Bill O'Reilly

[oldksnarc]

I don't mean to go on a rant....

Not only was I disappointed with FOX for talking and interviewing people during the opening ceremonies last night (as I mentioned in the Palin speech thread even CNN was quiet during this time) I am disappointed in Bill O'Reilly.

For several months he's made a big deal out of how he keeps inviting BHO on the Factor but BHO has declined. Now, BHO calls and says he'll come on if he could do it on Thursday - the night of McCain's acceptance speech. O'Reilly accepted.

I e-mailed O'Reilly and expressed my opinion of his decision:

"Mr. O'Reilly:

On Thursday night of Obama's acceptance speech John McCain ran an ad congratulating Obama on his historic moment and gave Obama the grace of relishing his moment without making an issue of it and not running any anti-Obama ads for that day.

However, Obama could not show the same grace toward McCain. After trying for so long to challenge Obama to come on The Factor, you allow yourself to be played as a pawn to his celebrity by allowing Obama to be showcased on the Factor on what should be the evening of McCain's moment.

I normally agree with you on most issues. I don't agree with you on this. There are any of 60 other nights you could have had Obama on. If Obama dictated when he would come on - and you allowed that - then shame on you."

Then, last night during the Factor he admitted that BHO's agreeing to come on was to steal some of McCain's steam and mentioned that he had received a lot of mail from right-wingers opposed to his having BHO on during Thursday night's festivities - and said, "Nuts are nuts and I guess they are on both the right and left."

O'Reilly (the no-spin doctor) spun his decision because there was plenty of time to interview BHO and cover McCain's speech.

"Mr. O'Reilly:

I have been a fan. I wrote you (previously) to express my opinion of your accepting Obama's request to be on your show on Thursday.

The point was that McCain had enough class to give Obama his moment and did not try to upstage him during his moment at the DNC. However, Obama choose to try and steal some steam from McCain and the RNC - as you admitted tonight.

You also said you received mail from the right-wing grumbling about your decision to have him on and you guess "nuts are nuts" whether on the left or right. You then spun your decision that you had plenty of time to cover both. Maybe so. But, again, you miss the point. You allowed Obama to dictate to you when he would come on solely so you would be able to claim you finally got him on - and so he could steal some of McCain's steam.

I am a conservative and, by default I guess, right wing. But, I'm not a nut. I simply expressed my opinion and displeasure with your decision to allow Obama to control your show. But, you own the time slot and you can portray your decision and actions however you want - and you can also portray those of us who disagree with you however you want - and will.

You showed you are no different than any other talking head in the liberal media - you sold out for the scoop. And, as before, shame on you. So much for fair and balanced."

But, then again, I could be wrong.

[wtnhunt]

Noticed that too, and I kind of bounced around between news channels before the networks picked up their coverage. Tuesday night the nbc news channel had Brian Williams talking while Fred Thompson was speaking rather than showing Thompson's speech, fox did air Thompson's speech though.

The only reason Obama agreed to this interview was so that he could accomplish trying to do exactly what you are pointing out, take away some steam from the republicans. No brainer, fox probably needs to rethink airing the interview unless O'Reilly was able to somehow make Obama squirm and show him off in a light that does not take away from the convention, even still do not think it is the right time for it. Kind of think Obama has played them. Think your message to O'Reilly was very good, but wonder if it might not hurt to forward it to others at fox as well.

[ildrhntr]

Very well written oldksnarc for a "nut". Unfortunately it is all about the scoop even for Fox. It also goes to show the true character of BHO by what he did.

[oldksnarc]

I sent the first one to all of them and the second one to O'Reilly. I'll see what he does tonight.

[slugshooter]

All Bill O'Reilly cares about is ratings and competing with Keith Olbermann over at MSNBC. While Obama attempted to steal the spotlight from McCain, it did not work, and McCain scored higher ratings and more viewers the night of his acceptance speech than did Obama. Whether or not viewers tuned it to hear McCain, or to be able to see Cindy McCain or Sarah Palin is irrelevant, the message was heard. After Obama's speech, I told my wife that I felt that we had just heard the next president speak, but after choosing Palin, coupled with her speech and McCain's speech, I believe that McCain will win. Hopefully, enough voters will see through the smoke screen, lights, pomp and circumstance, and hyperbole; to see that McCain is the best choice. In general, I feel that the nation as a whole is not necessarily scared of "change", but are more willing to choose the safer bet rather than choose the wildcard.

[stevebeilgard]

orielly is all for orielly. you won't get an answer. he actually said tonight (wednesday) that he doesn't want a republican president. fair & balanced, of course.