Opinion> Bill Oreilly> Partying With The President

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Partying with the President

One of the good things about being a media loudmouth is that occasionally you get invited somewhere you actually want to go. This year, I was lucky enough to get an invitation to the White House media holiday party, which would have been called a Christmas party if U.S. Grant were still president.

Anyway, this is the fourth time I've attended the annual event, and I count myself very fortunate. I love the White House — it symbolizes the greatness of America. The courage and goodness that have been displayed inside this residence ever since John Adams moved in have dramatically changed the world for the better.

Last year, President and Mrs. Bush hosted their final party, and it was fairly extravagant. This year, the crowd was much smaller and the atmosphere was toned down a bit, perhaps because of the government-spending controversy and the recession.

My brief meeting with President and Mrs. Obama went well. Even though I have challenged the president on a number of occasions, I believe I have been fair to him. We chatted briefly, and he said that I looked to be in better shape than the last time we saw each other. I said that's because he's keeping me on my toes.

Michelle Obama, whom I had never met, was stunning. She was warm and kind to my 10-year-old daughter and gracious to me. My quick assessment of her: strong, charismatic and beautiful.

After greeting the Obamas, I ran into the president's cadre of advisers and gave them some jazz about the war on Fox News, a campaign that did not go well for the White House.

Basically, I told the president's men and women that Americans love spirited conversation and if they have a beef with something on Fox News, they should come on my television program and hash it out. Look what happened to Al Sharpton. His appearances on Fox News have helped his image immensely. You may not agree with what the reverend says, but at least he has the guts to debate the issues.

At Christmastime, we should all put politics aside. And that's what the Obamas did. There were a number of Republicans at the party, and everybody I talked with had a great time. I was pleased with the event and, again, feel privileged to have the vantage point.

I wish everybody could visit the White House in December. There is something about viewing all the portraits of past presidents, hearing the Marine Corps choir sing Christmas songs and seeing each White House room perfectly decorated for the season that is invigorating, even thrilling.

So, I received my Christmas present early. Thanks for the party, Mr. President.

Veteran TV news anchor Bill O'Reilly is host of the Fox News show "The O'Reilly Factor" and author of the book "Who's Looking Out For You?" To find out more about Bill O'Reilly, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com. This column originates on the Web site www.billoreilly.com.

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM

Comments

3 Comments | Post Comment

You don't need the "media" qualifier to describe yourself, O'Reilly. Glad to see you're off the kick of doing your own part to kill Christmas spirit by whining about the so-called godless and going into juicy detail about how they do their business. Turn that loudmouth to other topics and let them get their own publicity. This column is a much better way to go.

Comment: #1
Posted by: Masako
Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:37 AM

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P.S. Since your president was gracious enough to put politics aside and welcome you, warts and all without commenting on them, you ought to at least have the decency to say a simple "thank you" here and not use it as a plug to hawk your TV station and its playbook of pseudo information. Back in the days of U.S. Grant, which I guess it's your God-given right to yearn for, that kind of ranting might possibly have sold as well as it does now, but it would not have been dignified any more then than it should be now as "news."

Comment: #2
Posted by: Masako
Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:12 PM

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I greatly appreciated your civility and graciousness at this joyful time of the year. As Americans (even those living abroad as I do) let's work on what unites us.

Comment: #3
Posted by: Robert Gray
Thu Dec 24, 2009 1:00 AM

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