Matthews: MSNBC ‘Opened Its Heart to Change,’ ‘Network of 21st Century’

During Tuesday morning’s inaugural coverage on MSNBC, Chris Matthews seemed to admit the liberal pro-Obama tilt of his network as he proclaimed that MSNBC "opened its heart to change," and that they are the "network of the 21st century," and that "this crowd knows us." Matthews: "It sure as hell helps to be on MSNBC today. Let’s talk straight here. This is the network that has opened its heart to change, to change and its possibilities. Let’s be honest about it. These people watch this network out here. ... This is the network of the 21st century, MSNBC, and I think we’re open to it, and that’s why this crowd knows us. ... We’re not crotchety about change and stuffy."

Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of MSNBC’s January 20 inaugural coverage from 11:31 a.m.:

CHRIS MATTHEWS: I have never seen so many teeth in my life. Everybody is smiling. I mean, it’s all teeth out there when you get close. Every time I look out at the crowd, the people have got big smiles.

OLBERMANN: A combination of smiling and the weather.

MATTHEWS: Well, that too. ... But I’ll tell you, it’s radiant, the happiness. In fact, just us lucky enough to be in this business today, looking out the window here and getting the reaction when the crowd catches your eye. It is such a deal.

OLBERMANN: Well, as we noticed, and again, we all walked through this crowd, to some degree. I don’t know how many "good mornings" were said today.

MATTHEWS: Well, it sure as hell helps to be on MSNBC today. Let’s talk straight here. This is the network that has opened its heart to change, to change and its possibilities. Let’s be honest about it. These people watch this network out here.

OLBERMANN: Well, I was going to say, not just to us. You’ve heard other people say hello to each other, people who didn’t know each other but were here for one single purpose, and were thus already introduced to each other.

MATTHEWS: This is the network of the 21st century, MSNBC, and I think we’re open to it, and that’s why this crowd knows us.

OLBERMANN: He’s Chris Matthews and he approved that message.

 

MATTHEWS: We’re not crotchety about change and stuffy.