Political discussion turns personal on ‘View’

updated 10:42 p.m. ET May 24, 2007

NEW YORK - Watching Rosie O’Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck squabble on ABC’s “The View” is nothing new, but Wednesday’s dustup seemed particularly nasty with the co-hosts trading accusations and personal digs.

A political discussion over the war in Iraq became heated when an angry O’Donnell decried Hasselbeck for not standing up for her when media outlets suggested that she’d called U.S. troops “terrorists” during a previous debate.

“What you did was not defend me. ... I asked you if you believed what the Republican pundits were saying — you said nothing, and that’s cowardly,” O’Donnell said.

Responded a stern Hasselbeck: “Do not call me a coward, because No. 1, I sit here every single day, open my heart and tell people what I believe.”

O’Donnell and Hasselbeck were shown on a split screen as the argument progressed without commercial interruption.

“Do you believe that I think our troops are terrorists? And you would not even look me in the face, Elisabeth, and say, ‘No, Rosie,’ ” O’Donnell said.

Responded Hasselbeck: “Because you are an adult, and I am certainly not going to be the person for you to explain your thoughts. They’re your thoughts! Defend your own insinuations!”

O’Donnell, who is leaving the ABC daytime talk show next month, said she wasn’t going to fight anymore. “So for three weeks, you can say all the Republican crap you want.”

Hasselbeck discussed the war of words in an interview with syndicated entertainment show “Extra” that was to air Wednesday evening.

MSNBC video ‘View’ to a kill May 23: Rosie O’Donnell battles Elisabeth Hasselbeck on “The View.” Dan Abrams names the “winner” and gets post-fight analysis. MSNBC

“I honestly think, I believe that we are mature women who can resolve,” she said. “I hope we can. I would hope that a disagreement or a heated debate wouldn’t be the end of a relationship.”

In a posting on her blog, O’Donnell wrote: “a split screen, new heights, or lows, depending on who u ask.”

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