Obama's FOX Intvw Was a Quid Pro Quo, Stupid.

I can't believe I haven't seen this written anywhere else.  

Obama's appearance on FOX was a Quid Pro Quo.  It is a perfect example of Axelrod's and Obama's style in this campaign:  take a neutral negative and turn it to their advantage.  

Had Obama continued boycotting Faux, they would be left with a Presidential Election in which one of the major parties refuses to appear on their network.  This essentially reduces them to BET for Rich White Republicans (WET?) While we can all be excited about the longstanding blow this would have to Faux's credibility (i.e. perhaps they shouldn't get to be in the pool for running camera's at debates?) Obama and Axelrod saw an opportunity:

If they continued their Faux Boycott, Faux would be out there able to do significant damage to the campaign by reporting/inventing/distorting stories about Obama, which would inevitably make their way into the discourse (witness ABCs debate).  Axelrod/Obama said:
We'll appear on your network if you agree to knock it off.  Subsequent appearances will be determined by how well you follow this plegde.

Why this is brilliant/classic Obama... in extended...

This is a brilliant move.

Obama set this up months ago when he boycotted Faux (remember O'Reilly?)

He gained power over them.  And then he used that power to hold them to task.  This is why we talk to our enemies.  To gain power, to enter into an accountability relationship, and to change behavior.  Imagine this scenerio w/Iran:  we sanction  them where it hurts, and at the right time, we move in to talk.  

Doubt this was a quid pro quo?

Think about the shrewdness of what they did with Michigan.  Adding up the caucus math, they determined they needed to shorten the game, play with fewer possessions (Obama's a basketball guy)- so they sought to reduce the number of delegates in play.  Michigan provided that opportunity- by negotiating with Edwards to stay off the ballot.  

This is classic Obama:
Turn a negative into a positive
Talk to and engage your enemies
Do so quietly

Obama is now in a position to hold Faux accountable for their behavior through the election.  Contrast that with the damage done to Gore and Kerry by Faux, and you see what a brilliant move this was.

UPDATED:  I have no illusions about whether I think Faux will behave.  They won't.  And its a risk Obama is taking.  But if it REDUCES some of the tension, especially given many Conservatives can't stand McCain, then its a calculated risk.