On last night's The O'Reilly Factor, viewers were not treated to the director's cut of Jesse Jackson's statements about Barack Obama, as some expected might happen in a ratings stunt. Rather, Bill O'Reilly's told his audience, "You got the entire story concerning Jackson and Obama," and then proceeded to explain why Fox News chose to air the statements — and how the liberals at MSNBC and CNN would never do something so bold!

The fact that we did hold back some of Jackson's remarks has angered some viewers, like Steven Graham, who lives in Laramie, Wyo.

He writes, "Bill, you only reported half of the story. Do you think NBC or CNN would have reported half the story if Bush or Cheney had been overheard?"

Well, you're absolutely right about the president and vice president, sir. The left-wing media would have used every damaging thing they had, especially NBC News, which routinely lies about conservatives and Republicans to its everlasting disgrace. But we are not like them. You got the entire story concerning Jackson and Obama. Nothing was held back on that.

We didn’t run some trash talk that had nothing to do with policy. As most people know, the 'Factor’ has been tough on Jesse Jackson, holding him accountable for what he does in the public arena, and even investigating his finances. But we are not out to hurt the man in personal ways.

Again, that separates us from the vicious media that we deplore. We hold nothing back about policy. We are tough but fair to everyone, but the personal stuff we reject, unless it affects your life. That policy has served us well over the past 12 years. No spin analysis. It holds the powerful accountable and protects the folks, especially the kids and the elderly. But no personal stuff, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Except, like O'Reilly's hypocritical opinion about video camera ambushes — they're unacceptable when other people do it but fine when his producers do it — O'Reilly's record here is, uh, contradictory.

O'Reilly has long maintained that he won't do "personal attacks" and keeps his show about policy. Thus, O'Reilly has long lied about his methods.

[LAT]