Frum: FOX Fueling GOP's March To The Fringe

[Segami]

Jed Lewison:

" After this, I'll bet AEI wishes they could fire David Frum all over again:"

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Transcript (via MediaBistro):


Fox, like Limbaugh, has an interest in pushing the Republicans to the margins, making people angry. When people are angry and alienated, they don’t vote. They succumb to feelings of helplessness. What people need right now are feelings of power, that they can make a difference by participating in politics.

<http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/fnc/frum_fox_news_has_an_interest_in_making_people_angry_157345.asp>


Frum is certainly right that Fox has an interest in pushing the GOP to the margin. Even though Fox does lead the cable news ratings, it's important to remember that at any given time, more than 99% of the American public isn't watching Fox. So pursuing a strategy of targeting hard-right conservatives is smart -- if you only care about ratings. Just look at Glenn Beck's numbers to see a validation of Fox's approach.


I'm not sure I completely buy Frum's second argument, though. It's hard to see how Fox is actually depressing Republican enthusiasm. Still, his larger point -- that Fox is bad for the GOP -- seems accurate. By pushing the GOP to the margin, Fox isn't just firing up the GOP's wingnut base -- they are also turning off moderate voters and giving Democratic voters something to rally against.


Moreover, Fox has made Republican extremism a legitimate issue in the 2010 election cycle, and that is very bad news for the GOP. To the extent that 2010 is a national election, Republicans should be rooting for it to be a referendum on incumbents, but by pushing the GOP to the fringe, Fox isn't giving them that option. Instead, 2010 will be a choice between Democrats and Republicans, meaning Republicans will have to prove they are ready to govern. Thanks to their Fox-fueled radicalism, Republicans are going to have a hard time making that case.


<http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/4/6/854353/-Frum:-Fox-fueling-GOPs-march-to-the-fringe>

[Captain Hilts]

1. He's just now figuring this out? nt

[Segami]

2. Looks like AEI's firing helped Frum see the light.

:rofl:

[Captain Hilts]

3. AEI lost a lot of cash when the Coors family started the more conservative Heritage Foundation. nt

[Winterblues]

4. It must be hard for real Republicans and there are still a few..

My mother was one... She was one all her life, but she would have never gone along with what has become the republican Party of today.. They are nothing more than animals..raging animals..

[Supersedeas]

5. I agree that FOX is pushing the GOP to the margins, but not sure that anger keeps them away from the

polls.

Usually, GOP lock-steppers vote strictly upon emotion and not analysis. Anger and false fear are the GOP's election bread and butter.

[Jade Fox]

6. I've been wondering if Teabaggers aren't......

the type that like the noise and attention, but are missing in action come election day. As Frum puts it, "They succumb to feelings of helplessness."

I hope Frum is right about this.