Dean on Hannity...Kerry and Edwards on O'Reilly....I like this

[vi5]

Say what you will but I personally think this is an excellent thing to do, whoever the candidate ends up being. They are facing the lion head on, in it's own den. In that situation we have very little to nothing to lose. The people who tune in to those shows almost always will hate the dems, and the repugs always pull the "they are afraid to answer the questions" bullshit. So when they aren't and when they do show up to talk to them there is only respect to be gained from even the precious few who may listen to thos programs with open minds. And it is a setting to strut their stuff and for a few brief minutes not allow those asshats to twist their words around for them. Provided none of them lose their cool, and so far none of them have, I think this is great. Plus it makes it more obvious what bush avoids. WOuld Bush agree to an interview with Franken or Krugman, or Begala or Carville? Christ almighty would bush even agree to an interview with Colmes? I think not.

So kudos to all our candidates who are taking this approach because I think it will be a winner.

[returnable]

1. "Christ almighty would bush even agree to an interview with Colmes?"

Sure he would. Cuz he knows how it would go:

COLMES: Before we get started, I just want to say thanks for being here tonight, Mr. President.

BUSH: Glad to be here.

COLMES: Back to you, Sean!

<end of Colmes interview>

:hi:

[TexasSissy]

2. No. "O'Lielly" will lie later about what they said on his show.

He's done it before. He's a 'gotcha' interviewer. Not a serious interviewer. This is a mistake, IMO. But I'm not a political strategist.

"O'Lielly" has been trying desperately for some time to get the candidates on. However, if one goes on, the others probably have to. It's a shame they went down this path. It is not part of the pretend fair and balanced network. It is unabashedly conservative.

I'd be surprised if Dean goes on. Did Dean go on?

[TexasSissy]

3. Oops. I missed the first part where you said Dean would be on.

That surprises me, given "O'Lielly's" feud with Al Franken, a Dean supporter.

[DaisyUCSB]

5. Franken IS NOT a Dean supporter

please be more careful about your proclamations

[TLM]

6. Yeah he is....

Franken has spoken at Dean events and he tackled a Dean heckler at an event yesterday.

I'd call that support.

[w13rd0]

8. Technically I think Franken supports...

...any Democrat that will call Bush on his bullshit. Dean certainly does that...

[DaisyUCSB]

11. He's gone to different candidate events, please edit your inacuracy out

And he's clearly indicated that he's very favorable to Kerry. He was quoted just today saying he's NOT a Dean supporter and is staying neutral

[vi5]

7. No, Dean was on Hannity today...I consider that braver than O'Reilly..

O'Reilly at least pretends to be fair and balanced. Hannity makes no pretension about it.

[LittleDannySlowhorse]

4. It's called "Taking the fight to them."

It's been a good trend that I've noticed with this election. I hope whoever our nominee is keeps this up, because a lot of the people we need to reach don't listen to NPR and may not even be aware of the other issues out there.

[doubleyoi]

13. maybe asking THEM some questions...

Like maybe saying "Bill, in light of the Kay report etc, are you ready to denounce President Bush as you PROMISED to do before the war? And if not now, WHEN might that occur? What is the threshold you need to see crossed before you admit that there were no WMD in Iraq?"

[AlinPA]

9. Sorry, I still can't believe why any Dem would go on Fox "News"

They use them for "fodder". I can't see feeding that beast.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. Agree.

No fear.

[countmyvote4real]

12. I don't think Faux News viewers have open minds.

At least the ones who only view Faux. They've been spoon fed the kool-aid so long they can't tell a fact from an opinion.

Watching the NH debate the other night, I felt dirty seeing that Faux bug in the corner of my TV screen. It's the most time I've ever tuned-in to that "network."

Still, I agree with your original point. Our candidates are brave to do so and it's good practice to spar head on with the enemy.