Politico: Bernie Takes on Fox -and emerges triumphant

[Tiggeroshii]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/15/bernie-sanders-millionaire-no-apology-1277009

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Bernie Sanders entered the Fox's den on Monday night — and he not only survived the hourlong encounter, but often dominated.

Appearing at a Fox News-hosted town hall, smack in the middle of Trump Country, the Democratic presidential front-runner played the part, swatting down tough questions from the hosts about health care, defense spending and his newfound wealth. At one point, the Vermont senator even led the network’s audience in a call-and-response that found them cheering loudly for his policies.

In the days preceding the event, Sanders faced backlash from liberals who said he shouldn’t participate given the network's nativist bent and cheerleading for President Donald Trump. But when it was over, Sanders had received an hour of positive exposure on the highest-rated cable channel — something none of his primary rivals have yet risked.

Not seeing how he's "too liberal" to win the rest of America. Neither did this Fox News crowd, either.

[JoeOtterbein]

1. I always rec posts that quote...

...my daughter's article!

[Tiggeroshii]

6. How cool!!

[JoeOtterbein]

12. Thanks, Holly is the coolest...

in my eyes!

[onit2day]

2. Really worth watching just to see how well he handled himself. A real president in action

[Wounded Bear]

3. Bernie gave Trump cover on the tax return issue in 2016...

Now, he's taunting him?

[corbettkroehler]

4. 4/15/2019, Watershed Moment For Sanders

He escaped a Faux News trap like a pro and released his tax returns. I predict we'll remember this day as a major turning point in the Bernie 2020 campaign.

Thanks for sharing the Politico story, too!

[Politicub]

5. He charmed the audience

I watched it. He did an excellent job of pointing out those areas where people agree there needs to be solutions -- healthcare, infrastructure and the rich and corporations paying their fair share of taxes.

He held the hosts' feet to the fire and didn't let them steamroll him. He was bold and unapologetic about absolute support of a woman's right to choose and how the decision to terminate a pregnancy should be between her and her doctor, without exception. He spoke of voting as a sacred right of every American, even those who are incarcerated. By taking a clear position on voting rights, he is able to sweep away the incremental cuts that republicans have made to the right to vote.

I do think Sanders could learn from Mayor Pete about reclaiming territory that the right has (rightly or wrongly) staked out. Buttigieg does this by positioning his policy proposals as serving three things he says will fit on a bumper sticker: Freedom, Security and Democracy. These things introduce the opportunity to tell a story. It's a different approach that recognizes the heft and memorability that stories have for people. It's not that Sanders does not talk about policies that underpin each of these things; he does. But, to me, it seems like Sanders talks about one policy proposal after another, which is hard to follow sometimes.

At the end of the day, Bernie's gonna do what Bernie's gonna do. And it seems to have served him well.

[JudyM]

14. It's smart of Pete to have those touchstones, especially since Freedom and Security could have big

appeal with crossover voters. They certainly don’t cover all the crucial issues but I’d also agree that it’d help Bernie to refine his message to a bumper sticker sized slogan.

[genxlib]

7. It is optimistic to call this a "Fox news crowd"

I t was hosted and broadcast by FOX but the crowd was full of his supporters.

I agree that it can't hurt to be seen by FOX viewers with an enthusiastic crowd.

But if you think that translates to support from FOX viewers, don't hold your breath.

[floppyboo]

9. I wonder how many independants watch Fox?

I'm talking about those mid-west voters who voted for Bernie in the primaries and Trump in the general. There's a bunch of them out there.
Gotta get outside the box. The popular vote from 2016 is just about dead equal to registered voters. You need to reach the people who just stay home.

[genxlib]

10. I agree with you

There might be some persuadable people in the broadcast audience. I doubt it it as high a number as people think but still worth doing. I think all of the candidates should be willing to do it. Personally I think the candidates that don't subscribe to socialism would be received even better by that sliver of the audience. But that is just me.

I am just pushing back on the spin that he won over the FOX people that were there in person. It was widely reported that the hosts self-owned when they asked the seated crowd if they liked the Medicare for All idea and they responded favorably. It would have been remarkable if they were really FOX viewers but it is entirely predictable since they were Bernie supporters.

[Tiggeroshii]

13. If they vote, that's what matters...

[oldsoftie]

8. But to some here, he didnt do well. Because some Fox pundits said so!

Sanders performance should be a sign to the rest of the candidates; speak to everyone. Expect the unexpected. Answer the tough questions.
Fox picked the audience and obviously they didnt pick "shills". It was a great townhall for Sanders, and he's not even my choice. But i'd like to see them all do it.

[Tiggeroshii]

11. Agreed! The EC requires us to win a large portion of white people. That happens to be fox news.

Without reaching out to all demographics, we will lose again.