Fawning Matilda: Juan Williams was in extremely rare form on the Factor last night.
Mr. O had played tape from his interview with President Obama, including segments which didn’t air during Sunday’s live session. He had read a letter from a listener who wondered, “Why on earth would Fox give this loser air time on Super Bowl Sunday?”
(“Well, there are many reasons,” O’Reilly replied, “starting with he is the most powerful man in the world.”)
Throughout the program, O’Reilly ridiculed viewers who sent him letters saying he’d been too soft on Obama. But now, he wanted the views of a certified expert! And so the threw to Fawning Matilda, who showed us what money can buy:
O’REILLY (2/7/11): So Juan, you know, overall, anything jump out at you?
WILLIAMS: First, let me just say congratulations. You are the talk of the nation today. Everywhere I went everybody is talking about, “What did you think of O'Reilly and Obama?” And, you know, the idea that you were able to hold him to account without going Barney Frank on him.
I mean, you didn't allow him to filibuster, you actually said serious business on the entitlements business, you said to him, “No sleight of hand. Don't just give me some big number over five years. How are you going to cut entitlements?” And you held him to the fire.
I thought that was pretty good. And you know what, when you got him to say that Fox News is a legitimate organization, he has respect, you know, that's really important. I am saying that to you because you know what has gone on between that administration and Fox News.
You know what it has meant for all Fox News employees. And I say that personally, Bill. You did an excellent job of making it clear the president of the United States understands, watches Bill O'Reilly, understands the power and respects the audience.
One other thing I say quickly is that when you said to him, “Hey, you know what? What should I do better?” I thought, “Hey, everybody who says Bill O'Reilly is so arrogant, Bill O'Reilly is so contemptuous, here is Bill O'Reilly putting himself out there.” Obama could have taken a shot at you!
He says to you, “Put out the facts, Bill. Put out the facts.” You talk about the No Spin Zone! I think that's why people—you know, I know you have a strong conservative base for an audience but a lot of people in the center now watch you because they say, “What's he have to say? What is he thinking?”
And I think that that audience includes, much to my surprise, President Obama!“I thought that was pretty good,” Juan said, clownishly understating. The analysts sat in sheer stupefaction, stunned by the longuber-fawn.
Williams was recently canned by NPR; Fox stepped up and paid him big bucks. Never has it been more clear what less than a million can do.
