Risky Bets, Family Values, And The Politics Of Tebowing: A Chat With Fox’s Eric Bolling

Picking one story to challenge Bolling on — that will allow for the widest exposition of who he is and what he stands for — is, if you’ve watched him on any program, a no-brainer. There is no story in today’s news cycle that is more tailored to Bolling’s interests and values — religion, athletics, left/right culture wars, a surprise participation in politics by the party involved — than the bizarre phenomenon that is Tim Tebow and those who consistently mock him for running afoul of Matthew 6:6 every time he scores a touchdown. Tebow himself doesn’t appear particularly political; though — thanks in large part to Eric Bolling — his story appears on Fox News all the time. In fact, one of the few times Bolling and Beckel agreed on an issue on The Five revolved around Tebow, and the consistent mockery he receives from Bill Maher. Tebow’s position in the political sphere—if nothing else—is reminiscent of the words fashion icon RuPaul gave to Politico this weekend, on his trip to New Hampshire: “Any time a man leaves the house in a wig and a pair of cha cha heels, he’s making a political statement.” Anytime a man kneels in worship to his god before a packed football stadium—that’s a political statement, too (albeit it much different one) but equally reluctant.

Bolling took Maher’s attacks on Tebow to heart. “Maher is using religion to create buzz for himself,” he argues, calling Tebow, “nothing short of a hero.” I couldn’t help pointing out that “using religion to create buzz for himself” is probably the top reason people hate Tim Tebow, but he responds that his religious displays are not negative. “Tim Tebow is not taking a shot at Bill Maher saying, ‘I’m winning football games because I’m so ticked off at atheists.’ If that were the case I’d say, ‘Yeah, you’re right.’”

And while he may have appeared more upset by the affair than by other political stories, he applies the same methodology on this case to figure out his position as he does to any other. “Who would you rather have your kid look up to– Tim Tebow or Bill Maher? For me, there’s no question.” I think about this for a second. On the one hand, Maher is indisputably more educated and better read, and one always wants children to do well in school. On the other, he’s the guy who calls President Obama a “black ninja gangster” when he’s happy with his policies, then complains his lack of illegal gun ownership makes him “not black enough” to count. And those are probably some of the more thoughtful things Maher has said.

“You’ve got a point.”

Bolling has no idea what the future will bring, but he notes that others may have plans for him. “I’ve been asked to run for office,” he teases—not in a way that suggests he is seriously considering it, but in the way someone with experience in radical career changes would not be surprised to find themselves among the 500 or so most powerful people in the world. Why not, right? When asked if he would consider running as a Democrat, he jokes, “Let’s just say the Democrats aren’t the ones asking me to run.”

Follow the Money airs (Weeknights at 10PM) on Fox Business; The Five airs Weekdays at 5PM on Fox News.