O'Reilly has become a mere shadow of his former self, and the victim of his own celebrity and success. Seen it happen many times. He got too big, and he couldn't handle it. He was more concerned with being accepted by the "in" crowd that he became one of them.
Something's definately gone wrong with O'reilly lately. I dunno if franken made him snap or what.
Clue for O'reilly: Act conservative, be popular. Act moderate or wussy, you won't be.
I call it "The McLean Stevenson" syndrome.