Contrasting how Barack Obama won the nomination of the Democratic Party to how Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell achieved their successes, Chris Matthews insulted the aforementioned as "showcase appointments."
The following excerpt from Matthews occurred about 9:30 PM EDT during MSNBC's live coverage of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday night, August 28:
Again he [Barack Obama] carries with him the history of tonight. And it's important to point out, as we have not so far, Barack Obama was not given this nomination, he won it. He was not offered a nice title like Secretary of State, like Condoleezza Rice got from the Republicans. He was not offered the title of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs as Colin Powell was, or Secretary of State. He won the nomination of a Democratic Party voting together. He defeated all other opponents and took the prize and took the leadership. He is the chosen leader of the Democratic Party.
He is not some popular appointment or a showcase appointment. He is the victor here tonight. That's why he dictates the agenda. That's why he says, personally, what the Democratic Party will do if he's elected President. He is the leader of the party. He may be the leader of the country through a democratic process. It is so vital to understand the history being made here tonight. This is not something cute or wonderful. It is something compelling and powerful. This country has changed its history.
Click here for MP3 audio.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.





















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Showcase appointment.
August 28, 2008 - 21:54 ET by motherbeltShowcase appointment. Right.
If Condoleeza Rice or Colin Powell were named Secratary of State by Bill Clinton or Barack Obama, would they still be showcase appointments?
Oh, that's right, no they wouldn't Because then they would be "legitimate." But everyone knows Republicans only name blacks to high level positions of responsibility to hide the fact that they hate blacks.
I simply cannot take any more of Chris Matthews.
MB, I wonder
August 29, 2008 - 00:11 ET by Captain KirockI wonder if Chrissy thinks that Thurgood Marshall was a showcase appointment?
What an idiot
August 28, 2008 - 21:55 ET by RESTLESS 1Just when you think mattews can't get any more inane, he opens his mouth and proves there is no bottom to his intellect.
And what is this about America changing it's "history". You cannot change history. You can only learn from it and move past it. It is obvious the democrats have done niether.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Both Matthews and Olbermann
August 28, 2008 - 22:11 ET by kgBoth Matthews and Olbermann forgot to end their comments about Obama with "and justice for all. Amen"
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Wait a minute....didn't
August 28, 2008 - 22:38 ET by motherbeltWait a minute....didn't Michelle Obama say the other night that we have to change our history??
Maybe she and Matthews know something that we don't.
Why don't mathews just say what he means
August 28, 2008 - 21:55 ET by HeavyChevyRice and Powell are token blacks unlike the chosen one.
"9 out of 10 doctors agree that flag burning is the number one killer of liberals."
Typcial dems. Using the
August 28, 2008 - 22:00 ET by RESTLESS 1Typcial dems. Using the race card to paint conservatives as racists. That is one of the most racist comment I have seen. Matthews and olbernotaman haven't a shred of decency or respect left.
This comment of his should be all over the news, blogs, radio, and print. This is what the left thinks of Blacks these days. Not much has changed.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
THE CHOSEN ONE
August 28, 2008 - 22:08 ET by tejanodiabloRice and Powell don't walk on water or have halos, either ..
never look a gift skunk in the tail ..
Matthews...........
August 28, 2008 - 22:16 ET by zoro7957......................once again exhibits the mind-set of the democratit/socialist party.He considers the nomination of Obama a "prize", like our whole election process is nothing more than a game show........Disgusting..................
Yep. Saw it. Utterly nauseating.
August 28, 2008 - 22:17 ET by krendlerAccording to Matthews, the didn't earn their jobs.
They're on the wrong side. So, it goes without saying, they're tokens.
Disgraceful. In a real news organization, Matthews would be clearing out his desk first thing in the morning.
MSNBC is turning into "The
August 28, 2008 - 22:42 ET by motherbeltMSNBC is turning into "The View" populated by Rosie O'Donnell clones.
And I'm starting to get the same feeling reading about Matthews and Olbermann that I used to get every time there was another posting about Rosie.
wow ... no one cries racism when it's done to black Republicans
August 28, 2008 - 22:23 ET by pmohbuckthe comment itself is insensitive, incorrect and totally insane.
the positions of chairman, joint chief and secretary of state aren't appointed for show ... they are the most powerful positions in the President's cabinet ... bush picked two highly intelligent, capable and powerful individuals in powell and rice ... if anything, bush exhibited his faith in their abilities by appointing them ... and matthews' comments are unacceptable to say the least.
i'm actually shocked at the stupidity being exhibited by the msnbc bunch lately ... the only thing missing is the drooling and straight-jacket ... they'll probably show up after obama's acceptance speech tonight.
The man is insane.
August 28, 2008 - 22:30 ET by TexndocI'm so happy football is on. Keep up the good work, guys at Newsbusters. Whatever you're making, it isn't enough. The day soon will be here when the Obama camp asks Matthews "Will you just STFU?"
(sorry for the language)
How Could He Forget???
August 28, 2008 - 22:43 ET by CaringwhiteguyHow could Matthews forget Clarence Thomas? Maybe he's just exhausted from battling with KO.
I wonder if the black
August 28, 2008 - 22:49 ET by RESTLESS 1I wonder if the black community, (I hate using these separatist terms. Aren't we all Americans?), realizes that dems don't think any blacks achieved anything until obama came along.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
annoying
August 28, 2008 - 22:58 ET by paulnashtnI am beginning to get a little annoyed at the repeated references to what Matthews and Olbermann say. I do not care what they say and they are watched by numbers that need a decimal point in front of the number. If it wasn't for sites like this one, noone would ever know what they said
VOTE REPUBLICAN
"EXPOSING and Combating
August 28, 2008 - 23:01 ET by RESTLESS 1"EXPOSING and Combating Liberal Media Bias".
Just sayin'
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Matthews is not a racist.
August 28, 2008 - 23:00 ET by Captain RepusMatthews is not a racist. He has nothing against any inferior race.
they could speak while Chris inhales
August 28, 2008 - 23:18 ET by mom_roxBarack Obama has said that we need to have a conversation about race in America. Maybe Colin and Condi should have one with Chris.
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944
template
August 28, 2008 - 23:23 ET by sawing battaRice, Powell....hmnn, they dont fit the template...better belittle them.
matthews, time to take a good look in the mirror.
you've lost your way, son.
Exhibit A
August 28, 2008 - 23:26 ET by RickTaLifeThe accomplishments of blacks that stray from the liberal plantation are null and void to liberals.
Matthews is a vile, petty,
August 29, 2008 - 00:11 ET by stratmanMatthews is a vile, petty, repugnant child.
Is Chrissy vying for worst talking head award? Olberdouche is not too happy at being worsted.
Absolutely Disgusting
August 29, 2008 - 00:31 ET by nwophoenixAs a Black Republican, I'm disgusted, as a Black American, I'm deeply offended at Chris Matthews suggestion that Rice and Powell were "handed" their positions as some sort of showcase or popular appointment.
I hope these racist and bigoted comments haunt Matthews until the day he departs this Earth.
If this were anyone else, like the other poster pointed out, Matthews would be out of a job. If MSNBC has any shred of credibility, they will make Matthews apologize on air for his horribly offensive comments.
thanks nwophoenix
August 29, 2008 - 00:40 ET by Dee Bunkt's great to know that there are people like you out there who see through the bull. I love your website! I hope you come around and comment more often.
>>>If MSNBC has any shred
August 29, 2008 - 01:05 ET by seanrobins>>>If MSNBC has any shred of credibility, they will make Matthews apologize on air for his horribly offensive comments.
Uh, perhaps you haven't heard: Obama and Matthews and PMSNBC are Democrats. Rice and Powell are Republicans.
sean robins
blog.seanrobins.com
"changing history"
August 29, 2008 - 00:45 ET by JudithNot only are Olberman and Matthews sycophants, they are also STUPID. You can't change history, that's an oxymoron. History is what has already happened and it is set in cement. Oops, the libtards are always trying to rewrite it, aren't they?
Judith.... YES! "America
August 29, 2008 - 00:48 ET by bigtimerJudith....
YES!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
>>>He is not some popular
August 29, 2008 - 01:03 ET by seanrobins>>>He is not some popular appointment or a showcase appointment. He is the victor here tonight
Good ol' Chrissy has really lost his marbles.
If a four-year build-up by the Dems to the annointment of such a "watery" candidate as Barack Obama is not a "showcase" nomination, then there's no such thing.
Rice and Powell's qualifications, particularly in their respective Bush Administration roles, so far dwarf's Obama's that Matthew's slander is all that more despicable.
sean robins
blog.seanrobins.com
Matthews racist pig
August 29, 2008 - 01:32 ET by Cool ArrowI guess Dr. Rice has a token doctorate than, right Chris?
Powell was a token black general and Sec of State, huh Chris?
How dare you now attemnpt to strip black Americans of their accomplishments because they didn't get votes?
Well, Chris, I vote that you're a Carter administration lackey who gives bad talking head.
Torches & Pitchforks
Racist
August 29, 2008 - 10:59 ET by MSD6I am convinced the Democrats and their supporters are truly the most race obsessed and racist group in the U.S. Do not venture off the plantation or you will be destroyed. Can you imagine the stupidity (or racism) it takes to belittle Rice and Powell and not acknowledge their accomplishments. They have more intergrity and experience than Obama will every have. They also have no Wrights, Rezkos, Phelgler or Ayres in their background. Matthews is disgusting and a racist of the worst kind and MSNBC/NBC/GE are complict. Sell your GE stock now!!!
Chris clarifies
August 29, 2008 - 21:46 ET by mom_roxTonight, on Hardball, Chris clarified his statement to say that he meant showcase appointment as meaning a high-level or high-profile appointment, not a token one ("as some people took that as token"). He went on to state that Condi and Colin were deserving of their appointments.
Hmmm, does Chris read NB?
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
- George Bernard Shaw, 1944