White House vs. Fox News

" the Obama White House turned up the heat on Fox News communications director and needed. -- called us quote opinion journalism masquerading as windows. We wanted to ask -- about her criticism but -- they've done every week since August. The White House refused to make any administration officials available to FOX News Sunday. To talk about this or anything else. So what about their strategy. Joining us are two men who worked at the highest levels of politics. Terry McAuliffe his former chair of the Democratic Party and want a Bill Clinton's closest friends. Karl Rove was a senior adviser to former president George W. Bush. Gentlemen welcome back to FOX News Sunday but -- but like a clip from my interview in the Oval Office with President Obama in February. And then some of -- remarks last Sunday."

" I don't always get my most favorable coverage on fox but I think that's part of -- how democracy is supposed to work you know we're not supposed to. -- in lock step here and and you've always been very gracious to me and."

" The reality of it is that Fox News often. Operates almost -- bit of research arm -- the communications arm of the Republican Party."

" Karl -- not in the meetings in this White House but. Best guess why the dramatic change in strategy. Look I think this White House is dominated by Chicago style politics so if you don't like the questions that are being asked about it. Major Garrett or one Google or or Chris Wallace then you treat you try to demonize Fox News if you. Don't like with the chamber of commerce is doing an opposing the health care reform you -- you start telling CEOs to pull out of the chamber if you don't like. You know if you if you if you don't like a Democrat a wayward Democrat vote against the stimulus bill that he had present -- states and house Democratic Caucus meeting say to him in public. Don't think we are keeping keeping score -- So that this is this is this is demeaning to the White House and unnecessary. Carry. Why do you think -- those two clips are pretty dramatic why do you think that Fox News was quote part of how democracy is supposed to work a few months ago. And now were the opposition."

" Up I think clearly. Prison Obama has said he would he's been on the show he'll come back on fox he said -- later in the interview. But there -- some issues in -- and we're talking about a huge issue health care reform. And I think people were annoyed that fox was the only broadcast stations that did not broadcast. His speech in front -- the United States congress who had some crazy show on about how to learn to dance I think that was very problematic anti that was a very crazy decision whoever made that decision. It's a very important issue if you look at the crime downs on Fox News that there are talking points and Republican National Committee. You have Glenn Beck who was -- your big opinion leaders on fox went on the morning show a new show and actually called President Obama or racist. There is no place -- so president Obama's gonna talk to all the networks he's gonna go out there he loves competition. He loves -- gays in the battle. But he's got to deal first of those folks are gonna give a fair hearing on -- Fox News carried the president's speech to congress it was fox entertainment channel so. It needed done was not attacking fox entertainment channel they're attacking Fox News and look if there are lots of objectionable things said on MSNBC and NBC. And cable channels and CNN for every president. Former against it and that ought not to be the -- standard by which -- White House determines whether that is gonna demonizing news channel as an enemy. And they called it an enemy a White House enemy that is over the top language we've heard that before from Richard Nixon. And we have this White House prone to that kind of kind of attitude and it's not helpful. It's demeaning to the president at the present -- United States. Should not be taken out enemies in the media like that in personalize it and allowing -- people to personalize it as well Eric what is offensive. Is what are your tap folks -- on fox calling present United States and races at a news show. Nobody came out in Sunni against it it wasn't on the broadcast fox the health care speech. You gotta be kidding me. Here you put on a show about teaching people how to dance the president -- with."

" Is that weight and of their military advisers and it was I attacking Fox News on the -- yeah. Broadcast channel -- it wasn't I never thought I'd say that's been like Terry. And then the -- Iran -- all the different networks and cable shelves he didn't do fox new is because decent candidates persona he went to Univision which has a huge audience out there. The bottom line is if you watch fox. They have and opinions at -- Obama -- that we understand it he's gonna come on fox I think people probably overstate this but there are instances where fox is gone over the top. And it that's what I find very -- you know Terry."

" You did not always have such a negative opinion of Fox -- in fact last year during the campaign. -- complaining about. All the other broadcast networks in the tank to fox -- to Obama rather over. Your candidate Hillary Clinton and I want to play a clash. Let's do all what is sad on the night of the Pennsylvania primary --"

" Let me congratulate fox because -- the first ones to call for Hillary Clinton fair and balanced --"

" So question is a definition of a fair and balanced news organization one of his stories you like welfare she churn out human they were support my candidate -- you -- whoever's helping me at the time of -- But as you know I have had many statements about foxy go on I -- it's a tool Rupert Murdoch and Roger -- that's fine. -- you know listen. I believe that Fox News is an appendage of the Republican Party that's fine. I love it and I will we fair and balanced and the Pennsylvania primary because you call them for your first -- network I don't know that wasn't the point and you -- it over and over again that you felt we were -- a fair shake. To Hillary Clinton in our campaign coverage than any of the other network I only say fair and balanced offense and I always have little tongue in cheek -- little smile my face. I have many statements about fact we should debate facts I love -- advocates are people who watch this who are independents but there's no question you watch the show was part of the Republican National Committee. I set it for years that's fair I enjoy coming I would get my point out. I'd probably going to be in the battle I grew up as a boxer I'd love a good fight I -- Karl this is exciting. We'll look MSNBC -- over the top left wing host. But you should then denigrate NBC for having for for having. Liberal opinion programs for -- and there's a difference between opinion and news and fox does a good job on the news side. And it's been an -- I love it. Fox News is being attacked. For supposedly not for Fox Broadcast not run in the speech I mean in the water they when they say we are attacking fox broadcaster in the box and let's not kid ourselves this is the White House engaging in its own version of the media enemies list in -- helpful for the country and -- Dignified for the president and -- so do. Vox -- of nominees were broadcast on al-Qaeda."

" Let's talk about Anita Dunn the communications director is leading -- like he criticized FOX News Sunday. Last week -- over flak -- Fact check. And administration if that's what they didn't say that are fact -- it was wrong they just sad that we had dared to fact check. Let's -- and needed done because last Sunday. She's ahead that fox ignore -- Republicans scandals and he specifically mention the scandal involving Nevada senator John -- I want to show you what she sat. And then a question that I ask the top Republican official in July --"

" Did you seek coverage of that on Fox News I'm not talking one -- I'm not talking -- not talking factor. I'm talking about Bob Smith."

" And you've got Republican leaders like governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina or Nevada senator. John Anderson. Admitting to extramarital affairs and staying in office questionable use -- private funds or state money in the -- Sanford. Doesn't the GOP would all its talk of Stanley's -- risk looking like a bunch of hypocrites. -- a number of fox shows have run Fox News shows have run stories about senator Anderson. And get it done facts -- just plain wrong."

" Well I can't speak this ignorance and I think the broader point Chris and I know who I talked White House -- came on the -- to find out what what it -- witness they spoke to I guess and ask. How many times have you -- administration official -- secretary Duckworth was on. A week later he went back -- in fact -- on the air apparently that is never happened before the administration official Democrat or Republican -- I think it was the issue. Chris in fairness if you've -- perform."

" I got wind of that I -- don't -- what you don't know the deet -- of it but the fact of the matter is that I had never had an administration official of any administration come on. And so directly misrepresent the facts as secretary -- that she said the law prevented her from taking off the your life your choices that counseling book to the VI. There was no such law and nobody at the White House has ever said that -- Well Carl."

" We shouldn't expect everything to experiment and see what's two point Anita Dunn is making these charges because she's leaving at the end of the year this gives them a chance to send somebody -- there to throw the grenades. Turn on the flame thrower and they'd be gone at the end of the year. The second thing is look -- he gets back to attitude the White House attacked the -- insurance industry this week for issuing a report having that permitted he did issue a report. Critical health care reform and said we were blind side I mean. This is an administration is getting very arrogant and slippery in its dealings with people and if you dare to oppose them. They're gonna come hard at -- and they're gonna cut your legs off and that's exactly. Fox is not being no you know fox is asking tough questions foxes got on the opinion side -- it's -- very tough critics of the administration. There -- inflating the new -- in the opinion side in order to. In order to attack the media Allen again is a dignified for the president -- Karl talks about you polling firm has already come outlets are kind of odd guy instead I had I'm not a 180 -- it was misleading. -- rotated to a tiny piece of it. Don't mislead the American public -- and don't even --"

" Please let's not having that health care what Beckett they could have their own out there. But let's talk about presidents presidents Terry you were very close and are very close to Bill Clinton he had plenty of problems with the process especially during the Lewinsky scandal. ABC news was hitting him hard on the Lewinsky scandal and apparently reportedly getting leaks from the special prosecutor's office can. And start what did he ever consider going after and cutting off ABC news I don't think so but you know when -- I think this is a good strategy to. To individually attack -- out an attack an individual news organization and frankly to cut off doing any business."

" I've donated business they -- here tonight and you know the other respect -- not an administration official but it's hard Maryland -- what I do register with the and I saw the White House authoritative on this morning. It was a different time bank and honestly with the 24/7. Would all the new media and all that it's a different world than than it is today Chris but the bottom line is. Anita Dunn who said she said I'm an interview that President Obama -- you know he loves to engage in the debate on the issues just wants a fair debate is gonna come on -- I felt when he went."

" We're not fighting with a program that come on fox a preference that says that -- decision made on. Afghanistan and sending more troops and there are a lot of people and you have to remember 60% of our audience according to the studies is middle of the road and liberals self described. A lot of people would like to hear from an administration official when they decide to send thousands of more troops in harm's way I'd like to ask some questions right out of now. They're not gonna they're gonna cut us off and I think -- gonna ask questions --"

" She got more votes and more delegates if you will recall Terry the President Obama did and why because this network is watched by a wide variety of open minded independents and Democrats who want to hear the loose in the -- again this expected the administration's making a mistake for itself. But more importantly it is demeaning the office of the president by taking the president and -- and and from the person who ought to be talking to everybody. And -- communicating through every available channel the -- if you oppose me if you question if you're too tough on me. By gosh me and my people are not gonna are not gonna come on we're gonna penalize you and that just as well fundamentally wrong Carl. Terry thank you both thank you coming in and democrats' big win Virginia New Jersey come on on -- I agree with Terry McAuliffe when he said."

" But Collison is deeds can't win it will win in new -- can win of course -- because it is gonna wanna tell you said he can't beat MacDonald right there right there McCullough says. The disease and I'm Dana -- this is for the rich but does dispatch in June and you said he couldn't because he has deeds -- for a higher taxes and guess what you know prior to act this. You're a -- I don't really believe -- I totally agree wanted to have a -- represent about me and -- a I don't agree with -- right now. -- Thank you gentlemen --"