Bill O'Reilly: Final Republican debate before the Florida vote
January 30, 2012

By Bill O'Reilly

It looks like Mitt Romney made a comeback last night. The Governor was feisty for a change and went after Newt Gingrich big time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Is he still the most anti-immigrant candidate?

GINGRICH: I think of the four of us, yes.

BLITZER: Go ahead, Governor.

ROMNEY: That's simply inexcusable. That's inexcusable. Mr. Speaker, I'm not anti-immigrant. My father was born in Mexico. My wife's father was born in Wales. They came to this country. The idea that I'm anti- immigrant is repulsive.

Don't use a term like that. I think you should apologize for it and I think she's recognize of having differences of opinions on issues does not justify labeling people with highly-charged epitaphs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'REILLY: Well, unlike the final South Carolina debate, Speaker Gingrich did not really launch last night. He was much more measured in his responses. He largely left the media alone but did stakeout religious territory.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GINGRICH: One of the reasons I'm running is there has been an increasingly aggressive war against religion and in particular against Christianity in this country, largely by -- largely by a secular elite in the academic news media in judicial areas. And I frankly believe it's important to have some leadership that stands up and says enough, we are truly guaranteed the right of religious freedom, not religious oppression by the state.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O'REILLY: Now, a bunch of polls released today have Mitt Romney leading in Florida. But those polls are already obsolete because of what happened last night. "Talking Points" does expect Mitt Romney to win Florida with Newt Gingrich coming in second, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul a distant third and fourth. Of course I could be wrong but that is the trend line right now.

Once again, there really isn't much difference among Romney Gingrich and Santorum on the issues. They all want to lower taxes, shrink the government and promote capitalism. It is a matter of style, not substance in the Republican sweepstakes.

Tonight on the "The Factor" we'll look at the immigration brouhaha with Geraldo, the money factor with Lou Dobbs and the press component with Bernie Goldberg. Also we have BillO'Reilly.com poll question for you. We are asking, "Has the Factor been fair in covering the campaign so far?" Yes or no. I'll give you the results on Monday. It's a very lively poll.

One footnote we well understand that Ron Paul supporters don't like us because we think that Congressman Paul is out there and would never be able to govern the country because his belief system is so unorthodox. While the Congressman does have some good ideas he also has frightening ideas and he will not be much of a factor from now on, pardon the pun.

All in all last night's debate helped Mitt Romney, I believe. The Governor has to feel better today. And that's "The Memo."

- 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.

Transcript Date: 
Fri, 01/27/2012
Transcript Show Name: 
O'Reilly Factor
Posted by BillOReilly.com Staff at 5:38 AM
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