Gibbs: Many stories on Fox News aren’t true
posted at 12:15 pm on October 14, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Tommy Christopher catches Robert Gibbs in continuing the Obama adminstration’s war on Fox News. Coming from a White House that has now botched three of its health-care anecdotal scare stories, this response should have produced laughs in the Briefing Room:
TC: How would you respond to criticism that the White House’s current posture toward Fox News constitutes some kind of bullying, or chilling of speech?
Robert Gibbs: (long pause) We…get questions throughout the day, seven days a week, about policies here at the White House, questions you guys want answered, and our goal is to make sure that you have the facts, that you do your job. That’s what we do for everybody.
TC: Well, specifically, the comments by Anita Dunn about Fox not being a real news network…
Robert Gibbs: I have watched many stories on that network that I have found not to be true. I think everybody in this room has been likely on the other end of a phone conversation with me when I’ve had issues with your stories. I don’t think that’s news.
Tommy’s not sure what to make of that caveat at the end. Is Gibbs accusing all of the media of being enemies of the Obama White House, or is it just confirmation of what Chris Wallace said last month — that this administration is the biggest bunch of crybabies ever? After all, Wallace reported that they don’t call to complain about factual errors in stories, but also tone, and guest selection on their shows, and so on. If Gibbs has done that with all of the major broadcast outlets, then perhaps he can explain why the White House has begun to single out Fox, as Anita Dunn did, if they have the same problems with everyone else.
It almost sounds to me as if they’re already regretting their decision to launch a public war with Fox, perhaps stung by criticism from the Left, such as The Nation, that paints them as crybabies unable to play in the big leagues — or as Nixonian with a new kind of enemies list. Gibbs sounds as though he wants to broaden and therefore lessen the criticism when it was the administration who picked this fight in the first place.
Blowback
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Glenn Beck’s phone still isn’t ringing, Gibbsy.
jimmy2shoes on October 14, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Which one(s) Gibbsy? And not one of the weenies in attendance challenges him! HOW SAD!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on October 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Didn’t the “you can’t just listen to Limbaugh and expect anything to get done around here” comment blow up in the White House’s face also?
Pretty sure it did there Gibbsy. Looks as if this one is as well.
You can only pull the pin on so many hand grenades before you take some self-inflicted shrapnel.
Bratricide.
ted c on October 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
What stories?
When?
Were corrections made if a mistake was made?
Mortis on October 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
I think you’re exactly right. Makes them look petty to even single them out.
Patrick Ishmael on October 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Yes. I, too, suffered thru the “Half Hour News Hour”
lorien1973 on October 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Took my idea
angelwing34215 on October 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Follow up question:
WHICH Stories did you find ‘not true’ ?????
bridgetown on October 14, 2009 at 12:19 PM
“Beltway Bob” is almost as factual and entertaining as “Baghdad Bob” was…
JohnBG on October 14, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Such as??
CDeb on October 14, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Thanks for your input, kettle.
Vashta.Nerada on October 14, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Please continue White House, it speaks volumes.
Cindy Munford on October 14, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Did anyone say “Name three”?
drjohn on October 14, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Can SNL make a skit on this?
Gibs is such a wrinkle.
upinak on October 14, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Does anyone see a strawman argument here?
“Some stories….”
looks like, “There are some who say….”
These are the hallmarks of strawmen arguments. A fallacious misrepresentation of an opponent that is summarily knocked down. Unforunately, as bridgetown notes…
that strawmen arguments cannot stand to followup questions.
ted c on October 14, 2009 at 12:23 PM
The Kleenex budget for the White House is going to skyrocket with all the crying about Fox News.
Boo freakin’ Hoo you whiny crybabies.
portlandon on October 14, 2009 at 12:24 PM
“Not true” stories like the Bush National Guard story? That one? Oh wait… that wasn’t Fox, was it? That was CBS, wasn’t it?
crazy_legs on October 14, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Enemy of the Week: Fox.
Socialists always need a windmill to tilt against.
Rush. Beck. Fox.
Who will it be next week? Stay tuned!
lorien1973 on October 14, 2009 at 12:24 PM
“There is no HealthCare Bill!”
Senators walk past camera with large HEALTHCARE notebooks.
upinak on October 14, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Anyone else get the image of Gibbsy calling up other reporters, in tears, bawling “did you hear what they said?!”
Crawford on October 14, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Sorry!
jimmy2shoes on October 14, 2009 at 12:25 PM
45 minutes of Gibbs? Gitmo detainees don’t suffer that much abuse.
fourdeucer on October 14, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Exactly. Name ‘em, fat boy.
Jaibones on October 14, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Well,Gibbs should untruths when he hears them. Most of what comes out of Obama’s mouth isn’t true.
Beaglemom on October 14, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Ever.
Abby Adams on October 14, 2009 at 12:26 PM
TOOL!
cmsinaz on October 14, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Sorry, make that Gibbs should know…
Beaglemom on October 14, 2009 at 12:26 PM
It’s the ‘Joy Behar’ method of argumentation. Gibbsy called Fox a ‘Liar’ first, so he doesn’t need to have evidence in support of his assertion. That fact that he called them dishonest before Fox called him the same automatically wins him the point, regardless of their concrete examples in support of their position. And besides, shuttup.
Tom_OC on October 14, 2009 at 12:26 PM
There are a bunch of pantywaists in this administration. Privileged kids when attacked or question, cry and whine.
cubachi on October 14, 2009 at 12:27 PM
“Health Care Legislation will not raise taxes, one dime, on anyone making less than $250K………”
Need we say more?
franksalterego on October 14, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Does this mean he whines to other reporters when he gets a bad story on Fox? Wow.
lorien1973 on October 14, 2009 at 12:27 PM
My thought, a good reporter would have stated; “Can you give me an example?”
right2bright on October 14, 2009 at 12:28 PM
you never cross the “Ones” toadie.
upinak on October 14, 2009 at 12:29 PM
This guy takes back peddling to an Olympic standard.
When the Oval Office has to attack its critics, it makes them look even more impedant than they already are, which is something.
Hening on October 14, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Why doesn’t the White House just have noted fact-checker Wolf “Jeopardy” Blitzer spell it out for them?
Tom_OC on October 14, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Of course not a one was mentioned, because Dems make accusations that are never fact-checked, unlike comedy skits are fact-checked. So, the MSM types present wouldn’t fact check this accusation. Like trained seals, they applaud when they can while otherwise remaining silent. Maybe the issue will go away.
Liam on October 14, 2009 at 12:29 PM
THey don’t have the same problems with everyone else. Gibbs is officially the administrations CYA man now.
gryphon202 on October 14, 2009 at 12:30 PM
The hard left base isn’t very happy with 0bama lately, especially about single payer and not surrendering fast enough:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ7C3Uifw08
Bashing Fox News is a sure fire way of distracting a leftist, they have a Pavlovian rabid reaction whenever FNC is mentioned.
Rebar on October 14, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I agree with you, Ed. This is Gibbs opening the umbrella to encapsulate other news network to try and mollify the criticism on Fox News. Or at least make it seem like they weren’t attacking Fox News singularly. The problem, of course, is that to make Fox News not appear unique, they have to (as this statement above appears to do) include other networks in the criticism. Which means, the administration that had the softest of kid gloves from the media during the campaign is now intimating that the media is too tough? Please. Grow a pair.
LastRick on October 14, 2009 at 12:30 PM
that’s rich coming from this tool…
cmsinaz on October 14, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Why do I get the sense that we’ll be seeing this as Thursday’s OOTD?
The filthy liar’s spokesperson essentially said FNC lies but then didn’t back it up. Were I FNC, I’d be demanding that the filthy liar put up or issue an apology. Point out the stories that were made up.
highhopes on October 14, 2009 at 12:31 PM
This White House is turning into every episode of Highway to Heaven/Little House on the Prarie…everyone ends up crying.
portlandon on October 14, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Now if we can only convince Democrats that Iran and North Korea are Fox subsidiaries…
gwelf on October 14, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Gibbs is a lieing douchebag.
VegasRick on October 14, 2009 at 12:34 PM
STFU Robert Goebbels.
Ryan Gandy on October 14, 2009 at 12:35 PM
So Obama is willing to meet with Iran without preconditions but Chris Wallace not so much?
gwelf on October 14, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Mr. Robert Gibbs… Can you call Glenn Beck please… he has a phone line awaiting your call.
Also, Mr. Robert Gibbs, Was it Rahm’s idea for the White House to attack Fox News in violation of the First Amendment?
IntheNet on October 14, 2009 at 12:35 PM
How did this crew of Middle School kiddies ever make it to the national stage?
reaganaut on October 14, 2009 at 12:35 PM
These people never cease to amaze me.
thebrokenrattle on October 14, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Can you believe the balls? The Liar-in-Chief is shameless.
marklmail on October 14, 2009 at 12:36 PM
add on…..
fat boy’s enemy list
beck….rush….sarah (deathpanels)……fox
bff
all dictators
all muslims
all terrorists
all criminals
all illegal aliens
all people of “color”
nondhimmie on October 14, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Tell us which stories were inaccurate and I’m sure CNN will be glad to fact-check them.
Daggett on October 14, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Names, dates and examples, por favor.
Mr. D on October 14, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Thread comment of the day!
Liam on October 14, 2009 at 12:37 PM
So FOX has been listed-of-color?
Daggett on October 14, 2009 at 12:38 PM
He has to be kidding…almost nothing the White House says is true…
JIMV on October 14, 2009 at 12:40 PM
No such thing any more.
Del Dolemonte on October 14, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Add on
Honor.
Duty.
Country.
VegasRick on October 14, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Name two you brown nose butt wipe! What a lispy metro-sexual wimp.
Raciest.
david kumbera on October 14, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Any journalist worth their salt, left or right, should rightly be infuriated and a little frightened of this administrations tack towards Fox. An entire news network declared an opponent of the White House? That’s insane rhetoric.
And like many others, I am gobsmacked that no one questioned exactly which stories Gibbs are saying are complete fabrications.
BakerAllie on October 14, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Where were the FOX people to defend themselves?
VegasRick on October 14, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Glenn Beck is making utter fools out of Gibbs and Dunn with the red phone.
Buy Danish on October 14, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Hey Gibbsy….Glenn says “Call Me”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH3Q_CZy968
milwife88 on October 14, 2009 at 12:44 PM
I pray that he keeps his job everyday. Nothing like having the face of the WH be such a dispicable little toad that Americans cant stand. I have actually seen people recoil from the tv when he comes on. Heh.
di butler on October 14, 2009 at 12:44 PM
I just don’t see how this won’t backfire on the administration.
Hunt035 on October 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Yes. That’s it! The lesson from the administration is that FOX should not waste their (and our) time reporting news stories they (the WH) deem to be false. The preferred nomenclature is to have the highly qualified journalist speak about, say, shooting people in the head with a pellet gun, or having a big, fat, orange guy foaming at the mouth calling wives and mothers bags of meat with lipstick on. Now that’s what the white house calls journalism.
sgtstogie on October 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I got a false story for you, Gibby. It wasn’t, however, reported on FOX:
From
FAUX NEWSthe Bureau of Labor Statistics 12 days ago:So, to quote a now famous no-name politican, YOU LIE.
Good Lt on October 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Allahpundit: Is Gibbs accusing all of the media of being enemies of the Obama White House, or is it just confirmation of what Chris Wallace said last month — that this administration is the biggest bunch of crybabies ever?
Yes. It’s almost neurotic. No. It is neurotic.
It almost sounds to me as if they’re already regretting their decision to launch a public war with Fox, perhaps stung by criticism from the Left, such as The Nation, that paints them as crybabies unable to play in the big leagues — or as Nixonian with a new kind of enemies list.
This is what worries me a lot. There seems to be a Machiavellian side to this administration. Perhaps it won’t explode, then implode like Nixon, or perhaps they’ll pull it off, unlike Nixon, with the help of their devotees in the MSM.
Loxodonta on October 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Proof, I want proof. We already know that you and the WH lies. Where’s your proof.
rjoco1 on October 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I watched with my father the Army-McCarthy hearings on TV as a small child. For years now I’ve been talking about the McCarthyism of the Left, and others have written eloquently about it.
Yes, history has a way of repeating itself, doesn’t it?
Drained Brain on October 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
i agree with most of you. where was Major Garrett to jump up & ask “which stories?”.
and oooooh. if Robert Gibbs says one thing about Brit Hume who is my hero, idol & secret crush, i’m marching on Washington.
kelley in virginia on October 14, 2009 at 12:46 PM
*Sorry – that was 2006 when the Donks took over. So it’s even MORE damning for their “fiscal/tax policy,” as it was already implemented by the new fiscal year at the end of 2007.
Good Lt on October 14, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Their middle school kiddy friends voted for them.
j_galt on October 14, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Keep f***ing that chicken, Gibbsy.
rockmom on October 14, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Who knew that the “shovel ready” jobs would be in the OBungle administration. Stimulus dollars at work.
jdkchem on October 14, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Somebody call the Waaahmhbulance.
j0 on October 14, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Robert Gibbs doesn’t need evidence to substantiate that claim. As White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs is the Arbiter of Truth.
Shock the Monkey on October 14, 2009 at 12:48 PM
It’s time for Fox to fact check Gibbs, Obama, Pelosi and Reid. This could be fun.
BottomLine5 on October 14, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I actually agree with Gibbs. But only when Shep and Geraldo are on spouting their nonsense.
Branch Rickey on October 14, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Yeah, but if they stopped letting Democrats on air, you’d complain about that too.
Pablo on October 14, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Hey, Gibblets, name ONE story you saw on Fox News that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt was not true, that was manufactured, that was fabricated, that was an intended falsehood designed primarily to make your boss look bad!
Just ONE story!
Because if you can, just that one story will be enough to discredit Fox News as being a legitimate news service, and you darn well know that!
So come, Gibblets, you got the proof? Bring it!
Because as of right now, someone here is not telling the truth.
It is either Fox New, or YOU!
pilamaye on October 14, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Fox News: Many stories in the White House aren’t true.
NoFanofLibs on October 14, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Who plays Divine in this crappy Pink Flamingos remake?
jdkchem on October 14, 2009 at 12:51 PM
I recall that if Bush said the media had some facts wrong he was forced to show at least 3 different sources on how they were wrong. After a few days of debate the media might say they were partly mistaken on the story, but the story itself was still mostly true. Compare that to this Administration. They are able to make whatever claim they want and go unchallenged. After all the Messiah is infallible is he not?
This is the reason I cannot stand the media anymore. The blatant double standard that everybody claims does not exist. I am not a huge Bush fan, but he at least had the dignity not to use his office to attack Chris Matthews or MSNBC. In fact, one of Bush’s last interviews was with NBC. Compare that to Obama who has declared Fox will not be graced by his presence until at least next year.
txaggie on October 14, 2009 at 12:51 PM
…like?
Good Lt on October 14, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Robert Gibbs, you lie!
rbj on October 14, 2009 at 12:52 PM
WH: It is getting really hard to keep track of everyone who is not very friendly…….what we need is a way to keep track of these people…a diagram? No that won’t do.Stick figures? No, too complicated….
I know! How about a list?!
We can call it “The people who are not very friendly to us list”….
No!….that’s kind of cumbersome.
I know!
R Square on October 14, 2009 at 12:53 PM
There are times when someone’s blatant stupidity is so obvious that rebuttal isn’t necessary.
jimmy2shoes on October 14, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Someday, hopefully, in the not too distant future, the Media won’t have Obama to kick around, anymore.
heh,heh,heh
franksalterego on October 14, 2009 at 12:53 PM
So Gibbs lies too.
What stories?
Name one.
Connie on October 14, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Sadly, all of them except Fox jumped the shark and sold their collective journalistic souls to the devil in order to get O’bama elected. They’re too far gone to turn back now.
Del Dolemonte on October 14, 2009 at 12:55 PM
I’m looking forward to the day when Ed gets a call from Gibbs about all them “questionable” Obamateurisms.
Funnier yet: Beck’s red phone finally rings. Beck answers, “Ed Morrissey?, sorry, you’ve dialed the wrong number”
Rovin on October 14, 2009 at 12:57 PM
If it were me I would have had to stand up and ask the POS for an example.
VegasRick on October 14, 2009 at 12:58 PM
There’s no need for specifics if you’re a Democrat.
‘Some say’
‘Many say’
‘Anonymous sources said’
mudskipper on October 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Cry moar nub.
spmat on October 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Like the times they show news clips from CNN and MSNBC?
txaggie on October 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Hey Bobby! Tell us more about how transparent and open the government will be. And how they’re gonna reach across the aisle. Oh, please tell us that funny story how Barry’s gonna go line by line through every bill to cut spending…I love that one! What about the one where no lobbyists will work in the White House? Or the one where Gitmo will be closed and all the other countries will suddenly respect us. And then tell us again how Fox News is less than truthful. You’ve got one heck of a nerve…you whiney, useless sack of lard.
Barb Dwyer on October 14, 2009 at 1:00 PM
FOXN might not be perfect, but let’s compare:
CBS: Rathergate
CNN: Tailwind
NBC: Exploding cars (because they rigged them with explosives)
ABC: Collaborated with Saddam Hussein on news coverage
Oh yes, let’s call out Fox News here…
18-1 on October 14, 2009 at 1:00 PM
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