From the Chicago Tribune, editorializing on the fact that the three top contenders in the 2008 election will not be participating in a debate sponsored by Fox News:
But let’s be clear here. Clinton, Obama and Edwards weren’t going to be debating Fox News journalists. They would have been debating each other.
Candidates often feed scoops to favored reporters. They crave the friendly questions and the soft focus that help them appear to be commander-in-chief material. But here’s what candidates look like when they attempt to choose which reporters are worthy to question them: fragile, egocentric and frightened of tough questions.
That’s not how a prospective president of the United States wants to come across.
Are there unfair questions? Sure. Do journalists on Fox — and elsewhere — get stories wrong? Of course. But Clinton, Obama and Edwards aren’t running for board seats at the Mosquito Abatement District. They’re running to be the most powerful leader in the world. They shouldn’t dodge questioners who aren’t handpicked and pre-adoring.
Well put.
Frankly, it’s just an excuse for them to pander to the farther fringes of their base, but whatever. They can avoid Fox News all they want, but they can’t avoid the number one news channel in the country forever.
Technorati Tags: fox news, debate, presidency, 2008, elections, democrat, hillary clinton, john edwards, barrack obama
