Carlson Raps O'Reilly for Condemning Keith: Except He Didn't [Video]

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

As we noted here, when Andrea Mitchell appeared on The Factor last week, Bill O'Reilly confronted her over NBC's leftward tilt. Andrea not only denied any NBC bias, she also vouched for CBS' and ABC's fairness. For good measure, Mitchell claimed that Chris Matthews is no liberal.

Tucker Carlson fired back on his MSNBC show this afternoon. The gist of his argument: that in attacking Keith Olbermann, O'Reilly was actually promoting the Countdown's lefty host. There was only one problem with Carlson's theory: O'Reilly never mentioned Olbermann. Not once. I watched the Factor segment live, wrote about it, posted a video excerpt and - just for good measure - have gone back and checked the closed-caption transcript and can confirm that not only did O'Reilly not mention Olbermann, he never so much as alluded to him or his show.

But that didn't stop Carlson from arguing:

• "It comes after years of needling by Keith Olbermann. Olbermann has set out to drive Bill O'Reilly crazy and apparently he's succeeded."
• "If year after year you're being needled, so Keith Olbermann is starting to get under his skin, aren't you wise to resist, and try to ignore it, and not take the bait?"

Tucker's guests were recruited into the argument. Jonathan Alter needed no arm-twisting. After calling O'Reilly an inflated "blimp" "who's so full of it, it's coming out of his ears," Alter opined that "it's going to help Keith, I think it's great for Countdown."

Even the admirable Colonel Jack Jacobs was drafted, so to speak, into the argument. The Medal of Honor winner observed that "it is great news for Keith and for MSNBC."

View video here.

What's great? Not being mentioned by Bill O'Reilly? Alter and Jacobs were presumably taking Tucker's word for it, proving that it's a risky proposition to comment on a segment you apparently never saw. But what's Tucker's excuse?Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

False-feud ping to Today show list.

[leadpenny]

Watching a replay of "Tucker" now. I think that segment is coming up.

[highimpact]

If you can't report the news, you might as well make it up.

[Cicero]

When did the drive-by media ever worry about facts? They just figure it's time to move on to the next hit & run job.

[Chena]

I think it's time to send that liberal twirp some e-mails.

Tucker@msnbc.com

[onyx]

LOL!

[KC Burke]

Watching a replay of Tucker? How can you consider yourself sensible since you have an on/off switch?

[marsh_of_mists]

O'Reilly may have never mentioned Olbermann, but Olbermann's perfectly willing to bash O'Reilly anytime he wants. Olbermann is twice as vicious as O'Reilly could ever hope to be, and yet who to they go after? No one ever goes after Olbermann for being "mean-spirited", "divisive", or for "lowering the level of discourse" because he's a good liberal. Can you imagine a conservative pundit or even quasi-conservative like O'Reilly doing that "Worst Person in the World" bit in which he mocks the Cindy Sheehans and Harry Reids of the world? Why, they'd tear him to pieces! As per usual, the double-standard is more than obvious.

But at least Tucker finally got rid of the bowtie, once he realized that everyone else knew it was a ridiculous affectation. "Oh, look how conservative and old school I am; I'm thirty-five and wearing a bowtie!" What a dweeb.

[SunkenCiv]

There was only one problem with Carlson's theory: O'Reilly never mentioned Olbermann. Not once.

[Txsleuth]

LOLOLOLOL!!!

That is hilarious....I am sure that Bill purposely didn't mention Keith's name because of the ratings factor.

Tucker Carlson has been given his orders to be argumentative and liberal loving...and Fox hating.

He is doing the best he can, the poor thing....LOL

[Oldsailor]

Carlson is a twerp of no moment at all so discount his opnion even though he isn't bright enough to realize his error

Olberman is evil but very self absorbed and therefor not to be worried about because he is such a lightwieght and so narcissistic.

[greyfoxx39]

Carlson is a twerp of no moment at all so discount his opnion even though he isn't bright enough to realize his error

Besides which, only about 8 people watch that network, and 4 of them are on this thread, lol.

[leadpenny]

I agree with Col Jacobs. O'Reilly is "bombastic."

I think O'Reilly is a clown.. Can't stand the guy.

[leadpenny]

post 14.

[Chena]

I just sent him one and I already feel better. Among other things regarding Ms. Mitchell's appearance on O'Reilly, I also told him that MSNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN are the Al Jazeera's of America. Reporting what liberals want to hear, and delighting our enemies.

[MinuteGal]

Tucker didn't get rid of his bow tie. It just moved up to his forehead in the form of a wavy blob that sits like a Betty Boop kiss on the side of his temple.

Marceled blob or bow tie notwithstanding, Tucker John Wayne Carlson just thrills me to death.

In case of a real shooting war in a neighborhood near me, I'd love to have his protection in a foxhole.

Boop-boop-a-doop!

Leni

[popdonnelly]

People who call themselves journalists talking about other people who call themselves journalists is not news.

[onyx]

GOOD on you, Chena -- I completely agree with you.

[BunnySlippers]

I was hoping you meant Margaret Carlson ...