Obama Counters McCain With Fox Appearance
John Nichols
September 3, 2008
ST. PAUL -- Talk about counter-programming.
On the night that John McCain will accept the Republican presidential nomination in this city, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will enter the "no-spin zone" on Fox.
Obama has agreed to appear Thursday on Bill O'Reilly's evening program, "The O'Reilly Factor," for an exclusive question and answer session with the host.
Obama had boycotted the Fox New Channel during the primary season -- after the network's on-air person personalities savaged him and his campaign -- but a "truce" was worked out during a meeting between the candidate and Fox owner Rupert Murdoch.
Fox News Channel CEO Roger Ailes, a veteran Republican operative, says that Obama said in a behind-closed-doors meeting: "I just want to know if I'm going to get a fair shake from Fox News channel."
The candidate got some reassurances.
And now he's going on O'Reilly.
As it happens, O'Reilly, who has interviewed many prominent Democrats, including Obama's primary rival, New York Senator Hillary Clinton, tends to be soft on prominent players -- no matter what their politics.
The often bombastic host likes to keep the big players coming back to his show. And O'Reilly and Fox have made it clear, with announcements and on-air ads, that they are excited about the Obama interview.
At the top of "The O'Reilly Factor" website is an announcement that, on Thursday, "Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama enters the No Spin Zone for the first time ever! Don't miss this 'Factor' event!"
The Illinois senator's appearance is an event not just for O'Reilly but for Obama.
That the Democrat is doing so on the night McCain delivers his acceptance speech is smart politics. The interview will get noticed on a night that should belong to the Republican nominee.
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