A lot of eyebrows on both sides of the aisle got raised when Hillary Clinton went to a Fox News anniversary party last April. Rupert Murdock, Chairman of Fox News‘ parent company News Corporation, later returned the favor by hosting a $1,000 a plate breakfast fundraiser for Hillary Clinton.
Now Moveon.org, in partnership with Robert Greenwald of Brave New Films, is mobilizing members to persuade the Nevada Democratic Party not to partner with Fox News for its Democratic primary debate - something few probably thought a state Democratic Party would do given the news station’s normal coverage - especially since Fox hasn’t been too kind to Democrats in past primary debates. Is it just a coincidence?
I suspect not. Nevada is thought likely to be important to Hillary Clinton’s chances because its early caucus comes January 19th, after Iowa’s January 14th caucus and three days before New Hampshire’s primary, which is followed by South Carolina (some of this dating is in flux - I used this source). John Edwards is an early favorite in Iowa - and there is plenty of reason (including proximity) to think that Barack Obama will seriously contest the state. Hillary Clinton, however, is thought unlikely to do well in Iowa.
Edwards, because of his major efforts with labor, is also thought likely to do well in Nevada, but he clearly will be the one Fox News beats up on a lot because he has positioned himself on the left of the three major Democratic contenders. Likewise, Obama has already had a falling out with Fox News over their reporting of a false story. Running the furthest right among the three, Hillary Clinton is well poised to take advantage of Fox News coverage even if it has not traditionally been kind to her.
New Hampshire likely will be tough for Hillary Clinton, with her Iraq War positioning going against the grain of the activists there. It may also be a “must win” for her - with some pundits thinking that it will be necessary to win two of the first four contests, and momentum from Nevada would likely help her cause in this New England state. Coming after New Hampshire’s primary, South Carolina is thought to be a strong suit for John Edwards, who is a former Senator of its neighbor North Carolina, and is the only major southern candidate. South Carolina also has a large African-American population that dominates Democratic primaries and may look favorably upon Obama’s candidacy. Nevada is thus a key early state for the Hillary Clinton campaign to win.
Why then do I suspect the Nevada Democratic Party’s selection of Fox News was deliberate and to the benefit of the Hillary Clinton campaign? Beyond the circumstantial evidence above, including Hillary’s overtures to Rupert Murdock that have been reciprocated, and that Fox News is not likely to be a choice that benefits Hillary’s two major competitors, here is one other suggestive fact: former state Democratic Chairman Rory Reid, son of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, is Clinton’s state chairman (Senator Reid claims neutrality in the race). Beyond the contacts (and pull) Rory Reid would normally have as a former state chair and son of the most politically powerful Nevadan in congress, Rory has also worked in government as a Clark County Commissioner with fellow Commissioner (and current Nevada Democratic Party State Chair) Tom Collins. I don’t know Rory’s relationship to Tom - but there’s no doubt they know each other well and have worked a lot together. Barring animosity between Rory and Tom that I don’t know about, I’d be surprised if Rory was against picking Fox News. I suspect this is a score for the Hillary Clinton campaign.
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