Rush Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos," has ticked off Chris Matthews. On Wednesday's "Hardball" Matthews insulted Limbaugh's listeners, who are voting in the Democratic primary, as he questioned: "What kind of klutz do you have to be to take orders on how to vote from Rush Limbaugh and to change your party identity so that you can vote against, for somebody to screw the other party?"
The following discussion occurred at the top of the show on the April 16, edition of "Hardball."
JOHN BAER, PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS: And we have seen evidence in Pennsylvania of the kind of thing that was rumored earlier in the campaign which is Republicans changing their registration in order to vote. As you know in Pennsylvania you have to be a Democrat to vote in the primary. There has been evidence that, that's happened in Pennsylvania.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: To do what?
BAER: The Republicans have gone over, have gone over--
MATTHEWS: You mean strategic voting?
BAER: Strategic voting and vote for Hillary to get her on the ballot because--
MATTHEWS: You mean "Ditto-Heads." "Ditto-Heads!"
Story Continues Below Ad ↓BAER: "Ditto-Heads," absolutely.
MATTHEWS: Do you realize what kind of klutz do you have to be to take orders on how to vote from Rush Limbaugh and to change your party identity so that you can vote against, for somebody to screw the other party? What do these people got to do, they have a lot of free time, I'll tell you that.
BAER: Look, I mean, I don't think, I don't think that, that's. I just think it's a very marginal vote. It, it may be just a couple of percentage points but there is some evidence that it's going on.
MATTHEWS: Well look there's a lot more evidence in my world of people switching over because they like one of the other candidates or they don't like one of the other Democratic candidates. Not that they're doing it to confuse the pollsters or confuse the results. Do you think there's more people out there to confuse the result or trying to make a statement?
BAER: Oh absolutely, oh absolutely not, absolutely not. I think that the, that the big, you have hundreds of thousands of new voters in Pennsylvania over the ‘06 election.
MATTHEWS: Yeah.
BAER: Over the, over the last general, over the, over the primary, the last presidential primary and the vast majority of them, there's no doubt in my mind have changed because they like Senator Obama.
MATTHEWS: Because they believe in something. How much is "Operation Chaos," influencing the election? Is it a small part of the registration drive going on in Pennsylvania?
CHUCK TODD, NBC NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR: I think it's a small part because if you look at where we saw Republican spike in support for Clinton it showed up in a couple of exit polls: Mississippi and Texas. That's Southerners.
MATTHEWS: Yeah.
TODD: We've only seen, Clinton has done well with crossovers in the South, among Republican crossovers.
MATTHEWS: You mean for deves-, for chaotic purpose?
TODD: No, not for chaotic purposes! I think for, for purposes of that she's the candidate if the, you know they're gonna be picking between–
MATTHEWS: Yeah they want to pick the easy Democrat.
TODD: No I think they voted, they crossed over because they are, think a Democrat is gonna win so they want to pick the Democrat they're more comfortable with. I think there are more people in the South doing that, I think, maybe for racial reasons.
MATTHEWS: Oh but you're not, but I'm talking about this Rush Limbaugh thing. He says, he says, "Pick Hillary because it'll screw things up."
TODD: That is crazy! You know how many times campaigns have tried to do that? You, you know, you hear about it a lot of times in different states. "Oh no, you know, send out activists." It just doesn't work. I don't buy, I don't buy a, I don't buy it at all.
MATTHEWS: But John you say, John you say there are people out there trying to confuse the Democrats by getting them to pick the wrong win, the wrong winner.
BAER: Well and I also said it was just a marginal number, just a small percent.
MATTHEWS: Yeah.
BAER: But there has been some evidence.
MATTHEWS: Okay.
BAER: You know as well as I do Pennsylvania has an awful lot of very conservative counties in the middle of the state and, and I've seen some anecdotal evidence that it's going on. Will it make a difference? Probably not.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.



CHUCK TODD, NBC NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR: I think it's a small part because if you look at where we saw Republican spike in support for Clinton it showed up in a couple of exit polls: Mississippi and Texas. That's Southerners.












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good acting matthews - you
April 16, 2008 - 18:03 ET by TruthMongergood acting matthews - you really sound like this is news to you
Chrissy poo
April 17, 2008 - 08:16 ET by dronetekWhat kind of klutz do you have to be to drool on national TV everyday?
He he he
April 16, 2008 - 18:17 ET by 10ksnookerOperation chaos.
Oh, Senator Sylvester, you
April 16, 2008 - 18:20 ET by Chris NormanOh, Senator Sylvester, you wish you had Limbaugh's influence. Heck, you wish you had an audience to influence....
Hey Chrissy what kind of
April 16, 2008 - 18:19 ET by mlongHey Chrissy what kind of klutz did you have to be to take orders on how to vote from Daily Kos when they wanted voters to screw around during the Republican primaries?..where was all the outrage then?
"I want my Mommy!!!!"
Hillary Clinton'08
Typical anti-South bigotry
April 16, 2008 - 18:20 ET by ironchefofmunchiesMost offensive quote of that whole exchange:
TODD: No I think they voted, they crossed over because they are, think a Democrat is gonna win so they want to pick the Democrat they're more comfortable with. I think there are more people in the South doing that, I think, maybe for racial reasons.
Here you have the NBC NEWS POLITICAL DIRECTOR stating his belief that the reason the people in the South are voting for Hillary is because they are just voting against a black man.
Chuck-you can keep parroting that b-s to your friends up in New York and in the cozy confines of your cocktail set. Because you will NEVER be man enough to state something like that in front of anyone who might just disagree with you.
I'd say it's sad that NBC lets such a weak-minded fool run it's political department. It's even sadder that Chuck is only willing to say such insulting comments when he knows he won't be challenged on it.
To listen to Chris
April 16, 2008 - 19:52 ET by motherbeltTo listen to Chris Matthews, the only reason that people wouldn't vote for Obama is racial...What does that tell you about his mindset? Can you say "Projection"? Or how about "prejudice"? He is pre-judging people.
I used to like Matthews a few years ago, even if I didn't agree with him, but he gets more pathetic every day. Any day now I expect him to have a complete meltdown on the air, crying about how Obama is this country's last chance for salvation and we are about to blow it and what is wrong with us, and he just can't take it any more!! And then he will rend his garment, right there on camera. And they will come out with a new garment for him.... a nice white jacket.....
If you hear a idea you think
April 16, 2008 - 18:20 ET by zfIf you hear a idea you think is good and you follow it that's common sense, not "following orders."
What Kind of A Klutz Would You Have To Be....
April 16, 2008 - 18:24 ET by Beresford....if you decided to vote for Hillary because Governor Rendell endorsed her...or if you decided to vote for Obama because Gov Bill Richardson (and 'Senator' Chris Matthews) urged you to do so?
Hey Chris
April 16, 2008 - 18:33 ET by bigtimerHey Chris Matthews....
What's good for the goose is good for the gander...
You don't like it....too bad.
After-all we have McCain....thanks to cross over voters too...NH ring a bell Chrissie...
Cry a river somewhere else.
Operation Chaos.....continues...and the beat goes on....lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Empty headed Chris...
April 16, 2008 - 18:33 ET by RMRFirst, he had Obama "running up his leg". Now, I guess he has Rush "running through" that empty skull of his and driving him crazy.
Yep.
April 16, 2008 - 19:40 ET by GalvanicI was thinking along the same lines. I'll bet there isnt a single Limbaugh listener who gets a thrill "running up his leg" at the sound of his voice.
But there's a deeper story at the roots here.
Ever since it became evident that this Democratic campaign was not going to be locked up by Super Tuesday, DP leaders and their fellow travellers (e.g. Matthews) have been planting suggestions here and there that it's the Republicans, and not the Dem elite, who created the dilemma. They won't admit that it's there own party rules which have delivered this situtation --- one that could've been forseen before the ink was dry years ago when they were crafted.
Howard Dean and Sen. Bill Nelson have blamed the GOP-dominated Florida legislature for moving that state's primary up despite threats of disenfranchisement from the DNC. Of course, the FL Dem Party wanted it, too, and the Democratic-dominated Michigan legislature did exactly the same thing, but escapes blame.
Now, they want to blame Limbaugh for encouraging cross-over voting to prolong the primary contest and eat up precious funds.
All I can say is that this year may be the first in which I don't mind the $100 million of our tax dollars given gave to each party to subsidize their respective conventions. The Dem Convention should give us our money's worth in prime time entertainment.
It's Called "OPERATION CHAOS" boys...
April 16, 2008 - 20:16 ET by RMRNotice how Chris, Todd and his lefty cronies are at pains to admit that Rush has outmaneuverd the Dems? One minute the dittoheads are all "klutzes" for following Rush. The next, they are crossing over because "they like" the Dem candidates. HA! HA! Come on boys, SAY IT! "Operation chaos" is reaping havoc. I am sure if you ask nicely Rush might consider suspending it for a while...NOT!
RMR... Rush is going to
April 16, 2008 - 20:22 ET by bigtimerRMR...
Rush is going to have fun tomorrow.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
More fun than we should be allowed to have...
April 16, 2008 - 20:55 ET by RMRbigtimer...
I will be front and center enjoying the show.
Steadily Going Downhill . . .
April 16, 2008 - 19:00 ET by seanrobinsMATTHEWS: Do you realize what kind of klutz do you have to be to take orders on how to vote from Rush Limbaugh and to change your party identity so that you can vote against, for somebody to screw the other party? What do these people got to do, they have a lot of free time, I'll tell you that.
- - - - - -
Chris Matthews has been going intellectually steadily downhill for a number of years now. He used to be able to argue a good point, but as he has lost more and more of that ability, he has resorted more and more to the ad hominem attack upon those with whom he disagrees.
Does Chris ever have a rational debate without trying to insult those with whom he disagrees?
Here, he has blanketly called - in PA alone - perhaps several hundred thousand people about whom he knows nothing, in essence, mindless morons. Worse than that, Chris knows that the average "dittohead" is very independent and self-reliant, and actually agrees with Rush Limbaugh.
Can Matthews possibly imagine that no one agrees with Rush of their own volition.
He needs to start worrying about his own ability to act volitionally, e.g., prostrating himself in apology for saying something about Hillary that was actually accurate.
Get a grip, Chris!
sean robins
blog.seanrobins.com
"Here, he has blanketly
April 16, 2008 - 19:13 ET by Chris Norman"Here, he has blanketly called - in PA alone - perhaps several hundred thousand people about whom he knows nothing, in essence, mindless morons."
So did Obama - more or less. It's a demonstation that self-superiority, condescension, and scorn for the electorate are traits common to liberal elites.
Ditto heads on the other side of the isle are called what? D----
April 16, 2008 - 19:07 ET by Gary HallSo Chris Matthews. What about this, when it's in the real thing? What about organized vote swaping in the national presidential election process - You're hot under your back belt buckle over the primaries?
I don't seem to recall the media getting all upset when the lefties organized national web based schemes to swap votes from one state for another in order to boost the total votes cast for Nader, without endangering the electoral votes Gore needed to obtain in 2000. This also was going on in the 2004 campaign cycle. Here's a good read, Group Pushes Kerry-Nader Vote Swap, from the Washington Post:
I'm surprised the Washington Post is not listed as a founder of the group. Here's the referenced site: Uniting Progressives through Strategic Voting. I'd swear it sounds like a refreshing idea to the WaPost. It's only bad if it pisses off the Democrats and the liberal MSM - otherwise, must be OK.
What would Matthews call the Democrats out there following the marching orders of some radical lefties? Patriots?
I know what I'd be tempted to call them:
D--- Heads. D---Heads.
What a great opportunity to see Clinton and Obama...
April 16, 2008 - 19:32 ET by ThalpyWhat a great opportunity to see Clinton and Obama as they are, more or less. It helps to remind us all that just when you think it couldn't get any worse, it could- and does.
Oh, no. Being called a
April 16, 2008 - 19:39 ET by fitzfongOh, no. Being called a "klutz" by that intellectual "heavyweight" Chris Matthews...it gives me a chill up my leg.
Boy Howdy! Wonder what
April 16, 2008 - 19:47 ET by bigtimerBoy Howdy!
Wonder what Matthews is going to do when the thrill is gone.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Stick his toe in a light
April 16, 2008 - 19:51 ET by Chris NormanStick his toe in a light socket?
Gee, I don't Chris. People
April 16, 2008 - 19:54 ET by wiwfGee, I don't know, Chris. People that think America is great and tired of 24/7 pessimism and Bush Derangement Syndrome? Is that so bad? Oh and Rush has the facts on his side, a little plus, don't ya think?
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
Unfortunately, the GOP
April 16, 2008 - 19:53 ET by nythatesusaUnfortunately, the GOP nominee craves the approval of Matthews and his ilk while shunning Limbaugh.
nyt... Yep. "Never
April 16, 2008 - 19:55 ET by bigtimernyt...
Yep.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
When John McCain destroys
April 16, 2008 - 20:14 ET by WiggyWhen John McCain destroys the Republican Party, and he will, don't go crying about it.
Those of you who vote for McCain will be culpable in the destruction of the Republican Party.
I was born and raised in Southern Arizona. I will not be party to the destruction of the Republican Party. This party needs to get back to its conservative roots and not away from them.
How clever
April 16, 2008 - 21:56 ET by general companyWhen John McCain destroys the Republican Party, and he will, don't go crying about it.
Who the hell are you to tell us not to "go crying about it"? This was long decieded before MOST of us had a say in the out come. Also I got some news for you, John McCain isn't the republican party, only a member. Are you suggesting we should let the Dems ruin it instead?
This party needs to get back to its conservative roots and not away from them.
So what is your suggestion? Saying it and not offering any insight as to how is pointless. The early primaries and the Republicans that voted in them decided this long before most of us had an opportunity.
My solution for the Repubs is to have all of the Primaries in a single month, but if I were a Dems, I would not change a thing. The Repubs will survive McCain, not sure about the "other" two though.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
You are a freaking idiot.
April 17, 2008 - 00:52 ET by WiggyYou are a freaking idiot. When your boy McBush destroys the Republican Party, you will be the first little biatch to cry about what he is doing and how liberal he really is. It is actually going to be fun to watch.
You are a sheep. No matter who the Republican Party puts up, you will trumpet them and vote for them.
You try and cut the other candidate down in an effort to feel good about your piece of dung candidate John McCain.
People like you will say all day long that the Republican Party needs to get back to its roots, but in the end you will still be a sheep and pull that lever for John McBush.
I served 20 years for this country and for morons like you to have the right to say what you want. I may be a Registered Republican, but I D^MN sure don't have to pull the lever for a flipping idiot like John McBush. I haven't voted for him in the past and I won't vote for him now.
2008 None of the Above!
You are a freaking idiot
April 17, 2008 - 07:56 ET by NKurucHang on big fella. Don't get your shorts in a bind!
I commend you for your service to this country. You have three choices with the upcoming election. First vote for John McCain. Second vote for whatever idiot the Democrats choose. Third, don't vote at all. Two of these choices are bad. I don't think that I have to point out the two that would be a mistake. McCain will only be as good as the people he picks. It's a given that Obama and Clinton will pick people who are like them.......blowhards, do-nothings....and let the government take care of everyone with no money or ambition to be self-sufficient. Not voting is an empty protest.
Think about directing your frustration where it belongs.
I'll take my chances with
April 17, 2008 - 11:12 ET by misterbee241I'll take my chances with the destruction of the republican party, but I wont take that same chance with this republic if there is a Hillary or an Obama administration with a democrat majority in Congress.
So in spite of the issues I have with McCain, the alternative is worse. And there's the chance that McCain will win the war instead of retreat and defeat.
There is none so blind as they that won’t see. Jonathan Swift 1667-1745
The thing that amuses me
April 16, 2008 - 21:09 ET by myron243The thing that amuses me about this is the way some folks think it's a new thing Limbaugh dreamed up. I remember folks in Houston voting in the Democrat primary in 1964 so they could pull the lever twice against Johnson. That was my first national election after turning 21 but I doubt very much if it was the first instance of cross-overs.
*
April 16, 2008 - 21:22 ET by mattmPenis envy much? Sheeesh!
Rush vs Matthews
April 16, 2008 - 21:22 ET by Larryt39Matthews is such a bag of hot air, why does anybody bother to watch him anyway. And while I am at it, Joe on morning show at MSNBC, is starting to sound like Matthews. He is so full of himself, he is turning me and others off. Olberman is just a plain puke on the night show.
Now for Limbaugh, I have been a solid listener of his since 1987. But now that he is on this anti-McCain crusade, I have canceled my subscription to his web page, as of yesterday, and I just don't tune into his show as much..I liked his Operation Caos. But now that he is working against McCain, who are we suppose to support, hence he has lost me. Frankly, I am not happy about that, but he is just overbearing at times. But Matthews would die to get Rush's audience. Larry T. Doughty, Brewer, Maine -larrytdoughty@yahoo.com. www.ourstory.com/lar...
Larry... If you are are
April 16, 2008 - 21:30 ET by bigtimerLarry...
If you are are Rush listener as you say you are then you have to know he has not liked McCain for YEARS...in fact in my opinion Rush is being more careful on what he does say about McCain recently, but he isn't going to carry the water for the party as he has said numerous times...it isn't new at all.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
Rush vs. Matthews
April 17, 2008 - 08:35 ET by NKurucYou're 100% dead on. I don't believe that I've seen a time where a network like MSNBC and for that matter NBC were so blatently in the tank for one party, and one candidiate. Once the Democratic nomination is settled we will all find the level of daily rhetoric (against McCain)to be unbelievable. The new "spin" on their lack of competitive ratings is that they appeal to a smarter demographic, in the 35-54 age group. How long could companies such as Microsoft, IBM, and GE survive appealing to a small part of entire buying universe? This could be last straw for Keith, Chris, David, Mika nd the rest of this ill fated crew. They are so biased that their shows defy intelligence. Like the Democrats they're in for a rude suprise because of their underestimation of the viewing public.
Who's the klutz here?
April 16, 2008 - 21:49 ET by CobraMan"Do you realize what kind of klutz do you have to be to take orders on how to vote from Rush Limbaugh and to change your party identity so that you can vote against, for somebody to screw the other party?"
Only a klutz who believes in the power of his own words to influence people and maintain control over the will of others can make such an asinine statement such as that.
Hay, klutz, we don't take orders from anyone. Not from you, not from Rush, and not from any other journalist, entertainer, political “expert,” or “official” spokesman. You see, we have this thing called free will (ever hear of it?) and we don't need others to do our thinking for us, we're more than capable to make voting decisions on our own, thank you very much.
Now go back to your media induced, intellectually deficient, fantasy inspired nirvana where you and other media darlings are in total control, you klutz, and leave the thinking to us, ok?
Great screencap.Ha!
April 16, 2008 - 23:29 ET by the strugglerGreat screencap.Ha!
Sissy Chrissy you are so stupidly naive
April 17, 2008 - 00:05 ET by gfrrmanto think this is all some "new Coke". Here in my home state of Ga. this has been going on for the last 40+ years since I have lived here by the Democrat party. Ironically, in the last 4-6 years as the Repubs have taken over the state for the first time in over 140 years!!! when they tried this strategy(against Cynthia McKinney_"cutest little Communist in Congress", and Cindy Majette), the Dims were screaming bloody murder just as Pretty boy Pissy Missy Chrissy. Nary a word before it was common practice by the Dims. Can't stand the heat?.......And this pansy wants to run for Congress? Spit some more Chriiiisssssy!! LMFAO!!!
"Eventually, Socialists run out of other peoples' money...." MARGARET THATCHER
a smart klutz
April 17, 2008 - 08:35 ET by badger.Limbaugh's "Operation Chaos" is just giving the Democrats a taste of their own medicine, and they hate it. Democrats have trouble running their own party with outside interference from people within this country. Imagine Hillary or Obama running the country with outside interference from the world. Democrats are scared of Fox News, Sean Hannity and school teacher Bill O'Reilly. Might get a difficult question.
I have to agree with general company. The point is not who will represent the Republican party, but who will best represent this country in these challenging times. Soon to be 2 choices, McCain or Obama.
Nobody served this country for 20 years for freedoms and rights for this moron. I volunteered 20 years of my own life in military service for this country. Military service to me is just another Southern Family Tradition. Don't misunderstand me, I hate war, love God, family, country, and the military.This country doesn't provide me with any freedoms or rights. My freedoms and rights are GOD given! Man and his government take them away, little by little.
Call me a Southern moron all day long. If I'm still kicking in Nov, I WILL pull the lever for McCain! Why, because of my freedom and right to do so and I believe McCain has more experience and is less liberal than Obama.
Senator Sylvester, haven't heard that before. Like Larry the Cable Guy would say, "now that's funny." Chris Matthews does drool and dribble on, figuratively and literally.
Klutz?
April 17, 2008 - 11:06 ET by misterbee241I thought a klutz was a clumsy person. A better question would be, what kind of intellectual lightweight would write speeches for Jimmy Carter? Chris?
There is none so blind as they that won’t see. Jonathan Swift 1667-1745
misterbee, I thought that was...
April 17, 2008 - 11:38 ET by PawpawNThere is none so blind as they that won’t see. Jonathan Swift 1667-1745 Misterbee241, I thought that was Ray Stevens from "EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL"!
Sounds like
April 17, 2008 - 11:36 ET by FastEdselective "reporting" and memory. Unfortunately for you crissy, WE recognize truth, not the distorted agenda of yours. Too bad you are so cowardly to see the truth.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
BWHAHAHAHAHA!!!
April 17, 2008 - 14:37 ET by chiefpayneHey Matthews!
Do YOU realize what kind of klutz (idiot, dolt, imbecile, buffoon)do you have to be to fail to see, let alone understand, what Rush and those who are helping with Operation Chaos are doing?
It's only a matter of time before Operation Chaos destroys the possibilities of the Democrats for this Presidental election.
Speaking of klutzes....
April 17, 2008 - 16:35 ET by imau2fanWhat kind of klutz would want to substitute for Rush Limbaugh while he's on vacation?
Oh, that's right, it was Chris Matthews back in the day. The day before he wanted to be re-invited to the hip Beltway parties. What a laughable hypocrite.
And by the way, Chris......I changed my registration too, to wreak a little havoc. It took me all of five minutes, ten minutes tops. So one doesn't need a lot of "time on their hands" to participate in Operation Chaos. Is someone bitter?