Fox News Finally Lands Obama Interview, "Obama Watch" To End

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace says it's been 769 days since Sen. Barack Obama agreed to an interview that never materialized. But this Sunday, the wait is over. According to a Fox News release, Sen. Obama will be appearing on Wallace's "Fox News Sunday" this weekend.

From the press release:

FOX News Sunday's "Obama Watch" to Stop This Weekend

FOX News Sunday host Chris Wallace will sit down for an exclusive one-on-one interview with Democratic Presidential Candidate Senator Barack Obama airing on Sunday April 27, 2008.

This interview follows the much talked about "Obama Watch" clock that FOX News Sunday began running on March 16, 2008 to track the time that had lapsed since Senator Obama accepted Wallace's initiation to appear as a guest: 730 days, 13 hours, 53 minutes and 18 seconds.

The last clock count as of last Sunday was 765 days, 13 hours, 54 min, 47 seconds.

Wallace had started a weekly segment called "Obama Watch" last monthwhen, 730 days since he claims that the senator had agreed to an interview, Sen. Obama still hadn't appeared on the channel. Those many days means that Sen. Obama agreed to the interview in 2006, far before Democratic candidates for the 2008 election famously refused to participate in any Fox News debates.

Although Sen. Obama's camp has yet to release an official statement, Wallace wrote a post hinting that the upcoming exclusive interview may be the result of Sen. Obama's "double-digit loss" in Pennsylvania.

Missed Wallace's "Obama Watch"? Read Jason Linkins' Sunday morning coverage of "Fox News Sunday" and more here.

This item has been corrected from a previous version that said Senator Obama refused to appear on Fox News Channel. In fact, Obama has been interviewed on Fox News several times. The Huffington Post regrets the error.

Comments

[indiethinker]

Don't know what Obama's strategy is in doing this (maybe he figures that the vast majority of Fox "News" watchers have already been poisoned against him & that he might actually convince a few that he's not actually the elitist, unpatriotic, muslim, white-hating false messiah that they portray him as), but I think it's a mistake to legitimize that bunch of right wing hatemongers. They're about as "fair & balanced" as a white-hooded lynch mob...

[barrista]

what kind of hack tv network has something as stupid as an "obama watch"?

[edva]

Exactly. It's a fucking insult. Bigoted bastards. And it's SENATOR Obama, you Fox lame-asses.

[postedby]

One that wants to make him stand up to his commitment?

[victoriajubilee]

I am sorry ,I am a staunch Obama supporter ,but I would'nt go on Fox. I dont trust them. I am convinced Britt Hume has already given Chris Wallace points on what to ask. I guarantee you ,Rev Wright will take up one third of the show. If they set up Senator Obama like ABC did and Senator Obama becomes the nominee he should never appear on the show again. In my view its pointless going on the show,nothing productive will be achieved. Chris Wallace is a little jerk.

[postedby]

"Chris Wallace is a little jerk" and you are afraid your guy cannot stand up to him? Hmmm ...

[thegulliblecitizen]

You are absolutely correct! Why would Barack legitimize the prophet of tabloid journalism whose only purpose is to delegitimize him? I was thinking of making my eighth campaign contribution, but I'll wait to see if this is as wretched a mistake as sitting at the same table with loathsome little Georgie Stefanopoulas. Going into a cave full of political animals has been known to bad for your political health. There should be, but there isn't a warning posted on their foreheads-­HILLGORILL­AS-BEWARE!

[FullChat]

He'll talk to FOX and not Hamas??

[realpolitic]

Good point!

[Herrington]

Hamas is not scary, just confused. FOX is the vent pipe of hell.

[ZodiacPope]

No lie these are the best comments ever i am quoting this one

[Chiang]

He already has the support of Hamas.

[venicesurfer]

well he's caving in to fox news sunday. they humiliated him with the clock so he had no choice.

[thegulliblecitizen]

These crude baboons have nothing but lynching on their minds. It's all they're capable of doing. Who would want to give them somthing to brag about? Find somthing they broadcast to give offense and cancel the appearance. Five minutes of their network broadcast should give you ample justification for cancelling the appearance.

[NCGuy]

he doesn't have to talk to Hamas, Hamas puts messages into his church bulletin. He gets his dialog with Hamas through his church

[AmbroseChapel]

I don't really know how much good can come of this. I'm not saying that he can't hold his own but once you leave they can edit you however they want. I'm not sure this is the wisest decision. Let's face it... People watch Fox News for one reason. What do I know. These guys are a heck of a lot smarter than me :)

[pedromatos]

I think Obama's plan is to shut them up for once.

[venicesurfer]

ha, yah, im sure he can shut anyone up. especially fox news.

[venicesurfer]

i expect obama and his fans to bitch and moan about the tough questions poor little obama was asked next week.

[lainey]

We are not complaining (I chose a much more civilized word), we are just saying that every media outlet is geared toward tearing him down with tedious remarks and unoriginal questions that have nothing to do with the issues, and this network is usually more intent on doing so to those who have a different point of view. It is quite clear that Clinton and McCain are welcome on their station as they share the same Republican philosophy of war, war and more war. His going on the station indicates that Obama is not afraid and can clearly hold his own. I just hope they can be decent and not attack him on the trivial details that seem to dominate our current culture. As Einstein once said, "Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds." To be clear, Senator Obama is the great spirit...

[venicesurfer]

awww, they are trying to tear him apart. now you know how hillary feels. no one has gotten more scrutiny then her.

he is the frontrunner, frontrunners usually get this treatment. as they should. i dont expect them to just walk right into the white house. they have to fight for it. the media is in love with obama for the most part. except for maybe fox news and abc.

him going on is not a sign of strength. (he normally responds like this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbkhzsTwz_g ) fox news set up an embarrassing clock that forced him to go on. clinton has been on several times and obama finally caves in. she is willing to debate on fox, he's not. strength? no

and i hope they are decent while at the same time ask him tough questions. including wright, taxes, ayers, immigration and so on. i dont want to hear questions about how amazing he is and what he likes to eat.

why are you so afraid of obama being attacked? this is politics and he's running for president. how light do you expect people to be on him?

[realpolitic]

You say "was asked next week." I think you have a problem with tense here, past or future.

[venicesurfer]

typo.

[MoxieGurl]

Don't do it Obama! Fox will slice and dice the video of the interview and make you look like the crazy radical they want you to be....

THEY ARE NOT A LEGIT NEWS ORGANIZATION!!!!

[nativeeyes]

THE SCUM OF AMERICA REARS IT'S HEAD
MCCAIN ,HAGEE AND ROD PARSLEY, KARL ROVE, HAL TURNER, AND SEAN HANNITY!!
REPUBLICAN'S KKK

JAMES CARVILLE DEMOCRATIC KKK
As they throw on their Republican Klanmans hoods running around trying to scare NC people...


Here we go back to the 50's and 60's..

What's next the burning crosses and churches??

[BryantG]

You left out Ann Coulter and Michele Malkin.

[jaynevada]

Here are some things I hope Obama gets asked during the interview.

1) CORRUPT: A houseowner wants to sell both a house and adjoining land. Obama can afford to buy only the house. No problem, the criminal Rezko to the rescue. Rezko pays full price for the land, whereas Obama gets a discount of $300,000 on the house. Nice to have criminal friends like this!!! (ref ABC News)

2) LIAR: Obama claims he did not know about Wright's America-hating (God damn America) and racist views till it was revealed in the mainstream media in March 2008. Obama attended Wright's church for 20 years, was married by Wright, had his children baptized by Wright, donated over $20,000 to Wright's church and named his book "Audacity of Hope" after one of Wright's sermons. You really believe after 20 years and all this he did not know?

3) ILLUSION: Exelon Corporation had not disclosed radioactive leaks at one of its nuclear plants in Illinois. Obama, a senator for Illinois introduces a bill to make disclosures mandatory. Seems like Exelon doesn't like it. Each draft of the new bill by Obama goes more and more towards Exelon till disclosures end up being "voluntary". What gives? How about $250,000+ donations by Exelon!!! Obama is not change, he is WASHINGTON BUSINESS AS USUAL. (ref NYT)

[BryantG]

On point 1: Anyone who turns down a legal 300K discount is a fool. Where's Obama's crime? Be specific? Fox is big on the “guilty until proven innocent” thing.

On Point 2: Regarding Wright; Did America not commit genocide against the natives and take their land? Was America not built on slave labor? Did America not deliberately give some of its citizens syphilis? Did America not test hydrogen bombs in the south pacific poisoning nearby inhabitants? Did America not invade a nation whose only offence against her was having a belligerent leader? If god exists then these sound like the kinds of activities worthy of damming. Wright sees America with both eyes open. I suggest you open the other eye. America is great but on occaision quite evil. Or should everybody just act like those things never happened? Besides Obama answered the question…r­epeatedly, and of course no answer would ever satisfy you. At least admit that.


On Point 3: Sounds to me like you’re describing the legislative process. If a bill didn’t pass what would you do resubmit the same bill?

[lobo1939]

FGS, let those slime balls on Fox garrote him? He has to be out of his mind to credit Fox with being a legitimate source of valid information. I mean, if they still existed, Howdie Doodie or Mr. Roberts Neighborhood would be more credible. Or today, be a guest on Sponge Bob?

[jimi945]

Don't worry. Obama will hold his own and handle the situation. Chris Wallace will make a fool out of himself. Chit happens.

[Gary47]

Why the change? I thought we we're trying to avoid legitimizing them. Always thought that was a good idea.

[venicesurfer]

well he is the candidate of change. so expect him to cave and change.

[LoloZ]

Chris Wallace is an absolute moron, don't expect a single intelligent question. Maybe Obama should walk on to the set wearing a Flag pin about a foot wide.

[venicesurfer]

haha, he caved in.

all you obamaphiles who criticized hillary for appearing on fox news, what say you about your obama caving in to fox news sunday?

this should be a good interview. wallace is gonna tear him a new one and obama will just stutter as usual.

[lobo1939]

FU

[08timefortruth]

he didn't cave, he just thought it was time to show those clowns how a decent human being acts...may­be give them a lesson in class and positive leadership­.......

[rcampbell]

Too bad. Screw Faux Noise. Scroom!