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

[trinity29]

I think BO is extremely competent about his understandings on issues. he may have progressive slants to his issues but one thing BO understands is that the rhetoric of democrat or republican is more polarizing than what is actually on people's minds. our common-ness can bring us together more than our differences. so the more he concentrates on issues and how his focus is on american people and how we can resolve the issues affecting our lives, the more people will respond to him. he showed Billo tremendous amount of respect despite his constant interruptions. Kudos to BO.

[Agent420]

Barack Obama is going to be a fabulous role model for Americans. He is now, but we will get to watch him grow as President. Republicans take note. If you are Americans and you care about other Americans, poor ones as well as the better off people, you have to take to heart the United States motto: United We Stand, Divided We Fall. McDuffus offers nothing to the poor, Obama offers to give a helping hand to the poor, giving them a chance to get on their feet. McDuffus offers everything to the rich and Obama says to the rich that they will have to give some tiny part of their fortunes to make America stronger.

[CitizenInformed]

Republicans only seem to care about big business. In the RNC speeches, when they mentioned "your" taxes, "your" money, I believe they were talking to businesses, not individual­s....certa­inly, not working and middle class citizens. The Repub party has become a party of extremism and hypocrisy.

[savvy2]

Class war, that's what is going on. And it will be the undoing of our country. We are a nation of capitalists. Our country thrives on capitalism. In order to promote more jobs, we must support our businesses. When you put further tax burdens on our manufacturers, then scream because they go overseas to get their goods made, then scream because you want American made goods and more jobs for Americans -- people! You cannot have it both ways. If you take some taxes OFF of the businesses, they will have no reason to give your jobs to the Chinese, Philipinos, and Indians. They can afford then to hire Americans! This creates MORE jobs here. I agree there should be a cap on the outrageous bonuses the CEO's get, with extra profits going back to the people who work for that company -- and to the stockholders, as well. But taxing the businesses is not the answer!! More taxation has never worked, never! Remember Jimmy Carter -- Obama's economic plan is exactly the same! Under Carter, we waited in line for gas for our vehicles and we paid up to 19+% for mortgages!

[boisejune]

So true, I look forward to the debates. I can't imagine either McCain or Palin handling themselves in such an intelligent, informative manner....not even close. I only wish the MSM would concentrate on ISSUES!

[trinity29]

Papabear's comments on O. I was shocked that this man was able to say some decent things about O. Who would have thunk? Read it for yourself.

http://www.billoreilly.com/newslettercolumn?pid=24183

[MsBrina]

Wow! Great find Trinity.
Let me find out, Billy boy, is a closet Obama fan. That article was not only decent, but complementary in a lot of ways. Well, except for the liberal comments, of course.

[JulianJons]

Wow, I am impressed. I didnt think Bill-O was capable of objectivity like this. He got a smidge of respect from me. I was against Barack going there. It also shows Barack got huge cojones and isnt afraid to face anyone. Can you say the same thing about John Sidney McCain? Scared of softball Larry King, never Mind Keith Olbermann or Bill Maher.

[ebanks84]

You would have to blindfold him before he met one of those guys.

[savvy2]

Bill Maher? Bill Maher? The same Bill Maher who on 9/12 said we got what we deserved on 9/11?? Why is that man even still on the airwaves!? Who watches him? Other fascists?

[pico3]

Doesn't matter. He'll contradict his own positive words (on air, where it counts) very soon.

[MDinOK]

The Republicans are really spinning this one. With so many Americans wanting to end this war, the Repubs are hanging their heads in shame, and saying the surge by itself worked. A pathetice group they are.

[ThirdEye]

Mr. Obama is really honing his debating skills and who better to spar with than O'reilly .

Good job Barack!!

[DopP]

Good job on what, on debating?! If he, as President, would have veto the surge that would have possibly meant loosing the war. Being President is not a popularity contest, is about making the right decision. He made a wrong one and at least he had the courage to admit it, even if a little bit late. Why can't you admit it?

[BVictor1]

He made the correct decidion when he was against the war in the first place.

[liz]

If he were president we would not have initiated this mistaken invasion in the first place. Secondly, he would not have let Rumsfeld, Cheney, Wolfowitz et al run the Department of Defense, and the State Department, and the CIA, and the entire rest of the executive branch of government. He would not say something as stupid as I had other things to do so I could not help plan the surge. He would actually lead the country in a strong positive way.
He has consistently said that the surge reduced violence , but that the situaton is much more complex than guns and bombs alone can ever settle. Can you tell we what is wrong about that position. Why are there people like you who are so frustrated and why do you crave to hear him say he was wrong?

[chappelforpres]

If Obama had been President, there would have been no war. Ergo, there would also have been no surge. With such an important election coming up, folks like you just depress the crap out of me!

[Gmoney1]

Orielly is no genius - he's just one of those smart a**es - Orielly reminds of a kid who would invite you out on the school yard for a fight then try to talk his way out of it once he's there - Obama has excellent debating skills - he does not talk excessively and rattle on saying nothing like Hillary and McCain - Oreilly does not scare anybody - Obama had important things to do - and when he made some time for Orielly he agreed to be interviewed - Oreilly interrupts all the time because he's not interested the answer you want to give - he wants the answer he wants you to give -

[ebanks84]

Why can't you just leave the surge alone. It has different meanings to different people that's all.

[hatethehype]

After viewing the Obama/O'reilly interview, John McCain soiled his Depends in fearful anticipation of the upcoming Presidential debates.

[obamafan2008]

The first part of this interview will benefit Obama. I'm not sure about the rest of it but at least he is willing to finally answer some tough questions. He has been courted by the media until now.

[DopP]

Do you people live in denial? Obama said that the surge succeeded. So he was wrong and McCaine was right on this issue, whatever you like it or not. Now you contradict Obama?!

[MDinOK]

Did you not listent!!! He gave credit to whom credit was due. The Anbar Awakening happened 6 months before our troops arrived. He did not deny that out troops played a part, but the Iraqis also did their part.

[DopP]

I don't listen?! "It's succeeded beyond our wildest dreams." This are HIS words referring to the SURGE. English is my third language, but the meaning seems pretty clear. And another one, if that was not clear enough: "I think that the surge has succeeded in ways that nobody has anticipated" - and, by the way, some anticipated quite well.

[CeciliaBertrand]

He said it worked but NOT completely - Iraq is still not leading its country and they owe us money...

[DopP]

OK, let me spell it out for you: the surge SUCCEEDED. That means it accomplished it's goal. That is what Obama said in plain English! Twice. We all agree that the Iraq issue is not closed yet, but the surge intended purpose to solve some of the problems there succeeded.

[Gmoney1]

Okay "DopP" - the surge was the military going in to stop the violence in order for the Iraq's to establishment a sustainable government - the military did it's job - Bush, Cheney and Rice have yet to do their job with the other part - so Obama is right that surge did work with regard to the government being established - nothing has happened yet, we're still there while the Iraq's are sitting on their money and Bush is sending our billions of tax dollars over there with McCain's approval - McCain is never right - he's a baffoon -

[timo3093]

what he said is that ......Iraqis need to be paying for Iraqs war and Iraqis need be fighting Iraqs war.
and... Oreilly agreed with him.

[RhymeAndReason]

Right.....I wanna see Palin answer those type of questions about the Iraq war. The American people are insane if they are even considering putting someone that inexperrienced in the co-pilot seat! Gee Whiz....surely even Repubs can see that. Stop towing the party line--how about really putting the Country First.

[obamafan2008]

She has more experience than Obambi. How can you honestly question her credentials. Harvard Law Review and running for pres does not constitute experience. Get a clue!!

[MDinOK]

George Bush was governor before becoming president and look where our economy is now!!!

[Gmoney1]

Does five kids, being a hockey mom, owning a rifle make one qualified for president of the USA or of the PTA - Alaskan governor - what a crock - I have'nt heard not one repub politician ever say they met this Missy Palin - maybe the fat boy Rush Limbaugh met her and recommended her to McCain - there's probably more moose in Alaska than than people - we know nothing about this lady, her temperament, ability to be rational and to even have a conversation - all we've heard was a scripted speech and must I say a crappy speech -

[40ishMom]

The Harvard Law Review is experience--do you have any idea how big a brain it takes to do it? Similarly, teaching constitutional law, being a state and national senator, and yes, being a Community Organizer--an honorable position if there ever was one--constitute important experience. I guess I like my presidents to be smart with a healthy dose of reality and understanding when it comes to the law. Something that has been sadly lacking in Washington for 8 years.

Now--being a small mayor is nice and I know lots of them. Doesn't mean they should or could become president. Being governor of a small state (Alaska has a tiny population) for 18 mos. hardly qualifies as sufficient training for the most important job in the world.

If Palin were truly qualified, McCain and his cronies at the GOP would be letting her talk to the press. But they won't, because they know she doesn't have the knowledge to answer the questions intelligently, and also has too much baggage and scandal to try to worm her way out of on national tv. McCain himself avoids the tough questions. It's pathetic!

[obamafan2008]

Better find something better than exp erience to get her on.

[ThirdEye]

She says that the Iraq war is Gods war and the young people going to fight are fighting for God.
See U-Tube video of her speaking to young people at her congregation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG1vPYbRB7k

[ebanks84]

That's cause she don't know anything intelligent to say in response, so blame it on God.

[dhertzfe]

Obama really know his stuff. He is rational rather than a USA USA USA let's get'em mentality of McInsame.

[urojen]

Obama did the right thing by appearing in the show.Some republicans I know have such bad misinformation about Obama (from the TV and talk show hosts) ,however have an open mind and were willing to support Obama when convinced of the better approach to issues.Surge is a complex issue and the republicans have been trying to spin it as just as troop build up.While the army deserve all the credit for improved security, there were other factors like the "Iraqi surge" where the locals have decided enough is enough and have looked for ways to reconciliation.Then there was the money(or the bribe) doled out by US to quell opposition ( the country has been so devatated and poverty is rampant, a few dollars can do wonders!).US armed the Sunni insurgents(our enemies who killed our soldiers)to fight al quida and finally in the long drawn struggle the resistance without adequate resources tend to weaken.Give some credit to the Iraqi awakening,after all we have done to them!While McCain wants to take the credit for the surge,will he hold himself accountable for the misdirected war which has resulted in colossal loss of lives and unstable middle east, not to mention how it has galvanized and has served as recruiting tool for the terroists?These terrorists are thugs and Mccain and co have glorified them and gave them a stature of "enemy establishment' just to scare the American people into voting for them.Talk about "country first"!

[TrinityLee]

The fact of the matter is that Barack knows his stuff and his willing to go toe-to-toe with one of his biggest opposition's in the Media while McBush-Palin sit on the sidelines in fear of tough questioning a'la CNN's CBrown & TB.

[RhymeAndReason]

touche' .....They are hiding Palin from ALL media, even questions from people at campaign stops. If she is as qualified to be VP as Obama is to be President, then why won't they let her face the press? He has been answering questions for 18 months.

I hope the American public isn't falling for this...I'm sure not. In the words of our current President, the great statesman that he is ....."There's an old saying in Tennessee, well they use in Texas too...Fool me once shame on you......pause puzzled look.....well you can't fool me again. " lol

[liz]

Yeah! Let's see McCain go for a couple of hours with Olberman.

[Valley Forge]

I really don't understand Obama's agreement to appear on Billow's show.
No one that watches or listens to Billow on a regular basis is going to give a hoot in hell for anything Barack says. He's already gotten the entire left half of the Country all sewn up and in lock step with one another whereas the Right has to pander to their base just to stay in the game.

I think Barack is Brilliant...I'm not seeing this.

Better to suffer the claims of elitism than to legitimize the guy by going back on your own self-imposed ban and appear with him!

Anyway, I'm sure it was good for Billow's ratings. I know it's the first time our household ever watched his show and will very likely be the last as well.

[tweedy54]

Totally agree!

[obamafan2008]

Just like a dem..... making statements about a show you never watch. Nice job.

[jasapy]

I'm an Obama supporter and i listen to or watch o'reilly regularly.Most of you folks on the left think that his audience is made up of only wingnuts and you're wrong.
Today on his show there were was a woman from tenessee who called the show to say after watching the interview,she's now voting for obama.
Another woman called from sarah palin's hometown and mentioned she's leaning towards obama.
Stop being so damned naive.

[liz]

That's great. My thought when I heard he was goning to do the interview was that if he only gained two votes it would be worth it. He cannot not impress people who are willing to give him a fair hearing. I truly believe the net will be positive, especially if BillO will stop being so rude to his guests.

[darthdarcy]

You know it's not an interview, it's O'Reilly debating Obama..

Even when Senator Obama gives the right answer then O'Reilly under cuts him and or says everyone would do that or so would McCain...

This has the effect of diminishing Obama has O'Reilly appears to be lecturing and admonishing him...

[tweedy54]

Yes....

[Krankil]

Let's stop being nice folks.. they're nasty and they keep winning because there are many people (who decide elections) who miss the substance and focus on the accessories: how she walks, (Hannity used to promote Bush's firm handshake back in the 2004 campaign), how he dresses and of course confidence. We got the substance, let's get the confidence and show some toughness in dealing with Bullies

[Krankil]

Right on.
Why are Dems always nice to nasty interviewers like OReily and Hannity.. always playing on the defense. They need to learn something from Newt Gingrich, karl Rove, Giuliani and all these nasty liars when they are interviewed by a liberal.

[bxmask]

ok...How intelligent is Obama? You cannot help but be impressed with his understanding of the situation and his judgement about things to come. Bill O tries to bully all of his guests and Barack wasn't letting him play that same old game. Good for you Mr. President! I'd love to see McCain try to withstand that type of interview. I'm sure he'd resort to old rhetoric and never give any concrete strategy.

It's funny that Bill changed the subject when Obama started discussing the larger strategic mission of the surge (to encourage some political action in Iraq) which has FAILED thus far.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

We all know that Bill-O is going to try to corner him, so far it's going well -- Bill-O tactics have always been to not listen -- one of Obama's strong traits, so I'm not worried about his interview. What I'm looking forward to is the interview on Monday with Keith O. and Obama -- who will get his revenge (Keith, I mean).

[KarlaElisa]

Keith is out for revenge on Obama? I'm guessing you mean Keith will allow Obama to correct any editing accidents that befall his interview in the No Spin Zone.

[isis]

I love it that you point out that one of Obama's real strengths is listening. That is a refreshing change in politics and why I liked him in the first place.

[RobChattaTN]

WOW! I'm even more impressed with Obama than ever!!!
And just who was that pompous blowhard interviewing him?

Obama 2008