Fox News' Major Garrett Defends Obama Against "Fox & Friends" In Leaked E-Mail

Fox News correspondent Major Garrett shot back in defense of Barack Obama against the network's morning show's effort to suggest that he has ignored Fox News throughout the campaign. In an internal email obtained by the Huffington Post, Garrett — who has been Fox News' correspondent following the Obama campaign — took issue with a planned "Fox & Friends" segment about whether Obama will try to control the media, using "KICKED REPORTERS OFF PLANE, IGNORE FNC, BIDEN FL AV INTVIEW" as "examples he's already done."

"May I point out Obama has done 5 interviews with me and one with Chris Wallace, one with Brit Hume and one with Bill O'Reilly," Garrett replied-all to a "Fox & Friends" producer's email. "That's 8 interviews. Would I like more? Yes. Would Chris Wallace? Yes. Would Brit and O'Reilly like more? Of course."

The e-mail, which went to a significant portion of Fox News staff, continued, comparing Obama's eight interviews with Fox News to the five Hillary Clinton gave the network.

"Just a note to add some real numbers and a grain of context," Garrett said. "Apologies if I left out any other big interview of Obama [or] Clinton on our network."

The planned guest, Media Research Center president Brent Bozell, did appear but the segment was retooled to discuss the media coverage of Obama's remarks on the coal industry.

Read the full e-mail below:

-----Original Message-----
From: Garrett, Major
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2008 9:23 PM
To: [redacted]
Subject: Re: F & F Guests, November 3, 2008

In the context of the 6:15 am B Block "IGNORE FNC" segment, may I point out Obama has done 5 interviews with me and one with Chris Wallace, one with Brit Hume and one with Bill O'Reilly. That's 8 interviews. Would I like more? Yes. Would Chris Wallace? Yes. Would Brit and O'Reilly like more? Of course.

Story continues below

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But it's still 8 interviews with FNC in this campaign. By comparison, my count is the Hillary Clinton did 5 FNC interviews with FNC during the campaign: 3 with me, one with Chris Wallace and one with O'Reilly. This does not count morning round-robins done during the primaries as those tend not to have any selectivity to them.

Just a note to add some real numbers and a grain of context. Apologies if I left out any other big interview of Obama of Clinton on our network.

MG
Major Garrett
Fox News

----- Original Message -----
From: [redacted]
To: [redacted]
Sent: Sun Nov 02 19:59:31 2008
Subject: F & F Guests, November 3, 2008

FOX & FRIENDS GUESTS FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2008 - 1 DAY UNTIL THE
ELECTION!
*** 5AM START!!!! ***

5:00 (A-BLOCK) COLD OPEN // QUICK TEASE

// News HEADLINES // TALKING POINTS

----------------------
5:15 (B-BLOCK) - 2 STORIES ((ANCHOR))
&
JUAN WILLIAMS, POLITICAL ANALYST & FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR & JAMES T.
HARRIS, CONSERVATIVE RADIO TALK SHOW HOST ((BOTH GUESTS ON SET))
TOPIC: OBAMA'S NEW ATTACK ON THOSE WHO DON'T WANT HIGHER TAXES,
"SELFISHNESS"
----------------------
5:22 (C-BLOCK) - 2 STORIES ((ANCHOR))

& CARRYOVER W/ JUAN & JAMES - TOPIC 2 - THE ABILITY TO LOWER TAXES
WORKED FOR IRELAND, WHY WOULDN'T IT WORK FOR US? ((BOTH GUESTS ON SET))
(
----------------------
5:29 (D-BLOCK) - BUMP-IN - TBD

// News HEADLINES - INCLUDE WX // TALKING POINTS // SPORTS

PKG HOW WE GOT HERE: OBAMA ((PKG TRT: 3:22 OC: (music sting)))
----------------------
5:45 (E-BLOCK) - MINI NEWS ((ANCHOR))

&
PKG HOW WE GOT HERE: MCCAIN ((PKG 3:20: , OC: (music sting)))
----------------------
5:52 (F-BLOCK) - JOHN FUND - TOPIC - VOTING ISSUES - EARLY VOTING - IS
IT A GOOD THING? OR IS IT CREATING MORE PROBLEMS? ((NY STUDIO))
====================================================================
5:59 (A-BLOCK) COLD OPEN // QUICK TEASE

// News HEADLINES // TALKING POINTS

----------------------
6:15 (B-BLOCK) - 2 STORIES ((ANCHOR))

& BRENT BOZELL- WILL OBAMA TRY TO CONTROL THE MEDIA? EXAMPLES HE'S
ALREADY DONE- KICKED REPORTERS OFF PLANE, IGNORE FNC, BIDEN FL AV
INTVIEW, ((DC BUREAU))
----------------------
6:22 (C-BLOCK) - POP UP POLITICS ((ANCHOR))

& CARRYOVER (MUST CARRY OVER BRENT BOZELL) ((DC BUREAU))
>> BDAY IN TEASE

----------------------
6:29 (D-BLOCK) - BUMP-IN - TBD

// News HEADLINES - INCLUDE WX // TALKING POINTS // SPORTS

6D - RICK BURGESS & BUBBA BUSSEY: RADIO HOSTS "RICK & BUBBA SHOW" LIVE
FROM THEIR STUDIO-- WHAT ARE THEY HEARING? - INCL OBAMA'S "SELFISHNESS"
SOT ((BIRMINGHAM))

----------------------
6:45 (E-BLOCK) - MINI NEWS ((ANCHOR))
&
DAVID FREDOSSO - TOPIC: THE CHICAGO MACHINE - POLITICS OBAMA IS USED TO
VS POLITICS OF WASHINGTON
((DC BUREAU))
----------------------
6:52 (F-BLOCK) - PETER JOHNSON JR - TOPIC - THE CANDIDATES ON HEALTH
CARE ((ON SET))

====================================================================
6:59 (A-BLOCK) COLD OPEN // QUICK TEASE

// News HEADLINES - INCLUDE WX // TALKING POINTS

----------------------
7:15 (B-BLOCK) - MITT ROMNEY - TOPIC - NEWS OF THE DAY ((TOLEDO))
POOL SCHEDULE
6:30 NBC pretape
6:40 ABC pretape
6:54 CNN live
7:05 CBS live
7:15 Fox live
7:35 MSNBC live

----------------------
7:22 (C-BLOCK) - GERALDINE FERRARO, FORMER DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL
NOMINEE & & RICH LOWRY EDITOR, NATIONAL REVIEW TOPIC -

----------------------
7:29 (D-BLOCK) BUMP IN - TBD

// News HEADLINES - INCLUDE WX & SPORTS // TALKING POINTS

7D - SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL, (D-MO) NATIONAL CO-CHAIR, OBAMA CAMPAIGN
TOPIC - NEWS OF THE DAY ((KANSAS CITY, MO))

----------------------
7:45 (E-BLOCK) - THIS DAY IN HISTORY ((ANCHOR))

& STEPHEN MOORE, WSJ -SENIOR ECONOMIC WRITER - TOPIC: HOW IRELAND'S TAX
CUTS HELPED THEIR ECONOMY ((DC BUREAU))
----------------------
7:52 (F-BLOCK) - PETER JOHNSON JR - VOTER FRAUD - THINGS THAT CAN GO
WRONG DURING VOTING, OR ON ELEX DAY (BASED ON TIME MAG ARTICLE) ((ON
SET))

====================================================================
7:59 (A-BLOCK) // COLD OPEN // QUICK TEASE

// News HEADLINES - INCLUDE WX // TALKING POINTS
8A - KARL ROVE, FORMER CHIEF POLITICAL STRATEGIST TO PRESIDENT BUSH -
TOPIC PRE-ELECTION POLLS - IS THE RACE TIGHTENING? ((IN STUDIO))
----------------------

8:15 (B-BLOCK) - JOHN BOLTON, FORMER US AMBASSADOR TO THE UN - THE EARLY
TESTS FROM ABROAD ((DALLAS BUREAU))
----------------------
8:22 (C-BLOCK) - MINI NEWS

& - JOE THE PLUMBER - TOPIC -PLUNDERING THE PLUMBER'S RECORDS (HER
COLUMN FROM 10/31) - WASH POST ARTICLE TODAY "The Wurzelbacher Effect" -
ANOTHER MEDIA ATTACK ON JOE. ((ON SET))

----------------------
8:29 (D-BLOCK) - BUMP IN - TBD

// News HEADLINES - INCLUDE WX // TALKING POINTS // SPORTS
>> PULL SOT FROM JOE'S 8C INTV?
MICHELLE MALKIN - MICHELLEMALKIN.COM - TOPIC -PLUNDERING THE PLUMBER'S
RECORDS (HER COLUMN FROM 10/31) - WASH POST ARTICLE SUNDAY "THE
WURZELBACHER EFFECT" - ANOTHER MEDIA ATTACK ON JOE. ((DENVER BUREAU))

& ----------------------

8:45 (E-BLOCK) - LAWRENCE EAGLEBURGER - FMR SECY OF STATE UNDER GEORGE
H.W. BUSH, ALSO SERVED UNDER NIXON, REAGAN & CARTER ADMINISTRATIONS AND
IS A MCCAIN SUPPORTER ((CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA)) - WHICH CANDIDATE HAS
BETTER FOREIGN POLICY EXPERIENCE?

----------------------
8:52 (F-BLOCK) - DAN GAINOR, BUSINESS & MEDIA INSTITUTE. TOPIC: AMERICA
2012: FACTS ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT PRESIDENT'S FIRST TERM WILL DO TO
ENERGY, HEALTH CARE AND YOUR WALLET VS WHAT THE MEDIA HAS TOLD YOU
((DC BUREAU))

----------------------
8:58 (G-BLOCK) - GOODBYE

**POST TAPE**
MOTHER OF ANCHORMAN ANNE PRESSLY ((ON SET))
========================================================================
====
REMOTES:

JIM ANGLE, UNSURE ABOUT STARTING TIME

STEVE BROWN FROM OHIO, STARTING AT 7AM

PETER BARNES ON THE ELECTION

Related:
New York Times Editorial Praises Shep Smith For Joe The Plumber Smackdown
Fox's Shepard Smith Forced To Offer Disclaimer After Joe The Plumber Interview
Mayhem At Fox News: Anchor Walks Off Set, Wallace Rails Network For "Obama-Bashing"

Comments

[Daw8it]

Inform yourself.
Why no p_o_w endorsement for McCain?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFM1xqqTX_g

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

Okay....maybe my inner cynic is creeping out, but I really think some folks at Fox are trying to look civil because the results of the pending election may not bode well for them collectively as a network.

Since they are the 'unofficial' GOP machine, what is going to happen to their pull and credibility when their party is no longer in the White House?

The apples don't fall too far from the tree, so I'm going to hold off and postpone my 'atta boy' for just a little bit.

[worrierqueen]

I've noticed this too. Over the last 24 hours they have completely back-pedalled on their hate language. Even Dennis Miller after spilling bile for months says "he doesn't hate anybody". I certainly hope Faux aren't rewarded over the next 4 years just because they start acting contrite 24 hours before the election, after their desperate biased attempts for the last 2 years to have McCain elected collapse into dust.

[BillOReits]

The back pedalling is a tactic being employed by McCain himself as he's been getting back to the jovial Ol' Big Mac. He's just trying to wash the mud off his hands so no one will be reminded what a disgraceful campaign he ran.

[SignWave]

They will become the "opposition" network. Not as good as the propaganda network, perhaps - but still good for business.

[happylittlevegemite]

Wow - first Shepard Smith and now Major Garrett. It's not enough to get me to watch FNC (yes, it's broadcast in Australia) but it's nice to see at least two people there who are at least connected with reality.

Looking at the Fox & Friends show rundown/guest list makes me wonder if the viewers have attention deficit disorder or something. There were no stories longer than about six or seven minutes. That's hardly going to cover the issues in a deep, complex and comprehensive manner, is it

[Caddisfly]

Glad to see you paying attention down under. Unfortunatly many Americans do have short attention spans and short memories. Arter all they put George Bush in that office twice. A true "gotcha" story if there ever was one. After 8 years of naval gazing, I for one hope people will pay a little closer attention to what their elected officails and their minions are doing. One can only hope Fox News will eventually slide into a black hole, never to be seen or heard from in this universe again.

[jimme]

I think by following Obama's campaign for all of these months he's come to learn and know all about the REAL Obama,not the destroyer of America,which is what fox would have everyone believe.

Kudos to Major.

[wanttruth]

Thanks, Major Garrett for reporting the facts regarding Obama's willingness to do interviews with
Fox News anchors.

[Daw8it]

And remember Rev. Hagee endorsed McCain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qNi7tPanUA

Pass it on

[gevan]

The religion biz is full of phoneys, charletans, and frauds. So?

[NamelessGenXer]

So? This Great Turning election marks the permanent demise of the Religion Corp, Inc. who have done more damage to the citizenry of our nation than al queda (which, in case you didn't know, literally means "the base").

[kroses98]

And also Rev. Parslee, (another hypocritical religious nut!)

[islanbatman]

FIXED NEWS.

[socialmistfit]

Recent independent analysis of Fox versus MSNBC... Fox New split reports negative about McCain and Obama almost exactly 50/50. MSNBC was significantly higher on negative McCain reporting.

Major Garrett, Sheppard Smith, Brit Hume, Neil Cavuto. These guys a so far above any brains and talent on MSNBC, yet libs still make fun of Fox and get messy pants watching MSNBC koolaid commericals that are a substitution for news.

[angrykeyboarder]

Got sources?

[jimme]

I've yet to see one anti-mccain segment on fox, maybe because all I do see is anti-Obama.

So who was this independent again?

[auteur]

What a joke. Major Garrett is a roving reporter who only answers in response to slanted questions from Fox anchors, Brit Hume is as about as confrontational as drying wallpaper, Sheppard Smith is like the kid who gets pushed around all year on the playground and then on the last day of school yells jerk to the bully and then run's home, and Wallace (don't even get me started) has about one tenth of the cahonies the old man has, clearly the best part of his father's journalistic fire ran down his mother's leg.

[auteur]

I forgot about Cavuto... well, what's he done of importance since all those Subway commercials.

[happylittlevegemite]

Was I reading the same Fox and Friends rundown as you, mate? All I see there is criticism of Obama and the "lefty liberal media" for picking on poor old JTP

[SnapShots]

Bill O'Reilly is now calling American media "corrupt." This is the exact word he used tonight.

Hmm ... that's funny. The rest of America might now consider American media 'fair and balanced'.

In your face, O'Reilly!

[Solja]

O'Reilly is just mad because his ratings have tanked. He thought he was THE MAN, but all of us together, have proven that to be FALSE. To make matters worse for him, he is losing to his arch enemy, Keith "THE MAN" Olberman. He has gone so far as to say that the Neilson ratings are somehow fixed... by Sen. Obama! LOL! What a loser!

Gotta' love it! haha!

[kroses98]

He should know. He's projecting!

[Rosey]

Fox News Network and Fox semblance of Reporters..... biased crackerheads!

[SpeakFreely]

"Major Garrett"? The next Wolf Blitzer.

[kroses98]

That's funny. He came from CNN!

[mrbres]

What puzzles me about Major Garrett and, once during Katrina, with Sheppard Smith, is what suddenly provokes them when otherwise they robotically support Fox Propaganda Network talking points fed daily straight from the White House. I mean, why this and not countless other egregious distortions?

[escapee]

About thoe low Irish taxes.... I have an Irish friend who says they have to register their TVs -- thata be "register" with a fee! I don't know if they pay low taxes but if they pay to have their televisions registered I'd hate to know about all the other fees they are subject to.

[beccasmecka]

Your friend is jerking your chain.

[MargaretO]

Matter of fact, it's true.

[theaulddubliner]

actually we have to pay for an annual tv license which part funds our public service broadcaster - rte - and advertising.

it's similar to what the brits have to pay to support the bbc.

currently €160.00.

[gevan]

Artists live tax free. Imagine how Hollywood will love that.

[Solja]

People in this country, who have cable tv, have to pay a tax, but it is taken out gradually from the bill.

[ShanniC]

Maybe Major Garrett and Sheppard Smith can find jobs on more friendlier networks. I'm sure that they will pay for criticizing GOP talking points or the network in general. It is nice to know that there are some people with sense over at Fix News.

[GSPLBASSDC]

Yep...they are going to have to make room for Hasslebeck and Palin next season, so I'd dust off the resume if I were them....

[georgiaR]

I think this proves that FoxNews is fair & balanced. You would never hear anyone on MSNBC support Bush or MCCain on anything

[TheOldSchool]

Huh?

What about Joe Scarborough? Pat Buchanan? David Gregory? Tom Brokaw?

The republicans haven't even lost yet, and I'm already tired of their incessant whining.

[njhamdan]

I assume u don't watch MSNBC.....much....Joe Scarbourgh....all the time defends Mccain......w Mika Bre .....whatever her name is..has even lost some popularity for her positive views on Palin
..and the v. liberal Rachel Maddow does roast him.....but also gives him credit where he is due, like standing up to the Obama=Arab lady...and his decision if he were president to not do that presidental signing rule...which obama agreed to. Dont get me started on Pat...........all MSNBC. I know they lean heavily towards liberal views, but they do put up a bit of a fight......unlike FOX w only a handful of examples, the above post and the instance w Shepard Smith..........ur welcome for the enlightenment :)

[shehariah]

No, it does not prove FAUX News is fair and balanced, it proves Major Garrett has a moral compass that works. He belongs on MSNBC.

If FAUX News were fair and balanced they would have dug deeper into McCain's relationship with G.Gordon Liddy - domestic terrorist. They would have dug deeper into Sarah Palin's connection with the Alaska Independence party - domestic terrorist. They would have dug deeper into Sarah Palin's witch doctor pastor or McCain's involvement with the Keating 5.

Instead it was all Obama all the time, parsing out every jot and tittle of misinformation they could get out of their mouths, most of wihich appeared to be based on the completely discredited book "Obama Nation" by Jerome Corsi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Obama_Nation

The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality is a controversial bestselling book by Jerome Corsi intended by its author to oppose Barack Obama's candidacy for President of the United States.[1] The book alleges Obama's "extreme leftism", "extensive connections with Islam and radical politics", "naïve...foreign policy", past drug use and connections to corrupt backers, among other things.[2]

This is exactly the type of garbage pushed b y FAUX News. Which in the "guilt by association" methodology they employ - their news is garbage!

[jimme]

What's to support them on?

[reallymolly]

Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Willie Geist, Tucker Carlson, Pat Buchanan, Tom Brokaw, David Gregory, Andrea Mitchell.

I'll come back if I can come up with some more, but this list should be plenty to refute your claim.

Please give me an equivalent list of FOX Obama supporters.