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

By Brad Wilmouth (Bio | Archive)
January 20, 2009 - 18:00 ET
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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.:

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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.

—Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.


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Enjoy it for now

January 20, 2009 - 18:14 ET by richb313

Enjoy your moment in the sun Chris. I am afraid you and your network will not be around for much of the 21st century. The ratings for MSNBC are in the toilet and without Bush to bash on a daily basis you won't have much to talk about. I think that it will only be about 6 or 7 months before you are shopping your resume around looking for work.

Please shut up Matthews

January 20, 2009 - 18:14 ET by NC Cop

Perhaps if all those people you THOUGHT watched you, actually did, yours and Olbermanns ratings wouldn't be in the toilet, you pompous, arrogant ass.

So does MSNBC's fortunes

January 20, 2009 - 18:16 ET by RR GOP

So does MSNBC's fortunes only rise with Obamamessiah's but not sink as well?

One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.

What these two idiots don't seem to understand...

January 20, 2009 - 18:26 ET by MightyMouth

..is that their "audience" (the entire dozen of them), will soon tire of the Messiahs praises and soon long for what really makes them happy:"BUSH HATE!". What will these simpletons do without GWB to kick around?

"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...