Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) said on Monday that the DNC made a mistake in choosing not to hold a primary debate on Fox News, even if Fox is “largely an instrument of the right wing.”
“I don’t think it was the right decision,” Himes told CNN’s Alisyn Camerota, pointing out that the network is watched by “millions and millions” of Americans.
The Connecticut congressman argued that if the DNC has to chance to pit its platform of universal health care and retirement security against “whatever nonsense is on the other side,” Democrats will come out looking stronger than the GOP.
“I don’t care what channel you’re on, we will have the appealing idea,” said Himes.
Watch his interview with Camerota below:
Dem Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) disagrees with DNC decision to not hold a primary debate on Fox News: “I don’t care what channel you’re on, we will have the appealing ideas.” pic.twitter.com/iEqJ6CwV5a
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) March 11, 2019
What turnip patch did they haul this guy out of?
The DNC did Fox a favor. Ratings would be way down for a Dem debate. Most Fox viewers would skip it, because who cares about what the Dems have to say, most Dems wouldn’t be able to force themselves to turn the channel to Fox News, and the only people watching will be the Fox hardcore who hate watch.
“I don’t care what channel you’re on, we will have the appealing idea,” said Himes.
WRONG.
While the fox powers that be would likely not put Dobbs or Hannity on the panel, the remaining interrogators—or, I’m sorry, HOSTS—would have their agenda set from on high. Nothing but attacks meant to divide the Dems and to goad any of them into a gaffe.
I’d love to see a smart candidate take the Foxers to task as much as anyone. But that momentary pleasure would be the only possible good outcome of coming on Pravda, and I doubt any lasting advantage would be gained by it.
Jim, I like you, guy, but you’re dead wrong. Democrats will not pick up a single damn vote by holding a debate on Fox. In fact, I think it would be far more likely we could lose a few swing voters who stick around for the analysis after the debate and listen to their panel rip each of our candidates apart. We’re better off to appeal to the left and the middle, persuadable voters than to waste our time with folks who’ve already sold their souls to Fox.
The NFL plays games in London and Mexico City. Playing a game in Sana’a, the capital of Yemen during a civil war might be dangerous, but watching a running back try to outrun a missile would be a unique viewing experience! If the game is good enough, why should the NFL be afraid?