KEITH OLBERMANN (host): But first, time for Countdown's list of today's
three nominees for the coveted title of "Worst Person in the World."
The bronze goes to Bill O'Reilly. He has solidified in his status as this
generation's Joe McCarthy. Just like the "Red Baiter," he now has his own list.
His website reads: "The following media operations have regularly helped
distribute defamation and false information supplied by far left Web sites."
The list: the New York Daily News, the St. Petersburg Times, and MSNBC! You
call it defamation, Bill. We call it precise quotes from your show.
The runner-up: Bill O'Reilly. On the Today show, no less. Now how the hell
did that happen? Says, quote, "These pinheads running around going, 'Get out of
Iraq now,' don't know what they're talking about. These are the same people
before Hitler invaded in World War II that were saying, 'Ah, he's not such a
bad guy.' " Watch. That will turn up tomorrow on his list of defamations.
But tonight's winner: Bill O'Reilly! You know this whole attack on Christmas
nonsense that he made up? Some sort of fantasy in which the liberals are coming
to your town to force you and your family to not call it Christmas anymore? The
fantasy that we can't say "Merry Christmas," but you can only say "Happy
Holidays"? The thing designed to stir up religious hatred and paranoia in this
country? Guess what they're selling over at the Fox News online store? The Fox
News "Holiday" ornament! And the O'Reilly Factor "Holiday" ornament. Who is
trying to change "Merry Christmas" into "Happy Holidays"? Bill O'Reilly, that's
who. Today's worst person in the world!