Fox News Panel Bashes Fellow Fox News Employee Sarah Palin

video

by Frances Martel | 2:24 pm, February 15th, 2010

» 24 comments

Here’s one that could have fallen under the radar amid “Retardgate” and that too-close-for-comfort Glenn Beck interview. Fox News’ weekend Wall Street Journal partner program, the Journal Editorial Report, ran a segment Saturday analyzing Sarah Palin‘s chances at a successful presidential run in 2012 in light of a recent poll finding that 71% of Americans think she is not qualified for the job. Stuart Varney, in for Paul Gigot, lead the round table in a discussion on Palin’s chances in 2012. The commentators turned on Palin, with the ones trying to find the sunny side of the former Alaska governor slamming her even harder than her detractors.

Joseph Rago and Bret Stephens took the direct line of attack, with Rago answering a question about Palin being the brightest, most exciting Republican politician of her time: “Sure, but what does that say about the Republican Party?” Stephens’ response to the same question? “The freshest, maybe. The brightest, I’m not so sure.” He continued by claiming that he got from Palin “the distinct sense that if you ask her a follow-up question she would have no idea how to answer it,” which Varney called “mockery.” Answering to her likability, he posited that “It’s easy to like Palin because the people who hate her are themselves so dislikable.”

Collin Levy sprung to her defense, and in doing so possibly did the most damage of all: “They like her because she seems like a minor-leaguer,” she noted, referring to the hand-note incident at ~~CPAC~~ the Tea Party convention last week. And, concluding the discussion with a comment on Palin’s potential leadership: “She doesn’t need to be a leader. She just has to be something of a party mascot.”

There is something surreal about a Fox News segment dedicated to disparaging a Fox News employee. How different is it to call a pundit-in-arms a “party mascot” (even as a compliment) than to call them “sad and pathetic,” for which Joe Scarborough got a slap on the wrist at MSNBC? Palin is no longer a potential presidential candidate acting independently of the company that employs them, but a coworker. She would not be such a ratings draw if the threat of her returning to public service were minimal, nor would she be on the network if it did not provide her such a powerful platform to not-campaign– it’s a win-win situation. Another question is whether Fox News would be rooting for Palin the politician or against her. Keeping her on the airwaves and out of the White House would certainly be more lucrative, but in the long term having a former employee be the most powerful person in the world would be fantastic for scooping fellow news outlets. The former being more attractive to them would at least explain this article that ran alongside the video, legitimizing the Scott Brown for president movement by noting that a run in 2012 “wouldn’t look much different from Obama’s in 2008.”

Watch the Journal Editorial Report clip below:

2012, Bret Stephens, candidacy, Collin Levy, Dan Henniger, Daniel Henniger, fox news, Glenn Beck, Joe Rago, Mascots, msnbc, presidential race, Retardgate, Sarah Palin, Scott Brown, Stuart Varney, wall street journal

TfT

Fox News is always fair and balanced.

The headline makes me laugh, it’s kind of like the Dick Cheney headline now that he endorsed gays in the military so he isn’t introduced as Darth Vadar or something worse.

BTW: It wasn’t disparaging a Fox News employee, who is employed as a political analyst. It was discussing her prospects as a 2012 Presidential Candidate….which by all measures is a waste of time, given she, nor anyone else for that matter, has announced.

Oh and for the record, Palin was not a CPAC.
TfT

I see you changed the title of your article, from (fair and balanced) to something else. Why is that?
SteveMG

This goes to the central question of what Sarah Palin is? A media figure or a commentator or a politician or just what exactly? She’s wearing many hats.

I think it’s certainly legitimate for Fox commentators to criticize her, let us say, non-Fox News behavior or when she’s acting as a public figure outside of her FNC role. But it is a bit unseemly to attack a fellow employee as Scarborough did with Olbermann. The latter, I think, can’t be permitted.

FNC is in a tough situation – one of their own making.
The Real Royal King

I think the panel was exceedingly generous, and I am beginning to believe the analysis that the Republicans are using the Drop Out Governor of Alaska as a mud catcher. Let her take all the dirt for another year or so, then run someone clean. I am also beginning to think that the Drop Out Governor is far less suited for elective office and far less a “draw” than I did initially. Outside of Beck, Hannity and the Drop Out Governor’s perpetual stalker, Van Susteren, I’m not sure anyone in the media, including FOX and other rightist media outlets, or voters beyond the thinnest of fringists, takes her at all serious anymore.
parakeeta

I love it when the zombie Republicans eat each other alive. More! WE WANT MORE ZOMBIE EATING!
The Real Royal King

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Drop Out Governor of Alaska weren’t soon to become a liability even for FOX. When she does, I imagine Murdoch and Ailes will hire Orly Taitz, Dentist, Extension School Attorney, Real Estate Agent and Wig Model to replace the Drop Out Governor. She would make more sensible arguments.
Azarkhan

I love her so!

First, for those who view Ms. Palin sympathetically, remember that the left also savaged Ronald Reagan for being stupid, a racist, and unfit to be President. All he did was blunder his way into two terms in the White House.

Second, for any presidential candidate in 2012, Democrat or Republican, President Obama or Sarah Palin, polls in Feb 2010 mean nothing. Let me know what their poll standings are in Feb 2012.

Below are excerpts from the Orlando Sentinel, Feb 14:

” Palin-mania easily surpassed Danica-mania at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday…When she arrived for the drivers meeting, Palin was immediately mobbed…After…the meeting, Palin could not get out the door. Fans mobbed her, asking for pictures and autographs. Her 12-person entourage, comprised of track security, a policeman, friends and spokespeople, tried to get her to the door and to her next appearance….Even when she was able to get out the door, she stopped every few feet to take pictures.
As she got moving again, Palin stopped when she saw a boy in a wheelchair to say hello and sign an autograph.”

BTW, another middle-class conservative woman who faced elitist hatred and snobbery was Margaret Thatcher. Nuff said!
The Real Royal King

So, Azarkahn, you’re telling me that people who spend hour upon hour watching cars turn make a four (4) slight turns to the left, eagerly hoping for a wreck are avid Palin fans. I can understand that.
parakeeta

Azakhan wrote:

“First, for those who view Ms. Palin sympathetically, remember that the left also savaged Ronald Reagan for being stupid, a racist, and unfit to be President…”

Which he was: a stupid racist who spent America into the poorhouse. Despite right wing agit-prop, fact is that Rhonnie DOUBLED the accumulated federal debt in his eight years, a feat later matched by George WTC Bush.

Azakhan wrote: “All he did was blunder his way into two terms in the White House.”

Sort of like Billy Clinton, who, BTW, balanced the budget and left a tidy surplus which Deserter Bush promptly squandered like it was his Trust Fund.
Azarkhan

I love it!!!–the more you hate her, the stronger she becomes. Please, continue…I’m begging you!
Snobs like you are only in the majority in your leftist coffee houses and chat rooms.

PS: Over 2,000,000 million books sold. And SarahPac is raking in the dough. Please, continue!
parakeeta

^ Know who else sold a lot of books? Adolph Hitler.

Please, you guys constantly “misunderestimate” leftists. I don’t fear Palin, I pray (sorry that God offends you) that the former half-term governor is you nominee — really, because she turns 70% of Americans right off. I dislike her because she’s stupid, vicious and a liar. fear her? Over what — her brilliant mind? Please, bring her on!
http://www.karlspensen.blogspot.com Karl Spensen

YES YES YES Azarkhan!!1 The LIBS and SOCIOFASCISTS hate Sarah not because they think she is “unqualified” or “dangerously incompetent” or “a talking-point delivery machine” — it is because they are PETRIFIED of the Palin JUGGERNAUT that is going to roll over them in 2012 and take back our Once Proud Republic!!1 GO SARAH GO!!1
parakeeta

^ I bet you read that from your redneck Palm Pilot, didntcha?
The Real Royal King

Indeed, I am petrified that were the Drop Out Governor of Alaska to get the nomination (which she will not) that we might become over-complacent and let her win Alabama’s nine (9) electoral votes. The idea haunts me.
Azarkhan

Karl Spensen-
There was a good, objective article on Ms. Palin in, of all places, the Washington Post, by David Broder on Feb 11. Check it out. Broder is a seasoned reporter on politics, and no snob.

BTW, I earlier applauded Michelle Obama for her gracious take on Ms. Palin when she was on Larry King. I was surprised to see VP Joe Biden do the same on King. I think they are doing the smart thing politically-they know that Sarah Palin connects with a lot of ordinary people, and a lot of those people will be voting.
The Real Royal King

David Broder was once a good reporter, but now he is as senile as Larry King. Let’s not jump to too many conclusions at this point. But, by all means, enjoy the wreck.
Azarkhan

Isn’t he though? And Michelle Obama and Joe Biden are also senile. I just love it!!!

Please keep smearing Ms. Palin. Americans will always have sympathy for the underdog. Of course, since most leftists are pompous a-holes, they will never understand.

“So, Azarkahn, you’re telling me that people who spend hour upon hour watching cars turn make a four (4) slight turns to the left, eagerly hoping for a wreck are avid Palin fans.”

Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. And guess what? There are more of them then you.
parakeeta

^ My, the intolerance of the crazy right!
ImNotBlue

The Real Royal King says:
February 15, 2010 at 3:27 pm

Who?

parakeeta says:
February 15, 2010 at 3:28 pm

Kinda like Bayh? Except he’s actually an elected politician… not just a political talker.

The Real Royal King says:
February 15, 2010 at 4:32 pm

And the list of people you respect continues to shrink. It’s amazing to me that you’re unable to see the egotism and arrogance in your words. Apparently you only like people who are like yourself. What a sad existence it must be.

parakeeta says:
February 15, 2010 at 4:43 pm

I guess we’ll bring this back… don’t worry, Keeta, you’re in good company:

Goodwin’s Law

Karl Spensen says:
February 15, 2010 at 4:44 pm

How’s NY1 working out for you, Christian? Still playing the Spensen character… do they think it’s funny?

Azarkhan says:
February 15, 2010 at 4:58 pm

Ignore “Karl.” He’s a fake poster… it’s a college character he created, and continues today. He just wants attention… it’s pretty sad.
TfT

Frances: How come you never answered my question about why you changed the title of this article. It was originally:

“Fox news fiar and balanced (seriously) coverage of Palin 2012″

. Indeed, if you click on the article (at least right now) the original title appears in the link.

What gives?
blueblogger

Palin is in my home area today and Glenn Beck is coming early next month. Does that make me a repug???OMG
parakeeta

^ No, it means you live at Bellevue Hospital.
blueblogger

parakeeta how did you know that. I am a transplant to the area and have a hard time with all of these redneck neighbors.
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