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Bill O’Reilly And Bill Maher Duke It Out Over Obama, Makeup Of American Politics

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» 60 comments

It was a much-anticipated clash of pundits on both sides of the political aisle when Bill O’Reilly had Real Time’s Bill Maher on the Factor tonight in the No Spin Zone. They disagreed on plenty (of course), but they managed to keep it (mostly) civil – and O’Reilly even laughed at a few of Maher’s lines.

O’Reilly teased the interview early in the program by saying Maher “doesn’t much like you if you’re conservative.” But Maher didn’t seem to have tons of love for the Democrats, either, saying they deserve the “lion’s share” of the blame for Obama’s mediocre poll numbers. (He did get in a “teabaggers” reference, though.)

The two disagreed on whether Barack Obama is the biggest-spending president ever, and whether there’s a racial element to vehement opposition to Obama. But of course, O’Reilly’s and Maher’s most fundamental difference is in personal political philosophy. Maher shared his idea on what’s become of both sides:

“At some point in the last 20 years, the left moved to the center, and the right moved into a mental institution.”

Maher also called the idea of extremism on both ends of political spectrum a “canard,” while O’Reilly said, “If you can’t see the extremism on both sides, I’m flabbergasted.” Maher then allowed there’s “some” extremism on the left, but it’s negligible.

Overall, not a bad discussion from two people with wildly opposing worldviews – something we see all too few of. Both O’Reilly and Maher know how to put on a show, and they made it clear tonight. Video of the segment below.

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  • Big Eddie

    Who’s on tomorrow , Louis Farrakhan , Andrew Dice Clay ? Big Eddie just realized who Maher resembles .
    http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1291/1135428282_7c59ada12d.jpg

  • ChiliPeppersFan

    it wasn’t too long ago that orielly used to be the loudest, most hated person to the left, but now that the right has moved away from the center and to the ‘mental institution’ orielly is the sane one…the thin guy at fat camp or the slutty nun.

  • ChiliPeppersFan

    big eddie
    who is that? looks like joe cocker.

  • http://www.libertarianism.com/ Burnnotice

    Wow two massive egos go head to head. Even still Bill Mahers answers sounded scripted with a little bit of comedy to ease his quaking gut… I really expected more from Maher….LOL No, not really, he just doesn’t have the knards to go against this bully….

  • http://www.libertarianism.com/ Burnnotice

    ChiliPeppersFan said:
    big eddie
    who is that? looks like joe cocker.

    Dustin Hoffman, Midnight Cowboy?

  • ChiliPeppersFan

    that was dumb…i meant joe strummer

  • Big Eddie

    Maher walking in NYC ( Ratso Rizzo ) .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c412hqucHKw

  • The Real Royal Queen

    Real Royal King where art thou?
    You were supposed to be home hours ago. Nevertheless, we are out of bread and milk, please stop at the market.
    We are also low on toilet paper, and bring some D batteries for my…umm..flashlight, yes my flashlight.

  • timzank

    I wonder if Maher was basically useless as a child as well? I’ll bet he got his ass kicked daily.

  • http://www.libertarianism.com/ Burnnotice

    timzank said:
    I wonder if Maher was basically useless as a child as well? I’ll bet he got his ass kicked daily.

    Yep, Like i said, his quaking gut was quite apparent when he went against the Fox’s Big Bully himself, Bill O’reilly

  • Corvax

    I thought Fox never had opposing views on their shows?

  • greg454

    “I thought Fox never had opposing views on their shows?”

    —Do you watch Fox? My favorite network has plenty of liberals and progressives ready to argue, every nut from Maher to Code Pink is available at a moments notice.

  • Rusty Shackelford

    Maher on O’Reilly……would Olbermann ever have someone so diametric on his show…..oh yea he already does,Fineman and Robinson.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Andy-Lamb/1085325013 Andy Lamb

    ChiliPeppersFan said:
    it wasn’t too long ago that orielly used to be the loudest, most hated person to the left, but now that the right has moved away from the center and to the ‘mental institution’ orielly is the sane one…the thin guy at fat camp or the slutty nun.

    You should try to do a little better than simply repeating word for word what Jon Stewart said on David Letterman’s Comedy Hour. You must have been one of the couple hundred people watching that night. Unless, of course, you heard it when O’Reilly showed a clip at the end of his show tonight. Maybe that’s it….you can’t stand O’Reilly, but you just can’t stop watching, can you?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Johns/1681497708 Michael Johns

    That interview was obviously edited. There were a few times where I believe some of Maher’s best lines were removed. He seemed to get cut off at times prematurely. The producers used some footage of Obama and the Tea Party folks to cover up some of the edits, but sometimes they didn’t and the poor edit was obvious as hell. Shame on BillO and his producers. Why not leave Maher’s stuff in and have a fair debate? Why cheat like this? And when you do, don’t make it so frickin’ obvious with the poor edit.

  • Corvax

    Michael Johns said:
    That interview was obviously edited. There were a few times where I believe some of Maher’s best lines were removed. He seemed to get cut off at times prematurely. The producers used some footage of Obama and the Tea Party folks to cover up some of the edits, but sometimes they didn’t and the poor edit was obvious as hell. Shame on BillO and his producers. Why not leave Maher’s stuff in and have a fair debate? Why cheat like this? And when you do, don’t make it so frickin’ obvious with the poor edit.

    Every host on every show does it, you think the clowns at MSNBC dont do it? Oh wait they would never have somebody with an opposing view on so I guess that is a moot point.

  • writer

    Real Royal Queen, we’ve seen your hubby’s picture, and you’re way out of his league.

  • murf

    Donkeyface Maher is the epitome of a Nihilist.

  • SLO

    Bill Maher’s arrogance is greater than Obama’s. He just sits there with a smarmy look on his face and says everyone is stupid but him. I’d rather live in my world than his it must be lonely at the top of that sh….t pile.

  • writer

    That’s not a smarmy look. The medical term is syphilitic dementia.

  • ChiliPeppersFan

    andy
    it was actually here on mediate http://www.mediaite.com/tv/jon-stewart-tells-bill-oreilly-that-glenn-beck-wont-book-him/
    but also on other shows and yes, i do watch orielly as i like to hear all points of view even though he seems to be condescending to people who don’t share his points of view, which seems to be something you have in common with him.

  • VRWC Destruction Machine

    Corvax said:
    I thought Fox never had opposing views on their shows?

    You must have heard it from the Left Wingnuts.

  • Rogue-Comic

    ChiliPeppersFan said:
    i do watch orielly as i like to hear all points of view even though he seems to be condescending to people who don’t share his points of view.

    Come on, O’Reilly condescends to EVERYBODY.

    I like to listen to different points of view as well: O’Reilly, Stewart, Matthews, Greta, Red Eye and the CBS Evening News seem to me to be the best viewpoints.

  • ChiliPeppersFan

    i think they would get much better ratings if they put red eye in gretas spot…
    i’m not sure what the numbers are now, but i think larry odonnal will be a much better draw.

  • Rogue-Comic

    ChiliPeppersFan said:
    i think they would get much better ratings if they put red eye in gretas spot…
    i’m not sure what the numbers are now, but i think larry odonnal will be a much better draw.

    Larry’s only broadcast two shows; way too early to get a feel for how it’s going to perform. Personally, I’d like to see Matthews get in the prime-time mix; I’m not a fan at all of the two hours of programming leading into Larry.

    I think part of Red Eye’s appeal is its time-slot although a brazen move would be to put it on (instead of the Bill O replay) against the Stewart/Colbert hour at Comedy Central. I, myself, would be torn on what to watch “live.”

  • writer

    Maher may be an atheist, but I bet he’s often said ‘Thank God for penicillin.

  • Corvax

    greg454 said:
    “I thought Fox never had opposing views on their shows?”

    —Do you watch Fox? My favorite network has plenty of liberals and progressives ready to argue, every nut from Maher to Code Pink is available at a moments notice.

    That was with sarcasm.

  • Rogue-Comic

    Corvax said:
    That was with sarcasm.

    And THE hardest concept to communicate in the inter-webs.

  • Corvax

    Rogue-Comic said:
    And THE hardest concept to communicate in the inter-webs.

    It is.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jon-Frost/100000864784899 Jon Frost

    Bill Maher is a very closed minded man who is completely one-sided. I heard him say, on Larry King, that the right wanted a war with Islam and that this is spoken in the bible. This can go both ways also mabey Islam (extremists) want a war with christianity, but he obvoiusly doesn’t see that there 3 sides to anything, yourside,theirside, and the truth some people just wait and bitch about things when they happen, while others do something about it or at least try

  • Alz

    Maher is a Socialist. He just lies about things and his worldview is goofy.

  • Rogue-Comic

    Jon Frost said:
    Bill Maher

    Bill Maher is like red kryptonite or a box of chocolates, you never know want you’re going to get.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jon-Frost/100000864784899 wyvren logic

    Rogue-Comic said:
    Bill Maher is like red kryptonite or a box of chocolates, you never know want you’re going to get.

    This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

  • wyvern logic

    I wonder if Bill M has a real beleif in anything other than himself. He was just that smart alec kid in school that got his ass kicked all the time

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Michael-Johns/1681497708 Michael Johns

    Jon said:
    Bill Maher is a very closed minded man who is completely one-sided. I heard him say, on Larry King, that the right wanted a war with Islam and that this is spoken in the bible. This can go both ways also mabey Islam (extremists) want a war with christianity, but he obvoiusly doesn’t see that there 3 sides to anything, yourside,theirside, and the truth some people just wait and bitch about things when they happen, while others do something about it or at least try

    Maher would readily admit that the radical elements of Islam would love a war with Christians. Which is why progressives are pissed at that dumbfuck who played right into Osama’s hands. Bin Laden wanted this war and Dubya did everything he could to appease him, costing hundreds of thousands of innocent lives, including our brave men and women. Ol’ George used to have religious arguments with Babs (mama) in which he would state unequivocally that all non-Christians don’t make it into Heaven… they go to Hell.. I guess he figured he’d send them there quicker used cherry-picked and cooked-up intelligence. We don’t need religious nut-jobs running our country. God help us all if Palin ever gets in there.

  • bigbrainbrad

    this was a good interview but why does Bill O have to edit everything

  • glenn113

    O’Reilly met his match. That’s why he had to edit everything.

  • glenn113

    Michael Johns said:
    That interview was obviously edited. There were a few times where I believe some of Maher’s best lines were removed. He seemed to get cut off at times prematurely. The producers used some footage of Obama and the Tea Party folks to cover up some of the edits, but sometimes they didn’t and the poor edit was obvious as hell. Shame on BillO and his producers. Why not leave Maher’s stuff in and have a fair debate? Why cheat like this? And when you do, don’t make it so frickin’ obvious with the poor edit.

    Agreed. O’reilly met his match.

  • Some_Dude

    Just an observation:

    One thing I’ve learned from watching Bill Maher’s shows for years is that while he is an enormously entertaining comedian with clever insights on politics and culture, he is not always logical, and his immense ego and outward aggressiveness occasionally makes his discussions seem unsavory. However, it’s clear that he does, for the most part, respect those with opposing attitudes.

    One thing I’ve learned from watching Bill O’Reilly for years is that while he is an enormously entertaining pundit with clever insights on politics and culture, he is not always logical, and his immense ego and outward aggressiveness occasionally makes his discussions seem unsavory. However, it’s clear that he does, for the most part, respect those with opposing attitudes – and in fact, his insults toward them often seem like his way of offering levity (when he’s not plainly being rude and insulting, which he is – YouTube will provide hours of content in this department).

    These are essentially very similar personalities.

    I think O’Reilly gets along so well with Jon Stewart because Jon isn’t combative with him. He knows Stewart is not only a clown. Stewart knows that a tempered, thoughtful debate isn’t something O’Reilly will submit to, so he works with him how he can. And Bill, for his part, lightens up around him and shows a side you never see on his show sans Stewart.

    Now contrast Stewart with O’Reilly to his scathing dismantling of opponents on CrossFire and that financial guy that came onto The Daily Show (forgot his name – the one with the silly finance show where he injects zany morning radio sound effects and yells a lot). Those people didn’t respect Stewart and got owned for it.

  • right-is-wrong

    writer said:
    Maher may be an atheist, but I bet he’s often said ‘Thank God for penicillin.

    And thank god for money so I can get all these hot chicks.

  • The Real Royal King

    Some_Dude said:
    Just an observation: One thing I’ve learned from watching Bill Maher’s shows for years is that while he is an enormously entertaining comedian with clever insights on politics and culture, he is not always logical, and his immense ego and outward aggressiveness occasionally makes his discussions seem unsavory. However, it’s clear that he does, for the most part, respect those with opposing attitudes. One thing I’ve learned from watching Bill O’Reilly for years is that while he is an enormously entertaining pundit with clever insights on politics and culture, he is not always logical, and his immense ego and outward aggressiveness occasionally makes his discussions seem unsavory. However, it’s clear that he does, for the most part, respect those with opposing attitudes – and in fact, his insults toward them often seem like his way of offering levity (when he’s not plainly being rude and insulting, which he is – YouTube will provide hours of content in this department). These are essentially very similar personalities. I think O’Reilly gets along so well with Jon Stewart because Jon isn’t combative with him. He knows Stewart is not only a clown. Stewart knows that a tempered, thoughtful debate isn’t something O’Reilly will submit to, so he works with him how he can. And Bill, for his part, lightens up around him and shows a side you never see on his show sans Stewart. Now contrast Stewart with O’Reilly to his scathing dismantling of opponents on CrossFire and that financial guy that came onto The Daily Show (forgot his name – the one with the silly finance show where he injects zany morning radio sound effects and yells a lot). Those people didn’t respect Stewart and got owned for it.

    Very good observations. Thanks.

  • writer

    And thank god for money so I can get all these hot chicks.

    Yes, they’re ‘hot’. But the penicillin takes care of that.

  • Founders_were_Liberal

    Bush left us in such a hole … where WERE the Teabaggers when Bush was pusing the country down the hole?

  • wyvern logic

    Some_Dude said:
    <I think O’Reilly gets along so well with Jon Stewart because Jon isn’t combative with him. He knows Stewart is not only a clown. Stewart knows that a tempered, thoughtful debate isn’t something O’Reilly will submit to, so he works with him how he can. And Bill, for his part, lightens up around him and shows a side you never see on his show sans Stewart.

    I respect John Stewert, he has an open mind. He also beleives in a higher power, and it seems like he is willing to at least hear someone out in a debate, whatever it may be, and learn or take something with him after it is all said and done. I don’t see Mr. Maher doing this anytime soon, I believe it is too late for him to learn and I even feel a little sorry for him. What a shame, just my opinion though

  • http://sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/ GlennBeckReview

    Some_Dude says: “One thing I’ve learned from watching Bill O’Reilly for years is that …it’s clear that he does, for the most part, respect those with opposing attitudes….”

    Right; that’s why he calls them “pin-heads.” That’s Soooo respectful. He even called Beck a pinhead.

    http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/06/bill-oreilly-beck-is-pinhead.html

    It’s an indication of how far Beck has moved Fox Republican Propaganda to the right that O’Reilly is now the voice of reason there.

  • Sue

    Glenn, shows what “reality” passes for on the Uberleft, left and liberal side of the aisle. You people truly are sick.

  • Nachi

    O’Reilly is no competition.

  • musiccityvic

    Founders_were_Liberal said:
    Bush left us in such a hole … where WERE the Teabaggers when Bush was pusing the country down the hole?

    your name says it all. idiocy at it’s finest. if you need a few sites or books that will show you what the founders actually believed i’ll be happy to give them too you.

  • http://sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/ GlennBeckReview

    Sue says: “Glenn, shows what “reality” passes for on the Uberleft, left and liberal side of the aisle. You people truly are sick.”

    Your remark is why Beck’s rhetoric is toxic sludge. People like Sue actually believes the horse shit that comes out of Beck’s mouth leading to a national divisiveness that is ripping at the fabric of our nation. The conservative, media watchdogs are in bed with this nonsense and thus contribute to the toxicity.

    http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/09/bias-vs-truthiness-analyzing-media.html

  • wyvern logic

    GlennBeckReview said:
    It’s an indication of how far Beck has moved Fox Republican Propaganda to the right that O’Reilly is now the voice of reason there.

    Wow, I find it hard to call facts propaganda, he finds the bad in all parties

    GlennBeckReview said:
    Sue says: “Glenn, shows what “reality” passes for on the Uberleft, left and liberal side of the aisle. You people truly are sick.” Your remark is why Beck’s rhetoric is toxic sludge.

    Prove him wrong, most of the things discussed is documented. I might be inclined to believe YOU on a few soundbites though

  • http://sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/ GlennBeckReview

    wyvern logic says: “Prove him wrong, most of the things discussed is documented. I might be inclined to believe YOU on a few soundbites though”

    I’m confused: prove who wrong? Beck? That’s easy, done that over and over.
    http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/06/contents.html

    What soundbites?

  • wyvern logic

    GlennBeckReview said:
    wyvern logic says: “Prove him wrong, most of the things discussed is documented. I might be inclined to believe YOU on a few soundbites though” I’m confused: prove who wrong? Beck? That’s easy, done that over and over.http://www.sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/2010/06/contents.html What soundbites?

    Your pretty easy to confuse. I thought my response was pretty cut and dry. Yes I’m talking about Beck. Sometimes Beck will play sounbites, and somethings are taken out of context. 30 secs. does not sum up a 10 min. rant or speech, I can’t stand soundbites it’s pure laziness, but sometimes comical. Didn’t mean to confuse you buddy LMAO

  • http://sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/ GlennBeckReview

    wyvern logic says: “Your pretty easy to confuse. I thought my response was pretty cut and dry. ….”

    If you were articulate and followed the rules of grammar and punctuation, I wouldn’t have been confused.

    Beck’s “documentation” is almost always misleading some way or another. He likes to show radical newspapers, for example, to make an anti-progressive argument. He still says that Van Jones is a Communist, but Jones long ago dropped that ideology for green capitalism instead. As you point out, he quotes out of context.

    One example of video he has used in instructive. The Anita Dunn video was played the first time nearly in total. After she said that Mother Theresa and Mao Tse Tung were here heros, she went on to make the case for individualism. Nothing Maoist about the rest of her speech. After that first time, he always cut her off. In context it was clear that she was either joking or insane. Out of context, she’s a Maoist.

    He does this routinely. Beck was the 2009 deceiver-in-chief. This year he’s the Master Manipulator. You’re (note apostrophe) one of the manipulated. You also haven’t explained what “soundbites” you’re expecting to “hear” from me. I’m still confused about that concept.

    What soundbites? Can you hear me?

  • Chris Teeannutt

    Maher tells it like it is, that why’s he’s HATED by idiots on the wRongwing (i.e.; idiots = closed-minded morons that cannot think for themselves) Why does someone have to beLIEve in a “higher power” (of any kind) to be considered NOTradical-minded? Maher HAS AWAYS SAID he doesn’t know if there is a “higher power”, NO ONE DOES, and those that say there *IS* a “God” are LIARS because they repeat and espouse (proselytize) about something they cannot prove yet PROSEYTIZE ASS FACT = LIARS…fundaMENTAList religious IDIOTS need to keep their THECRAZIES to themselves, their homesand/or their private functions…better yet take it back into the CAVES where it belongs and came from in the first place and the teaBIGOTS want to take it in the next election cycles…

  • wyvern logic

    GlennBeckReview said:
    wyvern logic says: “Your pretty easy to confuse. I thought my response was pretty cut and dry. ….” If you were articulate and followed the rules of grammar and punctuation, I wouldn’t have been confused.

    First of all I’m not writing a disertation here nor am I looking for a grade. If you didnt grasp my explanation for the soundbite part of my earlier response then I’m truly sorry for confusing you again. I have to go and talk to the wall now, later

  • http://sharethisurlaboutglennbeck.com/ GlennBeckReview

    wyvern logic says: “First of all I’m not writing a disertation here nor am I looking for a grade.”

    Good thing.

  • aceshigh121

    ” Glenn, shows what “reality…”

    You cannot use Glenn and reality in the same sentence my friend, until you let me run home and get my tinfoil hat!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Helen-Nordo/100000884291530 Helen Nordo

    OK, I can’t stand it anymore, I am curious as to why all of you take these “actors” so seriously. They are the ones who are making all the money and it is CONTROVERSY that pulls you in. Bill O’Reilly loves a debate because he enjoys getting the upper hand on someone, it’s his ego, but you have to hand it to him, he holds his own, makes excellent eye contact & has been around the block a few times. Bill Maher appeared so relaxed with O’Reilly that I wouldn’t be surprised if he took “something” before he started the debate. He is an unattractive man/girl and when someone is not pleasant to look at & makes remarks that are “insulting & demeaning” I can understand why you would be upset but this Maher thrives on “tormenting” others beliefs..he’s a genuine nut; however, Jon Stewart is a gentleman who, although he may have opposing views, knows how to handle himself & doesn’t need to use “profanity” or “sexual” remarks to gain points. Everyone can argue politics & religious beliefs but that will never change anything, insults may, in fact, cause more motivation, especially with the Tea Party people. The republicans will take the house, no doubt, but there’s more to worry about besides opposing views…we have a President who is abusing his office, turning countries against us & some towards..the President, for whatever reason. If it’s a good thing, OK, but if this President is not aware that he is being “used” by his “admirers” in the middle east, then we will soon have another December 7, 1941 or our latest disaster 9/11. This is a new world we live in and things will never be the “way they were” & I am sure the older generation knows it; however, we would like to live in a safe environment where we aren’t constantly threatened by unknown forces..we should look into a better way of handling “Immigration”. Other countries are more diligent & that gives us reason to pause. There’s a lot of bad people out there who were messed up in their own countries & are now bringing their problems to us. I don’t feel as safe as I did years ago, perhaps because America had relaxed their immigration policies in order to not appear “racist”. I think our country’s interests should come first & then we’ll worry about what is politically correct. When those innocent people were about to jump out of those towers, did they ask the black guy in front of them whether they could go first….We’d better do what’s best for this country or it’s all over! God Bless America!

  • Michael_T

    Michael Johns said:
    That interview was obviously edited. There were a few times where I believe some of Maher’s best lines were removed.

    In fairness to O’Reilly he put the unedited video on his website.
    http://video.foxnews.com/v/4355597/bill-maher-unedited/

  • Michael_T

    Some_Dude said:
    Just an observation:

    Excellent observation – and I don’t say that just because I agree with your analysis of O’Reilly, Maher, Stewart and Jim Kramer.

    You gave a well balanced objective summary of how these people interact.

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