Democrats were outfoxed by FOX and the Repubs...

[kentuck]

The disruptors were professionals. They were organized to have a continuous disruption, rather than all standing up and disrupting at the same time. Looks very much like a Republican dirty trick. Then they use their after-debate commentary to ridicule each and every Democrat.

If it were on another network or PBS, FOX would not have an "after-debate" commentary. This is their moment. They get to discount and discredit and belittle all the candidates that participated in the aforementioned debate, and they do it "fair and balanced" because it was on "their" network. They would not do this at this time of the campaign otherwise. And they have more impact on the voting populace, with their negative comments, than all the Democratic candidates combined, unfortunately. FOX won and the Repubs won. Democrats lost. And now Hannity and Colmes get to continue the massacre of the Democrats.

Democrats were outsmarted, in my opinion. They fell into the trap set up by FOX and the Repubs. They lost a lot of credibility and momentum by going on FOX. Big mistake.

[arcane1]

1. some of those questions SUCKED!!!

:grr:

[newsguyatl]

33. and i KNEW this

was gonna happen, as i posted a thread on it earlier...

of course most of the responders here were saying "oh, this is such a great opportunity for us AND fox. their viewers deserve to see both sides too. maybe fox is starting to become fair and balanced." :puke:


you can see why i about threw up after reading the responses in that thread... we have some gullable and pathetic people in our party, that's for DAMNED sure.


this was horrendous and should have NEVER happened. not under fox's rule. what an IDIOTIC mistake on the part of the black caucus. just IDIOTIC!

[okieinpain]

34. why don't we spin it like they did wellstone memorial.

.

[w13rd0]

2. Maybe so...

...but gosh darnit, I'm watching now, and so many of them are doing quite well, and repeatedly bringing up the war profiteering. The RW has been organized in its opposition, but it looks like we're doing a pretty good job at organizing as well. All the candidates are doing pretty well (I'm watching right now, so I haven't seen much of the heckling that's been spoken of). I'm sure I'll have more to say when I've finished watching...

Ok, just got to Al Sharptons smackdown of the first disruptor. Yes, definately orchestrated, and look at the timing. He started his disruption just as Graham started speaking about the 911 investigations. I'll watch with interest at the timing of the other disruptions. I love that Graham said flat out that Bush intentionally misled the people. But that the disruption came just as Graham spoke of the investigations...

Things that make you go "hmmmm"....

[kentuck]

6. It's the commentary by the right-wingers after the debate....

that totally minimizes everything the Democratic candidates said. Turn on Hannity and Colmes right now. If this had been on another network, FOX would not use an entire hour to discredit them. It was a major mistake by the Democrats, in my opinion.

(edited for clarification)

[w13rd0]

24. They can do "post-game" spin all they want...

...the dittohead Fox watchers that sat through it were exposed to a great many thoughts they might not otherwise have been exposed to. Oh, and here's Lieberman with his bullshit. Wow, Dean did a good response to Lieberman, but man, Joe is such a whore. Oh man, that really hacked me off. Lieberman was baited, and he SO took the opportunity when he shouldn't have. Lieberman should show some damned respect for his next President. Seems he likes George more than Howard. Wow, what is it about Fox? I can be listening to our wonderful slate of candidates, and since it's on Fox or something, still get TOTALLY steamed...

[leftofthedial]

3. anyone who watches Faux for their commentary

is a lost cause anyway IMHO


The disruptors ultimately were an embarassment to Faux.

Plus, the way the Dems responded was pretty cool, I thought.

[arissa]

4. That's what they get for going on Fox!!

What the fuck were they thinking? Who makes these decisions? I'm sick to death of this "politeness" that the DNC, DLC and others insist on. Everyone fucking knows Fox is biased as hell, but you the Dems go on and have a debate on the network anyway in the name "politeness," they won't just freakin' state the obvious, that Fox is conservative as all hell and refuse to go on.

They got what they deserved and it's BS like this that really makes it hard for me to continue to think of myself as a Democrat - they should have refused to do it, and they've embarassed the entire party.

[Blue_Roses]

9. I don't see how they embarrassed the whole party

Actually, other than Lieberman, I thought they all did great.

[Blue_Roses]

5. My question: WHY was this on FOX?

n/t

[jefff]

7. When do we go on the attack?

When do we wake up to this sh*t and stop taking it? It's time to start going on the attack. The * regime has given us lots of ammo, let's use it!

[Jack_Sparrow]

8. Fox has a fixed demographic

Let's face it, Fox doesn't have many swing-voter viewers. The partisan audience got what it came for it seems. If any undecided Democrats tuned in, I doubt if it will jeopardize their ability to sort through the BS and eventually make up their mind whne they see fit.

It is only September, and memories are short. I wouldn't worry about the freak-show propagandizing of Fox.

[WilliamPitt]

10. Disagree

1. The only people who watched this debate were Fox viewers who, if they are devoted to Fox, won't vote Dem anyway;

2. This is an early debate;

3. No one is paying attention;

4. Any level-headed non-Fox-drones who watched probably saw the disruptions for what they were.

[kentuck]

17. They only care about getting out their voters anyway...

They don't care about the Democrats. And they have instilled new hope in the Republicans tonight, in my opinion. If there were a few sitting on the fence, they have moved back into the Bush column. This helps George Bush. But the main point is that they gave FOX the open door to discuss this ad infinitum because it was on their network. They would not advertise another network. Big mistake.

[KoKo]

30. I still disagree.....Most Faux die hards would never look at a Dem debate

This gave them a opportunity they wouldn't go to PBS for. There are RW homes where Faux is the ONLY channel on all day. Believe me on this.......I have some personal experience with someone I know who is in all respects a lovely church going person but she thinks that Faux news tells the truth because the people there are "religious and values based." This woman completely freaked out over the Monica story..and although she was never a Democrat in ther first place she found "comfort" in the Faux Network. Maybe something seeped into her brain tonight. Some little bit if niggling doubt about Bush and the contrast of seeing "decent people talking about the other side of Bush's Presidency." I don't see this person often....and she's very simple in her ideas....but she's basically a good hearted person who needs to see something else. Tonight she and others who might never pay attention to anything but the propaganda that is spewn all over the tube....got exposed to something else.

That's my hope, anyway.

[kentuck]

31. ".....Most Faux die hards would never look at a Dem debate"

And therein lies the problem. Everybody that watches FOX is not a raging right-winger - at least they don't view themselves as right-wingers. Those are the ones that will most likely be influenced by the ridicule and negative comments of the FOX commentators. It seems to me that the Democrats just laid down on the floor and said, "kick me."

[KoKo]

37. Kentuck if they just listen to comments of the Pundits...there's no hope

for them anyway.........If they saw the debate and then watched the mean spirited comments of the Pundits then maybe they saw the contrast in how the Dem Candidates handled the disruptors with ease and humor.

Oh well, I hear that you think this was a huge mistake.......I don't .......so we agree to disagree on this one.......:-)'s and Peace

[kentuck]

38. We will agree to disagree....

but why are pundits like Rush Limbaugh so popular and influential? And he's dumb as a sack of hammers.... :)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. this debate was sponsered by the Black Caucus...fox hosted

[Dem4EverMore]

12. They should have hit Bush harder

They were too soft on him.

[KoKo]

13. I agree that they were "set up." But, they should have anticipated it.

I disagree that it was bad for us. The Faux people don't get to hear Bush trashed for all the correct reasons. They got an ear full. I think the debate was good.....in that our Dems laughed at the disruptors and showed humor and tolerance. The rRepugs would have sent "goons" with clubs after the disruptors or made snide belittling comments.....but our Dems stood tall and made it fun. Particularly Sharpton who just diffused the whole situation by making people laugh about it.

That was good, it shows that we aren't the serious, tight ass, thug types who want to silence everyone.

But, I would never want another Dem debate to be on Faux...Once was enough. Juan Williams and Brit Hume were enough to make me want to barf.......the other two were okay.

No....I think it was good.......It showed our humanity and humor to those humorless RW knuckle draggers who watch that network. Of course they can laugh if they want........but they can't argue with what Bush has done to the country and our Dems pointed that out over and over......

[Procopius]

15. I doubt Faux would host another Dem debate but the candidates

surely did know Faux was hosting it. But hey why piss off the Black Caucus right?

[Tinoire]

14. I disagree - I am happy they choose Fox

Who cares about the hecklers? Nobody takes that shit seriously or grants it any creedence... not even the Republicans watching.

The good thing about having Fox host it is that it was beamed into the homes of disillusioned Republicans who might be paying attention. I have Republican colleagues at work who I turned on to Kucinich and who are watching. Some of them are as sick of Bush as we are.

Silver lining...

[leftofthedial]

16. You turned disaffected Repubs onto KUCINICH?

Damn! You are my hero!

I would have thought two minutes of Dennis would scare a Repub to death!

Way to go!

[spooky3]

18. our local Fox channel

not Fox News, just highlighted the debate. They did a good job--excerpted Kerry's and Lieberman's best moments, paraphrased Dean's response on Israel, and correctly reported other content. They normally do a good job (I can't believe they are Fox) and this was no exception. This is the kind of coverage that will help Dems and that is why I think they agreed to the debate.

We should also thank Morgan State U. & the Cong. Black Caucus for putting this on.

[sistersofmercy]

19. I pretty sure the causus picked the forum, also fox is showing a

a terrible display of post debate commentary and disruption, anyone sitting on the fence is off now! I just can't watch anymore it's to infuriating.

[Q]

20. This is what the Nixon operatives would have called...

... "rat-f--king". (as in DemocRATS)

- I hope the Dems don't fall for this a second time.

[Clete]

21. If this was by invitation only, who did the inviting?

Was it Fox News or the Congressional Black Caucus? Anyone know?

[leftofthedial]

26. clearly based on the enthusiastic applause

for criticisms of Bush and for more progressive proposals by the candidates, it was not primarily Faux, though I'm sure they had some seats alotted to them.

[kentuck]

22. Yes, FOX has the best interests of the Democratic Party at heart....

Think people. This has reinvigorated a depressed and staggering opposition. I have heard nothing but ridicule and negative comments about every candidate since the debate has ended. Yes! I left FOX on...as did millions of other Americans...Everybody is not like DU. Some people that are not "right-wingers" watch FOX, unfortunately.

[frank frankly]

23. no way

Take it to FOX, Democratic candidates, when you can. FOX can spin all it wants, but there were still large segments where truth was spoken. I think it was a good debate. Yes, the disturbances were rigged, so what? Take it to FOX.

I think the % that are ditto-heads will see what they see, but it is good to spread the message(s). Maybe someone who just realized they are dead broke, their city is broke, their state is broke, etc, heard someone connect the dots to Bush FOR THE FIRST TIME.

[kentuck]

25. Is it true more people watch FOX than CNN ???

That should tell us something. The time divided up amongst 9 candidates hardly balances out the unlimited attacks of the commentators afterward.

[Procopius]

27. Why bother to watch the commentators afterward?

Ignore them.

[kentuck]

29. Because many people watch them...

Just because you turn them off does not mean everyone else does. They have higher ratings than CNN. And it is this unfair and unbalanced commentary that more people will hear than heard the debate. But since it was on FOX, I guess they can talk about it all they like. They would not be talking about it if it were on another network...other than a passing note.

[frank frankly]

28. CNN ain't much better, kentuck?

The reason I say goto FOX is because it forces the viewers to experience cognitive dissonance.

Democrats: Economy in shambles
FOX: BEST PRESIDENT EVER

Force FOX to up the ante on their Newspeak.
Forget about their spin. It's losing now, and fading.

[Dem4EverMore]

32. Wrong. No way. Can't happen

What Dem with a clue would allow that to happen? Give our men and women some credit.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

35. dems out fox faux!...now hundreds of thousands of repuke listeners

heard some TRUTH!!! just my $0.02

[Mz Pip]

36. I watched the debate

and then knew for sure what was coming on next - the fair and balanced analysis. :crazy:

5 minutes of listening to the putdowns and I turned it off. It was as bad as I knew it would be.

MzPip
:dem:

[delbert_]

39. Good opportunity for the Democrats.

I think Democrats reached an audience that wouldn't be in the habit of tuning in PBS or c-span and heard a lot of unflatering things about our great leader they had never thought about before...Minds change and people can leave the darkness. Maybe Trent Lott was watching and has seen the error of his ways.

[PurityOfEssence]

40. Nah, it was worth it for Hume's look of disgust after an Edwards response

In one moment where Edwards truly shined, they cut back to Hume and he was ugliness straight to the marrow. It was disgust, annoyance and anger all thinly veiled by his usual dispeptic ricktus of rectitude.

It was a good show, and many of them did rather well; lots of licks were got in and, like a sporting match, only the fringe hangs around for the commentary. The vast sweep of humanity snaps it off at the end of the show, and having done that, the net effect is that Rupert shot himself in the foot. Fox also ran a shoddy operation; that reflects badly on them, not on anyone else.

The joke's on the nazis for this one, and I hope it cost them a lot of money and confused their base. There are still rubes out there who think that's a real news network; some of them heard some serious sense being talked so there were inevitably SOME converts.

Score one for the good guys.