These comments are controversial, irresponsible, troubling and over the line — even for Judge Jeanine Pirro
Jeanine Pirro in 2015. (Andy Kropa/Invision/AP, File)
Typically, when Fox News’ Jeanine Pirro starts rambling on about anything, it’s not really worth repeating or dissecting. Whether it’s just an act or not, her comments are often so outlandish that treating them as legitimate political commentary is foolish and, perhaps, even irresponsible.
Her TV personality is so wacky that “Saturday Night Live’s” Cecily Strong has turned it into a killer bit on “Weekend Update” segments.
But when Pirro goes on a program like Fox News’ “The Five” — a very popular show that often has 3 to 4 million viewers — and says what she said on Wednesday, it needs to be called out.
While discussing Kamala Harris being added to the Democratic ticket by Joe Biden, Pirro seemed to suggest … well, I don’t know what.
She actually said the following: “For some reason, I just have this feeling that Joe Biden isn’t going to be on the ticket. I have a sense that something is going to happen before the election and he’s not even going to be on the ticket. So don’t even ask me if he’s going to make it four years.”
The comment, which appeared to question Biden’s health, even seemed to throw her Fox News colleagues for a loop.
Jesse Watters, who was moderating the discussion, felt the need to say, “We certainly don’t hope that anything happens to Vice President Joe Biden anytime soon.”
Bret Baier followed and, after expressing his respect for Pirro, reminded her that Biden is assuredly the Democratic nominee, perhaps thinking Pirro was saying Biden wouldn’t get the nomination. Yet, it did feel as if Pirro was suggesting something about Biden’s health might keep him from making it to November. Even Pirro might have realized she stepped into trouble, especially when she tried to backpedal and made even less sense.
She interrupted Watters to clarify what she meant.
“I wish him all good health,” Pirro said. “That’s not what I’m talking about. He’s got the numbers. But things are so crazy right now. I don’t know what’s happening in the Democrat party and that’s all I’m saying. I mean, I hope he lives forever. That’s not my point. And I know he’s got the numbers.”
So what exactly is “so crazy” and what is “happening in the Democrat party” that would suggest that Biden, less than three months before the election, would not end up being on the ballot?
Look, clearly you’re going to get a right-leaning view from many on Fox News, and that’s fine. Just like you’re going to get a left-leaning view from some on MSNBC and CNN. And, yes, Pirro’s job, like many political commentators on such shows, is to spark debate with provocative commentary.
But to suggest that a candidate is not going to be on the ticket and say it without any facts or explanation of why is incredibly irresponsible.
Pirro says outlandish things, but this was another level. How is Fox News OK with this?
What else did “The Five” say?
There was a more interesting and certainly more responsible conversation on “The Five” about the selection of Harris as Biden’s VP and her initial speech with Biden on Wednesday.
Dana Perino said, “If you’re the Biden campaign, you’re pretty happy with how that went.”
Perino added that it’s possible many Americans really aren’t that familiar with Harris, perhaps because they didn’t pay much attention to the early stages of the Democratic presidential campaign. Perino said, “She has an opportunity here to have a second chance at making a first impression.”
Geraldo Rivera added, “They say nobody votes for a vice president, except this time they may be.”
Rivera called Harris a “sensational pick” and a “win for the Democrats” and described Harris as an “effective, formidable weapon.”
“I strongly advise President Trump not to go after Kamala Harris,” Rivera said. “Go after Joe Biden. … This spells trouble for the Republicans and I think she has strengthened Biden’s hand.”
Greg Gutfeld criticized Harris, which is fine, but then he drove off the road when his commentary devolved into actually defending President Trump’s “very fine people on both sides” comments about Charlottesville. It wasn’t at all surprising, but it was pretty much useless.
Predictable, but disappointing, too
As far as primetime, Fox News is already in fifth gear when it comes to slamming Harris — including Tucker Carlson’s petty and clearly purposeful mispronunciation of Harris’ first name.
Of course, none of this is surprising, but this is, as pointed out by CNN’s Oliver Darcy: Fox News’ Martha MacCallum said that Biden saying months ago that he was likely to select a Black woman diminishes this week’s announcement: “I think, in a way, as a woman, it takes away from some of the selection in some ways.”
And MacCallum is one of those on-air personalities that Fox News likes to tout as being a fair journalist.
On the other hand …
Kamala Harris speaks after Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden introduced her as his running mate on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Chris Wallace, who truly is one of Fox News’ fair journalists, weighed in on Harris’ selection during an appearance on Wednesday’s “America’s Newsroom.”
“She is not far to the left despite what Republicans are going to try to say, “ Wallace said. “I think she is a reasonably safe choice. She was the obvious front-runner. She was the obvious choice. She adds some excitement to the ticket. She’s a statement to African Americans and especially to African American women, who are the real solid core of the Democratic Party, that the party does not take them for granted. And so, I think she is a pretty safe choice.”
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