A recent report in Variety, based on the latest stats from Nielsen, started with this: "Fox News Channel maintained its grip on the cable-news ratings prize in 2013, drawing more viewers than the combined averages of CNN, MSNBC, and HLN." It's become an annual year-end story, one you might not read about in your local paper.
The reason that FNC is doing so well, while at the same time some committed left-wing media operations are failing, is a mix of remorse and reality. 63 million Americans voted against Barack Obama last November, many of them convinced that his vision for America was misguided. Also, we now know that many of those who supported the President did so based on false assurances. Did you hear the one about "If you like your plan, you can keep it?"
Aside from the Obamacare chaos, the president also faced allegations involving Benghazi, NSA spying, and the IRS's jihad against conservative groups. So, with a scandal du jour on the menu in 2013, news consumers flocked to agencies that have been a bit skeptical of the president. Obviously, organizations considered to be deep in the tank for Obama are of little use to people worried about their country and their future.
In politics, there is always an element of hatred, even in a noble country like the United States. If you are an Obama-hater, you are likely to go where your opinion is reinforced. And if you are neutral on the president but worried that he may be in over his head, you might seek a more skeptical view of the man and his policies. Thus, the rough bumps for president have been deadly for the liberal media that cheer-leaded Mr. Obama to re-election while portraying Mitt Romney as a hybrid of the Grinch and Mr. Potter.
I have been a beneficiary of the president's troubles, as my ratings are through the roof. Folks know that while I respect Barack Obama and do not cheap-shot the president, I am very skeptical of his big government, nanny-state philosophy. Also, my guests represent many points of view, unlike my cable news competition that spins nearly everything as positive in Obama-land. That's when they are not denigrating their political opponents in the most vile ways.
But despite my ratings bonanza, I do not want Barack Obama to fail. I want him to see the light, however unlikely that may be five years into his presidency. This is a great country because most of its citizens are responsible, hard-working people who realize that cradle-to-grave entitlements will ultimately bankrupt the nation. Call me crazy, but I want to persuade the President that his entitlements vision for 300 million Americans is an opium-fueled pipe dream. Self-reliance has made this country great, not food stamps and federal foot massages.
So, I will consistently deliver that message to President Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the rest of the gang who can't spend straight. I'll do it in hopes that the profligate progressives will wise up and impose some discipline in the fiscal area. If they do not control federal spending, and if Obamacare continues to careen out of control, they will suffer huge losses in the midterm races that are less than a year away.
Until then, here's looking at you, Mr. Nielsen.
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