Friendly Fire at Faux News

[*michaelsean*]

(03-23-2018, 08:01 AM)Dill Wrote: Michael, Looking at the audience size of the highest rated cable news program and saying that on any given night there are not enough numbers to "seize power" misses how Fox exercises its influence.

E.g., some people watch Fox News and choose their presidential advisors and cabinet members from its commentators, right?

By supporting uncritical and fringe views, and undermining "liberal" news organizations with higher standards, all they have to do is expand the existing right wing voting base enough to shave 3-5% off center or independent voters in critical states to "seize power."  And don't forget that Fox commentator Rush Limbaugh claims between 8-12 million listeners each week. Think of Hannity and Levin and Savage as well.  How many of the 39% of Trump supporters were nurtured in this media environment, even if they don't watch on a given night?

And who IS "in power" right now, riding a wave of birther fame and anti-government sentiment?  How many people are actually needed to keep enough congressmen from checking presidential power?

Rush isn't with Fox.  There is no data that I know of that says they are shaving off 3-5% of independent voters. If everyone who watched Fox voted, and voted for a Republican, that's 2 percent. People seek out Fox.  Fox doesn't convert.  And it's still a drop in the bucket to the 3 major networks which probably get 25-30 million between them.