Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page defended Rev. Jeremiah Wright, on "The Chris Matthews Show" over the weekend, as he claimed tapes existed that put Barack Obama's former pastor in a better light than those clips of him damning America, to which Matthews requested of Page: "Would you get those tapes out?...Let's get the good tapes out."
The following exchange occurred on the March 23 edition of "The Chris Matthews Show:"
CHRIS MATTHEWS: We put it to The Matthews Meter, 12 of our regulars. If Obama is the nominee, will he be defined by race in the fall election? Well, it looks like Obama can still be the transformative candidate on that front. Ten to two, the meter says no, Obama would not be defined by race in the fall. Norah and Clarence, you're both with the 10. You're upbeat on this. We're gonna see beyond color here.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓NORAH O'DONNELL, NBC NEWS: Well, I think that because we now have an economic situation in this country that is the number one concern, we've seen in every single exit poll, Americans are concerned about issues. I think a part of what is driving this momentum behind this new candidate like Barack Obama is this want for some sort of change out there and I think it's because people are really hurting at home.
MATTHEWS: But don't, when people are hurting, they're not the most liberal-minded. We've seen that. If you want liberalism and positive, generous attitudes, look for the good times. Isn't that true?
CLARENCE PAGE, CHICAGO TRIBUNE: I beg to differ, just in the sense that, that when race is the issue, Democrats tend to lose; when class and economic problems are the issue, Democrats win. And right now the economy is rising as an issue on the horizon with a real vengeance. Plus, you know, Jeremiah Wright, I've seen the man preach, long before I knew he was Barack Obama's minister. And people knew he had been Oprah's minister. There's a side to him that has not been shown on these clips. He is a Marine. He is a guy who's had a tremendous program for, for black families, etc.
MATTHEWS: Okay. Would you get those tapes out?
PAGE: Well, it's gonna happen.
MATTHEWS: Let's get the good tapes out.
PAGE: I don't need to. I don't need to.
MATTHEWS: I think a lot of people would like to see them.
PAGE: I think, you're going to be seeing it over the next few weeks and months.
MATTHEWS: Okay.
PAGE: And that's going to help to change his image around and soften the blow to Obama.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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I can't concentrate.Norah
March 24, 2008 - 18:04 ET by the strugglerI can't concentrate.Norah O'Donnell is SMOKIN' HOT.
NOT BAD...
March 26, 2008 - 06:58 ET by danybhoythe struggler,
Norah is good looking, but there are too many hot women on FNC that are as good or better at their jobs as Norah is to get me to watch MSNBC.
BTW, did'nt El-Rushbo say something to the effect that he did'nt think her bath water stinks? I think I heard that, & if true, that is weird on several levels.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Yep...I saw the show and am
March 24, 2008 - 18:06 ET by bigtimerYep...I saw the show and am still waiting patiently for those tapes to come out Page...time is on my side....
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Edited
March 24, 2008 - 18:23 ET by ScrapironThey tried to edit the racist anti-american part out of a hundred sermons and ended up with a 5 second blip.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Is there a voiceover by
March 24, 2008 - 18:24 ET by MidAmericaIs there a voiceover by obama at the end of the chrissy's show where he says "I'm Barack Obama and I aprove this message".
PAGE: And that's going to
March 24, 2008 - 18:55 ET by MrShyPAGE: And that's going to help to change his image around and soften the blow to Obama.
And that, people, is really what's important here, isn't it? Anything we can do to soften the blow to Obama, right?
Yes Chris, it's important we get the "good tapes" out. We're on it.
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
"MATTHEWS: Let's get the
March 24, 2008 - 19:15 ET by kg"MATTHEWS: Let's get the good tapes out."
I thought he was talking about Imus, Limbaugh, or Culter.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
I'm open to the concept but
March 24, 2008 - 19:57 ET by SMGalbraithOkay, I'm open to the concept, but frankly I'm puzzled as to how "good tapes" will offset the appalling ugliness and rhetoric of the "bad tapes". Will the "good tapes" show that he always made sure the services ran on time? (ahem)
Unless perchance there are two Jeremiah Wrights?
Which, come to think of it, is a good metaphor - two Wrights - for black Americans and how they (generally) view the country (remember: I'm painting with broad brush strokes).
good tapes?
March 24, 2008 - 19:43 ET by candanceDid anyone look for footage of Don Imus or Dog the Bounty Hunter speaking about their respect for minorities? Did anyone look for footage of Trent Lott denouncing the Klan? Did anyone play the entire tape of the "macaca moment" to discover that the man was a spy from the opposition?
Why do only Democrats get a second chance?
Candance
March 24, 2008 - 19:57 ET by MrShyGreat point.
Btw, I have to give Lou Dobbs credit on the Rev. Wright thing.
He's not cutting him any slack. Lou is usually a bloviating, time-consuming rambler (and basic Bush-basher, being on CNN) but at least this hit a rational nerve in him, and he's not backing down. He's taking the Rev. totally to task, and just told a black guest he had on that in the past 40 years he's never heard a white man spew anything like this about blacks/others as the Reverand did about whites.
He also shot down the whole talk of him speaking from experiences and on behalf of the inner-city/southside of Chicago, reminding the guest that he's been totally privelidged, with the finest education, going to Yale, etc..
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
exactly Shy
March 24, 2008 - 20:11 ET by candanceWithout membership to Wright's church, Obama would be a prep who was raised by white grandparents. But now he's connected to the black liberation movement and a church that ministers to the streets, allowing Obama to distract from his own priviledged life.
candance
March 24, 2008 - 20:22 ET by MrShyActually, yes, Obama TOO... haha... but I was referring to Rev. Wright, who ALSO, I'm told, did not have a rough/poverty-stricken upbringing at all, and served in the army and also went to a top school. So, it's doubly striking and ironic, both of them pandering to local communities. Ugh.
Also, off-topic here: funny how Olbermann was ga-ga and dedicating his entire show Thursday (or Friday?) to the passport "bombshell" with references up-down to GOP/Bush/Condi.... and tonight, it's like it never happened (cuz Obama and Shrill operatives were involved) and he's now dedicating his show to smearing McCain and bringing up the 4,000 "and counting" crap.
Disgusting, the Dem party is imploding... Richardson and Bill Clinton throwing barbs, and the MSM is acting like all is fine and let's keep discussing the "issues" like the "recession" we think we might be in.
Aaaah, another day, another vile, corrupt MSM machine doing it's thing.
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
There's a side to him
March 24, 2008 - 20:38 ET by Jack BauerHe's right. And you know who else has a side to him that has not been shown in those old movietone news clips?
Adolf Hitler. His was an Infantryman. He was a guy who's had a tremendous program for the Aryan families, etc. He was a vegetarian, loved animals and kids.
Just don't judge him on a few unfortunate mistakes like WW2, genocide, etc
My favorite part of this
March 24, 2008 - 20:46 ET by motherbeltMy favorite part of this whole thing is "Let's get the good tapes out." (emphasis added).
Let's. As in Let us. US.
Chris, since when is it your and Clarence Page's job to "get the good tapes out?"
I hope you're going to do that on your own time, Chris.....
I don't care what tapes Chrissy and his comrades put out.
March 24, 2008 - 21:46 ET by R D HelmObama will never win a national election in this country.
Oh, he'll pretty much skate right on through the primaries (though it will be a lot bumpier than it would have been if the "Rev." Wright story had not happened) but he hasn't a prayer in the GE.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Find 'em Clarence, if you can!!!
March 24, 2008 - 22:14 ET by pbthinkerDid I miss something or didn't these video's, on You Tube, come from a CD the church put out. I thought these were sermons the reverend was really proud of!!! I'm sure Reverend Wright said things that were much nicer, the problem may be that, since he was so proud of his angry talks he put them on CD, they may be a lot harder to find.
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Further evidence that "Rev." Wright is a complete phony.
March 24, 2008 - 23:47 ET by R D HelmObama suggested in his speech that the wayward reverend was born a poor black child and suffered as a result, which, according to Obama, justifies his profound anger.
Allah has called BS on Obama's assertion earlier today.
Theme for Election '08: I want my mommy!
Matthews is the quintessential leftist moron!
March 25, 2008 - 13:55 ET by PlaceboMatthews is the quintessential leftist media moron. Of course, not to offend the numerous counterparts keeping Matthews company, there is the pathetically mindless, Olbermann, followed by… hell there are too many… but we know who and what these media clowns are.
If there is anything remotely positive about the irreverent reverend in existence bring it on down; frankly it doesn’t exist but in the minds of Matthews and others pandering leftists.