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'''Bill O'Reilly''' is a famous commentator, author, and was the host of the show ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]'' on the [[Fox News Channel]], which he called the "No Spin Zone." O'Reilly calls himself a "traditionalist" and an "independent."  O'Reilly is not strongly [[conservative]], and he has ineptly tried to defend [[Obama]] against criticism for failing to provide his birth certificate.  Despite this, he is deeply disliked by many on the [[leftist|far left]].

'''Bill O'Reilly''' is a famous commentator, author, and was the host of the show ''[[The O'Reilly Factor]]'' on the [[Fox News Channel]], which he called the "No Spin Zone." O'Reilly calls himself a "traditionalist" and an "independent."  O'Reilly is not strongly [[conservative]], and he has ineptly tried to defend [[Obama]] against criticism for failing to provide his birth certificate.  Despite this, he is deeply disliked by many on the [[leftist|far left]].

Although many people consider O'Reilly a conservative, and although he frequently criticized left-wingers and their policies, he is probably better described as "non-ideological" or "populist."<ref>Antle III, James W. (April 19, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/donald-trump-and-the-gops-enduring-oreilly-factor/article/2620747 Donald Trump and the GOP's enduring 'O'Reilly factor']. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved April 20, 2017.</ref>  Often the show seems lost on social issues. Despite claims that O'Reilly is a conservative, a 2011 study showed that compared to the American population as a whole (which actually was relatively conservative), O'Reilly's views were actually in the political center of the population.<ref name="Pollak">Pollak, Joel B. (April 19, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/04/19/bill-oreilly-secret-centrist-not-conservative/ Bill O’Reilly’s Secret: He Was a Centrist, Not a Conservative]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 19, 2017.</ref> Interestingly, this was likely the reason his show was so popular.<ref name="Pollak"/>

Although many people consider O'Reilly a conservative, and although he frequently criticized left-wingers and their policies, he is probably better described as "non-ideological" or "populist."<ref>Antle III, James W. (April 19, 2017). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/donald-trump-and-the-gops-enduring-oreilly-factor/article/2620747 Donald Trump and the GOP's enduring 'O'Reilly factor']. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved April 20, 2017.</ref>  Often the show seems lost on social issues. Despite claims that O'Reilly is a conservative, a 2011 study showed that compared to the American population as a whole (which actually was relatively conservative), O'Reilly's views were actually in the political center of the population<ref name="Pollak">Pollak, Joel B. (April 19, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/04/19/bill-oreilly-secret-centrist-not-conservative/ Bill O’Reilly’s Secret: He Was a Centrist, Not a Conservative]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 19, 2017.</ref>, this was likely the reason his show was so popular.<ref name="Pollak"/>

O'Reilly held a pay-per-view online debate with "comedian" [[Jon Stewart]] on October 6, 2012, at George Washington University, with proceeds going to charity.<ref>[http://www.therumble2012.com/index.html The Rumble 2012]</ref>  However, the live streaming of the event was a bust due to technical ineptness.

O'Reilly held a pay-per-view online debate with "comedian" [[Jon Stewart]] on October 6, 2012, at George Washington University, with proceeds going to charity.<ref>[http://www.therumble2012.com/index.html The Rumble 2012]</ref>  However, the live streaming of the event was a bust due to technical ineptness.