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Has Bill O'Reilly gone soft on Obama?

By
PATRICK ROBERTS,
IrishCentral.com

Published Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 7:53 AM
Updated Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 11:45 AM

 

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Going soft on the Big O? A kinder, gentler Bill O'Reilly for Christmas!
Going soft on the Big O? A kinder, gentler Bill O'Reilly for Christmas!

Unlike most of his Fox News colleagues, Bill O'Reilly has always seemed to have a soft spot for President Obama. Perhaps it was because Obama has given O'Reilly some exclusive interviews and feedback.

It certainly seems that O'Reilly has been impressed. His gushing column on his night at the White House media party last week reads like a missive from the liberal website  Moveon.org — not from the O'Reilly we all know.

Consider this: "Michelle Obama, whom I had never met, was stunning. She was warm and kind to my 10-year-old daughter and gracious to me. My quick assessment of her: Strong, charismatic, and beautiful."

Wow! Hard to imagine Sean Hannity saying that.

Or consider this: "At Christmastime, we should all put politics aside. And that's what the Obamas did. There were a number of Republicans at the party and everybody I talked with had a great time. I was pleased with the event and, again, feel privileged to have had the vantage point.

"So, I received my Christmas present early. Thanks for the party, Mr. President."

Cue Glenn Beck — almost choking on those words.

O'Reilly is even offering to sort out the differences between Fox News and the White House.

"After seeing the Obamas, I ran into the President's cadre of advisors and gave them some jazz about the war on Fox News, a campaign that did not go well for the White House.

"Basically, I told the President's men and women that Americans love spirited conversation, and that if they have a beef with something on Fox News, they should come on my television program and hash it out."

And then there are words of praise for Al Sharpton — yes, Al Sharpton.

"Look what happened to Al Sharpton. His appearances on Fox News have helped his image immensely. You may not agree with what the Reverend says, but at least he has the guts to debate the issues."

O'Reilly praising Al Sharpton — where do we go from here? Bouquets for Acorn? Support for getting U.S. troops out of Iraq?

This kinder ,gentler Bill is a real surprise. But hey, it is the holiday season. Good will to men and all that.

For now.

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8 Comments

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Posted by irishwxman on Dec 28, 2009, 08:38 AM EST
Bill is a fair minded guy. The one time he praised Obama for the party and all of a sudden he has "gone soft"? Bill O'Reilly has been one of Obama's harshest critics. I love to watch Bill, because he doesn't pander to the Obama administration. I like to hear the truth and not some Obama suck up on NBC telling me how wonderful Obama and his cronies are. Bill calls it like he sees it. If Obama was nice to him at the Christmas party, then he should tell America, but when Obama tries to ram his socialist healthcare agenda down our throats, you better believe Bill let's him have it.
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Posted by calirishvet on Dec 24, 2009, 10:42 AM EST
I would propose that, If one dislikes O'Reilly or any other commentator on FOX or any of the other networks, just don't watch. Your blood pressure will thank you. This constant carping is tedious after awhile. Whine Whine Whine.
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Posted by JolyJoly on Dec 24, 2009, 12:00 AM EST
I couldn't believe no one ever commented on his putting Obama on his program at the exact time McCain was speaking to the Republican Convention. Hmmmmm. And he keeps asking Obama to give him a job. Maybe Obama should -- Fox has Beck and doesn't need O'Reilley.
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Posted by michaelOgCollin on Dec 23, 2009, 04:24 PM EST
Funny how the left has painted O'Reilly just because he is on Fox News as a "conservative" fire-breather, even though his idol is RFK; he is also anti-capital punishment and a global warming believer. Extremely dodgy right-wing credentials if you ask me. As for his Michelle Obama comments, read Ron Kessler's (Newsmax's DC correspondent)book about stories of the men and women of the Secret Service: "In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes With Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect. Crown. 2009". A synopsis of the 2008 Presidential campaign players and their personalities: Obama - arrogant and aloof; McCain - acerbic, volatile hothead; Michelle Obama - friendly, warm and down to earth. O'Reilly comments regarding Michelle come as little surprise to me after reading the book because, as a DC resident, the people in this town who give you the straight scoop are the people who work for the government in a service capacity as those are not political appointees. .
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Posted by Ruler4You on Dec 23, 2009, 10:53 AM EST
O'Reilly started to go 'soft' on about everything when a Saudi prince bought a large stake in FoxNews corps parent company. Since then he has done a slow evaporation down to near namby pamby levels. As long as he gets his (over paid) check for 7 figures he will continue as he is told. I just hope he doesn't sack Glenn Beck now that they are "going on tour" together.
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Posted by gcallanpowers on Dec 23, 2009, 10:21 AM EST
O'Reilly is as phoney as a 3$ bill.why he was nothing but a weather man in Boston on tv7 before he found his 'calling''
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Posted by catmann on Dec 22, 2009, 11:43 AM EST
I don't trust O'Reilly. He appears to play both sides.
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Posted by SincerelyMe on Dec 22, 2009, 08:43 AM EST
I've long said O'Reilly is no conservative. Just because he rants, raises his voice, points his finger.....if you notice, it IS and always HAS been about HIM. He has a huge ego, and at every turn, his show is about, "See, I was right." Of course, we don't hear about all the times he's wrong. Ever since his "tough" (meaning yelling and finger-pointing) interview with pre-Pres. Obama last year, O'Reilly has been charmed and enamoured of the President. Why? BECAUSE, it's a "look at me" moment--the President interviewed with ME, and I asked "tough" questions. How was my interview? Huh? How was it? What was my body language? I mean, c'mon folks, this is a huge egotistical hypocrite, and I'm waiting for the day when his show declines in ratings (a huge bragging point for him).
 


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