DNC official asks Fox News anchor why Tucker Carlson is allowed on air

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chairman Michael Blake went head-to-head with Fox News anchor Bill Hemmer Tuesday, pressing Hemmer on why the network continues to employ host Tucker Carlson.

Carlson on Monday speculated that former President Obama has not endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic primary because Michelle Obama may still enter the 2020 race.

“The Democratic Party is ripping itself apart over race and gender and class. Michelle Obama, let’s be honest, is one of the only people who could unite the party’s warring factions,” Carlson said on his show Monday night.

When Blake appeared on Fox News to discuss Obama and the slate of 2020 Democratic candidates, he responded, “Well, she’s not running, but the core question is, why the hell does Tucker Carlson still have a job here in the first place? The reality is, this is someone who said white supremacy is a hoax, and why does Fox allow him to still be here in the first place?”

“He shouldn’t be on here at all” Blake added.  

Hemmer told the New York congressional candidate, “We didn’t bring you on to talk about Tucker Carlson. I brought you on to talk about the Democratic field.”

DNC vice chair MICHAEL BLAKE: Why the hell does Tucker Carlson still have a job here … The reality is this is someone who said white supremacy is a hoax and why does Fox allow him to still be here in the first place?

HEMMER: We didn’t bring you on to talk about Tucker Carlson. pic.twitter.com/cgvUTh2OSJ

— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) November 26, 2019

After the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, earlier this year that left 22 people dead and dozens wounded, President Trump condemned white supremacy. The shooter allegedly wrote a racist, anti-immigrant manifesto before the attack. Carlson called Trump’s comment unnecessary, saying “it’s actually not a real problem in America” and, “This is a hoax, just like the Russia hoax. It’s a conspiracy theory used to divide the country and keep a hold on power,” The Washington Post reported.

Later in the interview, Blake continued to question Hemmer about Fox News.

“People are sick and tired of the noise out of D.C., Bill. This cannot continue in any way, and so regardless of the number of candidates in the field, we’re talking about jobs while Trump is ignoring the truth. We’re talking about health care while he’s ignoring the truth, and the question must be: for Donald Trump, for Fox News, for other entities—”

“I didn’t bring you on to bash our network, so with all due respect, why don’t we just keep it on topic,” Hemmer responded. Hemmer continued to try to ask Blake about a report from Politico that Obama has said that Biden “doesn’t have it” while discussing his bond with the voters during his 2008 campaign. 

BLAKE: For Donald Trump, for Fox News —

HEMMER: Listen, I didn’t bring you on to bash our network, so with all due respect, why don’t we just keep it on topic?

BLAKE: But it’s relevant —

HEMMER: It is not relevant to the conversation we’re having. Save it for later. pic.twitter.com/HtvMetYCqo

— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) November 26, 2019

Blake brushed past Hemmer’s comment about Obama and Biden, going on to emphasize the political advantages of mobilizing coalitions of marginalized voters. 

“One of the reasons you brought me on is that I was part of the team that organized a successful election in 2008 and thereafter, so when it comes to the coalitions, yes, everyone should be talking about mobilizing coalitions of black, white, Latino, Native American, Asian et cetera, not just Joe Biden, but all of the candidates in the field,” Blake said.

“We are talking about uniting of races as others are talking about dividing of races, and so it is always appropriate to bring up these issues. It’s one of the reasons you brought me on.”

He went on to cite recent polls, including a Fox News poll, showing Biden leading Trump among voters. Biden is currently leading Trump by 9.6 points, according to a RealClearPolitics national average of polls.

The Hill has reached out to Fox News for comment.