Caught on tape: O’Reilly versus the Obama staffer
posted at 9:33 pm on January 6, 2008 by Allahpundit
Watch it now, because Bill’s edit of his own footage will doubtless be running on the Factor tomorrow night and it’ll be worth comparing the two versions.
I can’t make out the exchange at the end except for Obama saying something about a “whole bunch of people” waiting for him. Presumably O’R was asking for an impromptu interview.
Blowback
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Man I would have swung the camera around hard and said “Opps sorry”
William Amos on January 6, 2008 at 9:36 PM
I guess I don’t see the big deal. Journalists jostle around all the time.
Spirit of 1776 on January 6, 2008 at 9:41 PM
I do have to admit with the Paulbots out there and the democrazies I do think candidates need to screen who comes at them.
So will say Bill O was over the line here. Obama doesnt have to be on his show and then Bill O can attack him for that.
William Amos on January 6, 2008 at 9:43 PM
You can’t see what happens
Vincenzo on January 6, 2008 at 9:45 PM
O Really knows how to stir the pot.
saved on January 6, 2008 at 9:46 PM
Didn’t look that bad to me.
SA
scipioafricanus on January 6, 2008 at 9:46 PM
The no-neck guy was being a Wadsworth about getting in front of the camera. I would have just focused on his nostril and talked over the din.
bbz123 on January 6, 2008 at 9:46 PM
It’s tough when the messenger becomes the news. Part of what gets you the fame is getting in and getting the story. Bill seems to think he has a press pass to wherever he wants?
No doubt that he is getting jinxed for who he is, but so it goes.
Hening on January 6, 2008 at 9:47 PM
A very fluid situation, no doubt.
I’m with Spirit on this, I guess I don’t see the big deal.
Zorro on January 6, 2008 at 9:49 PM
O’Reilly sounded like the typical brash, belligerent punk he usually is.
MadisonConservative on January 6, 2008 at 9:50 PM
This is all so great I can’t stand it.
Alex K on January 6, 2008 at 9:52 PM
Bill O’Reilly is just a punk. He came off like a spoiled child. One should be more gracious when he enters someone else’s house.
TheSitRep on January 6, 2008 at 9:55 PM
Somehow every story O’Reilly does is all about HIM.
That’s why I can’t stand to listen to or watch O’Reilly.
landlines on January 6, 2008 at 9:55 PM
He should have thrown a falafel at the staffer.
muyoso on January 6, 2008 at 9:55 PM
This really does prove they are trying to cover up UFO’s.
Actually, all kiddin aside, I don’t see what all the hoopla is about. I hear “Senator…a word PLEASE” about half a dozen times. What more does a guy have to yell? The one person may very well be secret service as candidates get that sort of thing once they toss their hat in the ring.
johnnyU on January 6, 2008 at 9:56 PM
A whole lot of nothing.
mesablue on January 6, 2008 at 9:59 PM
This video isn’t too incriminating, but O’Reilly definitely exhibits his, shall we say, aggressive manner (meaning that he believes people that he invites on his show have no right to decline because he hosts “the #1 show that DOMINATES cable news,” and if you do happen to decline, he will find you).
Yoosaion on January 6, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Yeah, I don’t see the appeal in Bill. I enjoyed him for awhile, but I’ve had my fill of his ego.
TexasDan on January 6, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Actually, I heard a guy spewing “son of a bitch”, and then going “HEY SENATOR!” several times. I wouldn’t pay him any mind either.
MadisonConservative on January 6, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Don’t Tase me bro!
Speakup on January 6, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Oh please. You can’t even tell what the Aide did to O’Reilly but that doesn’t stop the sanctimony from flying.
TheBigOldDog on January 6, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I feel exactly the same way. I very rarely ever watch it anymore. There’s a local radio host here in Houston, named Dan Patrick by the way he is also a state representative.
He mentioned on his radio show that he had met Bill O’Reilly at a party and complemented in on how well he was doing and how much his audience liked him. Dan said that Bill O’Reilly sounded genuinely surprised and was gracious.
Dan said that he felt he had really changed in that now Bill O’Reilly had became arrogant and aloof.
TheSitRep on January 6, 2008 at 10:06 PM
I didn’t see any shoving. I did see a guy trying to block the camera shot though, which was juvenile and stupid. Can someone let me know at what point (:01, :02, etc.) the shoving or inappropriate behavior started? Maybe if I watch it again knowing at what point I should be looking I’ll be able to see it. Thanks!
JustTruth101 on January 6, 2008 at 10:06 PM
At this point, he’s making Colbert’s job too easy.
Yoosaion on January 6, 2008 at 10:08 PM
I used to be a fan of O’Reilly as well.
But apparently people can win caucuses without going on the number one show that dominates cable TV. At least if they are Democrats.
Not a fan of Obama here, but geez..leave him alone if he doesn’t want to come on the Factor!
serpentineshel on January 6, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Another feather in the cap for those that say O is racist…lol.
SouthernGent on January 6, 2008 at 10:13 PM
If O’Reilly doesn’t learn to do humility a little better, he’ll fall. I really do hope he learns because he has done some extremely positive things.
Connie on January 6, 2008 at 10:18 PM
I think the shoving happened right before this clip starts or they just missed it. I think O was talking to the taller guy closer to the Senator, and not the guy in front of the camera.
Bill’s a big guy but that guy looks even bigger and about 15 years younger.
d1carter on January 6, 2008 at 10:23 PM
I do not think O’Reilly likes it when people do not dance to his tune. Skip his show and he’ll leave you out of a poll.
Theworldisnotenough on January 6, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Does O’Reilly think stuff like this is going to make candidates want to come on his show? What makes him more important and special than all the other citizens and reporters who were there trying to get a moment of Obama’s time? What an ass.
aero on January 6, 2008 at 10:45 PM
I am the farthest thing in the world from an O’Reilly fan but that didn’t seem like anything to fuss about. I couldn’t make out most of the dialogue, though.
joewm315 on January 6, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Example 2,315: Obama’s a coward and a nothing.
Jaibones on January 6, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Bill’s just doing his best to get O’BamBam elected. He knows his numbers will go through the roof in years 2,3 & 4. Not a bad plan actually.
Griz on January 6, 2008 at 11:00 PM
I think it’s not so much about an impromptu interview as much as it was about getting Obama to agree to go on the Factor, which has been a goal of O’Reilly’s for a while. He bitches quite a bit about how these top Dems won’t be interviewed on his show, and about how they should because it’s the most watched cable news show… and it’s actually a good point.
But anyway, he didn’t want to interview him there… but all other attempts to get him on the show have failed so he was making the gesture of showing up in person to ask him… which I believe is why he was so pissed that the guy was blocking him, in addition to the fact that he wanted a yes or no from Obama on camera. The other video we saw (I think here at HotAir) had Obama and O’Reilly going back and forth (paraphrasing) “After the primary”, “You’ll come on after New Hampshire?” “After the Primary.” “After New Hampshire?”, etc. etc.
Bottom line? Bathtub boy has something new to bitch about this week.
RightWinged on January 6, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Where’s the beef?
petefrt on January 6, 2008 at 11:09 PM
I think that’s right. According to one story I read, O’Reilly’s beef is that the tall guy is blocking the camera shot.
The short-neck in front of the camera looks like a Secret Service agent, or some other kind of security. He’s got a receiver in his right ear.
paul006 on January 6, 2008 at 11:13 PM
I usually have better luck picking up little details with headphones on, but there aren’t any big revelations, and I don’t type fast enough to transcribe it. Basically Bill just tried several times to get Obama’s attention, as already noted. After he said “We came all the way up here to see you”, Obama came over and said more or less “How ya doing?” and they shook hands. Bill asked him for a word, and that’s when Obama says he’s got a whole bunch of people waiting.
The news story yesterday said that O’Reilly got into it with Obama’s Trip Director, who’s 6’8″, and then the Secret Service (probably the guy in the striped tie with the flag lapel pin) stepped in to defuse the situation. So the taller guy was the one Bill was bad-mouthing.
The whole incident’s not that big a deal to me either way, although I don’t really watch Bill any more either.
ReubenJCogburn on January 6, 2008 at 11:14 PM
He was more threatening here than Andrew Myers was in Florida. There was little difference – O’Reilly had a camera, like Meyers, and was asked to move away, he wasn’t invited to ask questions, and he insisted that he be heard by the senator. O’Reilly should have been tased!
He did call the guy ‘low life’ for basically doing his job. I wouldn’t back down from O’Reilly in a fight. He doesn’t seem too tough to me. He may be bigger than me, but I’m pretty tough. When you get them on the ground, they are all the same size.
ThackerAgency on January 6, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Have a hard time listening and or watching the BOR anymore as others here, same reasons, he’s an arrogant, pompous a$$ anymore and shows little respect towards others, but, he does do a good job working for the kids gotta give him that. As far as this incident, it’s nothing but bluster.
oldernslower on January 6, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Tall guys can’t fight. You notice the Secret Service guys are of average height…with no neck.
baldilocks on January 6, 2008 at 11:32 PM
I can see why Michelle won’t go on his show any more.
jgapinoy on January 7, 2008 at 12:23 AM
I can’t stand O’Reilly but this is much ado about nothing. Sam Donaldson invented and perfected the art of the penetration interview. Getting past the bodyguards is part of the art.
wordwarp on January 7, 2008 at 12:29 AM
All journalists are, by definition, jerks. We all want information AND privacy. Obviously, that creates conflict.
But O is a doosh, no doubt.
unamused on January 7, 2008 at 12:59 AM
For wanting to interview a guy who wants to be the President of the Free World, who does softball interviews as has barely taken a hard-line position on where he stands?
Gimme a break. Good thing this place isn’t called the “Non-Ideology Zone”. Just jump on the bandwagon, become a hypocritical hater, and clash, bash & trash.
Seems more & more like the Huffington Post each time I read the comments (& articles).
By the way; hasn’t Michelle not only distanced herself from Bill, but HotAir for the latter of ’07 as well?
nationspatriotcom on January 7, 2008 at 1:22 AM
I see that the charm-challenged have arrived.
baldilocks on January 7, 2008 at 2:00 AM
You’re nuts. What gives Bill O’Reilly the right to invade spaces?? He has as much right as Dan Rather and Keith Olbermann I would suppose, no???
Of course he does, he’s a big drama queen. He knew it would stir the pot and spike the ratings. I heard son-of-a-bitch, very forceful and I might add, very low class.
AprilOrit on January 7, 2008 at 2:15 AM
Your’s defense of Bill O’Reilly’s sense of entitlement is ridiculous.
And who determines that Bill O’Reilly gives hardball interviews? I watch his show regularly and have watched him softball The Monster Coulter of many occassions. So for you to try to sell me on his hardball technique is bullcrap.
Secondly Bill O’Reilly has his own bandwagon, you are so knee deep and head first in his kool-aid fountain you missed it.
AprilOrit on January 7, 2008 at 2:24 AM
O’Reilly needs some serious discipline, calling someone a son-of-a-bitch at a campaign rally is really too much. If Keith Olbermann or Dan Rather did that you guys would have him hog tied and hoisted up on the spit. He sounded like Rosie O’Donnell actually.
And some of the posters here who show partiality and bias without reason need to think about their defense of this man. Rewarding a child’s bad behavior only leads to more of the same.
AprilOrit on January 7, 2008 at 2:34 AM
I have to agree with everything here (cept I don’t know what to make of the last statement)
Not sure where you think that Bill has a sense of entitlement according to this incident. If you know anything about press lines (and red carpets as well) this behavior that Bill exhibits is the norm. It’s how you get interviews.
That said, the opinion of Bill by some here seems to be more about letting out some steam about something else rather than this “incident” because there was nothing to be seen in this video.
To the gist of criticism, is his show #1 because it is a train wreck that can’t be ignored, or does his substance speak louder than his style?
geckomon on January 7, 2008 at 3:54 AM
I was paraphrasing what nationspatriotcom said, I have no idea what he is talking about with regard to Michelle, so I had no comment on that part of his comment.
My opinion is arising from not only past antics with O’Reilly, but from this video. He threatens Obama’s guy not only by calling him a SOB, but he also calls him low class twice and unleashes the intimicating verbal threat that the whole world will see it as well. So you better listen to me and do as I say….
In other worlds the whole world will judge you, but no one will dare judge me, they haven’t the balls. Which is a blantant sense of entitlement.
I do not like entitlements of any kind or anyone who fosters such behavior.
I think of late his show may just be #1 because it is a train wreck that can’t be ignored.
Or better yet it almost appears that he leads the show in this sensational direction to cultivate the train wreck that reels them in.
Remember what his ratings were the night the whole Mackris thing blew up? They doubled.
On Saturday when he called in and spoke with Brian the newscaster from Fox he was almost smug about the whole thing. And sandbagging someone or resorting to ambush journalism – because he thinks he is entitled to do this – I ain’t buying the snake oil he’s selling. He is selling his own brand of kool-aid.
I am just not buying the sense of entitlement.
AprilOrit on January 7, 2008 at 4:22 AM
One other point I wanted to make about him is his blood thirsty attutide about getting even and taking out those who disagree with him.
We saw this with the case with Stuart Smalley. I remember my father’s comments on it – that is was clearly a no brainer and a no win for Fox, but O’Reilly pushed it to go to trial, and they lost. Staurt Smalley hired Floyd Abrams, for heaven sake, and the judge made a ruling based on the law. So what does Bill do? He roasts the judge on the air, who happens to be related to an attorney and a friend of our family.
He accused the judge of going soft on a child molester, but the judge’s decision in the second case was based on the law in the State of NY.
My father was appalled at his behavior toward a judge who made rulings based on the letter of the law.
I mean this is the kind of behavior he has always spoken out against on his show – he’s for the little guy, he is the little guy.
And since when did Conservatives and Republicans embrace tabloid journalism and sensationalistic sandbag reporting? That was always something Liberals did with their obsession with Hollywood, the papparazzi and all of their celebrities.
He has succeeded in creating the same format with political figures, it almost seems ridiculous. But one thing is certain – he rules the roost at Fox and you do not cross him if you know what’s good for you career wise.
AprilOrit on January 7, 2008 at 4:52 AM
ridiculous…
The staffer was just as juvinile as BOR and he started it. I stopped watching the factor after seeing BOR all “Kissy,Kissy” with Geraldo over that Immigration bru-ha-ha started to make me realize he was all show. I guess I just don’t see why the staffer would feel it is “His job” to screw with BOR… other than the dems wierd fox derangement syndrome. The republicans go on MSNBC all the time… so what is the big deal? If you can’t stand the heat from Wallace/Hume/BOR… what makes me think you should be president? Who want’s a campaign banner that says “Vote for me, I’ll be a great president as long as I am always comfortable and noone asks me hard questions”. BOR is a boob, but I guess I just don’t see what the staffer was doing other than antagonizing the guy.
thanks for elevating the discussion.
BadBrad on January 7, 2008 at 6:47 AM
I’m from NY and “the laws of the “state of NY” are the reason I no longer wish to live there… EVER, so if your using that to convince me… keep trying.
You mean the judge who
not that I’m saying… ok yea, I’m sayin’
BadBrad on January 7, 2008 at 6:53 AM
The tape doesn’t show anything with regards to an exchange between the aide and Bill. I saw Obama act gratiously towards bill. I am reminded of what was said in the debate last night. It seems that each of the Republican candidates is having a problem with the fact that their aides are stirring the pot and making things difficult.
This wasn’t exacly a smart move for a campaign wanting change..some of you may not like Bill, but he is the top rated show on cable news and alienating a network that will be talking about you for the next nine months is not too bright…Does Obama want real change, or just the kind of change that is friendly to his campaign?
Pam on January 7, 2008 at 7:37 AM
I don’t think Bill O was calling Obama “low class” or an “S.O.B.” he was callig the doofus that kept blocking him and his camera. It would make no sense for him to call Obama those things since he was still out of ear shot of O’Reily.
srhoades on January 7, 2008 at 7:51 AM
Clairification: It wouldn’t make sense to call him names when he was too far away to hear him calling him in the first place.
srhoades on January 7, 2008 at 7:53 AM
I’m not buying that there is perceived sense of entitlement. Again, it’s how the media line/red carpet/gauntlet works. I suggest you don’t attend one, you will get offended by the behavior of photogs and journalist.
Ummm . . . so it is personnel!
Is it possible to watch, enjoy, appreciate or be entertained by someone without being accused of embracing? I watch alot of Hollywood movies, but I don’t embrace Hollywood thought.
But all that is besides the point. I’m not here to defend Bill, he doesn’t need it from me. Opinion is opinion. In this case, it’s a non-story. The video above reveals nothing and shows nothing new. Bill is not exhibiting any behavior out of the norm for the environment he is in. Anything else described is out of bias and prejudicial notions of how Bill should conduct himself.
If (and I bet he will) makes a big deal of it, it will still be a non-story.
geckomon on January 7, 2008 at 7:59 AM
I think Bill’s a bully and misogynist, but I don’t draw that conclusion from this video. I didn’t watch it.
JiangxiDad on January 7, 2008 at 8:11 AM
Just because Bill is the top rated show, doesn’t make him some special God. He is a bully that thinks everything important should pass through him first.
Well, I think a strong leader of the most powerful country in the world should do what Obama and Fred are doing…tell him to wait his turn, leaders don’t go around kissing some guys butt because he has ratings. Running a country is serious business, and O’R and the rest of the journalist/actors do not have to be taken seriously. You only have to go back a few months to the Gerald/Michelle row, and see how “serious” of a reporter O’R is.
O’R should stick with Jessica’s law, that gets him ratings, and leave the big boy stuff to the real journalists.
You will tell who the great leader is, by how they treat the journalists…most candidates are beggars, a couple are leaders. I want a leader.
right2bright on January 7, 2008 at 8:41 AM
No problem here. Obami and Bill handled themselves just fine.
Captain America on January 7, 2008 at 8:43 AM
Agree with Captain America at 8.43am
Seemed fine to me.
OReilly spoke his mind to someone else. Imagine that.
This shouldn’t even be a story.
Who cares?
Freakin’ press, here we go again. Mind off of what matters and onto what doesn’t make a beaver structure. LOL, don’t know if I’d be sensored for the word.
bridgetown on January 7, 2008 at 9:23 AM
oops…censored.
lol
and I’ll be getting more coffee now.
bridgetown on January 7, 2008 at 9:25 AM
I don’t see how going on the Factor could harm Obama. It’s only going to expose him to an even greater audience of potential voters.
His advisers are probably just telling him to boycott Foxnews in any way, shape, or form to appease the nutroots.
gabriel sutherland on January 7, 2008 at 9:36 AM
Now the wingnuts are comparing O’Reilly to historic political assassins over this. Perhaps someone needs to point out that JFK was killed by a supporter of Castro, RFK got gunned down by an arab jihadist and MLK, Jr. was shot by a Southern Democrat.
If they’re truly concerned about Obama’s safety the danger is not from the right but the left.
miles on January 7, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Are ya kidding? I’ve seen more heated “jostling” by parents trying to get their kid a better view of the Santa float at the Macys parade.
This is just a slice of what it’s like in the trenches every day for a reporter, no big deal.
Alden Pyle on January 7, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I can’t say I’m for all these new registrants.
Vincenzo on January 7, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I didn’t see anything worth talking about, where was the shoving, didn’t Obama shake Bill’s hand and say a few words to him?
I don’t get it, where’s the problem?
Conservatives R Us on January 7, 2008 at 10:14 AM
So this is news, huh
Ugly on January 7, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Whew! I made it in finally. Hello all! Glad to be here, posting for the 1st time on HA.
I too have found myself watching Bill less than I used to. He still has good stuff, Miller Time is the best IMO, but if I hear Tonya Reidmen once more I think my ears will gush blood. Am I the only one who thinks she sounds exactly like Peter Griffin’s wife?
MechEng5by5 on January 7, 2008 at 10:27 AM
What is the controversy?
Sue on January 7, 2008 at 10:49 AM
All normal.
When universes collide.
Bill is number one in his mind ( far more than just his show which he will remind us of 5 to 6 times this week alone) and no one can ‘diss’ him… in his mind.
B. Hussein dodging anything that might show some opposition (truth) about who /what he is. Most running for office would JUMP at 4 million plus viewers…unless they’re hiding.
.
Masters of their own universes.
shooter on January 7, 2008 at 12:45 PM
You may choose not to live here, that’s your right – you choose to retreat – but settled law is settled law. You, like Bill O’Reilly do not write the laws. (Thank God).
Amen, soemone with a brain not jacked up on O’Reilly’s juice speaks. Thank you.
Fred and Obama have the brains and where-with-all to see O’Reilly for what he is – a sandbagger and they want no part of it. It has more to do with him, I think.
I don’t think so…no one was accusing of O’Reilly of harming Obama at all. Who here accused O’Reilly of assassination and physical violence?? You need to go back and reread the comments.
AprilOrit on January 7, 2008 at 1:24 PM
No controversy here. Bill O did what was necessary to speak to Obama. The end result is Obama will end up on the Factor.
No matter what people think, sometimes going the extra mile gets you the prize!
tazmebro on January 7, 2008 at 1:31 PM
We shall see, I am not holding my breathe on that one. LOL
AprilOrit on January 7, 2008 at 1:43 PM