Sen. Dick Durbin Tangles With Bret Baier Over Removal of God From Party Platform

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Bret Baier debate the Democratic platform.

During Fox News’ special coverage of the Democratic National Convention Tuesday, host Bret Baier confronted Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in Charlotte about the Democratic Party’s decision to remove all mentions of the word “God” from their official 2012 platform. Instead of providing a simple answer, Durbin instead unfairly accused Baier and Fox News of insinuating that all Democrats are “Godless” creatures.

“If the narrative that is being presented on your station and through your channel and your network, is that the Democrats are Godless people, they ought to know better. God is not a franchise of the Republican party,” Durbin said. “Those of us that believe in God and those of us who have dedicated our lives to helping others in the name of God don’t want to take a second seat to anyone who is suggesting that one word out of the platform means that the Democrats across America are Godless, come on Bret.”

“No, no, no,” Baier replied, “I don’t think that’s what’s being said. We are reporting what’s in the platform.”

The host then tried to rephrase the question. Baier informed Durbin that in 2008, God was mentioned once. In 2004, God was mentioned seven times and four times in 2008. “The question is why take it out in this time?”

Again, Durbin went back to his initial conclusion. “If you trying to draw some kind of conclusion that the Democrats are Godless, present your evidence. Present your evidence.”

“I’m not drawing a conclusion,” Baier suggested. “I’m just asking the question, why was the word taken out?”

Durbin shot back: “I’m just telling you that you are harping on a trifle. We know both parties are devoted to this country, both parties are God-fearing parties. Let’s get on with the agenda about creating jobs in America.”

Baier, maintaining his professionalism, moved on and asked Durbin why Democrats also removed mention Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. And again, the Democratic senator deflected.

“To suggest that this document and the the insertion of two words here and one word there now defines politics in America suggests to me you are not focusing on the real issues that Americans care about,” Durbin said.

Baier pointed out that Democrats in Tampa talked about the Republican platform and what was in it and argued that it was fair for him to do the same of the Democratic platform.

“I am asking about the changes and words, I’m asking why. I’m not drawing conclusions,” Baier replied.

 

Watch the entire exchange via Fox News:

 

Front page image from Alex Brandon/AP.