The president told TNR editorFrank Foer and owner Chris Hughes that “One of the biggest factors is going to be how the media shapes debates.”

The media can either help break or uphold partisan gridlock, the president said, adding that “If a Republican member of Congress is not punished on Fox News or by Rush Limbaugh for working with a Democrat on a bill of common interest, then you’ll see more of them doing it.”

Translation: My presidency would be a lot easier if FOX News would only bend over too!

FOX is the target because presenting both sides of a story necessarily includes a side the President does not like. He prefers a media that not only reports, but pushes his side exclusively. That doesn’t reshape debate. That eliminates debate. But his version of the first amendment doesn’t stop there. It also includes discouraging Democrats from appearing on FOX News to reach that audience.

Greta Van Susteren has already written a critical blog post: “Apparently President Obama wants his usual media pass and Fox challenges his policies – which happens to be the media’s job.” She also accused Democrat brass of intimidation: “Some Democrats have told me that they want to come on Fox to discuss issues but they get heat from their Leadership for appearing on Fox.  Does President Obama know that? So which Party is intimidating its members?”

Link: President Obama Laments Rush Limbaugh And Fox News’ Influence On Public Debate