Saturday, December 26, 2009, 3:51AM ET - U.S. Markets Closed.

Barack Obama's Unlikely Supporter: Rupert 'Fox News' Murdoch

Posted May 29, 2008 12:34pm EDT by Sarah Lacy in Investing, Internet, Media, Newsmakers, Venture Capital, M and A, IPOs

Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg had a long day of grilling executives at their All Things Digital Conference. But they saved Rupert Murdoch -- their Wall Street Journal overlord -- for last. The highlight? Murdoch’s not-quite-but-almost endorsement of Barack Obama for president.

The founder -- and defender -- of Fox News said he expected Obama to win in a landslide, citing widespread unhappiness with the current administration and his disenchantment with Republican contender John McCain. Murdoch added that after a long career in the Senate, McCain had been forced to compromise too much and doesn’t stand for much. Murdoch even nonchalantly owned up to influencing the New York Post to back Obama in the New York primary.

During the Q&A, I pressed Murdoch -- a new U.S. citizen -- on whether he would actually vote for Obama in November. He said he was leaning toward it, but would know in the next six months. When I asked if I could call him, he said yes, then joked I could probably just figure it out from reading the Post.

I also asked Murdoch about reports that he said he would buy the New York Times if he had the opportunity, just to shut it down. He said he was kidding, but likely Times staffers in the audience shuddered.

I caught up with Kara of the WSJ and All Things D once they got offstage to discuss her newfound admiration for the outspoken mogul -- not to mention Alaskan elk.

For video highlights of last night's All Things D interview with Murdoch, click here.

Go to Tech Ticker
193 votes|Recommend this

1455 Comments

Barry M
Barry M - Thursday May 29, 2008 01:57PM EDT

barack obama and james webb would be an unbeatable duo! icman

branden
branden - Thursday May 29, 2008 01:57PM EDT

Can't wait to see McCain tear this america hating, ultra-liberal media child apart!!! It's gunna be close, but McCain will pull it off in the end, we have only begun to see Obama's true side (ie Auschwitz comments, and the "lesson learned" from his great uncle).

MikeC
MikeC - Thursday May 29, 2008 01:57PM EDT

How come we didn't hear all this whining and critcizm about BHO when he made his daily gaffs? He's an "empty vessel" and you pseudo-intellectuals have been dupped............again!!

marty a
marty a - Thursday May 29, 2008 01:59PM EDT

Hopefully he is wrong....... We need John McCain in office!!

TeresaW
TeresaW - Thursday May 29, 2008 01:59PM EDT

Don't trust anything/anyone association with FOX! Obama '08!

jeff
jeff - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:00PM EDT

ITS A SCAM TO KNOCK HILLARY OUT OF THE RACE. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. YOU CAN GOOGKE THIS....REPUBLICAN SUPPORT OF OBAMA IS A HHUUGGEE SECRET

Texas
Texas - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:00PM EDT

After the Clintons brought us an impeachment and all the scandals from their terms in office I can't understand why the US people want another one of them back in control, she would stop at nothing to get the power of that office. I don't trust Obama one second and hope that neither of them get elected, I think it will be a nightmare for us if they do. McCain is too liberal in his ways & beliefs but not as bad as the democratic candidates. There is just not a good one running. But please not another Clinton. Obama will cause more harm than good and forsure give us some liberal judges on the supreme court that we don't need. McCain is not the answer but he's all we have got. And thats is not much. Just remember what the Democrats have given us, PROBLEMS! so have the Republicans.

scott
scott - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:00PM EDT

a vote for Obama is an endorsement of Al Queida

Roger
Roger - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:00PM EDT

All you people who want obama just don't know what you're getting us all in to. Think about it our enemies love this guy. Do you know why?

Stephen
Stephen - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:00PM EDT

This breezy better than Murdoch piece of writing is sloppy and amateurish. Makes the content hard to even locate.

Andrew V
Andrew V - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:00PM EDT

if I don't vote for Obama, does that mean I am a racist?

Schwinger
Schwinger - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:00PM EDT

Who is this idiot that is conducting the interview. Holding her head sideways and speaking like a twelve year old. What moron let her conduct this thing. You can tell that the other woman looks at her as if she is a little kid. Poor bimbo and she isn't even blonde. Send her to interview Spears or Paris.

Yahoo! Finance User
Yahoo! Finance User - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:01PM EDT

Illinois is being run into the ground by dirty chicago democrats. The governor is under investigation by the feds. The speaker of the house thinks he's God and the all the Senate President want's is a payraise. Their all dirty chicago democrats - the same machine that produced Obama. Obama will do to the country what the dems have done to Illinois.

Glenn
Glenn - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:01PM EDT

McKain will beat Barack Hussein like a rented mule. Socialism and marxism are NOT options for this country. So, you nitwits mired in liberalism....GET OVER IT.

Courtney
Courtney - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:01PM EDT

Its going to be interesting all the way to the White House

sheepdogg
sheepdogg - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:01PM EDT

I hope everyone here understands arabic and islamic culture...you will need it when Obama takes office! I can see it now, muslim mexicans! Good luck to all in this country, my butt is heading out...

Derrick E
Derrick E - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:01PM EDT

In God we trust, what a joke. No matter who is the next man in charged we r in trouble........ The next man cant fix it in 4 r 8 years

THE LAW
THE LAW - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:02PM EDT

PLEASE GIVE MR OBAMA YOUR SUPPORT I THINK HE WILL MAKE A GREAT PRESIDENT FOR THE PEOPLE , ALL PEOPLE OF ANY COLOR ARE RACE, AGE AND ANY RELIGON DON'T BELIEVE ALL THAT KID PLAY THEY ARE TRYING TO DO TO HIM GO OBAMA!

BeckettB
BeckettB - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:02PM EDT

I can only hope he is as wrong this rime as he normally is. It would be the worst possible thing for the US. We do not need a leader that has not run anything, has not managed anything, who seems to vote present rather than making a decision. He is untried, untested and unable to lead. His background has not been reviewed and explained fully enough for a leader of the major country. We need to know more about his pastor of 20 years and how he did not know his views, we need to know more about his connections with the Weathermen terrorists, Resko and Farrakhan before we decide if he should get the nomination.

__A_YAHOO_USER__
__A_YAHOO_USER__ - Thursday May 29, 2008 02:02PM EDT

I think Murdoch is right, I believe Obama will beat McCain by 20%. McCain wants to keep this silly war going until 2013 and he backs Bush's tax cuts for the rich.

Yahoo! reserves the right to refuse, or remove any comment that does not comply with the Yahoo! Terms of Service. The submission of spam, hateful, or obscene messages may result in the termination of your Yahoo! ID.
About Tech Ticker - Send FeedbackDisclaimer. Copyright © 2007 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright/IP Policy - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy - Help
Quotes delayed, except where indicated otherwise. Delay times are 15 mins for NASDAQ, NYSE and Amex. See also delay times for other exchanges.

Quotes and other information supplied by independent providers identified on the Yahoo! Finance partner page. Quotes are updated automatically, but will be turned off after 25 minutes of inactivity. Quotes are delayed at least 15 minutes for NASDAQ, NYSE and Amex. See also delay times for other exchanges. Real-Time continuous streaming quotes are available through our premium service. You may turn streaming quotes on or off. Fundamental company data provided by Capital IQ. Financials data provided by Edgar Online. Historical chart data and daily updates provided by Commodity Systems, Inc. (CSI). International historical chart data, daily updates, fund summary, fund performance, dividend data and Morningstar Index data provided by Morningstar, Inc. Analyst estimates data provided by Thomson Financial Network. All data provided by Thomson Financial Network is based solely upon research information provided by third party analysts. Yahoo! has not reviewed, and in no way endorses the validity of such data. Yahoo! and ThomsonFN shall not be liable for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All information provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Neither Yahoo! nor any of independent providers is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein. By accessing the Yahoo! site, you agree not to redistribute the information found therein.