Shepard Smith Smears Swift Boat Vets

Media Monitor ^ | 6/7/2006 | Cliff Kincaid

[Mike Bates]

While some press attention has been focused on the seeming odd-couple of Rupert Murdoch raising money for Hillary Clinton, another fascinating relationship has apparently been developed between Fox News and Hugh Hefner's Playboy. Fox News' Neil Cavuto aired an interview with Hugh Hefner on May 4, on the grounds that the announcement of his "Playmate of the Year" was "business news," and Fox News anchor Shepard Smith is interviewed in the June issue of Playboy magazine.

Asked about Internet stories that "lack veracity" but which serve as news. Smith replies, "Swift Boats," as if the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth had been engaged not in getting out the truth about John Kerry's military career and dubious war crimes charges, but in smearing the Democratic Senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate.

I'm sure you all remember that Fox News is supposed to be the conservative channel.

SNIP

It is strange in the sense that Smith talks about his "group" at Fox News, which wants objective news coverage, and other nameless people who don't seem to agree. However, he denies Fox has a conservative agenda, says he's never been asked to push a conservative point of view, and that he loves and trusts Bob Schieffer of CBS News.

Except for the devotion to Schieffer and the smear of the Swift Boat vets, the exchanges are mostly irrelevant and beside the point, which is that a Fox News anchor had made Playboy into a "respectable" forum. I suspect it is part of the same plan that involved Fox News media personalities such as Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity interviewing Howard Stern, who has attracted millions of listeners by talking dirty. This is the kind of audience that is supposed to count.

[old_sage_says]

I would love to see FNC replace Shep with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. The ratings for Brit would increase. BOR's ratings would go even higher.

Those two game shows might not be "news", but they do provide entertainment for millions of viewers.

I have never bought into Shep's style. I quit watching his tripe long before Katrina.

[BonnieJ]

I hate that "G Block" or whatever he calls it. Lately the whole show though seems like entertainment news. He ends with saying "and now you know the news". Not from him we don't!! He captivated me a bit at first years ago, kind of cute looking and a good voice etc, that lasted about 10 minutes. Too stupid and way out of control, he lets his emotions come through, and the bias sure is there. After 9-11 I thought maybe he was at least patriotic, but even that was probably just playing to the emotions of the moment. Oh well...He has a long-term contract, Fox won't hire a real journalist as their anchor for some time. I don't watch anyway, just rarely and feel on tabloid overload immediately. Hannity and Colmes is SO bad now too, repetitive and predictable!

[Mike Bates]

This is not new behavior for Shep. He showed the same behavior in the summer of 2004 when the Swiftboat Vets story first broke. At the conclusion of his program he referred to the Swiftboat Vets and closed by calling them "Those liars".

I didn't know that. Thanks.

[fish hawk]

Hey, you forgot the "Beltway Boys". I enjoy watching them a lot.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

I agree with you. He is terrible. He lost me during his coverage in New Orleans. It was all BS against the Feds (FEMA). I will admit that FEMA was not on top of the game, but as you can clearly see the vast majority of Americans know it was the Democrat Party of Blanco, Landrieu, Nagin, that sunk the folks of New Orleans. That is why no one but that CNN moron Anderson Cooper give a hoot about NOLA. He still believes his own BS. As for, Shep, he'll be a nothing within two or three years. If FOX News had any brains they would dump him right now!!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Dr. Thorne]

I agree. There is something very strange in his eyes.

[Empireoftheatom48]

Hey your right. Where is Laurie Dhue and what happened to Rick Fulbaum(sp?), the weekend Guy? Otherwise the only thing I like to watch on that program is 80 seconds around the world.

[Recovering_Democrat]

RECOVERING_DEMOCRAT rates the Fox News Channel's personalities

Jim Angle

Grade: A
Jim is a good anchor man and an excellent reporter. He brings real experience to the table, and having been in the business for a long time (even at NPR!) and still able to be truly fair and balanced is a testimony to his skills.

Brett Baier

Grade: A
Brett's coverage of the Pentagon and defense issues has truly been fair and balanced. He's off the Defense Department beat now, I believe, but when he interviews officials or asks questions at briefings, he isn't rude but he also doesn't hold back. I trust his reporting.

Fred Barnes

Grade:B
Fred's role as an analyst is well fulfilled. He is a consistent conservative, and if I were only rating him as a conservative he would get an A. Sometimes he can get a little possessive of his time and talk over other people. So he gets a B.

Jeff Birnbaum

Grade: B-
I don't always agree with Jeff, but his analysis of the issues (he's a pundit on Special Report) is usually right on target with what "moderates" are saying. He brings some balance to the table, and I appreciate hearing his thoughts.

Carl Cameron

Grade: B+
Some may forget: Carl Cameron was the reporter who, on election eve 2000, broke the "Bush Drunk Driving" story. Cameron wasn't afraid to ask some tough questions of President Bush during Campaign '04. But, true to the Fox News Channel slogan, Cameron also pulls no punches when it comes to liberal politicians. He's a fine reporter.

Brenda Buttner

Grade: B
Brenda is part of Cavuto's great business coverage team...she can be a bit loud and shrill, but that is part of her personality on her Saturday show "Bulls & Bears". Brenda always looks like she's enjoying reporting news from Wall Street, and that makes me want to listen.

MORE RATINGS LATER!!

[Recovering_Democrat]

Sorry about the size of the pics. I thought they'd be smaller. I guess my html skills are lacking.

[JDoutrider]

How about your "Mascara Zone" jpeg??? Would fit right in here!

BTW, the only Fox I watch anymore is the Hume show and the Fox news Sunday show... the rest of Fox stinks to high heaven.

[rvoitier]

"Except for Brit Hume..."

Bingo.

[philman_36]

I don't read the queer rags so I would've never known.
He'll always be Parking Lot boy to me.

[Dr. Thorne]

I don't read gay websites either. I simply entered "Shepard Smith" and "gay" into a search engine and turned up this account from an editor of "The Washington Blade".

[philman_36]

I simply entered "Shepard Smith" and "gay" into a search engine...
ROTFLOL

[cricket]

Shep loses big-time on this one. Come on Shep. . .do some honest investigation here. . .beyond Kerry's version of his 'magical, mystery tour' of Vietnam.

Meantime, Kerry loves to exercise his muscle. ..when he thinks it is safe; his leadership qualities - or lack thereof - still so painfully evident. Witness his latest 'flex'. . .Kerry has boldly offered, that in '08', he will kick the a##es of the Swift Boat Veterans, across the country.

But do not ask him what he would do to Saddam or Osama. . .Kim Jong Ill or Ahamadinejad. . .but then patriotic Veterans ARE his least favorite people.

WAKE-UP Shep. . .and anyone else who thinks there is an ounce of authenticity to this fraudulent excuse of a Purple-heart Veteran; and as well, human being.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Biography covers the English mysteries. Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and Midsommer Murders.

[Mike Bates]

I know, which is unfortunate because to get Biography I'd have to "upgrade" with Comcast and lose about half a dozen stations that I watch occasionally.

Cable companies!

[Mike Bates]

Maybe Kerry's recent anti-vet stance is a result of his hanging around with Dickie Durbin of Illinois.