And that’s part of the problem.  Shepard Smith, anchor of two hours of daytime programming on FNC, pretends that he’s part of the news team.  He’s THE unbiased journalist on the network simply reporting the news, unlike Bill O’Reilly or Sean Hannity.  But OF COURSE he has an opinion, and he’s not afraid to share it.  Look at the video examples in this interview of Shep conducted back in November. 

He thinks himself unbiased because his opinion is different than most of the evening, op-ed talents’ on the network.  However, the fact that he was so willing to believe the tall-tale about Palin thinking Africa was a country instead of a continent shows just how far in the liberal tank he is.  I saw Obama, on video, tell the world that he believed there were sixty states (many say it’s the 57 states gaffe, but he said he visited 57, had one to go, and AK and HI were off limits — total 60).  I, however, did not believe he thought as such — it was a mistake, probably born of fatigue. 

I don’t mind the liberals on the network — I welcome them.  However, don’t pretend you’re just an unbiased news anchor reporting the news without bent unless you’re really going to be.  To Shep’s credit, I have seen him do tough interviews of liberals if they are supporting a cause he doesn’t believe.  I see him as kind of a liberal O’Reilly of sorts who doesn’t yet have the prestige, but he’s working on it.

(H/T: Hot Air)

Obama released a statement just a few minutes ago that confirmed he had no inappropriate contact with Gov. Blagojevich or his staff.  The statement said the transition office reviewed contacts between the Governor’s office and transition staff, but from what FNC read, the statement only mentioned that Obama’s public statements were true.

The staff won’t release the report until Dec. 22 at the behest of Patrick Fitzgerald, according to the report.

Update: Fitzgerald confirms that he requested the report be held.

Turns out that Gov. Blagojevich isn’t the only one who realizes the Senate seat is a “f****** valuable thing.”  Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn wants to make the appointment himself, arguing that a special election would cost more than $30 M.  Quinn would likely appoint his biggest rival to succeed Gov. Blagojevich, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who herself has turned to the IL Supreme Court to get Blagojevich thrown out.  With Madigan in the Senate, it would clear the way for Quinn to become Governor because there is little chance Blagojevich will last until the next election scheduled state-wide election date, which is apparently in April.

Many are calling for a special election to reduce the appearance of taint.  The Republicans especially want it because then they might have a small chance to gaining the seat. Small — this is IL after all.  Lt. Gov. Quinn also wanted it, at first, until he realized just how valuable the seat is.  Now, he wants the power of appointment to pull an Obama and get rid of his biggest competition.  I think he’s changed his mind, because if a special election were held at some time in the future, there is a chance Madigan won’t win, and worse, a Republican might win.  Quinn ensures his choice is made if he gets to do it.

All just part of the Chicago way, I guess.