NationStates Jolt Archive

For those who watched it, what is your opinion? Bill O'Reilly seems to be more conservative in my opinion, which would lead him to be easier on the Prez, but many think him to be very liberal, so don't talk about O'Reilly, but rather how Bush responded.

I think Bush overall spoke quite well. He did a little dodging and 'spinning' but overall, he was frank. O'reilly asked some difficult questions too. I think this interview made me respect Bush a little more, the fact that this wasn't staged the way the coming debates are. I wish John Kerry would do this too. I think a clarification of his views would really claim some votes.

BTW did anyone see the clip Fox News editted out? GWB forgot what state he was governor of, and was floored for about 8 seconds before he muttered Texas. Quite a good Bushism.

O'Rilley offered to have an interview with Kerry and put both interviews back to back on the day before the elections. Now THAT would be interesting! :)

Pleeeeaaaasssee link to that clip. I can think of nothing that would be funnier. Except, of course, "fool me once...(long pause) shame...shame on you. Fool me twice...(longer pause) You can't fool me again!"

I'll have to find one. It was soo funny. If anyone else finds it please post a link.

For those who watched it, what is your opinion? Bill O'Reilly seems to be more conservative in my opinion, which would lead him to be easier on the Prez, but many think him to be very liberal, so don't talk about O'Reilly, but rather how Bush responded.

I think Bush overall spoke quite well. He did a little dodging and 'spinning' but overall, he was frank. O'reilly asked some difficult questions too. I think this interview made me respect Bush a little more, the fact that this wasn't staged the way the coming debates are. I wish John Kerry would do this too. I think a clarification of his views would really claim some votes.

BTW did anyone see the clip Fox News editted out? GWB forgot what state he was governor of, and was floored for about 8 seconds before he muttered Texas. Quite a good Bushism.

It was a doctored clip meant as comedy.

What I thought was surprising was Bush's stance on immigrant workers. That is such a hot button issue with many cons, and O'Reilley wanting to completely militarize the border of Mexico. Especially in regards to safety and terrorism with all the tough talk about the borders. Bush thinks workers should be given border passes and be free to cross. I was stunned by this position. Several white supremecy groups have been fighting for this border thing to be sealed off, it's very interesting to see who supports what here.
Of course I do have to add that Bush said he supported the assault weapons ban, but he let it go. Anyhow his position as stated is surprising, is it just an election year appeal to mexican americans, or does he really express some empathy here?

O'Reilly is basically conservative, though he does have some liberal views. I too wish Kerry would do this type of interview and actually answer questions. He did an interview with Diane Sawyer (I think) and when she asked him if the war in Iraq was a mistake, he wouldn't give a straight answer. He started with a "given what we know now..." type of response. She asked again and he talked around it again. She tried a third time and was given an even longer, pointless non-answer. Either Kerry thinks we did the right thing by going in, but knows his political life hinges on his anti-war approach...or Kerry was simply trying to be vague enough to hopefully appeal to both the supporters and the critics of the war. This is a major problem with John Kerry. I totally understand why people may not like or agree with George Bush. But, I think it would be tough to vote for Kerry because you don't know which Kerry you'll get.

By the way, did anyone hear that Kerry said President Bush should focus more on the issues of the country than the issues facing Florida (because Bush was in Fla. yesterday to check out damage from the hurricanes). So should Bush have focused on the country and ignored New York after 9/11? It's not like Bush has been living in Fla. lately. FYI - guess where Kerry wound up yesterday...yep, Florida.

Of course I do have to add that Bush said he supported the assault weapons ban, but he let it go. Anyhow his position as stated is surprising, is it just an election year appeal to mexican americans, or does he really express some empathy here?

Bush said he would pass the assault weapons ban, but many people don't realize that it had to pass through Congress/Senate and get to his desk before he could sign it. There was nothing he could do if it didn't cross his desk. As for the immigrants issue, he announced his position on this a good while ago, so I'm not sure it's an election year issue. Not to mention, his stance may alienate some far right base Republicans -- not a great campaign strategy. But, I think this is typical Bush. He's a straight shooter (even his "enemies" say this when elections aren't at stake). He'll tell you what he thinks and, if you don't like it, don't vote for him. I don't have a problem with that approach.

But you also have to remember that the president has a lot of clout with Congress--ergo, if Bush truly wanted the ban to be renewed, there are a lot of things he could have done to make sure it passed Congress (i.e., President Reagan, a favorite of conservatives [and others], used to personally call members of Congress to try to get them to vote a certain way, as did President Clinton).

But you also have to remember that the president has a lot of clout with Congress--ergo, if Bush truly wanted the ban to be renewed, there are a lot of things he could have done to make sure it passed Congress (i.e., President Reagan, a favorite of conservatives [and others], used to personally call members of Congress to try to get them to vote a certain way, as did President Clinton).
You gotta think when his party controls both houses and couldn't get anything started, it doesn't speak well of leadership skills.

You gotta think when his party controls both houses and couldn't get anything started, it doesn't speak well of leadership skills.

Actually, I think he figured he would pass the ban because he would be ripped if it got to him and he didn't. However, I also think he realized that it's a pointless piece of legislation. The weapons that this ban outlawed weren't even high-powered weapons, nor were they automatic weapons. The were semi-automatic arms with the same power as hunting guns and that sort of thing. There are already laws making high-powered, automatic weapons illegal. Of course, it's all a moot point when you realize that the people who want to use weapons for evil will get them, illegal or not. Just ask those poor kids from Columbine. The two idiots who caused all that pain had no problems getting weapons, whether illegal or not. If people want weapons, they can get them. It's sad, but it's true.

Bush said he would pass the assault weapons ban, but many people don't realize that it had to pass through Congress/Senate and get to his desk before he could sign it. There was nothing he could do if it didn't cross his desk. As for the immigrants issue, he announced his position on this a good while ago, so I'm not sure it's an election year issue. Not to mention, his stance may alienate some far right base Republicans -- not a great campaign strategy. But, I think this is typical Bush. He's a straight shooter (even his "enemies" say this when elections aren't at stake). He'll tell you what he thinks and, if you don't like it, don't vote for him. I don't have a problem with that approach.
I do "realize" that and the GOP controls all three branches right now. If they can't get passed what they want then? I take it to mean he's giving lip service because he knows his supporters in Congress won't pass it. Those kids at Columbine bought those weapons legally don't try to obfuscate the issue since you brought up that example. The thing is if it would happen today they would have the 50 round clips for the guns that were previously banned. Maybe some people don't "realize" that.
You know, I just made a few statements about what I saw without bashing bush and you gotta come in with your condescending rhetoric you turd.

John Stewart broke down the Bill O'Reilly interview pretty damn well. bill o reilly and bush just ended up looking like morons, obviously

Actually I didn't see any Bush bashing. I think the greatest thing going for him is that he talks straight, or at least appears to. I'd rather know what I will get and suffer a little than take my chances on something I may hate worse..

It's like travelling on the highway and you're hungry... You don't stop at Ma and Pa's grill, you stop at McDonalds or Wendy's because you'll know what you're getting. Even if Ma and Pa's Grill is busy as hell, you don't want to take chances and settle with McDeez.

If Kerry did this interview (although I'd wonder how O'reilly would treat him) it would be a huge boost, especially if the interviews were played back to back. That would show Kerry had some real balls.

Kery isnt going to appear on the O'Reilly factor or any other nutcase fox news show, bill o'reilly sat around trying to make bush look good and attack the left all at the same time in his "no spin zone" what bullshit. kerry has no reason to go on the o'reilly factor, it would not be a fair interview

why doesnt bush go talk to john stewart, or if he already has, go do it again, i didnt see it the first time.

Those kids at Columbine bought those weapons legally don't try to obfuscate the issue since you brought up that example. The thing is if it would happen today they would have the 50 round clips for the guns that were previously banned.

Obfuscate the issue? What? Some of the guns were gifts from family members. Legally purchased, yes. Legal for a minor to own? No. Others were active Straw Purchases, ie getting someone else to buy the gun for you because you cannot legally purchase it. Highly illegal. The original individual buying the gun was leagl to purchase, but what was done with it afterward made the overal purchase illegal.

And the 50rd clip thing is bunkum too. Hi-cap clips have been available for purchase the entire time during the ban. They just could not be produced without the Law-enforcement only stamp. Three days prior to AWB sunsetting, I could've walked into any gunshop and bought hi-cap mags.

It helps if you know what you're talking about before you shoot your mouth off.

[QUOTE=Chess Squares]Kery isnt going to appear on the O'Reilly factor or any other nutcase fox news show, bill o'reilly sat around trying to make bush look good and attack the left all at the same time in his "no spin zone" what bullshit. kerry has no reason to go on the o'reilly factor, it would not be a fair interview[QUOTE]

In the unlikely event that Kerry is elected President and Commander In Chief ( now THERE's a frightening thought! ) do you really think that all interviews and audiences to which he will speak will be friendly? I suspect that his reluctance to accept interviews with people who are going to call him on his record is little better than cowardice. Just what we need ... a yellow President.

You know, I just made a few statements about what I saw without bashing bush and you gotta come in with your condescending rhetoric you turd.

First off, when I joined this place I didn't realize that I was signing up for 2nd grade and immature name-calling. "Turd?" Very mature.

Secondly, I don't see how my "rhetoric" was condescending. It's a fact that many people don't realize that the bill needed to get to Bush's desk before he signed it. Many people think that he can just pass it on his own. But, if stating some facts is what we're now calling "condescending rhetoric," then I guess that's what I was putting out there.

Finally, I think Bearhatistan covered the Columbine thing pretty well.

Yeah...try not to flame, but if you have to, at least be a bit more creative about it. :p

All I know about this interview is that my roommates told me that O'Reilly was much easier on Bush than he ever is on anyone. Apparently he let him do that dodging questions thing he does without calling him on it like he does with everyone else.

Obfuscate the issue? What? Some of the guns were gifts from family members. Legally purchased, yes. Legal for a minor to own? No. Others were active Straw Purchases, ie getting someone else to buy the gun for you because you cannot legally purchase it. Highly illegal. The original individual buying the gun was leagl to purchase, but what was done with it afterward made the overal purchase illegal.

And the 50rd clip thing is bunkum too. Hi-cap clips have been available for purchase the entire time during the ban. They just could not be produced without the Law-enforcement only stamp. Three days prior to AWB sunsetting, I could've walked into any gunshop and bought hi-cap mags.

It helps if you know what you're talking about before you shoot your mouth off.

Ok, maybe I was wrong. I guess I've only used the 10 round clip for the AK to save money on ammo and I'm not trying to commit mass murder. Somewhere I got that rhetoric and I didn't check the facts. I still don't have anything better than your word here to go on.

I'm sorry for the turd also. I don't really think you are Mr. Hanky.
What I was hoping for is some examination of Bush's policy on immigrants, does it really example what he says. If he makes good on that I would be surprised and give him some credit for it. I haven't been a fan of Bush or his family history.

O'Reilly was so easy on Bush it was sad. I was waiting for Bill to break down crying about how proud and patriotic Bush is. I'd be more willing to see each candidate do an interview with Chris Matthews. At least Chris would be more impartial and fair.