The video: Fox News host Bill O'Reilly had Sarah Palin on his show Friday night to discuss entitlement reform, and he wouldn't take vague generalities for an answer. O'Reilly repeatedly pressed Palin for specifics on how she would tackle Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare, until Palin "got testy" and told O'Reilly that it is hard to "get my point across to you if you interrupt." (Watch the clip below.) O'Reilly "backed off a bit after that," notes Politico's Andy Barr.
The reaction: "It's hard to say why it happened," but it sure was fun watching O'Reilly ditch the "the usual softballs" Palin gets at Fox News, says David Neiwert in Crooks And Liars. Does this mean "her free ride at Fox" is almost over? No, "this smells like a setup," says Zandar Versus the Stupid. Fox will push out a couple of "'not-so-softball' interviews" to inoculate itself from accusations that that it's coddling Palin before she steps in the presidential ring. This interview shows she's ready now, says Mark Whittington in Associated Content. In the past, Palin has been "a little flustered" by O'Reilly's interruptions. By "pushing back," she looks tough and prepared. Watch out, Katie Couric.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn inSpeed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion banSpeed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling BiblesSpeed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitnessIn Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
