Wednesday, March 4, 2009
On The O'Reilly Factor...
Segment Summaries
All content taken from The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel. Each weeknight by 6 PM EST a preview of that evening's show will be posted and then updated with additional information the following weekday by noon EST.
Talking Points Memo
The truth about your tax dollars
"President Obama pledged to end earmarks in federal spending, but the House has passed a new spending bill filled with earmark pork. And if the Senate okays the $410 billion spending bonanza this week, Mr. Obama is expected to sign it into law. The dumb spending of our money never ends, and here's a partial list: $2.19 million will go to the Center for Grape Genetics, $1.79 million for 'swine odor and manure management research,' $819,000 for the study of catfish, and so on. There are 9,000 earmarks in the spending bill and every American taxpayer is being ripped off. The shocking thing is that President Obama would sign the bill, which goes against everything he says he stands for. It's becoming difficult for honest Americans to believe in their government - both parties are at fault, but the Democratic administration is driving the massive spending train, so the buck stops there. Finally, Talking Points congratulates Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, a Democrat, for publicly speaking out against the waste. If more Democrats would do that, President Obama would have to stop the madness."
Top Story
Politico: Is Obama targeting Rush Limbaugh?
According to the Politico website, the Obama White House is intentionally positioning Rush Limbaugh as the head of the Republican Party. Political strategist Dick Morris praised the plan and its Democratic masterminds. "This is smart," Morris said, "and I did the same thing when I worked for Bill Clinton. We didn't like running against Bob Dole because he was a decent guy, so we made Newt Gingrich his running mate because a lot of people didn't like him. What the Republicans need to understand is that they have left themselves vulnerable to this because there is no other spokesman for the party. The Republican Party needs to develop some faces." The Factor countered that the Obama strategy may have unintended consequences. "Americans are angry and don't want this sideshow - they're saying 'I might lose my job and you're demonizing Rush Limbaugh?' There's a potential for a backlash."
Top Story II
Are Obama and Pelosi at odds?
Returning for a second segment, Dick Morris dismissed reports of a rift between President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Barack Obama allowed Pelosi," Morris explained, "to put all the stuff in the stimulus bill that Democrats have wanted for thirty years, and Pelosi wrote it. It's now clear that he will also allow Congress to write health care reform, so he essentially is using Pelosi as his prime minister while he stays above the battle. He can be in the stratosphere while she's taking care of the details." But The Factor pointed to one area of apparent disagreement. "Obama says he'll leave 50,000 troops in Iraq, while Pelosi wants to pull everyone out tomorrow."
Impact Segment
The liberal view of political party turmoil
Fox News analyst Alan Colmes entered the No Spin Zone with his liberal take on Washington's disputes. "I don't think it's personal between President Obama and Speaker Pelosi," Colmes opined, "but one is running the executive branch and the other is running the legislative branch. Nancy Pelosi represents San Francisco and is more liberal, while he is trying to be more centrist. I don't think there's a feud, but they do have different agendas." Colmes agreed with Dick Morris that Democrats are wise to paint Rush Limbaugh as the face of the GOP. "It's very smart for Democrats to say the party of Ronald Reagan is now the party of 'Joe the plumber' and Rush Limbaugh. The leaders of the Republican Party are deferring to a radio entertainer, they're afraid to offend Rush." The Factor reiterated that the Limbaugh dustup is a waste of time when "most Americans want the economy fixed."
Policing the 'Net Segment
Political ads making waves online
'Americans United for Change' is behind a TV ad positioning Rush Limbaugh as the de facto head of the Republican Party. The Factor asked Internet expert Amanda Carpenter to elaborate on the organization. "This is a liberal group," Carpenter explained, "that works to support Barack Obama's agenda, and they work closely with MoveOn.Org. And there's another layer to this - the president of 'Americans United for Change' is about to become communications director for the Democratic National Committee." The Factor reported that many radical groups are funded by billionaire George Soros. "The Soros pyramid has him at the top, then it's like a spider with all these other groups that get money to continue the daily assault against the opposition, it's a colossus of propaganda."
Miller Time Segment
Dennis Miller on journalistic freedom
Dennis Miller led off with the decision that coffins of dead military personnel can now be photographed, providing parents of the deceased give permission. "I don't think any of us have any right to get involved in this," Miller opined, "except the parents, who have lost their kid. So I kind of admire what the Obama administration is doing here." The Factor also invited Miller to weigh in on the plethora of earmarks in the new spending bill, which includes $200,000 for tattoo removal. "They say we're spending like drunken sailors," Miller quipped, "but drunken sailors only pay to get tattoos, not to get them removed. We have more earmarks in this than Vincent Van Gogh shaving with a dull straight razor." Before departing, Miller turned to swindler Bernie Madoff. "Let's face facts, this guy will eventually have an all-access laminate in Hell for what he did. But between now and then, I have no doubt he'll be back in the investment business." The Factor wagered that Madoff "will never get out of jail."
Back of Book Segment
What's Your Beef? Bo Derek edition
The Factor introduced a new feature called "What's Your Beef," which allows prominent Americans to sound off on the topic of their choice. In Wednesday's premiere segment, actress Bo Derek put forth her beef with exotic pets. "There should be no primates in homes at all," Derek proclaimed. "In some states you can buy a big cat off the Internet but there should be no dangerous animals in movies or in private homes." Derek recalled her own terrifying experience with wild animals: "I was mauled while making 'Tarzan.' A python wrapped around me, I still have a scar from a lion, and I was always running away from the chimps. The chimps would grab me and scream, which was frightening. In Tarzan movies of the future, we're going to have to use computer-generated animals."
Pinheads and Patriots
Hilary Duff & McDonald's 911 caller
Wednesday's Patriot: Actress Hilary Duff, who is helping provide needy children with food. And the Pinhead: The woman who called 911 three times because her local McDonald's ran out of chicken nuggets.
Factor Mail
Viewers sound off
Andrea Funkhouser, Jalisco, Mexico: "O'Reilly, you are so wrong about Mexico. I feel safe here. I wouldn't send my kids to Aruba!"

Sergio, Monterrey, Mexico: "Bill, as a Mexican national, I am with you 100%. The real problem in Mexico is that the police cannot be trusted."

Art Kellner, Baja Norte, Mexico: "Mr. Bill, we have not had a violent crime here in 18 months. Do a little research before you condemn an entire country."

Marco Topete, San Diego, CA: "I am from Mexico and will not let my kids go down there for spring break."