The O'Reilly Factor
A daily summary of segments aired on The O'Reilly Factor. A preview of the evening's rundown is posted before the show airs each weeknight.
Monday, April 4, 2016
The Factor Rundown
Talking Points Memo & Top Story
Unresolved Problems
Personal Story
Impact Segment
Factor Followup
Watters' World
Factor Mail
Tip of the Day
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White Grievance and the Republican Party
"Polls say that Donald Trump's rise is fueled largely by white men who are angry with both parties. According to the Washington Post, Trump is favored by 50% of Republican voters who make less than $50,000 a year, most of them men. His support is largely coming from working-class white men who feel aggrieved. We've seen this before. The black grievance industry is a powerful presence, selling the notion that most problems in African-American precincts are caused by white people and historical oppression. Many white Americans believe illegal immigration hurts their job prospects and are angered by changing neighborhoods and social patterns. Their refrain is often, 'I want my country back.' These voters are tired of seeing welfare doled out to people who are not motivated to succeed. They are angry that terrorists are not being contained. The white grievance crew also believes they are being oppressed economically. Enter Donald Trump, who vividly reflects the anger, who has criticized his own party for being weak. Both the black and white movements have some legitimate points. There is no question that in poor black neighborhoods schools are generally deficient. On the white side, here's a simple example: The Republican Party did not get behind Kate's Law, which would have harshly punished illegal alien felons who defy deportation. When you control both houses of Congress and you cannot get Kate's Law passed, there is a serious problem. Again, Donald Trump has tapped into that chaos. Going forward, Mr. Trump's nomination is not a lock. He has made mistakes and will have to win over millions of Americans who do not believe he is qualified. That being said, the issue of white grievance is not going away and Trump will maintain a loyal level of support. Many of his supporters are furious, and if Mr. Trump does not get the nomination, the stay-home vote next November is likely to be substantial."

The Factor welcomed Charles Krauthammer, who disagreed with the Talking Points Memo's emphasis on race. "None of this is a racial grievance," he declared, "because to me the issue is class, not race. This is about people with less education, and to me the central problem is a deep historical one that neither party knows how to solve. We have entered an information age, leaving behind the industrial age, and it is littered with people who don't fit. We don't know how to solve the problem of the huge gap between the more-educated and the less-educated. But I don't disagree with the fact that part of Trump's appeal has to do with fear of 'the other,' which has been amplified by a candidate who knows how to exploit this."
Hillary Clinton on Abortion
Returning for another segment, Charles Krauthammer reacted to Hillary Clinton's declaration that unborn babies have no constitutional rights. "You can argue that a 48-cell blastocyst does not have the protection of the state," Dr. K opined, "but that is different from an 8-month fetus. You might not say that fetus is the equivalent of a person, it certainly is close enough that you don't treat it like a piece of tissue. Even people who are pro-choice are made queasy by third-trimester abortions." The Factor pointed out that Hillary Clinton broke a taboo that is strictly enforced by Planned Parenthood and other organizations, saying, "The anger from the pro-abortion groups is that Hillary Clinton said 'unborn person."
Bill's Cuban Adventure
The Factor spent last week in Cuba and returned with these observations: "I arrived in Cuba shortly after anti-government demonstrations in Havana. But few in Cuba even knew this happened, and the Cubans I spoke with denied that anything even took place. There was a complete news blackout. Simply put, Cuba is a police state! After 57 years of Fidel and Raul Castro, almost 75% of all Cuban workers are paid by the central government and salaries average $24 a month. Since no one can live on that, an underground economy rules. It doesn't help much and most Cubans are desperately poor. Buildings are crumbling and staples are in short supply. Cubans point to free health care and education, but what's the point of being educated when the government controls what you get paid? My crew and I stayed about two hours outside of Havana because I wanted to see the countryside. The Cuban people are very nice, but the hotel was a disaster. Maybe your room would be cleaned, maybe not. The Castro brothers, backed by the military, control everything. The officer corps are rich and live great, but the regular folks are beaten down and fearful. Some support the police state, but others seethe under the crushing poverty. Socialism never works, and Bernie Sanders needs to go to Cuba and take witness. Every American should see Cuba, if only to see what a ferocious central government can do. Only capitalism can rescue Cuba, but that won't happen while the Castros are alive."
Americans Glamorizing Socialism
The Factor asked Juan Williams why so many young Americans continue to glorify socialism and are fans of Bernie Sanders. "These people in Cuba are communists," Williams declared, "and I think they are evil. But young people say the government will take care of my tuition and health care. Bernie Sanders is not realistic, he says he's going to lead a revolution and people like you and me will come along." The Factor concluded, "In order to have true socialism you have to have a police state, the philosophy of socialism never works."
Trump in Decline?
The media reported with undisguised glee that Donald Trump just endured his worst week ever The Factor asked former Speaker Newt Gingrich to analyze. "No conservative should ever think the news media will be anywhere close to fair," he pronounced. "If you're a very noisy conservative, you have to expect this. This is part of the process of being a conservative in America. And Donald Trump is the greatest threat to the political establishment in my lifetime. The Factor contended that the media harbors a deep disdain for the Republican front-runner: "The vilification of Donald Trump is far more than it would be if it was Ted Cruz or Mitt Romney or John McCain, it's really personal with Trump."
The "Democracy Spring" Edition
Jesse Watters spent part of his weekend with marchers who are trekking from Philadelphia to Washington to protest money in politics. Here's what a few of them had to say: "We're trying to get money out of politics" ... "We won't leave until politicians come to their senses" ... "If you're not native, you're illegal and you should all go back to Europe" ... "Jimmy Carter was good and we've gone downhill since then."
Viewers Sound Off
Factor Words of the Day
Jerry Clements, Peoria, AZ: "I am not a Trump supporter. However, if the Republicans had gone after Barack Obama like they are attacking Trump, McCain or Romney would have been president."

Sandy Northcutt, Marana, AZ: "I don't care about gotcha questions from the press. I don't care about the wives of candidates. What I care about is stopping terror attacks slowing illegal immigration. If reporters, including you, Bill, would stop all the hyping and talk about issues, the country might just pull together."

David Self, Huntsville, AL: "Bill, love how you show both perspectives on your coverage of Donald Trump. Some think you support him, others that you are unfair to the man. That's because they are practicing tribalism - you are either for or against."
A Word to the Wise on Checked Bags
When you're checking baggage on a flight, keep in mind that there is always the danger of theft or lost luggage.