As you know, the FOX News motto is fair and balanced coverage of hard news, and we do that. Commentary, however, can never be balanced because it requires a strong point of view. It should, however, be fair.
Enter President Obama, who is emerging as a divisive leader, much like Bill Clinton and George W. Bush were. The problem with analyzing President Obama is that many of you don't like him and don't want to hear much good about him.
In fact, some folks get angry if you say positive things about Mr. Obama. That can complicate matters. Let's take the European missile deal. Here's what Barack Obama told me last September:
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: The Russians are playing a game when they pretend that this missile shield is directed against all their ICBMs.
O'REILLY: Yeah, it's ridiculous. It's a defensive thing.
OBAMA: It's a defensive thing, and we…
O'REILLY: So you're going to keep it there then?
OBAMA: And given what has happened in Georgia, I think that we have to send a clear signal that Poland and other countries in that region are not going to be subject to intimidation and aggression.
O'REILLY: OK, so I just want to get this on the record. You're elected president, you're keeping the missile shield in Poland?
OBAMA: I believe that the missile shield is appropriate. I want to make sure it works though.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
But now the president has changed his mind and will move defensive missiles away from Russia and closer to Iran:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT GATES, DEFENSE SECRETARY: I believe this new approach provides a better missile defense capability for our forces in Europe, for our European allies, and eventually for our homeland than the program I recommended almost three years ago.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
That was when Defense Secretary Gates was working for President Bush.
So I could easily make the argument that President Obama folded to the Russians, as some critics are saying. But what about Robert Gates? He's an honest guy. Do I ignore his expertise?
President Obama may be making a mistake with his new missile strategy. It's certainly possible, but I don't know for sure. I also don't know what the Russians are going to give the USA in return. They're already meeting with American CEOs like GE's Jeffrey Immelt, an Obama friend, so you've got to figure some deal has been made.
But the cold truth is I just don't know what's best for the country in this case. That admission separates us from those who always promote their ideological side.
For example, the far left is putting out that I am now supporting a public option in health care. That's all over the net. But that's not true. Here's the truth:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O'REILLY: The public option now is done. It's — we discussed this. It's not going to happen. If the government can come up with a marketplace where a bunch of insurance companies come together to offer lower premiums, that's a good thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
So I support a marketplace for private insurance companies overseen by the feds. Left-wing zealots distorted my remarks, like they usually do.
There are few places Americans can go these days for honest reporting and analysis. I believe FOX News is one of those places, and our ratings prove it.
And that's "The Memo."
Pinheads & Patriots
On the Jay Leno program, there was a skit about ACORN:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I ran for office in Nevada, I found myself 50,000 votes behind in the polls. But ACORN helped me get the extra votes I needed. Thank you, ACORN.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm a professional. In my line of work it doesn't come easy. Sometimes it takes like 45 minutes. So like my customers, I want to get the most bang for my buck. ACORN showed me how to save the most at tax time. Thank you, ACORN. I owe you one. Call me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As a narcotics entrepreneur I bring in a lot of money, mostly cash. I thought I owed $200,000 in taxes. ACORN said I owed nothing. Thank you, ACORN. Oh, I got to take this call. It's Amy Winehouse.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ACORN. We'll help you get away with stuff.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Anything that brings a chuckle these days is patriotic.
Click here to watch "Pinheads & Patriots"!
On the pinhead front, our pal Howard Dean may not be our pal.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD DEAN, FORMER DNC CHAIR: One of the reasons I never go on Bill O'Reilly's show — the only reason I don't go on Bill O'Reilly's show is because I saw him take apart a 23-year-old who lost his father in the World Trade Center and tell him he was unpatriotic because he didn't support the war. Those kinds of people I don't hang around, because they're not good for the country, and they're not good for — they're not good — they're not good human beings.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
That of course is a gross distortion. The guy Dean is referring to blamed the United States for 9/11 and he was indeed taken apart.
Now Governor Dean may want to stop distorting stuff because it is making him look bad. Check this out:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEAN: This Republican Party, this shrinking Republican Party is just determined to undermine President Obama, and unfortunately, you have to undermine the country in order to undermine the president. I think that's too bad.
GRIFF JENKINS, FOX NEWS PRODUCER: You said last night on a program that Republicans opposing the president's initiatives, health care initiatives were undermining the country. Could you clarify that for me?
DEAN: I didn't say that. I did not say that.
JENKINS: I have the quote right here, sir. It says you have to undermine the country in order to undermine the president. Mr. Chairman, just a quick clarification.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Dean remains a pinhead.
— You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Pinheads & Patriots" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the FOX News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com
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