Big news! Edwards is going to be on The O'Reily Factor tonight.

[tryanhas]

Be prepared for O'Reily to try to put words in his mouth.

O'Reilly has a history of asking a question, having the guest refute what he says, and then saying, "I agree with you" while adding some little tidbits in at the end that his guest may not agree with and doing it in a way that doesn't call for a response, but it makes it look like his guest is letting him say it because he IN FACT agrees with him.

Don't be deceived, lol...

[Victor Wong]

1. Wow, I'm surprised.

[THUNDER HANDS]

2. that should be good tv

I'd watch that oily S.O.B just to see Edwards.

[chimpymustgo]

3. Risky. But he's got to be able to handle this kind of crap.

Hope he pulls it off.

[spooky3]

4. I don't know if I have the stomach, but what time is it on?

[maddezmom]

9. 8:00 EST

I think, it's been a while since I've been in the states. Hope he does well, he's a brave man.

[spooky3]

16. thanks. He's taking a big risk.

[Anwen]

5. Oh man.

What a mistake. O'Reilly is going to tear Edwards to bits and not let him get a word in edge-wise. I really despise O'Reilly and the only people that watch him are total right-wing freaks who won't be swayed no matter how charming and intelligent Edwards sounds. I hope Edwards does okay.

[returnable]

7. "the only people that watch him..."

He's probably gambling that a portion of NH's conservative independents will be among the viewing audience.

Not a bad way to reach them, provided he holds up.

[trumad]

8. Edwards is an amazing Litigator

Remember he interviewed the Inron folks when he was on the sub-committie? He tore them a new asshole and he will do the same with O'Reilly.

[beaconess]

13. He took down Judge Pickering Perry Mason style . . .

broke him down and got him to admit under oath that he had violated his ethical codes.

[THUNDER HANDS]

10. not everyone who watches him is a right-wing freak

I used to work with a lot of moderate people who watched his show. They watched him more for entertainment value than anything.

I think if anyone can go on O'Reilly and do well it's the smooth-talking Edwards.

Although, in all honesty I'd LOVE to see Dean go on his show and have a brawl with him.

[tryanhas]

11. It comes on at 8pm ET and 11pm ET on Fox News

Also, O'Reilly isn't going to tear anyone to shreads.

Edwards has been on the O'Reilly factor before. He knows exactly what to expect.

He has been up there at least 2 other times that I can remember, and O'Reilly is no more difficult than Tim Russert except for the fact that Bill O'Reilly likes to yell...

[Anwen]

23. Oh I'm fully aware of that.

I'm sure Edwards could blow away O'Reilly in any sort of verbal exchange... if only O'Reilly played by the rules and let him speak. O'Reilly tends to cut people off, yell, and prematurely end debates when he can't take the heat. It obviously reflects poorly on himself, but then look at his followers.

I don't have the stomach to watch him, but good luck to Edwards! :)

[beaconess]

26. Chris Mathews tried to do that to him and failed - twice

[returnable]

6. Interesting move to indulge O'Really on the eve of the vote...

...good luck to Edwards! :hi:

[Ripley]

12. Wow, I'm impressed. Shields up Edwards!

You'll need them for all the BS he's gonna send your way. But if you stay calm and collected (like you usually do) he's the one that will get flustered.

[Hawkeye-X]

14. Watch o'lielly

Completely destroy Edwards.

Hawkeye-X

[tryanhas]

18. Welcome to the DU

You MUST BE NEW TO THIS because obviously you have NO CLUE WHATSOEVER about John Edwards if you think that Bill O'Reilly is a more effective debator than Edwards is.

That's just plain foolishness.

Besides, let me make a point that most people obviously IGNORANTLY overlook when it comes to going on shows.

MOST OF THE TIME IT'S BECAUSE THE PERSON GOING ON THE SHOW WANTED TO GO UP THERE, NOT BECAUSE THE HOST SOUGHT TO GET THEM ON THE SHOW!!!

If O'Reilly would have been the one to ask Edwards to come on, he probably would have said that he is busy campaigning and can't make it because of his schedule. Since he is going to be on the O'Reilly factor, then OBVIOUSLY, he wanted to go up there, so get a clue with the "tear him up" crap, because it ain't gonna happen, and you obviously don't know what Edwards is capable of.

[Hawkeye-X]

73. several reasons

1) Edwards voted for the IWR
2) Edwards voted for the scumbag judge who wants to water down ADA, a law that is very important to me.
3) Edwards has very little political experience.

[Victor Wong]

19. Why do you bash all candidates not named Dean? Just wondering.

I'm new here. :)

[spooky3]

64. Welcome, Victor Wong!

[wryter2000]

15. I wonder

I wonder if he'll ask for the apology. :)

[mkultra]

17. Edwards can handle that stupid punk

There is no way Edwards will get owned by some lying punk like O'jesicantsayatruthfulthing'Riely.

Its about time Orielly stopped accepting Democratic paper targets as guests and got his ass kicked which is exactly what Edwards will do. Politely though I'm sure :)

[patricia92243]

20. Poor Guy

[Eric J in MN]

21. Is this part of a Repbulican strategy? Someone on this board quoted

Is this part of a Repbulican strategy? Someone on this board quoted Rush Limbaugh as saying only Edwards can beat Bush.

The Republicans are going to emphasize national security.

Maybe they figure that an opponent who isn't a veteran would be best for the Bush-is-great-at-protecting-us theme.

[Victor Wong]

22. Actually Edwards is framing the premise by being on this show.

He's making it seem rude to attack him.

[liberalnurse]

24. Remember....Edwards was a Personal Injury Lawyer first!

He can handle O'Lielly.

[beaconess]

25. O'Reily may be making the mistake many others have made

underestimating John Edwards.

But that's ok. Most people only make that mistake once. After Edwards hands their chewed up asses back to them, with that sh*t-eating grin and a pleasant "howdy-doo," they ususally don't mess with him again.

[spooky3]

66. LOL!

Someone once asked me if I knew the southern version of "F**k YOU!"

It's (said with a smile), "why, bless your HEART!"

:-)

[Edwards4President]

69. LOL!

[jenk]

27. VERY GUTSY, I hope it doesn't backfire

I would not have done this!

not on the eve of the election

[in_cog_ni_to]

28. OUR CANDIDATES SHOULD BE BOYCOTTING

FAUX NEWS! After the debate debacle our candidates should NEVER, EVER participate in ANYTHING Faux News is involved in. JMCPO

[spooky3]

31. I know I am not supposed to be sexist and superficial

but that's a great picture of the General.

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. Isn't it?

:loveya: He's very photogenic. :loveya:

[windansea]

29. smart move

Edwards is going after independents and moderates in NH and figures he can reach them with O'Reily

I wouldn't be too worried...Edwards is the type of puppy that bites!

He always does good in the debates and I like how he answers questions immediately and firmly.

[tishaLA]

30. I think O'Reilly will go easy on him

he sure was previously.

[Victor Wong]

32. He wants his show to be relevant. Nobody will ever come on if hes a

total Ahole.

[jenk]

34. is the whole FOX cabal in NH now?

are they preying on that poor state?

[anti-NAFTA]

39. No, not really.

They just have Carl "Fuckface" Cameron there, as the ONLY correspondent, who smirks smugly whenever he's on TV to make the Democratic primary look like it's something to ridicule. It pisses me off like nothing else.

[Awsi Dooger]

35. You can't play it safe and win vs. an incumbent

Congrats to gutsy Edwards. Amazing but predictable foresight. You can't focus on New Hampshire alone, regardless of the calendar. The type of voter he needs to win in the southern primaries and the GE is likely to be watching FOX News.

If Gore had show more moxie like this instead of abandoning Clinton and conceding winnable states like Ohio and Nevada, we wouldn't be concerned with primaries right now. Other than who our victim would be.

I never watch O'Reilly other than outside his crib, like when Franken and Ivins dominated last spring. Talent will out.

[tjdee]

36. O'Reilly is a punk ass.

I bet he'll talk about how "glad I am you have the guts to come on the Factor, Senator" and wish him luck when all of us know he's going to try to roast Johnny Reid six ways from Sunday.

I'm sure Johnny is familiar enough with the show to know what he's in for.

[anti-NAFTA]

37. This is how O'Reilly works.

Q: Do you think that American values in the family should be preserved.
A: Of course.
Q: See, I agree with you. Homosexuals and atheists should be put in gas chambers. But so many of your colleagues argue for civil liberties and rights and all sorts of degeneracy. But you're a reasonable guy, we're glad to have you on.

[VOX]

38. Thanks for the heads-up...

:kick:

[Loren645]

40. Good chance for him to show he can be tough.

Or otherwise...

Good luck Sen. I'm pulling for ya.

[Doctor_J]

41. Damn

we should stay away from these lying liars. No one who watches O'Really is going to vote for JRE or any other Dem. Going on that show has NO UPSIDE.

Bad move.

[BootinUp]

42. I don't know if I can watch O'Leilly/Faux tonight

I am already on mediawhore overload.

[kstewart33]

43. Why in the world is he going on that show?

Isn't he wasting his time? What regular Faux viewer would vote for him? Curious choice.

[Awsi Dooger]

44. When does the No Spin Zone start?

Is it always on at the same time -- 25 after, 40 after? He just promoed Edwards as 4th in the lineup and no way I can stomach beforehand.

Gee, surprising content, like an attack on lefty Hollywood.

[Loren645]

45. He damn well better be GREAT. I can't believe what I'm sitting thru...

Oh lord, take me now. Call me home...

[One Taste]

46. Edwards is up next

[ALago1]

48. Keep those of us w/o access to TV updated

Thanks!! :)

[DjTj]

Recap...

...they had an argument over "wealth redistribution," which was basically fought to a draw. Edwards and O'Reilly both got to talk about how they worked their way up from humble backgrounds, which went over pretty well for Edwards.

O'Reilly then asked Edwards whether or not Bush lied about WMD, and Edwards said, "I don't know the answer to that question." He went on to talk about how we have to have a rational investigation into the intelligence.

They then talked about why Edwards over the other candidates, and he basically said that they didn't come from where he came from. O'Reilly asked if he was tough enough, and he said he had been fighting these fights his entire life.

At the end, O'Reilly said, "I respect him."

[tjdee]

47. Edwards' look ALONE is enough to win him this thing.

Watch the camera go from O'Reilly to Edwards.

O'Reilly looks tired, shifty, and ridiculous.

Edwards looks calm and earnest.

Regardless of what's being said (and Edwards isn't doing the greatest job of his life tonight LOL).

[Doctor_J]

50. Bill O'Reilly

Lying, splotchy bully (Thanks, Al)

[DjTj]

49. "I respect him."

...says O'Reilly.

That went surprisingly well...

...a little too well...

[frank frankly]

52. details, please

please

[Victor Wong]

57. It was a nothing interview. O'Reilly bitched about taxes the whole time.

Edwards was fine. Complimentary, didn't try to start an argument.

O'Reilly said "I respect him" after the interview.

[BootinUp]

60. Basically O'reilly

Cried that Democrats want to take his money, Bill admitted he was a fat cat. Edwards did ok, he said the reason Bill and John himself did so well is they live in America and we gotta put back in.

Anyways, I didn't care for Edwards answer on Iraq and WMD, but he did ok on the tax thing.

[ALago1]

53. what happened??

I'm dying to know!!! haha

[wheresthemind]

58. He did very well...

Congrats...

[chimpymustgo]

61. Edwards kicked. "I respect him". Bow down O"Reilly.

Even with the apparent editing, Edwards threw down on O'Reilly. Calm, focussed, right. Aced the test. Bring it on.

[Loren645]

51. Uh, do Edwards supporters honestly think he held his own?

Just asking.

[Victor Wong]

55. It was like a minute long.

[jenk]

59. he did great, never gave O'Reilly an opportunity to carve him up

put another candidate in that situation and they're dead meat

[THUNDER HANDS]

62. I only caught the last 3 minutes of it

I thought Edwards did great. O'Reilly let him have the last question, he interrupted once, and Edwards finished and O'Reilly had nothing to say, and asked one last question about whether Edwards was ready for the job and the attacks that would be coming at him.

Edwards said "no, I'm not, I'm dropping out."

:)

No, but he answered very well and O'Reilly ended it (It' wasn't a live interview) saying he respected him.

[tjdee]

63. It wasn't great and it wasn't live.

Should have known O'Reilly wasn't going to have him live.

The piece was overedited--it seemed more focused on O'Reilly's 'clever' questions and Edwards' facial reactions to those.

Edwards didn't do himself any favors and he tripped over some words--but I'm pretty sure the editing made it worse than it was.

The BEST was when Edwards said his opponents were all good men and O'Reilly chimed in with "Are you sure?" :eyes:

[tryanhas]

70. I think the interview didn't allow for him to discuss anything

First of all, it was too short and it wasn't live so I was disappointed for that alone.

Secondly, O'Reilly didn't allow him to discuss anything which pissed me off. John Edwards was trying to be nice, but I wish he would have been having a bad day.

Overall, it was not a good showing, but nothing totally damaging because NOTHING WAS DISCUSSED. It would have been different if issues were actually discussed instead of O'Reilly just complaining about paying more in taxes the entire freaking time. He did much better the last couple of times he was on O'Reilly.

[tishaLA]

54. He still defends the IWR and says the situation in Iraq

is good now.

Some democrats are "too paternalistic"...

All I gotta know.

[AP]

56. Was there anything he could have said which would have changed your mind?

No, right?

[tishaLA]

65. Sure.

Kerry has explained his vote well. I respect that he talks about its difficulties. I think he could have recognized the MESS Iraq is in now instead of saying the situation is good. Maybe he could tell one of the 512 dead soldiers how good that situation is. Or the thousands of Iraqi dead. And the problems with setting up a government. Instead, the situation is good. Great.

[Loren645]

68. I can't believe he said he was proud of that vote. A real point of pride.

Great.

[Loren645]

67. Actually AP, yes. He was/is my second choice. Did you go back

and look at other things I've posted on Edwards?
No, right?

He didn't inspire. Simple as that. OK?

[Awsi Dooger]

71. Uneventful, but Edwards does have areas to improve

That "why are you the best candidate?" answer needs to branch beyond vague references to his background. It was identical to what he provided Judy Woodruff early in the week, and I was disappointed he didn't refine it.

I wish all of these guys would check out clips of Bill Clinton regarding the distribution of wealth question, then tailor his summation to fit their words and style. Neither Gore's people vs. the powerful nor tonight's (paraphrased) "I understand your concerns, Bill" from Edwards are going to cut it.

However, I thought Edwards' description of each party's basic philosophy (let the rich take care of everyone else vs. caretakers) and saying he disagreed with many aspects of both was a simplistic winner, with independents in mind. He snuck in a call for a "lean government", which might be risky since it likely conflicts with his voting record.

[jenk]

72. that was a piece of red meat for independents, especially...

...those that lean to the right

"lean govt" sounds good :) bush hasn't delivered