Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.) Criticized on Monday the decision of the National Democratic Committee to prevent Fox News from organizing primary debates in the presidential election of 2020.
The Connecticut legislator, in a CNN "New Day" appearance, suggested that his party's governing body had missed an opportunity to reach millions of Americans by refusing to associate with Fox News.
"I do not think it was the right decision," Himes said. "Look, it's no surprise to anyone, not even to Fox News observers, that Fox is largely an instrument of the right-wing Republican Party. … However, and the reason I go on Fox is that millions and millions of Americans are watching it. "
Himes suggested to Fox News viewers to find Democratic ideas such as universal health insurance and strengthening retirement security more appealing than Republicans' willingness to cut business taxes.
When asked if he thought his interviews on Fox News would "never move the needle," Himes danced around the issue. He noted that a debate is more structured than a TV interview, which would prevent the moderator from inserting his own bias when he "does not like where you are going" .
"It's not like Sean Hannity can step in and challenge Bernie Sanders," he said.
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Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton argue in Democratic debates
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MILWAUKEE, WI – FEBRUARY 11: Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders (left) and Hillary Clinton participate in the debate on Democratic presidential candidates for PBS NewsHour at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on February 11, 2016 in Ottawa. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The debate is final debate before the Nevada caucuses, scheduled for Feb. 20. (Photo by Win McNamee / Getty Images)
DURHAM, NH – FEBRUARY 04: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), presidential candidates, during the debate on Democratic candidates for election MSNBC which was held at the University of New Hampshire on February 4, 2016 in Durham, New Hampshire. This is the final debate for Democratic candidates before the New Hampshire primaries. (Photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 13: Democrat Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (left) and Hillary Clinton take part in a presidential debate sponsored by CNN and Facebook at Wynn Las Vegas on October 13, 2015 in Las Vegas . Nevada. Five Democratic presidential candidates participate in the party's first presidential debate. (Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont Independent, on the left, and Hillary Clinton, former US Secretary of State, attend the first Democratic Presidential Debate at the Wynn Vegas Las Vegas Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, on Tuesday October 13th. 2015. Even if the first presidential Democratic debate tonight is likely to be insulted by Republican confrontations, there is still a potential for strong disagreements between the main opponents of the party. Photographer: Josh Haner / Pool via Bloomberg
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 13: Democratic presidential candidates, US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (left) and Hillary Clinton shake hands at the end of a presidential debate sponsored by CNN and Facebook at Wynn Las Vegas on October 13, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Five Democratic presidential candidates participate in the party's first presidential debate. (Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 13: Democratic presidential candidates, US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (left) and Hillary Clinton, take part in a presidential debate sponsored by CNN and Facebook at Wynn Las Vegas on 13 October 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Five Democratic presidential candidates participate in the party's first presidential debate. (Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 13: Democratic presidential candidates, US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (left) and Hillary Clinton, take part in a presidential debate sponsored by CNN and Facebook at Wynn Las Vegas on 13 October 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Five Democratic presidential candidates participate in the party's first presidential debate. (Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 13: (LR) US Democratic presidential candidates Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Hillary Clinton and Martin O Malley take part in the presidential debate sponsored by CNN and Facebook at Wynn Las Vegas on October 13, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Five Democratic presidential candidates participate in the party's first presidential debate. (Photo by Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
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The DNC announced last week that it would not join Fox News in the 2020 election cycle, citing a recent report by the New Yorker describing the network's close ties to President Donald Trump and his unofficial role as a propaganda organ of the White House.
"The network is not able to organize a fair and neutral debate for our candidates," said Tom Perez, president of DNC, in a statement.
The former Pennsylvania governor, Ed Rendell, who presided over the DNC in the 2000 presidential election, said last week that Mr. Perez had "made a mistake" in his decision to ban Fox News.
"If we could pick the commentators and moderators, I think we should have the debate on Fox, because I can tell you – even if we can convince 3% of Fox viewers, 3% last time, Michigan wins" said Rendell during an appearance in "The Ingraham Angle" of Fox News. It seemed to refer to Trump 's tight victory over Hillary Clinton in the US Midwest state in the 2016 election.
He named several Fox News personalities, including Bret Baier and Chris Wallace, who he said would be a powerful catalyst for debate. Both Baier and Wallace opposed the decision of the DNC.
Fox News is the most watched basic cable network, with an average audience of 2.5 million viewers in 2018. Himes said Monday that Democratic nominees could have benefited from speaking to "l & # 39; 39; huge public 'network.
"As they say, you do not need to convince your friends," he said. "You have to persuade people who do not agree with you."
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
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