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

[tangolopez]

Oh well, just when we thought there is some decency in Fox. Wallace: being nasty is not attractive!

[BlueOnBlue]

I'm sure Wallace and the rest of the people at Faux News know full well that their geriatric audience gets almost all of its news from them. Claiming that presenting mainly one side because of a supposed bias elsewhere still does a disservice to the audience and to the country. When you start with such an agenda, to pretend to be outraged at two hours of Obama bashing is like being shocked that there is gambling at Rick's.

[brokenarrow]

OMG.......­.......thi­s is a flaming bag of horseshit. Fox plays little games.....­.......oka­y, let's pretend we actually have differing, free-thinking people who stand up and say what's right.

THE WHOLE THING WITH THIS GUY, WALLASS, WAS FOR SHOW. People who lack critical thinking skills watch and believe this drama.....­..........­....pathet­ic as it is.

[majormoderate]

is it really news how news people talk about the news?

is fox really news?

[Mark2100]

"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"

What world do these people live in? 80% of the mainstream media is right wing lies and distortions.

[Moarku]

Not to mention the minor detail that FOX News *is* the mainstream media nowadays. I love how they can sit around and constantly boast about their ratings but then claim that they're not part of the mainstream media.

[desmirl]

Anything that comes out of FOX News should be given the same credence (or less) than what comes out of your local comedy club.

[HumeSkeptic]

Wallace regrets being fair to Obama. That's what I expect from a journalist.

[L4TRUTH]

You guys have got to wake up and stop letting the media think for you!
Please listen to the full sermons! You won't walk away agreeing with everything, but you'll probably walk away with less respect for the media!

God damn america sermon-http://odeo.com/audio/17890793/view

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ

9/11 sermon-http://odeo.com/audio/17889043/view

[L4TRUTH]

It's clear that the goons got to him off camera, but I appreciate his initial steps anyway.

[buckbuck11]

Sounds like the corporate honchos opened a can of whoopass on lil' ol' Chris!

[FDRbyGodDemocrat]

Courage and ethics apparently have a short shelf life?

[mickyx65it]

Fox news is a warmongering zionist outlet. Fox news itself is a joke, programed to completely disinform ignorants. It's Murdoch's way and market target. Not only in the US, but also in other countries.

[prdamericanmom]

Fair and balanced only if the execs say so. If the reactions of the Wallace and Kilmeade don't say it loudly enough for anyone, I don't know what else would.

[olivia]

Wallace said ""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."

This is important. A stunning comment.

It's confirmation that Fox presents news from a conservative viewpoint. They believe they can call it "fair and balanced" because it complements what they believe to be a liberal viewpoint in the rest of the media.

So Fox isn't "balanced" in itself, at all.

[wolf58]

Their mastors speak and they drop to their knees like the brain dead drones that they are....

[WeMustChange]

He had courage to speak out but now he's back tracking like a little wimp. Fox News has a way of pressuring people to do the wrong thing instead of standing on principle.

[olivia]

I can't forget or forgive Wallace's toadying to Fox when he interviewed Bill Clinton. He is a little fox toady, as you say. Nothing like his father.

[rrafiringa]

My girl used to work for the O'Reilly factor in the media editing department, she quit out of disgust.

[juevosrancheros]

Love to hear some stories about that, if she'd like to share!

[Durango]

Disgust as in lousy pay and working conditions?

Disgust as in a disagreeable political agenda? (or ANY political agenda in the case of a real journalist)

Or disgust in a weird sexual harassment way?

I would guess not the latter since a multi-million dollar precedent has already been established.