• Juan Williams is heading to Fox News full-time. In a quick turnaround reminiscent of Dave Weigel’s new gigs at MSNBC and Slate, Williams, who’s been on Fox News in a commentator’s role since 1997, reportedly has a new $2 million contract with the network. This added attention should help him transition nicely. But, while we defended his right to make his comments earlier today, it’s good to point out that he’s had a history of making questionable comments on Fox News that bled over into his NPR work – some of which are much harder to defend, considering the work he did for public radio. Some examples:

• one Williams said NPR forced him to decline an interview with George W. Bush. “I was stunned by the decision to turn their backs on him and to turn their backs on me.”
• two Williams, a regular guest on Bill O’Reilly, often defended the host in cases such as the George Tiller incident: “Let me just say, they’re going after you.”
• three He suggested last year that Michelle Obama “has this Stokely-Carmichael-in-a-designer-dress thing going.” Damn. Now that’s a fireable offense, if you ask us. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • Permalink