Bill O’Reilly Supports Obama’s BP Effort: “I’m Happy There Is $20 Billion In Play”

by Colby Hall | 8:27 am, June 18th, 2010

» 43 comments

As we saw yesterday with the gross overreach by Rep. Joe Barton, the BP oil disaster has become a very tricky issue for conservatives trying to score political points. The lack of effective government oversight, combined with a”drill, baby, drill” pro-drilling mindset (and a platform that traditionally prioritizes a free market over government intervention) makes for a challenging political environment. Enter Bill O’Reilly, who last night cut through the fray in a smart and reasoned assessment of the recent negotiations between BP and the White House.

In last night’s opening “Talking Points” segment of The O’Reilly Factor, the cable news ratings leader used his platform to lay out the many different sides of this complicated issue, ultimately arriving at the point that he was happy that the President got $20 billion for victims of the oil disaster in the Gulf.

O’Reilly summed up thusly:

Talking Points believes that BP was derelict. It ignored warnings about the now destroyed deep water well and may have done so to save money. It is the job of the federal government to protect the American people. In this case the Feds did not monitor BP closely enough. But that’s history.

Now the important thing is to clean up the Gulf and to help folks who have been harmed by the spill. BP should pay for all of that. All of it. And Mr. Obama was correct in bringing pressure on the company to pony up the money. I don’t really care how the president did it, I’m happy there is 20 billion in play and more to come. And we will watch that money to make sure it gets to the right people and places.

Politics aside, this whole thing is BP’s fault. Hayward would be smart to just admit that and take his lumps.

O’Reilly then brought on regular guest, conservative talk radio host Laura Ingraham to discuss the White House efforts to manage this disaster. She took the more traditional anti-Obama point of view, and the seemingly more independent O’Reilly continued to defend against her attacks on the White House in a measured response.

barack obama, Bill O'Reilly, BP Oil Disaster, Laura Ingraham

paulmdoro

Personal accountability, something conservatives mention frequently, applies to corporations as well doesn’t it?
BatBoy

Definitions of extortion

•an exorbitant charge
•unjust exaction (as by the misuse of authority); “the extortion by dishonest officials of fees for performing their sworn duty”
•the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)

Hmmmmmmmm!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Hogan/179500970 Stephen Hogan

By your definition then, BatBoy, this was not extortion.

1) The 20 billion is not being charged to BP. They agreed to pay it out of their free will.
2) There was no misuse of authority. I do not see how it is a misuse of presidential authority to sit down and talk with the head of a company whose negligence is causing so much economic and ecological damage. And, once again, the administration did not force BP to do anything.
3) There is no evidence that there was a ‘threat of violence’ and I’m not sure how there could be.

If anything, the administration suggested to BP a way to alleviate some of the public pressure and the willingly took it. Hayward was clearly using the escrow as a shield yesterday during the hearings.
BatBoy

Hey…the President did what he knows how to do…Extort money!

“Once a Community Organizer always a Community Organizer!”

Viva La Chicago Politics!

PS: I have no Love for BP, but up until a little over a year and a half ago, we were a country founded on Law! …Now, I’m not so sure!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Hogan/179500970 Stephen Hogan

As much as you may not like the guy, it still isn’t extortion. You just saying it doesn’t make it so.
BatBoy

Hey…Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the gang have made a very good living at it over the past few years!

Lets just call it “legal extortion!…OK!
MichelleF

Viva La Chicago Politics!

Amen to that!
paulmdoro

Never gets old does it Michelle.

How should BP be held accountable, since I assume everyone agrees in holding them accountable?
MichelleF

That’s what we have due process and a court system for, Paul. It’s not the job of the executive branch.
paulmdoro

So we should put BP on trial?
MichelleF

Well I suppose if they were found to be criminally negligent, then yes. First, there needs to be an investigation to determine the cause, don’t you think? I’m sure there are civil suits being file as we speak. I’m trying to figure out why you libs have such a problem with due process in this case.
Thelonious Funk

Our court system and Constitutional protections are only for American citizens. Obama is merely using Enhanced Compensation Techniques.
paulmdoro

Yes I definitely think there needs to be an investigation. Since when do “you conservatives” care about due process? Only when it’s a huge corporation?
MichelleF

Paul, i used to think you could debate rationally, but I guess I was wrong. I don’t have time to debate the same things over and over again. Adios!
paulmdoro

Why is it that so many here play the generalization game (“you libs’) but then get all defensive when someone calls you out on it? And why does it always become ad hominem? I didn’t realize due process had been debated over and over again, though I haven’t participated in all the BP discussions here.
BatBoy

Enhanced Compensation Techniques…

AKA – A good old fashioned Chicago Shakedown!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Hogan/179500970 Stephen Hogan

Michelle,
“I’m sure there are civil suits being file as we speak. I’m trying to figure out why you libs have such a problem with due process in this case.”

We don’t really have a problem with due process. However, it takes decades for these civil cases to be litigated. There are people who are only now finally getting settlements from the Exxon Valdez disaster. The people in the Gulf that have lost their livelihood due to this disaster need money now, not in 5-10 years. That is what this escrow is about, making sure that the money is there for whoever needs it, when they need it.

“It’s not the job of the executive branch.”

It is the job of the Executive branch to protect American citizens. That is exactly what Obama did.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Kam-Fet/572005492 Kam Fet

Whose side is he on?
http://www.karlspensen.blogspot.com Karl Spensen

Why does Nobama HATE our Once Proud Republic and our Jesus-written Constitution so much?!?!1 He and his CHICAGO-STYLE THUGS have turned the White House into TAMMANY HALL!!1 And now O’Reilly is AGREEING with him?!?1 Looks like he’s a RINO just like that jerk ShepTURD Smith!!1 That’s why the ONLY journalist I can trust anymore is GLENN BECK!!1
Bania

THAT”S GOLD kArL !!!!!!!!!!!2 GOLD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!2
BatBoy

The Chicago Shakedown (aka the “e” word)

just speeds up the process of “Due Process” that the libs have created over the last 40 years.

I like it…the lib’s finally have gotten the government to where they like it and now they are just finding out it doesn’t work!
paulmdoro

I can’t tell if Karl is joking or not, but either way, that is hilarious. Hating America and Jesus-wrote constitution? Priceless. Keep it coming.
ImNotBlue

paulmdoro says:
June 18, 2010 at 11:59 am

As anyone will tell you, Karl is actually a fake poster, who carries on his college-acting persona… in an attempt to be annoying. If you think it’s funny… well, please explain to me why.
paulmdoro

I think there’s some spot-on parody in it.
tws258

paulmdoro says:
June 18, 2010 at 11:59 am
I can’t tell if Karl is joking or not, but either way, that is hilarious

________

Yes Paul its even funnier when he starts in with the personal attacks . That’s a laugh riot .
Who knows maybe you’ll be his new special friend.
paulmdoro

I have not resorted to personal attacks and have repeatedly said they have no place here. Next.
tws258

“its even funnier when HE starts ”

Easy Mr. Sensitive
http://www.karlspensen.blogspot.com Karl Spensen

“I have not resorted to personal attacks and have repeatedly said they have no place here. Next.”

WAH WAH WAH just another WHINY LIB who can’t stand the HEAT!!1 GET TO STEPPIN’, libby!!1
notsofast

It seems to me that BP did what it thought was in its best interest. Any good employer would do just that.

I’m sure that BP had thought of this prior to the meeting, if not, they would have just walked out.
Bania

HA HA ha THAT”S GOLD kArL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOLD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!2
paulmdoro

Exactly notsofast. Damage control. They are under extremely close scrutiny right now and will be acting accordingly.
Cubby

Anyone who’s visited the comments section of ANY political/media blog will realize that Karl is playing an only SLIGHTLY exaggerated version of the typical far-right Internet Patriot. In fact, if you visit the foxnation.com on any given day you’ll find people who put Karl to shame (although many will claim that they, like the folks holding racist/comically misspelled signs at tea party rallies, are undercover liberal plants). I’m pretty sure the reason he gets people so worked up around here is that he hits so close to home – he reminds these web-based William F. Buckleys that their base is made up of “Real ‘Mericans” who are not that far off from Mr. Spensen!
Bania

paulmdoro says:
June 18, 2010 at 12:27 pm

Feel free to apologize at your earliest convienience.
paulmdoro

Apologize for what?
tws258

Thanks Bania.

tws258 says:
June 18, 2010 at 12:25 pm

“Yes Paul its even funnier when “HE” starts in with the personal attacks ”

paulmdoro says:
June 18, 2010 at 12:27 pm
“I have not resorted to personal attacks and have repeatedly said they have no place here. Next.”
paulmdoro

Again, what would I apologize for? I never attacked anyone or encouraged attacks.
paulmdoro

I guess that answers my question.
BowenIsland

I would hazard, paulmdoro ,that perhaps some people got on with their day.

If you think that Karl Spensen is funny , it’s not surprising that you misunderstood tws’s point
paulmdoro

I did find one of his posts amusing, but I certainly did nothing for which I would owe someone an apology, so it appears that I am not the one who misunderstood something.
BowenIsland

Congratulations paulmdoro.
paulmdoro

Thank you. I appreciate that. Coming from you it means a lot. I always thought I had a healthy sense of humor, but it’s nice when someone reminds you of that.
BowenIsland

Any time paulmdoro. Validating childrens thoughts help them to build a healthy sense of self.
Have a good day !

ps stop eating the paste
Selena

Ingram has a point, who better to decide the “fair” distribution of the escrow money than the governors of the affected states and their cronies. We all know that Louisiana is a paragon of honesty. LOL Talk about the fox in charge of the henhouse. Shake their hands and count your fingers afterwards.