Mitt Romney dropped by The O’Reilly Factor for a lengthy interview last night. Apparently, when Bill O’Reilly describes his show as the “No Spin Zone” that does not preclude the host offering some advice to a Republican presidential candidate. Romney’s image – and his inability to connect with voters – must have been something O’Reilly has given a great deal of thought to because he spoke vehemently and with obvious frustration over the subject.  

First, O’Reilly and Romney discussed the results of the primaries the night before, including Rick Santorum’s robocalls urging Democrats to vote for him in Michigan’s open primary. “It’s actually a compliment to you,” O’Reilly assured Romney.

O’Reilly moved along to suggest that the Republican brand had been damaged by the brutal infighting of the primary. Then, at about 5:25, he got to the matter of advising Romney.  He broached the subject delicately. “I’ve known you a long time,” O’Reilly began. “And I know your sense of humor… we go back. You know, whenever you make a joke like you did at the NASCAR race and you said you saw some people in these cheap little raincoats and you go, ‘Way to spend the big bucks,’ and you know, you’re always going to be portrayed as a rich guy who is out of touch with the folks, condescending to the folks. Am I correct?”

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Romney agreed.

“So is it worth it to you even to say those things?” O’Reilly suggested by way of a question. 

“It’s hard to imagine all the things they’re going to try and turn into attacks,” Romney said. Some might say that right there shows that he’s out of touch - but I digress. “Look, I’ve worn a garbage bag for rain gear myself and we’re out there in the rain, the rain was getting us soaked. I didn’t have a raincoat, myself. I would have liked one of those,” Romney said, kind of missing the point.

“I know you’re kidding around,” O’Reilly said sympathetically. “And anybody who knows you, knows you were kidding around with the folks. I mean, I do it all the time. But you know anything you say can and will be used against you. I have to Mirandize you tonight, Governor. You have the right to remain silent.”

Romney chuckled.

But then O’Reilly said he didn’t understand why Romney announced on television that he hadn’t inherited money from his father - when he had – and then had not told the audience that he had given away that inheritance. (Read: why doesn’t Romney let the folks see the positive side of his huge fortune.) O’Reilly then prompted Romney to tell the viewers what he had done with the money.

Romney explained that he had set up some kind of institute of public management in his father’s name.

O’Reilly turned impassioned. “Why didn’t you say that, Governor? Why don’t you say it? Why don’t you say stuff like that? You see what I’m talking about here? I have to bring this up! You should have said it!”

Romney said he didn’t want to look like he was patting himself on the back. O’Reilly replied that he pats himself on the back all the time. Then he added, “I’m just trying to be fair here – to everybody.”

Right. Doesn’t every politician get tips on how to be a better candidate from the host of a cable “news” show?

Conservatives like Sean Hannity love to mock Chris Matthews for saying President Obama gave him “a thrill” up his leg in 2008. But it’s one thing to express admiration for a candidate on the air. It’s a whole other thing to play the role of mentor.