Andrew Sullivan: Should Liberals Appear On Fox News? Ctd

[dennis4868]

A reader writes:

Interestingly enough, Fox Business Channel has a couple prominent shows that loosely fit your description of a Ron Paul-ish principled conservative show on which liberals should be comfortable appearing: "Stossel", with John Stossel, and "Freedom Watch", with Andrew Napolitano. Both are essentially libertarian in slant and regularly defy the FNC conventional wisdom. I don't watch any cable news with regularity, but whenever I stop on Napolitano for a few minutes I have to double-check and make sure I'm watching Fox. Maybe one of these shows will make it over to FNC proper at some point? We can hope.

I think Stossel and Napolitano are both great TV and independent thinkers - not programmed Republican apparatchiks. (I also want to add what I didn't in my original post. I think Shep Smith is the exception that proves the rule. His news show is crisp, fun, and neutral. He also has occasional opinions, but they are ways in which he humanizes the news and doesn't engage in faux objectivity. They're not propaganda like Hannity or Morris or O'Reilly. He's an emblem of what Fox could be if it regained integrity). Another writes:

MSNBC rarely invites conservatives on their programs, irrespective of whether they are "hard" or "soft" conservatives. And the idea of such hosts as Olbermann or Maddow or O'Donnell promoting anything beyond "partisan liberal propaganda" is utter foolishness. My question to you is: Are you going to boycott MSNBC, a channel on which you have previously appeared?

I think my reader is right on. I went on Olbermann once and felt a little sick afterward. But I was able to voice support for the genuine pro-life position when I was on there and defend sincere pro-lifers from being tarred with an extremist brush. I like Maddow, and take the point. No, I won't go on those shows (have never been on Maddow) for exactly the same reasons.



CAN PEOPLE STOP COMPARING MSNBC TO FOX NEWS. First of all, MSNBC has conservatives on their station all the time when they can find one to come on (with the exception of Olberman)...they even have hosts that are conservative (Ratigan and Scarborough). For crying out loud, Pat Buchanan is all over the place on MSNBC! Does FOX News have one show that has a liberal hosts? To compare the 2 media outlets is outrageous. MSNBC may have some of their shows hosted by someone that brings a progressive standpoint/prospective on issues but they TELL THE TRUTH and don't make shit up (see Media Matters for a list of their daily lies), including creating fake controversies and give millions of dollars to the Democratic party. PLEASE STOP COMPARING MSNBC to FOX News!

[Dawson Leery]

1. Bareback Sully likes Obama's "post partisan" schtick.

Sully also knows that the Republican party/right is no place for gays.
Sully is a lost sad little soul.
He still has too much hatred for the left/liberalism, so he must compare extremism from his former side to his opponents on the left.
John Stossel runs quick and lose with the facts all the time. Johnny has a history of editing interviews to fit is perspective.

[droidamus2]

2. I agree about MSNBC

MSNBC, which unfortunately I don't get anymore because I had to reduce the amount I was paying for Dish, does have conservatives on their shows and conservative hosts. I think the reason a lot of conservatives even if invited won't go on Olberman, Schultz or Maddow is that they aren't allowed to spew their propaganda points without being challenged. These people really can't argue their case in a real debate they just like to hang out at FOX where every word they utter is taken as gospel and if anything the hosts parrot back their points rather than challenge them. Basically a lot of them just have the talking points what asked to expand on those they have nothing because in their circles that's all they need nobody ever question them on the facts.

[AlinPA]

3. Hell No. Their audience is brainwashed. If a Democrat is trying to convince anyone or explain

a position, the drooling pig headed audience won't hear of it.

[pacalo]

4. It would be a good thing to have liberal voices on Fixed News

but liberals should only agree to appear if they bring a written contract with them that states he will not be silenced, talked over, or dismissed for having a different opinion.

[northernlights]

5. I can think of a lot of phrases to describe John Stossel...

but "great thinker" doesn't make the list. It's not even near the list.

"Brainless twit" yes. "Fact-challenged airhead" yes. But "great?" sorry, but no. And "thinker?" :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: