"2011 will feature a very intense battle between conservative Americans and their liberal counterparts. While President Obama seems to be moving toward the center, there is no question that the Democratic Party is still embracing big government. On the other side, there's a split in the Republican Party between conservatives who want to dismantle just about everything President Obama has done and more moderate Republicans who are willing to compromise. Let's illustrate each position: The former 'green jobs czar' Van Jones lays out the liberal position as well as anyone, saying he wants equal life outcomes for all Americans. Jones and many liberals are willing to spend trillions of dollars in their pursuit of social justice. On the other side of the spectrum, Congressman Paul Broun of Georgia complains that President Obama wants the government to 'control everything in our lives.' Congressman Broun articulates the frustration on the right with big government intrusion. So 2011 is off to a roaring start in the conservative vs. liberal arena; expect things to get very intense as the year progresses."

Conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham contended that Republicans are poised to win the ideological battle. "If this is really a debate about big government versus small government," Ingraham said, "the GOP as it is currently constituted is going to do pretty well. The President will try to position himself in the middle as a pragmatist, and it's up to the Republicans to show that all this proposed spending on high-speed rail and infrastructure will not make us more competitive with China. The government is very inefficient at large industrial policy." Ingraham downplayed the notion of a rift within the GOP. "There's always a debate, and that's healthy, but the Republicans are polling well and they're in positive territory when it comes to public approval." The Factor reported new poll data showing just how evenly divided Americans are: "47% of the people have a favorable view of the Republican Party and 46% have a favorable view of the Democratic Party. There is an even split in this country right now."

For a view of the political divide from the liberal side, The Factor welcomed talk show host Leslie Marshall. "Polls show that the President is pretty popular right now and Americans are trusting him more," Marshall declared. "I agree with you that there is division on both sides, but in the GOP there is a three-way division. There are the moderate Republicans who want to compromise, there are the Republicans who are far-right and just want to unseat the President, and then there's the tea party faction. So I think there's more fragmentation on the right." Marshall claimed that President Obama's ballooning deficits are largely due to the wars he inherited. "Wars are the problem. Wars are costly, social programs don't cost that much."

Chinese American mom Amy Chua has ignited a firestorm with her book "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother," which depicts her and other Asian moms as harsh, demanding, and unwilling to settle for less than near-perfection. The Factor invited Culture Warriors Gretchen Carlson and Cheryl Casone to join the debate. "I had a lot of rules growing up," Carlson said, "and society needs strict rules. My mom said I could be anything I want to be, and as a consequence I was a violin prodigy, an A student, and a well-rounded child." Casone also urged American parents to be more like Asian 'tiger moms.' "Maybe American children are having too much fun, and this book has struck a nerve. The Chinese are number one in math and science - they are way ahead of us and we are threatened." But The Factor argued that 'tiger moms' can actually damage their progeny: "I can't believe you guys are both sticking up for this woman. Parents have a responsibility to make sure their kids are academically prepared to compete, but you don't have to go overboard like this crazy woman. Pressuring kids is morally wrong, let kids be kids!"

California 2nd grade teacher Elaine Brown was suspended by her school after she reported a 7-year-old school bully to the local sheriff. Brown entered the No Spin Zone and related her side of the story. "Twelve kids told me about this bully," Brown recalled, "and one child even said his life was threatened. I was concerned and I was thinking of the safety of the children, so I let the principal know I didn't want this kid in my classroom. The principal told me she could not assure me he would not be in the class, so I told her I would go to the sheriff's department to see if I could get a restraining order." Brown complained that the bully is still in the school. "He was moved to another 2nd grade classroom, the situation has not been solved, and my students are still in direct contact with him at lunchtime." The Factor delivered a pleasant surprise to Elaine Brown: "You were suspended because you violated policy by going to the sheriff, but we spoke to the superintendent and he assured us that you'll be back in the classroom very shortly."

Philadelphia abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnell has been charged with multiple murders; he allegedly killed already-delivered babies by sticking scissors into necks and severing their spinal cords. Judge Jeanine Pirro, sitting in for Megyn Kelly, elaborated on the case. "There's a lot of evidence here," Pirro reported, "that he murdered seven babies. He was doing this for years and there was not a review of this abortion clinic since 1993, even though women had died from perforated cervixes and other things. There were complaints about this guy for years but nobody touched him while he made millions of dollars on poor and low-income women." Pirro worried that Gosnell may prove difficult to convict. "You have to worry about that stealth juror who decides the case not based upon the evidence, but based on her political or philosophical ideals about 'choice.' This isn't about choice, it's about murder."

Martha MacCallum and Steve Doocy squared off again in the Great American News Quiz. Among the questions: "MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell previously worked as a producer on what TV drama?" ... "Which movie has nine 'Razzie' nominations, which are given to the year's worst movies and performances?" ... "If you donate $1,000 to Senator Tom Harkin, you get to do what with him?" MacCallum, perhaps the daughter of a 'tiger mom' herself, was nearly perfect and rang up a one-point victory.

Thursday's Patriots or Pinheads: Charles Woodson and his Green Bay Packer teammates who are upset because President Obama will be skipping the Super Bowl. Are the angry gridders patriotic or pinheaded? Cast your vote here on BillOReilly.com. Wednesday's P or P asked about Fox News anchor Bret Baier, who did his version of a rap song at a recent charity event. 72% of you described Bret as a full-fledged Patriot.