Franken Is an Idiot, Angry O'Reilly Says

Newsmax.com ^ | 6-2-03 | Carl Limbacher

[Paul Atreides]

Leftist gadfly Al Franken, author of "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right," got under Bill O'Reilly's skin last night at the Book-Expo America convention when he went after fellow panelist and Fox superstar Bill O'Reilly in what the New York Post called "a blistering attack."

That set off an old-fashioned brouhaha with the two slinging insults at each other.

What got O'Reilly fuming was Franken's unexpected blind-siding him with invective while he sat listening during what was supposed to be a civilized panel discussion.

According to USA Today, O'Reilly told the booksellers his forthcoming book, "Who's Looking Out for You?," "takes on the powerful in a non-ideological way," adding that he's trying to "elevate the discourse" about politics. "I don't call anyone a liar or fat," which he noted Franken did in his best-selling "Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations."

When the long-winded Franken, whose TV comedy career has lagged for years, continued to speak beyond the 15-minute limit and challenged O'Reilly's claims about winning a journalism award, O'Reilly said "This idiot has been going on for 35 minutes." He referred to Franken as "vicious," and charged that he was "blinded by ideology."

Franken had at length accused O'Reilly of exaggerating his credentials as the former host of the TV news magazine "Inside Edition," the Post explained, adding that "O'Reilly sat stone-faced" during Franken's attack on his credibility - then exploded.

"This guy accuses me of being a liar, ladies and gentlemen, on national television," O'Reilly told the audience.

"He's a vicious - and that's with a capital V - a person who's blinded by ideology.

"All he's got in six-and-a-half years is that I misspoke, that I labeled a Polk Award a Peabody," said O'Reilly, referring to evidence that he had claimed "Inside Edition" has won two Peabody Awards, TV journalism's equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize.

When Franken tried to interrupt, O'Reilly went ballistic.

"Hey, shut up! You had your 35 minutes - shut up!" he shouted. "We're supposed to be on here for 15 minutes - this idiot goes 35."

"Bill, this isn't your show," Franken shot back. He said it was time for liberals "to stop taking it" and to attack conservatives for their alleged lack of civility.

That set off O'Reilly. "You write a book called 'Liar, Liar' and you talk about civility. Unbelievable."

"That's not the title," Franken said, "but it's close."

The cover of Franken's new screed shows Franken in front of TV monitors showing President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, commentator Ann Coulter and O'Reilly. According to the Post, the dustjacket of Franken's book features a photo of O'Reilly between the words "Lies" and "Lying."

It is said that it never pays to get into a fight with a newspaper, which buys paper by the ton and ink by the gallon. Franken is about to learn that it is even dumber to get into a fight with a TV superstar who's on the tube almost every night and has a gigantic audience.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Franken Is an Idiot, Angry O'Reilly Says

In a related story: noted newscaster O'Reilly also observed that "fire is hot"; "water is wet"; and that "Helen Keller was rather nearsighted." :)

[wideawake]

The apogee of Al Franken's career in comedy was his role as "Baggage Handler #1" in Trading Places.

All else is epilogue.

[TedsGarage]

It is said that it never pays to get into a fight with a newspaper, which buys paper by the ton and ink by the gallon. Franken is about to learn that it is even dumber to get into a fight with a TV superstar who's on the tube almost every night and has a gigantic audience.

Are they kidding? It's publicity, baby! Every author wants it, and Franken is getting more than he ever dreamed of.

[sam_paine]

But the corollary to "don't pick a fight with someone that buys ink by the barrel," is "all publicity is good."

Franken pulled O'Reilly's primary chain.....his ego. Honestly, what kind of idiots sat in the audience of these two bickering?????

[sam_paine]

You beat me by seconds, dang nabbit.

[realpatriot71]

One thing you DON'T do is call Bill a liar. I may not always agree with the guy, but what I respect about him is that he's honest.

Franken made a big mistake here.

[So Cal Rocket]

Yup...it's part of a carefully crafted series of events to get Franken's name into the limelight... he's going to be the "headliner" on the new liberal talk radio network...

Mark my words.

SCR

[WellsFargo94]

Franken is a desperate little man who's best claim to fame was as the Amtrac drunk/gorilla sitter on Trading Places.

[dead]

Al's about a year away from throwing pies at celebrities to try to get some airtime.

[Mister Baredog]

Franken is about to learn that it is even dumber to get into a fight with a TV superstar who's on the tube almost every night and has a gigantic audience.

This should be FUN to watch, IDIOTS like Franken ARE blinded by their ideology, he's an easy target, go get him Bill!!!LOL

[My2Cents]

Franken knows his liars.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

They are both idiots.

[bray]

Bill O' is as much a Conservative as Al Franken is a Comedian!

Pray for GW and the Truth

[My2Cents]

Yeah, I think Al Franken has just replaced George Clooney at the top of the O'Reilly's *shiite* list.

[muleskinner]

A typical Saturday Night Live show used to be pretty funny...then they'd run Franken's skit.

[NC Conservative]

The apogee of Al Franken's career in comedy was his role as "Baggage Handler #1" in Trading Places

He sucked at that too.

[sbw123]

Monkey? I'm a gorilla you stupid clown!
One of the funniest exchanges in the whole movie. Definately Franken at his best.

[JoeSchem]

"Bill, this isn't your show," Franken shot back. He said it was time for liberals "to stop taking it" and to attack conservatives for their alleged lack of civility.

Is Franken saying it's his show, and thereby he's allowed to talk 20 minutes over? The Entitlement Mentality looms large.

[skeeter]

Yup...it's part of a carefully crafted series of events to get Franken's name into the limelight... he's going to be the "headliner" on the new liberal talk radio network...

Am I the only one who's happy to have as many people as possible associating Al Franken with the Left?