Thread: White House Escalates War on Beck, Hannity

White House Escalates War on Beck, Hannity

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 1:43 PM

The White House continued its war against Fox News Tuesday when press secretary Robert Gibbs singled out specific shows on the Fox News network for criticism: Glenn Beck’s and Sean Hannity’s.

Meeting with reporters in his office for an off-camera question-and-answer session, Gibbs parried questions about the White House's harsh criticism of the cable news network, leveled on several Sunday shows by officials including White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and senior adviser David Axelrod, according to Politico.

Asked if it was fair for the White House to label Fox an illegitimate news organization, Gibbs replied: "We render opinion based on some of their coverage and the fairness of their coverage."

When a reporter pressed further, asking Gibbs to explain more specifically how Fox differed from ABC, MSNBC or Univision, the president's spokesman pointed to two shows in particular as sources of concern.

"You and I should watch sometime around 9 tonight or 5 this afternoon," Gibbs said, alluding to the 5 p.m. show hosted by Glenn Beck and the 9 p.m. program anchored by Sean Hannity.

When a reporter pointed out that these are opinion shows, Gibb’s tersely replied, “That’s our opinion.â€

Gibbs vs. Beck, Hannity

W.H. singles out two Fox shows
By CAROL E. LEE
259 Comments


Gibbs continues a public feud between the White House and the cable network that gained new momentum over the weekend. AP

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs singled out specific shows on the Fox News network for criticism ...

... Tuesday morning, continuing a public feud between the White House and the cable network that gained new momentum over the weekend.

Meeting with reporters in his office for an off-camera question-and-answer session, Gibbs parried questions about the White House's harsh criticism of the cable news network, leveled on several Sunday shows by officials including White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and senior adviser David Axelrod.

Asked if it was fair for the White House to label Fox an illegitimate news organization, Gibbs replied: "We render opinion based on some of their coverage and the fairness of their coverage."

When a reporter pressed further, asking Gibbs to explain more specifically how Fox differed from ABC, MSNBC or Univision, the president's spokesman pointed to two shows in particular as sources of concern.

"You and I should watch sometime around 9 tonight or 5 this afternoon," Gibbs said, alluding to the 5 p.m. show hosted by Glenn Beck and the 9 p.m. program anchored by Sean Hannity.

It's not the first time the White House has directed fire at Beck, a colorful conservative commentator who has spearheaded attacks on White House officials including Anita Dunn, the communications director, and Van Jones, the green jobs czar who resigned over Labor Day weekend.

Last Friday, White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton dismissed Beck's criticism of Dunn, who Beck lambasted for quoting Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong in a graduation speech.

"I caught some of the Glenn Beck show yesterday, but I don't think anybody takes it — takes his attacks very seriously," Burton said.

http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm ... c0d9c.html

[quote]When a reporter pressed further, asking Gibbs to explain more specifically how Fox differed from ABC, MSNBC or Univision, the president's spokesman pointed to two shows in particular as sources of concern.

"You and I should watch sometime around 9 tonight or 5 this afternoon," Gibbs said, alluding to the 5 p.m. show hosted by Glenn Beck and the 9 p.m. program anchored by Sean Hannity.

When a reporter pointed out that these are opinion shows, Gibb’s tersely replied, “That’s our opinion.â€