By Bill O'Reilly

Fox News host Mike Huckabee says he will not run for president in 2012, which opens up the field a bit for conservative candidates.

Donald Trump also will not run, citing his passion for business as the reason he's not getting into the race.

All of that is good news for Mitt Romney, who remains the frontrunner to secure the Republican nomination next year.

But all the Republican candidates should understand that the media will come after them with a ferocity that could be unprecedented. We're seeing it already. If a Republican candidate criticizes President Obama, he or she is often branded as racist. Listen to this exchange on NBC's "Meet the Press":

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID GREGORY, MODERATOR, "MEET THE PRESS": You gave a speech in Georgia with language a lot of people think could be coded racially tinged language, calling the president the first black president, a food stamp president.

NEWT GINGRICH, GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Oh, come on, David.

GREGORY: What did you mean? What was the point?

GINGRICH: That's, that's bizarre. That -- this kind of automatic reference to racism, this is the president of the United States. The president of the United States has to be held accountable. Now, the idea that -- and what I said is factually true. Forty-seven million Americans are on food stamps. One out of every six Americans is on food stamps. And to hide behind the charge of racism? I have -- I have never said anything about President Obama which is racist.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

To refresh your memory, Donald Trump was branded a racist for suggesting President Obama get off the basketball court and down to business. And when I, your humble correspondent, asked the president if he was a football fan, some branded that a racist comment as well.

The insanity of all this is apparent, but lurking beneath the surface is a very crucial issue for all Americans.

Next year, the Republican nominee will not only be competing against President Obama and the Democratic Party but also against the mainstream media, which is going to be even more committed to re-electing Mr. Obama than it was to electing him in the first place. That's because a loss for Mr. Obama would reflect very poorly on the media. If Americans repudiate the liberal value system that many in the elite media embrace, that would be a personal affront to them. So anyone who dares challenge Mr. Obama is in for a rough ride.

In looking at the field right now, it is Gov. Romney's election to lose. That's because he has the money and the organization to compete at a high level in the primaries. With Huckabee and Trump out, a window opens for Tim Pawlenty and perhaps Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana. But they'll have to catch fire pretty soon because the Iowa caucuses are just nine months away.

And that's "The Memo."

Pinheads & Patriots

President Obama's visit to El Paso, Texas, last week caused some controversy and was fodder for Jay Leno.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, HOST, "THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO": President Obama was in El Paso the other day talking about immigration. Did you see what happened during the speech? This is kind of embarrassing. The timing could not have been worse. Show what happened.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Everybody who's down here working at the border, we've answered those concerns. Under their leadership, we have strengthened border security beyond what many believe was possible. They wanted more agents at the border. Well, we now have more boots on the ground on the southwest border than at any time in history.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Was that bit pinheaded or patriotic? Please vote on BillOReilly.com.

On Friday we asked you whether actor Ashton Kutcher replacing Charlie Sheen on "Two and a Half Men" was a pinheaded move. Most of you say no, they like it, 58 percent patriotic; 42 believe the Kutcher replacement is pinheaded.

— You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Pinheads & Patriots" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the Fox News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com.