Petraeus Will Retreat to Fox News Following Testimony

Posted by Steve Benen at 5:55 AM on September 10, 2007.

Steve Benen: After spending the day telling Congress that Bush's Iraq escalation should continue, Gen. Petraeus will take his PR campaign to Fox News.

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This post, written by Steve Benen, originally appeared on The Carpetbagger Report

Given that he's working hand-in-hand with the White House's public-relations team, Gen. David Petraeus enters today's congressional testimony as an advocate for the president's policy, not a neutral and objective observer. To reinforce this belief, Petraeus has decided to spend some of his evening today with the "fair and balanced" team at Fox News.

After spending the day telling Congress that President Bush's Iraq escalation should continue, Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker will take their PR campaign to a more comfortable setting: Fox News.

On Fox News Sunday this morning, host Chris Wallace announced the interview: "Now a special program note. Tonight at 9:00 p.m. eastern on the Fox News Channel, Brit [Hume] will have an exclusive interview with General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker about the state of the Iraq war and their testimony to Congress. Please be sure to watch."

This isn't an entirely new concern. In July, Petraeus chatted with far-right activist and blogger Hugh Hewitt, prompting Andrew Sullivan to note, "There's concern [Petraeus is] not a disinterested party in a critical debate. There is worry that by talking to partisans like Hugh Hewitt, he will only undermine his credibility."

Now, the next question is what other news outlets Petraeus may speak with today. When FNC claims to have an "exclusive" with Petraeus, that only means that Brit Hume will have a one-on-one discussion with the General. Petraeus can, however, have other "exclusive" interviews with other networks. In fact, given the interest in his perspective, Petraeus could probably get as much airtime as he'd like on every network.

So, will Petraeus stick to the friendly confines of a partisan network, from which he can expect fawning questions, or will Petraeus seek a broader, more mainstream audience?

Tagged as: iraq war, fox news, surge, petraeus

Steve Benen is a freelance writer/researcher and creator of The Carpetbagger Report. In addition, he is the lead editor of Salon.com's Blog Report, and has been a contributor to Talking Points Memo, Washington Monthly, Crooks & Liars, The American Prospect, and the Guardian.

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Petraeus on another network? [Report this comment] Posted by: Doubtom on Sep 10, 2007 9:58 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] You know the answer to that question already. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] So, cable television is (as of now) a requisite for hearing the theater commander... [Report this comment] Posted by: ABetterFuture on Sep 10, 2007 10:10 AM Current rating: 1 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] ...speak on the situation in Iraq? Yup, indeed. The "value" of Fox Entertainment News Channel aside, am I that old fashioned (or just so miserly with regard to paying good money for duhteevee programmin') to question whether cable-casting an update on the progress (or lack thereof) makes any sense at all? As these are our nation's sons and daughter giving up their lives, and our national treasures being spent hand-over-fist, it would make more sense to give such an update on the broadest-access medium available: public televison, major broadcast networks, and radio, all of which are accessible to just about everyone. After all, are people who are wealthy enough, dumb enough, or have sufficient time on their hands to pay for and consume cable the only folks who should have access to the unfiltered (well, it is FN, so we'll just call it "direct") access to the theater-level commander? [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: So, cable television is (as of now) a requisite for hearing the theater commander... Posted by: namwolf » You can take your pick. Posted by: ABetterFuture » STUPID COMMENT Posted by: Timba The "Fair and Balanced" Petreaus Report? [Report this comment] Posted by: Roy Eidelson on Sep 10, 2007 11:13 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] This TV appearance would seem to undermine any effort on the White House's part to present General Petreaus's testimony as non-political. Instead, it seems designed as explicit warmongering to yet again "rally" a dwindling base--namely, those who still support the Bush war agenda. From a psychological perspective, such warmongering “works” because it targets the core concerns that often govern our lives as individuals and groups—concerns about personal and collective vulnerability, injustice, distrust, superiority, and helplessness. I apply this framework to the Bush administration’s war in Iraq—and its possible plans for an attack on Iran—in a 10-minute online video entitled “Resisting the Drums of War.” The video examines ten warmongering appeals and provides counterarguments against them. It’s available for viewing HERE. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] WE DON'T WANT TO BE ENTERTAINED BY GENERALS [Report this comment] Posted by: VZEQICVA on Sep 10, 2007 2:30 PM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I think we would all like to respect a 4 star general, it's just in our nature to want to believe someone. But the rush to get over to FOX suddenly shines another light on Petraeus. After a full day of questioning why would he agree to such nonsense. It diminishes everything he stands for. What's left for them to ask? Sorry General, it looks bad. Why not just leave with your dignity in tact. This can't possibly be a military tactic. Thanks, ANNA [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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» RE: So, cable television is (as of now) a requisite for hearing the theater commander... Posted by: namwolf

» You can take your pick. Posted by: ABetterFuture

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» RE: So, cable television is (as of now) a requisite for hearing the theater commander... Posted by: namwolf

» You can take your pick. Posted by: ABetterFuture

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