All the news that isn't fit to print!
Pundits were all up in arms (literally!) over a glaring White House misstep that signaled (in their minds) that Barack Obama was not only at "War" with the Taliban and Al-Qaeda - but also - Fox News!
"As far as they're concerned, we're just an arm of the Republican party," one guest huffed on O'Reilly last night around dinner break.
The wild tirade was in reponse to a New York Times report which alleged that White House communications director Anita Dunn bad-mouthed the Fox News Network.
“We’re going to treat them the way we would treat an opponent," she hissed.
Haven't the White House staff, Obama himself, and a wide-range of personal and political supporters been doing that from day one?
A Fox Senior Vice President jumped into the fray, too, and fired back with his own salvo that must have stung deep.
Michael Clemente characterized the combative conduct up on the hill as a perfect example of mean-spirited “attack mentality.”
Then, the Fox upstart argued that Barack Obama and his handlers should stop wasting energy on petty matters, and get down to brass tacks.
“Perhaps the energy would be better spent on the critical issues we are worried about,” added Clemente to all within earshot.
One political analyst wondered aloud why Obama wasn't concerned about turning off all of Fox's viewers.
Because the President knows that most Fox viewers are not in his corner or voting his way, O'Reilly was inclined to respond in so many words.
Notwithstanding, the ratings at Fox continue to soar!
Someone's watching!
And, it ain't just Peoria.
According to recent statistics, the network has averaged 1.2 million viewers throughout the year.
That constitutes a hike of over one million boob-tube watchers a year.
On the last occasion Fox scored high, the Iraq War (an unpopular conflict) was raging on.
The big brass at the baby network noticed a remarkable phenomenon, too.
“Every time they [attack], our ratings go up,” Bill Shine (Fox’s senior Vice President) gleefully reported to media hounds out for a scoop.
Turns out, Fox may be getting a reputation as a bit of a street thug.
“Don’t pick a fight with those who like to fight," Fox Chairman Roger Ailes cautioned..
As I sat at home last night, an armchair critic lapping it all up, I couldn't help but notice that Fox reporters (and the anchors, too) were a hysterical lot often prone to screeching on air at a fever pitch.
If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was that time of the month.
Ouch!
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