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| 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.
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"Senator Obama rose to prominence largely on his opposition to the war in Iraq, and the committed left loved him for it. But now U.S. forces in Iraq have achieved stunning victories, and with Iran growing as a danger to the world, many believe it would be foolish to quickly pull forces out. Senator Obama understands that and has moderated his view on aggressive troop withdrawal, which has angered some on the left. Senator McCain is chiding Obama for being 'all over the map,' so Iraq is shaping up as a wild card issue. Senator Obama is set to visit Iraq at the end of this month, and that puts him in a difficult position. General Petraeus, who is emerging as a national hero, will likely tell the senator that any U.S. pullout has to be okayed by the military. If Obama disagrees with the general, he will lose the support of some Americans who believe Petraeus knows what he's doing. But any retreat on Iraq by Obama will anger the far left. So Senator Obama finds himself in a very tough spot. But I know one thing - he can't go against General Petraeus and hope to be elected president."
Obama supporter and professor Marc Lamont Hill entered the No Spin Zone with his analysis of the Talking Points Memo. "You're right that Obama is in a tight situation," Hill said, "but I don't think it's time to call him a 'flip-flopper' just yet. If he decides to pull out in 18 or 20 months, that's a reasonable stance. There are many people who believe we could have a responsible withdrawal." Hill also contended that Senator Obama is not the man the far left is hoping for. "I always said that Obama is a centrist masquerading as a leftist. He is a politician, not a change agent. Barack Obama and John McCain are both political pragmatists who change their positions." The Factor concluded that Obama faces a political quandary. "General Petraeus is emerging as a modern U.S. Grant and a national hero, and he holds all the cards. Obama has to do what Petraeus tells him to do."
News Link: Al Qaeda suffers game-changing defeat in Iraq
News Link: Obama on the defensive over Iraq |
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| For more on Iraq and the presidential race, The Factor welcomed retired Col. Ralph Peters, a columnist who has supported the president's goals. "I'm sorry that the hard right is jumping on Obama," Peters said. "We should be encouraged that he clearly recognizes that things have gotten much better. We should be saying 'welcome to the reality club, Senator Obama.'" Peters heaped praise on U.S. commander General David Petraeus. "General Petraeus is a remarkable man who has had stunning achievements. He rose to the occasion, and now the Democrats are faced with the great disappearing war." The Factor suggested that some anti-war zealots seem to be disappointed by the turnaround. "If you go into the far left web sites, you will see Obama getting hammered by the very people who helped him win the nomination. They believe we are the oppressors in Iraq and morally wrong for being there." |
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With both candidates sparring over energy policies, The Factor asked former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich for his proposals. "There are 240 million cars and trucks in the current fleet," Gingrich began, "so any solution that is going to help the American people has to drive down the price of oil in the short run. Second, we need to go to flex-fuel cars rapidly. And third, we ought to sell off part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which would bring down the price of oil. I've talked with oil experts who feel it could bring oil down by as much as $40 to $60 a barrel." As for the long term, Gingrich recommended bold experimentation. "We won World War II in three years and eight months because we did everything simultaneously. So I'm for hydrogen, wind power, solar, and coal liquefaction. Let's see which technologies mature faster."
News Link: T. Boone Pickens pushing new energy plan
News Link: Video: Obama releases energy attack ad |
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In the latest Vermont outrage, 12-year-old Brooke Bennett was kidnapped and murdered, allegedly by her 42-year old uncle Michael Jacques, who had served just four years for a previous rape. Fox News analysts Lis Wiehl and Megyn Kelly both denounced Vermont's lenient policies. "Michael Jacques was supposed to be on probation for 13 years," Kelly said. "But Judge Amy Davenport let him off seven years early because he was 'cured' and the treatment program had been a 'success.' If this case doesn't prove that treatment doesn't work, I don't know what will." Wiehl indicted the entire Vermont judicial system. "Prosecutors and cops are trying to do their jobs, but people are being let out in 60 and 90 days. The people of Vermont can stand up and say no more of this. You can rehabilitate murderers, but once a pedophile, always a pedophile." The Factor contended that Vermont has been hijacked by extremists. "I think this is about ideology, they feel this is a disease. This is a national disgrace and state representative Bill Lippert is a villain."
News Link: New push for Jessica's Law in VT |
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Lis Wiehl and Megyn Kelly returned to examine some other controversial cases, beginning with Nebraska teacher Kelsey Peterson, who received a six-year jail sentence for running away with her 13-year old paramour. "She was prosecuted federally for transporting him across state lines," Wiehl reported. "She could still face state charges, but the feds got her first." Wiehl called the sentence fair, but Kelly disagreed. "This is child rape," she said. "Peterson was 26 and she began raping that boy when he was twelve." The Factor then asked about the police officer who is suing the LAPD because he was punished for preaching against homosexuality while off duty. "He called homosexuality sinful and an abomination," Kelly reported. "He wasn't in uniform, but the LAPD says they can regulate their employees' speech on a matter of public concern. I think the LAPD is going to lose."
News Link: Teacher who fled with teen pleads guilty
News Link: LAPD sued for religious discrimination |
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| Steve Doocy and Martha MacCallum resumed their rivalry in the Great American Culture Quiz. Among The Factor's five questions: "Humphrey Bogart's slight speech impediment was caused by what?" ... "What was the Eagles' first hit?" ... "What group did the singer Beyonce once headline?" Even though she was off by about three decades when it came to Humphrey Bogart's wartime service, MacCallum managed to eke out a one point victory. If you wish to test your own skill, the entire GACQ is posted here on BillOReilly.com under "Fun Stuff." |
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Tuesday's Patriot: 10-year-old Malia Obama, who was poised and witty during a television interview. And the Pinhead: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who dined on a 6-course lunch and an 8-course dinner before exhorting British citizens to cut down on their wasteful eating habits. Nominate a Pinhead or a Patriot by sending an email to pnp@billoreilly.com.
News Link: Video: Obama kids sit down for interview
News Link: UK Prime Minister stuffs down 8-course meal before food crisis talks |
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A sampling of your recent e-mails:
Diane Trueblood, Beverly, MA "I agree with The New York Times that the country is in decline. But it's directly because of the secular-progressive agenda driven by the Times."
Joe Williams, Mineral, VA: "Bill, you didn't mention the moral decline in America. Your books address that and so does your crusade for Jessica's Law."
Joan Kelsey, Mesa County, CO: "The Federation of Republican Women here intend to get after our legislature to pass Jessica's Law."
Robert Walraven, Montrose, CO: "As a former police investigator, I am furious with Governor Ritter for not supporting Jessica's Law. Shame on him!"
Joann Boone, West Point, NY: "O'Reilly, I believe Barack Obama will politely decline to come on the Factor." |
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