Fox Tried Seven Ways To Get Zimmerman's Brother To Bash Obama (He Didn't)
Seven times, Fox News anchor Jamie Colby tried to get George Zimmerman's brother to criticize the president and his speech about Trayvon Martin. And seven times, he declined to do so.
Robert Zimmerman has earned a reputation for his outspoken interviews. After the verdict, for example, he went on CNN and suggested that Martin was looking to get a gun and grow marijuana. During the case, he was a font of unswerving on-air support.
So, when Fox spoke with him by phone shortly after the president's speech today, they likely expected something other than what they got. In question after question, Colby tried to elicit some combativeness, some critique of the speech. And in answer after answer, he didn't rise to the bait.
Zimmerman's take: It was good the president spoke, and what he said was important. He agreed with the president — he didn't even object to the government's on-going investigation of possible civil rights charges. But most of all, he agreed that kids needed mentors. He kept coming back to this, turning Colby's leading questions into ways of advocating for mentorship.
We walked through each of Colby's seven questions to Zimmerman, excerpting it and the response. No need to take our word for it; you can watch the full interaction for yourself. But we also did a quick bit of translation: What Colby asked almost always had a subtext aimed at heightening the tension between Zimmerman's family and the White House. It never worked.
2. You really think the president should have spoken?
3. Did the president insult your brother who — remember, viewers — had good traits?
4. Do you agree with the president's racial characterization?
5. Wasn't the president being racist himself?
6. Does Obama only care about Trayvon's family? Isn't race playing a role?
7. Obama is still trying to go after your brother. Defend him. Tell us how you really feel. Speak clearly into the microphone.
And with that, the interview ended.
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