Bernie can go on Fox News if he really, really wants to. But Hillary is smart to stay away.

Bernie Sanders really, really, really wants to go on Fox News to debate Hillary Clinton. From his emailed statement:

“I am disappointed but not surprised by Secretary Clinton’s unwillingness to debate before the largest and most important primary in the presidential nominating process. “The state of California and the United States face some enormous crises. Democracy, and respect for the voters of California, would suggest that there should be a vigorous debate in which the voters may determine whose ideas they support.”

I thought Democrats knew by now the stupidity of going on Fox News, period. But not Bernie, who is apparently desperate for any TV time now that he’s run out of money. (The $500K he’s spending on TV time in California would barely last a couple of days in Bakersfield, much less the Bay Area and SoCal.) Now, Sanders has a powerful ally in his efforts to give Fox News a chance to beat up on two Democrats while pretending it has something to do with California: Bill O’Reilly.

Hillary Clinton should reconsider her refusal to debate Bernie Sanders in a Fox News-sponsored debate ahead of the June 7 primaries, Bill O'Reilly said Tuesday evening, because it would provide the former secretary of state an opportunity to "stick up for capitalism" in the face of her democratic socialist opponent."There is no question that economic issues will be foremost in the upcoming presidential election," the Fox host said at the start of "The O'Reilly Factor." That, he continued, is why the Clinton campaign's announcement that it would not follow Sanders in accepting an invitation to debate on the network is a "major mistake for her."

Here’s an idea: If Bill O’Reilly wants to “stick up for capitalism” against Sanders, just invite Sanders on his show! Sanders would undoubtedly love to debate O’Reilly, and Clinton can focus on what’s really important: winning in November. Sure, zero minds would be changed, but it would surely be a great fundraising opportunity for Sanders and a ratings boost for O’Reilly. So why do they need Clinton for any of that?