Andrew Sullivan wrote a fairly standard piece defending the Obama administration from critics, cleverly titled “Why are Obama’s critics so dumb?” (it’s clever because it’ll greatly improve sales compared to a more accurate and reasonable title). Fox, being the establishment conservative mouthpiece that they are, naturally objected. They paid two of their “journalists” to come on and perform what can only be described as a character assassination of Mr. Sullivan, then repeatedly state that he isn’t a journalist. Here’s how Andrew Sullivan responded:

Ask yourself: there’s a controversial cover-essay in Newsweek. The writer is prepared to come on and debate it. Why would Fox not even consider it? I’ve been on Hardball and tonight I’ll be on Anderson Cooper’s show. But Fox brings on two hired guns to talk about my piece, and actually blur out my name on the screen for some reason (either to make sure I remain air-brushed out of reality, or to deceive people that Newsweek is somehow institutionally making the point of my essay). Rich Lowry, moreover, says I cannot be trusted reporting on Palin. Rich Lowry. Here is how Rich Lowry, an “actual journalist” reacted to Palin’s convention speech:

I’m sure I’m not the only male in America who, when Palin dropped her first wink, sat up a little straighter on the couch and said, “Hey, I think she just winked at me.” And her smile. By the end, when she clearly knew she was doing well, it was so sparkling it was almost mesmerizing. It sent little starbursts through the screen and ricocheting around the living rooms of America. This is a quality that can’t be learned; it’s either something you have or you don’t, and man, she’s got it.

That’s “actual journalism”, according to Fox. But a tightly argued essay, backed up with evidence and data for every point, isn’t. And neither is demanding accountability from public officials when they make bizarre claims like experiencing contractions while giving a speech. No Fox reporter has ever asked Palin about that. And they never would and never will. Because Fox, in the end, is about power and money, not truth. 

“Fox, in the end, is about power and money, not truth”. Truer words were never spoken, Mr. Sullivan.