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

[escobar]

He is a good propagandist.
One of the most persuasive arguments among Republicans is that we have not had another 9/11. The party depends upon fear.
Here he is laying ground work with bis choice of words.
Evidence..­.of a crime
Lynching party...fo­r a capital crime.
He will agree to a hanging when the evidence presents itself..ev­en if through an anonymous phone call.
He also says he is the voice of reason, as others are willing to hang her already.
He doesn't "Want" to join in....but he will.
He is a Pied Piper for thugs and morons.
A true spokesman for Republican ideals and Fox news.
The man is an expert propaganda artist.
He should be encouraged, interviewed, baited, and exposed for what he is.
Know her by her enemies.
He is a fascist.

[cae]

I suppport Hillary Clinton but this transgresses the singular confines of politics. What could permit a major TV talk show host to use that word on air in reference to ANY person? He doesn't "want to go on a lynching party"--what the heck does that mean? Who would come up with a phrase like that?

He should be suspended or fired but the latter won't happen because of his ratings. DISGRACEFUL!

[Saganslegacy]

That is a clear case of hate talk.

With a specific background, a specific history attached.

The guy is disgusting.

[hiplib]

"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."

Oh yes, God forbid that anyone, let alone a black woman, should dare to believe that America is in any way a flawed nation. Utterly flawless, everyone must admit, or hanging's too good for "em.
Sounds like liberal media bias to me.

[eej]

O'Reilly is really courting the black voters for McCain, isn't he?

[eznelson]

Someone has purposefully tried to spin the Michelle Obama speech in a negative way. Check out the two links below where the first link is the original video of the speech and then compare it to the second one below which is what FOX and the Associated Press used. Watch her lips and listen to the video. The word "really" has clearly been edited out by someone on purpose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffGpYcTu5GI

Video that has been edited where the word "really" was edited out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyZGaeUZkAM

This constitutes fraud on the part of the networks and should be investigated.

The Obama's clearly have a case for a lawsuit against whomever is trying to perpetrate this fraud against the Obama's.

[Spender]

Shuster refers to the "pimping" of The Clinton's daughter and the media firestorm STILL rages.
O'Reilly invokes a horrible racial image and is still on ther air, spewing poison.
Are people AFRAID of Rupert Murdoch? Where is the call for O'Reilly's suspension/firing in the MSM?
This man HAS to go.
Contact sponsors. Start the Boycott!

[HLMerkin]

Quit watching it.

[transendentilist]

I think we should all file formal complaints with the FCC. Not even Murdock trumps the FCC. They could pull FOX's license if they wanted to.

[PTTY]

We need to write to the sponsors of his Radio and TV shows just like Reilly does.

This is just as bad as the Tiger Woods Lynching and all the other lynching.

He is trying to incite Racist to Kill the Obama's and he knows this just as soon as he says a Lynching Party, unless. He is a horrible beast.

[OhPlease2007]

It was totally inappropriate for O'Reilly to make these remarks; there are no excuses. Unlike Imus, I predict that Sharpton will *not* go after O'Reilly, because they seemingly are buds; not best buds, ... but buds nonetheless.

[LAcarlito]

Fox Noise will increase Bill Orally's ad rates after the free press that he will get from this dust up. The jerk is disgusting, but following in the footsteps of Nixon, Orally and Fox believe negative press is better than no press. So it goes.

[PuffAndStuff]

So if he were to have some sort of 'evidence' he'd then be 'lynching' her.

Nice deliberate choice of racist wording by this bonafide shock-jock. What a jackass.

[Gracie2008]

How similar to the Shuster comment, don't you think?

[init]

I knew that they would resort to race since they obviously cannot find anything else on Obama. I'll say this: if it will ever be an Obama Administration (FCC) Right-wing radio, Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Phil Henry, O'Reilly, your ride is over MFs'. Rush should have been long gone on drug cases if nothing else. The world is watching and Obama's voters are way too many!And the Clintons, my god what happened to them? Why are they so desperate? Their day is gone. No one in their right mind "comes back."

[newpotusplease]

can someone please provide westwood one radio contact info to register a complaint and Roger Ailes FOX News complaint contact info?? Please!

[bison1]

Because of statements such as “ I don't want to go on a lynching party against Michelle Obama unless there's evidence . . .” serves to exemplify why many Americas have had cause at times not to be proud of their country. Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain share a different American experience. Their respective lives are indicative of the two Americas. Michelle’s and Cindy’s pride in American are seen thorough different lens.

[goldstategirl]

AWESOME OBSERVATION. When this story broke, I immediately thought about Edwards' concept that we have Two Americas..­..we actually have more than that but yeah...you get it.