One of the positives that people like to look back on during the impeachment process of Richard Nixon is how the brave members of the GOP went to the White House and told Nixon he had to resign. In contrast, we now have Republican leaders making mealy-mouthed statements or outright false statements defending Trump.
To be fair, when Nixon was confronted, his approval rating was 23%. Maybe these GOP members were not so brave.
But how could his approval rating be so low compared to Trump? After all, he had opened relations with China, successfully dealt with Russia and even created the EPA. And, of course, he had not done anything to compare with the embarrassing and criminal behavior of our current president. Nixon’s third-rate burglary compared to Trump’s treason.
But Fox News and talk radio were not factors back then. For years preceding Trump, these media outlets have been providing half-truths, simplistic solutions and personal attacks against Democrats and the federal government.
When Roger Ailes started Fox News, he did not follow the existing format of providing in-depth analysis with experts providing both sides of a policy issue. Boring! He went with attractive personalities making personal attacks of Democrats; keeping it simple, emotional and partisan.
In six years, Fox was at the top of the ratings. Yes, CNN and MSNBC have followed, but not to the same degree.
So, if you wonder how Trump’s rating continue around 40%, how the GOP continues to support him and how most experts say Trump will not be convicted by the Senate, look no further than Fox News.
Ray McEvilly, Millcreek