While the focus will be on the scripted political gamesmanship this week in Tampa for the Republican National Convention, and the week after in North Carolina with the Democrats, Neil Cavuto and others at Fox Business Network intend to be digging for what the candidates will do about the economy.
He wants specific answers, not political retorts.
I think this election, more than any since the 1932 election in the middle of the Depression, is that consequential because of the economy; its all about how big we want government, how much we want to tax for this government, how much regulations.
Starting Monday, Fox Business will begin covering the convention, providing nightly live coverage from the floor of the Tampa Bay Times Forum -- Monday's floor presence excused for Isaac.
Their colleagues at Fox News Channel will start airing programs from Tampa on Sunday with the Chris Wallace-hosted "Fox News Sunday" and a one-hour primetime program, "Americas Election Headquarters," to be hosted by Bret Baier of "Special Report" and Megyn Kelly of "America Live."
Cavuto said he hopes to bring viewers the specific proposals by politicians that go beyond the talking points that will be standard mantra of many speakers from both parties as they appear on the main stages.
Whoever takes charge of our economy, whichever party dominates Congress, does a lot of spending; what they spend in a day dwarfs whatever money the market can make off a stock of the sector in a day, Cavuto said.
Its one thing to talk about reining in spending, but you cant leave out how youre going to rein in spending.Or, for others, you can talk about how its fair for the rich to pay more taxes, but explain why its not fair for half the people in the country not to pay any taxes. I want to hold the hypocrisy on both sides accountable.
While Romney has to make the case for why he should be in the White House, and President Obama on why he should be allowed to remain in office, Cavuto said they need to go beyond platitudes.
Both candidates have to make a compelling case for why theirs is the most rewarding case, Cavuto said. I think people have been wired and theyre tired of the bull, tired of the generalities. If I can do that and help people out and talk about the oddities of how things have gone upside down the last few years, where bailouts are OK, rescues are OK, market moves on the next government rescue ... I think the big decider will be are you happy with that direction?
For viewers, Cavuto said that, beyond the red meat that will be presented on stage, watch for fiscal substance in five areas:
- Government and the size of it.
- Taxes and whether were paying enough.
- Overall spending.
- Regulations, which have grown at 100 a day.
- Entitlement spending.
The Fox coverage:
Fox Business Network
8-11 p.m. nightly, beginning Monday
Cavuto will be live from the Fox sky box in the Tampa Bay Times Forum with FBN Washington Correspondent Rich Edson, Senior Correspondent
Charlie Gasparino, Senior Judicial Analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano and "After the Bell" anchor David Asman.
Guests already lined up for the week: former Bain Capital Managing Director Edward Conard; former New York Stock Exchange Chairman Dick Grasso; Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist; billionaire investor Wilbur Ross; Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis; Home Depot co-founder and billionaire financier Ken Langone; former UBS Chairman Joseph Grano; Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; and former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain.
Fox News Channel (FNC)
Sunday, Aug. 26
12-2 p.m./ET "Americas News HQ" with Shannon Bream
2-3 p.m./ET "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace
4-6 p.m./ET "Americas Newsroom" with Bill Hemmer and Martha MacCallum
7-8 p.m./ET "Fox Report Sunday" with Shepard Smith
9-10 p.m./ET "Americas Election Headquarters" a one-hour convention special co-anchored by Bret Baier and Megyn Kelly
10-11 p.m./ET "Fox Report Sunday" with Shepard Smith
Monday-Thursday, Aug. 27-30
6-9 a.m./ET "Fox & Friends"
9-11 a.m./ET "Americas Newsroom" with Bill Hemmer and Martha MacCallum
1-3 p.m./ET "America Live" with Megyn Kelly
3-4 p.m./ET "Studio B" with Shepard Smith
4-5 p.m./ET "Your World" with Neil Cavuto
5-6 p.m./ET "The Five"
6-7 p.m./ET "Special Report with Bret Baier"
7-8 p.m./ET "Fox Report" with Shepard Smith
8-9 p.m. ET "The OReilly Factor" (*Live from Tampa on Wednesday and Thursday)
9-10 p.m./ET "Hannity"
10-11:30 p.m./ET "Americas Election Headquarters" with Bret Baier and Megyn Kelly (*Timing is based on RNC speakers).
11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m./ET "On the Record" with Greta Van Susteren
Friday, Aug. 31
6-9 a.m./ET "Fox & Friends"
6-7 p.m./ET "Special Report with Bret Baier" (*Live from Charlotte)
7-8 p.m./ET "Fox Report" with Shepard Smith (*Live from Charlotte)
Reach Jim Turner at jturner@sunshinestatenews.com or at (772) 215-9889.
