Here’s one reason why we can’t have nice things in the media: President Obama gave a joint press conference early this morning (U.S. time) in Bangkok with the Prime Minister of Thailand. They discussed the fighting in Gaza, human rights, trade and the so-called “fiscal cliff.” But what was Fox News’ first reaction? The good looks of Obama’s Thai counterpart. Oh, and his comments about Thai food.
To their credit, Fox News was the only news network to cover the entire news conference, according to Mediaite. But given Fox’s usual lack of interest in Obama’s public remarks, I can’t help but think they had a reporter champing at the bit for a gotcha question or were desperately hoping he’d make a faux pas on Israel (he didn’t) or Benghazi (it didn’t come up, much to Fox’s disappointment, I’m sure).
Fox & Friends co-host Clayton Morris noted that the press conference “touched on everything from Thai food (everyone laughed appreciatively) to what’s going on in Israel… and also human rights abuses in and around the Asian region as well.” Then co-host Dave Briggs jumped in:
Two real observations from the folks on Twitter this morning. And one is the relative attractiveness of the Prime Minister of Thailand (Morris nodded his head in emphatic agreement and co-host Ainsley Earhardt said, “She’s quite beautiful”) another being the President’s thoughts on Thai food! I mean, that is going deep but that is speaking my language!
Earhardt did quickly say that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is “also very smart.” And the entire Curvy Couch Crew complimented her for speaking English. But if they had bothered to do any research, they might have known that she got a master’s degree at Kentucky State University.
Finally, after those “enlightening” insights from the hosts, they tossed to reporter Wendell Goler.
