05/01/2008
Hillary Clinton Faces Off with Bill O'Reilly
Hillary Clinton appeared on FOX's The O'Reilly Factor for the first time last night.
O'Reilly started out the discussion by focusing on the Rev. Wright controversy. Said Clinton: "“Well, I take offense at it. I think it's offensive and outrageous. And, you know, I'm going to express my opinion, others can express theirs. But, you know, it is -- it is part of, you know, just an atmosphere that we're in today where all kinds of things are being said...And people have to, you know, decide what they believe. And I sure don't believe the United States government was behind AIDS."
Aside from the Wright question, O'Reilly actually asked about (shock) real issues.
Part two is AFTER THE JUMP...
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 12:10 PM EST by Andy in Bill O'Reilly, Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton, News | Permalink
Comments
Water finding its level. Both sound like GOP strategists.
Posted by: FASTLAD | May 1, 2008 12:17:57 PM
Didn't Obama precede Clinton on Fox News?
Posted by: Matt | May 1, 2008 12:33:43 PM
I gotta say, big kudos to Hillary for doing that interview. She knew it would be tough; she really kept her cool and came off very strong. You gotta give credit where credit is due.
Posted by: cyd | May 1, 2008 12:46:23 PM
i'm not a hillary supporter but i do have to say that she handled herself very well-i particularly liked her reference to teddy roosevelt
Posted by: alguien | May 1, 2008 12:52:43 PM
Was wondering if this would get posted here...
I thought she sounded great and look forward to tonight's Part II (or Parts III and IV, since Bill O said it was a 4 part series over 2 days)
She once again reminded me why I support her. She is *such* a strong candidate.
Posted by: gabriel | May 1, 2008 12:54:06 PM
I don't much care for her, but I think she did an excellent job. Hopefully it won't matter, though!
Posted by: Morgan | May 1, 2008 1:01:41 PM
She was awesome! Hillary '08!
I hate Bill O'Reilly...Why is he yelling? she's two feet away...
Posted by: daveynyc | May 1, 2008 1:03:13 PM
Kudos! Hillary's performance last night was nothing short of… dare I say, Presidential! No fumbling for words, just some straight talk from a very cool, collected, intelligent and diplomatic woman. For those that have criticized her for going on the show, that's politics 101. She and Obama can continue preaching to the choir all they want, but it's those middle guys (i.e. Independents, Regan Democrats) that they’re trying to win over. It's the very same reason Obama went on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace. Without that group on our side, neither can win the Whitehouse in November.
Posted by: Keith | May 1, 2008 1:23:09 PM
This is why I am voting for her, and why Obama lost my vote. She's got definite ideas and she's not afraid to state them. I don't want to hear about "hope"-- my hope was lost a long time ago when Bush was "selected" and then "reselected". This country is a mess and we need a strong leader to get us out, and just talking about hope and prosperity won't get us turned around. I don't want a "nice guy" in the White House. I want strength and leadersship after eight years of god-damned mess. Go Hillary!
Posted by: devilgirl | May 1, 2008 1:25:52 PM
Did he ask her if she plans to betray the gay community like her husband did? Will we be getting more Don't Ask..., DOMA, and ENDA??? Yeah, thought so.
I'll vote for Obama. No thank you, Hillary.
Posted by: christian | May 1, 2008 1:36:51 PM
A stellar performance by Hillary. Relaxed, confident and never at a loss for words. This is why she will be our next President.
And no Matt, Obama has refused O'Reilly's invitation to appear on his show.
Posted by: Johnny Lane | May 1, 2008 1:42:35 PM
What did Obama's reverend say the was so bad? There never are citations, only innuendo.
I've read what Rev. Wright has said and I can't find any untruth.
Rev. Wright is correct in saying this country has abused its power and now we're experiencing "blowback".
Posted by: Abe | May 1, 2008 1:50:43 PM
Abe - he said the US government created AIDS to kill minorities. He said the white Christian church is the church of the Antichrist (as an Atheist I can neither agree with nor refute that comment).
Obama did appear on Fox News last Sunday, just not on the O'Reilly Factor.
Hillary was amazing last night. And while Andy would have you believe that is all she said about Wright, she actually gave props to Obama as well for finally repudiating Wright's comments (though unlike me, she failed to point out that Wright said nothing new from a few months ago when Obama didn't repudiate him).
She was on fire last night. On point on every single issue and also humorous and personable. She didn't play nasty or negative and didn't take any low blows.
She's amazing and I don't understand how side-by-side people can't see the difference in pure knowledge and understanding she has versus Obama. He gives good speech but to date, I have never seen him perform in an interview the way she did last night and be able to speak with such knowledge about what she intends to do.
I hope lots of independents and Republicans in Indiana were watching.
Posted by: BANNE | May 1, 2008 2:01:33 PM
Oh and superdelegates. Most of whom are jealous they couldn't manage to speak so intelligently on issues as she did last night.
Posted by: BANNE | May 1, 2008 2:03:25 PM
I've got to say, she really does hold her own quite well. If there's one blowhard that I can't stand, it's O'Reilly, but she goes toe-to-toe. Yet it makes me uncomfortable that Fox has been so kind to her (and they have), something smells amiss. I too see her a bit polarizing (and I'm not alone). She's strong and that's great, but her strength is a turn-off to many (unfortunately) and she bears the name "Clinton" which can be even worse to some.
Posted by: James | May 1, 2008 2:06:01 PM
And the Jerimiah Wright stuff is pure B*llsh*t. What has he said that is so terribly offensive? Didn't at one time the British government (our precursors to the American gov.) in North America give infected smallpox blankets to Native American prisoners of war? And wasn't it our government that, between 1932 and 1972, through the U.S. Public Health Service, infected the small, poor, African-American town in Tuskegee, Alabama with syphilis and then refused to treat the unwitting victims? So maybe U.S. sponsored AIDS in the black community isn't such a far-fetched idea for Rev. Wright.
For all the people that have cause with Obama's seeming inability to speak to specific policy issues, they may find that the attempted derailment of his campaign by Fox News and their like over something distracting to the Presidential Campaign may be the cause. Rev. Wright, Obama and what they represent scares the right-wing, just as Hillary does, and for very good reason. But this hammering at non-issues are unnecessary distractions to the real issues at hand.
And we wonder why we can't get straight answers out of politicians. We don't always ask them.
Posted by: James | May 1, 2008 2:29:41 PM
Yes, its just that Americans cannot stand a strong assertive woman as president. That is why she is made out to be "polarizing", "turn-off", "liar". If she was a man, this would have been a shoo-in.
And I really, really don't get why Clinton is so bad. I mean, 90s was the golden age. This is why liberals can't get their act together - they are dreaming about a kumbya candidate. Make no mistake, Obama is the establishment's choice because he is going in thinking that he can bend the party to new ways, but he is so junior the democratic party is going to eat him alive.
Posted by: Landis | May 1, 2008 2:30:37 PM
James: well, you can say the same thing for Clinton about the media crowning Obama from Dec-Feb as the next messiah. I dont hear details of Obama's policies, except how nice he is and why is a unifier.
I think you should just accept it that the media is biased and wanton. Its healthier for you.
Posted by: Landis | May 1, 2008 2:36:45 PM
I know people love to hate O'Reily, but that is the most REAL and informative I have seen Clinton during this whole campaign. Kerry wasn't brave enough to do the same in '04.
Posted by: KJ | May 1, 2008 2:59:19 PM
this womam is brlliant and tough as nails.
Posted by: nic | May 1, 2008 3:00:47 PM
Christian and any other person who brings up DADT as examples of how Clinton sold us out was: not alive or politically conscious at the time or is in denial or trying to be a contrarian.
DOMA & ENDA are debatable and I won't begrudge anybody for using those examples as justification against Pres. Clinton's gay-friendliness. I don't buy it personally because I remember what it was like politically at the time. I didn't like it and was very disappointed in Pres. Clinton, but I also am not naive enough to think these sort of political maneuvers are completely inescapable.
Posted by: Rey | May 1, 2008 3:08:41 PM
Landis: Oh, I don't have problem with the name Clinton, in fact I somewhat agree about the 90's (although when Bill took office I was only 10). But on the left you have some gays who dislike them for DOMA, Don't Ask Don't Tell, and others for NAFTA. The right just hates the success of the Clintons, plus Bill was able to effectively navigate his way out of an all-out impeachment over a sex scandal that didn't involve airplane bathrooms or underage male pages. Of course the name Clinton is polarizing.
And I think this idea that Obama isn't brave enough or strong enough to hold his own is rather speculative and near-sighted. So Hillary is stronger how? Wasn't she the one who failed in pushing for health-care reform? And what about her Congressional Record? What brave reform has she passed? I'll contend that Obama wasn't around when the Iraq vote took place, but Kucinich didn't vote for it, neither did wacky Repubs Ron Paul, Lincoln Chaffee or 5 other House Republicans.
I think this "Hillary will beat 'em, Obama will crumble" is based on our impressions of the candidates and probably not reality (a "wanton" and "biased media, maybe?).
I think both are decent candidates and I truly hate the polarizing this campaign has done to the Dems. I'd vote for either. I think they're both strong. Again that's based on my impressions. Hillary's strong because she is clear-cut and no-nonsense. Obama because he is a great motivator (not a bad thing in a leader) and you know why I think he's stronger than you do? Because he's still around.
Posted by: James | May 1, 2008 3:42:22 PM
i think i got about twelve seconds in before i had to stop it. just can't watch Falafel. his m.o. of interrupting literally *continuously* is something i just can't abide.
Posted by: humanist | May 1, 2008 3:55:29 PM
I am surprised she did very well good. Very presidential
Posted by: Brian | May 1, 2008 4:45:48 PM
James:
1) Hillcare - If you recall that time, she did fail because she screwed up royally. And thats fine, I think she learned that mistake.
2) Obama - He is still around...
for now...
*dun dun dun*
Kidding aside, i have yet to hear his strategy, his concrete proposals, other than the superfluous "do not let hate divide us" kind of speech.
3) Iraq - In general, I just failed to see how voting for or against the war is relevant now. I think all Americans were gripped with fear and anger and acted like a child. Its time that you as an American acknowledge that and stop blaming others for it. You should own up to the American system and the politicans that you voted in.
Posted by: Landis | May 1, 2008 4:49:55 PM
REY,
thank you. people who keep harping on those boggus issues are grasping at straws. same goes for the failure of "hillary care." i am not saying that she was completely blameless in its demise, but the repugs and the special interest groups were arrayed against her and bill. i remember the
"harry and louise" commercial showing the over-wrought couple agonizing over the hardship that the clinton plan was sure to cause. the ad, which aired repeatedly, was paid for by HIAA (the health insurance association of america), a lobbying group for the health insurance industry.
i guess it is easier to parrot nonsense than to do a little research.
Posted by: nic | May 1, 2008 5:36:05 PM
Hillary continues to impress me. She did not give an inch to O'Reilly but did not come off as rude either.
This is the type of interview that would sway my Catholic parents in Pennsylvania to vote for her.
Posted by: jmg | May 1, 2008 5:58:59 PM
It's tough being a democrat here in NY State. Between Silver, Spitzer and Clinton, I don't know what to do!
She's waging one hell of a campaign. Gritty, full of stomach churning spin, leveraging every opportunity to make hay out of every hiccup (it's working).
I've watched her win, hold on (or fight back) like the rest. Yet, it seems to me the demography of her coalition is of questionable value in the general election. Rust belt whites and aging women? I'm uninspired. I easily concede that if MI and FL were in the mix she would be ahead (and the game would be over).
I was a strong supporter of hers in the beginning, then discovered and then switched to Obama. I'm a 44 year old who became inspired by the youth around NYU. Hard to resist the energy of that group (I tried).
Now I dunno, Her grinding tactics are effective on an electorate that seems more prone to be scared than inspired. His message seems to be wilting under the weight of doubt. I don't like it. (That 3am add pissed me off; ridiculous). I guess Democratic presential campaigns come in two varieties. This one is not turning into a campaign of vision or progress.
I truly believe she and her supporters have worked so hard to let the air out of Barak's balloon that should she somehow prevail, the Dems will wind up facing he anti-tax and anti-big government centrists (me) and find themselves in a crisis this November.
It's up to Barak to re-inflate and re-energize the "can-do" - or his supporters will sideline. I can't imagine the numerous and all too affluent suburban whites, university youth and inner city minorities racing to the polls for fear.
Blech what a mess.
Posted by: Ray | May 1, 2008 8:08:25 PM
No to sHillary.
Why is she detested? Her negativity and trying to act like a republiCON. She is a political whore that needs to be kicked out of the Democratic Party.
Queen sHillary is NOT going to be the nominee. Don't know why she's wasting people time or money.
Obama has the most popular votes, delegates, superdelegates, etc. The MATH is totally against her.
The fact that she said she would have not stayed at Wright's church for 20 years if she were Obama YET she stayed with Bill after he cheated on her. What a HYPOCRITE!
Go Obama!
Posted by: FunMe | May 1, 2008 8:56:08 PM
hey, um, RAY guy. you're an idiot.
at the least, Obama's stupid for not realizing before that his relationship to this America-hating POLARIZING guy Wright was gonna mess him up later.
at the worst? Obama's a lying traitor, betraying Wright to gain political power after agreeing with him for so long.
you sound like a gun nut clinging to religion. the obama hope religion.
Posted by: Sergio | May 1, 2008 10:13:21 PM
hey, um, RAY guy. you're an idiot.
at the least, Obama's stupid for not realizing before that his relationship to this America-hating POLARIZING guy Wright was gonna mess him up later.
at the worst? Obama's a lying traitor, betraying Wright to gain political power after agreeing with him for so long.
you sound like a gun nut clinging to religion. the obama hope religion.
Posted by: Sergio | May 1, 2008 10:14:20 PM
Thank you, James.
Posted by: soulbrotha | May 1, 2008 11:15:11 PM
Don't as don't tell is a mess, no doubt. The fact that Bill took it on as his first fight was a nod to the gay community. No one saw that the opposition was not just going to come from the GOP right, but from the Dems as well. The man responsible was Sen Sam Nunn, who was a conservative who was the head of the Arms committee, he was pissed that Clinton did not clear it with him first and that is why we have DADT now. By the way Nunn supports Obama.
Posted by: patrick nyc | May 2, 2008 7:12:37 AM
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