Before you guys get worked up about FOX not covering Obama, I seem to recall ABC, FOX and NBC. . .

[wndycty]

. . .did the same thing to Bush a few times and I as recall we CELEBRATED IT.

FOX NEWS is covering, just like MSNBC and FOX covered when NBC and FOX took a pass on Bush. Would I like to bash FOX, you betcha! But I also have to be honest.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5050891/

Networks won't air Bush's primetime speech
Address on future of Iraq will be aired on MSNBC-TV

By Nellie Andreeva
Hollywood Reporter
updated 8:21 a.m. CT, Mon., May 24, 2004

LOS ANGELES - The broadcast networks are not expected to carry President Bush’s primetime speech Monday night, in which he will lay out a “clear strategy” for the future of Iraq.

The Bush administration has not requested the Big Four to air live the president’s address to an audience at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Penn., scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT on the last Monday of the May sweep, a crucial period when networks chase high ratings in order to set ad rates.

NBC, Fox and ABC will proceed with their scheduled programming for the 8-9 p.m. hour -- an episode of “Fear Factor,” the finale of “The Swan” and the broadcast premiere of Oscar-winning “A Beautiful Mind,” respectively.

[bbinacan]

1. Good point,

I seem to recall the same.

[Clio the Leo]

2. I think we're seeing the "Fox" part and failing to notice....

.... that there's no "News" after it. When I first read it, I thought it was Fox NEWS and didn't realize it was the regular channel.

On that note, I dont blame them. Makes no sense for both NBC and MSNBC to cover the presser as well. As much as I think ALL Americans SHOULD watch it, we all know not everyone will.

[FrenchieCat]

15. I disagree. When the President requests that he be aired.....

and this is a press conference on his first 100 days, they should air it.

Bush never asked to have something aired that wasn't....and certainly not in his first year in office.

So it is not the same.

Fox is, in fact, discriminating....not that I give a shit. But I certainly would not want all stations to take that same option. Some people don't have cable television...and folks should know
what is going on, even if they don't really want to. So those who watch NBC may not get MSNBC...and it is important that all of our citizens be tuned in....even if it is to hear about the flu or something.

[Cha]

3. Fauxn00ze is

hopeless.

Edit~ Aren't they owned by the same corp?

[MadBadger]

5. Yes, but the leadership is different. There is no Roger Ailes in charge of Fox TV.

[slackmaster]

4. You're suggesting that DUers be consistent in how they respond to things

Good luck with that.

[emilyg]

10. Let them have their outrage

I think I saw 3 posts on this. DU consistent? HaHaHa

[Atman]

6. Wait a minute...

Apples? Oranges? Let's compare.

Obama's 100-day-in-office address; these are probably some of the most-watched first 100 days of any president in history. Cable news stations are airing specials and holding town forums about it. It is NEWS.

The story you posted is from May of 2004; at this point in history, an appearance by George W. Bush was like listening to FM Hits Radio for days on end. The same playlist, over and over. There was literally nothing new, unless you were Fox, in which case he was saving the universe every time he opened his pie hole.

I really don't think there is much of a comparison.

Fox is just being a dick.

.

[Cha]

7. +1

I totally agree.

[babylonsister]

11. This is also a prez who a lot of people are looking to for leadership.

Can't have that.

[Captain Hilts]

8. They did it to Bill Clinton also. nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

9. And you know what's really fucking hypocritical? People here LIKE Obama...

but they absolutely HATED Bush!

What's the deal with that?!

[Political Heretic]

12. Both FOXNEWS stations are running the whole thing. Who fucking cares of FOX isnt?

God, eye on the ball people. Eye on the ball.

[MiniMe]

13. Bush didn't request that the networks air that speech, Obama did request it

But personally, I don't care if the Fox broadcasting network airs it or not.

[onetwo]

14. "The Bush administration has *NOT* requested the Big Four to air live the president’s address..."

Read your article again...

[yawetag]

16. Dude -- chill, okay? Bush sucks! Obama rocks!

Seriously. What the hell are you doing posting shit like "Waaaahhhh! We did the same nasty shit to them!!! Waaaahhhh!" on this webiste for? It is NOT productive. You know it, I know it, everybody on this board knows it, so how about doing your right-wing bellyaching over on Bill O'Reilley's website and leaving us alone, okay?! Thanks, man! Peace!

[WinkyDink]

17. Maybe I'm splitting hairs, but a speech seems different from answering The People's questions.

[lynne]

18. Am I the only one who can only watch one station at a time?

I've never under stood why ALL stations had to run Presidential speeches as no one can watch more than one station. They should take turns as its an expense for the station. And Fox News is going to carry it. Guess I can watch one station and record the other four.

[mwooldri]

19. It's a question of broadcast area coverage.

There are still some areas that can only get 1-2 TV stations at all in regular broadcast format. There isn't a "socialized" broadcast network that mandates that 99.9% of the country must have access to signals from the "big five" (CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, PBS) in a terrestrial broadcast format.

If you're poor enough that you live in the mountains and can't afford satellite and cable is not where you are, then you're stuck with over-the-air TV. If the two channels you happen to receive are ABC and Fox and it happens to be NBC's turn to air the President, you're out of luck.

Us in more urban areas who get the Big 5 plus more (usually CW, MyTV, Ion and a religious station) on broadcast are spoiled in comparison.

[joeglow3]

20. Tons of radio stations also cover it.

Personally, I prefer to listen to this kind of stuff on the radio anyway.

[LiberalFighter]

21. Big difference between Obama's first few months and Bush in 4th year

[MadBadger]

22. Yes, but this is Obama's third press conference in as many months.

Bush didnt do these as often.

[eyesroll]

23. Eh, I don't care.

People who want to watch the press conference will watch it. It's certainly on enough channels. It's not like there are TVs out there that get Fox and nothing else. And Fox is airing a graphic that will remind people that the conference is on elsewhere.

People who don't won't. There are certainly enough things to do, and enough channels that wouldn't air the press conference anyway.