Bill O'Reilly: "No Spin"

Mike Wallace Takes On Fox News' Biggest Anchor

(CBS)  Iraq is why the O'Reilly finger has often pointed at the Bush White House.

"A huge mistake was made in underestimating the aftermath of Saddam," says O'Reilly.

Asked who made that mistake, O'Reilly tells Wallace, "I think Rumsfeld has to take the responsibility there, because he's the defense secretary and it looks like he didn't have a clue that this was gonna happen. But, just like a baseball manager, I think he should take one for the team."

Last December Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld did resign. As for O’Reilly, back in 2004, just weeks before the presidential election, he said he still had not made up his mind.

"You're going to vote for George W. Bush," Wallace asked.

"Oh, yeah," O'Reilly replied.

"You think he's a great president, right?" Wallace asked.

"Wrong," O’Reilly said. "I'm one of those Independent, man. I'm open to be persuaded right away. I've known Kerry for 25 years. … He's a patriot. I'm listening to what he has to say."

What did he think about the men from the swift boats who were bad-mouthing Kerry during the campaign?

"Awful. It's terrible," O'Reilly said. "It makes me sad that this happens."

And one more surprise. He doesn't consider himself part of what he calls "right-wing radio."

What does he think of talk show host Rush Limbaugh?

"I respect Limbaugh for basically making a success out of himself and putting on an entertaining program. But he's not a primary source of information, or shouldn't be," says O'Reilly. "He's an entertainer. … I'm a journalist who provides a program that is entertaining."

And, he says, he's just a regular guy from Long Island, despite the fact that he makes an estimated $10 million each year from TV, radio and print.

"You're addicted. You are addicted to the power. You are addicted to the money," Wallace remarks. "You are addicted to the fact that 'I am Bill O'Reilly, and everybody knows it.'"

O'Reilly’s response?

"Dr. Phil is back. How did he get in the room? You're crazy," says O’Reilly. "I couldn't care less about Bill O'Reilly being known in Iowa. Doesn't matter to me. I don't throw my weight around. I'm not partying with Puff Daddy. I'm not cuttin' a line. I'm not drivin' a Mercedes Benz."

Again, for the record, his wife has a Mercedes, but he says he won't get in it. Bottom line though, he is one of the most provocative news figures in America. And for him, that's enough.

"I'll never win any awards for stuff I'm doing now," says O'Reilly. "Because the intelligentsia who distributes the awards thinks that I'm misguided. I'm a barbarian. I am a Hun."

Does it bother him?

"No, I love it," says O’Reilly. "I love to be the outsider."

[vstar-guy]

Bill O'reilly -- continued

In a way it was kind of sad seeing this big strapping ex-Marine fall apart on his own show. I learned something that day. I learned that Bill O%u2019Reilly is like a very loud drummer in a very small band. As most good drummers know "anybody drummer can play loud". What "O'Reilly" lacks in professionalism he tries to make up with intimidation. Eventually he will fade away while the Lou Dobbs and the like will enjoy the longevity they truly deserve.

[vstar-guy]

Bill O'Reilly.... the Morton Downey Jr. of the %u201800%u2019s! He's controversial, egotistical very intelligent .... well maybe not %u2026..%u201Dvery%u201D, opinionated and very very rich. Does he care about his image?.... not really .... he must cry all the way to the bank. He loves being controversial or so he says. Does he provide quality journalism.... don't bet on it. He%u2019s more fizz than anything else. Bill O'Reilly %u2026.. the perfect bully.As we all too well know, bullies are basically scared weak people who constantly have to validate themselves at the expense of others. I once saw Phil Donahue bring him down a few pegs. Donahue caused the %u201Cno spin%u201D guy to "melt down" on his FOX show. It was like watching a highly skilled speaker humiliate and almost cause %u201Cno spin%u201D to get physical. How?%u2026why?%u2026.. Donahue simply spoke the truth in a very calm methodical way %u2026. he was almost %u201Cpriestly%u201D in his delivery. He backed it all up with cold hard facts. Of course having Donahue call O%u2019reilly %u201CBilly%u201D certainly didn%u2019t help the situation either.

[karlimhof]

***nn***

[usamerican76]

Americans: The News tells stories of half truths!
I have a son and daughter, 4 nephews,and son-in-law who have been to Iraq and Afghanistan! The stories they tell are a lot different from the stories on the news! They tell of soccer games with Iraqi kids! And the smiles of the kids when they give them school supplies! Of the people in the produce markets giving them fruit, as the walk by! Please help the soldiers do their jobs, and take what the news says with a grain of salt!

[dragon4455]

The way I see it is that Wallace had a great chance to put O'Reilly and didn't Why? Because that is the way the media treats media. IF you listen to what the media says about the way America is and the way the world is going then you should not have a say so in anything. Read and listen to everything you can and then make up your own mind and do not let these self appointed godlike figure heads tell you what to think. Everyone one of them is told what to say and how to say it by thier owners of the stations they work for and they do not care what you or I think about. They never have and never will. IF they can blow up an event to suit THIER need and rating then they will do it. And that is the bottom line

[zendigity]

Anyone ever wonder if maybe the media just wants us to bicker back and forth rather than look any deeper into the reasons why our country wants us to be devided?

[bshane229]

Bill O'Rielly's show is generally "fair and balanced". All the blow h%4ds raging on about this interview and his show are only used to the constant brain washing that the 3 major networks do on a nightly basis. If you watched his show he is equally hard on conservatives as he is on liberals. It is just the liberals are a just a bunch of brainless "pinheads" most of the time. Anybody that calls out the ACLU is my hero!

[orms1]

Please. That was an interview piece worthy of "Inside Edition". Not only were no facts presented, but there were not even any hard questions asked. Let me guess, O'Rielly's staff previewed, approved and maybe even wrote most of these questions before he agreed to be interviewed. Not worthy of 60 minutes.

[rdman218]

Just two words for this pathetic O'Reilly character...

PROFOUNDLY DISTURBED!

[imahaingtia1]

Unbelievable! A puff piece on Bill O'Reilly! No mention of the obscene comment this self-described "journalist" made about a kidnapped boy enjoying his years in captivity by a pedophile! No mention of sexual harasment. It's time to put Mike out to pasture. How can I ever trust Mike Wallace or 60 Minutes again? I can't.

[pebofoot]

What a pastry fest!
Chris' daddy tossing softballs to his buddy.
Hell, I was left wondering when they were going to kiss?
What happened to Mike Wallace the professional interviewer?
This piece was the the biggest farce in the history 60 minutes.
Come back to us Ed Bradley.

[imahaingtia1]

Unbelievable! A puff piece on Bill O'Reilly! No mention of the obscene comment this self-described "journalist" made about a kidnapped boy enjoying his years in captivity by a pedophile! No mention of sexual harasment. It's time to put Mike out to pasture. How can I ever trust Mike Wallace or 60 Minutes again? I can't.

[imahaingtia1]

A puff piece on Bill O'Reilly! No mention of the obscene comment this self-described "journalist" made about a kidnapped boy enjoying his years in captivity by a pedophile! No mention of sexual harasment of employees. It's time to put Mike out to pasture. How can I ever trust Mike Wallace or 60 Minutes again? I can't.

[imahaingtia1]

A puff piece on Bill O'Reilly! No mention of the obscene comment this self-described "journalist" made about a kidnapped boy enjoying his years in captivity by a pedophile! No mention of sexual harasment of employees. It's time to put Mike out to pasture. How can I ever trust Mike Wallace or 60 Minutes again? I can't.

[pdtrich]

Please tell me the era of the right wing talk show is almost over, is right! They are paid millions to lie and brainwash people and never look back. I hope that all of the Republican millionairs realize that when they destroy the middle class, they will no longer have anyone to pay their way. Also, remember, what goes around comes around. I don't know how Bill and Bush sleep at night.

[nellyjames]

O'Reily reminds me of *** Cheney, schoolyard bully wannabes, that have their listen to me attitudes because I'd guess nobody wanted them at their birthday parties lecturing or threatening. Keep pointing that finger, because your other three fingers are "Back at YOU".

[godseyesore-2009]

Can't understand why proven liars are given such way. Us 'mericans shore is dum.

[ademeyer]

Please tell me the era of the right wing talk show is almost over and a crop of honest, thoughtful, intelligent, ethical, substantive young journalists is arriving to take over.

[jeditrip]

i would rather watch paint dry than watch bill o'reilly.

[furrrburger]

you cant be independant and have any kind of celeb status. independant status should not be reconized with politcal things! look at the "***"tionary or what is suposed to be a maverick! if its news lets here what the big wigs have to say, if not don't blow it up to make a paycheck and run this country into the ground.

everybody is free to think but to much thought creates weapons of mass destruction

grow a garden not a gein