Counterprogramming

Talk about must-see-TV: Barack Obama has agreed to go on "The O'Reilly Factor" Thursday night, the same evening that John McCain accepts the Republican nomination for president.

The appearance appears to stem from a recent "truce" between Obama and Fox News executives. Sounds like a win-win all the way around: Obama gets a chance to make his pitch directly to conservative viewers and the network benefits from his proven drawing power.

This is Fox's chance to prove that it's not just a ratings champion but a legitimate news outlet. I expect nothing less than tough questions and fairness. That's really all you should really expect in an interview.

Think O'Reilly will ask Obama about Rev. Jeremiah Wright? About William Ayres? Tony Rezko? I hope so. I sincerely do. It's easy to be the bully in your own backyard. But it takes a man to bring the fight to Front Street. We'll see if O'Reilly is really up for the fight.