Drudge reports that Fox News Channel senior vice president John Moody has ordered an end to Schwarzenegger puns: NYT media watcher Jim Rutenberg is preparing to root out a memorandum posted recently in the Fox News computer system:
“The urge may seem irresistible to play off Arnold Schwarzenegger’s acting career,” Moody wrote. “Resist it. Otherwise the effect is often to belittle the candidacy of the front-runner for one of the most important offices in the U.S., and that’s not fair and balanced. No more references to ‘Conan,’ ‘Terminator,’ and ‘Kindergarten Cop’ as shorthand for the candidate…. Certainly don’t suggest he is part of a ‘circus’ or lump him in with novelty candidates” like Gary Coleman… Ask yourself if your clever turn of phrase is suggesting that Schwarzenegger’s candidacy isn’t a serious one. That’s exactly the case his political opponents want to press. We need to play it down the middle.”
While there is merit to Moody’s move here–Schwarzenegger has a legitimate shot to become governor–it may appear to be motivated by partisan politics. And, frankly, were it not for the movie career, Schwarzenegger would be several points below Gary Coleman in the polls.
Also, where is the fair and balanced coverage of Gallagher? He’s canceling appearances to stay in California to campaign and yet gets no coverage. Surely, he’s got every bit the chance to get elected as Ariana Huffington?
