Despite his numerous appearances on NBC's Today, O'Reilly labeled NBC "the most anti-Bush network"
SUMMARY: Bill O'Reilly called NBC "the most anti-Bush network" -- even more so, he said, than "ABC, CNN, and CBS." Yet, despite characterizing NBC as "the most anti-Bush network" in television, O'Reilly himself has appeared on NBC's Today show at least eight times since November 2001.
On both his nationally syndicated radio show and his cable television program, Fox News host Bill O'Reilly called NBC "the most anti-Bush network" -- even more so, he said, than "ABC, CNN, and CBS." Yet, despite that characterization, O'Reilly himself has appeared on NBC's Today show at least eight times* since November 2001.
During the March 20 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio program, The Radio Factor, O'Reilly responded to a caller's criticism of an apparent "random" street poll Today conducted to gauge public opinion of the Iraq war by stating: "[L]ook ... NBC News is an anti-Bush outfit. I think that's accurate. ... [O]f all of the three networks, they're the most anti-Bush, I think." O'Reilly continued, saying that "from what I've seen ... I think that's a fair statement to make."
On the next day's broadcast of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, during a discussion with syndicated radio host Laura Ingraham regarding the media's coverage of the Iraq war, O'Reilly expanded on his characterization of NBC as "anti-Bush" by saying: "I don't pretend to know what they do over there, but ... I think NBC is the most anti-Bush network right now, more than ABC, CNN, and CBS."
Despite this claim that NBC "is the most anti-Bush network," which "seem[s] invested" in hating Bush, O'Reilly has had no problem appearing frequently on the network's morning talk show, where, as Media Matters for America has previously noted (here and here), the hosts have allowed O'Reilly to launch unchallenged personal attacks on those with whom he disagrees. For instance, on the November 30, 2005, edition of Today, O'Reilly derided as "pinheads" those who have called for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq and compared them to Nazi appeasers. Instead of challenging O'Reilly's comparison of those who favor Iraq withdrawal to Hitler appeasers, or asking O'Reilly to respond to arguments in favor of withdrawal, co-host Katie Couric appeared to accept O'Reilly's premise that it was too soon to withdraw, asking, "What is your biggest fear about a premature withdrawal?" Despite this and other attacks, O'Reilly was invited to appear again on Today on January 24.
From the March 21 broadcast of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor:
O'REILLY: Is it your opinion that NBC News spins the war in Iraq negative?
INGRAHAM: Well, it's not between me and NBC, Bill. You know, I --
O'REILLY: No, no, but that -- look, you're an analyst. You watch these people. Is it your opinion that NBC News spins the war negative?
INGRAHAM: I think that the coverage of the war by NBC that I've really focused on, especially since I was in Iraq last month, to me it seems bizarrely focused only on the IEDs [improvised explosive devices], only on the latest reprisal killings that are taking place.
When the -- when stories that are so fascinating and interesting and broader, and human interest stuff The Today Show and NBC likes to do, those stories are out there for anyone to get. So, I -- I -- I don't get it.
O'REILLY: Is NBC -- OK. Well, I don't -- I don't pretend to know what they do over there, but I have said, on the record, that I think NBC is the most anti-Bush network right now, more than ABC, CNN, and CBS.
INGRAHAM: Well, they seem invested right now. I mean, if I was --
O'REILLY: I don't know if that's true. It just seems to me that way.
From the March 20 broadcast of Westwood One's The Radio Factor:
CALLER: Hey, Bill. Former Levittowner. I'm 58 years old, and I'm -- on the news this morning, I'm watching Katie Couric. She's got three politicians on there that she's interviewing, and she's talking about how dramatically the American public is shifting against the war.
O'REILLY: Uhm-mm.
CALLER: She then tells these guys, "Now, we went out on the street and did a random poll," and three different times, she called it a random poll.
O'REILLY: Uhm-mm.
CALLER: The first guy she interviews is a guy off the street, and he's talking pro. The second person they interview, obviously anti -- she -- they're interviewing somebody at an anti-Bush, anti-war rally. I looked at that, and I thought, are you kidding me? They're -- they're calling this a random poll? They then go to a third person -- again, someone off the street. I think they might have been pro. Could you believe they went back a second time to that anti-Bush rally --
O'REILLY: But I don't know why they're bothering at all. I mean, it's clear from the scientific polls, Dan, that only 40 percent of Americans believe Iraq is going to turn out well. So, that's all you need. You don't need to go out and talk to people on the street. What's the point? Why waste your time? At this point in history, 40 percent of Americans think it's going to turn out well. And the rest either don't believe that, or don't know.
So, there's your stat. Bush's approval ratings are in the 30s, mid-30s, and it's all Iraq-war-generated, because the economy's pretty good. So, that's where we are. But look, I mean, NBC News is an anti-Bush outfit. I think that's accurate, because I -- of all of the three networks, they're the most anti-Bush, I think, from what I've seen, and I've seen a lot. I think that's a fair statement to make.
From the June 10, 2004, broadcast of NBC's Today:
COURIC: And very quickly, Bill, how do you see the president's [Ronald Reagan] passing having an impact on the next few months as we lead up to this election?
O'REILLY: Well, it has a positive influence on President Bush, that's for sure, because Bush and Reagan are ideological soulmates. And the Republicans will use this to try to position Bush as a -- acolyte of President Reagan. That will infuriate the left, which is really, really vehemently opposed to anything President Bush does. So, you will have -- unfortunately, Katie, this time next week they'll be back slugging it out, and President Reagan will be, I think, evoked by the Republicans throughout the campaign.
Your disconnection from reality is getting more and more severe. I have urged you to seek psychological help, but you refuse. Most people with problems don't want to confront them so you shouldn't feel alone. However, the illness will become harder to treat the longer you wait.
If you think about it, it's near impossible to have an opinion as to "the most anti-Bush network", without likewise having an opinion as to "the most pro-Bush network" also.
Think about it: "the most pro-Bush network" is simply the least "anti-Bush network"; and so a guy who knows what "the most anti-Bush network" is, must also know what the least "anti-Bush network" is too; which is to say, he must also know what "the most pro-Bush network" is too.
Think about it (without getting a headache from the strain).
Anyway, I'd just as soon hear the guy's opinion as to "the most pro-Bush network", as to hear his opinion as to "the most anti-Bush network".
O'REILLY: "...only 40 percent of Americans believe Iraq is going to turn out well. So, that's all you need. You don't need to go out and talk to people on the street. What's the point? Why waste your time?"
Why waste your time indeed.
Why give ordinary American People the chance to expand on what the polls simply cite as 'disapproval'?
When the American People have an awful lot to say about the President, and his Administration, and Iraq, why give them a chance to say anything more than a single word, 'approve' or 'disapprove'?
You bet guys such as the one cited here, and all of the other Paid Hacks for the President and his Administration, you bet they don't want to give ordinary Americans the chance to voice their opinions in full, on the matter of the President and Iraq; you bet they don't want to hear anything more than a one word opinion on the matter.
Because it's a fact, that the more the American People dialogue on the matter of the President and Iraq, then the more they do than just exchange single words such as 'approve' or 'disapprove' on the matter; and the more they end up knowing on the matter...
And the more they end up 'disapproving', and doing much more than just that single word can express...
The further down go those numbers that this guy cites, the more the American People talk about it all...
And the more the American People know.
O'REILLY: "You don't need to go out and talk to people on the street. What's the point? Why waste your time?"
you're interest in what the people think sounds almost like (shudder!) you advocate Democracy!
... Rovian Ranger Decoder Ring, I typed in "the most anti-Bush network" and the decoded message that came out was:
"Any network that reports the most facts on a given day."
"Using my handy-dandy...... Rovian Ranger Decoder Ring"
I got a very good laugh out of that one.
Thanks.
Read the warnings on the packaging before you take your next dose. You shouldn't be mixing your Prozac and Levitra.
He is probably taking Viagra as well while playing with that loofah thing he can't possibly think straight.
ha ha, Demo and Drafted, y'all speak my mind!
I see NBC is the new CBS. Well maybe NBC is trying to balance out Fox's Bush 24/7 pep rally. I'm joking because I truly don’t see any difference in NBC's coverage of the war from ABC’s or CBS’ coverage. I wonder if the fact that his arch nemesis is employed by the NBC franchise has anything to do with O'rielly's assessment.
I wish one of the major networks had the courage to go after this president the way the Washington Post went after Nixon, or that several news outlets went after Clinton. If ever an administration deserved real investigative reporting, this one is it. I truly believe that the corruption runs deeper than most could imagine.
NBC is not antiamerican as Billy boy insinuates. And last time I looked, being anti Bush is not a crime, just like Fox being anti Clinton is also not a crime.
If one kid gets run over on the way to school, it's NEWS. All the networks report it. This is horribly biased. For every kid that gets run over, MILLIONS make it to school without incident or injury. Where is THEIR story? Who is reporting THIS good news? Where is the lack of bias, which would prompt the headline, "SCHOOL TRAVEL GOING WONDERFULLY!"
Instead, the press reports the one instance of hit-and-run.
Meanwhile, in Iraq, 5 more Marines are killed, and dozens of Iraqis killed in various bombs and skirmishes, and FOX is reporting in old "telethon" format, that soldiers in the Turkish-run barber shop can be treated to a traditional "burning of the ear hair" treatment by Turkish barbers. Such fun! Such human interest! Who can be worried about 2500 American soldier's deaths and tens of thousands maimed and dismembered when there's joyous HAIR BURNING to be reported??!!??
OK Bill, whatever you say. You know everything. lol...
What is Bill's deal? He thinks he knows everything.
And where does he get his facts? from a cracker jack box.
Keith Olbermann did a number on BO tonight, ably assisted in the pounding by David Brock.
The segment belongs on a "Best Of" collection.
I just went and read the transcript of last night's show because of your comment. The Thomas and Brock interviews were both good. I may have to start watching his show although I can't resist the charms of the hilarious Wife Swap.
INGRAHAM: "since I was in Iraq last month"
Yes, visit Laura's Ingraham's Iraq journal (website) to read about her trip to Iraq last month. She spent 6 days hanging around and riding with the US military, in non-combat environments. She spent one paragraph talking about the laughing and waving kids. When you give them candy like she and the troops did, of course the kids will like you. She could write that story everyday if they gave out candy everyday. Iraq Body count reported that 91 Iraqi civilian's were killed in violence during her 6 days in Iraq. She didn't mention a one. It was better to talk about the Tootsie Rolls.
Ingraham really needs to stop ranting about her breif visit to Iraq. I spent 2 years there and am safely assuming that Ingraham was constantly in secure environments under direct supervision. Considering she, herself, never saw the real Iraq, it's easy to understand why she is so blinded. The troops won't talk bad about the situation in front of a reporter, especially one as notorious as her. I guarantee that while she was sipping her coffee and eatinng hot meals in her nice, comfortable, air conditioned accomodations there were thousands of troops living in the muck, hating life, wondering why they were there, and wanting to go home.
Your last sentence said it all. We always hear these talking heads and members of congress coming home talking about the children waving at them and how much resolve the troops have to accomplish their mission. What a crock. As you say, no one is going to speak openly and honestly to a reporter or a politician. Especially not an enlisted man or woman. They are there for one reason only, to make it out alive. Anyone who says differently, is full of it.
Was NBC pro-Clinton during the tailgate scandal?
Leaving the whole right-wing / liberal, Republican / Democrate debate out of this...I just have to say the following in response to Laura Graham and everyone else who believes the coverage of the war is being painted as too "negative", etc...: when has war every been a positive thing? The whole essence of war is negative...I've never seen anyone paint a cheery picture of war. To complain there is not enough positive human interest stories is just doing an injustice to your country regardless of what side of the fence you stand. These people are just grasping at straws to criticize those who believe in the freedom of speech and press and those with integrity enough not to be influenced by $$$.
BTW, does anyone else find Graham's voice extremely annoying?
I meant Ingraham...duh...