More Democrats are in talks with Fox News as Bernie Sanders town hall posts huge ratings: reports

[applegrove]

More Democrats are in talks with Fox News as Bernie Sanders town hall posts huge ratings: reports

Nearly 2.6 million viewers watched Sanders field questions from Fox News anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum

MATTHEW ROZSA at Salon

https://www.salon.com/2019/04/17/more-democrats-are-in-talks-with-fox-news-as-bernie-sanders-town-hall-posts-huge-ratings-reports/

"SNIP....

In the aftermath of Sanders' appearance, reports have emerged that a number of other Democratic candidates are in talks to appear in Fox News town hall events of their own. These include: South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, and Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif.

When the Democratic National Committee announced in March that it would not allow Fox News to host their primary debates, Chairman Tom Perez argued to CNN's Chris Cuomo that "we wanted to maximize the number of people who see our candidates, because I think what we are fighting for commands the respect and support of the majority of the American people. Fighting for health care, fighting for all of those really important issues that every American wants to make sure is part of their live. And so I reached out to all of the networks to make sure we could maximize eyeballs, including Fox News."

He added, "Our second goal, though, is to make sure that every debate that takes place, that I have 100 percent assurance that everybody is treated fairly. And I have respect for a number of folks on the news side over at Fox News — I was just on Chris Wallace a couple of weeks ago, if invited I'll go back again, he's very respected — and I have nothing but respect for him. At the same time, though, Chris Wallace isn't my concern. You see that, at the highest levels of Fox News, they have infiltrated the news side."

Sanders' Fox News town hall included a number of memorable moments, including an unexpected response when Baier asked members of the audience whether they would support "Medicare for All." After a majority indicated they would, Sanders pointed out that "what probably every mayor in America does is you look around for the best insurance program, the most cost-effective insurance. You change insurance. Every year, millions of workers wake up in the morning, and their employer has changed the insurance that they have. Maybe they liked the doctors. Some people are nodding their heads. OK. So this is not new – every year. Now what we’re talking about actually is stability – that when you have a ‘Medicare for All,’ it is there now and will be there in the future."


....SNIP"

[at140]

1. It is free publicity, but at what cost? nt

[applegrove]

3. Well Bernie gave voice to fox audience needs as humans. We've got to wake

some of them.

[oldsoftie]

10. And it seems everyone forgets that many "fox viewers" are Dems & Independents.

Its not like its GOP-TV. Surveys consistently show their audience is varied.

Perez will likely regret his decision on the debates. It makes the Dems look weak, but Bernie just laid down the gauntlet for the rest of the pack.

[Blue_Tires]

29. I've never met a Dem in all my life who actually watches Fox News

They more like 'monitor' it...

[pstokely]

31. have many faux state news monitors are neilsen households?

?

[Trenzalore]

22. I don't object to what Bernie did

I'm also not foolish enough to believe he won hearts and minds by entering the dragon's lair.

As this took place in my hometown I will say the way Fox conducted the town hall was fair. I have a married couple friends that are very big Bernie supporters. They were able to get tickets and the wife got to ask a question.

If they are going to conduct themselves the same way with the other town halls I don't object to any candidate doing them and if they continue to behave this way the debate position should be reconsidered.

[oldsoftie]

35. And i think the same hosts would host a debate, along with Chris Wallace

Not sure, but Baier is their nightly news guy & i've seen MacCallum be fair with many people.
These folks arent hannity

[Blue_Tires]

25. Fox News has done nothing but fuck us for 20 years

Forgive me if I don't think handing them a free ratings boost and legitimizing their nuttiness is a good thing.

Not that we need their votes, but there's better ways to reach out to the MAGA yokels than this. Y'all may get all the warm fuzzies inside thinking that Sanders is somehow winning over these lily-white crowds full of racists, but I'll remain more skeptical...r

[oldsoftie]

36. "lily white crowds full of racists"? You obviously didnt watch his townhall

Unless those "racists" were cheering for him as a trick.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. Can't blame 'em for playing "follow the leader" when it comes to Bernie!!

After all the Bernie bashing for his appearing on Fux, it'll be fun to watch all the new-found rationalization for it now being a "brilliant idea!" when it comes to OTHER candidates.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[denverbill]

4. +1

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. Yep. This should be good.

[workinclasszero]

11. Yeah I'm waiting for the Mayor Pete bashing to begin

Somehow I don't think it will be coming.

[Autumn]

13. Reaching those "Fox loving, Trump humping" viewers will now be the right thing to do.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

15. Course not... nor should Bernie have been bashed for it... but, that's the "Bernie Standard" for ya!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[workinclasszero]

12. Bernie leads the way

like always!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

16. It's amazing those who refuse to recognize Bernie's leadership...

whether you agree or disagree with him on some issues.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[workinclasszero]

18. Yup. Brings to mind this quote...

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.

Mahatma Gandhi

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

19. YES... perfect description of what's going on with Bernie!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Blue_Tires]

34. So why aren't all the Dems tripping over themselves to book a speech

for those knuckle-draggers at Liberty University?

I mean, since Sanders is such a political genius and all...

[Blue_Tires]

30. Hardly... But keep telling yourself that this is anything other than Fool's Gold

Thank God that someone like Kamala would never do something this short-sighted... Not that Fox would give a primetime slot to a nonwhite woman candidate anyway.

[oldsoftie]

37. So if she accepts you'll think LESS of her?? I'm sure she'll get a offer; apparently its open to all

I think Budeigeig is the next one who will say yes.
And if everyone takes them up on it, those who refuse will look scared.

[Blue_Tires]

39. Or they'll look fuckin' SMART by comparison

Last edited Fri Apr 19, 2019, 09:57 AM - Edit history (1)

And polls aside I remain unconvinced that when the rubber meets the road that any significant number of these red state bumpkins will vote for Sanders which makes me wonder why he's even going through all this trouble...

Meanwhile, I'll just leave this here:

Link to tweet

[SMC22307]

14. It *will* be fun to watch.

B..b..but!

[Jake Stern]

20. Good on Bernie

for his taking the message to the other side instead of demanding the other side come to the message.

Certainly, a bold move that apparently paid enough dividends to get his rivals to take notice and want to get some of that.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

21. Yes... I would expect Joe to smartly do the same thing.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Blue_Tires]

26. You do of course realize that Fox viewers only love St. Bern

so he can play spoiler and splinter the Dem turnout again, right?? Fox loved him back in '16 too...

[bullwinkle428]

5. Add Amy Klobuchar to that list as well - I think this is an excellent move for all involved.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

17. It sure is... props to Mayor Pete and Amy!! Smart moves!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[rocktivity]

6. I'm not so sure -- though Fox News miscalulated

Bernie "survived" because he wasn't there to recite the Democratic party line. The more "democratic" Democratic candidates may not be so lucky -- they may end up in the bloodbath that Bernie was supposed to.


rocktivity

[Uncle Joe]

7. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread applegrove.

[applegrove]

9. My pleasure Uncle Joe.

[Trenzalore]

23. Fox was as fair as Fox can be

I know several people that attended the event. I didn't watch it because I won't watch that channel but they were on Facebook defending Foxnews against the President's attacks today. They are huge Bernie backers. If they think it was fair I'll have to say more candidates should do it.

[MrsCoffee]

24. None of them should do it.

Very disappointing.

[greymattermom]

27. They should all do it.

And dominate Fox news for awhile. The candidates can ask the audience if they support medicare for all, taxing the rich, and a few other spot on questions.

[nycbos]

28. We aren't going to win over all of them.

But if we can puncture the bubble to where 3 or 4 percent of them see how how they have been conned that can swing the election our way.

[katmondoo]

32. I won't watch FOX news no matter who goes on.

[samnsara]

33. i have no problem with them going on Faux news..we have nothing to hide.

..let the deplorables know there is a life outside the faux news bubble..

[Go Vols]

38. lol