Bill O'Reilly's pre-Superbowl interview with President Obama

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Did anybody see this. Fox News demagogue and iconic hot head Bill O'Reilly tried to interview the President before the game yesterday. O'Reilly did not make himself look good in the exchange. He cut Obama off numerous times, wouldn't let him finish answers and sometimes asked a question then answered it himself.

The questions about Egypt in the beginning of the interview weren't terrible, though he did try to get Obama to say he supported the Muslim Brotherhood and darkly commented that "Mubarak knows a lot of bad things about the US," trying to adumbrate, I guess, that Mubarak is going to go to wikileaks and bring the US to its knees if he walks.

He also asked if Obama knew exactly when Mubarak would leave, as if that's up to the US to decide. O'Reilly kept up with the Fox News policy of not really taking a strong position on Mubarak leaving one way or the other in order to preserve a strategy of making Obama wrong no matter what happens.

Obama handled those questions fairly well, saying basically that he thought Mubarak was done, and that he wanted to see a representative democracy in Egypt, while deftly deflecting the "Muslim Brotherhood" questions, pointing out that they are a minority in Egypt.

Things went downhill after that, with O'Reilly trying to go after Obama on the Health Care Law, with frequent interruptions from O'Reilly.

Then O'Reilly just started getting stupid, saying that "lots of people think you [Obama] are a leftist and a redistributionist who wants to take away our freedoms."

Obama literally laughed in O'Reilly's face at that one, which I think discomfitted him a little bit.

O'Reilly then asked him, "does it disturb you that so many people hate you?" (a question which could easily be turned around on "O'Reilly), a stupid, meaningless question that Obama handled well nonetheless, pointing out the obvious, that those who hate him don't actually know him, but only hate a "funhouse mirror" representation of him.

They then turned to the Superbowl, and O'Reilly expressed surprise that Obama knew anything about football (I guess O'Reilly assumes that Kenyans only know soccer).

O'Reilly came off as kind of an idiot, and one who was disrespectful to the Office as well (he never interrupted GWB like that), Obama came off a cool and collected, and did not get ruffled at O'Reilly's stupid questions. The interview didn't do any damage to Obama, if that's what the Fox News audience was hoping for, and if anything it might have slightly marginalized O'Reilly even more as any kind of serious political pundit or interviewer in the wake of an already embarrassing week after declaring that the ocean tides move by magic.

I can't help but think, though, that if someone asked Sarah Palin, "does it disturb you that so many people hate you," Fox News and talk radio would go into full bore "poor Sarah" mode, and Palin would facebook all about how she was just like the Jews in Nazi Germany going off to Pearl Harbor on the Underground Railroad.

Other thoughts, opinions, comments, jokes?

[Cliffy]

I caught the first minute or two about Egypt and the whole enterprise made me nervous (I knew I wouldn't have been able to keep my cool in such a situation), so I went in the other room and ate pierogies.

--Cliffy

[Wheelz]

I thought it was exactly what one would expect from O'Reilly. But it was exceedingly odd to me that this interview was presented as part of the Super Bowl pre-game. Just weirdly incongruous.

FOX usually manages to keep their cable news operation separate from their broadcast network, and this was an excellent example of why. They've got a pretty sweet preaching-to-the-choir deal going on over at FOXNews. If they think it's wise to start trying to spread their message through their Sports programming, I think rather it has the effect of causing anybody who might not be familiar with Bill O'Reilly to think, "Jeez, what a prick!"

[joebuck20]

Originally Posted by Diogenes the Cynic

Did anybody see this. Fox News demagogue and iconic hot head Bill O'Reilly tried to interview the President before the game yesterday. O'Reilly did not make himself look good in the exchange. He cut Obama off numerous times, wouldn't let him finish answers and sometimes asked a question then answered it himself.

Funny, when he interviewed Bush, he had his head so far up his ass he could see daylight.

Originally Posted by Wheelz

I thought it was exactly what one would expect from O'Reilly. But it was exceedingly odd to me that this interview was presented as part of the Super Bowl pre-game. Just weirdly incongruous.

FOX usually manages to keep their cable news operation separate from their broadcast network, and this was an excellent example of why. They've got a pretty sweet preaching-to-the-choir deal going on over at FOXNews. If they think it's wise to start trying to spread their message through their Sports programming, I think rather it has the effect of causing anybody who might not be familiar with Bill O'Reilly to think, "Jeez, what a prick!"

So, did this actually air on the Fox Network (by which I mean the broadcast network that airs Family Guy, Simpsons, etc.) as part of the pre-game show, or did it air only on Fox News?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

It was on the actual broadcast network. They hyped the hell out of it too. "The interview all of America is waiting for." Really?

[Jophiel]

It was on the standard FOX network as part of the pre-game.

I thought it was "okay" although I had more respect for O'Reilly when he interviewed Obama pre-2008 election. This was too dominated by "Obama: Socialist or Fascist? You decide!" style questions.

The bits about Mubarak knowing "a lot of stuff" only made me wonder "Wait, so is O'Reilly admitting that the US does a lot of bad stuff that's 'bad' enough that it would be terrible if made known to the world?"

[Simplicio]

Sorta bizarre. O'Reilly was relatively well behaved when he interviewed candidate Obama three years ago. In general, when he has a liberal guest (or even a lot of his conservative guests) he just uses them as a prop to transfer his own views, but for high level ones, he usually reigns himself in a bit. You'd think in front of a Superbowl Audience, whose likely to be less in his corner then the regular viewers of his show, and with pretty much the highest level guest its possible to get, he'd try and be extra reasonable.

Instead he comes off looking like he thinks people tune into an interview with the leader of the free-world to find out what O'Reilly has to say.

[RitterSport]

Originally Posted by Diogenes the Cynic

They then turned to the Superbowl, and O'Reilly expressed surprise that Obama knew anything about football (I guess O'Reilly assumes that Kenyans only know soccer).

It's especially odd because during Obama's campaign, I remember someone asking him and McCain what they would change about college sports or something. McCain answered with some serious stuff about, oh, I can't remember, but Obama said that he thinks that Division I football should have a playoff instead of having a computer or reporters pick who plays in the championship game.

I thought at the time, what a cool, on the spot, non-political answer.

As for the rest of your points, I didn't watch the whole thing, but I'll see if I can track it down, or maybe track down the Daily Show's version of it.

RS

[yanceylebeef]

Originally Posted by Simplicio

Instead he comes off looking like he thinks people tune into an interview with the leader of the free-world to find out what O'Reilly has to say.

I don't think he comes off that way, I think he IS that way.

[Bryan Ekers]

Did O'Reilly call him "dude" at any point?

[Try2B Comprehensive]

We were laughing out loud at O'Reilly. The bits where he interrupts the fucking POTUS were too much. Yah O'Reilly, you really need to interject when Obama is speaking, mm hmm. And the follow-up to the 'people hate you question': "Ok, but doesn't it annoy you just a little bit that people hate you?" Way to hang in there, pal. Can't say I have watched much O'Reilly, but this made him look like a jackass IMHO. And it made Obama look good, portraying him as a non-partisan fellow who really will try to communicate with both sides of the aisle.

2 points, Obama.

[Belowjob2.0]

O Reilly had a terrible make up job. Like they didn't cover the area around his eyes, and it looked half done.

[brocks]

Link to a video of the interview:


http://www.examiner.com/political-bu...nt-obama-video

[XT]

I saw part of it, and O'Reilly didn't come off too well, IMHO. In fact, I was physically embarrassed for him fairly early on and told my wife I was going to the computer room to play the DoWII beta. I assume that, unlike being turned into a Newt, O'Reilly didn't get better...

-XT

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Billo actually looked like he might be a little nervous to me. the interrupting looked like it might have been a function of getting the yips a little bit. He wasn't on his own turf, with control of the microphone and studio and with some ineffectual putz sitting in as his target. He was in the White House, interviewing the President of the United States (probably after a series of deep cavity searches), getting the stink eye from Secret Service agents, and I think he got the yips and started babbling. I did get some impression (maybe I'm imagining things) like maybe he felt like he'd gone too far and was trying to pull it back some at the end ("I hope I've been fair, I try to defend you sometimes. I hope YOU think I'm fair"). I don't remember if he interviewed Bush in the White House, but even if he did, he wasn't face to face with a President that he had spent five days a week trashing on the air for three years.

[joebuck20]

Originally Posted by Diogenes the Cynic

Billo actually looked like he might be a little nervous to me. the interrupting looked like it might have been a function of getting the yips a little bit. He wasn't on his own turf, with control of the microphone and studio and with some ineffectual putz sitting in as his target. He was in the White House, interviewing the President of the United States (probably after a series of deep cavity searches), getting the stink eye from Secret Service agents, and I think he got the yips and started babbling. I did get some impression (maybe I'm imagining things) like maybe he felt like he'd gone too far and was trying to pull it back some at the end ("I hope I've been fair, I try to defend you sometimes. I hope YOU think I'm fair"). I don't remember if he interviewed Bush in the White House, but even if he did, he wasn't face to face with a President that he had spent five days a week trashing on the air for three years.

Here's an excerpt from a transcript of an interview he conducted with Bush a few weeks before the 2004 election. I don't know if this particular interview took place in the White House (I know he did interview him in the White House at some point), but I'm surprised they didn't bring in the jaws of life to separate Bill-O's lips from Bush's derriere.

BILL O'REILLY, HOST: OK. First of all, I want to thank you for talking with me, since so few people will.

(LAUGHTER)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES : Well, it's a big gamble on my part.

O'REILLY: No, it isn't, not really though. You, we talked four and a half years ago...

BUSH: I'm teasing.

O'REILLY: Yes, when you...

BUSH: I enjoy how you interview people, and I appreciate you giving me the chance to come on and have, what we say in Texas, "Just a visit."

O'REILLY: Yes. We're going to have a visit here. I've got 15 questions for you. If they're dumb, tell me they're dumb, because the audience will like that.

(LAUGHTER)

If they're dumb questions say, "Look, O'Reilly, that's just dumb."

[ImNotPaulAvery]

Does it bother anyone else that the President of the USA is not wearing a tie, while O'Reilly is?

[BACI]

Originally Posted by ImNotPaulAvery

Does it bother anyone else that the President of the USA is not wearing a tie, while O'Reilly is?

Doen't bother me. Why should it?

[Try2B Comprehensive]

It was Super Bowl Sunday. Automatic casual day.

[ImNotPaulAvery]

Originally Posted by BACI

Doen't bother me. Why should it?

Because it is a (inter?)nationally broadcast formal interview with the head of state of the most powerful nation in the world?

I know it was O'Reilly and it was the Superbowl, but c'mon. My mother would probably slap me senseless if I went on TV like that.

[Bryan Ekers]

If you're the president, you can use the army and navy to slap her back.


It's in the constitution - article 2, section 2.

[Gyrate]

Originally Posted by RitterSport

It's especially odd because during Obama's campaign, I remember someone asking him and McCain what they would change about college sports or something. McCain answered with some serious stuff about, oh, I can't remember, but Obama said that he thinks that Division I football should have a playoff instead of having a computer or reporters pick who plays in the championship game.

Politifact is actually tracking it as a campaign promise (a Stalled one, at the moment).

And I'd be more bothered if Obama was wearing a tie and O'Reilly wasn't. Obama was watching the Superbowl. O'Reilly was interviewing the President. Both were dressed appropriately.

[joebuck20]

Originally Posted by Try2B Comprehensive

We were laughing out loud at O'Reilly. The bits where he interrupts the fucking POTUS were too much. Yah O'Reilly, you really need to interject when Obama is speaking, mm hmm. And the follow-up to the 'people hate you question': "Ok, but doesn't it annoy you just a little bit that people hate you?" Way to hang in there, pal. Can't say I have watched much O'Reilly, but this made him look like a jackass IMHO. And it made Obama look good, portraying him as a non-partisan fellow who really will try to communicate with both sides of the aisle.

2 points, Obama.

Also, there's the fact that Obama is willing to go toe to toe on national television with a harsh media critic of his...more than can be said of a certain failed vice-presidential nominee who shall remain unnamed.

[RitterSport]

Originally Posted by Gyrate

Politifact is actually tracking it as a campaign promise (a Stalled one, at the moment).

And I'd be more bothered if Obama was wearing a tie and O'Reilly wasn't. Obama was watching the Superbowl. O'Reilly was interviewing the President. Both were dressed appropriately.

Thanks. For some reason, that contrast between Obama and McCain made a real impression on me.

Anyway, I watched the interview last night -- WTF was that football stuff about? Why was Bill on his case about whether he knew football? "You're a basketball guy, right?" -- the guy can't know two sports? Bizarre.

I did like how Obama laughed in O'Reilly's face, though. Also, they hid the teleprompters really well, I thought.

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by joebuck20

Also, there's the fact that Obama is willing to go toe to toe on national television with a harsh media critic of his...more than can be said of a certain failed vice-presidential nominee who shall remain unnamed.

Leave James Stockdale alone!

[fumster]

Originally Posted by RitterSport

Anyway, I watched the interview last night -- WTF was that football stuff about? Why was Bill on his case about whether he knew football? "You're a basketball guy, right?" -- the guy can't know two sports? Bizarre.

He's black, so it must be basketball he knows.

[Gyrate]

Originally Posted by sh1bu1

He's black, so it must be basketball he knows.

To be fair to O'Reilly (painful as it may be) it's basketball that Obama plays (although after getting 12 stitches following a court collision last November he may have eased off a bit).

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Yeah, but just because he plays basketball doesn't mean he doesn't know any other sport. In fact, I think that most people who are active in one sport are interested in other sports. I doubt O'Reilly plays anything.

[Dewey Finn]

Originally Posted by brocks

Link to a video of the interview:


http://www.examiner.com/political-bu...nt-obama-video

There's also a transcript of the interview here. Frankly, I was annoyed at how many times Bill O'Reilly interrupted the president, and I wondered what Fox News would have said if, for example, Keith Olbermann had done so while interviewing George W Bush while he was in office. (I think they would have called him disrespectful and rude.)

And I was amused when O'Reilly asked the president, "But the entitlements that you championed do redistribute wealth in the sense that they provide insurance coverage for 40 million people that don't have it." How is it a bad thing that we provide health insurance coverage for forty million people who don't have it now?

[Gyrate]

Originally Posted by Diogenes the Cynic

Yeah, but just because he plays basketball doesn't mean he doesn't know any other sport. In fact, I think that most people who are active in one sport are interested in other sports. I doubt O'Reilly plays anything.

Oh, I'm not disputing that at all. I'm just saying the O'Reilly's perception of Obama as a "basketball person" may not have been specifically racial in original.

[jayjay]

Originally Posted by ImNotPaulAvery

Does it bother anyone else that the President of the USA is not wearing a tie, while O'Reilly is?

Afraid he's going to be mistaken for Ahmadinejad?

[Dewey Finn]

Originally Posted by ImNotPaulAvery

Because it is a (inter?)nationally broadcast formal interview with the head of state of the most powerful nation in the world?

I know it was O'Reilly and it was the Superbowl, but c'mon. My mother would probably slap me senseless if I went on TV like that.

I don't understand your objection. The person not wearing the tie is "the head of state of the most powerful nation in the world." And it's an informal interview. Last year, the president didn't even wear a jacket when being interviewed by Katie Couric.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Originally Posted by Gyrate

Oh, I'm not disputing that at all. I'm just saying the O'Reilly's perception of Obama as a "basketball person" may not have been specifically racial in original.

Oh, I didn't take it as racist, just dimwitted reasoning. He plays basketabll, therefore he's a "basketball guy" and knows nothing of other sports.

If he'd done any homework at all, knowing that this was a pre-Superbowl interview, he would know that Obama has publicly expressed a keen interest in football and baseball (White Sox fan) as well as basketball.

[RitterSport]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

...
And I was amused when O'Reilly asked the president, "But the entitlements that you championed do redistribute wealth in the sense that they provide insurance coverage for 40 million people that don't have it." How is it a bad thing that we provide health insurance coverage for forty million people who don't have it now?

[Off-topic]I know that Social Security and Medicare are entitlements, which I think means that they don't have to be part of the annual appropriations process, unlike Defense, Foreign Aid, the EPA, and so on. Does the health care reform law actually create a new entitlement? Am I wrong about the definition of entitlements?[/Off-topic]

[Dewey Finn]

I am not a political expert, but I think the reason that Social Security and Medicare aren't part of the appropriations process is because they're funded by their own taxes.

[RitterSport]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

I am not a political expert, but I think the reason that Social Security and Medicare aren't part of the appropriations process is because they're funded by their own taxes.

Thanks. Sorry for the hijack. Back on topic -- O'Reilly is a bozo.

[Clothahump]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

There's also a transcript of the interview here. Frankly, I was annoyed at how many times Bill O'Reilly interrupted the president, and I wondered what Fox News would have said if, for example, Keith Olbermann had done so while interviewing George W Bush while he was in office. (I think they would have called him disrespectful and rude.)

Actually, Obama interrupted O'Reilly by starting to answer questions before he finished answering them.

And I was amused when O'Reilly asked the president, "But the entitlements that you championed do redistribute wealth in the sense that they provide insurance coverage for 40 million people that don't have it." How is it a bad thing that we provide health insurance coverage for forty million people who don't have it now?

Oh, come now. It boils down to this: who's gonna pay for it? And the answer is that the U. S. government is going to force Peter to pay for Paul's health insurance, and that is just wrong. Regardless of how many times they have done it before, such as the boondoggle of Medicare. Our economy simply can't handle it.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

The government is going to pay for it anyway. This is just a way to lower the ultimate cost and shift the burden a little from the working class to the parasitic, tax-dodging overclass.

[ImNotPaulAvery]

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

I don't understand your objection. The person not wearing the tie is "the head of state of the most powerful nation in the world."

Yes, that is what I meant. Sloppy word choice at 3am.

Originally Posted by Dewey Finn

And it's an informal interview. Last year, the president didn't even wear a jacket when being interviewed by Katie Couric.

Well then that's not helping my opinion of him. And I'm not real sure how a major planned televised interview isn't formal.

I'm generally a supporter of Obama and his politics, but I find it a little disconcerting when I'm dressed better than the president on many occasions. And when his interviewer is better dressed. Hell, even the host of America's Funniest Home videos that's on TV right now is wearing a tie.

BTW, this was a politically neutral observation. I'd be just as annoyed if it was Bush.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Who gives a shit about a tie? Are you serious? Do you know who DID wear a tie? HITLER!

[Chronos]

If he were wearing a tie for a Superbowl party, he would have been inappropriately dressed. Being President does not mean "wear a tie for absolutely everything no matter what".

[Gustav]

Far as I'm concerned "the head of state of the most powerful nation in the world" means you can wear pretty much whatever you damn like.

[joebuck20]

Originally Posted by Gustav

Far as I'm concerned "the head of state of the most powerful nation in the world" means you can wear pretty much whatever you damn like.

Howabout a wife beater?

[Bryan Ekers]

Heck, he can wear a third-world beater. He's the president.

[LateComer]

As far as I'm concerned the higher your station the sloppier you should dress. Really, who does Bill Gates have to impress? Why not wear sweats to meetings?

The President is the most powerful person in the world he can wear whatever he wants. How petty can one be? "That Obama, I'd respect his policies a little more if he'd let his hair grow out."? What is this, 1964? We still judge people by what kind of shirt they're wearing?

[The Tooth]

Little flag pins seem to be important to some people. Not to me, though.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by Clothahump

Actually, Obama interrupted O'Reilly by starting to answer questions before he finished answering them.

This is an inaccurate statement. AND YOU FUCKING KNOW IT.

From the transcript posted above. I'm only going to post the ends of statements including the interruption. Back to back statements (no extra line break) indicate sequential interruptions.

Originally Posted by O'Reilly Interview Transcript

OBAMA: So, I'm just glad these guys are --
O'REILLY: Those guys could have died.

OBAMA: …but one that is a meaningful transition and that leads to a government that's --
O'REILLY: So, you don't know when he's going to leave?
OBAMA: Well, you know, ultimately, the United States can't absolute dictate --
O'REILLY: You can't force him to leave.

OBAMA: They don't have majority support in Egypt. They are --
O'REILLY: Are they a threat?

O'REILLY: But you don't wan [SIC] the Muslim Brotherhood...
OBAMA: What I want a representative government in Egypt.


OBAMA: Well, I don't think that's...
O'REILLY: The Supreme Court is going to hear this one way or the other.
OBAMA: if you have ideas that I can embrace on things like...
O'REILLY: They're not going to bother with it, though.

OBAMA: I mean, if you're talking about the Wall Street Journal editorial page...
O'REILLY: I've got to tell you, that's what this is.
OBAMA: You know, that's like quoting the New York Times editorial...
O'REILLY: Do you deny the assessment?

OBAMA: And that's something that I think that the majority of Americans...
O'REILLY: OK, but you understand that a lot of Americans feel you're a big government liberal who wants to intrude on their personal freedom. Now, they also say that you have been moving -- now, that's -- come on, you know that...
OBAMA: I think that a lot of folks who watch you don't believe that.

OBAMA: And now our focus is not on refighting the battle of the last two years...
O'REILLY: So you're not moving to the center?
OBAMA: I haven't -- I didn't move to...
O'REILLY: You haven't moved anywhere? You're the same guy?

OBAMA: You know, you can't go to the corner...
O'REILLY: Everybody watching every move you make.

OBAMA: You don't have the best...
O'REILLY: So it's like wave after wave of complicated problems and there you are.

OBAMA: It could affect...
O'REILLY: I know that.
OBAMA: Well, that -- look...
O'REILLY: Preoccupied?

OBAMA: And for all the arguing that we get into and all the debates between Democrats and Republicans...
O'REILLY: A tremendous country. Right? It is.

OBAMA: No. Because you know that if you just...
O'REILLY: Doesn't it annoy you sometimes?

OBAMA: You know, barbecue --
(CROSSTALK)
O'REILLY: But are you going to watch the game? Are you going to --
OBAMA: Of course. I'll watch the game.

OBAMA: I'm not going to --
O'REILLY: You know, like, football, you know, like, blitzes and coverage and all that?

By my count, O'Reilly interrupted the President of the United States 19 times. including 5 times sequentially. The President of the United States interrupted an opinion broadcaster, invited into his home on Superbowl Sunday, 3 times. One of which was AFTER he'd been interrupted by said blowhard. Another time is apparently during a time of "(CROSSTALK)", but I gave you that one anyway.

Look I know you're a right winger, but at least be an ACCURATE right winger, for Christ's sake.

[Dewey Finn]

O'Reilly's apparent surprise that the president might be familiar with football reminded me of his comments after having dinner at Sylvia's Restaurant. (In September 2007, he ate at the famous Harlem soul food restaurant with the Reverend Al Sharpton. Later, on his own radio show, he said, "I couldn't get over the fact that there was no difference between Sylvia's restaurant and any other restaurant in New York City. I mean, it was exactly the same, even though it's run by blacks, primarily black patronship." He also said to Juan Williams, "There wasn't one person in Sylvia's who was screaming, 'M-Fer, I want more iced tea.' You know, I mean, everybody was - it was like going into an Italian restaurant in an all-white suburb in the sense of people were sitting there, and they were ordering and having fun. And there wasn't any kind of craziness at all.")

[Peremensoe]

Wow. So, uh, did O'Reilly draw any conclusions from that experience?

And how does anybody miss that Obama is a sports guy? I heard him mention basketball, baseball and football--not stupid politician platitudes, but actual fan comments--all before he was inaugurated.

[Kolga]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

This is an inaccurate statement. AND YOU FUCKING KNOW IT.

From the transcript posted above. I'm only going to post the ends of statements including the interruption. Back to back statements (no extra line break) indicate sequential interruptions.

By my count, O'Reilly interrupted the President of the United States 19 times. including 5 times sequentially. The President of the United States interrupted an opinion broadcaster, invited into his home on Superbowl Sunday, 3 times. One of which was AFTER he'd been interrupted by said blowhard. Another time is apparently during a time of "(CROSSTALK)", but I gave you that one anyway.

Look I know you're a right winger, but at least be an ACCURATE right winger, for Christ's sake.

You obviously are unaware of Clothahump's posting style and history on this board with regard to...well...pretty much anything.