The Federal Election Commission, FEC, investigated the FOX Noise Republican “debate” held on August 6, 2015. This was the first of a series of schoolyard brawls which did not include a discussion of the issues and offered no insight into the qualifications of the passengers in the clown car.
The first mistake was not allowing all 17 candidates their rights to be on the stage. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus decided to allow only the first 10 in poll numbers. This deprived Republican voters of an opportunity to vet all of the candidates. This was the prime reason for the FEC’s investigation.
It became obvious from the first “question” that there was a script for this show, much the same as any broadcast by FOX Noise. Priebus and FOX President Roger Ailes had clearly conspired to derail the advancing Donald Trump. The question was a poorly veiled attempt to force Trump’s promise that he would not run as a third party candidate; he declined.
The American people do not have representation in most areas. We ultimately select the president, (well, maybe, if you accept the Electoral College as Constitutional), and should have a right to expect actual debates between the candidates. Instead Megyn Kelly immediately waged personal attacks solely aimed at Trump. When he countered, the mainstream media trounced Trump, defended Kelly, and ignored the fact that questions offered by FOX’s personality had nothing to do with policy or proposals suggested by the candidate.
For an unknown reason, all of the media consider FOX a legitimate news network. It has no resemblance to the once great offerings of Cronkite, Huntley, Brinkley, or Murrow. It offers its uninformed viewers opinions which are all slanted to the right. It tells its audience what to think and what to believe. It is nothing more than a propaganda machine.
This is the manner in which the first faux-debate was conducted. FOX set a pattern which continued throughout the debate season. They became sad ‘reality shows,’ where personal attacks replaced intelligent discussion.
The result became the exact opposite of the efforts by Priebus. Trump’s numbers continued to rise, and he is now the GOP presumptive nominee.
Hundreds of Republicans continue to vow that they will challenge Trump at the convention later this month. These delegates state that they will “vote their conscience,” and prevent Trump from becoming the official Republican standard bearer.
Will they be successful? Nothing has been predictable throughout this 2106 campaign season.
Trump has become the most-hated man in America based on his own rhetoric and blatant racism. Although the biased polls from various organizations claim that Clinton and Trump share a close percentage, the truth is that a single demographic supports Trump; older white men and women.
Why has the media been allowed to ignore the truth about Trump? Why haven’t they exposed his lack of qualifications, and his anti-American philosophy? Why haven’t they discussed the issues and denied Trump’s continued personal attacks? The answer is always the same; follow the money.
Hillary Clinton’s dignified manner and speech does not sell advertising. Trump’s vile rhetoric and lack of an ability to speak the English language may be entertaining, but also poses a danger to the very fabric of our nation.
The FEC was generous in its investigation of FOX Noise. I watched the debate, and nothing resembling the definition of the term occurred. It was an embarrassment for FOX and for the Republican Party. This incident simply proves once again that most government agencies are dysfunctional and merely a waste of taxpayer money.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
The Truth With No Restrictions 