NEW YORK — Longtime Clinton confidant Lanny Davis and Howard Wolfson, Hillary Clinton’s former communications director, once anticipated being very busy at this week’s Democratic National Convention.
They never envisioned going to Denver while working for Fox News Channel.
They have also put themselves into the middle of a simmering civil war among Democrats over how to deal with a network many see as hostile to their cause.
Both men see their punditry positions as something like missionary work, and argue that it makes little sense for Democrats not to engage with Fox News Channel viewers, even those they know oppose them.
For Fox, having both men in the fold helps blunt the impact of a campaign that built momentum when Democrats wouldn’t agree to participate in debates on Fox during the nomination campaign.
Davis and Wolfson came to Fox this summer following bad experiences with rival networks MSNBC and CNN, although they both declined to discuss them.
Wolfson said Fox’s Democratic primary coverage was fair, “and I appreciated that.” With the exception of one contentious appearance on “Fox &Friends” that he smoothed over offstage, Davis said he had always been treated fairly and with respect on Fox.
They’ve each appeared about two dozen times on various Fox News programs since joining as contributors.
Another thing they shared: grief from fellow Democrats when they signed with Fox.
“Less than I expected, but still some,” Davis said. “The some were from the places that have a stereotype about Fox, but when I asked them if they ever actually watched Fox, the answer is almost never.”
Wolfson said he also got encouragement from Democrats who see the value in having a strong progressive voice on the network
“My sense is that there is a recognition that we can’t ignore or give the back of our hand to the largest audience in cable television (news),” he said.
Fox remains the most-watched network in cable news, although excitement over the Democratic primary campaign — and comparatively less excitement over the Republicans’ — has helped CNN and MSNBC make the competition tighter.
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