Quote of the morning

We don't yet know who the presidential nominee will be, but according to Bill O'Reilly, the Democrats "dodge" Fox News at their own risk.

Published February 6, 2008 3:25PM (EST)

Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly called in to "Fox and Friends," his network's morning show, Wednesday. We tuned in just in time to catch the following exchange:

F&F: "So let me ask you -- is Obama going to do your show?"

Bill O'Reilly: "You know, he said he would. So we think he's a man of his word. He said he'd do it after the primaries -- gives him wiggle room, because he's still got more primaries coming up. But we expect both Obama and Hillary Clinton to be respectful to the Fox News Channel and to 'The O'Reilly Factor.' If they are not respectful, obviously we will report that right away."

F&F: "Hillary Clinton, to her credit, says she will debate on Fox; she's waiting for Barack Obama to answer her ..."

O'Reilly: "Look, I think both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton understand the Fox News Channel is the dominant force in cable news, and in prime-time news in this country. If you dodge the Fox News Channel -- which has treated both candidates fairly, by the way -- if you dodge us, it is at your peril."

For the record, Obama made comments about appearing on O'Reilly's show following the primaries (reportedly, Obama did not actually promise to do so, but said he would consider it) just after O'Reilly pushed an Obama staffer standing in the way of O'Reilly's cameraman at a New Hampshire rally in January.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

MORE FROM Alex Koppelman


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

2008 Elections Barack Obama Bill O'reilly Fox News Hillary Rodham Clinton War Room