Chris Wallace Regrets Speaking Out On Obama Bashing: "I'm Not Sure I'd Do It Again"

Last Friday, "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace appeared on "Fox & Friends" and railed against the show for what he called "two hours of Obama-bashing." Almost immediately, he knew his position was unpopular, calling into host Brian Kilmeade's radio show to discuss how mad the other hosts — and Fox executives — were towards him.

In an interview with the New York Observer's Felix Gillette, Wallace goes further, admitting,

"I didn't have any second thoughts about the substance because I still believe what I said was right," said Mr. Wallace. "But after the fact, you do think to yourself--on a professional level with colleagues I very much like and respect--should I have done that off camera?"

"It's a close call," said Mr. Wallace. "I'm not sure I'd do it again."

"I know a lot of liberal critics like to snicker at the slogan 'fair and balanced,' but, in fact, we take it very seriously," he added. "My feeling is that a lot of time 'fair and balanced' means giving the conservative point of view because that doesn't get reflected in the mainstream media. In this particular case, I thought 'fair and balanced' meant giving more of an explanation of Obama's point of view."

Wallace also admitted that an unnamed Fox News executive sent him an email after the "Fox & Friends" appearance to say, "isn't this the kind of thing we should be talking about off camera, not on camera?"

Friday's episode of "Fox & Friends" was a chaotic one, with co-host Brian Kilmeade also walking off set after a frustrating conversation with his fellow hosts over Obama's grandmother's "typical white person" remarks. The hosts later claimed the walk-off stunt was a joke.

Comments

[Felicty]

Of course!

You are on Fox, after all. March in lockstep with all your fellow media nazis.

[sturgis54]

Do not apologize, Mr. Wallace. Your reaction was that of an objective newsman in the traditional sense of that term (you know... as it was defined during the years that your father and other iconic news people of his generation were making what is now called the "main stream media" the model for truth, fairness, and objectivity the world around). Truth, fairness, and objectivity are commodities in short supply on Fox News (in fact, it is something of an embarrassment that someone with your pedigree would work for them, but you do and your reputation will forever be darkened by that...). But, it is refreshing to see that even one of Fox News' stars, sitting there and listening to what passes for "fair and objective" coverage by Fox's "morning team" could finally see the intolerable level of partisan and politically slanted bashing of Obama and scream, ENOUGH ALREADY!!! In that minute or two, there was finally an adult news professional in the room at Fox and it was like a breath of fresh air. Far from apologizing, every Fox "news personality" ought to have to watch your woodshedding of that sad morning crew over and over again to see if it might sink in, even a little bit. You are far better than the partisan hacks that Roger Ailes has assembled at Fox, Mr. Wallace... thank you for showing that there is still a glimmer of hope that you will start to show that on a regular basis.

[cBc]

welll..lookee there.
Ol' Chris actually grew a pair, but they done falled off already.

[Bluesue]

Finally someone on Fox acts like a person with some ethics and now he regrets it!

[bugsbonzai]

Like most Fox News employees (and many employed in the rest of the media) slimeballs like Chris Wallace are amoral careerists. They only care about ethics, honesty and truth insofar as it doesn't interfere with their career. Success in their industry, maintaining that success and empowering themselves within it always comes first before any other considerations. Sure, they'll have moments here and there where their souls catch up with them and integrity rears its ugly head. Often such moments are only meant to create an ILLUSION of level-headedness, again, in order to freshen or enhance their careers. But as soon as there's even a hint that such scarce moments of decency are going to interfere with the ease of their careers, that there would actually be REAL consequences to their position or standing, the baby gets tossed out with the proverbial bathwater. Here you see again, Chris Wallace momentarily stepping in integrity, and the Fox executives quickly pulling him out. The memo doesn't have to be explicit; the smart careerists know what's up and modify their behavior according to the whims of their amoral bosses. Screw Chris Wallace and screw Faux News for helping to destroy America.

[Janet Carter]

Oh, Wallace got his hand slapped by his boss for saying the right thing on air. BooHooo! I have completely stopped watching Fox & Friends AND Sean the Shamnity. Never did watch O'reilly. What a bunch of ass clowns.

[JScott]

Chris had a session with Rupert and this is the result.

[krisellyn]

Where is Chris Wallace when Hillary needed her? Sounds like Wallace is just another Obamabot.

[Jacee]

When did Hillary need him? Covering up her lies? NAFTA, 35 years, ready on day 1, vetted, Bosnia, vote on the war...what. Do you think that when Hillary answers the phone at 3am she will be lying then too? If her lips are moving she is lying.

Do you like liars? Sad.

[noamjunior]

did you even read the story?
your comment suggests no

[jdenham]

I guess Chris Wallace is a little niave. He must not have noticed the right wing slant at Faux News. I thought he was a little more intelligent than that. Maybe he was trying to get some credibility as a news anchor. A little to late for that Chris, you might have to start covering the news objectively before we start taking you serious.

[MizJ]

It's amazing that Fox still has viewers.

[MissingAmerica]

That's a first. Someone apologizing for having principles. At least, he's honest.

[Jacee]

Whimp alert. What did they do, slice his tires? Take away his Birthday? Pa-lease.

[jnratliff]

Whimp alert. What did they do, slice his tires? Take away his Birthday? Pa-lease.

No they threatened to take away his big salary! That usually puts them back in line.

[miseducated]

And Wallace, with his Wallace-tush planted firmly in seat,
Sat puzzling and puzzling: "Do I defend the effete?
They bashed him for preaches! They bashed him for speeches!
"Those sycophants, those leeches, shame-absent sneetches!"
And he puzzled five minutes, `till his puzzler was sore.
Then Wallace thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe fairness" he thought, "isn't just words to be spoken.
"Maybe fairness...perhaps...is a definition unbroken!"

And what happened then...?
Well...in Fox-ville they say
That Wallace's small heart
Grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart broke free of its lashings
He called out the Fox friends for Obama bashings!
And spoke he objective! Without sneer or invective!
And he...

..HE HIMSELF...!

Chris Wallace criticized the Fox Friends collective!

But,
Whatever the reason,
His brain or his wallet,
If there be a future gotcha-fest, no more would he call it,
Staring down from the monitor with that sour, Wallace frown
At the Doocy's odd haircut, with that coif tinged rust brown,
For he knew Rupert Murdoch, that wretched lover of mother
Had in one hand a pen, a pink slip in the other.

[lvdragonlady]

Obama saw this coming, why hasn't the media said anything about this??? We know why....
Guys, I am posting this on as many comment pages and blogs, as I can, so if you see if more then once, I apoligize, but it is worth looking at.
For all the Obama haters out there, please check out the following:

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/03/obamas-year-old-letter-to-bern.php

Can your candidate say that they did this???
Maybe he is the future!!

Take this and post it

[gulopartisan]

Corporate fascists rule by projection. Wallace is just another gutless face, after all.