I've been giving this a lot of thought. It doesn't really make much sense for the White House to continue to pound FNC, because every time they do that, more people watch us. Obviously, President Obama doesn't like what we do here, but his strategy is exposing Fox News to more people all over the world.
However, I think there's something else going on.
"Talking Points" believes the president is very angry about being associated with far-left individuals. I mean, the Obama people hated the Rev. Wright situation, the Bill Ayers story, the Van Jones deal and now the latest, Fox News breaking a story about White House communications director Anita Dunn praising the brutal Chinese dictator, Chairman Mao:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANITA DUNN, WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: In 1947, when Mao Tse-tung was being challenged within his own party, on his plan to basically take China over, Chiang Kai-Shek and the nationalist Chinese held the cities. They had the army, they had the air force. Mao Tse-tung said, you know, you fight your war and I'll fight mine. And think about that for a second. You don't have to accept the definition of how to do things, and you don't have to follow other people's choices and paths, OK?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
In that same June 5 speech, Ms. Dunn praised Mother Teresa for accomplishing great things. So her intent is clear, but using Mao as an example raises questions.
During his 25-plus year reign of terror, an estimated 34 million people were killed in China, many of them in political prisons. By comparison, Hitler's Third Reich is estimated to have killed 21 million people and Stalin's Russia an incredible 62 million. These estimates come from a study done at the University of Hawaii.
The problem Anita Dunn has is that a number of Obama appointees have far-left pedigrees, people like climate czar Carol Browner, science czar John Holdren and safe schools czar Kevin Jennings. Add to that list Wright, Ayers and Jones, and you have a pattern.
There is no question that President Obama believes Fox News is being unfair by reporting all his far-left associations. No other media is doing that.
And I don't think Anita Dunn admires Mao, but I could be wrong. Ms. Dunn has not really explained herself other than to say she borrowed the Mao example from the late Lee Atwater, a Republican consultant.
But the continuing reporting on radical elements within the Obama administration has clearly rankled the president and his advisers. That is what the attacks on Fox News are all about.
And that's "The Memo."
Pinheads & Patriots
Our pal Barbra Streisand is raising money for charity. The entertainer has auctioned off more than 400 personal items, including outfits from some of her movies, books, paintings and furniture. The event brought in more than $600,000 for Ms. Streisand's foundation, which donates money to worthy causes. For helping those in need, Ms. Streisand is a patriot.
On the pinhead front, Elvis Presley was known for his good hair. In an auction over the weekend, somebody paid more than $18,000 for a few locks from "The King's" mane. Why would anyone do this? With all due respect, it could be David Hasselhoff's hair. Paying $18,000 for anybody's hair makes you 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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