UPDATE: O'Reilly non-explains and non-apologizes for bad journalism

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08/17/2007

by Jeremy Hooper

Yesterday, we showed you how Bill O'Reilly completely misrepresented a poll, saying it showed "that most Americans won't vote for you if you get an endorsement by a gay rights group." Well, our friends at Media Matters have informed us that Mr. O'Reilly did acknowledge the gaffe -- thanks to being contacted by GLAAD -- but he did not for even one second admit he had made a mistake. Instead, he just tersely said:

Picture 16-19 "OK. Here is the Quinnipiac poll question that was asked in a few states, Florida being this example. "If a candidate is supported by a gay rights group, would you be more likely to vote for the candidate, less likely, or it doesn't make a difference?

Ten percent, more likely; 28 percent, less likely; doesn't make a difference, 60 percent. That's what I was referring to. "
(**see the video at Media Matters)

But this is a complete and utter SPIN job from Mr. "no spin"! He didn't at all address that the VAST MAJORITY of these swing state voters said it "doesn't make a difference" to them if a candidate is gay group-endorsed!!! THAT is the money number in this poll, not that around 28% would drop support for H.R.C if she were endorsed by HRC! Hell, around 28% of the population will surely drop support for any candidate who so much farts in a gay friendly manner! The fact that around 70% of these swing state voters would either be more likely to vote for or unaffected by a gay endorsed candidate is the big take-away message! And it is a a very different message than "most Americans won't vote for you if you get an endorsement by a gay rights group."

We know you like to protect the "unborn," Bill. But seriously, dude -- you gotta abort this "stubborn" act and start admitting that you are (frequently) fallible!

O'Reilly noted poll on effect of gay rights groups' endorsements, but not that he had been wrong about results [MM]

**RELATED:

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**RELATED2: Andrew at Queerty has uploaded a Media Matters video wherein O'Reilly says everyone needs to "relax on this gay stuff," followed by over 4 minutes of O'Reilly demonstrating his own inability to "relax" on our issues: