When Roger Ailes was a kid he used to watch Roy Rogers movies. He used to love the part where “the cattle would all start heading toward the cliff in a stampede. And one poor son-of-a-bitch had to go out there and ride on a horse and ride into the middle of it and try to turn the whole herd.”
That’s how the 72-year-old co-founder of Fox News sees himself today.
“If someone’s got to go in there and turn the herd at least I’m willing to wade in and try it,” Ailes told TVNewser during a lengthy interview in his office last week.
“Listen, my life would be so much easier if I were just more liberal. You know how much money I’d make. I’d be on the cover of every magazine. I’d be the biggest goddam celebrity in the world. God almighty I’d have Joy Behar kissing me. That’s my greatest fear. Joy would kiss me. I would be a giant, if I would just sell out what I believe in. They’d be so thrilled if I would just sell out my beliefs.”
Earlier:
- Ailes on Megyn Kelly: “We’d Love Her To Stay Here and Be an Even Bigger Star.”
- On Election Night: “Rove was Wrong. He Backed Down. Our Guys Were Right.”
- On his Legacy: “I Don’t Care About My Legacy. It’s Too Late.”