Democrats: Ignore Critics, Take the Debate Fight to FOX News Channel

Emboldened by MoveOn.org and other liberal activists, the Democratic presidential candidates are running as fast as they can away from any debate that could potentially be shown on Fox News Channel, and frankly, that is a mistake.

We all know that FNC doesn't just tilt to the right; it is embedded on the political right. It has been the choice of the Republican Party, and the on-air folks there don't try to hide that. That nonsense about "We Report. You Decide" is clearly a joke, considering the fact that its talk show hosts are decidedly conservative.

And hey, if that's how they want to run their shop, fine. Rupert Murdoch has as much right to run something he owns the way he sees fit as I do.

But this has proved to be troubling for Democratic activists, who see Murdoch and the leader of his channel, Roger Ailes, as the devil incarnate. After MoveOn.org fired up its masses, it was effective in scuttling a debate in Arizona a few months ago that was to be aired on Fox.

Now MoveOn.org has gone after a plan by the Congressional Black Caucus to stop Democrats from having a debate on Fox because of its political stance (the institute has also scheduled a debate on CNN, where I am employed as a contributor).

As a result, the leading Democratic candidates — Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill. — and former Sen. John Edwards, along with several others, have announced they will not participate in the debate. The only candidate with any cache who hasn't pulled out is Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. This has pretty much ended any chances of the debate happening.

And frankly, that is a shame.

African Americans are the most reliable block of voters for the Democratic Party. But every election cycle, the presidential candidates often ignore issues that speak to the minds and hearts of African Americans.

So the CBC's institute felt that this is one way it could have some sort of impact on the election. And if you include the CNN debate, and the two being hosted on PBS by Tavis Smiley, this will mark an unprecedented number of debates that are specific to black interests.

But the MoveOn.org folks — and members of a related group, ColorOfChange.org — are vigorously fighting to ensure that it doesn't happen. And they have so far succeeded.

I've had the leaders of ColorofChange.org on my radio show on WVON-AM in Chicago, and the concern about the representation of African Americans on the network is a valid one. But instead of running away, I say you look them dead in the eye and call them out.

Don't just say, "We won't show up." Demand that Fox change the representation to ensure that credible voices are at the table. And use their airwaves to put them in check.

I never understood folks who would say they would never go on Bill O'Reilly's show. Prior to joining CNN, I did his show nearly 10 times and was happy to go toe-to-toe with Bill. He rarely raised his voice; we always had a cordial conversation and I made my points as he made his. The only person who was afraid to take me on was Sean Hannity, and I threw down the gauntlet to him personally (Sean, I'm still willing to debate you anywhere, anytime).

Obama, Clinton and Edwards should go on Fox and show them up. They want to be president of the United States. Well, tell Fox viewers how you want to change America and show them what you are made of.

If the Democrats see Fox as a big bully, then go on the network and punch the bully in the mouth. The liberal bloggers should be willing to take them on when it comes to political philosophy. Otherwise, the Democrats will simply look like the cowards Republicans often accuse them of being.

Roland S. Martin is a CNN contributor and a talk-show host for WVON-AM in Chicago. Please visit his Web site at www.rolandsmartin.com. To find out more about Roland Martin and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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