Fox News, Obama Bound By Brotherly Love
Relations between Sen. Barack Obama and Fox News Channel haven’t exactly been warm since the Illinois Democrat began his presidential campaign.
A year ago, the cable-news leader pounced on a scurrilous report (since debunked) that Obama attended a radical Islamist madrassa as a child. Later he joined fellow Democrats in boycotting a Fox-sponsored debate.
Since then, a thaw seems to have set in. Obama has appeared on Fox News several times since the madrassa flap. And while he declined an invitation to debate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) on Feb. 11, his demur probably had more to do with strategy than partisanship.
As it turns out Fox News and the Obama campaign are bound by blood.
David Rhodes, Fox News’ vice president of news, is the older brother of Ben Rhodes, one of the speechwriters responsible for Obama’s orotund oratory.
David, 34, who has been with Fox News since its 1996 inception, is responsible for the network’s news coverage. But while some will no doubt look for evidence of punches pulled—or redoubled, as it were—in Fox’s Obama coverage, David says brother Ben is discreet.
"He’s very careful not to give me any particular insight into his job," he says.
So what do they talk about when they go out for a beer?
"We both share a tremendous interest in politics, so obviously that comes up," he adds. "Lately we’ve both been very busy, so there haven’t been a lot of beers."
By Marisa Guthrie
Yuppers commented:
Not that the previous clinton administration had us in the largest surplus ever... But I realize idiots will likely get Obama in like that did bush. All I can say is shut up and lets see what Obama does when he is president, then we can see who was right about the kind of "change" he would bring.
Pete commented:
What's the story here? What should Obama supporters be "spinning their way out of"?
proofreader commented:
the word is "demurrer" His demurrer is correct. Or, to "demur."
dranreb commented:
LOL! I really want to see the Obabmabots spin their way out of this one. Nice disclosure, Obama.
vlove commented:
Everyone from sitting presidents to CEOs have speechwriters....
roncraw commented:
How many of his young voters know he is just mouthing a speech writers words when he talks.
Watch Out for Hillary commented:
Hillary's supporters have been posting the madrassa stuff on blogs throughout Virginia leading up to Tuesday's vote. She is using the same tactics Karl Rove did against John McCain in South Carolina in 2000. I wish the media would expose what her campaign us up to. Shameful.
Peter Grace commented:
It kinda makes ya feel dirty don't it. We shouldn't judge one brother because of another but he's 34 and been with FNC since its inception? Oh well as they say "Work Brings Freedom" hang on let me grab the TV remote and check that. No sorry "Fair and Balanced" was the slogan I was trying to quote.
Jake commented:
Demure is an adjective.
KateBush commented:
I am definitely voting for Clinton now.
Obama should have been upfront about this one.
Seems shady to me.
Angry_American commented:
Marisa.... your headline employs the same techniques of FOX News. Sensationalism, partial truths by vague association, and plants the thought that Obama is in the hip pocket of Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch. Maybe you need to come clean on this story now.... did you receive your marching orders from Clintn's campaign and could the contribution be considered a veiled Swift Boating attempt to besmirch Obama;s character?
Johnnie Bee commented:
OMG... A brother works for Fox News? The NERVE OF OBAMA... lmao
Is this not allowed? Hillary accepts money from Murdoch himself!
Justfine commented:
Obama is hardly demure, any more than Hillary. He did, however demur from the proposed Fox debate.
Dahaka commented:
Whaaaaa?????