Now see this is EXACTLY why I like Z's blog. Get to the heart of matters instead of dancing around.

All I can say Mr President to add to what Z put out there so clearly is "You are in the White House. The campaign is over. Get to work. Quit wasting my hard earned tax dollars playing a juvenile game of they are not being fair to me nonsense."

This country better get its act together. For citizens to expect less just think of your money being thrown to the wind...none of us have that kind of money right now to waste. Expect results, demand results call the White House out on this one and tell them to get to work!

You suggest the White House should simply disregard the out and out lies that Fox News says daily about the Obama administration. I was taught that if someone slanders you, you have a right to respond. Fox "News" is not news, it is the TV voice of the extreme right and as such, someone needs to step forward to label their crap for the lies it is. Fox has learned that if you say it enough, the idiots that watch their telacasts will believe anything.

It's great to see the administration swinging some punches instead of acting like patsies. If anything, this administration is guilty of too much kumbaya. Obama has a mandate, he needs to use it.

When the 2008 election was being tallied up Fox news was reporting that McCain was the winner all day that day. Whatever MSNBC maybe be, Fox is an arm of the Republican propaganda tool.

Is this really newsworthy?

Considering that there isn't much talent in the White House, this is par for the course. This administration is also incapable of handling a REAL fight, such as North Korea and Afganistan. Yo Rahm, time to dust-off that ballerina outfit of yours, and do something that you can handle.

You make some valid points. The Ego factor is the name of this administration's program.
Who told Anita Dunn what a "Real News Network" is, Mao or Mother Teresa?

Brilliant essay!
The last paragraph sums it all up.

No Sh-t

The White House "calls them like they see them", it's about time that Fox has been call nothing but a "Republican Rag"

Totally agree the the White House propaganda machine is in full force and they continue to make this administration look diminished. Its all about jobs, jobs and more jobs. We don't care about new entitlement programs relabeled as "reform" or punishing new taxes for the mirage of global warming. Get a grip. The major downfall of this President is that he has instilled tremendous uncertainty in the marketplace and in the communites and his only retort is to blame anyone or anything that contradicts his "image". Obama has no humility and has become an embarassment around the world. When will the rest of the media do some objective critiqueing of the man?

Glad to hear there is someone who is willing to call this administration out other than fox. Obama still thinks he is on the campaign trail and apparently hasn't realized that he won. He knows how to run for president but doesn't know how to be one. Too bad we don't have a parliamentary system. I'm sure he would be gone if we did.

Freedom of the press is a fundamental element of the First Amendment to our nation's Constitution. The people should be able to freely decide if they want to listen, or turn the channel.

Frankly, I'm refreshed that someone is finally calling out Fox for their less than "fair and balanced" reporting. Of course they could point out that very little of their broadcasting is true news coverage but they also try to blur that.

Is it the correct use of White House time/resources? Probably not to the degree that they're pursuing it. I'm with you on that point as well as the lack of mention of the fawning MSNBC.

I don't know if I'm getting older or what, but for the first time in my life I feel like our front-line of protection is still a free press...this whole thing is turning really creepy with the White House sending out their minions to beat up on a news outlet. I hate to say it, but how can this asministration scoff at people who carry Nazi signs at protests? They're walking a very very thin line on this one.

Could've agree more...

Thanks for coming clean in the last 2 paragraphs, letting the reader know that you are simply another republican taking cheap shots at the president.

"Project Mirror" - the tactic that came right out of the G.O.P. is too well known now. Look it up. Republicans are instructed to take every catch phrase used against them, and repeat it ad-nauseum to make it stick to the democrats.

So when you hear phrases about "silencing critics" you can rest assured that their is a GOP memo about "Project Mirror" somewhere in the persons inbox.

Hi Joe, Please do a Google search on Bill O'Reilly and Zurawik, and see if you think I'm a Republican. Also search "Zurawik and lefty critic," and see what you find. Thanks. Z

Agreed! Preposterous to think that the Obama administration, who proudly states they will sit across the table from some of worst leaders in the world (can anyone say "Mahmoud Ahmadinejad"?) won't sit across the table from Fox News reporters. MSNBC is a poor comparison - look at their paltry ratings compared to Fox. This is juvenile behavior from the White House.

Thanks for standing up for this. It puts the Fairness Doctrine on the line when the White House behaves in such an unethical manner.

Nice article.

The current administration has for a long time chosen to attack those that oppose it and not the arguments of those that oppose it. Which should be fuel for the fire for Fox News...

Holding FOX accountable is good. FOX is a corrupt organization that appears to only bring controversy and ill will to our attention using well manicured humans.

and you would defend Fox! The whitehouse is trying to work but it's work keeps getting hindered by the extreme right wing wackos and their republican allies who use Fox news to trump their propaganda. What is the Baltimore Sun also an arm of the Fox News network. Yuck. Get a life and write a real news story for a change, Get to work.

Perfectly to the point. Now you too can expect the horse head.

Hey Thomas46: Thanks for the comment -- and the warning. I got so many of the horse heads I can't remember who they are from any more. But I love the metaphor. It's a good one. Z

Could not agree more! This administration is most thin skinned and hypocritcal administration I have ever seen. They're beginning to make Nixon look rational.

It's been demonstrated quite conclusively by the elder Bush's campaign against Dukakis (another Roger Ailles' production, of course) and the endless sex investigations against Bill Clinton, that if Democrats don't answer Republican propaganda and outright lies in a forceful and timely fashion, the whole country suffers.

Unless anyone thinks another administration like the last Bush tragedy would be a good thing, then the White House should be ready and willing to call Fox News out on their dishonesty.

Dear Mr. Zurawik,
Come on, "kept me up most of the night","troubled" about Fox? grow up. Fox is a joke and begged for an MSNBC to counteract its attacks. Your attempt to legitamize them speaks volumes to those of us who are sick and tired of trumped up charges and biased view points. Fox continues attacks on CBS, NBC and ABC, trusted news organizations, on a regular basis and anyone who does not agree with them is always wrong. You fall victim to what Fox hopes in the real America; uninformed, lemmings heading for the cliff all for the sake of ratings and Mr. Murdock's personal wealth. The Adminisration is not punishing ANY outlet for not co-operating, they , like the rest of America, are just sick of Fox

Mr Alan Klopman.......name one lie that Fox has put on their show......

Fox is the only news show that doesn't spin their stories.

Brilliant essay? I don't think so. For one thing, Beck and others at Fox were outright lying about the POTUS. The Whitehouse is right to defend the POTUS and his presidency against false accusations. How many times has Fox called the President a socialist? or a marxist? They fill their soft minded followers heads full of crap and are inciting violence and hatred. Bush used much tighter image control...only allowing vetted Republicans to his events. What Fox is doing to the POTUS is slander. The President is right to blow them off.

The president has fallen for what so many in the past have fallen far, it is much easier to campaign than to govern. He isn't the first to do this and will surely not be the last. To some extent, the White house is correct in that Fox does slant toward the right, but many others slant toward the left. I try to read and watch both to try and see what the middle is doing.

WITH THE FIGHTS OF AMERICANS BEING EATEN AWAY ..FOX IS THE ONLY STATION STANDING FOR FREEDOM AND THE AMERICAN WAY.!!!! IS EVERYONE ON DRUGS?? DO YOU ACTUALLY THINK ALL THIS IS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AT WORK??

WHEN ARE ALL THE FROGS GOING TO JUMP OUT OF THE POT AND OPEN THEIR EYES BEFORE ASIDE FROM BEING TOLD TO TAKE DOWN YOUR AMERICAN FLAG ON YOUR LOCKER TO PENALTIES FOR NOT BUYING GOVERNMENT MEDICAL INSURANCE TO ON AND ON...
THE PUBLIC IS BLIND AND ONE DAY THEY WILL "SEE" WHERE ALL THIS CONTROL LEADS THEM!!!

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE FREE YOUR AREN'T !!!

GOD HELP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!

I would argue that the "talent" mentioned in the headline is a euphemism for thugs. Wouldn't you have loved to be a fly on the wall during the "secret meeting" between David Axelrod and Roger Ailes back in September?

I can certainly understand the concerns that many have over the feud between Fox and the White House, we certainly don't want to end up where John Adams ended up. In the White House's defense, however, Fox new's logo "fair and balanced" is dishonest and ultimately unethical since it misleads its viewers. Furthermore, I believe (I have seen it many times myself) that Fox consciously engages in a campaign of misinformation and omission and this has real-life consequences, as seen in the infamous health care town hall debates where nervous/hysterical citizens cited Glenn Beck as their source of information for statements that were patently false. Glenn Beck is opinion, true, but as President Obama said, you would be hard pressed to find a positive story about Mr. Obama on Fox news, period. They are a far cry from "Fair and Balanced" and at the least need to remove this dishonest logo.

If FOX is so bad, then why is their audience so much larger than MSNBC, CNN and others combined.

Could it be they are hitting home with more people and this admin. is a bit concerned?

I do believe that it was FOX that "declared war" or said the the President calling them out was a declaration of war.

Can you imagine the firestorm that FOX could have stirred up if a Real news agency had done that under Bush?

Frankly I'm glad that President Obama called them out. FOX is a pretend news agency and nothing more that a Reich-Wing propaganda machine.

No good can come from trying to appease FOX - look how trying to appease the Republicons has worked out with healthcare. Same group of people.

Perhaps that is the point- they know they are not up to dealing with the real problems - at least not without offending their own handlers / interest groups- so they try and divert attention to an non issue that thier Interest groups love to hate.

We need "Read, React, Execute" and we are getting "Poll, Posture and Blame" - from both Republicans and Democrats.

The problem is that Obama is letting Pelosi, Reed and the interest groups dictate to him - he simply HAS to be better than this!

I do recall a certain Bush press secretary telling reporters at the very beginning of the Bush administration that people should 'watch what they say'. But nah, you right, this administration is just way worse.

Shame on Obama and his administration for wasting taxpayers money on such things. When are we going to see them focused on REAL issues - like Jobs creation and security? or that is for the next election. We hear a lot of talk - I will do this and that but no actions! Many people who voted for him are now saying - How can we get rid of him, NOW!

I have no problem with what the administration is doing. I think it's what needs to be done when a so called "news" outlet outright lies like Fox News does. The bigger problem is when people like Mr. Zurawik here that thinks the administration can't multitask. I think this administration is capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time.

Disagree completely. First it's a trivial use of resources so your premise is faulty. Second you don't seem to understand the damage that Fox News has done and continues to do to progressive causes. That damage is much worse than it would otherwise be because Fox viewers believe that Fox coverage is "fair and balanced" although in fact most of the time it simply parrots Republican talking points. Taking aim at Fox is a critical part of getting US media back on track, and getting the US media back on track is a critical part of getting the US back on track.

How very true... assuming there is some talent in the WH! Presenting unwritten bills for approval, spending taxpayers' money like there is no tomorrow, hiring unvetted "czars" to run our businesses, safeguard our kids, the WH deserves the thrashing it gets. Start acting like a real 'gummint', show leadership on reducing taxes, listening to the voice of the people, keeping its nose out of our business... that what the gummint should do. FOX is not a Republican organization, but they do point out the shortcomings of our current President and Congress, which is MORE than the Republicans do. A great comment from Jennifer, Axelrod, Emanuel, etc. should take heed. FOX should black-out Washington DC and listen to the gummint beg 'em to come back unless all they want to hear is the platitudes from MSNBC, CBS and others.

Oh, baloney! Have you ever really watched FOX News? Granted MSNBC has a left of center bias, but FOX News is more than simply biased to the right. FOX News is notorious for sensationalism, intentionally distorting facts and outright lying. Remember, FOX News is owned by sleaze ball tabloid king, Rupert Murdoch, who has made a fortune world wide, marketing to society's, lowest common denominator, by pandering to their irrational fears and prejudices. You are supposed to be journalist. How can you possibly defend an organization that makes a total mockery of everything good journalism stands for?

I appreciate your conundrum as a news professional, and also see the possible damage that a precedent as this poses.
However, having spoken to honest folks that quote the misleading "fair and balanced" self-description of Fox News. I find it refreshing the administration questions them.
I doubt the pendulum of opinion swings equidistant to encompass MSNBC's faint praise and Fox commentator Beck's unchallenged statement that Obama hates White people.
This is also a swipe at a Fox radio line-up that spews "opinion" without necessary factual back-up...with the exception of warmed-over "experts" that have reflexively opposed everything left of Goldwater since Goldwater.
Giving credence to every Obama conspiracy theorist on unquestioned assertions of FEMA camps for conservatives and government take-overs by ACORN, should not be tolerated by any administration.
There have never been the volume of lies directed against any administration as exist now, daily.
FOX is not a news channel...why not announce it? I salute the guts of the Obama administration. FOX has all day every day to defend itself...and there is no threat of sanctions or shut-down, so get over it.

Not a very interesting or profound opinion on the subject.

Fox IS a right-wing propaganda machine.

How much time does it really take to point that out - even on a daily basis? Not much.

I would hope that Obama is setting the stage for the return of the 'fairness' doctrine.

I agree wholeheartedly with your views on this. Thank you for laying it out like it is. The president needs to stop pouting about those who don't like him and start proving that he's likeable.

If FOX news really is RNC slanted, it is only one among all the other major news networks that are typically liberal slanted.
I'll admit it might be, so who else is going to present a voice of opposition?

Honest liberals would embrance the honest alteemat opinion.

At least on FOX it's not packaged as "the main stream thought" as the rest of the major mews networks try to pitch it.

Funny, On FOX I always see the democratic or liberal opinion represented by a person in those discussions.

I don't see that in many other networks.

I can't be more specific than this, but I read about a poll over the weekend in which a sizable number of respondents cited Fox News as the spokeperson of the Republican party.

Do as I say, not as I do!!! Nothing to see here, move along.

Haven't read your other posts but speaking solely on this one, I'd think you're another Republican trying to defend Fox News, the conservative lying machine. I find that while MSNBC IS partisan to the left, Fox is not only wildly partisan to the right but outrageously misinforming and sensational.

Great insight, Mr. Zurawik, and well stated.

Fox, MSNBC, CNN and their programming content are, sadly, contributing to the dumbing down of America. Rename the outlets Fox Blog, Cable Network OpEd, etc., and repeat a "This is not news; this is intended to pass as educated entertainment. Our apologies; this is the best we can come up with to generate ad dollars..." crawl every 90 seconds and maybe the sad saps who tune in to HLN's Nancy Grace will turn off their TVs and pick up a newspaper instead.

Anita Dunn objected to fact-checking on a Sunday news program. She didn't object to them getting the facts wrong; she objected to the notion of fact-checking. Has she lost her mind?

True or false: Fox news is likely to criticize any announcement, decision, or action made by the Obama administration (or any democrat)

Would a company be criticized for not inviting a news outlet that was basically guaranteed to be critical of it's products/services and promote it's competitor?

Would a college football coach be criticized for not giving an interview to the rival school's newspaper?

I don't support MSNBC any more than I support Fox either, but I don't see this as an issue of freedom of the press. Although Obama is the president, he should enjoy the freedom of speech that every other citizen does. And with the way Fox constantly attacks him and every single thing he does, he has full justification to dislike Fox news. Maybe if Fox's commentators could show a tiny bit of respect towards the commander in chief despite disagreeing on his policy, he would return the favor.

Did Bush welcome MSNBC with open arms? I doubt it. As I said, I never watch either of those stations. But if Fox is willing to sling mud at the president, then they have no reason to be upset if he doesn't invite them into his home for coffee and cookies.

The Obama administration should remember the following." It's OK to talk the talk, but somewhere along the way you have to walk the walk" Good article

Fox is not a news outlet. It is entertainment. Bush was too afraid of Saturday Night Live to comment. A real hero is someone that actually obeys the laws and meets his adversaries. Not like Bush who screened attendees at public events and tortured unindicted suspected criminals.

Nice article.

The current administration has for a long time chosen to attack those that oppose it and not the arguments of those that oppose it. Which should be fuel for the fire for Fox News...

Somehow it seems that a great many Americans are more angry with Obama than with W Bush? How can this be possible? Did anyone pay attention to the facts of Cheney & Bush's 8yrs of pig-headed ignorance resulting in 9-11, Iraq invasion that was sold to the public with LIES about "weapons of mass distruction", and of course let's not forget that Bush's wonderful leadership allowed the financial markets to completely melt-down to the extent we haven't fully realized YET... and your mad at Obama. You must be a racist P.O.S. seriously.

Where are their priorities?

I'll tell you. They are foaming at the mouth incensed that a network has journalists and investigators who are skilled and capable of reporting on issues and agendas that this "transparent" administration doesn't want revealed.

They are enraged that FOX opens the doors and windows for the world to get a glimpse of the adminstration's ties to ACORN and political boiler room dealings that are the exact opposite of what the kool-aid train promised. So they waste taxpayer dollars strong arming FOX and attempting to sway advertisers and consumers away from this venue by smearing them.

They preach tolerance out of one side of their mouths but use every in-the-bag media tool available to muzzle any view that credibly opposes theirs.

If they could rewrite the US constitution - which they now call a "living" document - they would tweak in a well crafted clause that would book end freedom of the press to "acceptable" opposition. Who knows, the new SCOTUS might just hammer that out.

History, unless we ignore it (Iran) or rewrite it teaches us that controlling or socializing the media ends badly for the citizens.

Ask the journalists, reporters and anchors in the MSM to recite the Journalist's Creed. Their eyes will glaze over - because they've never even read it or they will immediately attack you like the White House is doing to FOX- a sign that they fear exposure.

Obama has already failed and he is starting the blame game again.

Obama never takes responsibility for his mistakes, it is always someone elses fault. Anyone who still believes in this clown is seriously impared.

The White House keeps saying Fox isn't a real news network. What I have not heard is Obama and his crew disputing the facts different Fox shows are putting out. They can't dispute the facts as they are just that. True facts! And that is what I find scarey.

This is a media outlet battle. The White House admin is not consumed by this, but the media is hoping to continue this discussion to raise ratings. End of story.

It's hard to work on issues and have an open dialogue with the country and the congress when you have one of the most watched "news" organizations misrepresenting and twisting things that are said to the nth degree. Fox news was always the first to exaggerate and deceive the public when it came to Obama. (not a legal citizen, him being a communist, muslim, death panels) Fox news is a device who tries to undercut the work being made in a long marathon of issues. Being held accountable is one thing but the allegations that are spewed on a regular basis hindering the progress of an administration, and a nation, in the wake of one of the most destructive administrations to date. Someone needs to hold the news accountable as well.

On my last post, I attributed the article to the wrong author. Should have been Zurawik. Please correct.

I find very amusing that FOX is whining about being attacked, when they are the most one-sided hate mongering "news" channel on television. This seems to be the perfect example of they (FOX) can dish out the attacks and insults, but they can not take it when it is given back.....

Obama, you and cronies prove Fox News to be completely correct. More and more each day.

By the way, have the Senate ans Congress return their 3% COLA. Are they so much better than the Americans who voted them into office.

This is a text book definition of hypocrisy being portrayed by the left. I don't care if you don't like Fox news. Fox news is to conservatives what CNN/MSNBC/Any-other-news-media-station is to the liberals!

I cannot believe that the president is being a cry-baby over Fox news uncovering TRUTHFUL evidence found against him and his administration. Sorry BO, this isn't North Korea... you can't just silence your opposition willy-nilly. It is downright sickening that the goofball liberals in this country are supporting the white house in all of this.. . Aren't you all supposed to be the ones adamant in supporting the 1st ammendment?! Hypocrisy by the left at its finest here.

The criticisms of FOX can be applied to all major media. Bias is blatant on all networks.

I am very troubled by this WH especially with overwhelming Democrat majorities in the House and Senate.

In order for our republic to work we need a balance of power. It is time for ALL of our media to be critical of those on power.

Well people can say what they want about Bush but he was no cry baby. Every news station and the entire Hollywood Machine went after him looking for his head on a platter and he went right on about his work, right or wrong. This administration whines alot if anybody says anything agaist their policies.

MSNBC and FOX are doing their job... selling advertising. They both speak to their base and in doing so profit from a steady viewership.

Remember, we live in America and we all have a right to carry our own opinions. However, some people would just rather carry the opinions of others. This allows them to save themselves the trouble of actually thinking for themselves. This applies to both sides.

Seperating this country into two categories, republican/democrat... conservative/liberal... left wing/right wing... is pure ignorance.

Remember, a one winged duck can't fly... equal force on both sides is what gives it the ability to move upward/forward. The problem here is that one side or the other pushes harder and our country has started flying in circles instead of in the right direction.

MSNBC and FOX are doing their job... selling advertising. They both speak to their base and in doing so profit from a steady viewership.

Remember, we live in America and we all have a right to carry our own opinions. However, some people would just rather carry the opinions of others. This allows them to save themselves the trouble of actually thinking for themselves. This applies to both sides.

Seperating this country into two categories, republican/democrat... conservative/liberal... left wing/right wing... is pure ignorance.

Remember, a one winged duck can't fly... equal force on both sides is what gives it the ability to move upward/forward. The problem here is that one side or the other pushes harder and our country has started flying in circles instead of in the right direction.

Fox deserves all it gets from any source be it white house or penthouse...Fox is the sole source of vile hatred in the media and they care little if any about our way of life. Murdoch is a money grubbing dictator who will stop and nothing at making his "new" empire the top in the market, the truth be damned!

Fox is just the mouth piece for the right wing junta that is trying desperately to seize power back and then proceed along the path to destroying the values of the United States, just to enrich themselves.

I'm not necessarily defending MSNBC, but you're flat out lying by stating that it "doesn't even cover the news on weekends". They do have news programs in the morning.

Judging solely on this post, I'd say you're just another Republican trying to defend Fox News, the misinformation machine. While I find MSNBC is partisan to the left I don't find them dishonest. Fox on the other hand is the most egregiously misinforming, disinforming, and sensational garbage, played ad nauseum. 5 minutes of Fox gets you a half dozen bald-faced lies. They need to be called out.

Bravo for your editorial! If the WH silences Fox, then all media is at risk of suppression. Should'nt we all be concerned about a WH Communications Director who espouses the teachings of Mao and appreciate that being brought to my attention, as well as the matter of ACORN, Van Jones, and our "Safe Schools" Czar, to name but a few.
I also appreciate you having the integrity to challenge MSNBC. Perhaps it is preparing to being the offical voice of the future state? Be afraid, be very afraid.

Challenging Fox News is the work of a serious leader. I live in an affluent community where whenever a political issue is mentioned I hear Fox News talking points instead of opinions. But the worst of it is the extreme anger, hatred, really that is so close to the surface. I believe it is caused and encouaged by the likes of Beck, Dobbs and others. I recently had a former client who now lives in Bonnaire vent about school children singing songs about the president--- you would think from his anger that we have a state tv station broadcasting Obama messages. It isn't healthy for people to be so rabidly angry. I think many americans who followed the Reagan/Bush doctrines have had their self image tarnished by Obama's presidency and they are mad as hell, like bratty children who refuse to deal with the facts, even though their personal wealth has been diminished by their own heroes.

Keep up the good work. It is nice to have news media that has not rubberstamped an administration that was bought and paid for by liberalism in the news. There are many people who still want to be sure the current president is qualified under the U.S. Constitution, i.e. article 2 (natural born citizen).

Love Fox.They give both sides on their news shows. Not the opinion show!!Both sides -what a concept.I am a smart individual and I want to hear opposing views on everything!!When I switch it to CNN and MSNBC or CBS I know I will get the Left view-that is it!!!Rail on Fox but baby I want more than one perspective!!!!The whitehouse is doing what Nixon did to the New York Times and it blew up in Nixon's face!!

In response to Alan Klopman's post and others similar to it - you're hatred toward Fox (and, I surmise, Conservative values) is exactly why we have the Constitution. It protects the media from being silenced by the political machines. Just because they have an opinion different than yours, you call them liers and their viewers idiots. Well, right back at you Mr. MSNBC. Depends upon which side of the debate you are on - maybe you just don't know (or care) about all the facts. Hence, maybe your the idiot. Anyways, if you support this President's boycott of a news program with a conservative point of view then you should approve of the next Republican President doing the same to MSNBC, CNN and "National Public Radio" (NPR) - -they are all liberal propaganda and also LIE to Americans daily. They all have their own agenda. But, that is also why we have "freedom of the press." Differences should be embraced - not boycotted. THAT is un-American.

Perhaps the administration should be reminded of the story of the Emperor's New Clothes. Rather than muzzling the critics, the administration should be sifting the comments to see a different perspective. Doing anything less implies an arrogance about one's own position and opinions, which is dangerous regardless of which philosophy one follows.

I completely disagree with Z's analysis. Much of the reason we are in the mess that we have been in (and usually are in) is due to lack of information leading to an uninformed populace. Journalism is suppose to provide a check on governmental operations and without a functioning '4th' branch of government we are all put at risk. I don't think it is a secret that Fox News is an outlet for the Republican party. They are NOT simply a conservative network as they claim. If that were the case then there would be many more discussion highlighting fiscally conservative (even Libertarian) perspectives and fewer arguing for social stricture. The only places that fiscal conservatism and social conservatism work together is the Republican party and the Fox news. Otherwise they are diametrically opposed - i.e. fiscal conservatism argues for lesser government while social conservatism argues for more involvement of the government in social issues (why would a fiscally conservative Liberterian give a damn about gay marriage or religious issues?)
Certainly, Obama is a Democrat and looses little by attacking Fox, but i think we all gain when the trend to present opinion and agenda as news is lessended

I hardly see calling fox a propaganda network an attempt to bully or squelch. It is a propaganda network that is actively promoting opposition to the white house programs. They have slowed progess on legitimate national concerns with spurious allegation and inane debate about nonsense issues like death panels and other imagined boogey men.

Opposition is great but please make it meaningful and constructive. The white house has to work to erase the falsely generated and undeserved negative opinion which is in fact hurting important initiatives.

It appears that some notice the difference between a presidential popularity contest and the ability to act. Obama is a very likeable guy, but his inexperience is becoming clear as we see him freeze with important desisions such as Afganistan. He is like the kid whom just received daddy's checkbook, spend money and forget the consequences.

Thought this was a good article.

FOX has shown themselves to be as much if not a better news organization than most of the others in recent times.

Everyone must remember that there IS a difference between a news organization and some of the other shows that appear as opinion shows.

All of the cable networks have their own spin shows and whether you agree with them or not they have that right.

At the same time, anyone who states that one of their two favorite political figures was Mao and is an integral part of our government scares me beyond words. Regardless of what you think (party wise) this should worry us all as to the philosophy of the road we are traveling down.

The administration needs to grow up and realize that it is our constitutions design to allow critizism. Although he may have deserved it to some degree look at what Bush put up with without complaining compared to Obama.

Oh yes, and here come the multitude of dim-wits that argue that Fox news "opens the doors" and "tells the truth finally!" and "exposes the bad guys".... These sheep have nothing better to do than listen to a network that tells them what to think, that their network is "GOOD for them". They've made up their mind already and like to be confirmed on what they believe, and what they believe is only a bunch of lies they heard yesterday 20 times. It's amazing. Amazing.

Fox news really should be shut down. people have a right to an opinion, but they should just keep it to themselves. if his highness didn't have to spend so much time listening to the people, we could really get some things done, like...well, like what is beside the point. he is, after all, a marvelous dancer

Amazing that America's choice is Fox news isn't it? Either the POTUS things the American people are stupid or perhaps HE is stupid. Fox news leans right. MSNBC leans left. All entertain and aggrandize so what's new. Stop whining about this yellow journalistic bent in the media and focus on running the d%@# country. We've had enough of campaign rhetoric, we desperately need substantive activity. Whining about Fox News is not substantive activity. Get over yourself mr. president.

It's a good thing there were no Democrat leaning news outlets during the Bush years. Too bad we can't go back to the last eight years when the media was so totally objective and supportive of the POTUS. I miss those days!

Look, it's important to have a news outlet or two that push back hard on Government (either party). It was important during the GWB years and it's important NOW.

There are huge implications to the proposed policy changes. And just like the stimulus bill that nobody read, these new proposals will bite us in the 'asterisk' if there's nobody raising hard questions and pushing back.

This administration is way out of their league. Very naive and immature. Nobody can even keep up with them amidst all of the campaigning. TARP, Stimulus, Cash for Clunkers, Health Care Reform, Cap and Tax, Bank Takeovers, Afganistan, Iraq, Iran, Isreal/Palestine, Russia...

And they want us focusing our attention on FOX? Why? What are they doing with their left hand while they are slapping FOX with their right hand? It's all a shell game. Just keep changing the topic so nobody has time to focus on what's happening on ANY of t hem.

Crazy, simply crazy.

Look, if they have a problem with FOX, call them out on specifics. On the ISSUES. But THIS... well, it's just a calculated distraction to keep us blind to the other things they are doing (or NOT doing).

Obama is too busy building his "Camelot." He thinks he is Kennedy, but no leadership qualities other than his speeches, which are hollow of action and esp. RESULTS. It is all about HIM. Kennedy is not a great president to emulate anyway - think Bay of Pigs embarrassment, Marilyn Monroe scandal, the Chicago Mafia getting him the votes he needed to win the presidency, etc. - and this is the only part of Kennedy that compares to Obama. At least Kennedy reduced taxes, carried on the idea of getting us to the moon, and fought for justice for the disadvantaged. This country is weaker and getting weaker with Obama at the helm ... he needs to take his Peace Prize and send his folks out to apologize for us some more over in Europe...NOT.

I look at the energy that Rush and Fox news spends against our present government and wonder what would America be like if that same energy was spent on making America better. They talk about the sins of government handouts but then are upset when there is any change mentioned in SSI or other established subsidies. Bush extended unemployment benefits.... conservatives said this was good. Obama wants to give $250 bonus to each SSI recipient... conservatives say this is bad. Why is it that we can't just work together as a people/country. I guess this is too much to ask.

What I find unacceptable, is that if our president fails then we fail as a country. Conservatives have so much hate for the present white house administration that they will wish that we fail as a country to hurt those in power. It is a shame what we have become.

These hypocrites in the White House talk about how we want to have a dialogue with some of the biggest liars of the world in N. Korea, Cuba, and Iran yet they won't even talk to the most popular news channel in this country.

The President and his puppeteers better wise up and start running the country and get people back to work instead of WHINING about what FOX news is doing. His immaturity and lack of presidential presence will certainly be his downfall. If there are "lies" on FOX as some of you on this site have alluded to, how come the White House won't appear on FOX and squelch these so-called lies? Maybe because they wouldn't have an argument against what is actual FACTS. What about TRANSPARENCY that BO promised while campaigning????? What about C-Span coverage of ALL AND ANY BILLS so we can see what our representatives are voting on? Yeah, what about that?? This administration is in BIG trouble!!!!!!

M. Zurawik

Obama is under no obligation to placate an organization whose stated mission is to embarrass, discredit, or otherwise ruin his administration. Appearing before critics is one thing, but newspeople even those who disagree are supposed to be fair and honest, FOX is neither. Since FOX will not play nice, they will not be allowed into the game. Too bad if FOX doesnt like it, I applaud Obama for socking this bully right where it hurts.

GM Stockwell

The answer to your question can be easily found by Googling these words: SEAN HANNITY WMDs -FOUND IN IRAQ.

The White House has an obligation to govern in conjunction with Congress, to prosecute in conjunction with the Judicial branch and to Execute.

AFAICT, they have been executing in accordance with the law, even when the law is not particularly to their liking (see "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" for an example). This is a dramatic improvement over Bush 43, which used signing statements to wave away parts of law they disliked. The main way to change the law is to legislate, which brings us to why Fox is important.

News in this country makes a big point of being "objective", even to the point of being so non-critical that they are functionally incapable of questioning bald-faced lies. It is sad that Jon Stewart's thorough debunking of the "Death Panel" claim was so newsworthy; it *should* have been done months earlier on a real news show.

You are correct in that the Obama administration is not going after msnbc the same way the go after Fox. There are obvious partisan reasons, but there is a deeper reason in my view. I am a news junkie and get news from many sources, but every so often I force myself to watch these 2 networks for 20 minutes or so. They are clearly partisan, but with a huge difference. I have never detected msnbc simply fabricating facts; I find lies and distortions reported as fact almost every time I turn on Fox. This is admittedly a non-scientific sample, but my blood pressure can't take the strain of watching either network full time.

In the movie "The American President", the President's advisor counsels that People want leadership ... and in the absence of genuine leadership, they'll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone."

Fox has been using that microphone to demonize the administration. This has directly translated into misinformed constituents pressuring Congress to oppose any forward movement on Executive initiatives.

Fox will not police itself, the mainstream media will not police Fox, so if Obama wants to *achieve* anything, he has to directly call out the lies. This makes perfect political sense, and if it results in more well-informed voters, so much the better.

Before Fox News, the media was so blatantly liberally-biased. It is unfortunate that many if you lack the objective intellect to realize this. I agree that Fox News puts a conservative spin on its reporting. But, this does not come anywhere close to matching the liberal spin promulgated by the existing media outlets before Fox. Those of you who cannot see this are fools.

Every media outlet is pushing an agenda. There is no such thing as fair and balanced reporting. Choose the flavor you prefer and stop whining about the one media outlet that promotes an opinion different from yours. You don’t condemn that behavior of the Whitehouse because you would do the same thing. What a bunch of prima donnas!

At the end of four years, either Obama will have accomplished something or he will have been a failure. If he does not change his current focus, I am betting he will be a failure.

Attack the messenger, ignore the facts.

FoxNews covers stories that the other networks are too frightened or biased to cover. ACORN, Anita Dunn, Van Jones, etc.

Those who call Fox a right-wing rag can point to no evidence. They just repeat hollows mantras given to them by their White House leaders and attack Fox viewers as uneducated.

Fact: FoxNews has become the news source of record, and the other networks are forced to follow.

What happened to:

1. "Question Authority"?

2. "If you don't like it, you can turn the channel."

Nice slogans on liberal bumper stickers, but quickly ignored when the shoe is on the other foot.

It never ceases to amaze me how the Obamaphiles continue to accuse Beck of hatred for exposing people using thier own words. Transparency is just another word for tryranny among this administartion and its supporters. We are supposed to tale Anita Dunn seriously with her Joker tongue darting in and out. Her words showed she loves Mao. Then she says it was a joke. Joke is on us.

Robert,

Tell me how you tried to help George W. Bush when he was the president.

[Uh, er, Bush bad!]

Yeah, I didn't think so.

Every body keeps accuse Fox News of lying but they very seldom come up with proof of the lies. The White house never says what they are lying about. Fox news always says "we report You decide" If it is lying why doesn't the white house make the meeting more transparent and give people a chance to see what they are voting on. I haven't seen any thing that they have passed that was a big emergency.

There is a rather large difference between freedom of speech and perpetuating completely fabricated lies about our current administration to the public. Many complain about the lack of progress the Obama administration has made, but the lack of progress is due largely to the opposition that bases its opinion on untrue heresay rather than fact. I am all for debate and criticism of the administration. That is how improvements are made and rights are maintained. But if the criticism is based upon boldfaced lies, this is where unnecessary holdups begin. If Americans would learn to read propositions and plans for themselves, rather than relying on questionable media, perhaps progress would come a little faster.

It's one thing for Fax to have a persistent extremely conservative slant, it's quite another for them to repeatedly report lies (Without retractions) while bashing the current administration, advocate protests, and basically make up stuff whenever it serves their purpose (I'm thinking in particular of the Jennings-NAMBLA thing).

I see absolutely nothing wrong with subbing Fox, as things are. Now if Fox just managed to report things honestly (Even if it did continue to have a conservative bias), then I might agree with you.

The "I inherited from Bush" bogey man is getting old with the public who wish BHO would simply man-up, step away from the tall grass, and get things done. So the WH is trying out a series of new bogey men. We may soon hear that the nation's problems are Fox's fault.

Remember back when Palin was nominated and there were all those people that said she had more experience than Obama? Maybe BHO is proving their point.

Z's last paragraph is indeed an astute indictment of the cretins destroying Obama's legacy.

Axelrod and Emanuel have demonstrated a level of immaturity and hatred unprecedented in my memory, and that includes the Nixon years.

History has taught us that millions of gullible kool-aid poisoned partisans are the bane of sensibility.

Only the independent thinkers among us are left, to save our society, our America -- "W" was not up to the job -- now it looks like "O" is even less so.

I can't belief the life of this!

I am an independent voter. Although I don't often agree with Fox News, I value them to highlight stories that don't get coverage in the rest of the media.

If it had not been for Fox, where would we be on the Acorn stories. As a matter of fact, maybe that is why the Administration is pressing this. They really got some egg on their face, on this one.

Independent and OPPOSING viewpoints are a healthy part of a real Democracy. There are points promoted by both sides of the aisle - the truth lay somewhere in the middle

Efficiency!
That's the take-away from this conflict.
FOX continually takes new shots at POTUS as everything from a fascist to a foreigner.
It is distracting to answer each half-baked attempt to discredit the adm, so they decided to make a true, blanket statement that just about everything you hear on FOX is slanted against them.
It's a thing of beauty.
BTW self-styled patriots, why not mention the most influential voice in US opinion is Australian?...and assailed in the UK for his polarizing opinions in major publications (he owns), too?
AND...the first order of business after he bought the Wall Street Journal was to fire the research staff...gosh, must have been too expensive to have a place where reporters verified facts!
Wake up folks, this is the smartest thing Obama could have done.
In the immediate aftermath, "serious journalist" Chris Wallace called the adm the "biggest bunch of crybabies he has seen in his 30 years covering Washington." Now, there's an unbiased mind at work.

Current National Debt:
$11,961,130,476,731.94

Debt per PERSON (including children):
$38,944.95

National Debt is increasing at approximately $70,000 per SECOND.

This should scare the bejesus out of anyone with kids. In the 5 minutes he spent crying about FOX, the debt increased by 21 MILLION DOLLARS.

Grow up already. You're a big boy. Your the friggin POTUS. Start acting like one. You've got more important tasks on you plate.

The Boogieman has one reliable weak spot; "the truth!"

If Axelrod had a hair, he'd start with O'Reilly and put a head every FOX News show.

Our president owes Chris Wallace and the millions of Americans who trust Wallace, an apology. Sadly, Obama has that same "Fonzi" gene that won't admit when he's wrrrrrr... "W" had that same problem btw.

Great take.

To all the libs commenting about how FNC "lies": hello pot, this is kettle. Just look at what you're posting!

"FNC declared McCain the winner on election day!"

"Can't elaborate, but a poll somewhere sometime said somebody agreed FNC was a wing of the GOP!"

You have absolutely no proof whatsoever of these claims - because they never happened! I'm willing to bet one of you is the "source" of the now-debunked Rush Limbaugh "racist quotes".

Get over yourselves. If you don't like FNC, don't watch it. It's a well-known fact that conservatives watch FNC, liberals read the NYT. What must really chap your asses is that FNC's ratings are through the roof (and growing), while the NYT's circulation is abysmal (and falling).

Somehow FOX is putting words into the mouths of the people they portray like Anita Dunn and Van Jones? FOX is not telling lies as some of the idealogues claim. They use people's own words and the Obama people claim that is not what was said or meant. The supporters are worse than an Ostrich.

I don't watch just one channel for the news. Not all may have the same facts, but that's understandable, because they all have different reporters. So, sometimes I need to put the puzzle together myself.

What I do see are most news programs aren't that far off the track from each other. They do report the news as it happens.

The difference is the opinions within the editorial programs of the different networks. Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow (MSNBC) are just as far left as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity (FOXNews) are to the right. I view them as being liberalism vs. conservatism, respectfully. What's wrong with competition? Opinions aren't news...just as much as my comment here is not news.

Now this administration is trying to squash opinions, observations, and reporting other than what is favorable to them. Does that sound a little fascist? I think so, but then again, that's my opinion.

I am continually amazed at the number of people who vehemently hate Fox News, but apparently are watching quite a bit of it since they seem to know everything that has ever been broadcast (President Obama and advisors included).

Either that, or they are merely taking snipets here and there and believe that makes them subject matter experts.

I have seen bad reporting from all the news channels. Freedom of the press is at stake here, not which news channel leans left, right or center.

Viewers are free to watch whatever program they like or turn the channel if they don't. They are free to make up their mind about what they see, read & hear.

I wouldn't have America any other way.

David,

The reason the administration is going after Fox News is plain and simple. The Democratic party, even in complete control of both branches of Congress and the White House is incapable of getting anything done. The DNC and the administration doesn't want their supporters to know that the party itself is too fractured to function so a boogieman must be constantly paraded in order to keep the political base from becoming disinterested.

That was a wonderful article. It also represents my thoughts exactly. Obama is like a spoiled brat complaining that people are not on his side. His attitude with the spending issue is like a credit card has been given to him with no limit and he is running it up with no intentions of paying it back. Both he and his wife act like spoiled brats. He had to fulfill a campaign promise to his wife by taking her to NYC for a play with our credit card. Also, how many "trips" has she been on since taking office. What about her "cause".

I would like to thank Wayne for this point.
-----------------------
Current National Debt:
$11,961,130,476,731.94

Debt per PERSON (including children):
$38,944.95

National Debt is increasing at approximately $70,000 per SECOND.
-----------------------
When Clinton left office 2000, we were projecting a balanced budget by 2010 and to have our national dept paid off by 2016. So are the conservatives saying that we are going from a balanced budget to $70,000 a second in debt due to the democrats desire to spend, spend, spend? Why can't Fox news report on this? I believe it is due to the many "executive orders" that were enacted by the president of the time. If memory serves me correctly, he was a conservative republican.

It is well known that the Bush administration "befriended" Fox News granting it the most exclusive interviews with the President as well as preferential access to the administration's senior advisors. That allowed the Bush adminstration to pound in the administration's message to the Fox News faithful.

Ok, is it me or are Democrats really that hypocritical on here? They have no problem bashing and commenting on Fox. The sad part is they really sit here and act as if MSNBC is not a democratic news channel. I watched MSNBC last night and the woman host had a republican person on there and she was just bashing him with HER OPINIONS. Keith Oberman fair? I mean cmon people is this what this country is coming to where some of you are just that stupid? I believe its clearly the fact of you calling out FOX for lies in the attempt to defense an administration thats doing terrible on the national issues at hand. But hey your beloved President is doing a great job at going after FOX so I guess he does something right huh? Seriously people?

"VWhen the 2008 election was being tallied up Fox news was reporting that McCain was the winner all day that day. " Uh George, what were you drinking that day? Whatever it was, you need to stop. It's sending you down the rabbit hole.

Having a hard time squaring two things: 1) Fox is portrayed as "extreme right" or "Republican party", etc.

2) More people watch Fox News than CNN, MSNBC, HLN and CNBC, COMBINED in every hour from at least 4:00 p.m. on. On any given day, Fox News has the highest rated 13 cable news shows.

So the dilemma - are the overwhelming majority of news watchers "extreme right"? That would sort of eliminate the meaning of the word "extreme".

Is the country 75% Republican?

Obviously Fox News watchers are very mainstream.

I think you've hit the nail on the head Sir; It's disturbing to me to see that anyone in power may have freedom of speech, and anything that is deemed unsavory by the current administration is ridiculed and slandered. I can't understand for the life of me where our values have gone as a nation, and the problems seem to get worse and worse with time. Perhaps maybe it is time for a fundamental reshaping of America, but not in the direction that the obama administration is taking us.

I can never figure out why the left most crowd has such a paranoia about Fox News. Probably because they can't figure out why their ratings are higher then CNN, MSNBC and Headline News combined.

Even as to the right as Fox News is it still isn't as left as the New York Times, PBS, MSNBC, and even the Associated Press. But the sky is falling because a network takes a different marketing approach?

I like that Fox News, Wall Street Journal, and Investor's Business Daily take a rightward slant. I also like that MSNBC has gone further to the left. The networks and outlets are boring when the all beat the same drum.

Let's see..several other "fair and balanced" news organizations: CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, NPR...ALL in the tank with OBAMA. The reality is that any network which does not agree with the ALMIGHTY one is going to be singled out.

Miles,

Wayne was making a point that it is more important to concentrate on correcting real problems in America rather than spending time and money squashing the opinions of a news network.

People tend to forget about an incident that happened on September 11, 2001. This pretty much ended any chance of having a balanced budget. It's not like President Obama would have sat on his hands and done nothing...or would he? I think the American people would have hung him out to dry if he had tried to sing "Kumbaya" while holding the hands of terrorists that did this to our country.

When you think about it, the terrorists have done much more damage to this country and others by that one act...somewhat of a "butterfly effect."

Which brings me to say, opinions like yours Miles are solely based on watching only liberal news networks only. You have been brainwashed!

I am very tired of the false equivalency argument that goes something like this. The left has kooks and so does the right. The left engages in just as much propaganda as the right. MSNBC is just as bad as FOX. There is no equivalency on left and right. Keith Olbermann, on his worst day of attack, has never engaged in the outright lies and complete distortions as Hannity and Beck do routinely. Watch an episode of Rachel Maddow and I dare you to find the kind of deliberate inaccuracies as Beck engages in on every show. THERE IS NO EQUIVALENCY.

Miles,

You're point is well taken but your facts are incorrect. When Clinton left office the economy was tanking pretty badly. I'm not going to suggest that GWB pulled us back from the brink of collapse. But you ARE correct, the "R"s have definitely strayed from their fiscal conservative agenda. But to be a little 'fair and balanced', Reagan spent a ton on defense that brought about the collapse of the USSR without a war, which would have been costly in dollars and lives.

And also to be fair, Hannity and Rush were not at all kind to GWB on the spending issues. Probably a little late to the game, but they are both fiscal conservatives who did (and still do) lament the R's failure to eschew the temptation to spend.

And one final point. You can't compare the spending of GWB or Reagan with Obama. There is simply no comparison. There is a great clip on YouTube about it. Search for "national debt road trip" on the YouTube site. It's really quite amazing. Just facts. No agenda (other than to point out the spending trends). SERIOUSLY... take a look. It's important that we ALL understand what's happening.

My calculator has no political affiliation. Nor is it 'racist'. It just crunches numbers. National Debt IS a national security issue. Both parties need to understand that. But more important... WE need to understand it and press this issue with our representatives (dem or rep).

PEACE

Fox is easy target. How this administration start doing their jobs. Liberal cannot have both ways. The media should not side with any administration. Obama’s administration is afraid of challenge.

It is hillarious how angry and frustrated all the kook job lefties get when someone (apparently Fox News in this case) has the gumption to highlight bad policies at the white house.

And their whole defense is that the 50% of the country that occasionally tunes into fox are all airheads. Yes, that is realy convincing - NOT.

Dear lefties, just because your dude is in the WH, that does not make everyone who criticizes his policy an idiot - or a racist.

Are you smart enough to get it lefties??

Same stuff, different administration. Obama is seeking to control the press at the outlet, GWB controlled the press right in the Wh press room. Remember the scripted press conferences, the pretend hand-waving, the list of reporters, the "oops" moment when Bush said "Just a minute Mr. King. We'll get to you, this is scripted..."?

Well stated, Mr. Zurawik.

Do I think Fox News is completely unbiased? No, I don't. It's definitely right of center.

But I also believe the rest of the (former) mainstream media are so far left of center that without Fox News, the entire press corps might as well merge into a giant ventriloquist's dummy that perches on Barack Obama's lap.

Here's all the evidence I need: The (ex-)MSM refused to cover the Van Jones and ACORN scandals until they finally became too big to ignore. Fox was essentially alone in telling Americans what we wanted to know about Van "Red Green" Jones and the kiddie-prostitution-tolerant staffers at ACORN.

And what other news organization has informed us that Mark Lloyd, Obama's FCC diversity czar, has publicly expressed his admiration for the way Hugo Chavez has crushed media freedom in Venezuela? Is Obama planning the same for America's news media -- and if not, why did he appoint a radical like Lloyd to the FCC?

I have no doubt that if Watergate were to repeat itself under the Obama administration, the Washington Post would say to Deep Throat, "Sorry, your information just isn't newsworthy."

Having a hard time squaring two things: 1) Fox is portrayed as "extreme right" or "Republican party", etc.

2) More people watch Fox News than CNN, MSNBC, HLN and CNBC, COMBINED in every hour from at least 4:00 p.m. on. On any given day, Fox News has the highest rated 13 cable news shows.

So the dilemma - are the overwhelming majority of news watchers "extreme right"? That would sort of eliminate the meaning of the word "extreme".

Is the country 75% Republican?

Obviously Fox News watchers are very mainstream.

You article misses the point of the Obama administration counter attack against FOX.

An informed electorate is critical to a thriving democracy and FOX is spewing disinformation 24/7/365. Someone must take on these lies because the health of our democracy depends on it. FOX is not a legitimate news agency but they're pretending to be one and unfortunately there are too many ignorant citizens who believe the republican lies coming out of the FOX spin machine. FOX must be held accountable for all their lies/slander/spin.

So Mr. Z, on this issue, you're missing the forest and are instead paying attention to the trees.

First the administration attacked Rush
Limbaugh and now Fox News Channel is the target.

I commented last week that attacking Fox News was a diversion to distract the American people from the disastrous health care bill, the failed stimulus bill, the high unemployment, etc., etc.

So are we supposed to listen to "administration approved" news? That is a little frightening, don't you think.

Obama was elected to do the business of the people. Not to attack those that disagree with him. I think it belittles the office of the president.

Amen! So lets see how this can be used as a campaign line against Obama. The presidential Republican nominee can say "I'm not going to spend my time criticizing those who disagree with me - I am going to create jobs"! That's simple.

So are the conservatives saying that we are going from a balanced budget to $70,000 a second in debt due to the democrats desire to spend, spend, spend? Why can't Fox news report on this? I believe it is due to the many "executive orders" that were enacted by the president of the time. If memory serves me correctly, he was a conservative republican.

I weep for the state of US education. Is the author of the above truly ignorant of the fact that no money can be spent based upon "executive orders"?

Every dime must be appropriated and approved by Congress - which has been majority Democrat for some time now.

For additional extra credit I would ask the author of the above when the last time was that the Republicans held a veto-proof majority in the US Senate?

One does not advance one's cause by making naive or foolish postings ladies and gentlemen.

The White house is afraid of the truth. They take down FOX news and they have nothing to fear.

FOX News is the only reliable news source.

Look at all the Anita Dunn trolls here!

Hilarious.

This White House is proving more and more incompetent by the day.

A failed stimulus.

Rising foreclosures.

A Health Bill that 40% favor.
Massive deficits beyond anything Bush dreamed of.

Cap and Trade giveaway.

Gitmo open.

Iran marching.

Af-Pak burning.

No wonder they want to change the subject. Obama is turning into the greatest flameout in presidential history.

As an independent who was skeptical, but hopeful, it is a sad display of narcissism.

He wanted to be President more than he wanted to govern effectively.

FAIL.

According to the Pew People and the Press coverage surveys Fox was the most balanced of any network during the 2008 campaign.

Sure, Fox has opinion shows (Hannity, O'Reilly, Beck) that are right of center, that is true.

What about Olbermann, Maddow, Matthews and Schultz at MSNBC?

NBC News is broadly left of center. So is CBS, except for Bob Schieffer.

ABC likes to confuse us with the occasional tough question from Gibson or Stephanopolous, but then funds Obama-mercials with no access for dissenters.

It is funny because O'Reilly, Beck and Hannity regularly rip on the GOP.

They are all conservatives, but O'Reilly and Beck disavow the GOP completely.

As we can see, there are plenty of conservative Democrats too.

If Fox is not real news and Obama is not real competent.

There is no such thing as "real news".

Competence exists.

The news media should state the facts and not be a bunch of kissing jackasses like channel ABC,NBC, and CBS. We all need a fair playing field, so I vote that the President and all his cronies just deal with it and allow the news show the news in a non-bias format. Our country is in crisis and we need to work together as a team. Please state the facts both good and bad.

...Nothing but a snake-oil salesman who conned the naive brain-dead liberals.

Edited for language. Z

This is why it is important to get out the word that Fox News isn't a news channel:

According to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, “72 percent of self-identified FOX News viewers believe the health-care plan will give coverage to illegal immigrants, 79 percent of them say it will lead to a government takeover, 69 percent think that it will use taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions, and 75 percent believe that it will allow the government to make decisions about when to stop providing care for the elderly.”

Reaching beyond that, another poll showed that people who watched Fox News believed that Saddam Hussein was responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

These blatant falsehoods are broadcast on Fox News as facts and have a material impact on the national policy of our nation.

Once we can get back to fact-based reporting (on all sides), our nation will start to recover from the irrational divisiveness from which we have been suffering.

Remember:

"United we stand. Divided we fall."

Miles,Miles,Miles, apparently you're one of those that speak without knowledge. "Why can't Fox news report on this?" The debt is getting out of control?One of the Fox programs just spent an hour going over the very topic. Guess which one, you get a cookie if you're right (I mean correct...I know you hate being called right). Obviously you just want to spout off. Baaaa. Another sheep heard from.

I agree with Z - doesn't white house have better things to do with their time than worry about Fox News. I watch all the news stations so I can compare, then I go and do my own research. Other news stations have their biases and mostly to the left. the only show on Fox that is biased towards the right is Hannity. I don't think any white house has the right to bully anybody just because they don't agree with them. As far as lies go, no one can say what the lies are, they just say Fox lies. I have researched most of the important stuff and they certainly don't lie about it. It's all about your perception and who you want to believe. If you believe the white house about the health bill and cap and trade and you don't think your costs are going to skyrocket, then I have a bridge in North Korea to sell you. Last I checked, it was ok to disagree and have your own opinion about things. Maybe you'd rather have it like Venezuela or Iran.

Fear the White House that wants to control the media! Say NO to attacks on free speech!

"You suggest the White House should simply disregard the out and out lies that Fox News says daily about the Obama administration. I was taught that if someone slanders you, you have a right to respond."

I would agree if they were able to provide any specific "lies" or "slander." They don't. If they are going to put the allegations out there, they need to be specific and offer up the admin officials to appear on Fox and debate the specifics. They don't. They just make blanket statements with no facts. So how can we believe what they say if they aren't willing to back it up?

And I agree about MSNBC: if they were as zealous AGAINST the admin instead of FOR it, they, too, would be in the line of fire. But since they are 100% pro-Obama, you don't hear a peep about their "news coverage." Doesn't anyone find it odd that Beck, O'Reilly and Hannity are Olbermann's "Worst People in the World" EVERY SINGLE NIGHT? It gets old. And juvenile.

From my perspective FOX news is not perfect, but it has been critcized because it does not agree with the administration. MSNBC has not gotten the same criticism because it does agree wtih the administration. And from my perspective CNN tries to keep a balance and calls on FOX from time to time because it needed to. I think that RIck Sanchez had a good point about the march on Washington. It was covered by CNN.

I am hurting from this economy and I am not sure why the president can't work on the real problems facing the country instead of worrying about who is reporting the news that agrees with his agenda. I am not even sure what the agenda is because it is so vague.

Wow I am losing my perspective because I am not sure where we are going as a nation right now. And I did try to watch MSNBC on Sunday and it had on some kind of crime solving show instead of news.

Hey people...how 'bout a little empathy??!!

Put yourself in the shoes of the average O-bot. You surrendered your dignity when you squealed like a teenie at a Hannah Montana show during Obama rallies. You threw your self respect away as readily as you threw your man panties onstage with the dreamboat leader. Now you're starting to realize that you're true love is more Urkelesque man child than transformative Leader. You can't go back because you burnt that bridge about the same time those tingles were running up your leg.

So what to do???

Attack FOX news. They are the ones who daily force you to confront your gullibility and juvenile world view.

So cut the O-bots a break. They have nowhere else to go.

HAHA it cracks me up to read these liberal ignorant pigs complaining about fox. Even if Fox favors conservatives which i believe they mighnt...big deal its called freedom of the press. And what about CNN or MSNBC (more like "MSLCD" cause there on drugs), cause last time i checked they are not very fair either and very left wing. For the first time conservatives have a voice in the press and liberals cant handle it as usual and are going to cry about it just like everything else. With the other news channels being unfair and one sided im supprised fox didn't earlier. And by the way tell me one thing fox said thats a lie. people always critisize glenn beck for lieing but show me something thats not a fact. Instead of sucking the administrations dick fox actually digs up dirt and the truth and real plan of the government that the PEOPLE deserve and have they right to know and don't hide the dirt like the other channels. So thank you FOX for letting us know what we need to and hopefully getting real good people in office who arent socialists and love mao tsa tung a mad man. People need to know what the president is doing wrong and not make up fake statistics to make us think things are getting better when their not and were just blowing away more and more tax money on worthless programs and stupid lazy people who make bad life choices, and going farther and farther into debt. AND yes it is very funny how Obama won't go on fox because he's scared to get shut down and proven wrong about stuff he can't defend so instead he avoids it and calls them liars instead of go on the air and prove them wrong. Keep up the good work fox and keep encouraging people to stand up and voice their opinions so that we can actually turn this country back around into what it used to be. And if your a liberal it just means that your clearly not educated and just listen to whatever you hear and what the government wants you to know becuase your a fake person and too lazy and stupid to do stuff on your own and work hard and actually educate yourself when it comes to stuff like this

Oh and i also find it funny that fox is the number one rated news channel and has the most viewers, but the obama administration decides to critisize it and attack the people. It's almost like they are trying to pick i fight and hey if they want one im more than willing to give them one to prootect the constitution and the dignity honor and pride of this country and the vision of our founding father and all the hardworking good religious people who have died for the cause and good of this country and people. So think obama and others next time before you attack the most viewed and highest rated news channel because clearly you are disagreeing with the majority of WE THE PEOPLE and arent wanted in office then

This is ridiculous. To my eyes, the advisors spent 95% of their time talking about health care reform, the economy, and Afghanistan. Fox News has been kind of an after-thought, and inside the media game that all reporters care about but that people don't care about.

If you think it is so important to talk about the economy and not about Fox News, why don't you post about that?

But the administration's push back against Fox News is nothing new, and nothing to object to. Every conservative President who uttered the phrase "liberal media" was doing the same thing--complaining about coverage they didn't like. Reporters should know that people complain about coverage they don't like.

Given that Fox News is a network which still employs a highly-rated host who accused the President of being "a racist with a deep seated hatred for white people." Given that Fox News, since that incident, allowed the doctor who lost his AMA position after sending a mass e-mail out that had the President dressed up as a Native American medicine man (he thought it was African witch doctor, but MD's don't apparently guarantee intelligence) to talk about health care reform. Given that Fox News regularly accuses the President of being a socialist, the White House should be mad.

The alternative is to not fight back and let the smears define the debate. The White House tried that in August. It was a total disaster from a PR point of view.

The press is free to report what it wants. The President is free to complain about it. That's called democracy in action.

I find the many responses in favour of censorship and the shutting down of opposition some of the most disturbing rhetoric I have seen in a long time.

The role of the press has always been to serve the people, not an administration. A vigilant population was encouraged to challenge power using journalism who owed its allegiance to the people.

PS--Worrying about this is just ludicrous. The daily audiences of even Fox are about 5 million people, or roughly 4% of the voting population. And my guess is 98% of the people who watch Fox, MSNBC, or CNN already have highly formed opinions. So this is much ado about not very much.

It's interesting that had the Bush Administration gone after MSNBC because of the news analysis shows of Mathews, Olbermann, and Maddow, it would have lent that network an immense amount of gravitas within the media.
Olbermann and Maddow would have enjoyed a great many more puff pieces than was already the case at the time.

If the Bush WH had played hardball with MSNBC, there certainly wouldn't have been the faint defense of that cable channel that you see now for FNC, including holding-their-noses disclaimers such as 'no matter you feelings for Fox...", etc.

Then again, this is a president who was able to quip that he turned over in bed at night in order to ask NBC's Brian Williams a question, and to then face not a whiff of embarrassment or shock that his jocularity had ventured into an area held in a bit more reverence by the media than the he, the president, seemed to realize.

It's a reluctant stepping up and defending media critics against the machinations of an elected and accountable-to-the-public political administration, that we're seeing from the rest of the media. After all, this whole brouhaha says as much about their view of themselves and their own balancing act, as it does of any of the other players.

Who could blame them for being reluctant to take a gander at THAT...

I must give you kudos on your article. However, I fear you may have angered some in the White House and now may be in danger of spreading lies.
What concerns me the most is that the White House has not come out and directly said what lie that Fox News is spreading is. For example, was Mr. Jones, one of the many Czars in the administration, “advising” President Obama and was he not part of the “911 truther movement” and a self proclaimed communist. Was he not a communist? Did he believe that the US Government was involved in 911. Or does he just sign politically charged propaganda and not read what it actually states. Remind you that just President Bush or Vice President Cheney could not have been the only ones involved in 911. They would have had to have the involvement of career government officials, the same officials that are in "Obama's" administration. I find this extremely improbable, enough so that I would say impossible.
I will say that Fox News has brought some very credible news stories to the front pages. If these are all lies why isn't the truth being stated on the "real news coverage" all they would have to do is take sound clips and play them and prove that they were lies? Strangely enough that is what I see being done on Fox News. When they make a statement they go get the supporting documentation to argue their news story. Facts are facts, it is easy to call a fact a lie but impossible to prove that a fact is a lie.
As for the credible news stories: Mr. Van Jones “Green Jobs Czar”, Mr. John Holdren “Science Czar”, Mr. Cass Sunstein “Regulatory Czar”, and Ms. Carol Browner “Energy and Environmental Czar”, not to mention the fact that under the current health bill that abortions and illegal immigrants will both be covered (these statements can be based on current case law) and as President Obama was a former Law Professor he would know both of these facts. So even Rep Wilson’s statement seems to be correct, no matter how inappropriate it was (that was not the time or place for that statement) looks to be “the Truth”.

Cary – You said, An informed electorate is critical to a thriving democracy and FOX is spewing disinformation 24/7/365. Someone must take on these lies because the health of our democracy depends on it. FOX is not a legitimate news agency but they're pretending to be one and unfortunately there are too many ignorant citizens who believe the republican lies coming out of the FOX spin machine. FOX must be held accountable for all their lies/slander/spin.

In a perfect world there would be no need for FOX news, because the news media would offer both sides of the story without adding their own biased comments. That is not the case. I appreciate that there is finally one news outlet that is willing to fight the big guys. I don’t watch a lot of any news channel anymore, because neither is “fair and balanced.” But if it has become the norm for news commentators to add their own opinions, especially their political opinions, then both sides need a voice.

That Obama is engaged in a personal campaign to silence those who oppose him, you should be alarmed, not joining with him. Because when will YOUR opinion need to be silenced? Will the next administration hold opposite political views than yours and will CNN and MSNBC have to be “eliminated?” Will the person you didn’t vote for be using your tax dollars to wage his own personal battles instead of concentrating on what is good for the country?

Thank you for this column, Z. It brightened my morning… until I began reading some the knee-jerk comments from those who cannot think beyond today. But that’s politics, isn’t it? There’s not much middle ground people can agree on anymore. Maybe there is, though, but neither side wants us little people who are so easily manipulated to know what we agree on. Each side wants us to keep hating the other side; that’s what brings in the campaign dollars.

As a Citizen I am outraged that my fellow Citizens are not shouting their outrage at the blatant assault upon our Constitution by the current Administration and Congress.
During the "negotiations" with GM bondholders there was strong evidence of the use of intimidation by representatives of the Administration.
The Senate, with the cooperation of the administration, used intimidation to stop Humana and other insurers from communicating with their customers about pending changes in their health insurance.
The Senate and the President currently threaten the health insurance industry with with loss of their Anti-Trust exemption if they don't shut up.
Now the Administration is directly attacking a legitimate news organization, a clear attempt to influence or silence the Free Press.
Why are not the American People shouting down this direct attack on our Constitution?
This attack on Free Speech by the office of the President of the United States is a violation of his oath of office as are the actions taken by members of the legislature. These are violations of their oaths to uphold the Constitution.
How can these direct attacks upon the Constitution be ignored by Citizens who wish to remain free?
It is time to change the way we elect our political leaders to restore power to the Citizenry ..
Every Citizen should have both a Yes vote and a No vote to cast for every elective office, and a candidate would have to receive more Yes votes than No votes to be eligible to hold office.
The entrenched political oligarchy, Democrat and Republican, that has become the Rulers of not the Servants of the Citizenry must be replaced in an orderly and peaceful manner, but in order to accomplish this we must change the system so that candidates that represent minor parties or are independent can have a chance to be elected.

why didn't my blogs get posted? and could u atleast send them back so i can copy and paste it to a different blog if you dont want it posted here?

Excellent article. Most Fox critics fail to differentiate between Fox commentators (O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck) and journalists (Wallace et al). It is hilarious that the Obama WH is this thin skinned- almost Nixonian. With a press corps (corpse?) that ranges from sycophantic (msnbc) to mild-cheerleading (cnn), I cannot think of a President of either party getting this easy treatment (since Kennedy). Yet, instead of running the country, they act like some combination of schoolyard bully and whiny "i'm telling mommy" type. And for anyone to suggest that msnbc, cnn, nyt etc aren't mouthpieces of the DNC is high hilarity. Act like a BI-PARTISAN President already- that's why I voted for you!

This administration has always been more style than substance. The only thing they care about is their image. And they know that FOX News is doing damage to that image, so they are trying to diminish FOX News. Personally, I feel that they are in a losing proposition. FOX News knows how to fight back, and fight back hard. They are only diminishing their administration with this back and forth with FOX News. Maybe they should concentrate on taking down Al-Qaeda. They'd have a better shot at winning that fight.

While Obama goes on apologizing sprees to America's enemies, it goes into war against a domestic news channel... so he wouldnt declar war to North Korea but would to millions of Americans just because they are conservatives. May as well has ran for President of Democrats/Liberal Americans, than for President of the United States...

Then the issue with Fox, is that is doesnt help the Obama Admin, that besides their right-biased ranting, they also manage to provide prove on hand of those rantings (Van Jones and ACORN). Life would be a lot easier if the stuff remained in just the ranting part, like MSNBC... bad luck.

I watch Fox News and CNN. Neither are fair; but combined they more or less balance each other. Anyone who chooses to get their news from a single, biased source simply because they agree with it's perspective, cannot reasonably claimed to be informed.

Kudos to David Zurawick for defending free press over fawning for the BO adminstration's PR squad.

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/

President Obama's presidential campaign focused on "making" the news media cover certain issues while rarely communicating anything to the press unless it was "controlled," White House Communications Director Anita Dunn disclosed to the Dominican government at a videotaped conference.

The story, recently reported by Aaron Klein of WND.com, has also been linked to the Drudge Report.

"Very rarely did we communicate through the press anything that we didn't absolutely control," said Dunn.

"One of the reasons we did so many of the David Plouffe videos was not just for our supporters, but also because it was a way for us to get our message out without having to actually talk to reporters," said Dunn, referring to Plouffe, who was Obama's chief campaign manager.

"We just put that out there and made them write what Plouffe had said as opposed to Plouffe doing an interview with a reporter. So it was very much we controlled it as opposed to the press controlled it," Dunn said.

My, my...Uncle Joe would be proud!

Why not? If Chavez's strategy of eliminating negative news about him works, it should work for Obama. I frankly stopped watching all the "news" stations long time ago. Their main purpose isn't news; it is ratings. MSNBC is the Democrats' propaganda arm. CNN lost my respect when they went for cleavage and legs over news. All the others are driven by the majority Democratic membership of their staff. The reason why FOX News is outrating the other news stations is because all the other news stations have gone off the left end. Nobody is forcing people to watch FOX news. Nobody is forcing people to listen to conservative radio. I remember that you Democrats called Bush the divider, but the country is even more divided now than ever, and it turns out that the dividers were you.

billyC-

That is alarming to me if other countries are being fed this kind of limited and controlled information from our WH. This is where the press needs to be more diligent to cover the news and not be disuaded by the government. I am not very solid on President Obama's foreign policy, but I do think Israel has been an important ally for us. It would be in our best interest to keep this relationship.

Reading these comments...it is scary to see how many clueless people are out there. To all of you who are trashing FoxNews: how about you try WATCHING FoxNews for one week? Especially those under the age of 30 who have been brainwashed by college professors and then reinforced by the entertainment industry.

Listening to Obama's recent speeches should be scaring the crap out of everyone, regardless of your political views. Just think about it...he is actually waging war on a TV STATION. Wake the F up.

I dare you to watch O'Reilly for one week straight. I used to "hate" him too. The problem was I never really watched except for here and there over a few year span. Due to what was implanted in my mind, those few times did not change my mind. But for some reason I continued watching and it became incredibly evident that I was wrong. Yes he may piss you off 2% of the time but the other 98% is well worth it. There are even plenty of times I disagree with him, but any viewer (liberal or conservative) can blatantly see they are getting the truth.

I wonder if we will make any segments on Foxnews tonight.

Please ya'll just remember while the Obama Administration is whining all the way to the bank about something that this country calls Freedom of Speech, our tax dollars are hard at working at nothing. That should outrage people. I am an unapologetic democrat who wishes I would have voted Hilary when I had the chance.

I found this online. It lets you fax the White House for free and tell them their behavior regarding Fox News is inappropriate!
http://www.questionobama.com/faxcampaign/1082/defending-fox-news

To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.

Theodore Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star, May 7, 1918

Great quote. Thanks TR. Z

I agree wtih Z - leave it to people like us to call out Fox - the President has more important matters to attend to...

Obama is an ego maniac. His wife employs 22 staffers that serve her. The White House is a palace to the Obama family, he is king, and how dare anyone say anything negative. I was surprised but happy to see other media come to foxnews defense. The washington Post called Obama's war on foxnews "dumb" and shows he can't deal with the heat. If you take over a car company, fire its CEO, put us deeper in debt with record breaking spending, and then threaten us with socialist health care which is totally unconstitutional, expect a very freaking angry american public.

>>When the 2008 election was being tallied up Fox news was reporting that McCain was the winner all day that day.

Yeah, right. As if you making this stuff up makes it so. If you want to take down Fox, try using some facts. Evidently facts are a rare commodity for Fox's opponents.

Z-
This is a little off topic, but was interested in your take on Gov. O'Malley's stint on the Bill Mahr HBO show this past Friday. I only caught a few minutes, but the Gov was on with Chris Matthews and Alec Baldwin. It was...strange...

Yes, both FOX and MSNBC have a clear bias. However, MSNBC does investigative reporting to reveal FACTS that support their point of view. FOX, on the other hand, is a non-reality-based commentary network, where most "news" hosts invite guests to chat about their shared BIASES, many of which are based on demonstrably false assumptions and presented with fallacious logic, but the hosts then accept and propagate the most farfetched theory without question, if it supports their weltanschauung.

FOX's demagoguery echo-chamber barely qualifies as "infotainment", let alone "news." An informed citizenry could tell the difference between news, analysis and opinion; unfortunately, at least one survey shows that FOX viewers are some of the least informed (and most misinformed) people in the country, which means either that ignorant people gravitate toward FOX, or that people get significantly misinformed by relying on FOX for their "news," or both.

Brian H.

I personally would not say that MSNBC does investigative reporting. Can you give me an example of that. Everytime I have watched it has been opinion from Olbermann so loud that I can't think and Rachel Maddow who is better in the loudness category, but her opinions are very obvious. Some of it is worse than FOX. In fact most of it. Rachel uses a lot of the same techniques as Glenn Beck I think with graphs and poster boards.

CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST:

Look, the great thing of Fox News is it broke the monopoly of the liberal media. That's the reason why it is so wildly successful.

I once said years ago that the genius of Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch is to have discovered a niche of American broadcasting audience in news, namely, half of the American people.

And the other consequence is that it angers the Obama administration, which is used to, particularly after last year, wall to wall adulation.

I mean, this is almost comical if you look at the lineup. On the one hand, in the tank are NBC, ABC, CBS, NPR, PBS, CNN and MSNBC. Some of these like MSNBC are so in the tank they need scuba gear. Some of them occasionally emerge for a breath of air, but only occasionally.

And FOX stands up and refuses to bend a knee, and that's what they can't stand.
_______________________________

Yes, FOX refuses to bend a knee, unlike

NBC National Barack Channel
ABC Alternative Barry Channel
CBS Continually Biased Stations
NPR Newleft Policy Reporting
PBS Presidential Bullypulpit Service
CNN Comrades Noisemaker Network
MSNBC Marxist Spawn of the National Barack Channel

As very proud American who happens to be black I am completely pissed with this 'man' who is using his/my race to keep the very timid media who is afraid of being called "racist" if 'they' expose the 'BS' HE is foisting upon Americans of all colors. The south side tactics he is applying are patently obvious to those of us who a familiar with Chicagos "State St. Hoods". Racist attitudes are springing up where none had been before...WHY, because obama himself is stirring the pot. obama is strongly despised NOT because he is black but because of the ruin he and his minions are trying to shove up our collective butts.

tonio/bullfrog

Obama & his corrupt administration are a bunch of cry-babies. Just because FOX asks legitimate questions (unlike MSNBC) & doesn't bow down to him, they have to attack them instead of answering the questions. Obama is so busy doing photo shoots & trying to look good & FOX is calling him on the issues. He can't defend his actions, so he has to attack FOX. He wants to control everything including the media. Shame on Obama. He is pathetic. In addition, Olberman & Maddow are a complete JOKE. Maybe that's why FOX'S ratings are skyrocketing & the others are dropping. The joke is on them.

Can some of the Fox fans here point to any instances where MSNBC sponsored and promoted anti-Bush rallies the way that Fox sponsored and promoted astroturf "tea parties"?

Can any of them point to instances in which MSNBC edited videos of Bush speaking to make him appear to be saying something different, or sometimes even the opposite of what he was saying as Fox has done repeatedly with President Obama and other people in his administration? (Example: cutting off a video of one of the president's speeches after he acknowledged shortcomings of the US and before he criticized European anti-Americanism, so as to support the Fox News "apology tour" lie.

NO, you can't name any similar behavior on the part of MSNBC because MSNBC doesn't do the sort of sleaze that Fox does every day. Other than that, MSNBC and Fox are mirror images.