Chris Wallace Apologizes For Michele Bachmann 'Flake' Question (VIDEO)

Fox News' Chris Wallace apologized on Sunday for asking presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann if she was a "flake" on that morning's "Fox News Sunday."

The question, which Bachmann called "insulting," raised the ire of many of the show's viewers. Even Wallace's Fox News colleague Greta Van Susteren had qualms with the question.

"Is this how Chris Wallace would ask the same question of a man?" she wrote in a blog post.

In a Sunday web video, Wallace backed down.

“A lot of you were more than perturbed, you were upset and felt that I had been rude to her," he said. "And since in the end it’s really all about the answers, and not about the questions, I messed up, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”

WATCH:

Bachmann rejected Wallace's apology in an interview with ABC News.

Comments

[fredpa]

05:01 PM on 07/02/2011

This is a little, insignificant man desperately trying to earn a little cred by being the lone fair and balanced voice on a network he realizes lacks fairness and balance. The President has been asked "Do you hate America," by so-called journalists hiding behind the people-are-saying rationale. The way to ask that question is: How do you reconcile, for people having trouble taking you seriously, that despite gaffes like 1, 2, 3, you should be taken seriously as a presidential contender?
What the hell kind of answer would anyone expect to a question like that? Yeah, I'm a flake, but I'm a popular enough flake to get elected.

[Winstonoboogie]

11:26 PM on 06/29/2011

There was nothing remotely sexist about Wallace's question, and no reason he should have apologized for asking it. His 'flake' question was not based on Bachmann's gender but on her hard-earned reputation for taking extremist positions, making bizarre statements, and mangling American history in hilariously Palinesque ways. Also, as fans of David Letterman and Howard Stern can attest, the ability to handle goofy, unexpected, or even offensive questions with honesty, grace, and a sense of humor always makes someone look a whole lot better than when they just get angry and indignant that the question was asked in the first place.

[Miketou]

05:29 PM on 06/29/2011

Come on folks, this is Fox News we're talking about. Bachmann was probably given a list of the questions prior to the interview.

[p mantis]

10:23 PM on 06/29/2011

Probably - plus she IS a flake.

[Ericjm]

05:18 PM on 06/29/2011

"Is this how Chris Wallace would ask the same question of a man?" Yeah, Greta, if she/he were liberal, he would and then you would happily repeat it on your show.

[sector1463]

03:02 PM on 06/29/2011

When I watched the clip I thought he was auditioning to be her campaing manager.

[robert horwitz]

11:23 AM on 06/29/2011

Well Chris I have an idea how you can find Redemption. Book Arizona Congressman Jeff Flake on your program and ask him the same question.

[MacManLB]

11:10 AM on 06/29/2011

Michele Bachmann is not a flake. She is more of a nut cluster!

[nana4g]

09:18 AM on 06/29/2011

This is so stupid. It was a perfectly legitimate question. She has been flakey; she's been called flakey; is she really flakey? If not, why does she say what she says? Are you a flake?

Are you a witch? If you have volunteered yourself into witchcrafty stuff, and have said so, it is a legitimate question. Are you a witch?

Bachman needs to make a video ad...."I am not a flake. I am you...."

[ToniQ]

01:23 AM on 06/29/2011

Speaking the truth or just hosting Jon Stewart is like kryptonite for FOX network talking heads.

[emmasvoice]

09:25 PM on 06/28/2011

Chris Wallace's "flake" question was on point. Many call Bachmann a flake. He owed her no apology.

[not one of the sheep]

09:03 PM on 06/28/2011

So if the question was: President Obama, are you a moron? This would be acceptable? Of course not, this type of question is only asked a conservative woman. It worked for Palin so why not try it for Bachmann. Don't base it on a candidates record, just use personal attacks.

[ToniQ]

01:32 AM on 06/29/2011

The more credible conservative question is: President Obama are you an elitist? Do you even see the irony?

[not one of the sheep]

01:36 PM on 06/29/2011

How true and the shoe fits perfectly. F&F

[storeysound]

09:06 PM on 06/29/2011

It is difficult to base a critique on someone's record when they don't really have one. Michele Bachmann has never introduced, sponsored, or co-sponsored a meaningful piece of legislation. She has introduced a bill to repeal health care reform, as did a number of other Representatives and a number of Senators, knowing that none had a snowball's chance of passing. She has been nothing but a rubber stamp for the GOP party line.

[not one of the sheep]

05:02 PM on 06/30/2011

Then what you're saying is Bachmann is a mirror image of Obama four years ago but a polar opposite.

[Darth Hater]

08:00 PM on 06/28/2011

"I'm sorry I asked you if you were a flake........FLAKE"!

[RichInSeattle]

06:51 PM on 06/28/2011

Wallace, so you only apologise to Conservatives who you insult? Is this an example of you balancing out the "left" media as you told Jon Stewart.

[vohshka]

06:05 PM on 06/28/2011

I think Wallace knew exactly what he was saying when he called her a flake it was a lead up ... it was no off the cuff remark ... and the apology seemed over the top and disingenous ... so whats going on. I think the whole thing was set up ... its no secret that Fox have fallen out of love with Palin ... she has turned the GOP into a fringe movement of the tea party- the tail wagging the dog ... Fox do not want a gaffe prone Palin clone stealing the nomination ... they want one of their own. I think Fox are setting her up for a fall ... so one of their preferred candidates gets the nomination. They want a credible candidate squaring up to Obama - not another national joke. They have gone out of their way to draw attention to Bachmann's gaffes - they could have just swept the whole thing under the carpet - why would Hannity make such a show of apologising to her ... and how often did he say "congressmen make mistakes" unless it was to draw attention to her stupidity. Bachmann could well win the nomination which would be a disaster for the GOP. Lets hope she wins.

[GaryNOVA]

04:46 PM on 06/28/2011

Don't appologize for what is quite possibly the single greatest question a reporter has ever asked a presidential candidate on air.