[elpadre]

Newt got more mileage from FOX than any other network, IMO.

[Longbow1969]

Better of course; for Newt to have resigned himself to 'what is'; and not gone 'here'. 'Fox' may not his best friend in Media; they were however; the best friend he had.

Yup. Most of the Fox personalities seemed to be in the tank for Romney, but Newt still got a ton of airtime to talk about his issues and whining about Fox News will do Gingrich no good at all. I think Newt was on Hannity and Greta's shows almost constantly and at least they were very fair to him.

While I supported Newt, at this point it doesn't seem like he is running a real campaign. He's just sort of going around speaking off the cuff about anything and everything, no discipline, no real strategy, totally broke, and just using the platform for what seems like ever decreasing media attention for this thoughts.

When asked if the remaining candidates could drop out, I noticed Sarah Palin on Hannity seemed far more interested in having Paul stay in the race so the public could continue hearing his issues discussed. Oh she said Newt had some good ideas as well, but her comments about him seemed totally secondary to even Ron Paul.

[TangoLimaSierra]

In one breath he predicts Romney will be the likely nominee for which he will campaign his heart out and then on the next day says he’s going all the way to Tampa. To do what?

Wow. Do you do editing for NBC? You do know Santorum quit the race between those 2 events, right?

[dforest]

This is most likely the reason that Newt isn’t resonating.
It takes a lot to cover all of this.

http://www.lessgovisthebestgov.com/index.html

[Georgia Girl 2]

What a crock!! Foxney News was sponsoring bash Newt night every night during the campaign. Between Britt, Tokyo, Kraut and Mehgyn Kelly it was wall to wall.

[Menehune56]

I think Newt would have been well advised to quit saying “Callista and I...”

[Steelfish]

Let us not forget that Romney scraped a MI win by only 3% and Gingrich siphoned off 7% of the vote. Had Gingrich quit, Romney would have lost in MI and his campaign would have been reduced to ashes. Romney won OH by under 1% where Gingrich diverted 14% of the vote. In both instances he got zero delegates but helped Romney win these crucial states, secure the momentum, that went on to win against a cash-strapped Santorum. Now he expects Santorum delegates and supporters to cross over to him!

[cricket]

and said Newt had been on Fox News programs 106 times while Mitt had only been on 56 times.

What they need to count are the numbers, when it comes to 'negative' comments/messaging on Newt, versus that of Mitt.

Think those stats would tell a different story. . .