Periodically, I do stop at Fox News when channel flipping. I want an unfiltered impression of what they do. (I also listen to Limbaugh in the car sometimes, for as long as I can stand it.)
One thing I've noticed, over time, is that Fox does strive to create the illusion of "fair and balanced" by having Democrats on for interviews. Of course they do. And we all know how Democrats are treated in Fox interviews.
Here's my question: Why do we bother? Isn't NOW about the time to relegate the channel to irrelevance? Democrats: Just say "no" to Fox ... even when you're not asked ...
"Golly," some of you are saying (well, maybe you are. Not that many people actually say "golly" any more.) "But if we don't go on and stand up to them, we're letting them just spew their twisted version of reality, without challenge, straight to the American people!"
Nonsense. They already manage to spew their twisted view of reality, and participating, even by arguing, legitimizes the effort. I'm positive that there are top-tier Democrats who will NOT go on Fox, for anything. What they get are a parade of second-tier, nondescript, camera-starved Dems who mostly deliver nondescript, deer-in-the-headlight responses to loaded questions. When they're done, all you have is a dead deer, red meat (is venison red?) for a Red audience.
I say -- make it Democratic Party policy not to go on-air with Fox. Press releases, position papers, written responses -- sure. But treat them as what they are -- a PR arm of the GOP. And keep them at arm's length.
No, I don't mean turn this into a media-bashing, enemies-list kind of thing. And so what if Fox turns it into that? We can be polite. But let's deprive them of their foils. I'd be happy to hear, or read, regularly: "No Democrats on the Hill were willing to discuss (issue xyz) ... in a joint written statement, House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid denounced (etc.)"
... let them show press conference footage.
Why not? Sure, I know Lieberman will never go along. But he's not a Democrat ...