Shep is the Rachael Maddow of Fox News. He’s unwatchable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1-ZgouoJso

So, what part is likable – his being a racist, an egomaniac, his choice of terrorist friends, his smug attacks, or maybe his inability to take responsibility for anything.

Sporty1946 on October 31, 2009 at 10:37 PM

I’ve seen no evidence that he is a racist. Just because the left is stupid enough to throw around that term like candy, doesn’t mean we should. As for the terrorist friends, I think he’s dangerously naive about them, but that makes him stupid, not unlikeable. The other issues you mentioned are mostly political.

As for what is likable, his general affability is probably a big part of it. Also, as I mentioned above, the secret service have an up close view of him, and they liked him too – he invited them to his house several times. They contrast this a lot with Carter, Gore, and Hillary Clinton.

I have always gotten the sense that Obama’s problem isn’t that he is a nasty person, but that he is such a weak leader that is easily manipulated by more extreme people (including, in the worst cases, people like Ayers), who he lets walk all over him, and is blind to the danger they represent. This makes him functionally a bad politician and a bad president, but not an evil person at heart.

Even if I am wrong, I don’t see what this would have to do with a fear of being judgmental.

I personally wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him on any matter remotely related to politics. I just don’t get the impression he’s a bad guy when you put politics aside.

This is a major problem in today’s society. There are not enough people who know what is right and wrong anymore because not enough people want to be labelled as being ‘judgemental’. So, what part is likable – his being a racist, an egomaniac, his choice of terrorist friends, his smug attacks, or maybe his inability to take responsibility for anything. Sorry, I don’t find a damn thing likable about Obama or his wife.

… most people on the left and center, and a decent number of us on the right, think he’s mostly a good guy personally. He may be politically craven, but I’ve seen know indication that outside of politics he’s in any way a jerk.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

That’s because they base their opinion of Obama personally on what he says to their faces, rather than what they find out about him.

By this standard, anybody who doesn’t shout in anyone’s face, and doesn’t try to club anyone over the head with an axe while the camera’s rolling, is personally likeable. (Okay this is a bit exaggerated but you get the idea.)

It worked! Barry whined about FNC being “unfair” to him! (Whaaaa!) And O’Reilly is trying to “prove ‘em wrong!”

rebuzz on October 30, 2009 at 11:24 PM

I guess I have the contrarian view: I thought O’Reilly really helped his channel here, and succeeded in making the administration’s supposedly “mild-tempered” criticism of Fox look hysterical and extreme.

O’Reilly doesn’t do any research and as a result the Dems run circles around him. The only thing he’s good at is going after ultra liberal Judges whom everyone agrees are soft on crime.

He has no choice but to give Obama the benefit of the doubt. He’s too lazy to do the work necessary to prove how extremist Obama is. Beck on the other hand works hard. This gives him the courage to speak out. O’Reilly’s so lazy he believes in AGW, because the MSM believes it. But he did examine the issue with his usual thoroughness. As he said: all you have to do is look at your thermometer.

Beck had Lord Monckton on his show tonight. O’Reilly should retire.

Basilsbest on October 30, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Basilsbest on October 31, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Basilsbest on October 31, 2009 at 12:10 AM

Great comments. For my money O’Reilly still serves a useful strategic purpose, even if his help is somewhat accidental sometimes. Just an opinion, and this doesn’t mitigate all of his weak points.

Many people, particularly people in the center, are able to separate their political and personal opinions of someone.

RINO in Name Only on October 30, 2009 at 11:45 PM

How can you make that assumption? Have you paid to have your own little poll done? Statements such as yours are made based on your opinion (all in your own mind), nothing more. Personally, I’m pretty pis*ed at some of the things this guy has done so uhhhhh, probably not gonna like him even if I sat down for a nice frosty Corona Extra with him. Sounds like you might be just another lib, trying to make decisions for me based on your own desires.

fullogas on October 31, 2009 at 12:10 AM

Fine, you want every statement backed up by a poll, here’s your poll. Though his numbers have declined from before, Obama is still getting majorities for independents and Democrats, and significant minorities for Republicans, on personal likability issues (specifically personal warmth, caring about people like you, and even trustworthiness, though these latter two are somewhat political, since they are influenced by policy decisions he makes).

Notice that the most personal attribute, having absolutely nothing to do with politics, is personal warmth, which he gets 63% from Republicans.

If you want a more up-close opinion, just ask the secret service – the same one that despises Gore, Carter, and Hillary, and liked Reagan and the Bushes.

I never said I had a problem with your personal opinion. I don’t share it, but its hardly illegitimate. I’m just claiming that it isn’t currently shared by most people. Maybe most people are wrong and you are right, who knows?

And no, I’m not a liberal. I personally wouldn’t trust him as far as I can throw him on any matter remotely related to politics. I just don’t get the impression he’s a bad guy when you put politics aside.

They judged Bush by his political actions and his friends – why shouldn’t we do the same regarding Obama?

katiejane on October 31, 2009 at 9:54 AM

Since when did we take our cues from the simpering babies at Kos? People on the left do all sorts of other things, like celebrating when insurgents in Iraq mutilate military contractors delivering food. Should we start doing that as well? Why not, the left does it?

It’s not Fox’s audience Obama cares about; it’s everyone else’s.

No one of the others’ audience can be convinced to join the O-cabal, as they’re already firmly in his pants.

It’s in fact all about Mr. Ailes. Notice how absent he’s been, except for his meeting with Axelrod. Don’t underestimate the brilliant Mr. Ailes. Obama fears to have him as an opponent in 2012, on the ticket, or off.

And then there was this from Paul Krugman in this morning’s NYT, openly beseeching his friends in the media to dive face-first into the tank for ObamaCare at this crucial moment.

…same Krugman who visited the WH…he’s not only in O’s pants…it’s a miracle he hasn’t suffocated yet.

I’m perfectly capable of separating political from personal attributes, take Clinton for example. I opposed his politics, but likable? Absolutely. This man is not likable. Perhaps it’s his obvious dislike of America that colors my perception. Maybe the fact that he thinks the Constitution is a flawed document, maybe it’s the childlike arrogance – “I won, get over it” “Hit back,hard”, maybe it’s the constant whining over anyone or anything that opposes him. Maybe it’s the people he’s chosen to surround himself with – you know those avowed communists, mao loving, quoting windbags. Maybe it’s the obvious, headfirst rush into destroying this country – takeover of private enterprise – dictating salaries – spreading the wealth – kissing up to dictators and publicly slapping our allies. Maybe it’s the constant lies telling you one thing and 10 minutes later something else (I know, politicians tend to do that, but this guy wins the crown) The list is long. Nice guys don’t act this way.

ladyhawke53 on October 31, 2009 at 7:57 AM

Hmmmm, that part is not true.

I BLAME Bill for Obama being President. Bill got PLAYED in his interview with Obama prior to the election. It really opened my eyes to who O’reilly is/isn’t.

marklmail on October 31, 2009 at 10:11 AM

+1,000!

Bye, bye O’Reilly.

Bye bye for what?

terryannonline on October 30, 2009 at 9:37 PM

..God, woman! You have to be the feminized incarnation of O’Reilly. From your posts, you delight in walking down the middle of the road. Must get tough dodging the traffic out there on the center stripe.

Does straddling the fence hurt much?

By the way and for the record, I hate (as in despise with a seething rage) Obama both personally and politically.

O’Reilly donates tons of money to various and worthy causes.
Wounded Warriors being one of them.

He also goes after judges who let pedifiles off with a slap on the wrist.

He alone asked the ONLY HARD QUESTIONS Obama received during
the election.

Saying he is responsible for getting Obama elected is interesting to say the least.

MSNBC bringing in a conservative line up?
That also is interesting to say the least.

In agreement or not, I’ll take Fox with all its opinion shows and news until something better comes along.

His policies are a different thing.

That is what the lefties did wrong with Bush. They projected their dislike for his policies onto him personally.