Now on the left, especially the far-left, Bill O’Reilly is seen as the fanatical face of the right. It’s an unfair accusation, based in the extremist views of those critics. That’s like saying the comments and actions of Code Pink or Moveon.org represent all Democrats, which I would say is equally unfair.
But there is no question that Fox News is the most watched news channel in the nation. It is also no question that throughout the Primaries and since Fox News has been noted as the most unbiased news agency. And it is also factual that Bill O’Reilly is the most popular commentator, reaching millions of Americans of all types of political beliefs.
So it will only be to Senator Obama’s benefit to appear on the program. His audience is so wide and politically beneficial that Senator Clinton appeared as she was regaining ground against Obama in the last few weeks of the Democratic Primaries. And while I dislike Senator Clinton and her policies, she did look good in the interview.
But how might Senator Obama fare?
Well in England we have these headlines on the subject –
Obama agrees to Murdoch's Fox News grilling
Rupert Murdoch broked 'truce' between Fox and Barack Obama
In the U.S. the headline tones are:
The secret Obama-Fox News meeting
OBAMA AND FOX MAKE UP, PHELPS LENDS A HAND, RICH PEOPLE READ
Fox News' Obama Power Play
According to those titles, which I think is a fair and popular representation of the way this is being presented to the world via most news media, Fox News has been seen as an enemy of Senator Obama, and involved in a feud. And Fox is supposed to be biased.
There is no question that some of the commentators on Fox are right-wing. There is no question that I have disagreed with the presentation of various events by Fox News in general. I firmly believe that Fox is prone to presenting African Americans in negative stereotypical tones. Shepard Smith is unquestionably biased in the manner in which he covers cases like OJ Simpson, or the Duke Rape case. Sean Hannity is unquestionably far-right.
But Bill O’Reilly isn’t the above people. In watching his program for years now I see that he is one of the least biased commentators on cable television today. There are issues where he is way off, like anyone, but in general these are subjects where he is as hostile to Whites as Blacks. Child safety is one such example. You just can’t question that O’Reilly is an advocate of all children.
But he is fair. His interview with Rev. Jesse Jackson was fair. His interview with Senator Clinton was informative and fair. His discussions with Rev. Al Sharpton are fair. And he has often covered news stories that I have highlighted that no other major news media, including the hard news of Fox, touch.
On the other hand it does seem obvious that he has a problem with the people Senator Obama knows. Which is not entirely wrong.
So I expect these questions to be asked:
- The association with Bill Ayers
- The association with Rev. Wright
- The association with Tony Rezco
- Senator Obama’s exact views on domestic drilling and alternative energy
- Senator Obama’s plans for taxing business, his definition of rich, and the economy
- If Senator Obama will finally admit that the Surge has worked
- How Senator Obama plans to pay for his nationalized healthcare and how it would be implemented
- Why a timetable for retreat would be in America’s best interest
- Whether Senator Obama will or will not speak with Iran and other anti-American governments without conditions
- The reversal Obama took when he selected a standard of ‘old’ politics – Sen. Joe Biden – as his Vice President
Each of the above items are questions that have existed since the Democratic Primaries and each has failed to be resolved fully.
If Senator Obama can answer these questions well, he should have a huge boost in his polling. If he fails to answer them, or does so poorly I expect to see him drop quickly.
2 comments:
This is a comment from 1800blogger where I am a contributing author.
Caleb Page
buster5000@aol.com | 205.188.116.206
To questions Barack relationship with Rev. Wright and Willaim Airyes is not only unfair but racist. These men are Americans and should be respected as such. Lets not try to divide but heal. There are any White Americans past and present who were once members of the KKK a terrioist group who terrorise its own citizen who are now members of our society and totally forgiven for their deeds. Two persons who that comes to mind are Senotor Bird and Jesse Helm. Both are friends of John MCcain. Why arn’t anything said about that.
Caleb,
I think it’s very fair to question the relationship of Bill Ayers and Senator Obama. Unlike Rev Wright who is a religious leader and has shown no influence on the political decisions of Senator Obama, Ayers is political. In fact Ayers is so far to the extreme left that he has admitted that he helped to bomb the Pentagon among other places in America.
In bombing U.S. buildings that makes him an enemy of the state, and the only reason he is not in jail is a technicality in his trial – and double jeopardy prevents further prosecution. Ayers even further went so far as to state directly after the 9/11 attack
''I don't regret setting bombs,'' Bill Ayers said. ''I feel we didn't do enough.''
So, would Mr. Ayers do it all again, he is asked? ''I don't want to discount the possibility,'' he said.”
A man that holds this kind of philosophy decades after the fact is not someone who has remorse on his past acts, nor one that has tried to change their ways. You mentioned Senator Bird and Jesse Helms. While I am no fan of those men they did change their positions – to varying degrees. Ayers has not.
So an unabashed bomber and extreme left-wing radical that believes in what he did and would do it again, and who is active in the politics in Chicago and Illinios IS a relationship that is important to understand.
And as for Rev. Wright, I have no question that when a public figure brings questions on themselves, those seeking political office will be questioned about it.
Do I agree how the media initially portrayed Rev Wright? No, and I have spoken about that at length at the time. But after Rev Wright came to the media and pursued the issue as it was dying down he made the issue fair game. He made it a discussion that many in the public want to know more about, like a car wreck or a celebrity overdosing on drugs.
What question should be asked about Rev Wright? Has he influenced any political decision you have ever made? Then review Senator Obama’s voting record and see if this was accurate or questionable. That’s it. But to ask is fair.
Now I ask you this, how am I racist to state that questions that may be covered by Bill O’Reilly? How is it racist to ask a question based on public controversy and political influence?
I have been called many things in my life but this is the first I am being called a racist for asking questions from the public domain about a Black man.
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