President Obama, Please Pick Winnable Fights

Without a doubt, the recent war, declared by Barack Obama against the Fox News Channel, has lessened not only the office of the President... but has reduced Obama's stature to that of a local mayor or alderman. That's what local politicians do... whine and complain about who-said-what-about-them.

How could the leader of the free world allow himself to get into a shouting match with a news network? He should have stayed above that! Heck, if you combine the clout of O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck, Cavuto, Wallace, et. al, it should never equal or match the bully pulpit of the president. So, for Obama to cede the power he possesed via the largest megaphone in the world to some quasi journalists/television news personalities, has marginalized him and the prestige of presidency.

Quite frankly, it is an embarrassment to see Fox newsman, Brit Hume, chastise and ridicule President Obama, and his White House, for picking this petty fight with their network because of how Fox chooses to report stories on the president and his policies. But Obama elevated Hume and company to his level... so they can ridicule him now, and for the duration of his presidency, as if they are his equal.

Tom Bevan of Real Clear Politics, has adequately put this contentious battle in terms that continues to resonate in coffee houses across the nation:

"It's actually quite brazen when you think about it. The two most senior members of the Obama White House - men who control all the information and access to the Executive Branch, the lifeblood of most news organizations - went on national television and suggested that ABC, CNN and other networks follow the White House's lead and join in its war to marginalize a competitor because it takes a "perspective" that displeases the President.

Such tactics may not be frowned upon by brass-knuckle operatives working for the political machine in a one party town. But it's different when you're the President of the United States. Most Americans of all political stripes don't want to see the President using the majesty and power of his office for heavy handed attacks on any organization simply because it has been critical of the President".

C'mon Obama... call off your attack dogs and put an end to this unwinnable fight. Look like the president that you are!

You can start by having your office call that red phone that Mr. Glenn Beck has visibly displayed on his television program––which is allegedly linked directly to the White House. Assign someone from your staff to call Beck's phone and refute those scurrilous charges and accusations being leveled at your administration and your policies. Everyday that phone doesn't ring, increases viewers to that network, as folks are beginning to believe what is being said and passing the information along to their friends and neighbors.

Mr. President, this is a battle you cannot win! So, instead of attacking Fox News, and those on that network with the cheap shots from Dunn, Axelrod and Emmanuel... schedule an interview with one of their journalists––sooner rather than later. This will demonstrate you are the man, and not afraid of their news or their views!

Fox Network Says "NO" To Obama's Speech To Congress

EXTRA EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!!

“The Fox Broadcasting Company will not air the Presidential Address to Congress on Wednesday, September 9 at 8:00 PM (ET). FOX’s sister networks, Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network will air the presidential address in its entirety. FOX will alert viewers with an on-screen graphic at the top of the 8:00 PM (ET) hour that the presidential address is available on Fox News Channel and the Fox Business Network.”

Has this sort of repudiation or "in-your-face-dissing" of a U.S. President by a major network ever happened in the history of the nation? And by Fox Broadcasting of all stations?

This is significant. Will their actions prompt other stations to refuse airing future addresses by the President–– as this is his 5th prime time speech in his eight month tenure. And, bottome line... each presidential speech means a loss of revenue for that time slot for those stations.

Currently, Fox News Channel, which boasts of being the number one television news network in the nation, available to approximately 102 million households in the U.S. alone... not to mention its international audience, will carry the President "live", as will its other sister station, Fox Business.

So let's examine this. If just a mere 30% of the national audience decide they don't care to hear President Obama's healthcare speech and don't watch him, or tune into Fox Broadcasting for alternative programming, i.e. the Simpsons, et. al... and Foxs' ratings blow through the roof on that evening, well, this could be a major problem for the President, especially on an issue as important as healthcare.

Where are we headed in this country? Yes... it was the complicit main stream media who made Obama and helped propel him to the White House... but now, will it be a lone, defiant, conservative driven network's refusal to comply with a Presidential address that will further erode Obama's power and demean the power of the office? Wow... it could be. This sort of behavior has been here-to-fore... unheard of! I guess this is all part of that 'Change' thingy.

Stay tuned.

Media Types, Get Out of the Tank... Do Your Jobs!

Bloggers Rock! With the recent death of NBC's Tim Russert, it is becoming more evident with each passing day that main stream media news––and especially these unprofessionally biased newscasters–– are becoming irrelevant. And if they don't watch out... they too will be relics of yesterday. Without a doubt, bloggers have taken their spots, as these bloggers have stepped up to the plate and eclipsed main line media to dominate the new airwaves: CYBERSPACE!

Needless to say that the custom has been: bloggers break a story in the 'virtual' political discourse arena, and the news media guys and gals are being forced to follow-up on the story–– after it has become yesterday's news. Is it risky to give green lights to these thousands of untrained journalists/bloggers? Maybe. But it's the internet news junkies who continue to set the tone and drive the vetting process of this 2008 Presidential election's information train. This trend began early on in this election cycle when the decision makers at CNN, MSNBC, Fox, et. al, turned a blind eye to their station's talking heads, and allowed them to abdicate their journalistic duties.

And what are their duties? To investigate and report to the American public factual information on the candidates... be it negative or positive...to assist the voters in choosing which candidate best meets the challenges of this crucial moment in history. Instead, these pundits, who too often out-talk their guests, offer conjecture, and spend priceless interview time spinning the story to champion their particular candidates talking points... blew it.

It is widely reported that Obama says McCain has gotten a free pass from the media... while McCain says that Obama's misspeaks go totally ignored by the media. And, sad as it may be... both camps are dead on!!

Today's media types would do themselves well if they would "get out of the tank for their respective candidates"–– particularly while on camera... and just do their jobs.

To quote one of the highest insult/compliments recently received from a respondent to this blog: "I read your blog each time you post. One day I think you are for McCain, the next time I think you must be supporting Obama. It is hard for me to tell because you attack them both the same."

That is what true journalism is all about. And that my friend, says I'm doing my job. Bloggers Rock!

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