It started with him refusing to attend the Fox News debates. Next was the dust up with Ann Colter. Now, Edwards is taking on News Corp's merger with the Dow Jones/WSJ.
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Edwards Comes Out Strongly Against Media Consolidation
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Challenges Democratic presidential candidates to cut off contributions from News Corp Executives
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards spoke out strongly against media consolidation which threatens the health of our democracy, by calling on Democrats to openly oppose and take the necessary steps to stop the merger between News Corp and the Dow Jones Company/The Wall Street Journal. Edwards called on Democrats to oppose the merger in light of the biased and unfair manner Fox News, and other media arms of News Corp, cover Democrats and the Democratic Party. In an email to supporters, the campaign asked Democrats to speak out against this unfairness.
As part of his opposition, Edwards challenged all the Democratic presidential candidates to refuse contributions from News Corp executives and to refund any contribution they have already taken.
"News Corp's purchase of the Dow Jones Co. and The Wall Street Journal should be the last straw when it comes to media consolidation. The basis of a strong democracy begins and ends with a strong, unbiased and fair media — all qualities which are pretty hard to subscribe to Fox News and News Corp. The reality is that Americans deserve more news outlets — not fewer. It's time for all Democrats, including those running for president, to stand up and speak out against this merger and other forms of media consolidation.
"Moreover, given Fox News' consistent efforts to demean Democrats — they have attacked the character of Senator Obama, Vice President Gore, and many others — no Democrat running for president should accept campaign money from top News Corp executives. So, today, I'm challenging every Democratic presidential candidate to refuse contributions from News Corp executives and return any they've already taken, beginning with Rupert Murdoch. The time has come for Democrats to stop pretending to be friends with the very people who demonize the Democratic Party."
He is also calling for Democrats to no longer take and "refund" News Corp money which has been donated to their campaign.
Dear ***,
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Fox News and its parent company, News Corp—who have consistently launched right-wing attacks against Senator Obama, Senator Clinton, Vice President Gore, and many other Democrats including John—are expanding their right-wing media empire by buying the Dow Jones Company and The Wall Street Journal.
Yet while Murdoch expands his empire and his influence, some Democrats continue to take money from him and other top executives at Fox News and News Corp.
This has got to stop. It is time for Democrats to stop pretending to be friends with the very people who demonize the Democratic Party and call it "news."
That's why today, John Edwards is challenging every Democratic presidential candidate to refuse contributions from News Corp executives, and return any they've already taken—beginning with contributions from Rupert Murdoch.
And that's why today, I'm asking you to stand with John Edwards and help send a message that Democrats are united against Fox News expanding its influence over our politics.
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I hope they accept our challenge. And I hope you support our call to action by donating whatever you can afford today.
http://www.johnedwards.com/...
By standing together, we can change this country.
Sincerely,
-- Jonathan Prince
Senior Adviser, John Edwards for President
Thursday, August 2, 2007
John Edwards' criticism of a merger seems new to me. I don't recall much criticism for mergers by presidential candidates in the past, but I am young. I know of course about TR, with his big stick and all, but recently?