Showing posts with label race baiting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label race baiting. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Romney Says Obama Only Won Because He Gave ‘Big Gifts’ To Blacks And Latinos
by Igor Volsky/Think Progress
Mitt Romney is attributing his loss in the 2012 election to the “gifts” President Obama gave to minority voters, the Los Angeles Times is reporting. Speaking to donors on Wednesday, the former Massachusetts governor praised his own campaign, but speculated that Obama won because he was “very generous” to his base:
Mitt Romney told his top donors Wednesday that his loss toPresident Obama was a disappointing result that neither he or his top aides had expected, but said he believed his team ran a “superb” campaign with “no drama,” and attributed his rival’s victory to “the gifts” the administration had given to blacks, Hispanics and young voters during Obama’s first term.Obama, Romney argued, had been “very generous” to blacks, Hispanics and young voters. He cited as motivating factors to young voters the administration’s plan for partial forgiveness of college loan interest and the extension of health coverage for students on their parents’ insurance plans well into their 20s. Free contraception coverage under Obama’s healthcare plan, he added, gave an extra incentive to college-aged women to back the president. [...]“The President’s campaign,” he said, “focused on giving targeted groups a big gift—so he made a big effort on small things. Those small things, by the way, add up to trillions of dollars.”
The comments echo the claims Romney made during a private high-dollar fundraiser earlier this year. In the video first published by Mother Jones, Romney argued that 47 percent of Americans are “dependent upon government.”
In his first interview since losing the election, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) also wouldn’t admit that voters rejected the ticket’s economic vision and instead chalked up Obama’s victory to a large turnout of the “urban vote.”
Romney and Ryan however, also lost states with very low minority populations, including New Hampshire, Iowa, Maine and Vermont.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Top Gingrich Adviser: Democrats Abort Black Babies
By Marie Diamond/Think Progress
As ThinkProgress has been reporting, GOP contender Newt Gingrich has built up quite the record of making derogatory, racially-charged remarks on the campaign trail. He frequently derides President Obama as a “food stamp president,” and said he would go to the NAACP and tell African-Americans they should “demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps.” More than 40 Catholic leaders recently challenged Gingrich to “stop perpetuating ugly racial stereotypes” with his divisive rhetoric.
As ThinkProgress has been reporting, GOP contender Newt Gingrich has built up quite the record of making derogatory, racially-charged remarks on the campaign trail. He frequently derides President Obama as a “food stamp president,” and said he would go to the NAACP and tell African-Americans they should “demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps.” More than 40 Catholic leaders recently challenged Gingrich to “stop perpetuating ugly racial stereotypes” with his divisive rhetoric.
Last night, Gingrich’s most prominent surrogate, former Communications Director Rick Tyler, went on the offensive during an MSNBC interview with Rachel Maddow and the Rev. Al Sharpton when asked about his candidate’s racial rhetoric. He accused the anchors of “race-baiting,” and claimed Democrats are hurting African-Americans:
TYLER: It’s baloney. MSNBC ought to get off this race-baiting kick…The Republican Party was founded by Abraham Lincoln…this was started as a civil rights party. If you go back to the 1856 Democratic platform it’s a racist platform…The Democratic Party — you can ask Al Sharpton about that, I think he would agree that the Democrats have failed in the public schools with the African-Americans. They abort their babies. They’ve done nothing to lift them out of poverty.
Watch it:
Sharpton retorted that it was Gingrich who was making race an issue in the campaign by singling out minorities for excoriation in his speeches.
Tyler resigned over Gingrich’s infamous Greek cruise, but has reemerged as the head of his Sheldon Aldelson-funded SuperPAC, Winning Our Future.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Gingrich Says ‘Work’ Is A ‘Strange, Distant Concept’ To Juan Williams
By Alex Seitz-Wald/Think Progress
Newt Gingrich launched a now-infamous tiradeagainst moderator Juan Williams during Monday night’s GOP debate after Williams dared to ask him if he could understand why some African-Americans were offended by Gingrich’s obsession with food stamps and child labor. “No, I don’t see that,” Gingrich sneered back.
Williams later insisted he wasn’t offended by Gingrich’s pointed defense, but did say his food stamps rhetoric is “very racial and…unless I missed it, black people haven’t been out there demanding food stamps, or marching for food stamps.”
Today, during a campaign stop in South Carolina, Gingrich recalled his exchange with Williams and used the same kind of suggestive language that Williams had objected to — this time directed at Williams himself:
GINGRICH: I had a very interesting dialogue Monday night in Myrtle Beach with Juan Williams about the idea of work, which seemed to Juan Williams to be a strange, distant concept.
Watch it:
Many pundits have seen racial undertones in Gingrich’s belittling of Williams during the debate. “That’s the way I like to spend my Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: watching Newt Gingrich sneer at Juan Williams, a black man, for having the temerity to ask him” a tough question, New York Times columnist Charles Blow wrote.
Gingrich’s equally insulting assessment of the debate exchange likely won’t help.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Fox Gets The Message: Calls Obama "The Food Stamp President"
Gingrich: Obama Is "The Best Food Stamp President In American History"
Gingrich: "More People Are On Food Stamps Today Because Of Obama's Policies Than Ever In History." While covering Gingrich's comments during a January 5 campaign stop, CBS News reported:
Gingrich, during an appearance in Plymouth, New Hampshire, spoke about remarks he would theoretically make if invited to speak to the NAACP."I'm prepared, if the NAACP invites me, I'll go to their convention and talk about why the African American community should demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps," Gingrich said.The former House speaker has made a habit of calling President Obama the "food stamp president" -- a nickname he used on Thursday as well -- and has often painted the contrast between himself and Mr. Obama as a choice between paychecks and food stamps."The fact is, if I become your nominee we will make the key test very simple: Food stamps versus paychecks," Gingrich said. "Obama is the best food stamp president in American history. More people are on food stamps today because of Obama's policies than ever in history. I would like to be the best paycheck president in American history." [CBS News,1/6/12]
Gingrich: "More People Have Been Put On Food Stamps By Barack Obama Than Any President In American History." During the January 16 GOP primary debate, Gingrich had this exchange with Fox News contributor Juan Williams:
WILLIAMS: Speaker Gingrich, you recently said black Americans should demand jobs, not food stamps. You also said poor kids lack a strong work ethic and proposed having them work as janitors in their schools. Can't you see that this is viewed, at a minimum, as insulting to all Americans, but particularly to black Americans?GINGRICH: No. I don't see that.[...]WILLIAMS: Speaker Gingrich, the suggestion that you made was about a lack of work ethic. And I've got to tell you, my email account, my Twitter account has been inundated with people of all races who are asking if your comments are not intended to belittle the poor and racial minorities.You saw some of this reaction during your visit to a black church in South Carolina. You saw some of this during your visit to a black church in South Carolina, where a woman asked you why you refer to President Obama as "the food stamp president." It sounds as if you are seeking to belittle people.GINGRICH: Well, first of all, Juan, the fact is that more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history. [Fox Nation, 1/17/12]
Fox News Parrots Gingrich: Obama "Is The Food Stamp President"
Eric Bolling Echoed Gingrich: Obama "Is The Food Stamp President." On Fox News' The Five, Eric Bolling defended Gingrich, saying of Obama:
BOLLING: But he is the food stamp president. There I have no problem with this. Allow me, and I'll shut up the rest of the block. Obama has presided over the biggest expansion in food stamp usage, in numbers: in pure dollar amount, it went from $60 billion to an $83 billion program -- the fourth-largest entitlement program in America. Under Obama, it's exploded. Why can't he be -- and by the way, food stamps, there are more white people on food stamps than black people. So it's not a racial issue. [Fox News, The Five, 1/17/12, viaMedia Matters]
Dick Morris: "Newt Is Right. ... Obama Has Basically Put Everybody In The Country On Welfare." On the January 18 edition of Hannity, Fox News contributor Dick Morris stated:
MORRIS: Newt is totally right. When Obama took office, there were 32 million people on food stamps. Now, there are 46 million. What Obama has done is, under Clinton, he cut the welfare rolls in half, and now Obama has basically put everybody in the country on welfare. [Fox News, Hannity, 1/18/12]
Sean Hannity: "He Is The Food Stamp President. Look At The Numbers, They Speak For Themselves." Fox News host Sean Hannity pointed to increased food stamp usage to label Obama the "food stamp president," saying: "He is the food stamp president. Look at the numbers, they speak for themselves -- 32 million to 46 million, 12 million increase. Obama's policies have resulted in a lot more people being on food stamps. What's the problem?" [Fox News, Hannity, 1/18/12, via Media Matters]
Tucker Carlson: "More People Have Joined The Food Stamps Program Under Obama Than Any Other President." On Hannity, Fox News contributor Tucker Carlson praised Gingrich for the "great job" he did explaining why he thinks Obama is the "food stamp president," adding: "And more people have joined the food stamp program under Obama than any other president." [Fox News,Hannity, 1/17/12]
Monica Crowley: Record Number Of Food Stamp Usage Is "A Direct Result Of The Obama Administration's Policies." On Fox News' America Live, contributor Monica Crowley argued:
CROWLEY: At this point, what Newt is saying is that this administration took a bad economy and made it so much worse, with polices that have really oppressed job creation, suppressed economic growth, to the point where people cannot find jobs. And also, you know, one thing he didn't say, which is the extension of unemployment benefits to 99 weeks and so on.You know how the situation in America, Megyn, where you have record numbers of people not just on food stamps, 46 million, but record numbers of people on at least one or more social welfare programs, and that's a direct result of the Obama administration's policies. [Fox News, America Live, 1/18/12]
Sarah Palin: White House "Protests Too Much Because The Facts Are What They Are." OnHannity, Fox News contributor Sarah Palin criticized the White House for pushing back on Gingrich's statement, saying that "they protest too much because the facts are what they are -- and that's hundreds of thousands of more Americans are now on food stamps than before Barack Obama took over." [Fox News, Hannity, 1/17/12]
In Fact, More People Have Been "Put" On Food Stamps By Bush Than Obama
Bob Beckel: "The Largest Percentage Increase In Food Stamps Happened Not Under This President But Under George W. Bush." As co-host Bob Beckel noted on The Five, "the largest percentage increase in food stamps happened not under this president but under George W. Bush":
BECKEL: I want to say something to my friend Juan Williams who sat in here for me. That shot by Gingrich was a cheap shot. You used a lot of courage, Juan, coming up with what you did and said to Gingrich. His response that he turned into an ad now was a cheap shot. Those people who -- those yahoos that stood up in that audience and cheered that were unbelievable to me that they would do it.And let me make one other point, Newt. If you ever want to get your facts straight, the largest percentage increase in food stamps happened not under this president but under George W. Bush. [Fox News, The Five, 1/18/12]
FactCheck.Org: Food Stamp Program "Has So Far Grown By 444,574 Fewer Recipients During Obama's Time In Office Than During Bush's." In a "fact check" of what it called "Newt's Faulty Food-Stamp Claim," FactCheck.org stated that "Gingrich strains the facts when he accuses Obama of being responsible," writing: "Newt Gingrich claims that 'more people have been put on food stamps by Barack Obama than any president in American history.' He's wrong. More were added under Bush than under Obama, according to the most recent figures." The article continued:
Gingrich would have been correct to say the number now on food aid is historically high. The number stood at 46,224,722 persons as of October, the most recent month on record. And it's also true that the number has risen sharply since Obama took office.But Gingrich goes too far to say Obama has put more on the rolls than other presidents. We asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition service for month-by-month figures going back to January 2001. And they show that under President George W. Bush the number of recipients rose by nearly 14.7 million. Nothing before comes close to that.And under Obama, the increase so far has been 14.2 million. To be exact, the program has so far grown by 444,574 fewer recipients during Obama's time in office than during Bush's.It's possible that when the figures for January 2012 are available they will show that the gain under Obama has matched or exceeded the gain under Bush. But not if the short-term trend continues. The number getting food stamps declined by 43,528 in October. And the economy has improved since then. [FactCheck.org, 1/18/12]
CBS News: "Percent Increase In Beneficiaries During Mr. Bush's Presidency Was Higher Than It Has Been Under Mr. Obama." CBS News noted that the increase in food stamps enrollment "hardly makes Obama the 'best food stamp president in American history,' " adding that the "percent increase in beneficiaries during Mr. Bush's presidency was higher than it has been under Mr. Obama." From CBS News:
While the number of people on food stamps is indeed at a record level, that's in part because of eligibility rules being relaxed under the administration of George W. Bush. It's also due in part to the economic downturn that began under Mr. Bush.[...]For the most recent month with available data, October 2011, 46.2 million people were enrolled in the food stamp program, which is formally known the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Since Mr. Obama took office, the percent increase in enrollment has been 44.5 percent.However, that percentage increase hardly makes Obama the "best food stamp president in American history," at least when you look at the question proportionally. The percent increase in beneficiaries during Mr. Bush's presidency was higher than it has been under Mr. Obama: The number of beneficiaries went from 17.3 million in 2001 to 28.2 million in 2008 -- an increase of 63 percent in years that are mostly considered non-recessionary. [CBS News, 1/17/12]
And The Recent Increase In Food Stamps Enrollment Is Due To The Economic Downturn
US News & World Report: Food Stamps Enrollment Was On The Rise "Well Before" Obama Took Office. From US News & World Report:
Food stamp usage has, as Gingrich suggested, increased dramatically during the Obama presidency, but hanging the increase on the president is difficult. Participation in the Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the program to which "food stamps" refers, has increased from an average of 28.2 million people per month in FY 2008 to 46.2 million as of October 2011, the most recent month for which data is available. However, SNAP participation has been on the rise since well before President Obama took office. Nearly 17.2 million people in FY 2000 participated in the program, a figure that increased by nearly 64 percent by 2008. [US News & World Report, 1/17/12]
AP "Fact Check": Food Stamp Usage Increase "Due Mainly To The Ailing Economy." In a "fact check" of the GOP debate, the Associated Press identified Gingrich's statement as one of the "distortions" of the debate, writing that the facts prove that the increase in food stamp usage is "due mainly to the ailing economy" and "rising food costs." The article also noted that "[e]ligibility rules [for the program] were relaxed in 2002 and 2008 during the Bush administration." [Associated Press,1/17/12]
CBPP: Growth "Reflects The Fact That More Households Are Becoming Eligible Because Of The Recession." According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the "rapid caseload growth primarily reflects the fact that more households are becoming eligible because of the recession." CBPP added: "SNAP caseloads can grow for two reasons: because more households are qualifying for the program and enrolling or because a larger share of eligible households are signing up. Both of these occurred in recent years." [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 1/9/12]
CBPP: "SNAP Kept More Than 5 Million People Out Of Poverty In 2010." According to CBPP, "SNAP caseloads have increased significantly since late 2007, as the recession and lagging recovery battered the economic circumstances of millions of Americans and dramatically increased the number of low-income households who qualify and apply for help from the program." CBPP further stressed that recent growth in SNAP "is temporary." CBPP added:
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) predicts that SNAP spending will fall as a share of GDP in coming years as the economy recovers and the Recovery Act provisions end. By 2021 SNAP is expected to return nearly to pre-recession levels as a share of GDP. Over the long term, SNAP is not growing faster than the overall economy and thus is not contributing to the nation's long-term fiscal problems. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 1/9/12]
Krugman: Spending On Food Stamps Surged "Because The Economy Is Depressed." On hisNew York Times blog, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman explained the increase in "income security" spending, including food stamps, writing:
"Income security" is unemployment insurance, food stamps, SSI, refundable tax credits -- in short, the social safety net. Medicaid is a means-tested program that also serves as part of the safety net. Yes, spending in these areas has surged -- because the economy is depressed, and lots of people are unemployed.What we're seeing isn't some drastic expansion of Big Government; we're seeing the government we already had, responding to a terrible economic slump. [The New York Times,4/25/11]
This Isn't The First Time Fox Has Promoted Obama As The "Food Stamp President"
Gingrich Blamed Obama For "Set[Ting] An All-Time Record For The Number Of Americans On Food Stamps." In September 2010, then-Fox News contributor Gingrich stated that Obama "has set an all-time record for the number of Americans on food stamps." He added: "I mean, that's not where you want to go. You want to go to a paycheck, not a food stamp." [Fox Broadcasting Co., Fox News Sunday, 9/12/10]
Ann Coulter Suggested Calling Obama's Bus Tour "Food Stamp Express Live." On Fox & Friends, Ann Coulter replied to the hosts' question about "what to call President Obama's bus tour" by saying: "How about Food Stamp Express Live?" Co-host Clayton Morris responded: "I think Newt Gingrich would be on board with that one." [Fox News, Fox & Friends, 8/7/11]
Greg Gutfeld Proposed A "Food Stamp Wallet" As A Souvenir That Would "Fit Obama." Talking about souvenir items "that fit Obama," Fox News host Greg Gutfeld stated: "You need a food stamp wallet. That would be nice ... because there are millions and millions of people on food stamps right now, so that would be nice." [Fox News, The Five, 8/17/11]
Laura Ingraham: Obama Re-election Bumper Sticker Should Be "Food Stamps For Everyone."Discussing Obama's statement that benefits programs like SNAP stimulate the economy, host Laura Ingraham said: "So it would be a bumper sticker: Re-elect Obama: Food Stamps For Everyone." [Fox News, The O'Reilly Factor, 8/7/11]
Fox Graphic Adopted Gingrich's "Paychecks Vs. Food Stamps" Slogan. During an edition of Fox & Friends, Fox adopted Gingrich's slogan, "Paychecks vs. Food Stamps":
Friday, January 13, 2012
O'Reilly's Defense Of His "Angry Woman" Comment About Michelle Obama Falls Flat
by Todd Gregory/Media Matters
On January 11, ABC's World News did a report on Michelle Obama's denial of accusations that she is an "angry black woman." As an example, ABC used a clip of Bill O'Reilly saying in 2008 that "there is some validity" to the statement that Michelle Obama "looks like an angry woman."
On the January 12 edition of his Fox News show, O'Reilly reacted indignantly: "For ABC News to paint me as critical of her is flat-out dishonest."
O'Reilly's defense of his comment focused mainly on the fact that the clip of him was from 2008, and that since then, he has been "generally favorable" to Michelle Obama:
O'REILLY: Well, that sounds kind of bad, does it not? But here's the context. That interview was done about three and a half years ago -- three and a half years ago, when the country was still getting to know Mrs. Obama, who did have some problems in the beginning. You'll remember the "proud of her country" remark. My interview back then was with Rebecca Johnson, who wrote a profile on Michelle Obama for Vogue magazine.[...]O'REILLY: As usual, I did my job. I asked the tough questions about Mrs. Obama because there was a perception -- and everybody knows it -- that she was not happy-go-lucky. In fact, she told CBS News she's tired of being labeled an angry black woman. That's what she said. On the Factor, Ms. Johnson was given plenty of time to set the record straight as she saw it. That's why we had her on.Subsequently, since the Obamas have occupied the White House, I have been generally favorable to Michelle Obama.
O'Reilly then showed a series of clips of him saying nice things about the first lady.
Here's the problem: This defense doesn't make any sense. As O'Reilly said himself, "the country was still getting to know Mrs. Obama" in 2008. During that getting-to-know-you period, O'Reilly did indeed say that Michelle Obama "looks like an angry woman." In doing so, he obviously helped create a perception in his viewers' minds that she is "an angry woman."
O'Reilly may have said otherwise since then, but he can't honestly claim that he had no role in creating the "angry woman" image of Michelle Obama.
O'Reilly also dragged Media Matters into his complaint: "ABC News also did not tell its audience that it got the clip it used on me from the far-left website Media Matters, which is in business solely to smear non-liberal media people."
This doesn't make much sense, either. O'Reilly didn't dispute the authenticity of the clip or the context of what he said back in 2008. The clip is accurate, and where ABC got it from is irrelevant.
During a tease of this story at the top of the show, the graphic read "Taken Out of Context":
O'Reilly also made a form of this argument during a subsequent discussion with Fox News contributor Laura Ingraham:
O'REILLY: And here's what happened. I worked at ABC News, and here -- here's exactly what happened. They had some inexperienced correspondent -- I don't know even know who she is -- on it. But they had a producer. Producer was lazy. Producer looked at -- you know, Googled Michelle Obama. Bing, Media Matters comes up right away. He takes the thing right off. Doesn't do any contextual about it. When did it happen? Why did it happen? What was the --INGRAHAM: Oh, that's so -- why are you surprised? Why are you surprised by this?O'REILLY: No, I'm not, but I want the people to understand this is what happens all the time. So then ABC News on their World News broadcast reaches, what, 8 million people? OK, they throw my picture up there with the Fox News Channel underneath. And how are they supposed to know? How are these people supposed to know what the history of it is? They don't.
If O'Reilly is suggesting that ABC deceived its viewers by not telling them the clip was from 2008, he's wrong there, too. The image ABC that used with the audio of O'Reilly noted it was from "Sept 2008":
Full transcripts of O'Reilly's segments on the story are below.
From the tease at the top of the show:
O'REILLY: The O'Reilly Factor is on tonight.MICHELLE OBAMA [video clip]: That's been an image that people have tried to paint of me, that I'm some angry black woman.O'REILLY: ABC News, reporting on a new book about the Obamas, portrays me, your humble correspondent, as hostile to the first lady.[begin video clip]CECILIA VEGA (ABC News correspondent): The image of an angry Michelle Obama has long been fodder for critics.O'REILLY [audio clip]: I have a lot of people who call me on the radio and say she looks angry. And I have to say there's some validity to that. She looks like angry woman.[end video clip]O'REILLY: And guess where they got that clip? The far-left website Media Matters. Did ABC News tell its audience? We will tell you.
From O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo":
O'REILLY: The media race-baiting begins. That is the subject of this evening's Talking Points Memo. As you may know, there's a new book out about the Obamas in which the first lady is discussed at length. ABC News reported on the book last night and used me, your humble correspondent, to represent pundits critical of Michelle Obama.[begin video clip]VEGA: A new book called The Obamas paints a portrait of a first lady, who, in the beginning, was frustrated and unhappy with life in the White House. The image of an angry Michelle Obama has long been fodder for critics.O'REILLY [audio clip]: I have a lot of people who call me on the radio and say she looks angry. And I have to say there's some validity to that. She looks like angry woman.[end video clip]O'REILLY: Well, that sounds kind of bad, does it not? But here's the context. That interview was done about three and a half years ago -- three and a half years ago, when the country was still getting to know Mrs. Obama, who did have some problems in the beginning. You'll remember the "proud of her country" remark. My interview back then was with Rebecca Johnson, who wrote a profile on Michelle Obama for Vogue magazine.[begin video clip]JOHNSON: I found her lovely, actually. Very bright, very thoughtful, and, you know, an impressive person. Intelligent. She was great. I was impressed.O'REILLY: Now, I have a lot of people who call me on the radio and say she looks angry. And I have to say there's some validity to that. She looks like an angry woman. Did you ask her about that?JOHNSON: Don't they say that about you, too?O'REILLY: Yeah, but I'm not running for -- I'm not going to be the first lady. I hope not, anyway.[end video clip]O'REILLY: As usual, I did my job. I asked the tough questions about Mrs. Obama because there was a perception -- and everybody knows it -- that she was not happy-go-lucky. In fact, she told CBS News she's tired of being labeled an angry black woman. That's what she said. On the Factor, Ms. Johnson was given plenty of time to set the record straight as she saw it. That's why we had her on.Subsequently, since the Obamas have occupied the White House, I have been generally favorable to Michelle Obama.O'REILLY [video clip]: The president and first lady were very gracious to me. This is the first time I've spoken to Michelle Obama, and I was impressed. She's charismatic, articulate, and beautiful.O'REILLY [video clip]: Ms. Obama was participating in the healthy kids fair, and the hula hoop is good exercise for the midsection. For being hoop conscious, Michelle Obama is a patriot.O'REILLY [video clip]: For trying to help American vets, the first lady is a patriot.O'REILLY [video clip]: But don't you think that Michelle Obama speaking out about healthy food is -- I think it's noble. I think it's a good thing.O'REILLY [video clip]: Then they brought her into the White House, Michelle Obama, and they basically placed her in a position where she's glamorous. And she is. She's like Jackie Kennedy.O'REILLY [video clip]: I believe Michelle Obama is a good woman who wants the best for all Americans.O'REILLY: But those statements did not fit into the narrative that ABC News wanted to present last night -- that of guys like me hammering Michelle Obama.ABC News also did not tell its audience that it got the clip it used on me from the far-left website Media Matters, which is in business solely to smear non-liberal media people.Now, we brought the situation to ABC's attention today, and they say from now on, they'll call people like me who are injected into their news coverage. And I think it's important. Because I'm simply not going to let -- I'm not going to let the presidential campaign degenerate into a race-baiting media propaganda exposition. All who participate in that, and there are plenty of them, are going to be called out on it.From my vantage point, Michelle Obama has been a fine first lady, helping kids and articulating important issues like nutrition. For ABC News to paint me as critical of her is flat-out dishonest.All of us have a lot riding on the presidential election this year. It's about America's future. So, let's cut the crap, shall we?
From O'Reilly's discussion with Ingraham:
O'REILLY: Now for the top story tonight, reaction. Joining us from Washington from the Ingraham Angle, Ms. Laura. You're not surprised at this, are you?INGRAHAM: No, Bill. And, frankly, I'm shocked that you would be accused of saying anything critical of the first lady because, if you remember, the summer of 2010, rewind. When I was on for The Obama Diaries, with my book where I wrote, you know, these accounts of what Michelle's thought process was in the White House. I made the point that I thought the whole mom-in-chief thing was a big cover and a big ruse -- that yes, she's glamorous, of course she's smart, of course she's charismatic, all of that's a given, seems to be a great mom -- but that she was really aggressively pushing policy in the White House. Immigration reform, The New York Times now tells us. I was focused more on this child nutrition thing, which ended up being a big payoff to SEIU with the way it's being regulated in our schools. And you rose to the first lady's defense and you said, "Oh, now the garden is a problem, Ingraham." So if they should be coming after anyone, Bill, I'm happy to take the bullet for you.O'REILLY: Well, that's right, but I'm the big dog, you see.INGRAHAM: I'm a pretty big dog.O'REILLY: And here's what happened. I worked at ABC News, and here -- here's exactly what happened. They had some inexperienced correspondent -- I don't know even know who she is -- on it. But they had a producer. Producer was lazy. Producer looked at -- you know, Googled Michelle Obama. Bing, Media Matters comes up right away. He takes the thing right off. Doesn't do any contextual about it. When did it happen? Why did it happen? What was the --INGRAHAM: Oh, that's so -- why are you surprised? Why are you surprised by this?O'REILLY: No, I'm not, but I want the people to understand this is what happens all the time. So then ABC News on their World News broadcast reaches, what, 8 million people? OK, they throw my picture up there with the Fox News Channel underneath. And how are they supposed to know? How are these people supposed to know what the history of it is? They don't.INGRAHAM: Well, Bill -- Bill -- but here's what I -- here's my question, which I think is more interesting. with all due respect. Why do you think that there's no validity to this point that Michelle Obama is aggressively and somewhat effectively meddling in policy, even though she's an unelected official? That's what The New York Times book states on immigration reform and health care, that there was this big tension.O'REILLY: I didn't read the book so I can't know -- I didn't read the book so I can't know that.INGRAHAM: Well, yeah, but you're making this --O'REILLY: Look, and that's a debatable issue. Look, she may be --INGRAHAM: Yeah, but look, all I'm saying is I think -- I think you are a little more correct the first time you said what you said than you are in your kind of three and a half years later.O'REILLY: I don't think she -- look, I don't think she's an angry black woman I don't. All right, I didn't know her --INGRAHAM: No but nobody is talking about black. Who is talking about that?O'REILLY: Three and a half years ago -- three and a half years ago nobody knew her. And she had made that comment that everybody went crazy, "the first time I'm proud of my country." So we're probing to find out who she is, and a I asked the question. But look, you raise an interesting point. It could be that Michelle Obama is the power behind the throne --INGRAHAM: Yeah, it sounds like it.O'REILLY: -- and that she's doing a lot of these things to put forth a political agenda. Absolutely that could be true. We're open to that discussion anytime. I'll give you the last word.INGRAHAM: She has sharp elbows, Bill. She has sharp elbows, but she's also glamorous. The two can also, you know, can coexist at one time. She can be beautiful and a great mom, but she can also be a radical leftist who has a bit of an entitlement mentality, using the taxpayers' jet to go off a couple days early and not stay behind with her husband when a lot of people are struggling in this country. That doesn't look good to Americans who want to believe that the first lady and the president empathize with their plight. I think that's a legitimate discussion point, and I think that's, you know, that's a question.O'REILLY: Here's the bottom line: You should have been on that report, not me.INGRAHAM: Good. I -- no, the black thing has nothing to do with it. That's a game that they are playing, and that's an old game, and you called them out on it.O'REILLY: All right. Laura Ingraham, everybody.
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