Introduction to the Counter Factor

The political arena of the United States is one of the widest in the world. In spite of the two-party system, recent developments, including the rise of the Tea Party, and the difficulties in reaching the debt ceiling compromise have proven the US has far more social and political perspectives than the traditional democratic and republican ones. Over the past few years, while most people strengthened their political vision around their liberal or conservative perspective, I have been closely following how each vision relates to the people, the American people. I don't always agree with Rachel Maddow, neither do I with Bill O'Reilly, but both of them fill my weekday evenings with their shows on cable news. I literally watch the O'Reilly Factor from 8 to 9 pm eastern and the Rachel Maddow Show right after, from 9 to 10. The O'Reilly Factor has more viewers than the Rachel Maddow Show as the graph below suggests, courtesy of TV BY THE NUMBERS for July 28, 2011. But the gap is the lowest for the viewers between the ages of 25 and 54, where I belong. A simplistic explanation: people at that age range are more likely independent from their parents' thinking, a scenario that is happening for the younger audience. But at the same time, they are not all settled with one perspective, what we are seeing in the older audience. I watch neither of the two shows to satisfy any political affiliation. I describe myself as an independent. I do respect the two personalities and their analytical ability. Although conservative and liberal respectively, Bill O'Reilly and Rachel Maddow are the same to me. They are smart, funny, and definitively, as Mr. O'Reilly likes to put it, "looking out for you," the American people. "Looking out for you," is also what I intend to do with this blog. What I realized watching the two shows is that, sometimes, our two hosts get carried away by their political ideals and forget the ultimate goal, which is to look out for you. With the Counter Factor, I hope to achieve the ultimate goal of looking out for you by analyzing the information presented to us by both Bill O'Reilly and Rachel Maddow. Where it's relevant, they will get credit, where carried away, I will remind them to stick to the goal. I hope this to be an interactive blog; please leave your comments. Ultimately, I also need to be checked not to be carried away, and only you, the people can do so. But till next time, welcome to the Counter Factor!

Viewers The O'Reilly Fator The Rachel Maddow Show

2 years plus 25-54 years old 2732 1103 751 317

35-64 years old 1304 488