More than a week after Geraldo Rivera said he'd spit on Michelle Malkin if he ever saw her, the controversial Fox News anchor issued an apology on last night's "O'Reilly Factor."
"I just, you're so filled with emotion," Rivera said referring to the incident. "Someone calls you a liar and a fool, you want to strike back at them. It was an unguarded moment."
"I totally apologize, that's not me, I don't spit. I'm not a spitter," he said.
Transcript and video below the fold. Hat tip: Allahpundit.
Here's the transcript:
BILL O'REILLY: Now, Michelle Malkin and you got into a little bit of a—you called her a, you said something nasty, you wanna say something?
GERALDO RIVERA: I said that I would spit on her if I saw her, she called me a fool and a liar. I totally apologize for that, it was ungentlemanly, it was an ungallant thing to say. Not like me, I'm not a spitter. And I completely apologize to Michell Malkin.
O'REILLY: --Why did you say it?
RIVERA: I just, you're so filled with emotion. Someone calls you a liar and a fool, you want to strike back at them. It was an unguarded moment to a good reporter for the Boston Globe, Mark Shanahan, and he asked me and I was just bubbling with anger.
O'REILLY: Are you really, are you really--
RIVERA: --And I was just bubbling with anger--
O'REILLY: OK, you're emotional, you're a macho guy anyway, you shoot your mouth off like that, I do.
RIVERA: I totally apologize, that's not me, I don't spit. I'm not a spitter.
O'REILLY: OK. Are you really sorry, Geraldo?
RIVERA: I am really sorry. I just don't do that. I don't care who it is. I just (unintelligible)
O'REILLY: All right, because you did hurt her feelings and we don't want to do that here on the Fox--
RIVERA: --I'm sorry I hurt her feelings, she's a mother
O'REILLY: --And she's an honest--
RIVERA: --and a person that works hard, I disagree with everything she says--
O'REILLY: OK, but even if you do, Michelle Malkin is an honest woman and that's her opinion and she's entitled to it without any--
RIVERA: I completely apologize. I am sorry. It would never happen, I will never say anything like it again.
O'REILLY: All right.
—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.
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Comments Policy
Well, that's okay, Geraldo.
September 15, 2007 - 00:23 ET by Dave RBecause I wouldn't p*ss on you if you were on fire.
"I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!”- Rick Roberts
Yes Geraldo, you're full of
September 15, 2007 - 00:26 ET by rbosqueYes Geraldo, you're full of "emotion". Everyone else calls it crap.
}}---> OReilly comes through
September 15, 2007 - 01:18 ET by Cool ArrowI'm one of those who sent email to Bill.
My opinion of Rivera hasn't changed, but Bill's stock went up a tick.
~LYDSEXICS UNTIE!~
Sincerity score, 0 - 10 is highest
September 15, 2007 - 02:50 ET by SportPoliticsHmm, the laugh when asked if he's sincere... cut down quite a bit on believability, as well as the smirk never really went away.
I don't buy that he's sorry, but I'll give him a few points for bowing to pressure and wanting to make sure he gets to be on The Factor some more, and I'm betting there is a mini-vacation coming up soon for guess who, and Michelle Malkin will be Hosting. I expect another apologetic exchange over it when Heraldo appears in front of her.
I'll give him a 4 of 10, he's not sorry but he actually said it, so that's half, 5 of ten, then -1 for smiling and laughing, 4 total. I should take another point off for his whining that she called him a fool and a liar, I guess I feel too generous at this hour. I guess I shouldn't. 3.
Just arranging the comments differently
September 15, 2007 - 03:41 ET by old croGERALDO RIVERA: I said that I would spit on her if I saw her, she
called me a fool and a liar.
O'REILLY: --And she's an honest--
Nuff said
Too little
September 15, 2007 - 06:09 ET by Army BratToo damn late.....Happy Trails...
Well, I'd spit on you,
September 15, 2007 - 07:46 ET by bretzysdudeWell, I'd spit on you, Geraldo. And I wouldn't apologize for it.
Forgive
September 15, 2007 - 08:41 ET by iveseenitallAh, come on. Forgive Jerry. After all, he's just a hard - working, nice guy. He's just like all the illegal immigrants he defends with such passion.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
RIVERA: "I totally
September 15, 2007 - 08:57 ET by Conservative_in_mass.RIVERA: "I totally apologize, that's not me, I don't spit. I'm not a spitter."
Well you could always move over to PMSNBC and take lessons from Chrissy.
The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. ~ Unknown
<>As a believer in
September 15, 2007 - 09:00 ET by Ruths husband Ben<>As a believer in forgiveness and redemption, I take him at his word. Nuff said.
"We just can't trust the American people to make those types of
choices.... Government has to make those choices for people" -HRC
you do know geraldo has a questionable history with women
September 15, 2007 - 09:07 ET by lunaticcringeradiodepending on what geraldo meant by spitting on her, he very well could have been refering to a forced sex act.
lunaticcringeradio
O'REILLY: --Why did you say
September 15, 2007 - 09:34 ET by drillanwrO'REILLY: --Why did you say it?
RIVERA: I just, you're so filled with emotion. Someone calls you a liar and a fool, you want to strike back at them ...
Gee, I guess that's what separates the Men from the boys ... Geraldo could learn a thing or two from the likes of Pres. Bush, and above all Gen. Petreaus ... on being called liars ... and worse.
Experience
September 15, 2007 - 09:55 ET by Big WallyExperience tells me that somebody who goes off so mean spirited on being called a liar means he is one and knows it.
Geraldo the Jerk
September 15, 2007 - 11:04 ET by River CityThis response puts Geraldo firmly in the group of people who operate out of emotions and not ideas and thoughts. Can't stand him and never could.
“Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.” Ronald Reagan
Michelle was right
September 15, 2007 - 10:58 ET by mattm...to call Rivera a fool and a liar and his reaction proved it. She could also have called him a racist, anti-asian bigot.... but then, she's not gutter trash...
Michelle Malkin is too self-righteous for my stomach
September 15, 2007 - 11:09 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasGeraldo is just plain dumb and of course deluded by the liberal mindset of his philosophy. However and frankly, Michelle Malkin is about as self-righteous as they come. She might on many occasions have her political views in order (not always mind you and her social sciences are Draconian to say the least) but she hasn't a clue or little clue at best regarding the intellectual, academic and logical construct of the conservatism. She is intemperate, demagougic and easily succumbs to the "crusadership mentality" of tyrannical personalities. She is not a good representative of sound conservatism but then that is why FOX likes having her on. Demogougery = Mature Consideration.
Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!
Michelle
September 15, 2007 - 11:11 ET by third eyeMichelle, ma belle
Sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble
tres bien ensemble
Oui Oui Viva la Malkin
September 15, 2007 - 11:23 ET by Lame CherryN'y a pas il une dame plus belle en ce monde qu'un conservateur Michele Malkin, intelligent, fort, assez et un guerrier au coeur. Elle est l'épitomé de la condition féminine.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Let's not miss the real
September 15, 2007 - 11:15 ET by drillanwrLet's not miss the real point here ...
Geraldo admitted his views on illegal aliens is pretty much based in "emotion".
THIS is exactly why liberal "ideas" (if you can call them ideas) never seem to work. They are primarily based in emotion. And when confronted with facts, figures and plain common sense they, liberals, cannot handle that brick wall and splatter emotion all over it.
After all, how much longer is this country going to be involved in "The War On Poverty"? How much has that cost this country in blood and treasure? Treasure, in all the money pumped into it over these decades ... Blood in all the additional poverty and economic and social stagnation it has created in poverty stricken areas that has fed the volume of crime.
Body Fluid Rivera or Rivers
September 15, 2007 - 11:17 ET by Lame CherryMr. Rivera or Rivers, having been in the situation time and in liberals, Muslims, Talmudic Jews, unstable fringe males and females either threatening my life, calling me names, stalking me, tracking me and even spitting on me..........
I simply smiled and turned it all over to God as I do not get carried away with weak people baiting me and getting emotional in public. God balances all books in reckoning. You should try Faith Mr. Rivera and not body fluids on women as it has gotten you into loads of trouble.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Not a spitter, huh?
September 15, 2007 - 11:38 ET by Uncle JohnHe's always struck me as more of a swallower.
Yes... of La Raza
September 15, 2007 - 14:28 ET by stratmanYes... of La Raza Kool-Aid.
Killing them with kindness isn't working. Time to get scrappy with the Donkeys.
Apology, indeed!
September 15, 2007 - 16:28 ET by leepro(also posted over at MichelleMalkin.com)
Yeah, he “apologized” 3 times, but each and every time was qualified
with at least two more vicious jabs at Michelle. That, in my book, is
nowhere near a sincere apology!
And in addition, Bill O contributed to the weakness of it by saying,
“It hurt her feelings.” Hurt her feelings, indeed! It was a direct
insult and a threat.
"There is none so blind as those that would not see." (Proverb)
In my state, spitting is
September 15, 2007 - 18:21 ET by tracheostomyIn my state, spitting is grounds for assault.
Is it just me, or has political debate in general been heating up to the point of potential threats of violence?
-PJ
"Trake: Your lofty convictions are another blemish on the rump of congregational sectarianism." -Tumbler 5/15/07
That doesn't sound like much
September 15, 2007 - 18:35 ET by msh1973That doesn't sound like much of an apology to me. More like...I'm sorry I made a fool out of myself on national TV, I still don't agree with anything she says....blah, blah, blah.
I have a few...
September 15, 2007 - 23:46 ET by tenthreeleader...one word descriptions for Jerry Rivers. I'd list a few but I don't want to get banned.
But thank goodness I can cross "spitter" off the list.
Spent the day with Michelle, Sat.
September 16, 2007 - 16:07 ET by JayTeeWell, I know for a fact Michelle Malkin was "Out of Reach" of any Spitter Saturday, she spent the day with the Gathering of Eagles on the DC mall, with an Army surrounding her....some Ex Army, some current Iraq Army....and don't forget the Marines/Navy/Air Force and Gold Star Families.
Duncan Hunter dropped by to speak to the Eagles, and an Occaisional Moonbat dropped by, but left without the Sign they carried in.
Michelle was not speaking, just supporting with her presence.
I saw her at the Rally, but didn't see her on the Pennsylvania "spit in".......when the Anti-War crowd had to walk thru the Verterans lining both side of Pennsylvania Ave. for two blocks, 7th-9th.
The moonbats didn't have the streets to themselves, and they had to take some Verbal free speech on the way to the capitol.
A good time was had by all Eagles, and Michelle looked like she was enjoying the Eagle Party.
If you saw/heard the Sat. Gathering of Eagles rally on C-span today, and compared it to the Anti war rally broadcast...there was really no comparison...not in a million years.
It was obvious to the most casual Observer, it was "Americans" vs the "Communists".
The ANSWER/MOVE ON crowd no longer has the steets to themselves....They now have a dedicated Escort service of Americans where ever they go.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
See now, the MONEY question
September 17, 2007 - 04:17 ET by KhyrisSee now, the MONEY question from BOR if he had been thinking about it:
"Someone calls you a liar and a fool, you want to strike back at them. But Jerry, SOME people, like for example, oh, I dunno, YOU... say that about the President on an almost daily basis. Do those people deserve to be struck back?"
OK, you're emotional,
September 17, 2007 - 05:19 ET by Jack Bauer"Macho" guys are traditionally "emotional." Really?
I thought it was the opposite. Macho guys being those silent manly chaps who are not ruled by their emotions. The sort that used to be portrayed on screen by Gary Cooper. Men of few words and much action.
Ergo: not emotional, and most definitely not emotional in public. He'll be crying next, on air.