Bill O'reilly's interview with Obama last night
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
September 5, 2008 8:47am CST
I think I only caught the last five minutes of the interview but O'reilly is milking this for all it's worth so there will be more on Monday, Tuesday and I believe Wednesday.
This is my unbiased analysis of what I saw:
Bill O'reilly did not seem to be to be as "fair and balanced" as he claims but, then again, some conservatives can't see past idealogy and see the person I guess. I saw his interview with Hillary and, while I understand the need to move on quickly since time is limited, he was less argumentative with her than he was with Obama. Maybe he was nervous so we'll see how the other segments go.
As for Obama, his body language came across as being open, confident, friendly and interested in the discussion. He answered the rapid fire questions pretty well and, considering how often he was interrupted by Bill, he managed to respond intelligently...without the aide of a teleprompter. 
I think Bill got irritated when Obama wouldn't reveal exactly what his plans would be should Iran continue it's nuclear program, indicating that it would be inappropriate for any potential president to tip his hand in that area. He did, however, say more than once that he would not take the military option off the table and that he will never hesitate to use our military forces in order to protect this country and our interests.
So, that's the little bit I was able to catch. Did anyone see the entire thing or was that the entire thing?
I think Bill got irritated when Obama wouldn't reveal exactly what his plans would be should Iran continue it's nuclear program, indicating that it would be inappropriate for any potential president to tip his hand in that area. He did, however, say more than once that he would not take the military option off the table and that he will never hesitate to use our military forces in order to protect this country and our interests.
So, that's the little bit I was able to catch. Did anyone see the entire thing or was that the entire thing?2 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
5 Sep 08
I thought Obama did very well. I heard answers, real and direct answers I haven't heard before. I'll defend him reluctantly on the not answering specificly on iranian military options, I don't think that any president or potential president should, it would be most imprudent in a strategical and national security sense, it just leaves the answer open to interpretation as to whether or not he actualy had an answer or if this was just a dodge of the question, I'm giving the senator the benefit of the doubt.
Yes, it did seem Bill was "interupting". He does rush interviews along, tries to keep things on point and prefers staight forward answers and sometimes tries to elaboarate a question while the subject is answering it instead of waiting and repeating the question a different way. These are things you have to watch him regularly, and I don't mean snippets on youtube, to see and to get an idea of his interview style, it's a rapid fire, no time for vaugeness type of interview.
Over all a great interview on the part of Obama and O'Reilly. I can't wait for the rest of the instalments next week.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I don't normally get to watch Bill's show but I do usually spend my lunch hour listening to him on the radio so, yes, I'm familiar with his interview style...even when it comes to long time friends!
He did say in advance of his interview with Hillary, and again before he interviewed Obama, that because his time is so limited and because all politicians will go straight for their talking points at every opportunity, he was going to have to do his best to keep the answers short or he wouldn't get to ask all of the questions he wanted to ask. I will be tuning in next week, too.
He did say in advance of his interview with Hillary, and again before he interviewed Obama, that because his time is so limited and because all politicians will go straight for their talking points at every opportunity, he was going to have to do his best to keep the answers short or he wouldn't get to ask all of the questions he wanted to ask. I will be tuning in next week, too.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
5 Sep 08
I didn't watch it I was hoping that I could read it, I hate when they are interviewing people and it turns into a spitting match. I am really surprised about O'Reilly being hard on Obama because he has really lit up several people over the whole Obama is a Muslim thing. I guess I'll have to watch it the next time.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
5 Sep 08
you should watch zeph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5rfc54il6Q
And Obama actualy impressed me in this interview.
It was no where near a spitting match, just a good solid hard line questioning session. He has in the past defended Obama on things that were out of line or inacruate or things he agread with and critisized him him on things that were otherwise. He was no different with either Clinton OR McCain.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
5 Sep 08
Thanks for the link X, I hadn't checked youtube out for it. It was pretty good. I just hate all types of these shows. I don't care who the person being questioned is-McCain, Obama, Palin, Biden my dog, whoever, I really can't stand how they won't shut up and let the person answer the question. I could see if Bill said, what are you going to do to get the economy going. And the person being interviewed said, we are sending people over to Russia to defend Georgia. Then I understand cutting them off but geeze until then just shut up and let'em answer.
