Gabler: Don't Legitimize Fox News

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Would you take a paycheck from an organization you consider illegitimate? Neal Gabler apparently would.

"I don't want to bite the hand that feeds me my Kool-Aid," claimed Gabler on this evening's "Fox News Watch." He then proceeded to do just that, claiming that Democrats pulled out of the Fox-sponsored presidential candidate debate in Nevada "for the same reason that Republicans would not go on Air America -- it doesn't make any political sense. Why in the world would you want to legitimize a network that spends hour after hour after hour after hour to, to."

View video here

Interjected host Eric Burns: "why would you agree to do it in the first place?"GABLER: "They made a mistake. I think they made a mistake."

Gabler went so far as to accuse Burns of being part of a Fox right-wing conspiracy: "Even in the intro to this, you called the left-wing bloggers not just left-wing bloggers, you said 'extreme, extreme left-wing bloggers'."

BURNS: "I said one 'extreme.'"

GABLER: "No, you said two. That's the kind of thing that Democrats don't want to legitimize. They're going to get bashed [by Fox News] from here to eternity."

For the record, Eric was right, Neal was wrong. It was one "extreme." Video here.

For Gabler to suggest that the manifestly moderate Burns is some kind of conservative hit man is patently absurd. For example, not long ago, as I documented here, Eric put himself to the left of even liberal panelist Jane Hall, criticizing US Airways for "intolerance" for removing from a flight those six Muslim imams who had made passengers uncomfortable with their actions.

In describing Fox News as a right-wing bash machine that feeds "Kool-Aid," and accusing his host of exemplifying the bias, Gabler wasn't merely describing the Dem view of Fox as illegitimate -- he was embracing it. How could a self-respecting person continue to work for such an outfit?

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[billybudd]

How could a self-respecting person continue to work for such an outfit?

Money.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Fox News ping to Today show list.

[T Lady]

Maybe he'd feel more at home over at CNN.

[BigSkyFreeper]

He said that Democrats did what Republicans would do to Air America. I thought that was the most idiotic comparison. First of all, no one listens to Air America, and second of all 38% of the viewers of FNC call themselves Conservative. FNC has more left of center viewers than CNN and MSNBC combined.

[SandRat]

May Neal Gobbler's next pay envelope contain a "PINK SLIP!"

[ozzymandus]

When Gabler compared FOX news to air america, I was very suprised nobody said anything. They need to get rid of his little commie ass.

[MovementConservative]

Gabler is not to be taken seriously as a journalist. The rest on that panel have integrity, Gabler is delusional.
As an occasional watcher of NewsWatch, I would prefer a hard lefty who was intellectually honest.

[geo40xyz]

TO GABLER: STFU

[spectre]

So would Geraldo!

sw

[Jorge]

Neal Gabler is the biggest bore and zero there is on FOX News.

He should be down on his knees thanking God that the #1 cable network channel tolerates his insufferable presense.

[onyx]

The smug, mean twit puts the perfect face on the democrat party.

Let him continue to whine and rant...lol.

[paddles]

Gay-blur.

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

Cal was groaning pretty loudly in the background.

[Jemian]

Earth to Gabler: Fox is already legitimate. Is YOUR OWN PAYCHECK legitimate?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Don't think so; married with kids. We don't need to go there to criticize him.

[padre35]

This only should show people, especially Fox News Moderates, that Dems are intellectual cowards who need the media to be affirming or they will take their marbles and go home or not show up at all.

Do the Republicans have the cajones to reciprocate against CNN and MSNBC?

Gabler is a putz, he says lots of things, but this defense of disrespecting his employer is just about stupid.

[Bahbah]

For Gabler to suggest that the manifestly moderate Burns is some kind of conservative hit man is patently absurd

Burns started the show by relating how all of the participants said how glad they were to see him back. Last week E.D. Hill hosted the show and she was giving them what for. I'll bet they were relieved. Best show they ever had. Thanks, E.D.

I posted a brief comment about Gabler's idiocy on Phsstpok's excellent Sunday morning talk show prep thread. I'm going to link this there.

[Tribune7]

Has Air America ever had a paid commentator who accused Air America of being dishonestly left?

Has Air America ever had a paid commentator who said, "well, maybe, Dubya is not doing a real bad job?"

Gabler is a fraud.

[paddles]

Fair enough. How 'bout whiny douchebag?