New Communications Director Restarts White House Vs. Fox News Storyline

by Steve Krakauer | 10:24 am, January 19th, 2010

» 13 comments

The New York Times conducted a video interview with new White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer, and he didn’t waste time in reigniting the White House vs. Fox News storyline that seemed to die down at the end of last year.

Now Fox News, and Greta Van Susteren specifically, are responding. Update: So is Glenn Beck.

Pfeiffer took over for Anita Dunn, who started the war of words with FNC and became a favorite target for Glenn Beck and others at the network. TVNewser highlights some of Pfeiffer’s key comments to the NYT yesterday.

I have the same view of Fox that Anita had, which is that Fox is not a traditional news organization. They have a point of view. That point of view pervades the entire network both the opinion shows, like Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly, but also through the newscasts during the day.

This is exactly how you piss Fox News off. They can handle the White House shots at their opinion shows – mainly because those shows respond directly – but the knocks at the daytime newscasts take it to another level.

“We don’t feel an obligation to treat them like we treat a CNN or an ABC or an NBC,” said Pfeiffer. Continuing: “We will correct the record, whether its an analyst on Fox, whether it’s a member of Congress, whether it’s a reporter or pundit.”

FNC responded to TVNewser: “Obviously new to his position, Dan seems to be intent upon repeating the mistakes of his predecessor…and we all remember how well that turned out.”

For those who don’t, this should give a good backstory. Ultimatley, Pres. Obama conducted an interview with FNC’s Major Garrett and the incessant attacks (which saw just as many return-fire attacks from Fox) died down quite a bit. Does this new tone and tactic open up the feud once again? Wait until Glenn Beck has his say at 5pmET tonight – he’s already name-checked Pfeiffer this year, but it is likely just an appetizer.

Van Susteren took Pfeiffer’s comments and turned them into an indictment of her show, On The Record. She challenged the White House to come on and respond in a blog post today:

If they are certain about their swipe (which includes ON THE RECORD at 10pm since they say all of Fox) – they should have the courage and strength to prove it. I am responsible for 10pm so I am eager to talk to them about our work at 10pm – an hour included in their swipe.

> Update: Here’s a brief response from Beck on the radio today. There’s likely more coming on TV.

—–
» Follow Steve Krakauer on Twitter

Anita Dunn, Dan Pfeiffer, fnc, fox news, New York Times, White House vs. Fox News

The Real Royal King

Van Susteren is a particularly thin-skinned creature. 45% of her show is her talking over guests, and 45% is pure gossip. Yet, she wonders why no one takes her seriously.
blueblogger

The only thing this woman has ever done is work on the OJ trial (oh and get a facelift after). Me wonders WHY she even gets any attention from the media.
timzank

Glad to see The White House is still tone deaf. That whole “post-partisan” thingy just hasn’t really taken hold yet at Barry’s house has it?
KiKi

How entertaining that Obama is back for another (to put it crudely) ass-whupping from Fox News. I guess someone on Fox hurt his little feelings again. Grow up Mr.President, concentrate and help to create some JOBS.
m

I don’t get it why Fox is upset?

Remember this?
“…Fox News’ Jon Scott referenced seven dates, as on-screen graphics cited various news sources from those time periods — all of which came directly from a Senate Republican Communications Center press release. A Fox News on-screen graphic even reproduced a typo contained in the Republican press release.”
http://mediamatters.org/research/200902100019
m

Fox News responds and reacts like a political party more than a news organization. Quite telling.
Zakk

How did the last WH vs. Fox News go?
germ

Second verse, same as the first.
blueblogger

Timzank, tell me what the WH needs to do about this???? Come on instead of complaining tell me how they should deal with Fox. Even though I stopped watching CNN I do believe it is the only one that has any sense of being a NEWS cable show. MSNBC is definately left and Fox is definately far right!!!! SO WHAT is the point. They both just preach to the choir. I don’t watch Fox for obvious reasons. But I also get tired of the insanity that goes on with MSNBC. So where should be go for FAIR AND BALANCED NEWS today????
timzank

blueblogger says:
January 19, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Timzank, tell me what the WH needs to do about this????

First of all, I’m not complaining, I find it hilarious how tone deaf they are. 2nd, they need to stop whining like little school girls when any news outlet reports on something in a manner that they don’t like. It’s rather unbecoming and unfitting for the highest office in the land, no? 3rd, When Fox News reports on a story in it’s regular news broadcasts, they are extremely fair. Don’t confuse Hannity, Beck, Oreilly with the reporting and programming that goes on all day long.

If you watched Fox News from 8 to 4 you really wouldn’t be offended by anything. Of course the other opinion shows on later won’t be to your liking, they are admittedly biased (by their own admission) but the regular reporting is very benign….
TfT

This is nothing but a warning shot to the other networks; stay in our camp or we will trash you too. So far the threats have worked, much to the dismay of the public. Latest polling on media isn’t very good. We know NBC will always bow to the one’s every whim and wish; I had hope once Charlie left…but it is dwindling; and Katie is Katie, the perky one who likes to dirty dance. (snicker).
thelowedown

The man is right. Fox is not a traditional news organization. Neither is MSNBC. It is just that one network is a friend and one is not a friend.
pyrope

The White House SHOULD take FOX seriously–their ratings indicate everyone except the White House takes them seriously, but if you look at what the White House is doing, you’ll come to understand their strategy: to marginalize (or at least try to marginalize) anyone who is not in the tank for you. As for Greta, I can only say that her ratings far exceed any other program in her time slot. (I don’t think her facelift had anything to do with her ratings.)