Bill O'Reilly Chickens Out

[NIGHTWATCH]

O'Reilly chickens out of his Patriot Act challenge
The "No Spin Zone" now spinning out of control

July 24, 2004 -- On July 13, Bill O'Reilly offered a challenge to debate anyone on the Patriot Act. His website has a transcript of this challenge.

Hollywood producer Aaron Russo (Trading Places, The Rose) accepted the O'Reilly challenge on behalf of his friend, Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik. At this point, O'Reilly flipped 180 degrees and declined to debate Badnarik.

Below is a copy of correspondence between Russo and the O'Reilly people:

[e-mail from Russo]

any word from o'reilly regarding the acceptance of his challenge by michael badnarik, a presidential candidate on the ballot in 50 states... aaron russo

[response]

I checked again with Bill's office, having forwarded your email last week. According to producers, the "challenge" has apparently been misunderstood in terms of what Bill actually said on the air. There is no interest in having Mr. Badnarik on the show at this time.
Thank you!!

[response from Russo]

I am very sorry to hear this news.

It is unfortunate that O'Reilly would issue a challenge about debating the worthiness of the "Patriot Act" and then for obvious reasons back out... I saw the show, and cannot perceive what the producers claim was "misunderstood"...

If he wishes to change his position on endorsing the Patriot Act, that would be acceptable and in the best interests of the American people.... Anything short of that or debating Mr. Badnarik live on air w/o any editing will seriously challenge O'Reilly's credibility (Mr. O'Reilly is rumored to have edited shows in the past, to appear as if he won the debate)...

We do have a large presence on the web and the Libertarian Party will get it's "troops" working to make certain the world knows of O'Reilly's censorship and prejudice... and deviousness.

We will no longer tolerate being treated as 2nd class citizens by the media... We will no longer tolerate being segregated against by the likes of O'Reilly who screams "fair and balanced" and "no spin zone" but in actuality is a segregationist who wants to keep the Libertarian Presidential candidate at the back of the political bus to protect Mr. Bush.

The days of the Libertarian Party being meek are over, we are moving to the front of the bus and demanding our right (as the largest 3rd party in America) to be heard.

Only in this way will the American people have an opportunity to vote for a man and a political party who truly believe in the Constitution and Bill of Rights.... Mr. Badnarik does not pretend to believe in our Constitution for cosmetic reasons like O'Reilly, George Bush and John Kerry. ...

GIVE THE PEOPLE A CHOICE IN THIS ELECTION.

"ALL OUR FREEDOMS ALL THE TIME"
AARON RUSSO

Badnarik Communications Director Stephen Gordon has verified that Michael Badnarik is not "too frightened" and is still prepared to accept O'Reilly's challenge.

Additional contact information:
Aaron Russo
Phone: (323)936-5177
E-mail: [email protected]

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/7/prweb143702.htm

 

[Justin]

I would expect nothing less from cable television's most pompous populist windbag.

 

[R.H. Lee]

Blowhard.

 

[Revolutionist]

It is time to take over the bus.

 

[Billy the Kid]

ORielly has always been a bit of a chicken, when he loses ind ebate on his show he will turn off the guests microphone.

 

[Boats]

What's with all of the allusions to Rosa Parks? The LP isn't even on the bus. May not even be at the stop.

 

[FedDC]

Bill never said he would not hold a debate on that topic, he just wants to debate someone that has an actual political impact in today's world and frankly, that guy is not a true contender.

 

[Beren]

I've never been a fan of O'Reilly. If I recall correctly, he's in favor of continuing the Assault Weapons Ban, among other statist laws.

 

[bountyhunter]

He is the biggest a-hole on TV. He is an arrogant, obnoxious bully who cuts people off and bushwhacks them to make himself look good. It amazes me anyone would go on his show. He is a disgrace to "journalism" (apologies to real journalists everywhere).

 

[NIGHTWATCH]

Bill never said he would not hold a debate on that topic, he just wants to debate someone that has an actual political impact in today's world and frankly, that guy is not a true contender

Ok "Fed"+ "DC"

Actual political impact? He (O'Reilly) has debated often and given much airtime to leftist celebrities on the Iraq War. Badnarik is the LP presidential candidate. The largest 3rd party in the country. On this issue (Patriot Act) Badnarik has much to say. And this is a talk show....true contender? Or a voice that both parties want to silence?

 

[flatrock]

My opinion of Bill O'Reilly has been going down some. He's definately opinionated, but I think he's at least honest.

However, he tries to pack his show with too many short segments, and doesn't give his guests enough leeway to discuss the topic.

As for cutting off people's microphones... I've only seen him do that when the "guest" is getting off subject or continuing to spout dogma instead of engaging in a discussion after repeated attempts to bring them back on subject.

There are a lot of people who use TV interviews to spout crap and don't answer the questions they are asked, or have to approve the questions beforehand.

On the Factor, those people aren't allowed to direct the conversation the way they want and ignore the things they don't want to discuss.

My problem with O'Reilly is that he seems to be getting too arrogant and isn't giving people enough leeway to present their side when he disagrees with them. It used to be that I believed that someone going on the show to make an honest attempt to discuss an issue would get an oppertunity to present their point as long as they made a good faith effort to enter into a discussion rather than making a speech. I'm not sure that's always true anymore.

 

[rock jock]

Actually, I would love to see Badnarik debate O'Reilly. Then the whole world could see what an imbecile he is and a fair number of Libertarians might wake up and see what a waste a vote for him would be.

 

[Waitone]

O'Reilly is like a lot of media types.

He confuses access to a soapbox with knowledge of a topic.

"I have access to X million viewers so I therefore know the ins and outs of gun control."

Makes sense to me!

 

[Zak Smith]

Bill never said he would not hold a debate on that topic, he just wants to debate someone that has an actual political impact in today's world and frankly, that guy is not a true contender.

You're talking about the same Bill O'Reilly that interviewd Leonard Peikoff, right?

-z

 

[Foreign Devil]

Bill O'Reilly is a pretentious, sanctimonious jerk with authoritarian leanings and more mouth than brains.

 

[Bruce H]

If Badnarik and O'Reilly were to debate would they wear numbers? Otherwise how would we be able to tell the idiots apart.

 

[VaniB.]

...for that matter our NRA's Wayne LaPierre doesn't impress me as a genius either, but we can't always get what we want.

I don't know anything abour Badneck (and don't care to know sinse I don't day dream or wish upon a star), but I wouldn't mind having an opinionated and forcefull orator in the style of O'Reilley representing my 2nd amendment rights. But, I know O'Reilley is not a gun rights supporter. But, so then who is a strong and forcefull voice on our side who can hold the attention of the American people about the importance of our 2nd amendment rights? Ted Nugent?

 

[Foreign Devil]

"Opinionated and forceful"? I think the words "obnoxious and overbearing" are more accurate.

There are good 2nd amendment spokesmen out there, they just haven't stepped up to the plate yet.

O'Reilly being anti gun is no loss at all. In fact it convinces me more than ever that the 2nd amendment is needed in case demagogues like him ever actually start influencing people.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

authoritarian leanings

Bingo FD. Bill O'Reilly has some moments, but he's no friend of Liberty.

 

[WonderNine]

Blowhard.

BlowhardMania 04'!