It’s no secret — Democrats hate President Donald J. Trump. Forget the 2020 election. Some liberals want to impeach Trump now. On paper, they seem to be willing to do anything to unseat the man they perceive as evil. But, one recent decision made by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) leaves some wondering if it’s really serious about winning in 2020.
On March 6, 2019, the DNC announced its plans to not allow Fox News to host any Democratic primary debates during the forthcoming campaign season according to The New American. The brash decision came after a scathing story was published in the New Yorker. The piece maintained that Fox News was a propaganda arm for the Trump administration. In a statement, DNC Chairman Tom Perez remarked, “Recent reporting in the New Yorker on the inappropriate relationship between President Trump, his administration and FOX News has led me to conclude that the network is not in a position to hold a fair and neutral debate for our candidates. Therefore, FOX News will not serve as a media partner for the 2020 Democratic Primary Debates.”
The New American reported that the DNC plans to hold up to a dozen debates during the upcoming election cycle. The debates are expected to commence in June of 2019. Debates are already scheduled to air on MSNBC, CNN, Telemundo, and NBC. Bill Sammon, Fox News Managing Editor and Senior Vice President, recounted in a statement that he hoped the DNC would rethink its position. In his arguments, Sammon referenced network journalists Martha MacCallum, Brett Baier, and Chris Wallace. Referring to them, he said, “all of whom embody the ultimate journalistic integrity and professionalism.”
Both MacCallum and Baier reacted to the DNC’s decision in tweets. MacCalllum stated, “Our large audience deserves to hear ALL the candidates who are running for the Presidency of the United States. We welcome them all, with our continued commitment to fair, professional journalism. I hope the #DNC will reconsider this decision.”
Baier tweeted, “That’s really a shame. When it comes to fairness – our news product speaks for itself. We will continue to cover this 2020 race fairly & will continue to invite Democrats- Republicans & Independents on to talk about key issues & substance with our very large viewing audience.”
Some liberals were giddy with excitement over the Fox News ban. The author of the New Yorker piece the DNC used as the reason for their decision, Jane Meyer, tweeted, “Boom! DNC Chair says Fox can’t sponsor 2020 Dem Primary Debate.”
During an interview with MSNBC’s Ari Melber, 2020 presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren said, “When more and more keeps coming out about how Fox News was just operating as an arm of the Trump campaign and then the Trump administration, boy that doesn’t much look like we really have a free and independent press.” She went on to reveal she feels Fox News resembles “a propaganda machine.”
While Meyer and Warren supported the DNC’s move, other Democrats, such as former DNC chairman Ed Rendell, feel it wasn’t the smart thing to do. On a recent airing of Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” the former Pennsylvania governor called the ban on Fox News a “mistake.” Rendell revealed he believes Democrats are missing an important opportunity. He said, “Even if we can persuade three percent of Fox viewers, three percent last time out carries Michigan.” Rendell was referring to one of the critical states Trump won by a small margin in 2016.
Despite the way liberals feel about the network, Fox News overwhelmingly dominates the cable news sphere. Referring to MacCallum, Baeir, and Wallace, Sammons said, “They’re the best debate team in the business and they offer candidates an important opportunity to make their case to the largest TV news audience in America, which includes many persuadable voters.”
While some Fox News viewers are undoubtedly diehard Trump supporters, others may be on the fence. If the DNC was serious about winning in 2020, wouldn’t they want these voters to listen to Democratic hopefuls? The DNC’s snobbish decision to ban Fox News from hosting debates might keep those willing to at least hear out different opinions in the dark about 2020 Democratic candidates. In a tight race, this might just be all Trump needs to secure another four years in the White House.
~ Liberty Planet
