Hasselbeck Points to Progress After Dust-Up

May 30, 07:53 AM

Current Headlines: The Associated Press

NEW YORK - Elisabeth Hasselbeck says she is trying to patch things up with Rosie O'Donnell, her former co-host on ABC's "The View," after last week's on-air spat.

On Tuesday's show, Hasselbeck said she and O'Donnell were "in communication a lot," though Hasselbeck didn't say whether they had talked on the phone or exchanged e-mails. Their confrontation last Wednesday led to O'Donnell's early departure. "This weekend gave us the opportunity to tackle our most important Hot Topic yet, and that was the power of forgiveness, and I believe that we've begun that process," Hasselbeck said. "And so now that enables us to move on in a very positive way. ... I'm really happy about that."

Show creator and co-host Barbara Walters said Tuesday she had been sending e-mails to O'Donnell and they remain "close friends." Walters also said O'Donnell is welcome back to "The View" as a panelist at anytime. The argument between Hasselbeck and O'Donnell began over O'Donnell's earlier statement about the war, that "655,000 Iraqi civilians had died. Who are the terrorists?"

Talk-show critics accused O'Donnell of calling U.S. troops terrorists. She called Hasselbeck "cowardly" for not saying anything in response to the critics.

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