Gorsuch & Women; O'Reilly Allegations; Trump Administration

THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY.•• FIRST, WOMEN'S GROUPS WEIGH IN ON NEIL GORSUCH.

THEN, THE PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE OF BILL O'REILLY AS WOMEN TALK ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE.

AND LESS THAN THREE MONTHS INTO THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY, HOW'S HE FARING ON EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT IMPACT THE UNDERSERVED.

[♪♪] HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND THE SUPREME COURT.

THE BATTLE OVER NEIL GORSUCH'S SUPREME COURT ASCENSION.

WHAT IMPACT WILL HIS CONFIRMATION HAVE ON LAWS AFFECTING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES?

MORE THAN 150 WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS WROTE THE SENATE, OPPOSING GORSUCH.

THEY SAID HIS VIEWS AND JUDICIAL RECORD THREATEN WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT FROM ABORTION RIGHTS TO HEALTHCARE ACCESS, TITLE IX TO WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION, AND LGBTQ RIGHTS.

THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S LAW CENTER CHARGES "WHILE HE HAS NOT OPINED ON ROE V. WADE DIRECTLY, HE VOTED TO OVERRIDE A WOMAN'S COVERAGE OF CONTRACEPTION IF HER BOSS OBJECTED."

THEY ADD GORSUCH WILL MAKE IT HARDER TO USE THE LAWS THAT HAVE LITERALLY OPENED THE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN, GIRLS AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

SUPPORTERS SAY GORSUCH IS EXCEPTIONALLY QUALIFIED AND HIS BACKGROUND AND CHARACTER ARE UNIMPEACHABLE.

SO Dr. JONES-WEAVER HOW ACTIVIST A JUSTICE WILL NEIL GORSUCH BE AND HOW WILL THAT AFFECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS?

ISM I'M CONCERNED ONCE HE IS ON THE BENCH HIS RULINGS WILL BE OF DETRIMENT TO WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR EVERYWHERE.

>> WHEN HE MET WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP, HE SAID THAT THERE WAS NO TALK OF OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE AND HE WOULD ELECT IF IT WERE.

HE IS NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

>> PEOPLE ARE CALLING HIM SCALIA 2.0 AND WE SHOULD BE WORRIED AND EXPECT THE WORST FOR WOMEN.

>> HE IS AN ORIGINALIST HE WANTS TO INTERPRET THE LAW AND CALL BALLS AND STRIKES AND LET THE LEGISLATURE SORT IT OUT.

>> I COVERED THE COURT FOR 10 YEARS AND ALL REPUBLICANS SAY THEY ARE NOT ACTIVISTS AND CALL DEMOCRAT JUDGES ACTIVIST AND REPUBLICANS ARE JUST AS ACTIVIST ABOUT DISMANTLING THINGS THAT THEY DO NOT WANT TO CALL PRECEDENT BUT IT IS CHANGING THE LAW.

AND HOW MUCH OF THAT DO YOU THINK HE WILL BE DOING?

YOU THINK HE WON'T CHANGE ANY PRECEDENT?

>> IT'S PART OF HIS JOB TO EXAMINE WHAT IS BEFORE HIM AND SEE IF IT IS BEING CARRIED OUT THE WAY THAT THE CONGRESS PASSED IT WHETHER IT IS A CONGRESS OF NOW, WITH OUR NORMS AND VALUES OR CONGRESS IN THE PAST.

AND HE SAID THAT PUBLICLY.

SO I THINK HE WILL ADHERE TO THAT SIMILAR TO HOW JOHN ROBERTS DID WHICH LED TO A CONTROVERSIAL ON THE RIGHT DECISION ABOUT OBAMACARE.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT THAT MEANS HE WILL BE AN ACTIVIST JUSTICE IF HE SEES A LAW THAT HE THINKS HE IS NOT BEING CARRIED OUT THE WAY CONGRESS INTENDED ALTHOUGH CONGRESS DID PASS IT THAT HE WILL THEN AS A JUSTICE OVERCURRENT IT.

>> I THINK IT'S HOW THE LAW IS BEING APPLIED.

I DO NOT THINK HE WILL TRY TO SHAPE SOCIETY THROUGH THAT INTERPRETATION.

>> IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEING AN ORIGINAL AGOIST I'M CONCERNED WITH THAT PERSONALITY.

BECAUSE THE CONSTITUTION IN THE ORIGINAL FORM MEANT I WAS THREE FIFTHS OF A HUMAN BEING.

>> AND DID NOT TALK ABOUT AIRPLANES OR WI-FI.

>> AND WOMEN WERE NOT ALLOWED TO OWN PROPERTY AND VERY PROBLEMATIC LET'S BE REAL IN TERMS OF WHAT THE CONSTITUTION WAS IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE INTERPRETING TODAY'S LAW AND TODAY'S IMPLICATIONS BASED ON WHAT THE FOUNDERS WHAT THEY WANTED WHEN THAT CONSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN?

TO ME THAT IS AN ALL OUT ASSAULT ON EVERY GAIN THAT WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE SUBSEQUENTLY.

>> DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE ROE OVERTURNED?

>> IT'S VERY MUCH IMPERILED AND WE KNOW IT WAS ONE OF THE CAMPAIGN PROMISES THAT TRUMP RAN AROUND THE COUNTRY VAULTING THAT HE WOULD APPOINT SOMEONE TO THE BENCH WHO WOULD OVERTURN WADE.

I BELIEVE IT'S IN DANGER.

>> I THINK THAT IS ALL POLITICAL TALK.

I THINK NEIL GORSUCH IS A MAN WHO IS SHAPED BY A LOT OF THE WESTERN PHILOSOPHIES, WESTERN REPUBLICAN PHILOSOPHIES THAT YOU SEE IN PEOPLE LIKE HIM.

IN COLORADO WESTERN REPUBLICANS ARE NOT QUICK TO ACT.

HE HAS HIS OWN TEMPERAMENT.

HE IS NOT TRYING TO BE A ROCK STAR JUDGE HE IS NOT CARRYING TRUMP'S WATER.

AND I TRUST THAT HE WILL LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND TAKE TIME WITH IT AND NOT REALLY FOLLOW THROUGH WITH WHAT TRUMP PROMISED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> LOOK AT HIS TRACK RECORD ON WHAT HE HAS DONE WITH WOMEN.

YOU SHOULD TRUST WOMEN.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, THE WAY THAT HE SUPPORTED THE HOBBY LOBBY COURT CASE.

I THINK AND I THINK THAT YOU KNOW WE ARE REALLY THE CANARIES IN THE MINE.

IF WOMEN ARE WORRIED ABOUT SOMEBODY ROLLING BACK ON OUR RIGHTS WE SHOULD BE WORRIED.

>> IF WE ARE GOING TO TRUST WOMEN SENATOR McCASKILL TOLD DONORS HE IS ONE OF THE BETTER JUSTICES THEY COULD HAVE HOPED FOR AND DEMOCRATS ON THE HILL WERE LOOKING FOR REASONS TO OPPOSE HIM PROBABLY TO MERRICK GARLAND NOT BEING APPROVED.

BUT THAT -- >> HOW MUCH WAS TURNABOUT IS FAIR PLAY IN THAT REGARD?

BECAUSE YOU RAISED IT I WAS GOING TO GET TO IT.

BUT YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS TALKED ABOUT WELL THIS WAS THE SCALIA SEAT AS IF A PARTICULAR PARTY HAS OWNERSHIP OVER ANY SEAT ON THE COURT.

AND, YET, YOU KNOW, MERRICK GARLAND WAS NOMINATED ALMOST A YEAR BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMA LEFT OFFICE AND THE REPUBLICANS JUST PLAYED POLITICS TO THE HILT AND DID NOT LET HIS NOMINATION COME TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.

>> POLITICS IS DEFINITELY THE NAME OF THE GAME.

AND EVEN CHOOSING MERRICK GARLAND AS THE NOMINEE WAS A POLITICAL MOVE ON THE PART OF PRESIDENT OBAMA.

SO AS FAR AS WHETHER SOMEBODY CAN OWN A SEAT NO, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT.

BUT I BELIEVE IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAINTAIN A STATUS QUO AND NOT BE DISRUPTIVE YOU KEEP THE MAKEUP OF THE COURT THE WAY IT HAS BEEN.

>> MAJORITY DEMOCRAT?

>> I THINK EVERY PARTY IS GOING FOR THAT POINT THAT IS THE POINT OF POLITICS.

YOU TRY TO GET WHAT YOU CAN GET ON THIS ONE, THAT THEY WERE OUSTER MANEUVERED.

>> THE LAST TIME WE HAD A LIBERAL MAJORITY ON THE SUPREME COURT I WAS TWO YEARS OLD.

SO THIS IDEA ABOUT MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO WHICH WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING WE WANT TO PRODUCE A PERMANENT MAJORITY OF CONSERVATIVES ON THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND AND THAT IS AN ALL OUT ASSAULT ON PEOPLE OF COLOR ON WOMEN ON THE LGBT COMMUNITY ON ANYONE -- >> DO YOU SEE THEM IF CONGRESS SO DOES YOU KNOW UPHOLDING STRIPPING AWAY FOOD STAMPS, STRIPPING AWAY AID TO POOR FAMILIES, ALL THOSE PROGRAMS?

>> I THINK THEY ARE ALL IMPERILED.

I THINK THAT THE CRAZY BAND THAT THIS PARTICULAR PERSON IN CHARGE WANTS TO PUSH THROUGH IS REALLY THE CRAZY BAN.

>> TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION?

>> THE MUSLIM BAN FOR EXAMPLE, I BELIEVE THAT HE WANTS PEOPLE ON THE SUPREME COURT THAT WILL BASICALLY RATIFY ALL OF HIS SORT OF CRAZY MUSINGS AND HIS ORDERS AND THAT IS REALLY WHAT HE IS DOING.

HE ISK STAKING THE COURT.

THAT COURT DOES NOT BELONG TO THE REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS.

THIS SEAT WAS STOLEN LET'S NEVER FORGET THAT.

MERRICK GARLAND IN FACT WAS A CONSENSUS APPOINTEE AND HE WAS MODERATE.

EVEN IF THE REPUBLICANS WOULD NOT DO HIM THE HONOR OF JUST TALKING TO HIM OR MEETING WITH I AM HAD, MUCH LESS HOLDING A HEARING THAT SHOWS US THEY ARE THE KING AND QUEENS OF POLITICAL MIR RANDERRING AND THEY STOLE THAT SEAT NOT ONLY FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA BUT THEY STOLE IT FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> 15 YEARS AGO, CHUCK SCHUMER STARTED THE FIGHT AND WE ARE NOT GREAT STUDENTS OF HISTORY WHEN WE DO NOT REALIZE THAT THE FULFILL BUSTER WAS STARTED BY SCHUMER 15 YEARS AGO WHEN ESTRADA BEING NOMINATED AS DC CIRCUIT COURT.

THAT IS INTERESTING.

BECAUSE McCONNELL WHAT HE DID IS NOT DIFFERENT.

SCHUMER STARTED THE FIGHT WITH THE PARTISAN FILIBUSTER.

>> I WANT TO POINT TO SOMETHING A POINT THAT I WANT TO MAKE HERE WE ARE ALL BEING HONEST THIS IS A PARTISAN FIGHT.

AND YET, WHEN THEY PUT SUPREME COURT JUSTICES THROUGH THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE NEUTRAL AND SUPPOSED TO BE NONPARTISAN AND THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE ANY OPINIONS.

AND IT IS SUCH, I WOULD SAY AN ABDICATION OF JUSTICE TO PRETEND DURING THE PROCESS THAT THEY ARE NOT POLITICAL WHEN THEY ARE EXTREMELY POLITICAL.

AND WHY DOES THAT KEEP GOING?

>> BECAUSE THIS HAS BECOME THE NORM.

BECAUSE OF LEADERS LIKE SCHUMER AND McCONNELL AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR THEM TO BE GONE.

>> WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THE REPLACEMENTS WILL BE DIFFERENT?

>> WELL, I THINK I HAVE GREAT FAITH IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM PUT IT THAT WAY I'M OPTIMISTIC THERE WILL BE CONSENSUS BUILDERS BECAUSE THINGS HAVE GOTTEN SO UGLY UP THERE.

I AM A REPUBLICAN WHO THINKS THAT MERRICK GARLAND DESERVED A HEARING.

THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO AND THAT WAS THE FIRST EVER PARTISAN FILIBUSTER.

REALLY RAMPING -- >> THEY DO NOT REPRESENT THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO AGREE THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

THE PROBLEM IS THE VOTERS.

NOT THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

THEY ARE ELECTED BY PEOPLE -- THEY ARE ELECTED IN SOMEPLACES BY THE KKK AND ELECTED IN OTHERS BY THE ACLU.

>> ISN'T THAT DISTURBING HOW THE REPUBLICANS PUSHED THROUGH THE CONFIRMATION GETTING RID OF THE FILIBUSTER AND CHANGING THE RULES.

I FEEL LIKE IT WAS SHADY.

TALK ABOUT POLITICS.

THEY DID NOT WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT.

>> SCHUMER STARTED IT.

>> AND THAT IS CHILDISH.

>> I WORKED WHEN THE ESTRADA THINGS WAG GOING ON.

I DO NOT FIND IT SHADY.

HE EXERCISED A LOT OF RESTRAINT IN NOT EXERCISING THE NUCLEAR OPTION UNDER GEORGE BUSH AND HE DID CONSIDER IT.

THERE WERE BRIEFINGS ABOUT WHAT THAT REALITY WOULD LOOK LIKE AND YOU CAN PULL TAPE OF THEN MINORITY LEET LEADER HARRY REID TALKING ABOUT HOW HORRIBLE IT WOULD CHANGE THE SENATE UNTIL HE DID IT.

IT'S NOT SHADY IT'S POLITICS.

>> LET'S NOT FORGET THAT HE DID NOT FILL BUTTER FOR SOTOMAYOR.

>> WE HAVE TO GO ON TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

FIRST, WOMEN'S GROUPS WEIGH IN ON NEIL GORSUCH.

THEN, THE PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE OF BILL O'REILLY AS WOMEN TALK ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WHO SETTLED AGAINST O'REILLY AND HIS EMPLOYER FOR A TOTAL OF $13 MILLION.

MIDWEEK, THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN CALLED FOR HIS FIRING BY FORKS NEWS AND PRESIDENT TRUMP STEPPED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE SCANDAL BY TELLING REPORTERS, I DON'T THINK BILL DID ANYTHING WRONG.

>> HE WAS ASKED A QUESTION BUT NOBODY TOLD HIM HE HAD TO RESPOND.

AND I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HIS MIND?

IF AMERICAN WOMEN DID NOT KNOW THAT HIS MIND IS SOMEWHERE BACK IN THE 50s WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

WHAT PROMPTED HIM TO SAY BILL'S A GOOD PERSON.

HE DID NOT DO ANYTHING WRONG?

>> WHO KNOWS.

IT'S THE DAY AND THE MOOD NOBODY KNOWS BUT THE PRESIDENT'S BASE, THE BASE THAT ELECTED HIM ARE FERVENT VIEWERS OF FOX NEWS SO HE PERHAPS FELT AN OBLIGATION TO COME OUT DEFENDING ONE OF THEIRS.

I HAVE BEEN ON THE O'REILLY FACTOR AND NEVER WITH BILL AND I HAVE TO SAY THINGS ARE WHAT THEY ARE.

I'VE HEARD STORIES FROM INSIDE THE NETWORK IT'S DISTURBING AS A WOMAN TO HEAR THAT WOMEN HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY HARASSED AND THE WOMAN IS NOT SEEKING MONEY.

SHE IS REALLY, I THINK SEEKING REVENGE.

THE STUFF NEEDS TO COME OUT AND THE NETWORK NEEDS TO FACE THE MUSIC.

>> HOW LONG DO YOU THINK HE HAS?

>> O'REILLY?

LOOK THIS IS A BIG THING.

THIS -- HE IS THE NUMBER ONE CABLE NEWS SHOW FOR 16 YEARS IS WHAT THEY TOUT.

>> BUT HIS RATINGS HAVE GONE UP.

>> BECAUSE PEOPLE LOVE CONTROVERSY.

THE NETWORK WILL PROTECT HIM.

IT'S ANYONE'S GUESS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE IT HE MANAGED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE GENERAL ELECTION WITH TERRIBLE STORIES.

SO I THINK WE ARE LIVING IN THE AGE WHERE MEN ARE PROTECTED -- IF YOU HAVE MONEY YOU WILL BE PROTECTED.

AND IT IS A VERY SAD REALITY WE LIVE IN.

>> IT'S NOT DISTURBING IT'S DISGUSTING AND I TELL YOU WHY DONALD TRUMP SPOKE UP BECAUSE HE WAS LIKE HEY HE IS NOT BAD HE IS JUST LIKE ME.

AND THE REASON THE NETWORK IS PROTECTING O'REILLY THOUGH ADVERTISERS ARE PULLING OUT, NO PUN INTENDED, HIS RATINGS ARE NOT.

HIS RATINGS ARE NOT GOING DOWN.

AND JUST BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING, AND IT'S NORMAL, DOESN'T MAKE IT OK.

THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED SEXISM AND MISOGYNY AND IT'S REAL AND IT IS NOT JUST O'REILLY IT'S THE ENTIRE NETWORK.

THIS IS DISYOU GUSTING.

FORKS HAS TO GO.

I WILL QUOTE MAX EVEN WATERS THEY BELONG IN JAIL THE BOTH OF THEM.

>> ON MAX EVEN WATERS IT'S DISTURBING SHE WAS CALLING FOR HIM TO BE PUT IN JAIL WITHOUT ANY CHARGES FILED OR A TRIAL MAYBE SHE WAS MAKING A SHOW.

>> MAYBE SHE WAS RESPONDING TO THE NASTY THING HE SAID ABOUT HER HAIR.

>> YOU CRITICIZE MY HAIR YOU SHOULD BE IN JAIL?

I THINK WE HAVE A PROCESS.

>> HE MAKES ONE OUTRAGEOUS COMMENT I WILL COME BACK AT YOU WITH ANOTHER.

>> IT WAS NOT ASMART FOR TRUMP TO SPEAK OUT AND HE IS NOT THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO GET IN TROUBLE FOR THAT.

PRESIDENT OBAMA WEIGHED IN ON HENRY LEWIS GATES QUESTIONED BY POLICE.

AND I WOULD HAVE HOPED PEOPLE WOULD HAVE LEARNED.

THAT YOU REPRESENT THE ENTIRE NATION AND THIS IS DEFINITELY HAD IN THAT CATEGORY THAT YOU DO NOT NEED TO WEIGH-IN ON.

>> AND THE POLICE DID ACT STUPIDLY IN THAT SITUATION WHICH IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID WHEN SOMEONE IS ARRESTED FOR BREAKING INTO THEIR HOME THAT IS STUPID.

>> HE DID NOT KNOW THE FACTS AT THAT POINT.

>> YES, HE DID.

AND I SAY AS IT RELATES TO THIS CASE, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME.

HOW MANY INSTANCES AND HOW MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WILL THEY PAY OUT TO PROTECT A SERIAL SEXUAL HARASSER.

HE IS A SERIAL SEXUAL HARASSER.

AND THE REASON WHY THE PRESIDENT DID NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT BEHAVIOR IS BECAUSE IT'S HITS BEHAVIOR.

HE IS THE SAME ONE WHO SAYS IT IS OK TO GRAB A WOMAN BY HER GENITALS.

IF HE IS ALL RIGHT BEING A SEXUAL PREDATOR HE IS GOING TO PROTECT OTHER SEXUAL PREDATORS AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID.

>> CONSERVATIVE WOMEN AT FAULT HERE FOR DEFENDING TRUMP?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY THEY ARE AT FAULT FOR DEFENDING.

THEY VOTED FOR THE GUY BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO DO A GOOD JOB FOR THEM.

>> ARE THEY THINKING HE IS.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DROPPING OFF ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SYRIAN AIR STRIKES THAT IS SCARY.

PROBABLY FOR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THEY ARE LOSING SOME OF THE BASE BECAUSE OF THEIR ACTIONS.

BUT HERE IS THE REALITY.

LET'S GO BACK TO THE FALL.

WHY WASN'T THE ACCESS HOLLYWOOD VIDEO AND THE NUMEROUS WOMEN COMING FORWARD AND GIVING THE STORIES, WHY WASN'T THAT ENOUGH TO DETER CONSERVATIVE WOMEN FOR VOTING FOR Mr. TRUMP?

WE LIVE IN AN AGE WHERE CERTAIN THINGS ARE OK. AND I THINK THEY ARE ABLE TO LOOK PAST THEM AND I DO NOT THINK CONSERVATIVE WOMEN SHOULD BE PINNED WITH THE GUILT YOU VOTED FOR THIS GUY LIVE WITH IT.

I THINK CONSERVATIVE WOMEN WILL SEE THEY WERE SOLD A BILL OF GOODS AND THEY WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.

A LOT ARE HAVING BUYERS REMORSE.

>> AND IT IS A NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.

[LAUGHTER] I CANNOT GET OVER IT.

HE ANNOUNCED THIS.

LIKE LET'S -- SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PREVENTION MONTH AND HE IS LIKE THIS GUY WHO IS ASSAULTING WOMEN GETTING ACCUSED OF IT HE IS A GREAT GUY.

GOODNESS.

I JUST DON'T KNOW.

BUT VAN JONES SAID THE OTHER NIGHT AND IT HIT HOME WITH ME THAT -- ON CNN THAT BILL CLINTON -- WHAT A SLIP.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS THROWN REPUBLICAN WOMEN UNDER THE BUS THESE ARE THE WOMEN THAT CAME OUT AND SUPPORTED HIM AND WON THE ELECTION FOR HIM.

AND HE IS BEING LIKE YEAH, PEOPLE DON'T HARASS YOU AT WORK THEY ARE GREAT GUYS JUST LIKE ME.

>> WHERE DO YOU THINK IT WILL END UP WITH BILL O'REILLY?

>> I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT THE MARKET IS BEING ALLOWED TO WEIGH-IN WITH ADVERTISERS DROPPING OFF AND EVERY COMPANY HAS TO DECIDE WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR MY BRAND.

BUT I THINK POSSIBLY WITH VIEWERS RATINGS INCREASING IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH FOR ACTION TO BE TAKEN AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FOX INVESTIGATE THE CLAIMS.

>> AND REPORTEDLY THEY ARE USING TAPES OF DONALD TRUMP AND THE TAPE THAT YOU WERE REFERRING TO WITH BILLY BUSH WHERE HE SAID THOSE UNBELIEVABLE THINGS IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING SESSIONS AT FOX NEWS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL IT'S CERTAINLY UNBELIEVABLE IN SOME WAYS.

BUT IT MAKES SENSE THAT THEY WOULD DO THAT.

WITH THAT, DONALD TRUMP DID NOT ACTUALLY HARASS THE WOMAN HE GOT OFF THE BUS TO MEET.

WHAT HE SAID WAS UNACCEPTABLE BUT MAYBE THEY SEE A PARALLEL THERE.

IT DOESN'T HELP THEIR BRAND WHEN THEY HAVE THE OTHER SHOWS DEFENDING THOSE COMMENTS AND SAYING IT WAS NOT A BIG DEAL AND THE HR DEPARTMENT BELIEVES SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CULTURE WE HAVE THE CONTINUOUS CLAIMS RIGHT NOW FOX IS ALSO BEING SUED BY THREE BLACK WOMEN IN TERMS OF RACIAL HARASS MANY.

THERE'S DYSFUNCTION GOING ON.

>> AND IT STARTS AT THE TOP.

ROGER AILS.

>> AND NOW THAT IS HE GONE AND RUPERT MURDOCH'S SONS JAMES AND LACHLIN WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THEY HIDE THEIR POLITICS VERY, VERY ADEPTLY BUT ALLEGEDLY IT'S BEEN REPORTED THAT THEY ARE WAY MORE PROGRESSIVE THAN THEIR FATHER.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT WHAT HAPPENS TO BILL O'REILLY'S FUTURE?

>> YEAH, THESE SONS MAY JUST DECIDE THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

BECAUSE THEY'VE HEARD ENOUGH AND THEY DON'T WANT THAT TO BE THE CONTROVERSY ANYMORE.

THE ONE THING HERE, THE WHOLE THING OF IT ALL IS THAT DONALD TRUMP AND BILL O'REILLY SHARE ONE THING IN COMMON AND SOMETHING THAT I HEARD AS I TRAVELED ACROSS THE UNITED STATES LAST FALL.

THEY ARE ENTERTAINERS.

THEY ARE ENTERTAINERS.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO LOOK PAST THINGS THAT IS GOING TO BE THE CHALLENGE FOR THE MURDOCH SONS.

>> EXCEPT THAT DONALD TRUMP IS OUT OF REALITY TV.

FROM HARASSMENT CHARGES TO EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

>> IN LESS THAN 80 DAYS IN OFFICE PRESIDENT TRUMP ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT PROGRESSIVES SAY TURN BACK HARD-WON WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY RIGHTS.

ADVOCATES SAY STARTING WITH REINSTATING THE MEXICO CITY RULE TO DEFUNDING THE U.N. POPULATION FUND WHICH PROMOTES FAMILY PLANNING IN MORE THAN 150 POOR COUNTRIES, TO THIS WEEK ROLLING BACK WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN EMPLOYED BY FEDERAL USING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER TO HARM WOMEN.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO EMPOWER WOMEN AND INVITED WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND SIGNED TWO ORDERS THAT SUPPORT WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN THE STEM FIELDS.

ADVOCATES SAY HE PUT NO MONEY BEHIND THOSE PROGRAMS SO THEY ARE MEANINGLESS.

HE IS DOING SOME -- SETTING UP SOME EVENTS OR PHOTO-OPS FOR WOMEN SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH INCLUDING THE STEM BILLS, EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

HOW MEANINGFUL ARE THEY.

>> NOT AT ALL.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WE HAVE TO TAKE HIM AT HIS ACTIONS.

YOU KNOW IT'S LIKE HE ROLLS BACK REINSTATES THE GLOBAL GAG RULE AND TAKES AWAY FUNDING HE IS NOT ONLY AFTER ROLLING BACK WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND THE MORE WE SEE IVANKA THE MORE WE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HE IS DOING.

BECAUSE SHE IS NOTHING MORE THAN THE ADMINISTRATION'S MOST EFFECTIVE PR TOOL ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN.

AND SHE CAN TWEET OUT WOMEN WHO WORKS BUT SHE NEEDS TO LOOK AT HER FATHER AND WHAT HE IS DOING FOR WOMEN.

>> AND HOW MUCH OF THAT INFORMATION OR THAT PERSPECTIVE GETTING THROUGH TO CONSERVATIVE WOMEN WHOM YOU ARE TRAINING TO RUN FOR OFFICE?

>> IT IS NOT TRICKLING DOWN YET WITH THE REPERCUSSIONS OF HIS ACTIONS ARE.

THIS ADMINISTRATION IS NEW.

THE OUTREACH IN MY OPINION POOR AT THIS POINT.

IVANKA JUST LESS THAN 10 DAYS AGO BECAME A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE NOT GETTING A SALARY.

AND THE SHAKE UPS LEAVE US GUESSING.

AND I THINK AS A WOMAN FORGET RIGHT OR LEFT OR WHEREVER I AM, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR WOMEN HERE DOMESTICALLY.

I THINK INTERNATIONALLY PEOPLE ARE THINKING WELL OK MAYBE THERE'S WASTE IN THESE PROGRAMS AND THAT IS WHY THE PRESIDENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION ARE SLASHING THESE PROGRAMS.

AND LET'S FOCUS ON THE WOMEN HERE.

BUT WHEN WE SEE CERTAIN THINGS THAT WILL AFFECT OUR POPULATION HERE, WE HAVE TO GROW CONCERNED.

CONSERVATIVE WOMEN ARE NOT QUICK WITH IT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE MESSAGING OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE IS SO CONFUSING, SO IT WILL TAKE TIME TO LAND ON THE EARS AND LET US UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN HAVE A BETTER ROLE TO MAKE GAINS WITH WOMEN ACROSS THE AISLE AND HAVE PROTECTIONS AND POLICIES THAT HELP ALL AMERICAN WOMEN.

>> I'M WONDERING WHAT YOU SEE, IS FILTERING -- BECAUSE MOST WOMEN AND MOST WOMEN VOTERS DO NOT CLOSELY FOLLOW THE NEWS.

ARE THEY JUST SEEING FROM THE -- OUT OF THE CORNER OF THEIR EYE, SOMETHING ON TV THAT HE IS THERE DOING SOMETHING WITH WOMEN AND THINKING GREAT HE SUPPORTS WOMEN?

OR ARE THEY LISTENING AND FINDING OUT WHAT EXACTLY IT IS THAT HIS PROGRAMS ARE FOR WOMEN?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

EXCELLENT.

AND MY FEAR IS THAT THEY ARE MORE FASCINATED WITH THE WINDOW DRESSING AND NOT LOOKING BEHIND AND SEE EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

I WILL GIVE HIM ONE THING HE IS AN EXCELLENT MARKETER.

HE UNDERSTANDS HOW TO PRODUCE VISUALS.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT SUBSTANCE IT'S NOT THERE.

FOR EXAMPLE WE HAD EQUAL PAYDAY.

ON THE SAME DAY HE RESCINDED ACTIONS THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA PUT IN PLACE THAT REQUIRED FEDERAL CONTRACTORS TO BE ABLE TO REPORT WHAT THEY PAID MEN AS COMPARED TO WOMEN.

THE BEST WAY TO ROOT OUT UNEQUAL PAY IS MAKE EMPLOYERS BECOME TRANSPARENT ABOUT HOW THEY ARE PAYING PEOPLE AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE PAYING PEOPLE EQUALLY.

HE MADE THAT MUCH MORE POSSIBLE BY REINDEPENDENT ISING THAT ACT -- RESCINDING THAT ACTION.

>> YOU JUST SPOKE A TRUTH.

BUT IT TOOK YOU ABOUT THREE MINUTES TO GET THERE TO DESCRIBE WHAT IT WAS THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA HAD DONE.

THESE ARE -- YOU CANNOT JUST SAY YOU ARE FIRED.

YOU HAVE TO EXPLAIN THESE ISSUES.

AND PEOPLE ARE NOT LISTENING.

SO WHAT DO DEMOCRATS NEED TO DO TO GET OUT THERE AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO MORE DETAIL.

>> THAT IS A GREAT POINT.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS MY PET PEEVES WITH DEMOCRATS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE MARKETING TO GET A MESSAGE.

>> MARKETING LIKE SOUNDBYTES.

>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE JOIN US NEXT WEEK.

FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR TO SEE AN ON-LINE VERSION OF THIS EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY VISIT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

[♪♪]