Fox News Calls Michelle "Obama's Baby Mama"... FOX: Producer Used Poor Judgment

UPDATE: Politico Reports that
Fox addresses baby mama drama: Producer used "poor judgment"

Since Salon's Alex Koppelman caught Fox News characterizing Michelle Obama as "Obama's Baby Mama," there's been an uproar over use of such an offensive term.

"A producer on the program exercised poor judgment in using this chyron during the segment," said Fox's Senior Vice President of Programming Bill Shine, in a statement to Politico.

----
ORIGINAL REPORT:
As if implicating her as one half of a "terrorist fist jab" wasn't enough, Fox News has gone on to label Michelle Obama "Obama's baby mama."

Salon's Alex Koppelman writes:

An alert reader wrote in just a little while ago to let us know about something he'd spotted on Fox News Wednesday afternoon. During a segment discussing conservative attacks against Michelle Obama, the wife of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama, the network described the former as "Obama's baby mama."

I checked, and sure enough, as you can see below, our e-mailer was right. In fact, that description was displayed on screen several times during the segment, which featured anchor Megyn Kelly and conservative blogger Michelle Malkin, an FNC contributor.

Koppelman has the video here, and you can see the stills below.

To be fair, Michelle Obama referred to Barack as her "baby's daddy" on the night he won his Senate seat in 2004.

Comments

[DevilAdvocate]

Sorry, but this was the most racist statement I have ever heard in my life! A soon to be first lady Categorized as a woman of color who had kids by a black man who isn't around! (BTW this is the slang term) Sometimes the statement’s that comes out of the fools is just unreal!!! But now we know how low they will go! Shame, shame. They are wonderful parents, and the nerve!!

[robXdion]

People are splitting hairs with "baby momma" vs. "baby daddy". BOTH are ghetto terms referring to either a woman you accidently got pregnant but never married (but don't really like) OR you are the accidental sperm donor to a woman that you never married (or doesn't really like you). EITHER ONE IS DEMEANING. It's actually funny the (black) women enraged about this can only see it as sexist when "baby momma" is used. You all have gender biases that are blinding your commonsense. Michelle Obama was not right to use the phrase as a woman of her stature. She could have said "My children's father....­." BUT NO, she chose to use a ghetto phrase. She opened the Pandora's Box that allowed Fox News to think this was a snarky allowable thing to use. It's not right....n­ot fair......­but that's why blacks have to be careful HOW they present themselves. And yes, I am a single black male with no children.

[gigi0820]

For crying out loud LISTEN to the tape -- don't just parrot what you heard third hand. Michelle Obama did NOT call Barack her "baby daddy." She introduced him as "My husband, , , , my BABY"S daddy. He IS both of those things. The Fox News chyron referred to Michelle as a "baby mama, " a term that is widely understood to mean an unwed mother, which she IS NOT, Nuance and connotation matter.

[robXdion]

If people were this up-in-arms about everything else effecting the black community things could really get done.

[Butler71]

I heard a replay of the tape of Michelle introducing BHO, and she does say "baby daddy". Not exactly a ghetto term used exclusively by AA, but none the less a rough term or explanation. My white coworker uses the term (baby's mama) daily and no one has any idea what her real name is, and he's quite the hillbilly.

[devadasi]

No one is splitting hairs ROBXDION. But don't you dare try to bullshit us. There's ghetto phrases and there's ghetto phrases.

[noamjunior]

if you are, in fact what you claim you are, you would know the differences between whites calling someone a N--- and using N--- as an ironic tern of endearment among brothers.
Or maybe you are just self- hating
either way, taking MO's words out of context to validate Fox's racism is despicable

[robXdion]

Yes, I know the difference and if you are familiar with my posts (see profile) you'll know I am no self-hater. I don't use the N-word as a term of endearment expressly for the reasons I've stated. I don't think AFRICANS call each other pejorative names whites use for them either. See how that works? And HUFFPO post my messages!

[Onlyoucan]

CONTINUE TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER PATRIOTS

TO robXdion: It is not a matter of splitting hairs...tr­uth is what a true patriot seeks. Did you see Mrs. Obama's actual words in writing? Perhaps you heard her statement live four years ago? Did you listen to the tape? What if Mrs. Obama's statement was not "baby daddy", out of context, or worded differently. Faux News don't need excuses to spit racist venom at the Obamas.

Unfortunately,YOU made the most self-degredating statement that has haunted African Americans for generation­...("that'­s why blacks have to be careful HOW they present themselves") True Patriots both black and white know that concept lingers from slavery and Jim Crow. True Patriot (Whites) who fought (died) for the rights of blacks from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement don't sit around waiting on (blacks) to make a mistake. They understand that we have THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY in EVERY RACE OF PEOPLE on this planet. Worrying about being perfect for those who are not going to like you regardless is stressful. At this moment in American History we need all Patriots (black,white, red, brown,yellow) working together to change our great nation for the best.

Let's keep it simple...t­ogether we stand...di­vided we fall...the world is watching..­.some wish for change...s­ome wish our demise...s­ome will wait for internal distruction. We can change things...t­rue Partiots (lovers of a more perfect union) always did. STAND

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[robXdion]

"True patriots" are whites??? Have you served in the military and taken the Oath to protect the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic? I have.

And my statement is NOT "self-degredating", it's the basic self-attainment and self-respect lesson your mother taught you when you left the house and went out in public: "Don't make a fool of yourself". If you're gonna preach, fix your sermon up and come correct.

[robXdion]

They wouldn't post my 1st response. But what does "There's ghetto phrases and there's ghetto phrases." mean??? BOTH fit the vernacular, so what are you stating here?

[5075]

Ghetto slang is not appropriate everywhere especially in commentary on broadcast news when referring to someones wife, period.

[Raymondf]

Non-Issue.

[LeftVetPatriot]

Racist pukes would agree.

[glesslib]

Well, Raymond, it is. It's sort of like labeling someone redneck or trailer trash. Get it? It's meant to be nasty and demeaning. Now, if you think that's a sensible campaign tactic that serves the American people in their efforts to become informed voters, then I guess it's a non-issue for you.

I think it's meant to cater to a certain portion of the population that doesn't like black folks, but enjoys seeing them put down on a network like Fox News.

[santamonica39]

this was NOT poor judgment. This was malicious. There's no way to justify doing something like that unless it was intended as a slur. How stupid do they think we are?

[santamonica39]

also, how ridiculous was the first part of the banner: "outraged liberals..­." as if it's only "liberals" who are concerned about how Michelle Obama is being attacked for no reason whatsoever. Where is the common decency of the media?

[Raymondf]

My point is she has been attacted on other networks not just Fox News.

[sirenadellopera]

Referring to Barack as her "baby's daddy" is NOT the same as being referred TO as Barack's "baby mamma". He's her baby's daddy, and she's his baby's mommy, fine, cute, sweet, whatever. But, referring to her as a "baby mamma" is revoltingly sexist and racist.

[BigBen]

suddenly sexism is wrong.Hill­ary is gone so now we can be fussy about sexism. What wonderful people we left wing extremists are.

[moreauja]

Exactly. People are only up in arms b/c they are in love with the Obamas. Where were the feminists when Clinton was being pummeled with sexist comments by the LEFT (not the RIGHT).

[DontBeFoolish]

BigBen, if you screamed loud about sexisim when HRC was running, it should not change now for Michelle Obama. So start screaming, and stop crying. HRC has conceded, and it's time to really make a change.

[loria]

That's bs. I don't like sexism or racism no matter who it is directed at. There is no doubt that sexism was directed at Hillary. Obama didn't make the statements, but a few of his supporters did. Racism entered t his primary a long time ago and there is no excuse for it. If you were offended by the sexism directed at Hillary, surely you are offended by the sexism directed at Michelle, or does it only count when it is directed at the person you support?

[chappelforpres]

"Do you try to explain that `baby mama' is slang for the unmarried mother of a man's child, and not his wife, or even a girlfriend?" Walsh wrote. "Are they racist, or just clueless? Isn't there racism even in their cluelessne­ss...

Racism ...that's racism...n­ot sexism. Try moving on. OK?

[gigi0820]

This is NOT about sexism! Fox News pretends to be a serious news outlet. They used a perjorative, low-culture slang term to describe a successful, married mother of two. It is tantamount to (unfairly) running a chyron that described McCain as a decrepit old geezer or Cindy McCain a a drug-addled blonde bimbo. This is noy Comedy Central or Saturday Night Live. This is nominally a news network, Unfair, unbalanced, and unprofessional. God rest Tim Russert's soul; he was a true journalist -- professional, dignified, and smart.

[Knowledgeseeker]

Fox News have never been fair balance... but they are racist , Anti latino and Anti black...
They need to give Michelle Obama the respect she deserve...­..
we should protest against Fox News continues racist tactics...­.

[KaluMa]

Here are a list of Fox Sponsors and the customer service lines
Crest Whitestrips & Dawn (both Proctor & Gamble) 513-983-1100
• Delphi (Driving Products) 1.888.809.9800
• Mercedes Benz 1-800-367-6372
• Comcast 1-800-COMCAST
• Subaru 1-800-782-2783
• GMC Suv's 1-800-551-4123
• Best Buy 1-888-237-8289
• Travelocity 1 888.872.83­56
• Capzasin 1 [phone]
• New Phase
• Orbitz 1-888-656-4546
• Ditech.com 1-800-DITECH-3
• eloan.com [phone]
• Toyota 1 800-331-4331
• Centrum (Wyeth) 1-800-322-3129
• Nextel (aka Sprint)1-8­00-639-611­1
• Vehix.com 1.866.698.3449
• Gold Bond (Chattum) 423-821-4571
• Aspercreme " "
• webmd.com via email or webmd.com via other [phone]
• American Express 1-877-877-0987, 1-800-525-3355
• Holiday Inn Express 1 800-315-2621
• M Professional unk
• priceline.com 1-800-774-2354
• L. L. Bean 1-800-441-7513
• Jet Dry (Dishwasher Products) 1-800-820-8939
Chemistry (Matchmaking Web Site)
Bankrate.com (Mortgages)
Cars Direct.com

[BigBen]

How about the sexism of msnbc? when Hillary was a candidate? That was different she was not one of us; right?

[DontBeFoolish]

BigBen, Once again. If you screamed loud about sexisim when HRC was running, it should not change now for Michelle Obama. So start screaming, and stop crying. HRC has conceded, and it's time to really make a change.

[LeftVetPatriot]

Not one of YOU.

[glesslib]

Hey, Big, if we are commenting on this, can we just stay on this subject? Everything is not about the primary. This was an especially demeaning remark.

The miserable things said about the Clintons also brought lots of indignant replies. Not every person who voted for Obama hated Hillary. There were a lot of us who had a hard time making a decision and think highly of Hillary.

If you don't see this as an attempt to demean and embarass the candidate and his wife, then I am concerned about YOUR sense of fair play.

[shellshell77]

Thanks!

[TheBlackCat]

I guess Kanye was right about how a significant number of white people will always see black people, no matter what level of success that black person has reached

Even if you're in a Benz
You're still a n***er in a coupe /(coop)

[michaelgp72]

Damn!! Cold but TRUE!!!

[LeftVetPatriot]

True for whom? You?

[littlepuffycloud]

Those white people are not the majority! They are full of self hatred and they project that onto other people. They don't reflect the majority of white people!!! That's part of the horror of it...it makes all white people look horrid. Those fox people are monsters.

[rextrek]

I am a 47yr old white man...and Im ALL for Obama ..and I have been for months....­to me he represents a major Change for America...­do I know exactly what kind of change,..N­o,I don't..but I picture america with him as President, and I like what I see.

[DevilAdvocate]

I wouldn't use the n work but as we see with Obama, powerful people are saying just that.. now being the product of a biracial family and friends of every race and group, I don't think it's all people, but the powerful who do not want him in office. yes. Look at what Obama has to do... school, work hard, great family, children, and they still call Michalle "Obama's baby Momma" that's just low and weak --sad people who are afraid that a black man will be in the white-hous­e... even Colin Powell is moving away from the Right!

I still hope that Obama ask Colin to be on his cabinet, that would say something!

[UrbanInterloper]

No need for surprise, people. Be grateful for the First Amendment, and the fact that Fox and Malkin can be openly and proudly racist. Better that than hiding it from us.

By the way, did anyone happen to get a screengrab of Fox's headline from last week?

"Bush's Baby Mama Defends Michelle Obama"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/09/laura-bush-defends-michel_n_106019.html

I fully expect Fox to refer to President Bush as "Laura's Bady Daddy" from now on.

[BigBen]

seems like sexism but that is NOW evil and wrong.Righ­t?

[noamjunior]

FOX should start (MORE ACCURATELY) calling MCCains wife a "Trophy Wife" as she fits that definition much more accurately tham Michell OBama fits the term "baby momma" - the unmaried mother of a man's children

[AtheistVegGirl]

All of you [presumably] lily-white folk are getting your ghetto translations from Wikipedia apparently.
I have called my husband "my baby's daddy", and he's called me his "baby's mama" since our first little one in 1992.

I doubt all of you people posting here have two black friends among you.

"Baby's Mama" means the Mama of my baby. Good grief.

I hope you people don't mind if I continue to use terms of endearment you'll never understand.

[alamantra]

So are you thinking that FOX was trying to be endearing to Mrs. Obama?

If so, then they should be consistent.

[k8eeyore]

Terms of endearment between a couple are one thing -- FOX is not married to Michelle or Barack.

[JRandomPoster]

"Baby's Mama" is different than "Baby Mama". And even fox didn't try to say, "Oops, we forgot to put the 's in". They knew it for what it was, and at least had the grace to admit that it was poor judgment.

[5075]

Excuse Me... I'm from the hood but I'm no hoodlum or hoodrat. Please don't try to minimize this total lack of respect. If you like to refer to yourselves in this fashion in or out of your home then that's fine but openly on the news is no way to describe this mans wife. That goes for Laura Bush and McCain's wife too. Disrespectful, that's all.

[LeftVetPatriot]

My bride is black, I'm not.

Spin again or solve the puzzle

you people don't mind that you use terms of racism that you'll never understand.

[Yellowcat]

I think Fox news is missing out on a terrific marketing opportunity ... they should sell 'Fox News' bibs to the hoards of drooling idiots who bother to watch their drivel.

[devadasi]

Exactly Yellowcat, Fox pundits wearing bibs is so appropriate, because they one thing they do lack is emotional intelligence.

[birdiegirl123]

We're not stupid. The OBAMA'S BABY'S MAMA is strictly GHETTO. It's the same type of comment Fuzzy made about Tiger Woods (something about well I guess we're going to have to serve fried chicken and collard greens at the Masters because of Tiger Woods).
You racist Klu Klux. I hate FOX NEWS.

[PoliSci2008]

I think Fox News-cast is subprofessional and the recent remarks are deplorable. But as I said before, Michelle has to be more cognises and diplomatic of what she's says publicly. It isn't an issue of freedon of speech, it is an issue of being politically correct and tactful. The anit-Obama news networks and the GOP looking to use anything as ammonition against the Obamas; just like they did with the Clintons. And now it is Michelle and Eric Holder, who was simply do his job as Deputy Attorney.

[lizr]

sexism is sexism and blaming the victim is not the answer.