Anyone who’s seen the [tag]Fox News Channel[/tag] realizes that the conservative network already operates as a mouthpiece for the Bush administration. CNN reported yesterday, however, that the [tag]White House[/tag] has considered making the arrangement a little more official.
Suzanne Malveaux, CNN White House Correspondent: On Monday, his first full day, [new WH Chief of Staff Josh] [tag]Bolten[/tag] announced he would be making personnel changes to refresh and reenergize the president’s team. As CNN first reported two weeks ago, some Republican strategists and Bush administration officials say Bolten is focusing on legislative affairs and White House communications, specifically the position of White House [tag]press secretary[/tag].
CNN has learned from multiple Republican sources that Bolten reached out to [tag]Fox News[/tag] anchor and conservative radio talk show host [tag]Tony Snow[/tag] several weeks ago at the White House. Snow worked as a speech writer for the president’s father, and had no comment about the story.
It does make some sense. Snow can repeat White House talking points from Fox News’ studios or he can repeat White House talking points from the podium in the briefing room. If [tag]FNC[/tag] personalities are already practically part of Team [tag]Bush[/tag], why not drop the pretense and put them on the payroll?
The report also The Nation’s Ari Berman to consider who else the White House may hire.
Lou Dobbs as head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement?
Geraldo Rivera as Secretary of Defense?
Bill O’Reilly as director of Faith-Based Initiatives?
Why not call it a day and hire Roger Ailes as communications director?
At this point, I wouldn’t want to rule anything out.