"Governor Palin has agreed to do commentary here on FNC and will begin tomorrow night on The Factor. This is good news for us, as the governor is the most charismatic politician in the country, with the possible exception of President Obama. With her increased visibility, we can expect even more media attacks on Sarah Palin, but in my opinion the loathing towards her by the press has made her much stronger in the eyes of the public. Her book is a huge best seller, her speaking fees are in the six figure range, and she's a legitimate presidential contender in 2012, should she seek the office. I'm ready to pronounce Sarah Palin a 'teflon politician' - no matter how they try to destroy her, it doesn't stick. It will be fascinating tomorrow to hear what she thinks about Harry Reid's comment that Barack Obama was a legitimate presidential contender because he doesn't speak in 'Negro dialect.' Governor Palin will get a question about that and many other things that are swirling around in the political arena. We will see her Tuesday night right here."

As mentioned in Talking Points, a new book reveals that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid praised Barack Obama as a "light-skinned" man with no "Negro dialect." The Factor asked FNC analyst Brit Hume whether Republicans and Democrats are judged by different standards when it comes to racial comments. "Republicans find the political atmosphere far less forgiving," Hume stated, "when they make an inappropriate comment on race. Democrats and liberals consider themselves to be friends of African Americans and the media tends to go along with that." Hume suggested that Reid's words were most insulting to the American people. "What he said presupposes that the American public is still so affected by racism that it would not accept as president anyone who is 'partially black.' I don't think that's necessarily true." The Factor bemoaned the obvious double standard: "If I had said that or you had said that we would have been carved up. We're just not an honest society, particularly in the media."

The Factor next asked two prominent Democrats about Harry Reid's remarks. "I was offended by the comments," said Professor Marc Lamont Hill, "but you have to look at a person's entire record. Reid's record is good in terms of supporting civil rights legislation and the Congressional Black Caucus is defending him because they don't believe he is racist." Former Bill Clinton aide Lanny Davis vigorously defended Reid's character. "He made a terrible mistake in the words that he chose, but there isn't a mean bone in this good-hearted man. I don't believe in using the word 'racist' when someone has a verbal gaffe." The Factor agreed that Reid should not be unfairly tarred: "Everybody says things they wish they could take back, and I don't believe that Harry Reid had any malice in his heart against African Americans."

New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd, a committed liberal, has assailed Barack Obama as "President Cool" who was too unemotional about the Christmas bombing. The Factor asked FNC analysts Juan Williams and Mary Katharine Ham about that criticism. "She's correct," Ham began. "He is the talkingest president in the history of the nation, but he didn't talk on that occasion. This guy kind of stands back and doesn't make bold decisions, and a lot of the left is coming to grips with the fact that this is not the guy they sold themselves on." Williams advised President Obama to express anger when it is justified. "Obama does need to stand up, and this is a watershed moment to get Maureen Dowd in this position, to have her say we need a strong father figure who is going to protect us. Passion and emotion are elements that must be included in the way Barack Obama deals with things." The Factor concluded that "cool got him elected, but it doesn't work when you're in the middle of a war."

First Lady Michelle Obama is reportedly about to become more involved in various issues, including the fight against childhood obesity. Fox News analyst Laura Ingraham entered the No Spin Zone with her take on Mrs. Obama's influence. "She has a 25% bigger staff than any First Lady in history," Ingraham said, "and she has made it clear that she is not going to be content doing events in the garden and showing up at military installations. They're going to put her out there on the policy front, trying to get some of the 'Michelle magic' to rub off on her husband." Ingraham theorized that increased visibility may have a downside. "She's popular partly because she is not all that connected to President Obama's unpopular issues. The more she goes out there and becomes identified with these policies, the more that will hurt her." The Factor agreed that Mrs. Obama has to tread carefully: "If she sticks to childhood obesity and other social problems, it won't hurt her. If she gets into health care, all hell could break loose."

NBC's latest disaster is the failed prime time experiment involving Jay Leno, who will return to his old 11:35 PM time slot. The Factor asked FNC media analyst Bernie Goldberg what the episode reveals about the network's leadership, particularly NBC Universal boss Jeff Zucker. "I have tremendous admiration for Jeff Zucker," Goldberg said sarcastically. "How somebody could screw up as royally as he screwed up and not get fired is nothing less than awe-inspiring." Goldberg also found parallels between Zucker and President Obama. "They're both Harvard guys who think they can accomplish anything. They were both told from the time they were teenagers that they were sun gods, they believed this stuff about themselves and then they overreached. Zucker will be fired within a year." The Factor also marveled at Jeff Zucker's ability to survive: "This guy has ruined a whole network and he gets a new contract."

When conservative pundit George Will defended Harry Reid's remarks about President Obama, fellow conservative Liz Cheney called Reid's comments "clearly racist." The Factor's Check: "The term 'racist' is used far too often, but there's no question Senator Reid made a verbal mistake. What's in his heart is impossible to determine." As reported previously, publicly-financed NPR posted an animated cartoon on its website that ridicules tea party protesters. The Factor's Check: "The NPR ombudsperson called the cartoon 'a mean-spirited attack on people who think differently' than the cartoonist."

Monday's Patriot: Country star Garth Brooks, who is raising money to benefit inner-city children. And the Pinhead: Actress Halle Berry, who was whisked to the front of a long security line at a Montreal airport.

Ali Abdulrahman, Kuwait City: "Bill, I agree with you! The Obama administration is mishandling foreign terrorists. If the underwear bomber was under 18, would they find him a foster home?"

Jim Hriskinos, Santa Rosa, CA: "President Obama continues to believe that Guantanamo Bay helps terrorists recruit. How about firing drone missiles at them, isn't that a recruiting tool as well?"

Dave Risner, Myrtle Beach, SC: "O'Reilly, I applaud your efforts to dissuade Glenn Beck from confronting his critics. Nobody cares about them."

Glenn Solomon, Glendale, CA: "Bill, thank you for telling Glenn the phrase is 'I couldn't care less.' So many people say 'I could care less.'"

Vickie Sells, Charleston, WV: "Bill, when you corrected Beck on the air, it made you look small."