Rove, FOX News execs face media forum

NEW YORK, July 15 (UPI) -- Former Bush White House political adviser Karl Rove and FOX News Channel representatives faced questions from TV critics in New York.

The panel of the Television Critics Association spent a 45-minute Q& A session on topics ranging from President George Bush and Sen. John McCain's campaign strategy to FOX News policies and tactics, reported Alan Sepinwall, TV columnist for The Star-Ledger of Newark.

It was not a lovefest but was far tamer than a similar session last week with executives of CNN, who were attacked for their overly-sympathetic portrayal of likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, Sepinwall wrote.

In the most direct exchange, Rove was asked about his recent refusal to testify under oath before Congress. Rove responded at length, that his concern was the White House ability to maintain executive privilege. He said that he has offered to appear before and assist Congress in any way he can that doesn't involve testifying under oath and on the record.