Conservative Blackout (Pro-Hunter & Thompson column)

GOPUSA ^ | January 4, 2008 | Lisa Fabrizio

[conservativecajun]

Back in the early days of the 2000 presidential campaign, right after John McCain beat George W. Bush in the New Hampshire primary, there were many dire media predictions along the lines of, "If Bush doesn't turn things around quickly it could turn into a McCain rout." I thought: what in heaven's name is going on here? Bush has all the endorsements, a terrific organization and wads of money. Could his candidacy be blasted out of contention by the machinations of the mainstream media?

Unfortunately for the media, the answer was no. Despite their best efforts, Bush regained his momentum in South Carolina--which, of course, prompted charges of dirty dealings--and went on to easily capture the nomination. Because once the process moved out of the realm of the polls and the punditry, conservative voters made their voices heard at the voting booth.

This time around, the nagging questions have returned. Before a vote has been cast or a caucus convened, pundits of all stripes are touting a two-candidate race between former governors Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, virtually ignoring worthies like Duncan Hunter (who is not campaigning in Iowa) and especially the eminently electable Fred Thompson. It's enough to make one wonder, that if a conservative makes a point and it's not acknowledged by the media, does he make a sound?

[conservativecajun]

I STILL support Duncan Hunter!!

[Hoodlum91]

Hunter didn’t campaign in Iowa?

Where has he been campaigning? Due to the media blackout on Fred and Hunter, I have no idea what he’s been doing.

[Huck]

Blaming the media is so lame.

[Earthdweller]

"Blaming the media is so lame."

You are using the wrong media type and are most definitely on the wrong forum to make such an ill informed statement...and that's being polite.

[wizr]

But, it is true. The media is promoting the Republican candidates they feel they can beat. Once Thompson and Hunter catch on, the others will be dust.

[mathluv]

I think that he has been doing his job, unlike many of the other candidates (congress critters).

[vaudine]

Maybe lame, but so true. Last night on Fox, they touted John McCain--big excitement because he was almost tied for 3d place. No mention of Fred. They interviewed Ron Paul at length. They mentiioned McCain had called Huck and Mitt to congratulate them--Fred called, too, according to his campaign, but no mention of that. It is sooooo obvious, like a pact to deny Fred. When they deny Fred and Hunter coverage, they deny his supporters, many of whom are Fox's supporters--or were.

vaudine

[cripplecreek]

Hunter did spend a week here in Michigan right before Christmas and he’s been to Wyoming several times + NH.

[rightinthemiddle]

From the article:

“This time around, the nagging questions have returned. Before a vote has been cast or a caucus convened, pundits of all stripes are touting a two-candidate race between former governors Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, virtually ignoring worthies like Duncan Hunter (who is not campaigning in Iowa) and especially the eminently electable Fred Thompson. It’s enough to make one wonder, that if a conservative makes a point and it’s not acknowledged by the media, does he make a sound?

While this type of treatment from the liberal media is expected, it is profoundly disturbing to see ‘conservative’ pundits ignore or dismiss Thompson’s candidacy so lightly. Typical of this non-coverage for the true conservatives in the race is a piece in the Wall Street Journal which states: “None of the Republican presidential candidates have captured all three wings of the party’s base: defense hawks, economic conservatives and social conservatives.” I’m not sure anymore what the Journal considers ‘conservative’, but they might want to check out Thompson’s latest video message to Iowa voters for a clue.

Likewise, even Fox News—which is so feared by liberals as a right-wing organ that Democratic candidates are too cowed to even appear at their debates—seems to be with the program. Although they do get air time, Hunter and Thompson have long been written off by Fox’s Republican pundits. And while it’s certainly understandable that the leading candidates get the most attention, consider that Fox’s own national poll has Thompson within 10% of the leader, Rudy Giuliani. Don’t forget, Bush lost New Hampshire to McCain by nearly 20 points and still rebounded.”

__________

She nailed it. Sounds like a Freeper.

[Antoninus]

I'm with Hunter until he either wins or drops out.

Fred is my second choice, with a couple others I'm willing to vote for.

A pox on Rudy and Romney.

[TLI]

Last night on Fox, they touted John McCain--big excitement because he was almost tied for 3d place. No mention of Fred. They interviewed Ron Paul at length. They mentiioned McCain had called Huck and Mitt to congratulate them--Fred called, too, according to his campaign, but no mention of that. It is sooooo obvious, like a pact to deny Fred.

Last night on "Nightwhine" (Nightline) , a one hour program, they did 15 minutes Dem, 15 minutes Pub, 15 minutes Dem and 15 minutes Pub. They discussed every candidate on the Dem side and Huck, Mitt and Juan on the Pubbie side. As for Juan it was a "Wonderful Day" and a "Great Success."

They said Fred's name exactly two times for a grand total of SIX SECONDS OF AIRTIME. This was to grudgingly admit Fred took third ahead of Juan.

Six seconds for Fred, total. That's it. Nothing more, No clips, no interviews, no commentary, no analysis. Absolutely nothing.

It was the most blatant bias I had ever seen out of any MSM to date

I will be sending Fred $50 today. If ABC/Nightline wants to pull that crap then cash will speak for him.

[rockrr]

Emphasis on the “were”

I’ve supported them against left wing attacks but they won’t support me (through my candidates). Screw fox.

[Huck]

Once Thompson and Hunter catch on, the others will be dust.

That's humor, right?

[Carbonado]

"Hunter and Thompson have long been written off by Fox’s Republican pundits..."

Those must be the same pundits that keep repeating the chamber of commerce line about how illegals can't all be deported, so we shouldn't even try, and to even think of actually dealing with the problem in any way other than amnesty is just mean, cruel and unamerican.

'Ol Mort and Fred are certainly corrupted shills for someone.

[Eastbound]

"When they deny Fred and Hunter coverage, they deny his supporters, many of whom are Fox's supporters--or were."

Sounds fair and balanced to me.

Fox News, are ya listening?

[Dustbunny]

We are for Hunter/Thompson —— Thompson/Hunter

[Huck]

It’s not a conspiracy. It’s warranted. McCain gets mention because he’s leading in NH, where he’s a threat to Mitt’s campaign. Fred’s a threat to no one, and if he doesn’t win SC(where he’s trailing just as bad) he’s toast.

[Huck]

I know what forum I’m on. The whining from the Fred supporters is lame. He isn’t newsworthy. The only thing you can say about Fred is just what they said, he did well enough to survive. McCain is news cause he did just as well, and is leading in NH. Fred’s leading nowhere.

[Dustbunny]

FOX stopped being ‘Fair and Balanced’ a long time ago. Which is why we watch absolutely NO News Stations.

[thesearethetimes...]

“Six seconds for Fred, total. That’s it. Nothing more, No clips, no interviews, no commentary, no analysis. Absolutely nothing.

It was the most blatant bias I had ever seen out of any MSM to date

I will be sending Fred $50 today. If ABC/Nightline wants to pull that crap then cash will speak for him.”

Agreed. FDT is the candidate I have always said I wanted - the one who would serve only if called. Well, I am calling! And if we do not step up, then we will get the nominee that we deserve - the one the MSM wants us to have.

tatt