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

[Pennsylvanianne]

Sorry to hear Chris Wallace wimping out under upper-level Faux Noise pressure after all. I thought he had a true epiphany.

[misswilliams]

What a wuss you are Chris Wallace!

[Durango]

Fox is in no way a "conservative" network. If it was that might be palatable.

But FOX is a REPUBLICAN network. And that is a whole different animal. All of the major media, newspapers, magazines, television and radio, in America, are primarily in the business of selling advertising. As such they have always had the interests of their advertisers in the foreground.

And as a result they are conservative, business centered. It is a brave, and foolish editor who will run stories exposing misdeeds of a major advertiser. Also, in these days of media conglomeration the small mom and pop media outlets have been subsumed by major corporations.

But the media has remained nonpartisan, for the most part. Conservative oriented but not officially Republican or Democrat. It has always been too dangerous to piss off any particular party.

But now Fox has chosen to become a wholy owned subsidiary of the Republican Party. Partly because that serves Murdock's interests, partly because that is where the benefits lie. By being a whore for the Republicans that allows Fox and Murdock a share of power.

[GeoNorth]

This was predictable.

[Democrab]

And now Olbermann will speak out against Hillary bashing on MSNBC, CNN (Cafferty file,) Huffington Post, Daily Kos and Reverend Wright's pulpit.

Yeah, right!

[Jacee]

Hillary Bashing? What are you talking about. Finally they had two stories about her pathological lying. Finally. She has been lyingsince she started, she can't help iit. She believes the make beelieve world she had to create aroundher in order to survive her abusive marriage. Its classic abused wife syndrome. Sad, but she is not fit to lead. She is only fit to manipulate and lie,

Kind of sad you bought into that.

[Teritt]

"..claimed the walk-off stunt was a joke."

I consider Fox to be the joke. It's a shame there are that many stupid people that fall for that bias hook, line and sinker.

[brwnizofmine]

So Chris has S M A L L B A L L S afterall..­..what a shame!

[smilodon1]

Compared to his father, he's a clown.

[surfcitysteven]

With a face like his, the only way he could get this job was his daddy. His face is perfect for maybe a radio show.

[lvogt]

The mainstream Media supports the conservative view by NOT reporting things that make conservatives look bad. Wallace must have been told. "If you think the Obama bashing is bad now... wait until the general election."

[boitexas]

Of course the Fox execs pulled Chris' leash in real fast. He made a step towards reclaiming the honor of his last name, but it didn't last very long.

Now we know from the other hosts it was all a joke anyway. Just like FOX a real big joke.

[Mike169]

Balls of steel eh Chris?

[zjemi]

There are plenty of people (van Sustern, for example) who are eager to continue misrepresenting Rev. Wright. Where's the fair and balanced? Where are the people talking about the content of his sermons instead of misinterpreting one phrase their own way? Not at Fox News, that's for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RvMbeVQj6Lw
http://odeo.com/audio/17889043/view
Trinity UCC
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/3/15/203242/685/352/477632
and
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/21/the-full-story-behind-rev-jeremiah-wrights-911-sermon

[osage]

After your bosses got through with you, I'm sure you wouldn't do it again. Faux News was embarassed by the fact YOU WERE RIGHT in publically calling out the public lynching, speaking metaphorically of course, being carried out by your shamelessly biased co-workers. I never thought I'd see the day that a "news" professional doing the right thing would be reason for regret. Frankly, the regret for doing the right thing should pale by comparison to the regret you should feel for choosing to work for Faux News. Choosing to be a political whore pretending to be a news professional is much worse than choosing to do the right thing. At least that's true for the vast majority of honest and fair-minded Americans.

[adept2u]

Since when did media outlets become party mouth pieces. I was actually quite proud of Chris. It must be hard for a storm trooper to embarass his masters in the evil empire. Now you folks know these people also own DirecTV, DirecTV Japan, and the European sattelite broadcasting company. Look forward to more orwellian doubles speak, and content control ahead when this cabal finishes consolidating the means of broadcast.

[TheRebel82]

Roger Ailes probably cursed him out for making Faux News look bad live on televison.