Bill O'Reilly: "I Don't Want To Go On A Lynching Party Against Michelle Obama Unless There's Evidence"

From Media Matters:

In a discussion of recent comments made by Michelle Obama, Bill O'Reilly took a call from a listener who stated that, according to "a friend who had knowledge of her," Obama " 'is a very angry,' her word was 'militant woman.' " O'Reilly later stated: "I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence, hard facts, that say this is how the woman really feels. If that's how she really feels -- that America is a bad country or a flawed nation, whatever -- then that's legit. We'll track it down."

Read the entire Media Matters post about the comment, made on Bill O'Reilly's radio show yesterday, here, or listen to the audio below:

Update: Portfolio.com's Jeff Bercovici reports that David Tabacoff, O'Reilly's executive producer, has defended the remark:

"What Bill said was an obvious repudiation of anyone attacking Michelle Obama," he said, according to Fox spokeswoman. "As he has said more than ten times, he is giving her the benefit of the doubt."

Comments

[hmmmmmer]

If Imus would have said this the MSM would have been all over it like flies on poop. Orally seems to be able to say anything he wants without any remorse or explanation. The man is a pig, period.

[Emmagoldmanbabe]

The real sickening thing about this is that so many people listen to this man and think that he's actually smart and interesting.


This election has definately caught us all with our ass showing- sexism, racism and all of our other social diseases are bubbling up.

[nerakami]

OReilly's choice of words "lynching" in relating it to a black woman is very unfortunate, as clearly there is a dark and painful history for black people associated with that word therefore, it is really ironic since Bill could also be called on for his poor choice of words.... goes to show, we are all human beings,not robots therefore will never say and do things that everyone else will always be in harmony with. Let it go Bill...

[LeftVetPatriot]

Let BILL go.

[LunaNik]

What makes you think O'Really chose his words poorly? I think it was carefully calculated to get his face above the fold again.

[BonnieJW]

Why does he still have a job???? This is so despicable, yet typical for him. But I so tired of tolerating O'Reilly's "typical."

[Rendon76]

He really thinks he's bad doesn't he. (laugh)

[pfc1369]

B.O. is too big a money maker for them.
If his ratings tanked, he'd be gone in a heartbeat.

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, matters to those who own and control the American media except the profit margin.

[mamacat]

Just when I think the Republicans can't possibly do anything else to disgust me, they do something to prove me wrong.
Do O'Reilly and his handlers really have no idea how offensive this behaviour is? Are they intentionally trying to extinguish all decency in America?

[OlongapoEd]

I'm sure they do know how offensive it is, but they don't care. They will use any criticism as an excuse to whine about how "persecuted" they are. And yes, they are "intentionally trying to extinguish all decency in America" because basic human decency is not Ideologically Sound.

[scandals&skeletons]

it's kinda interesting that the obama camp isn't calling for o'reillys head. contrast that with hillary calling for shusters head after his insensitive remark. this magnifies the fact that obama wants to move forward and heal the country while clinton continues her divisive ways.

[tbone99]

They probably don't want to draw any more attention to Michelle's statement .Also they would be accused ( sigh) of playing the "race card".

I wonder at what point an A.A can be free of playing the race card? When the noose is cut off? Let me guess thats when they bring up that a few Italians or jews have been lynched too ,so its not "about race."

[browndoe]

Are you kidding? Now that O'Reilly has been ridiculously offensive, we can't hold Michelle accountable for her statement and the attitudes it may well reveal. Bill O took her off the hook.

[Diana]

'...michelle accountable for her statement.' WHAT STATEMENT? Since when is talking about her personal vision of America any of your business? It's her opinion.

You, the great brainwashed, simply buy into the most absurd notion of democracy. The idea that patriotism has anything to do with one's opinion, on anything, is grade-school.

But it's also dangerous. It's the sort of false call to arms that corrupt regimes (whether fascist or communist) exploit.

[Whycee54]

I don't want to have a castration party on Bill O'Reilly unless there is evidence of him having anything to castrate. radio waves, say this is how the male really feels. If that's how he really feels then that's legit. We'll track them down no matter how small the target, let'slice and dice.

[americanwhocares]

Why does Bill O'Rielly still have a job? He is a vile, racist, redneck repug. This should be the headline in every newspaper tomorrow morning. WHY IS A RACIST STILL EMPLOYED BY FAUX non-NEWS? The Answer is corporate money.

[Georgiadude]

O'Reilly is sickening, he knew what he was doing, this MUST not stand. All Americans should be outraged.

This type of behavior is un-American, how can anyone defend is statement?

[connorin]

your wanting of censorship is un-American...how can anyone defend you?

[hank48188]

Does this mean I can't use the expressions like, "He got nailed to the cross for that" or "they crucified him for that remark" for fear the Christians might be offended? Lighter up! it is just a figure of speech.

[Seattlelite]

What people should be concerned about is how once again there are people determined to take this election into the gutter. Rather you like the Obama's or not there is no denying they are and have been positive and not resorted to dirty political games. Which is why Senator Obama is doing so well and Hillary Clinton is not!

[hank48188]

I not saying this McCain story in the NYTimes is coming from the Obama camp, but the 2 people that were taken out in the 2004 Illinois Senate primary and General election by damaging stories need to be looked at more closely. Those looked like just dirty politics to me.

[Collielady]

I don't know about Michelle Obama's personality, but we do know that Billo' is angry and millitant. He's not one to judge others.

[totalliberal]

The only people who are are more impressed with Bill-O than he himself are his nose-pickin, drool-bib usin, devoted followers.

His show should be used as a intelligence test for the, "No Child Left Behind", bullshit. The longer you can listen to him, the dumber you are. If it's more than a half-hour, you should be put on life-support.

[scottymac11]

What goes on in O'Reilys head? He will decide when it is appropriate to lynch a black lady. Would he decide if it was appropriate to throw John Libermans wife into a concentration camp or oven? Maybe he thinks he should decide when it is appropriate to torture MaCains wife? In his bumbled head he sees himself as some kind of karmic equalizer who dispenses his concept of ironic justice. What a sickO'Reily.

[SDnavyPROUD]

I think its safe to say, whatever level of embarrassment and media life the statement was for Mr. and Mrs. Obama, will now be ouvershadowed by the lunacy of Oreily's rants.

For me it's just proof there is a God watching over us. Thank You Jesus!