Wednesday, November 18, 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 & Top Story
A rough month for President Obama
"While the president had difficulty trying to convince the Chinese government to act civilized, that's nothing compared to what he's facing when he returns home. Fort Hood, Afghanistan, health care chaos, and now Khalid Sheikh Mohammed being tried in New York City will all put the president on the defensive. A new poll shows his approval rating has dropped below 50% for the first time. But Mr. Obama is a shrewd guy, so he made himself available for some interviews while in Asia. Fox News correspondent Major Garrett asked the president whether 'Obama-care' would compel taxpayers to fund abortions. President Obama said this: 'Federal dollars shouldn't pay for abortions, but I also think we shouldn't restrict women's choices.' The president wants it both ways. He knows that forcing pro-life taxpayers to fund abortions is morally wrong, yet he falls back on the liberal line that women should have 'the choice' to give birth. The other hot issue is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other Al Qaeda thugs being tried in New York City. Americans overwhelmingly reject that, but Mr. Obama is holding firm. Even though Mr. Obama has been in office less than a year, his image is beginning to tarnish. Common sense must rule, not far left ideology. The president has always struck me as a practical man, but recently his decision making has been dubious, to say the least."

The Factor asked political strategist Dick Morris why President Obama seems to be neglecting the will of the American people on terrorism and abortion. "In both case he is trapped by his own constituencies," Morris said. "The left in the House wants to use health care as a back-door way to get federal funding for abortion, and liberals will never vote for a bill that bans federal funding of abortion. With Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, he wants there to be a theatrical display against the Bush administration." The Factor disagreed with Morris's dim view of the president: "You're saying that Obama is an idiot and he's not an idiot. I can not believe a practical politician like this guy is putting himself in the kill zone.?
Impact Segment
Sally Quinn on Sarah Palin's religion
After the Washington Post's Sally Quinn wrote a column criticizing Sarah Palin for claiming she puts her life in God's hands, The Factor invited Quinn to elaborate on her views. "She talks a lot about putting herself in the hands of God," Quinn observed, "and trying to lead a Christian life. She believes God has a plan for her, but if God has a plan, you would think she would accept God's plan. But she's inconsistent - when she likes what God's plan is, then she's all for it. But I think she probably didn't like God's plan to have her go on with Katie Couric." The Factor gave Quinn a quick tutorial in Roman Catholic theology: "Here's where you're going off the rails. God has a plan for you, but you can disrupt the plan. Evil can intrude in your life and make you do things that God does not want you to do. Mrs. Palin believes there's a plan, but free will can alter that plan.?
Unresolved Problems Segment
Holder grilled in Senate committee
Attorney General Eric Holder, who made the decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a federal court, fielded hostile questions from Republican Senators today. The Factor asked former Bush advisor Karl Rove about the Obama administration's strategy. "I think they are in a little bit of denial," Rove theorized. "Their attitude was that the world will applaud us for being so transparent and the American people will appreciate that we are moving forward in a way that protects our values. It's the same way with health care - the polls say the American people don't want this, but they have convinced themselves that they are in more trouble if they fail to pass something than if they pass a bad bill." The Factor assailed the decision to have KSM stand trial in New York: "That is going to cost the city of New York between $75- and $100-million, and the lawyers are going to turn it into an anti-American extravaganza. The American people are going to seethe and blame it on Barack Obama.?
Body Language Segment
Sarah Palin in the No Spin Zone
Tonya Reiman viewed a portion of The Factor's interview with Sarah Palin and analyzed the governor's body language. "I thought she was intimidated by you," Reiman said. "There was not much movement, she was very serious, and her tight lips indicated anxiety. I saw her on another show and there was a whole different demeanor." The Factor elaborated on the interview, which will be shown Thursday, Friday, and Monday: "I tried to be very respectful to Sarah Palin because so many people have given her a hard time and I didn't want to do that. On the other hand, I didn't want it to be a cupcake interview and it wasn't.?
Miller Time Segment
Dennis Miller on Mohammed trial
The Factor invited Dennis Miller to sound off on the decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City. "The president jumped the sheikh on this one," Miller quipped. "I now officially don't 'get' the president, and I don't 'get' his guy Stedman*, who was up there on Capitol Hill today pitching this garbage. What a freak show this is going to turn into. You're going to have O.J. redux - 'if the turban doesn't fit, you must acquit.' This is my lowest moment with the Barack Obama presidency." Miller also offered some unsolicited advice to Sarah Palin: "She should be playing a seven-year plan. She should be 'summoned' to be the head of a third party in 2012 and run almost reluctantly. She'll get her 20% of the vote, prove herself to be a decent dame, and then four years later there is a real chance that a third-party candidate could win the presidency for the first time."

* The reference to "Stedman" was Miller's way of saying Attorney General Eric Holder bears more than a passing resemblance to Oprah Winfrey's ex-fianc?e Stedman Graham.
Back of Book Segment
Cheech and Chong on legalizing marijuana
The comedy duo of Richard "Cheech" Marin and Tommy Chong, longtime proponents of legalizing marijuana, conceded that that children should not be smoking weed. "Absolutely not," Marin said, "and I don't want them drinking beer, either. But for people of the legal age, there shouldn't be a law against it. I'm old enough to make my own decisions." Chong said "I'd rather have my kids smoking pot than drinking." The Factor reminded Cheech and Chong that pot has a downside: "Marijuana is now the top addiction of teenagers. I don't care what adults do, but it's pernicious to children."
Pinheads and Patriots
Clint Eastwood & Bob Dylan
Wednesday's Patriot: Clint Eastwood, who complained that America is "becoming more juvenile as a nation ... the guys who won World War II and that whole generation have disappeared." And the Pinhead: Bob Dylan, who created a rather bizarre video to promote his new Christmas album.
Factor Mail
Viewers sound off
Jimmy Connor, Tavares, FL: "Bill, thanks for pointing out the left is coordinating anti-Palin attacks such as calling her 'Evita.' That's one reason we watch The Factor, no one else does that kind of expose."

Alberto Abalo, Santiago, Chile: "Comparing Sarah Palin to Eva Peron is sheer ignorance. Eva caused damage to Argentina. Sarah is simply championing conservative thought."

Mary MacLemore, Pike Road, AL: "What liberals hate about Sarah Palin is that she is a conservative, normal woman who is quite happy."

Timothy Rowlands, Kent, WA: "Lou Dobbs was the only guy I watched on CNN. I'll miss him. Will CNN miss me??