CT Blue

Yesterday, I argued that Bill O'Reilly would survive his exposure as a liar in the Brian Williams tradition. I take great pleasure in pointing out when I am right, so I am doing that now. The rules are different for Folks at Fox. O'Reilly's bosses are standing behind him, for exactly the reasons that I speculated they would:

Fox News is sticking by its boy even as a parade of Bill O'Reilly's former CBS colleagues come forward to say that his accounts of “war zone” and “combat situation” reporting are false. The tally of O'Reilly's embellishments keeps growing; in fact, one 2008 interview prompted one of O'Reilly's former CBS colleagues to complain at the time that O'Reilly's version of the story didn't match with reality

…

But for true believers, this is all just evidence that liberals are out to get O'Reilly, and his angry denials are The Truth. Seven of his former colleagues and contemporary press reports are lying, O'Reilly is to be trust. With Fox News executives sticking by him, this shouldn't damage O'Reilly much in the fictional world where he spends most of his time.

via Dailly Kos

According to the New York Times, which has now gotten around to covering the story:

Mr. O’Reilly said he would settle the dispute on his show, “The O’Reilly Factor,” on Monday. He also has invited former CBS News employees to appear on his show to discuss the controversy.

Now, you may think that O'Reilly is deviating from the script I wrote, for I suggested that the denials should be non-stop, but that in no case should one subject oneself to questioning. Surely, he runs a substantial risk by inviting CBS News employees to appear on his show. Don't believe it. He will either a) find former CBS employees, who now work at Fox; b) invite people on to his show who have no direct knowledge; or c) not let them get a word in edgewise once they're on the air.

In the end, he'll survive, with his reputation burnished among the faithful. In his position, all he need do is stick to his story, show up for work, and wait until the story grows old. As I said, there are different rules for folks on the right. They never have to take responsibility for their own actions, they never have to admit they were wrong, and they are allowed to be as hypocritical as they please.