DNC spurns Fox News for chance to hold 2020 presidential debate

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Fox News Channel will not air any debates among 2020 candidates vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee has decided.

In a scathing statement, DNC Chairman Tom Perez said Fox News is “not in a position” to hold a fair debate for the candidates, pointing to a recent article from the New Yorker outlining how the network has peddled propaganda for President Trump.

“I believe that a key pathway to victory is to continue to expand our electorate and reach all voters,” Perez said. “That is why I have made it a priority to talk to a broad array of potential media partners, including Fox News. Recent reporting in the New Yorker on the inappropriate relationship between President Trump, his administration and Fox News has led me to conclude that the network is not in a position to host a fair and neutral debate for our candidates. Therefore, Fox News will not serve as a media partner for the 2020 Democratic primary debates.”

Fox News, which hosted one of the 12 Democratic primary debates during the 2016 presidential election cycle, urged the DNC to reconsider its decision.

“We hope the DNC will reconsider its decision to bar Chris Wallace, Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, all of whom embody the ultimate journalistic integrity and professionalism, from moderating a Democratic presidential debate,” Bill Sammon, Fox News’ Washington senior vice president and managing editor, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner. “They’re the best debate team in the business and they offer candidates an important opportunity to make their case to the largest TV news audience in America, which includes many persuadable voters.”

2020 Democratic candidates will go head-to-head in 12 debates starting in June. With the exception of NBC and CNN, the DNC has not revealed any of the other networks that will host the debates.

The Trump administration has recruited several Fox News executives and contributors, such as Fox News’ former co-president Bill Shine. Shine is currently serving in the White House as Trump’s deputy chief of staff for communications.

[Opinion: Handicapping the 2020 Democratic presidential race is pointless until Joe Biden announces if he’s running]

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