re: #118 Killgore Trout

Yes, the MSM was very hostile to Bush. Obama is no more thin skinned. In fact I suspect that the reason Fox news is being called out by name by the White house is to actually increase Fox’s influence with conservatives. Obama and the Dems will have a much easier time if conservatives are spending all their time and energy with Tea Parties, crying fits and investigating ACORN. Fox news is doing a fantastic job distracting conservatives and damaging the GOP with voters.

All fair points. But while that may be Obama’s strategy, it doesn’t mean it is a good strategy. In fact, I think it’s a poor strategy. Number one: it makes the POTUS look very whiny and undignified, which our adversaries are certainly taking note of. Number two: it will motivate FOX to dig even deeper into some of the President’s appointments. And FOX may hit paydirt … legitimate paydirt. FOX has many good reporters. They are far more than beck and Hannity. O’Reilly, for all his bombast and stupidity on SOME issues, is capable of excellent reporting on other subjects. He is no kook. While I think O’Reilly’s embrace of beck isn’t smart, O’Reilly is not compromised in the ways that beck is and he does have credibility in many circles. Obama is making a big mistake with this strategy, and when FOX does get something of value against one of the POTUS’s people, they can expect no mercy. If Obama is smart, he will move quickly to end this pissing war and seize the high ground. As someone more clever than I once said “don’t get into a war of words with someone who buys ink by the barrel.”