President Obama sat down with Bill O’Reilly today for the traditional pre-Superbowl interview. Not surprisingly, O’Reilly’s questions were on Fox News’ favorite Obama-attack subjects: Benghazi, the IRS and ObamaCare. I thought Obama was well-prepared and he smoothly called out Fox News’ slanted reporting a few times.
Obama smacks down Fox’s Benghazi coverage
O’REILLY: Your detractors believe that you did not tell the world it was a terror attack because your campaign didn’t want that out. That’s what they believe.
OBAMA (smiling and laughing): And they believe it because folks like you are telling ‘em that.
O’REILLY: No, I’m not telling ‘em that. I’m asking you whether you were told it was a terror attack.
OBAMA: What I’m saying is, that is inaccurate. We revealed to the American people exactly what we understood at the time. The notion that we would hide the ball for political purposes - when a week later we all said in fact there was a terrorist attack taking place the day after I said it was an act of terror - that wouldn’t be a very good cover-up.
Obama Calls Out Fox’s IRS Coverage
O’REILLY: What some people are saying is that the IRS was used at a local level in Cincinnati, maybe other places to go after…
OBAMA: “Absolutely wrong.”
O’REILLY: But how do you know that because we still don’t know what happened?
OBAMA: Bill, we do. That’s not what happened. Folks have – again – had multiple hearings on this. I mean, these kinds of things keep on surfacing in part because you and your TV station will promote them.
O’REILLY: (unintelligible) ...unanswered questions?
OBAMA: There were some boneheaded decisions (by the IRS)… not even a smidgen of corruption.
As Think Progress noted:
While Fox News has focused on how one local IRS branch improperly investigated some conservative groups for months since the story broke, the network has failed to dedicate as much coverage to the similar investigation of progressive groups. Instead, it has used the improper investigations to argue that the government has questionable credibility and therefore lacks the credibility to properly administer the Affordable Care Act.
O’Reilly ended by saying, “I know you think maybe we haven’t been fair but I think your heart is in the right place.”
Obama smiled and said, “I enjoyed it.”
However, while he predicted a 24-21 Superbowl score, he said he could not predict which team would win.
O’Reilly has said he and Obama will talk more for a clip that will be aired on tomorrow’s O’Reilly Factor.
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Devon Haverly commented
2014-02-05 20:27:43 -0500
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All I can. Say is. WOW… I Hope someday you feel silly for your slobbering love affair with Barack Obama. I know I feel silly for standing up for Bush, somewhat. Only I didn’t have a man crush on him. You’re doing the same thing you and your ilk accused Conservatives of, only we really do have proof POSITIVE that Obama is eroding the constitution and abusing power and infringing on our civil rights.
Isn’t that what you all were crying about ad nauseam when Bush was in office?
Sad that you’re so blinded by your girlish love to see the truth.
OR maybe you know the truth and think it’s ok to take away conservatives rights, because we are un American, and following the constitution, why that’s just “extreme”!
I’m not going to name call, or insult.
I’ll leave that to your side.
You do it better, but I can’t help but feel pity on you, and other so called “liberals”.
I used to be one, until I found out it has nothing to do with liberty and justice for all, except those who disagree with us.
Obama is a communist, and watch him overstay his welcome in the White House, but I’ll bet that’s exactly what you want…
Isn’t that what you all were crying about ad nauseam when Bush was in office?
Sad that you’re so blinded by your girlish love to see the truth.
OR maybe you know the truth and think it’s ok to take away conservatives rights, because we are un American, and following the constitution, why that’s just “extreme”!
I’m not going to name call, or insult.
I’ll leave that to your side.
You do it better, but I can’t help but feel pity on you, and other so called “liberals”.
I used to be one, until I found out it has nothing to do with liberty and justice for all, except those who disagree with us.
Obama is a communist, and watch him overstay his welcome in the White House, but I’ll bet that’s exactly what you want…
Bob Peel commented
2014-02-03 23:45:05 -0500
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@aria I don’t take you or your hippy friends seriously either just as I don’t take anyone who is blinded by love seriously either. You love Obama so much that he can’t do anything wrong in your eyes even when it’s right in front of you. Congratulations you are one of the few who thinks Obama and his admin was telling the truth about Benghazi. What about Obamacare? Let’s hear how you justify his lies on that? I like how you admit it was speculation on his part then state that what you have said was fact.
mlp ! commented
2014-02-03 21:11:23 -0500
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“….why I officially can no longer take Bob seriously.”
Wait a minute, Aria….are you saying that before that you actually took ‘Bob’ seriously?
Seriously???
I prefer to think that you were just being sweet to poor, confused and largely ignorant Bob. I generally don’t waste much time with posters whose first three words here are “So you idiots…”.
Especially when they then proceed to make a total idiot of themselves.
Wait a minute, Aria….are you saying that before that you actually took ‘Bob’ seriously?
Seriously???
I prefer to think that you were just being sweet to poor, confused and largely ignorant Bob. I generally don’t waste much time with posters whose first three words here are “So you idiots…”.
Especially when they then proceed to make a total idiot of themselves.
Aria Prescott commented
2014-02-03 20:40:31 -0500
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“Nobody went around and blamed America on those attacks…”
This right here is why I officially can no longer take Bob seriously. Obama never blamed America for the attacks. When we were still collecting intel, Obama said that there were riots over the airing of a hate film called “The Innocence of Muslims,” which was made by an ex-convict, and funded by the leader of a Southern California hate group.
In other words, he speculated that the attack may have been tied to the riots, or that the riots may have been used as a window, something that the right wouldn’t even pretend to consider, despite that there were anti-American attacks over it, and there’s still a case that the assassins may have saw that as a window to make it look like rioters did it. Something that was believed at first, if we take any of them alive and find out that was the case.
Also, lemme explain the difference between condemning a piece of American Propaganda for causing GLOBAL RIOTING that may have given a window to a terrorist attack, and just “blaming America.” Oh, wait- I just did. BTW, did you ever notice that the right never felt the need to say “Well, maybe the guy who made this movie poked the bear too hard, and brought back the ‘Great Satan’ meme terrorists love to recruit with?”
No- They sat there and acted like the rioting and the violence against non-diplomat Americans in those countries didn’t exist, and screamed “Why won’t he call it terrorism? COVER UP!”. And, in case you don’t remember, the investigation led to Clinton, who was cleared after a query and testimony. Not that Fox News or it’s viewers will ever accept it.
Oh, yeah- I’m sorry for presenting facts. I know they hurt your head so.
This right here is why I officially can no longer take Bob seriously. Obama never blamed America for the attacks. When we were still collecting intel, Obama said that there were riots over the airing of a hate film called “The Innocence of Muslims,” which was made by an ex-convict, and funded by the leader of a Southern California hate group.
In other words, he speculated that the attack may have been tied to the riots, or that the riots may have been used as a window, something that the right wouldn’t even pretend to consider, despite that there were anti-American attacks over it, and there’s still a case that the assassins may have saw that as a window to make it look like rioters did it. Something that was believed at first, if we take any of them alive and find out that was the case.
Also, lemme explain the difference between condemning a piece of American Propaganda for causing GLOBAL RIOTING that may have given a window to a terrorist attack, and just “blaming America.” Oh, wait- I just did. BTW, did you ever notice that the right never felt the need to say “Well, maybe the guy who made this movie poked the bear too hard, and brought back the ‘Great Satan’ meme terrorists love to recruit with?”
No- They sat there and acted like the rioting and the violence against non-diplomat Americans in those countries didn’t exist, and screamed “Why won’t he call it terrorism? COVER UP!”. And, in case you don’t remember, the investigation led to Clinton, who was cleared after a query and testimony. Not that Fox News or it’s viewers will ever accept it.
Oh, yeah- I’m sorry for presenting facts. I know they hurt your head so.
Bob Peel commented
2014-02-03 19:29:35 -0500
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@aria Prescott You are mistaken. It is a liberal that consistently goes to calling anyone who disagrees with them ignorant or racist. I have resorted to the same out of frustration over your blindness. If you think Obama “won,” you have proven my blindness argument. The only thing that Obama won was confirmation in everyone’s mind that he can’t answer a single question not can he take responsibility for anything, which also happens to be a trait of a liberal. It’s always someone else’s fault isn’t it? They lied about Benghazi plain and simple. You know it and so does everyone else. You just don’t want to admit it because it hurts your ego and pride in a president who is not as great as you think he is. How dare we ask the president tough questions huh? Your people consistently called GW a liar about WMD’s but there was never any evidence showing that they falsified the intelligence or knew the intel was bad but went with it anyway. They were guilty of bad intel and having tunnel vision but they didn’t lie. Your guy lied plain and simple and their is evidence that they knew they lied. Why can’t anyone answer the simple question of why they went with the anti Muslim. video story? You can’t and obviously the president can’t (or won’t ) either. He doesn’t have to. He has the entire left wing media to back him up along with Hollywood.
Sandman2 commented
2014-02-03 19:27:10 -0500
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Why did Billdo need a clipboard? He only asked about the same three tired fringe right-wing talking points that they’ve been beating like a dead horse for the last year and a half.
Was he worried he might forget about those three right-wing talking points that Fox has been obsessively grandstanding about everyday for over a year and a half?
I would have loved to have seen the President challenge O’Reilly by asking how many segments O’Reilly dedicated to “getting to the bottom” of those 13 attacks on embassy’s, and the resulting death’s of 58 people, during the previous Administration?
Mr. President, the next time Fox wants an interview to discuss Benghazi, ask them to provide that information, video’s, and on-air discussions where the same FNC pundits demanded answers from the Bush Administration regarding overseas deaths at embassy’s and the like.
Mr. President, have your Press Secretary ask Ed Henry that during a press briefing. See if Henry can come up with any examples.
Was he worried he might forget about those three right-wing talking points that Fox has been obsessively grandstanding about everyday for over a year and a half?
I would have loved to have seen the President challenge O’Reilly by asking how many segments O’Reilly dedicated to “getting to the bottom” of those 13 attacks on embassy’s, and the resulting death’s of 58 people, during the previous Administration?
Mr. President, the next time Fox wants an interview to discuss Benghazi, ask them to provide that information, video’s, and on-air discussions where the same FNC pundits demanded answers from the Bush Administration regarding overseas deaths at embassy’s and the like.
Mr. President, have your Press Secretary ask Ed Henry that during a press briefing. See if Henry can come up with any examples.
Aria Prescott commented
2014-02-03 18:56:44 -0500
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@bob: Ah, ad hominem… The go to weapon of a conservative that can’t ask a loaded question.
If you read the article, Bob, you may have noticed that O’Reilly wasn’t conducting an interview, so much as flinging failed “gotcha” questions. Not only that, but on some topics (such as the IRS audits), he was only stepping up to bat for conservatives.
Ed Henry does the same thing, and IMHO, he’s better at it- At least he managed to catch Obama and Carney in a couple before they caught on to how to backfire it. O’Reilly, you could see it on his face when he realized it wasn’t gonna work. And there’s no doubt in my mind that Obama enjoyed how easily he won that round.
If you read the article, Bob, you may have noticed that O’Reilly wasn’t conducting an interview, so much as flinging failed “gotcha” questions. Not only that, but on some topics (such as the IRS audits), he was only stepping up to bat for conservatives.
Ed Henry does the same thing, and IMHO, he’s better at it- At least he managed to catch Obama and Carney in a couple before they caught on to how to backfire it. O’Reilly, you could see it on his face when he realized it wasn’t gonna work. And there’s no doubt in my mind that Obama enjoyed how easily he won that round.
Bob Peel commented
2014-02-03 18:17:12 -0500
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So you idiots think it’s ok for a president to just lie and dodge questions from the public? You do as long as they are democrats huh? Hypocritical morons.
d d commented
2014-02-03 11:35:43 -0500
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Well, I was at least glad to see Obama push back at BOR and his use of the same tired, right-wing talking points put into question form. Hey, White House, while I realize that it is difficult these days, will you puh-leeez try to find an actual journalist for Obama’s next interview?
Geez, BOR was nothing but predictable and boring (plus, I just had a feeling that, with BOR’s deep-seated hatred of Sebelius dating back to his war on Dr. Tiller, he would make mention of firing her – and he did. See, he’s so predictable).
This portion of the interview sucked as did the game. Oh well, there’s always next year. LOL!
Geez, BOR was nothing but predictable and boring (plus, I just had a feeling that, with BOR’s deep-seated hatred of Sebelius dating back to his war on Dr. Tiller, he would make mention of firing her – and he did. See, he’s so predictable).
This portion of the interview sucked as did the game. Oh well, there’s always next year. LOL!
Anne-claire Souza commented
2014-02-03 10:46:56 -0500
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Being as usual filled with his own self importance it once again became clear that the pompous ass harps and harps on the same tiresome talking points manufactured by the Fox Circus dictatorship.
Sandman2 commented
2014-02-03 08:15:33 -0500
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To borrow a line from Bill hader’s routine at the roast of James Franco:
If the President tried to buy Bill O’Reilly on iTunes it would ask him it he was sure he wanted to purchase Bill O’Reilly; Cause you already own this f**k!
I only counted about 24 interruption’s which was better than the 40+ I was expecting.
O’Reilly appeared to be blindsided when the President hit back against his beloved Faux News.
This week O’Reilly will be spending most of his air-time trying to polish that turd of an interview by lying that the President wouldn’t answer one question.
Bravo Mr. President, Bravo!
If the President tried to buy Bill O’Reilly on iTunes it would ask him it he was sure he wanted to purchase Bill O’Reilly; Cause you already own this f**k!
I only counted about 24 interruption’s which was better than the 40+ I was expecting.
O’Reilly appeared to be blindsided when the President hit back against his beloved Faux News.
This week O’Reilly will be spending most of his air-time trying to polish that turd of an interview by lying that the President wouldn’t answer one question.
Bravo Mr. President, Bravo!
Jan Hall commented
2014-02-03 08:11:13 -0500
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I’m glad President Obama did this interview with Junior O’Reilly. After the failure to pass a more comprehensive background check, the promise was made to focus more on the Mentally Ill. Putting Junior’s—- A.O.D.S—- ACUTE OBAMA DERANGEMENT SYNDROME—- on display for people to see is bound to be very enlightening.
Kyle Dorfdorfendorf commented
2014-02-02 23:56:40 -0500
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“Bill….Bill….Bill….Bill….I’m trying to explain it to you. If you wanna listen…..”
Gary Oliveira commented
2014-02-02 22:51:56 -0500
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I wish the president had pointed out the thirteen Benghazis that occurred with far deadlier consequences during the Bush administration.
doors17 commented
2014-02-02 22:18:04 -0500
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The next time Fox will have the Super Bowl will be in Feb 2017 just a few days after Hillary takes the oath office. When that happens I would suggest to Fox that they go with Chris Wallace.
mlp ! commented
2014-02-02 22:01:13 -0500
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One of these days, President Obama is going to stop trying to reason with these Fox assholes and reward an exclusive interview with someone like Rachel Maddow or Bill Maher. He should cruise over to Fox Nation and learn just how this “president of ALL the people” is working out for him.
Gary Oliveira commented
2014-02-02 21:55:42 -0500
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Fox News is trimaniacal: Obamacare, then Bengazi & IRS next! O’Reilly is full of surprises!
doors17 commented
2014-02-02 21:45:26 -0500
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I laughed when Bill said “Some people are saying”.
Now tomorrow on Fox we can expect Fox & Friends to start with how great Bill did and he asked the hard questions that YOU would ask if you had the chance. This will be followed by boo-hoo, we’re being picked on and on Bill’s show he’ll have the Fox News Superbabes telling him how wonderful he did.
Now tomorrow on Fox we can expect Fox & Friends to start with how great Bill did and he asked the hard questions that YOU would ask if you had the chance. This will be followed by boo-hoo, we’re being picked on and on Bill’s show he’ll have the Fox News Superbabes telling him how wonderful he did.
Gary Oliveira commented
2014-02-02 21:25:09 -0500
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O’Reilly appeared tired, timid, and outclassed. He called himself and Faux News “detractors”. Obama tactfully corrected him by calling O’Reilly and Faux News the so called “detractors”. It was classic to observe Obama intellect and tactful approach to expose Oreilly and Faux News.
Aria Prescott commented
2014-02-02 20:47:24 -0500
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Bill O’Reilly got humiliated, and he knew it… When Obama told him a fact, and said that Fox was the one he was hearing the lies from, you say Papa Bear shrink a little. He was outclassed, and he knew it.
Bob Roberts commented
2014-02-02 20:35:24 -0500
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O’Loofah didn’t do an interview. He just had a list of Faux right-wing talking points disguised as questions and expected the President to get on his knees and beg forgiveness for how he has destroyed America to satisfied the aged, senior-laden audience that watches Faux today. He didn’t care about one answer given by the President, he just wanted to get in as many questions as possible about IRS, ACA, Benghazi, Faux etc. I believe I have seen 47 interruptions of the Pres. by O’Loofah in a 10 min. interview. Imagine if that happened to Shrub in an interview by the legitimate media.
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2014-02-02 19:04:41 -0500
I think Obama did a great job. What do you think?
