Why is Bill O'Reilly So Afraid Of John Edwards?

[ruggerson]

He just finished a ten minute segment bashing Edwards for being "anti Christian" and in his faux indignant, laughable manner, declaring Edward's candidacy dead.

He then went on to say that Hillary and Obama were much smarter and better candidates.

He angrily defended Bill Donohue ("Catholic League" extremist nutbag), getting very agitated when his Democratic talking head guest tried to point out how extremist Donohue is.

Using the O'Reilly O'meter, we all should be jumping aboard Edward's bandwagon. If O'Reilly goes to these lengths to try to smear him, there must be great fear out there on the GOP hustings that Edwards may acutally win the nomination.

[chimpymustgo]

1. GLAD I missed it!! A lot of people - too many of them Dems - are afraid of Edwards.

That's just how it is, when people know you can beat their guy.

[Colobo]

2. Bill is not afraid; it's part of his act

You need to keep in mind Bill O'Reilly's discourse is the one of the "offended good American"; the guy that will speak for the "average Joe" who is a devout Christian and has conservative/"traditionalist" values.

He will pretend to be offended at anything these kind of people might be offended at and go on a tirade on radio and TV. That has made him a super rich guy, and he will continue doing it as long as there are people that feel represented by his constant indignation.

Edwards and his bloggers just happened to be a good excuse for Mr. Tradionalist himself to entertain his audience.

[ruggerson]

5. I imagine this will be up on Crooks and Liars soon

it was a classic.

[Beartracks]

9. Wow, I suppose that's true.

I've often wondered if he could really be as nutty as he seems. But then... which is the more egregious affront: to actually BE an intolerant buffoon influencing the masses, or to FAKE being that way for money (while still influencing the masses)? :puke:

[Colobo]

10. I've heard Bill's "Radio Factor"

He constantly repeats the phrase "I'm looking out for the folks", "If someone is messing with you, call me", "I'm fighting against the agenda of the Far Left that want to convert this country into a secular progressive nation", etc.

What is the common denominator of these lines? Bill is the "fighter", the "Culture Warrior", the voice of the voiceless in American media. He has a very defined public persona, and he lives off it quite well. He is not a nut. Neither is Savage, Hannity, Limbaugh or any of the others. They know exactly what they are doing and SELLING, and I'm sure they do not believe half of the crap they say. It's just effective martketing.

I read one time that Ann Coulter, in private and with friends, is a very nice and reasonable person. I'm sure she is. However, being nice and reasonable doesn't make you a succesful celebrity with her public. Her public persona works for her effectively.

[AtomicKitten]

3. sounds to me like O'Reilly could some of Limbaugh's medications

[Seattleman]

4. O'Reilly is a freshly shit turd..........

[saltpoint]

6. Didn't catch the O'Reilly program. He's not a big draw at our house, but

he'll bash any Democrat that walks down the street.

Edwards in this case, evidently.

Edwards was raised in a Baptist home, I believe, and if you want to invoke the New Testament, appears to have absorbed its basic tenets.

I find it difficult to believe that Bill O'Reilly was raised to behave the way he does on television.

[illinoisprogressive]

7. just because Oreily has picked Edwards for his daily anti dem rant does not mean

he is afraid. What ever gave you the idea he was afraid. All the repugs pick on all the dems.

[Superman Returns]

8. its funny

because in 04, Kerry and Edwards were the only two candidates that talked to him and thefore, attributed their interviews with him to their wins in the primaries.

[rhombus]

11. You know O'Reilly is an act right? He's an actor

One of his guests mentioned that O'Reilly was super nice to him pre-show. Very cordial. However, once the cameras starting rolling, O'Reilly became another person altogether. Jekyll and hyde.

Its amazing Americans can't see through his fake "cultural" warrior BS. I refuse to watch his show.

[Colobo]

12. Exactly

Look at Weiner aka Savage. Do you actually think that jerk is not acting when he even uses a freakin' fake name? These people are money makers; they tell the most ignorant elements of the nation what they wanna hear. Their pseudo-nationalistic, testosterone-driven, paternalistic babble resonates with millions who are willing to listen "3 hours a day" as Hannity says, buy crappy books made for 5th graders, and act like they are doing something patriotic by repeating whatever comes out of those mouths to their families and friends.

[LittleClarkie]

13. They've started seeing through his "looking out for the kids" routine though

What with that speaking cancellation and all.