Talking Points Memo

If Obama wins, there will be a lot of reasons why (superior ground effort, stellar fundraising, transformational rhetoric, shitty GOP brand, ect), but one of the things I am glad he has done is appear on Fox News. In past national campaigns, candidates like Gore and Kerry seemed to shy away from that particular outlet, believing that there would be little to gain from venturing onto enemy territory.

I don't think there is any doubt that Fox News is more or less a propoganda arm for the GOP, and a sensationalistic one at that. However, I think Dems have made a mistake in avoiding it. Whether or not it is a legitimate news outlet is beyond the point. It is by far the most watched 24 hour news network. By not appearing (or even sending high level surrogates) on Fox News Sunday or The O'Reilly Factor, candidates have let the commentators completely frame and shape the narrative without any objection. Of course, a majority of Fox News viewers will be predisposed to voting for the Republican candidate anyway. But in Obama's appearances with Chris Wallace and O'Reilly, he was aggressive, logical, persuasive and seemingly unintimidated. I think these types of appearances go a long way toward, if nothing else, persuading some swing voters that you have testicular fortitude (a quality that Dems are portrayed as lacking).

I say we take them on, on their turf. Its a lot easier to call them on their bullshit if you are there to aggressively rebut the things they are saying. I like the fact that Obama has done this. Dems should take note.