Yes, it’s still very early and I’m not ready to make a decision about which of the 20+ Democratic candidates I’ll support for the presidential nomination—even though I’d support a moldy sponge over Trump. However, you have to admit that Elizabeth Warren is coming on strong. Of all the candidates, she’s presented the most detailed, thoughtful, and robust policies, seems to be gaining a foothold with Trump supporters, and is refusing to play Fox News’ bullshit “town hall” game that serves no purpose other than to give shitbags like Hannity additional quotes to take out of context and subsequently lie about.
Check out this thread from Warren that explains why she’s saying, “Oh HELL no” to Fox News:
I love town halls. I’ve done more than 70 since January, and I’m glad to have a television audience be a part of them. Fox News has invited me to do a town hall, but I’m turning them down—here’s why…
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 14, 2019
Fox News is a hate-for-profit racket that gives a megaphone to racists and conspiracists—it’s designed to turn us against each other, risking life and death consequences, to provide cover for the corruption that’s rotting our government and hollowing out our middle class.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 14, 2019
Hate-for-profit works only if there’s profit, so Fox News balances a mix of bigotry, racism, and outright lies with enough legit journalism to make the claim to advertisers that it’s a reputable news outlet. It’s all about dragging in ad money—big ad money.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 14, 2019
But Fox News is struggling as more and more advertisers pull out of their hate-filled space. A Democratic town hall gives the Fox News sales team a way to tell potential sponsors it’s safe to buy ads on Fox—no harm to their brand or reputation (spoiler: It’s not).
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 14, 2019
Here’s one place we can fight back: I won’t ask millions of Democratic primary voters to tune into an outlet that profits from racism and hate in order to see our candidates—especially when Fox will make even more money adding our valuable audience to their ratings numbers.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 14, 2019
I’m running a campaign to reach all Americans. I take questions from the press and voters everywhere I go. I’ve already held town halls in 17 states and Puerto Rico—including WV, OH, GA, UT, TN, TX, CO, MS & AL.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 14, 2019
I’ve done 57 media avails and 131 interviews, taking over 1,100 questions from press just since January. Fox News is welcome to come to my events just like any other outlet. But a Fox News town hall adds money to the hate-for-profit machine. To which I say: hard pass.
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 14, 2019
WHAT SHE SAID. While I ordinarily think that candidates should face the press—particularly those media outlets that might challenge their point of view, we can all agree that Fox News is not your ordinary press. They are clearly a publicity machine for the far right… and worst of all, refuse to be transparent about their bias. And this is why Warren is particularly justified in shunning Fox News.
I’m proud to admit that the Mercury is a leftie rag that promotes progressive values, while also making every attempt to be fair and follow the facts wherever they may lead. If right-wingers can’t hang with that, and refuse to answer our questions (which happens a lot), then at least no one is pretending.
Make no mistake: By saying no to Fox News, Warren is also passing up an opportunity to grab more clicks and soak up the spotlight that’s primarily being given to her white male competitors—but at least she’s doing it for the right reasons.
Nice explanation by Warren. Interesting contrast to Bernie who did go on FOX recently. I’m going to send her some money.
Although I do believe all political groups should be allowed media outlets, FOX seems particularly cynical and manipulative, a way for wealthy Republicans to divide the masses on social and cultural issues by using propaganda techniques of fear, simple messages, and repetition.
I’ll give Tucker Carlson some credit though for being one of the few voices to take on the Neocon war machine. (Where are the anti-war Democrats??? They’ve been MIA since Bush’s Gulf war)
I personally love Warren, but don’t believe that alienating the viewers of Fox is going to help defeat Trump. I’m willing to bet there are plenty of Fox viewers that are on board with her messaging and ideas. This could be perceived as a slap in the face.