Hillary Clinton and Bill O’Reilly

A Tale of Two Moderates

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The Washington Post is reporting on Hillary Clinton’s appearance on “The O’Reilly Factor”, noting that this is the first time the Senator will appear on the “most highest rated cable news show”, despite the fact that the show has also included guests such as Dick Morris, who is not a fan of Hillary Clinton. What is misleading in the article is the fact that “The O’Reilly Factor” has never claimed to be a news show, rather, and op-ed, reporting facts, analyzed by Bill O’Reilly. One can’t be certain what types of questions O’Reilly might ask Mrs. Clinton, but one can bet he will ask about her take on policy. It is of little consequence that this particular cable show also offers airtime to Clinton detractors such as Dick Morris – Clinton’s appearance on this particular program will give her an opportunity to get her message across to those middle of the road, conservative leaning, and independent minded voters.

Bill O’Reilly is often accused of being a right-wing nut-case, teachers warn 8th grade students not to watch Fox News and that Bill O’Reilly (personal note: my daughters, parochial school, math teacher told them that they should never watch Fox News, especially Bill O’Reilly, fortunately, she has been brought up to watch not only Fox, but CNN and MSNBC in order to make a fair assessment of all sources). Those remarks normally come from individuals who have never watched the program; the man may be annoying, especially if one does not agree with his point of view, but, that said, he is consistent in his treatment of show guests – whether they be left, center or right, and he is specifically energetic in his quest to protect our nations children. He always points out that it is his opinion of the facts as he sees them, which, unless one cannot grasp the point, opinion is not hard-news. Of course, hard-news reporters such as Bill Moyer’s of PBS, often dish up their opinion in the form of “news” (see Bill Moyer’s interview with Rev. Jeremiah Wright) which resembles little more than a progressive tea-party. Plan on watching the interview on Fox News Channel, in two parts, tonight and Thursday, at 8:00 p.m, then tune in to the follow-up emails: guarantee: too hard and too soft – will be how the audience sees it.

Hillary Clinton will have an opportunity to win the hearts and minds of those middle of the road, independent thinking individuals. Those women, especially those inclined to vote, which may just be looking at her from a perspective slightly different than the media would have the nation believe. It is not as simple as “she appeals to older women” because they are voting based on feminist values and want to see a woman, any woman, in the Oval office. Bunk to that statement. From a conservative feminist Republican, granted older, point of view, it is the constant stupid remarks from male media personalities that have given likeminded women a reason to delve a bit deeper into Hillary – her background, her voting record – and we like what we see. Hillary Clinton has, for the most part, been moderate in her voting record, and has been part of both parties. She does not strike one as the type of woman who would ride on her husbands coattails (as some might suggest) rather a woman who is strong and independent. While, admittedly, conservative feminists cannot agree with her point of view, specifically as it relates to her Pro-Choice stance, there are a host of issues that make her a perfect candidate, and most of those are centered on national defense. Unlike one other high-profile female holding the highest office in the House, Clinton does not strike one as the type to done a pretty had scarf whilst meeting with terrorist sponsoring nations, she is, as the Govenror of North Carolina stated: “No Pansy”, and those of us old enough to remember that this phrase means a man who is less than capable of acting on a crisis, are agreeing. Perhaps Hillary Clinton is the Maggie Thatcher women in this country have been seeking. The test will come in this interview segment, where Ms. Clinton will have the opportunity to appeal to those moderates and conservatives who are just not comfortable with John McCain.