In an interview published at the New Republic on Sunday, Barack Obama targeted Rush Limbaugh and Fox News, claiming that more Republicans would go along with his agenda if the two conservative media outlets didn't exist.
"Well, look, I’ve always believed that there are a bunch of Republicans of goodwill who would rather get something done than suffer through the sort of nasty atmosphere that prevails in Washington right now. It’s not a fun time to be a member of Congress," he said when asked if there were "any forces or people" in the GOP with whom he has established a working relationship.
"And I think if you talk privately to Democrats and Republicans, particularly those who have been around for a while, they long for the days when they could socialize and introduce bipartisan legislation and feel productive. So I don't think the issue is whether or not there are people of goodwill in either party that want to get something done. I think what we really have to do is change some of the incentive structures so that people feel liberated to pursue some common ground," he added.
He then went on to target Fox News and Rush Limbaugh.
"One of the biggest factors is going to be how the media shapes debates," he said. "If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you'll see more of them doing it."
But the president wasn't finished.
"One of the biggest factors is going to be how the media shapes debates," he said. "If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you'll see more of them doing it."
Limbaugh responded Monday by accusing Obama of goading him into saying something extreme to spark another boycott.
He also told his audience that he wasn't being paid enough if it was just him and Fox News keeping Republicans from going along with Democrats.
Fox News' Greta van Susteren also fired back, writing on her blog that Obama "wants his usual media pass and Fox challenges his policies," which, she said, "happens to be the media’s job."
She also wrote that Democrats have told her they "get heat" from their leadership for going on the network.
"Does President Obama know that?" she asked. "So which Party is intimidating its members?"
The sharpest criticism came from Breitbart editor Ben Shapiro, who accused the administration of threatening Limbaugh and Fox News.
Shapiro wrote that Obama believes the media -- specifically outlets that do not agree with him -- must be "curbed."
"This is nothing new from a thuggish administration that has vocally derided Rush Limbaugh repeatedly, pushed secondary boycotts of Limbaugh through its extragovernmental allies, and targeted Fox News as illegitimate for daring to question The One’s agenda," Shapiro added. "But with Obama’s re-election, he obviously feels that his cross-hairs can be safely placed on his media opposition."
Related:
- Obama campaign sets up web site to silence dissent, criticism
- Obama whines about press coverage: ‘You guys in the press are incorrigible’
- Keith Olbermann attacks Fox News, Bill O'Reilly in vulgar twitter exchanges
- Jim Wallis says Fox News 'assassin of Obama's religion'
- MSNBC host redefines treason as GOP opposition to government spending
- Mainstream media declares jihad against truth and the Tea Party
- Soros-funded Media Matters declares war on Fox News
- White House sets up media position to squash unfavorable stories
- Media Matters war on conservative speech continues with attack on Brent Bozell
- Al Sharpton continues political war on free speech
- Conservative speech the real target of liberal attacks
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