Romney vs FOX

A major part of our presidential process in this modern age is through the media. Tons of people, even classmates of mine, blame the media for influencing us in certain ways- making the president look insufficient or overzealous at times. However, that is their job. The media is suppose to inform and influence us. Everyone knows that certain television networks take certain sides on politics, and some people think that they shouldn’t do that.

My specific advice to those who think that the news is too opinionated: if you really feel that way about the news and media centers, I certainly hope that you watch C-Span. I can’t tell you how many people are FOX haters, but watch MSNBC, and those who watch FOX but despise MSNBC. I call you fools for anyone who makes such a criticism and doesn’t regulate it when they don’t criticize it.

When it comes down to it, the media influences the way we think and feel about anything they broadcast- especially Presidents. Television provides us a direct link to the President. Let’s face it, I’ve never received a Christmas Card from the White House, or even a personal letter in the mailbox explaining why the economy is the way it is from the President’s office. We need the television to get a sense of a presidential candidate’s personality, political views, and campaign promises. We depend on it.

Republican candidate Mitt Romney was rarely seen on television prior to a recent interview by Bret Baier with FOX News this last week. Unlike Cain who couldn’t keep his face off the news, Romney has been relatively quiet off the set of the Primary debates in the fall. This interview almost felt like a ‘behind the scenes’ or ‘backstage’ interview.

The interview has become popular now not because of Romney, but because of the situation that came about during the interview. The interview was very different than what you’d expect from a ‘conservative media affiliate’ interviewing someone they would potentially endorse if Romney wins the Primary. Romney talked back to Baier about “getting his facts right” throughout the interview as Baier questioned Romney persistently on his inconsistency on his policies. Specifically, Romney stumbled over what to do with the 11 million illegal immigrants.

Baier went as far as to reveal after the broadcast was released that Romney approached him after the interview was conducted, saying that he didn’t like Baier’s interview.

I, in some ways, sympathize with Romney . For one, Baier spent a lot of time asking Romney some very insensitive and, frankly, offensive questions. Baier went as far as to ask Romney if he thinks Gingrich would beat Obama out of the White House. …too soon…. That’s like asking a semi-finalist Boxer if his opponent would be able to take down the Heavy Weight Champion of the world. And to Romney’s credit, though he stumbled, he kept a path of communication on issues that he could answer.

I found the whole situation very confusing since it is so late in the game for initial interviews to be conducted it feels like. Romney’s clearly setting an image of himself as the only “economist” in the Primary race, but at the expense of his other policies and weak points being broken down and attacked by the media.