Bill O’Reilly has been playing up his recent heated exchange with Phil Donahue from two nights ago. O’Reilly repeated it on his show last night and played it on his radio program yesterday. The Newshounds have the transcript and a link to the video (see box below).

I watched the Factor last night and was able to hear some of O’Reilly’s radio program today.

Here’s my take: Bill lost his temper and fell into his semi-violent fingerpointing aggressive mode. He points his finger, jab jab jab, while screwing his face into a vicious expression and seethingly forcing out harsh words.

But you know, that’s not so bad — A bad temper makes Bill appear more human and clearly flawed. And Phil wasn’t particularly bothered by the temper thing.

Those who respect reasoned discourse will admire Phil more than Bill in the exchange. Bill won’t win over the moderates by getting aggressive as he does. The less influence Bill has the better.

Phil is sick of the war. Phil made an argument I don’t like to hear - “Halliburton”. I don’t accept the arguments that the Iraq debacle had (or has) anything to do with enriching Halliburton.

Bill also made and argument I don’t like to hear - war on terror. I don’t accept that the Iraq debacle had anything to do with fighting global Islamic terrorism. But it does now! Iraq is THE gathering place, THE training ground, for Islamic terrorists now, thanks to Bush and the neocons. Even if you hated the war in the beginning, would kinda Have to support Some Level of continuing involvement until stability occurs.

Phil got the best of Bill, in the end, because Phil refused to be taken off message by Bill’s aggression, and Phil made an impassioned case for how Dissenters are patriotic Americans too.

News Hounds: Verbal Donnybrook on the Factor - Donahue KO’s O’Reilly

Verbal Donnybrook on the Factor - Donahue KO’s O’Reilly

Last night during the Factor that aired at 8PM EDT, Bill O’Reilly hyped his upcoming interview with liberal talk show host, Phil Donahue. However, due to the coverage of the malfunctioning JetBlue plane, the segment was bumped. I caught it during the 11PM EDT feed - and, boy, was it ever worth the wait. It’s just too bad that Bill’s prime time audience missed this one. Two Irishmen mano a mano. It got pretty heated at times - Donahue decimated O’Reilly, who threatened to boot him off the set at one point. This one’s a keeper, folks! Catch the video at Crooks and Liars.

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