Posted on 12/04/2012 3:41:00 PM PST by nickcarraway
The post-election soul searching going on inside the Republican Party is taking place inside Fox News as well. Fox News chief Roger Ailes, a canny marketer and protector of his networks brand, has been taking steps since November to reposition Fox in the post-election media environment, freshening story lines and in some cases, changing the characters. According to multiple Fox sources, Ailes has issued a new directive to his staff: He wants the faces associated with the election off the air for now. For Karl Rove and Dick Morris a pair of pundits perhaps most closely aligned with Foxs anti-Obama campaign Ailess orders mean new rules. Ailess deputy, Fox News programming chief Bill Shine, has sent out orders mandating that producers must get permission before booking Rove or Morris. Both pundits made several appearances in the days after the election, but their visibility on the network has dropped markedly. Inside Fox News, Morriss Romney boosterism and reality-denying predictions became a punch line. At a rehearsal on the Saturday before the election, according to a source, anchor Megyn Kelly chuckled when she relayed to colleagues what someone had told her: I really like Dick Morris. Hes always wrong but he makes me feel good.
A Fox spokesperson confirmed the new booking rules for Rove and Morris, and explained that Shines message was the elections over.
Multiple sources say that Ailes was angry at Roves election-night tantrum when he disputed the networks call for Obama. While the moment made for riveting television it was Ailess decision to have Kelly confront the statisticians on air in the end, it provided another data point for Foxs critics. A spokesperson for Ailes denied any rift between Ailes and Rove, and said the two plan to meet this week.
Roves good buddy, Hannity will be upset.
They read Free Republic.
Karl, shut up.
Sometimes FR needs a “Like” button
It will be a welcome relief on my part to not see either one of them for a while.
Dick Morris is likable but usually wrong. Rove is a snake who only cares about Rove!
I have not watched FOX News or any TV news for that matter since November 7th. Can’t stomach the word Obama and it is all propanda including FOX News.
Rove is a GOP-e Triangulator.
My feelings exactly. Rove is slimey and arrogant. Morris doesn’t bother me as much, just that he is always wrong.
I never got that nickname. Architect of what - the 2000 squeaker?
At least Morris apologized for being wrong, and explained where he was off: he didn’t think the Obama turnout would mirror 08, but it did.
Neither has contributed, or have been worth watching for years. Of two Morris is more interesting. If he did indeed guide Clinton, the insight is valuable. Clinton’s era makes Bush 2 look dismal.
You split an infinitive.
My household agrees. They are all about ratings, truth be damned. We report you decide, well we decided to pull the plug!
In 2-3 years Fox should hire the architect of Obama’s campaign. Rove and Morris are clueless.
I know exactly what you mean.
Morris is just this goofy guy trying to make his way in a stupid world.
Rove is put on this ridiculous pedestal as someone we need to listen to.
I never got that nickname. Architect of what - the 2000 squeaker?
He was able to prevent a single conservative win with the White House, the Senate, and the House all in GOP hands. He also helped sell (the tenth amendment is dead)Roberts to conservatives.
Rove also turned a 2004 race against a buffoonish diletante that should have been a landslide into a near loss.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.