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Bill O'Reilly claims he's most powerful man in America, after President Obama

Megalomania or rational assessment, O'Reilly certainly admires his own pull

DARA KELLY,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 7:58 AM

Updated Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 10:57 AM

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Bill O'Reilly Fox News Anchor

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Pundit and gadfly Bill O'Reilly no longer has any doubt about how big his pull is. According to his own glowing estimation, the Fox News opinion maker is now only slightly less powerful than the president of the United States.

'I have more power than anybody other than the president,' O'Reilly told Newsweek this week, in a quote that seemed concocted in a laboratory to generate outrage.

Oh and he has a new co-written book to hawk, entitled Killing Lincoln.

O'Reilly claims that having cable news largest elderly viewership means he possesses nearly unprecedented power.

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'I can get things changed, quickly,' he told Newsweek. 'I don’t have to go through the legislative process; I don’t have to do any of that. I can just bring it to the people, and say, look, this has gotta be dealt with.'

Although he admits he's been able to pull most major political players into his vortex, some glaring omissions have tantalized him over the years. Former Vice President Dick Cheney is one example, but O'Reilly says Cheney prefers to play things safe.

'There is a fear factor,' O’Reilly explained. 'I’ve watched four or five of his interviews—I mean, it’s all cupcakes, you know? I ask ’em questions, all right? Obama. I mean, when Obama sits with me, he doesn’t know what the hell’s coming, and it’s exciting. It’s exciting.'

O'Reilly speaks highly of President Obama, who has been on his show twice, and came away with boosts in the polls each time: 'A guy like Obama, he’s got reason to be afraid, and he’s not,' he says. 'He’s composed; he likes to joust. There are personalities that do, and there are personalities that don’t.'

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seanomelbourne | Sep 20, 2011, 05:21 PM EDT

He's a legend, non thinking idiots love him.He's got a big mouth and a supersized head.

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cillowen | Sep 20, 2011, 04:36 PM EDT

O'Reilly is more than being off. that's why we all watch to view his nightly the train wreck and the dingbats exchanges plus doucy versus his batty other contestant.

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pounder | Sep 20, 2011, 04:25 PM EDT

Eh,no Bill,and neither is Hussein Obama.

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peterson | Sep 20, 2011, 02:43 PM EDT

He sure comes up with the "stories". He was once a a very good talk show host, but seems to be slipping somewhat ! He is a disgrace to the Tea Party (God Bless Them).

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Suivness10 | Sep 20, 2011, 02:16 PM EDT

Pompous ass.

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Deidra47 | Sep 20, 2011, 01:15 PM EDT

In his own mind. He's such a narcissistic/delusional little man.

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jamthecat | Sep 20, 2011, 12:45 PM EDT

Yeah, he's got influence over idiots and fools, maybe, but to those with even half a functioning brain he's a lying, diseased piece of filth. However, to give the devil his due, I've begun to fear that coherent, intelligent thought is practiced by the minority in the America, lately.

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mayoman | Sep 20, 2011, 12:36 PM EDT

Several years ago Bill O'Reilly took persistent aim at the only abortionist in Topeka, Kansas, Dr. Michael Tiller. O'Reilly continually referred to the doctor as "Tiller the Killer" until one of his more impressionable and deluded viewers took out his gun and murdered Dr. Tiller in his church. Of course O'Reilly took no responsibility, and showed no remorse whatsoever. Consider O'Reilly's verbatim quote from above: "I don't have to go through the legislative process; I don't have to do any of that. I can just bring it to the people and say, look this has gotta be dealt with." Indeed, even if it calls for murder.

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docmikey | Sep 20, 2011, 12:23 PM EDT

What has he been smoking?

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antoman | Sep 20, 2011, 11:35 AM EDT

Low brow stuff for the masses. The only power this egomaniac has is to influence or coerce an American into shooting a Senator in the head. Which as we know has happened. Freedom of speech in America is freedom to troll or commit murder.

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jamieLM | Sep 20, 2011, 10:14 AM EDT

He's a legend in his own mind. As an American, he can think and say whatever he wants to about himself, but it doesn't mean anyone has to agree.

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carollover | Sep 20, 2011, 10:05 AM EDT

O Reilly's "success" proves only that PT Barnum was right, and that there's a sucker born every minute. His "talents" have never matched his ego. When I think of him I think of the "loofa" sexual harassment incident, the infamous "We'll do it live!" video, sicking "Fox Security" on a listener who mentioned Olbermann and his latest escapade having a cop look into his ex-wife's lover. What a pathetic, insecure, foolish person.

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stephendoyle | Sep 20, 2011, 10:00 AM EDT

Just because people watch you does not mean they will follow your commands. I will be captivated by a good train wreck but it does not mean I want to be part of it! He needs to cut back on the coke it would seem............

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donal1951 | Sep 20, 2011, 09:34 AM EDT

What a blowhard. O'Reilly that is, not Dara Kelly. Even Rush Limbaugh has likened O'Reilly to Ted Baxter, the bumbling ancherman character on the Mary Tyler Moore show.

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