Fox News chief Roger Ailes
By on Sep 28th, 2006 at 11:01 am
Fox News chief Roger Ailes
said Wednesday that President Clinton’s response to Chris Wallace’s question about going after bin Laden represents “an assault on all journalists.” “If you can’t sit there and answer a question from a professional, mild-mannered, respectful reporter like Chris Wallace, then the hatred for journalists is showing,” Ailes said.
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This coming from the Master of SmashMouth TV News.
Pot. Kettle. Black.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:03 amIt was a lagit question. Clinton said so.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:04 amThat might be true–except Chris Wallace isn’t a jounalist.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:06 amWell Roger Ailes and Chris Wallace if you can’t do real journalism
get out of the U.S.A.
Plus you refuse to prove you aren’t taking the Bush PAYOLA!
PAYOLA TROLLS!
LOL
September 28th, 2006 at 11:10 am…mild-mannered, respectful reporter like Chris Wallace,…
They’re all such NICE men, aren’t they? Rober Ailes, Chrissy Wallace, … even Clinton! Such NICE mennnnnnn! Aren’t you just entertained out of your comfy couch seat by their bickering like junior high school debate team captains about who’s the NOT NICE man? People around the world dying while they bicker, and the attention deficit disorder cases in the White House pulling pranks like taking a sledge hammer to a hornet’s nest in the Middle East and watching dogs bite prisoners’ genitals…
They are all such NICE, Mild Mannered, SOPHISTICATED, MENNNNNN!
September 28th, 2006 at 11:11 amChris Wallace should be treated like that for every interview he does.
This little smartass can dish it out, but can’t take it.
Typical of neocon chickenhawkshitforbrains, et al.
‘Assault on all journalists’, give me a break. The Bush regime has had an all out war on information for 6 years.
Roger, how do you like Murdoch giving Clinton money? That must really fry you a-holes!
September 28th, 2006 at 11:13 amhe wasnt interviewing the assistant night manager at McyDee’s.
This was the last sitting president of our country. the failure was Wallace’s.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:13 amSince when is anyone on Fox News considered a “journalist”? Roger Ailes is projecting. He’s one of the folks who hate real journalism.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:14 amWhy do you say that?
September 28th, 2006 at 11:14 amChris Wallace is a right-wing water-carrier for the Administration. Did you see the perma-smirk on his face throughout Clinton’s entire answer? I frankly don’t know how Clinton kept from hitting him – I think he showed remarkable restraint and answered in a forceful but respectful manner. Roger Ailes is an idiot and we should expect nothing more.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:15 am#10 – Chris Wallace is a right-wing water-carrier for the Administration.
Perhaps this could read Faux News is a right-wing water-carrier for the Administration.
Either way, ReichWingNuts can’t stand being stood up to by anyone smarter than Faux Spin. Ailes response underscores this point.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:20 amChris Wallace was smirking because all the time he was thinking of the obscenely big paycheck he was cashing for doing that hit-job crock of lies.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:21 amTry as I might, I still can’t understand why conservatives are making such a big deal out of this. Is it because he stood his ground and pushed back? I thought that’s one of the things they like about Bush.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:23 amI see naked fear.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:25 amIF Mr. Wallace ever asked the “hard questions” of the Bush Administration that he asked Fmr. Pres. Clinton, there might be a case.
Since Mr. Wallace has only asked fawning questions of the Bush Administration, he’s only a pathetic right-whining poodle.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:25 amIt wasn’t the messenger but the message Wallace delivered that is the problem and Roger Ailes knows this full well so Ailes should stop whining about the message being ripped to shreds. If Ailes can’t take the heat, he should get out of the kitchen.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:27 am#2 – “It was a lagit question. Clinton said so.”
It’s just too bad that Mr. Wallace only asks hard questions of people who are no longer in power.
I just wish that Mr. Wallace would pose the “hard” questions to the Bush Administration rather than tossing his ethics out the door. Mayeb then people would look at him as a journalist rather than a right-whining poodle.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:28 amwell gee rodger, why don’t you REQUEST to go on Keith Olbermann’s show and let him interview you? You might, just might learn all about the news business…..is that soap powder on your hands?
September 28th, 2006 at 11:29 am#14 – I see naked fear.
Fear is the only thing ReichWingNuts have left to offer.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:29 amthey must be getting quite nervous. the lies are typical and written for him by someone literate, but the pain they must be feeling that they will have to pay their own way in this country must be breaking their poor little pea picking hearts
September 28th, 2006 at 11:31 amI still can’t understand why conservatives are making such a big deal out of this
What you are seeing is naked fear. They understand that their holding of power depends fully on people being duped and their opponents being totally unwilling or unable to fight back. Someone pushing back is the biggest rude shock to them they have had since the first Bush/Kerry debate.
Remember when Crossfire replaced Bill Press with Begala/Carville? The conservatives were so offended by the idea that any conservative might have to be confronted by an uncomfortable question that they tried to boycott the show. They only came back once it was becoming clear that they weren’t there because they were such wimps. Their strategy was then was to make the show so worthless it had to be ended.
Return of strong liberal and progressive voices on media is the right wing’s biggest nightmare. They know what will happen to Bush if he loses the House and the media. Yes it is a big deal.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:31 amDid he say the same thing when President Bush was waving his finger in Matt Lauer’s face?
September 28th, 2006 at 11:32 am“then the hatred for journalists is showing”
No shit!
As well it should.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:35 amIf anyone has a hatred for journalism it’s Roger Ailes and Fox.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:37 amBecause Bush stands his ground and pushes back against strawmen, prompted by T-Ball questions. Clinton stood his ground and pushed back against lame arguments that wingers actually try to make.
(Oh, and because Bush is a Repub and Clinton isn’t.)
September 28th, 2006 at 11:37 amHow on earth would Roger Ailes ever recognize a real journalist?
September 28th, 2006 at 11:41 amMr. Ailes needs to stop drinking the Kool Aid…
September 28th, 2006 at 11:42 amHow on earth would Roger Ailes know what a journalist thinks? I don’t think he’s ever seen one…
September 28th, 2006 at 11:43 amNice to see tough guy Chris Wallace peeking out from behind Roger Ailes’ ’skirt.’
September 28th, 2006 at 11:43 amthe funny part was when he referred to chris wallace as ‘respectful’ and ‘a journalist’.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:44 amNow Wallace needs to ask Bush the same question, and see if Bush assaults all journalists.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:45 amThat’s right. And when Democrats guest on FOX they propagate the silly ideas.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:46 amFOX would be a Neocon Country Club without Democrat sound boards.
Democrats are the reason FOX is popular.
Clinton was on Press the Meat, and had no problem, at least that made news. He was on Keith Olberman and had no problem, at least that made news. He did a number of talking head shows, drumming up support of his Clinton Global Initiative. I think maybe Fux doth protest to loadly.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:47 amWallace? Respected? That’s impossible, working for FOX. It’s only an assault on idiot journalists.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:48 amIt would be nice to see Ailes and his viewers over at Fox News apply the same standard to real journalist when they interview President Bush or ask questions of him at press conferences. I’ve never seen any President treat the press and journalist as bad as Bush does.
Fox’s responsibility is not to any journalistic standard except to appear as journalist so they can say try to stake some claim at being fair. The question Wallace asked of Clinton would never be asked of Bush.
Ailes created a “news” product to sell to a particular audience. Their job and profits are tied to appeasing this audience. Conservatives and black and white thinkers want their “window into reality”, fox news, to show them that they are always right and the liberals are always wrong. Fox sells relief from conservative cognitive dissonance. From a marketing perspective its brilliant. Unfortunately everyone else pays because this uninformed electorate that can’t stand to know they are wrong still vote and think they are informed about reality.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:48 amIt’s a legitimate subject, but the question was hostile. “Why didn’t you do more?” Objection! Assumes facts not in evidence.
And it’s not a legitimate question when you don’t ask the same question of the idiots in power right now.
So, #2, Kevin, go screw yourself.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:51 amWe still have a chance to stop on of the most egregious features of the Detainee/Torture bill. Please contact your Senators and tell them to support Patrick Leahy and Arlen Specter’s ammendment to restore habeas corpus rights, allowing suspects at the very least an opportunity to challenge their detainment in court. Senators Collins and Snowe, both moderate Republicans, need a bit of a push on this
capital switchboard: 866.340.9281 .or. 866.808.0065
September 28th, 2006 at 11:52 am…
Dear Mr. Ailes,
If and when you hire some real journalists, we can then discuss whether or not they deserve any respect.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:56 amAiles proved the old cliche. If you hit a bully back, he will cry like a baby. I remember how he got his lunch handed to him when he tried to slime Senator Paul Simon in 1990. Simon fought back and Ailes went running home.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:03 pmRoger Ailes owes Bill Clinton an apology for allowing Chris Wallace to attempt to smear the former president! FOX News is just a GOP affiliated attack dog and does NOT represent real journalism! If Democrats regain the House this November, then FOX must have its broadcast license rescinded permanately!
September 28th, 2006 at 12:04 pmProfessional? To ask a loaded question with a false stated premise is not professional, it’s rude.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:18 pm“Tell me sir, why ARE you such a jackass?”.
pop quiz:
ailes, wallace, journalism.
which word doesn’t belong?
September 28th, 2006 at 12:19 pmSince when does Fox represent journalism? They are nothing but a propaganda outlet that has nothing to do with reporting facts.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:27 pmSo Clinton insulted a journalist. You can’t say he didn’t deserve it. Clinton was calling them out for not doing their job. Good for him.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:33 pmSo much for independent journalism.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:40 pmQuit whining Roger, seems you were getting way too comfy with all the Fox Fluff “news” and you got some push back, my heart bleeds (not).
September 28th, 2006 at 12:45 pmShlomo #38
…and Roger Ale (the drunken sot)…
No self respecting “journalist” would be caught dead in a Fox Propaganda network studio…
September 28th, 2006 at 1:06 pmHa! That’s a laugh, coming from people who think the New York Times should be firebombed, ruthlessly root out leakers and want to throw journalists into jail for not naming their sources, and effectively emasculate freedom of the press!
September 28th, 2006 at 1:11 pmI watched that interview. How can you call Wallace a “professional, mild-mannered, respectful reporter” when he opens his interview with a 2+minute long “question” chock-full of loaded inquiries and disingenuous statements that are being passed off as if they were common knowledge.
Clinton tried to begin answering his assault, but Wallace was like, “whooo there, let me finish asking the question” . “A question” is not 18 different loaded questions and a dozen disingenuous statements all rolled into one long paragraph. Wallace needs to go back to school.
September 28th, 2006 at 1:28 pmRoger Ailes is upset because one of his was challenged. If he and/or Wallace can’t take a bit of what they dish out, they should find another profession.
September 28th, 2006 at 1:41 pmThe only time the media (any of them) are upset is when one of their own is involved personally. Note the CNN defense against Inhofe’s diatribe this morning.
They only get to fact checking when it suits them — journalism is dead. It has become as Congress — do nothing, except attack. Playground mentality.
Republican bullies, like many bullies, are at heart little thumbsucking bedwetting crybabies.
September 28th, 2006 at 1:41 pmThe Clinton meltdown was laugh-out-loud funny. It is hilarious to listen to him go around the world trying to improve his legacy by lying about it.
Guess what Billy — ain’t gonna work. Oh, and by the way, you might want to see someone about that narcissism problem…
September 28th, 2006 at 1:56 pmI thought that if you worked at FOX you were a “culture warrior,” that is, an emeny combatant to the truth.
September 28th, 2006 at 2:09 pmWallace is about as much of a journalist as Cheney is a hunter. If his father weren’t Mike, this jackass would be reading traffic spots for the local affiliate.
September 28th, 2006 at 2:09 pmRoger is unhappy. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
September 28th, 2006 at 2:12 pmConfused Conservascum #52
Even IF…
…former President Clinton is STILL…
…more popular, respected, intelligent, trustworthy, and beloved…
…than that sh*t you worship now occupying the White (al Cracker’s) House…
…and THAT just tears you apart…
…go ahead, admit it!
September 28th, 2006 at 2:18 pmLook most people didn’t know Fox had a Sunday show. And if you’d ask a person to name a Wallace they would say Mike or Chris who? Fox aka Bush station wanted the ratings and they got them. Now their trying to milk it for as much as they can. Look at the ratings this Sunday and you’ll see the drop to the bottom for ratings on Fox. I wonder if they asked Bush Senior that question and if he had which he does blow up would Fox news be saying the same thing. Notice how Bush can blow up at a reporter at the Press Meetings and noting is said. I guess the truth hurts.
September 28th, 2006 at 2:18 pmAs Newt before him – ““He probably decided in advance he was going to pick a fight with Chris Wallace. I think as a calculated political decision, it’s reasonably smart.†– the other side shows us their talent for spin. In a single sentence, he casts Wallace as a victim, Clinton as a bully who hates journalists, and diverts attention away from anything of substance in the interview, including Wallace’s dishonest setup and the fact that he never asked the same questions of anyone in the current administration.
September 28th, 2006 at 2:40 pm#57 — big papa
Everybody knows Clinton is a lying narcissist — if they choose to respect him in spite of that — well, then maybe they’ve got problems too.
Look, neither Clinton nor Bush (pre 9/11) took the terrorist threat seriously enough. But to argue that Clinton tried really hard to get bin Laden is farcical. Also, that he thinks we’re stupid enough to buy it is insulting. Another reason to dislike the guy — not that I needed any more.
As George Will said: (paraphrasing) “Clinton was not our worst president, but he was certainly the worst person to be president.”
September 28th, 2006 at 2:58 pmOf course Clinton was not our worst president, that honor will go to George W. Bush, forever.
September 28th, 2006 at 3:43 pmIf Chris Wallace is a Journalist’ so was Tokyo Rose.
September 28th, 2006 at 3:48 pmThe right needs to force this interview under the headline, “Clinton goes bonkers on journalist.”
The real headline here is (as Olbermann pointed out so eloquently) is that Clinton makes it legitimate, nay, necessary to examine the record of the Bush administration pre 9/11. Up to last weekend there were only two views that were acceptable: “enough blame to go around,” and “blame Bill.” Now mainstream media can begin to expose another view: Bush dropped the ball.
Expect the Mighty Wurlitzer to pull out all the stops and change the subject from what did Bill say, to how did he say it.
Don’t respond except to insist that anyone who brings it up challenge the Bush administration and inquire into their lapses.
And when the administration lies (as Condi did earlier this week) call them on the lies.
September 28th, 2006 at 4:16 pmClinton DID answer the question. But he wouldn’t quietly accept a smear. He’s a man, which is more than can be said for Roger Ailes.
September 28th, 2006 at 4:51 pmI have to admit, I keep praying that Chris will become more like his father, Mike…
He’s still pretty young; there’s a slight chance he could come to his senses…
September 28th, 2006 at 4:55 pmjournalists should be big boys and stop complaining. the real loser here was clinton. bush gets grilled about the war every week. you wouldn’t cut him slack for throwing a tantrum. clinton looked like someone appalled that anyone would dare question him. regardless of whether he had a legitimate point, he came off as too defensive and edgy. reasonable progs will agree.
September 28th, 2006 at 5:02 pmAiles is mistaking “contempt for journalists” for “contempt for Fox News employees.”
September 28th, 2006 at 5:10 pmPaul —
Bush has NEVER been grilled over the war. He’s gotten softballs. Have you seen pictures of actual casualties? Do you know that the essence of this war—like all wars—is fear, blood and death?!
You might vaguely realize that, but you don’t see it because the press accepted the administration’s demand that this war be sanitized. So, we’re arguing over a mythological war, with “collateral damage” where every person imprisioned, tortured or killed by the government is—by definition—a terrorist.
All the lies, distortions and denials will never wash away the blood.
September 28th, 2006 at 7:51 pmregardless of whether he had a legitimate point, he came off as too defensive and edgy
Paul — Clinton DID have a point; he told the truth. In my world, here on earth, substance matters more than style. (although I thought Clinton reacted entirely appropriately…he WAS being smeared.)
If Bush had a lisp and walked with a limp, but he was a good President—instead of a liar and a heartless beast—I’d support him.
September 28th, 2006 at 7:54 pmSince when is a ‘Faux News’ pundit more deserving of respect than a former President of the United States? Especially when this pundit was being blatantly disrespectful and very rude as well. He wasn’t asking questions, he was making accusations, trying to make them look like questions. And referring to his OWN father, a well respected journalist in his own right, before BushCo got ahold of him, that is, as “senile” does not reveal him to be “respectful” in any way. He is a jerk, he got called on his crap, he’s embarrassed, and pissed off about it. And the Righties are doing what they always do, circling the wagons, and attacking, right or wrong, usually wrong. That it was President Clinton himself delivering the ‘B*tch-slap Backhand’ made them all go nuts. So predictable of them.
September 28th, 2006 at 7:57 pmRoger,
September 28th, 2006 at 8:42 pmThis is faux, its not news, its not journalism. Only white males who are mentally challenged or without a GED take it seriously and actually watch.
Wallace is an incredible coward. He asked a question his “viewers” wanted answered? Meow.
September 28th, 2006 at 9:42 pmwhat is lagit?
September 28th, 2006 at 10:00 pmRoger Ailes is very lagit.
September 28th, 2006 at 10:41 pmWhat I learned about Chris Wallace and his interview of Clinton: He is no Mike Wallace.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:29 pmConfused Conservitude #60
Your using the moniker “conservative” tells me all I need to know about your sexually repressed, pedophilic tendencies…
…worshipping the devil (Bush) is hard work for you and your kind, and has rotted what few brain cells you were born with…
Former President Clinton was a human being with flaws, and the ability to be contrite…
…unlike the present mass murdering, (talk about narcissistic), lying, thieving, megalomaniacal, fascist would be dictator you SERVE…
…but you’re too stupid to boil water…
…so I’ll refrain from responding to you until you grow more brain cells…
September 29th, 2006 at 2:31 pm