Fox only broadcast network that did not air Democratic response to Bush speech

[yurbud]

Source: Media Matters

Following President Bush's September 13 prime-time address to the nation on Iraq, Fox was the only broadcast network not to air the Democratic response, which was delivered by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI). Instead, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith, who was hosting Fox's post-speech coverage, stated: "The Democrats will say in the Democratic response later that the larger problems, as General Petraeus put it, are not military but political. The surge, when announced by the president, was designed to give the political leaders in Iraq the time to bring together their strategies to secure the nation and solve their political problems." At the conclusion of Fox's coverage, Smith stated: "Our coverage continues on the Fox News Channel on cable and satellite with the Democratic response and more. Right now, back to your local Fox programming." ABC, NBC, and CBS all aired the Democratic response.

On NBC, Nightly News anchor Brian Williams hosted the network's coverage of Bush's address, both before and after Reed's speech, and ABC World News anchor Charles Gibson led ABC's coverage before and after Reed's response. On CBS, Evening News anchor Katie Couric offered a summation of Bush's speech prior to airing Reed's response. CBS did not host a discussion after airing Reed's speech.

In his response, Reed stated: "When the president launched the surge in January, he told us that its purpose was to provide Iraqi leaders with the time to make that political progress. But now, nine months into the surge, the president's own advisers tell us that Iraq's leaders have not, and are not likely to do so." He also described the Democrats' proposal "to change course" in Iraq. Reed said: "ur plan focuses on counterterrorism and training the Iraqi army. It engages in diplomacy to bring warring factions to the table and addresses regional issues that inflame the situation. It begins a responsible and rapid redeployment of our troops out of Iraq. And it returns our focus to those who seek to do us harm: Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups." In conclusion, Reed stated, "An endless and unlimited military presence in Iraq is not an option. ... I urge the president to listen to the American people and work with Congress to start bringing our troops home and develop a new policy that is truly worthy of their sacrifices."

In his post-speech analysis, Smith reported that the president had tied the proposed troop drawdown to "success" on the ground. Smith stated: "he president announc tonight that there have been successes, and he says that as a result, he'll follow General Petraeus' formula, which allows for some 1,500 troops to come home before Christmas." Smith noted that "t least one of those groups were already scheduled to come home, but in this case, they will not be replaced." Later, Smith reiterated that the "highlight tonight" of Bush's speech was that "e'll be down to 137,000 U.S. men and women in service in Iraq by July of next year. That is if the progress on the ground continues."

Read more: http://mediamatters.org/items/200709140002?f=h_latest

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Playing the opposition response to a presidential speech is the last faint gesture toward the Fairness Doctrine in broadcasting.

It is fitting that the right give up even the symbolism of real debate since they have done their best best to drown it in the bathtub not just on radio and TV, but at the university, and in the halls of Congress.

[kurth]

1. The next Dem administration should revoke their credentials

And NO Dem official should ever appear on their shows.

[yurbud]

6. without Dems, Fox would more obviously be the GOP home shopping network

[gratuitous]

2. Why would Fox do that?

They're the broadcast propaganda wing of the Republican party; just because they're using the public's broadcast airwaves doesn't create an obligation on their part to provide public service or equal time to both parties.

Oh wait, yes it does.

[Mike Nelson]

3. That's GOOD...

...the Democrats should insist no response ever appear on FOX "News".

[tabasco]

4. We don't report - - you decide. n/t

[Roland99]

5. They stopped pretending long ago. Everyone knows it's the GOP Propaganda Channel.

[Roy]

8. They don't have to pretend....

When they know the Dem pols will not raise a stink or object in any meaningful way.

The Dem pols are too busy rejecting the MoveOn (AD HEADLINE). Why don't they try and steer some of this conversation to the ad content. which clearly spells out, documents, and sources why the headline is appropriate.

[Ezlivin]

7. But if there is a Demo in the WH, you can bet they'll have a GOP response!

In fact, I'll go so far as to bet that they would air a response before, during, and after any address by a Democratic president.

Hell, they'd probably run a ticker underneath the president while s/he is speaking with stuff like "This is a lie" and "Your taxes will go up" and "This will kill kittens and puppies."

[Dervill Crow]

9. Bush made a speech?

I spent a couple of days away from the computer and TV, and life was so good.