Fox News has become an unusual new hotspot for Democratic contenders.
President Trump’s favorite network is increasingly hosting Democratic presidential candidates anxious for exposure to the massive Fox News audience — even as they risk blowback from some members of the party who see the network as an ideological threat.
Many liberals returned to enemy territory this week, when Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders appeared on the network for the Town Hall, drawing the largest television audience of any Democratic candidate running in 2020. More than 2.5 million people live in developed countries. Trump has a swayed audience that may be willing to cross party lines next year.
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota agreed with Fox News
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said on Wednesday that she has consented to a Fox News town hall-style event next month. South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg is in advanced talks with the network. Former Housing Secretary Julián Castro is close to joining on, while Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Cory Booker of New Jersey have expressed interest.
The debate over whether to appear on Fox News reflects a larger divide within the Democratic Party as it considers how to retake the White House: Should Democrats focus on expanding and mobilizing the various coalitions that comprise their base, or should they seek inroads with the millions of Americans who supported Mr. Trump in 2016?
In an oversaturated media environment, the answer was simple for Mr. Buttigieg’s ascending campaign.
“We are going to talk to voters everywhere and we are going to meet them where they are,”
– Lis Smith
Lis Smith further said, who handles Mr. Buttigieg’s media strategy. Mr. Buttigieg became the first 2020 Democratic candidate to sit for an interview with Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday” in March. “The outmoded concept of taking a cautious and risk-averse approach to media must be abandoned.”
“Voters will reward boldness,” Ms. Smith remarked, “even if it comes with an error here and there.”
Ms. Smith Remarks on Fox News
Town halls on Fox News are moderated by news anchors like Bret Baier, rather than the network’s hard-right commentators. Many establishment Democrats are concerned about the loyalty that pundits like Sean Hannity exhibit to Mr. Trump. The Democratic National Committee took the rare step last month of excluding Fox News from sponsoring any of its presidential primary debates, claiming that the network’s “inappropriate relationship” with the government rendered it unable to organize a fair event.
Democrats who appear on the network provide credibility to liberal voters view
Democrats who appear on the network, according to critics, offer credence to a platform that many liberal voters regard as xenophobic, toxic, and an incorrigible advocate for the president.
“I understand the short-term incentives for Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg to appear on Fox News,” Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama and presenter of the liberal podcast “Pod Save America,” wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
(Ms. Smith responded on Twitter, pointing that Mr. Obama had sat for interviews with former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly.)
Mr. Trump response on Mr. Sanders call
Mr. Trump perplexed when he saw Mr. Sanders, one of his harshest opponents, granted Fox News exposure to call the president a “pathological liar,” among other derogatory terms.
“It’s so strange to watch Crazy Bernie on @FoxNews,” Mr. Trump tweeted on Tuesday, as a faithful viewer dissatisfied with an unexpected plot arc.
“What’s the deal with @FoxNews?” the president wrote
Mr. Trump has been screaming at Fox News for months. However, the campaign’s objective is to portray Democrats as too extreme for the country, and it believes that if Fox News introduces candidates in a nice manner, they will appear more acceptable. According to people familiar with their thinking, Mr. Trump and some of his aides are also irritated that Fox News is highlighting not only Mr. Sanders, but even a moderate like Ms. Klobuchar of Minnesota, a Midwest state where the Trump team is hoping to make inroads.
Mr. Sanders’ interview on Fox News got mostly glowing reviews, but other Democrats are wary.
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