Chris Bowers is worried about Barack Obama's scheduled appearance this weekend on Fox News Sunday. I was a bit skeptical myself about the decision until TPM's Greg Sargent reported that a top Obama campaign official told him that Obama will "take on" Fox, whatever that means. Here’s what the adviser told Sargent:
“We are clear-eyed about Fox's role in the dissemination and amplification of Republican talking points this election. They have been the tip of the spear when it comes to repeatedly broadcasting some of the most specious of rumors about Obama. He is going on their Sunday show to take Fox on, not because we have any illusion about their motives or politics in this election."
That sounds worthy. But on second thought, I'm still skeptical about this move. First, Obama's appearance could prove especially interesting given that the Fox folks now know they may be getting more than they bargained for and will thus be on high alert. But second, because this might be an attempt by Obama to curry favor with Democratic primary voters, it is still a bit puzzling because it seems to me that the kind of voters Obama might woo but dressing down Fox News for how it comports itself are already the types of Democrats backing him.
Oh, well. I guess it will make for good television---which, of course, is ultimately what the bean counters at Fox care about.
--Tom Schaller
