Barack Obama On "The O'Reilly Factor": Surge Has "Succeeded Beyond Our Wildest Dreams"

Barack Obama made his long-anticipated debut on Fox News' "O'Reilly Factor" Thursday night, where he talked about the Iraq war and national security.

"I think that the surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated," Obama told O'Reilly in an interview taped Thursday in York, PA. "It's succeeded beyond our wildest dreams."

In the excerpt shown Thursday night, Obama also listed the United States' enemies for O'Reilly: "Al Qaeda, the Taliban, a whole host of networks that are bent on attacking America who have a distorted ideology who have perverted the faith of Islam and so we have to go after them."

In regards to a nuclear Iran, Obama said it would be "unacceptable for Iran to possess a nuclear weapon; it would be a game changer" and he assured both O'Reilly and the Fox News audience that he "would never take military action off the table."

Watch:

More excerpts from O'Reilly's interview with Obama will air next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on "The O'Reilly Factor."

Comments

[editrix66]

You know, actually, this might be good. O'Reilly was a jerk to Obama, and Obama was classy. But this gives other interviewers license to be "tough" on McCain and Palin. They can ask similar very specific questions and when called on it by Rick Davis point to the specific question that O'Reilly asked Obama.

[DarkandStormyNight]

The probably won't get the chance to to that with Palin as Rick Davis has strongly suggested that Palin won't be sitting in on interviews. The American pulic will have learn about Palin from the debates and from whatever them media can dig up on her. I can only hope with Biden wipes up the floor with her without looking like a bully.

[mdmpo]

That term "bully" implies that a tougher, bigger person is picking on a weaker person. I think she took that term out of the race. It would be sexist if the media continues to use it.

[plymouth44]

Hey Bloviating Billo... How can anything be considered a success if it was wrong to begin with. The whole point is this, we should not have ben there in the 1st place. 4500 dead soldiers countless thousands with physical and psychological disabilites... for waht mr Billo? The Shiite figured how to get rid of the U.S.... stop the violence for now and once the infidel is gone, we strike. Shiite will rule Iraq. But the surge worked...

[ellehill]

Why hasn't today's editorial by Bill O'Reilly in the NY Post been put up? Cannot actually find it on the Post site - will somebody do this please! It's a thoughtful, complimentary piece on Obama. Can anyone doubt that this man should be president?

[5stanf]

Hmmm.......I wonder If Palin would be able to handle an interview like Obama handled that one?? I can't wait for the debates!!!

[rachelwebster]

it amazes me what Bill O can get away with in the name of journalism. He repeately interrupted Obama, dismissed his answers with a wave of the hand and shake of the head and kept rolling his eyes like spoiled bored little child, as if to impy he was too important and busy to be doing such a silly interview ehn he's the one thats been egging him on for months. No matter how the questions are answered it will never be good enough and he made that clear from the get go. Unbelievable!

[Ipanema]

The guy is loud mounth and a right-wing idealogue. He never went to journalism school and has no qualifications and temperament to be a journalist. He is rude and an idiot who can't shut up and constantly iterrupts the guest with his shoot-from-the-hip idiotic pronoucements. His constant interruption of Obama says everything you need to know about this jerk! Obama beautifully stood his ground against this bully and idiot.

[marred]

I totally agree!

[Bluejay00234]

Agreed.

[johnthomascook]

O'riely promised a person in Boulder, Co that if he came on the show, he would not talk about his children. I understand he did talk about the person's child.

[SwingVoter]

O'reilly on Obama: http://www.billoreilly.com/newslettercolumn?pid=24183

[barackobama4prez]

Wow....Maybe Billo isn't as dense as i thought....what a well written, fair blog entry.

[azyuwish]

I just emailed Bill telling him that I thought his blog entry was evidence that he could be a fair and real journalist. I said it was refreshing. Knowing that O'Reilly definitely is in the conservative tank, it says alot about how far he went to give an honest appraisal of Obama and this time, without the spin.

Hope this is contagious on FOX.

[Charmed]

Wow, I'm shocked that Bill wrote that......absolutely speechless.

[LeftCoaster64]

O'Reilly more often than not will let his guests presents their point of view and though he can be bombastic and full of himself, you don't get the ignorance you get every time Hannity opens his big, ignorant mouth.

[wanttruth]

I'm pleasantly surprised by Bill O'reilly's column. He was tough but fair! Sen. Obama deserves respect for how hard he's worked during this election. The column was very good.

[tr88]

Why are you all surprised? Becasue of your bias?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

Fox is far more fair than any other news outlet. The crazies just wont admit to it.

[savvy2]

Yes, he's had perhaps more time and hard work campaigning to be the President of this country than he's had actually gaining the experience needed to be an effective President. I think the whole ball of wax comes down to the fact that we've all become so media-addicted (TV, movies, internet), we think a great and eloquent speaker, which is what Obama is, is more capable of being the leader of the free world than a man who has the real experience and fortitude to do the job right -- which is what McCain is. Debating and speaking well are good, necessary skills, but not the be-all end-all that so many people are making of it. If you really believe that Obama is going to be the one to run the country, think again. He is a mere puppet, unfortunately. No, I'll save my vote for a man whose character is outstanding, whose service to this country is unquestionable, and who hates war -- because believe me, military men hate war because they know all about it.

[mypov123]

I'm surprised at what he wrote as well, but he was still dismissive of Obama during the interview, he's a jerk regardless, and so is Sean Hannity. Honestly, I think that O'Reilly's review of his interview with Obama has more to do with Obama's secret meeting with Murdoch about the network's treatment of he and Michelle in their "reporting"; I think Fox is trying to make themselves look "fair and balanced" even though we all know they're not.

[okayigive]

I tend to disagree with you on the later part of your comment. Bill O had prejudged Se. O.b.ama based on stereotypes, and personal ignorance the same way he had he did when he went to the AA restuarant. Being confronted face to face he was able to see, and appreciate Sen. O.b.ama for the man he is. He was also able to alleviate whatever fears he held regarding Sen. O.b.ama being a man of conventions, will not cower under pressure and will not be swayed. The waving off that many had noticed was just a reaction that Bill O. recognized that he was not going to win the argument if he proceed so IMO he just decided it's best to move on. He didn't want to be lectured on the merits of Sen. O.b.ama's stance out of fear that Sen. O.bama would be able to convince not only him but the audience and weaken their base even further. He probably also realized that Sen. O.b.ama speaks with a passion, he surely couldn't blow his rough persona on TV by showing a bit of liking him.

[DarkandStormyNight]

O'Reilly (or Pappa Bear as Colbert warmly refers to him) is no different than the speakers who talked about his background with distain and laughed at his experince as a community organizer. If Palin were to go on O'Reilly's show, he would be nothing but respectful. I learn recently that Karl Rove is now a Fox Analyst. Is that new or old news? I doesn't surprise me.

[AdultFilmLegend]

O sounded an awful lot like Bush. Close your eyes and listen: the words are the same.

Whoever wins in November, one thing is for certain: Iran is next.

[timo3093]

Of course Iran is next.
The question of Obama's willingness to use force or not use force in confronting Iran is nothing more than theater to send you their way.

This election is about selecting a commander in chief that can confront Iran militarily if need be without engaging America in a wider conflict throughout the middle east .....or russia for that matter......

Obama is correct. Do not confuse the war on terrorism with Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons and intimidate its neighbors.

They arent enriching uranium for alah or suicide bombers on bicycles.

They want power.

[cobobs]

Democrat cannot afford to sound "weak on defense". That is what in part was playing here. That need to look strong can also cause wars.

[MorpheusXNYC]

Yeah, but I wouldn't put too much stock in what Barack says on Fox. He knows the audience he's playing to, so wisely, he'll say what they want to hear in order to get some of their votes.
It's a tactic and at this point, I could care less what he says in order to get elected because we all know what he'll REALLY do once in office.

He'll pull us back from the brink and position us to recover financially and diplomatically around the world, plus he'll create an entire new generation of Democratic voters who will remember his soaring oratory, deeply humane stands on issues, the adoration and respect the world will have for the U.S. once again and his groundbreaking presidency.

Hopefully, we can be the world leaders in new energy technologies and achieve global dominance in that area in order to check China's superpower leanings.

[JohnnyRivers]

Obama can't afford to sound "McSame on defense". These are two huge Obama blunders that will cost him greatly. Meeting with O'Reilly, (a hero in the GOP's Hate Media Machine), was a stupid move and even worst is giving "Bush's Surge" consideration without any concrete evidence of success. There is no concrete evidence that the "surge" did anything but cost more money and prolong the occupation of Iraq. It's only more smoke to hide the fact that there was never any concrete evidence of Iraq having WMD's. Obama needs to shift gears and Americans need to connect the dots or we are going to screw up another chance to stand-up to the GOP.

[Einstein44]

I am proud that Obama stood to his ground against Bill "We'll do it live " O'Reilly..At least, he was not afraid of answering the questions like McCain and Palin...

[ebanks84]

I was totally impressed with O'Reilly's review of their meeting. He was honest with his views of Obama's character and strengths. He was very intellectual with him and gave him his dues.

I have a new perspective on O'Reilly for doing the right thing for a change. I hope he keeps it up.

[rachelwebster]

but could he have been more rude and condescending during the interview?

[barackobama4prez]

I winced here and there but honestly? He didn't need to handle Barack with kid gloves. He's an a$$ to all his liberal guests. This is what made Barack shine, IMHO because he can truly take a punch from anyone and still stand his ground.

[FACINGREALIT]

If he hadn't been the conservatives would have thought that he was in the tank FOR Obama. Bill treated his like any other guests and that was important for the genuine effect. Yet, the review was totally unexpected - On that note, Bill was sincere and actually read Obama and saw the man that over 18 million voted for - Bill is now a BELIEVER and understands that Obama would be the next great president and that accessment goes a long way to the hearts and minds of his viewers!

Obama held his own - and was prepared like no other time I've seen him. What many do/did not understand is that Obama was running against a woman and as such his chilvary superceded his attack dog mode....which is why McCain decided to choose another woman - to try and throw O off his game, not realizing O has the nomination now, and its on!

[NotPC]

Wow, what took him so long? Could it be his poll numbers are quite low, and he had to finally go on the "most watched" cable news program to try to bump them up a bit? Why did he decide to stop boycotting Fox News - he's never had anything positive to say about the network. Aren't you the ones who were so nasty when any mention of BO appearing on Fox (debates), simply enraged you? Why the sudden change of heart?
Quite frankly I thought he was a coward for boycotting Fox News..........if he couldn't stand up to their quesioning, how was he ever going to stand up to the countries who are a threat to this nation?

[ptobe]

Um ... his numbers have spiked this week.

That said, in a few minutes, he just showed more substance and insight when it comes to foreign policy than McCain has shown in the entire campaign.

[SeeDaddy]

Now Obama starts to cut McCain off at the knees. Watch Mc fall.

[droolhound]

I agree. Besides dredging up his POW past ad nauseum and pummelling the 9/11 scare script into people's heads, what has McCain even said about foreign policy.

Obama just showed he's far more substantive and brings an actual context and perspective to foreign affairs that the other candidate sorely lacks.

[GUESSWHOITSME]

Kind of like Palin is doing right now?

[barackobama4prez]

uh...john bush cancelled larry king live and sarah cheney won't even take questions. come back when you have something intelligent to say.

[Daly]

because the owner of Fox Rupert Murdoch taled directly with Obama and asked him too. Why? because he thinks Obama will win in November and while he lets fox do their thing because he's bottom line is $ he is no fan of O'Bill-o.

Murdoch had to smooth the way - understand?

[londongal]

NotPC, please apply your same standards to Ms. Palin. THANK YOU!!!

[JulianJons]

Now I would love John McCain to face Keith Olbermann or Bill Maher or Michael Moore, but he doesnt have cojones for that despite saying he isnt afraid to face anything, he is a big sissy.

[ebanks84]

JM would need an interpreter to talk with O'Ry. There is no match there. O'Ry is too smart. But he met his match with BO. hehehehe. I love it!

[Daly]

I vote for McCain to go against Ari Huff or Rachael - he has issues with smart women

[SisterSoul-08]

I can hear him now, "give him to me, I'll make him admit the surge worked". Obama wasn't having it. The surge introduced more human lives in harms' way which is what Obama was against. To reduce it to a "strategy" doesn't put a human face on it. Obama puts the human face on this war, while Mccain and co. do not see the human value in our service men and women.

It's good that he faced ENEMY NO. 1, FOX NEWS. What a man!

[sanang]

Actually by all accounts the "surge" was not what it seemed. Bob Woodward has a new book coming out that support that fact. Lets wait and see what the facts are.

[liz]

The book seems to support what Obama has been saying all along about the convergence of several events, not just the military part.
It will be very interesting to see what McCain makes of the revelations in the book

[ebanks84]

Yet JM went on the road today claiming that BO admitted the surge worked. He is such a big liar.

[IndependentMeans]

A lot of this was due to a cease fire by the insurgent's leader, not the surge. I like how Bill tries to cut Obama off when he starts to make a logical argument. Wow, Bill cannot handle logical at all.

[Trogenhorse]

It is stupid to argue the surge story. Obama has been right. He was against the war! That by definition means " No need for a surge"! The purpose of the surge...Political reconciliation! By definition the surge did not work!!!
How hard is it to get that point? There is no reason to spin it. Go to C-span, pull up GW's speech and why he asked for a surge. DONE. No reason for further arguement.

[GenXer]

Lets keep score with the surge. The U.S. pays people $300 a month and they don't shoot at our troops (Money well spent, but we are printing greenbacks as fast as we can and the dollar is in the toilet). The Shia governments promises to give the Sunnis, we pay, jobs and end our monthly stippend. In November our stippend not to shoot expires and now the Shia government says they will not provide the jobs promised. I wonder if there will be any problems?

[ladyv]

Some guy on the radio yesterday afternoon was talking about the surge crap, and he said "Let's say I'm having sex with my best friend's wife, and I'm doing a really good job at it. That still doesn't mean I'm supposed to be having sex with my best friend's wife."

[Krankil]

amazing.. why is this post not making it?

[sarahmariececelia]

Because the HuffPost front page has become a Sarah Palin tabloid...