Chris Matthews, on his syndicated "The Chris Matthews Show," over the weekend, wondered if the Mark Sanford scandal will make the GOP a more tolerant party as he asked his panel: "Have Republicans finally embarrassed themselves out of calling themselves the family values party?"
His guest panel, for the most part, agreed with the premise as Dan Rather opined: "The Republican Party was already in the process of trying to make a bigger tent with more tolerance. This will, in some ways, help that movement." The New York Times' Helen Cooper admonished: "I think the one thing the Republican Party probably learned this week is that, you know, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
The BBC's Katty Kay, however, disagreed as she claimed: "You would think that they've realized that hypocrisy doesn't work. I think in reality we're still gonna have Republicans who profess family and moral values and who get caught having affairs and the Republican Party is still gonna tolerate them and let them stay in the party." The Washington Post's David Ignatius said the real problem for the GOP and family values is the example that the pro-abortion Barack Obama is setting: "The Republicans' problem is, is that the family values person is in the White House."
The following exchanges were aired over the weekend on the June 28 edition of "The Chris Matthews Show":
CHRIS MATTHEWS: We'll be right back. This week's Big Question. Have Republicans finally embarrassed themselves out of calling themselves the family values party? Be right back.
...
MATTHEWS: This was also the week that Mark Sanford joined John Ensign, David Vitter, Larry Craig and Mark Foley in slipping off the Republican platform on family values. The Big Question this week: Is the Republican Party, against its will, now gonna have to be a bigger tent with a broader message of tolerance? Katty Kay?
KATTY KAY, BBC: You would think that they've realized that hypocrisy doesn't work. I think in reality we're still gonna have Republicans who profess family and moral values and who get caught having affairs and the Republican Party is still gonna tolerate them and let them stay in the party.
MATTHEWS: Dan Rather?
DAN RATHER, HDNET: The Republican Party was already in the process of trying to make a bigger tent with more tolerance. This will, in some ways, help that movement. But want to be very careful about nobody in either party can be very self-righteous. We're all weak and the country is a very forgiving country. I wouldn't overplay this.
MATTHEWS: That's a great party platform - We're All Weak. Helene?
HELENE COOPER, NEW YORK TIMES: Well I think, I think the one thing the Republican Party probably learned this week is that, you know, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones but you know I, I, I don't know. These guys are, they're, this is gonna continue. I just enjoyed listening to all the references to Eva Peron, you know, over the week and crying, crying in Argentina.
MATTHEWS: Don't cry for me.
DAVID IGNATIUS, WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST: The Republicans' problem is, is that the family values person is in the White House. Barack Obama with his beautiful family, you know, sending a message about family values every, every day.
MATTHEWS: And no problems.
IGNATIUS: And no problems. You know no, so, you know, that, that's the heart of their problem.
MATTHEWS: Thanks for a great roundtable.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Yes, dear
June 29, 2009 - 14:55 ET by Old EuropeYes, dear liberals,
we're just gonna follow you down the same path to depravity and nihilism because those moral standards are so darn hard to adhere to! So let's just throw them all overboard!
Those liberals have no qualms or morals to worry about. That's why ted "The Swimmer" Kennedy and Bawney "Banking Queen" Fwank get reelected by their equally depraved democrat voters. The stupidity and obtuseness of Democrat logic defies common sense.
We are all humans and bound to fall from grace. And yet, we try our best to stick to God's word and laws. When someone fails, we forgive them if they repent but we also take action to oust any hypocrites, unlike the Democrats who don't even bother with moral.
Thus, they can never be accused of hypocrisy. It's not hypocrisy to teach values. We need the highest standard possible to aspire to while the Dems have only their depravity follow. Living without a conscience is so much easier.
O. E.
June 29, 2009 - 16:19 ET by easygoerNicely said, Old Europe.
The Defense of Marriage Act is a big family values issue. One where politicians are actually on the record. If only those evil,
intolerant Republicans cared about this issue why did it pass in the
Democratic caucus in the House 118-65 and 32-14 in the Democratic
caucus in the Senate? Those Senate Dems voting yes included: Biden,
Daschle, Reid, Dodd, Leahy, Mikulski and Rockefeller. Even that noted
right wingnut, late Sen. Paul Wellstone voted for it. At least Ted
Kennedy voted against it. For we all know he has no values. Now either
these senators really believe in the "sanctity of marriage" or they're
gutless cowards who lack political courage. Which is it? Furthermore,
if they now believe they made a mistake by voting for such an
intolerant bill than why now, when they have large majorities in both
houses, do they not bring up and pass a bill repealing it?
Libs fail to realize alot
June 29, 2009 - 16:19 ET by mattmLibs fail to realize alot of things, one of them is that hypocrisy does not discredit the standard, but only the person - unless he's a liberal, then he has an excuse (unless the "sin" betrays the cause).
Ted Kennedy can accidentally cause some poor woman's death, etc. and it's no big deal, but if he ever did anything to betray the march of socialism in America - he'd be thrown under the bus.
searching high and low
June 30, 2009 - 03:29 ET by m1xramPeople look at Republicans and Christians see them do something wrong and say, "their values are crap, look at them." They cast their gaze in every direction but one and it's right nearby. If they would just look in the mirror every morning they would see the nearest hypocrite.
By the way Matthews, which one of us has every claimed to be perfect? God's values will never be invalidated by a sinner.
He has already failed... his country.
"I think the one thing the
June 29, 2009 - 14:57 ET by ThatDude"I think the one thing the Republican Party probably learned this week
is that, you know, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
Listen to your own advice Dems. I'm pretty sure I'm far from alone in the fact that I simply don't trust any politician. It's always a vote for the lesser evil and a prayer that they don't have a negative effect upon my life. In fact, it's tiring to just hear of the corruption and hypocrisy of our elected officials. Do we actually have politicians in this country who we can trust regardless of their ideology? Just a little bit of transparency and some straight talking would serve the people better.
Perhaps the founding fathers meant to be cruelly ironic when they gave the control of this country to "we the people."
Untrustworthy
June 29, 2009 - 16:39 ET by ACWI afraid I must agree. I can't think of public a figure left or right that I can say I trust. Politicians are by nature duplicitous and self serving in my opinion. Their primary goal is to get elected ,control the agenda and remain in power. I wish I didn't hold this belief because I am optimistic person by nature and try to look for the best in people, but there is overwhelming evidence daily to the contrary.
When the Republicans are in power the Democratic are at their throats, now that opposite situation exist the Republicans are doing the same, and more importantly each side truly believes it is correct.
I am increasingly fearful that because our nation is so divided on almost every important issue that consensus is just not possible. Its almost as if two countries exist with the USA.
The media talking about THEM (Republicans)
June 29, 2009 - 14:59 ET by KC MulvilleNot being Republicans, what gives them the authority or insight into talking about Republicans? Other than their own smug self-assurance that they know everything (journalist hubris), they have utterly no experience or sensibility about what life looks like when you're not viewing it through liberal-colored glasses.
They talk about Republicans with the same knowledge that they talk about Klingons ... (namely, none at all).
Has Matthews embarrassed himself out of being a Libtard?
June 29, 2009 - 15:35 ET by jefflebowskiWith all the chills running up his legs to his private parts, has Matthews embarrassed himself out of being a pathetic libtard? Since liberals have no morals, standards or shame the answer is a resounding NO!
Sanford should resign and go away forever.
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.c...
Embarrassing!
June 29, 2009 - 16:33 ET by blazermaniacThe Chris Matthews show has been embarrassing television viewers for many years. So is that pathetic program he's on called "Hardball". Or is it "Lardass".
jessieH
June 29, 2009 - 15:53 ET by jessieHjessieH It's always about the GOP values. I guess the DEMs & Matthews haven't got any values to talk about........
It is a trist with a single
June 29, 2009 - 16:32 ET by EdhenryIt is a trist with a single female. Stop it and confess.
It is NOT $95,000 in the freezer, or an intern subordinate to you, or a male aid paid by staff $$, or a love child supported by campaign $$, or belonging to the KKK, or sinking a car with a young girl trapped inside, or an inside mortgage deal as FOM, or buying a house below market value from a felon, or Senate seat for sale, or any other "Monkey Business"
The Republicans' problem
June 29, 2009 - 16:30 ET by Dan The Man 2The Republicans' problem is, is that the family values person is in the White House. Barack Obama with his beautiful family, you know, sending a message about family values every, every day.
I dont seem to remember them saying any good about President Bush's values. In fact he is against abortion, needed for actually making families. Very vocal and devout about his Christian faith and practiced it reguarly. Bush had real morals based in the Bible unlike Duh One who uses Chritianity and the Bible like a sheeps clothing so he can eat more of teh flock.
As long as Ted Kennedy
June 29, 2009 - 18:08 ET by sam12663remains a Democrat, they don't have a leg to stand on. He is responsible for the death of another human being for crying out loud. And he still has his job! Talk about hypocrisy.
President Obama is nothing more than a lying empty suit; a Hollywood
style special effects smoke and mirrors show that has shown itself to
be a total fraud.
WAKE UP AMERICA! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION!
The Republicans' problem
June 29, 2009 - 18:12 ET by Radical1979The Republicans' problem is, is that the family values person is in the White House. Barack Obama with his beautiful family, you know, sending a message about family values every, every day
And we know this for a fact? For one thing his daughters aren't yet teenagers. Anything can happen there. And the Obamas are consumate pretenders, who knows what goes on in their private life. Nothing is perfect and nothing is static.
Obamas are 'family values' people?
June 29, 2009 - 18:26 ET by sam12663This is a total lie. When you subject your children to the radical preachings of a bigoted, anti American lunatic, all in the name of religion; you are a fraud. When you are so pro choice that you are against the keeping alive of botched abortion babies, you are a fraud. When your job at the hospital you work in is to dump low income patients onto other hospitals, and only accepting those with premium health care plans, you are a fraud. When you claim to be a man of faith, yet after 6 months as President, you still have not found a place of worship, you are a fraud. When you preach 'fiscal responsibilty' to the rest of us, yet you have lavish parties weekly in the White House; take your wife on dates with taxpayer funds, and allow photo op flyovers of Air Force One, you are a fraud. This man and his family are by no means the type of family that I would hold up as pillars of 'family values'.
President Obama is nothing more than a lying empty suit; a Hollywood
style special effects smoke and mirrors show that has shown itself to
be a total fraud.
WAKE UP AMERICA! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION!
The Chrissy Comedy
June 29, 2009 - 18:22 ET by bigtimerThe Chrissy Comedy Show.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Obama's as 'family values' pillars
June 29, 2009 - 18:28 ET by sam12663This is a total lie. When you subject your children to the radical
preachings of a bigoted, anti American lunatic, all in the name of
religion; you are a fraud. When you are so pro choice that you are
against the keeping alive of botched abortion babies, you are a fraud.
When your job at the hospital you work in is to dump low income
patients onto other hospitals, and only accepting those with premium
health care plans, you are a fraud. When you claim to be a man of
faith, yet after 6 months as President, you still have not found a
place of worship, you are a fraud. When you preach 'fiscal
responsibilty' to the rest of us, yet you have lavish parties weekly in
the White House; take your wife on dates with taxpayer funds, and allow
photo op flyovers of Air Force One, you are a fraud. This man and his
family are by no means the type of family that I would hold up as
pillars of 'family values'.
President Obama is nothing more than a lying empty suit; a Hollywood
style special effects smoke and mirrors show that has shown itself to
be a total fraud.
WAKE UP AMERICA! SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION!
MSNBC's resident jerk
June 29, 2009 - 21:10 ET by needlePlease read my comment nearby that ties into what MSNBC's resident jerk has said here.
- Relying upon the MSM for your information is like relying upon an embezzler to manage your portfolio.
Can we make that resident
June 29, 2009 - 21:22 ET by Radical1979Can we make that resident jerk of the hour? There are so many there deserving of the title.
Hypocrisy? Of course not!
June 29, 2009 - 21:15 ET by wjneillThe Palindrone parades her pregnant unwed teenage daughter before America, knowing that said daughter was having unprotected sex in HER house, and calls such conduct FAMILY VALUES. How sweet. You betcha wink wink!
-
Newt has an affair with a young staffer while simultaneously castigating PRES Clinton for having an affair of sorts with Ms. Lewinsky. Of course, the then-current Mrs. Newt is in a hospital bed with cancer but, hey, Newt's got those GOP FAMILY VALUES.
-
SEN Vitter cavorts with a prostitute while wearing diapers and calls it FAMILY VALUES.
-
GOV Sanford goes to Argentina for a fling while having previously touted with great ferocity against Bill Clinton's lack of FAMILY VALUES and VIRTUE.
-
And then there's REP Randy "Duke" Cunningham who displayed wonderful GOP FAMILY VALUES by selling his office to multiple high bidders.
Is there a problem with a VALUES plank in the GOP policy platform? -Or is this just an exercise in gallows politics by the GOP?
Why continually proclaim FAMILY VALUES as a staple of the GOP if the stalwarts of the Party have no intention of honoring such in the eyes of the public?
Ask Rush. He knows. After he recovers from his Oxycontin high.
Could you please
June 29, 2009 - 21:20 ET by Paragrouperstop dumping the same post in different threads?
Thank you,
"If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking." - General George Patton Jr
This is probably a wasted
June 29, 2009 - 21:27 ET by Radical1979This is probably a wasted effort, but here goes. Palin's support of her daughter does reflect family values. I confess I hadn't heard where the girl was having sex, but that is irrelevant to me. Everyone makes mistakes. Palin didn't throw her daughter to the wolves. She stood by her to help Bristol take responsibility for her mistake. That's what families do, stick together in good times and in bad. Believing in those values doesn't mean we won't make mistakes, we're human. Believers in family values simply aspire to love and help their families. And no, we don't always succeed. Who does? At least we try.
Do you sniff you fingers
June 30, 2009 - 00:25 ET by ckc1227Do you sniff you fingers after you pull them out of your butt, or do you lick them first?
GOP Hypocrites like Democrat Criminals
June 29, 2009 - 21:29 ET by chazskiLiberals seem to believe that one man's hypocrisy, Gov. Sanford's, somehow makes hypocrites of all Republicans. It's breathtaking how quickly they forget about their frequent remonstrations against guilt by association. But if Gov. Sanford has made hypocrites of all Republicans, then hasn't Rep. Jefferson made criminals of all Democrats? Of course, anyone with an IQ higher than their tire pressure already knew that.
Pot meet kettle. Kettle,
June 29, 2009 - 21:38 ET by ParalegalGoddessPot meet kettle. Kettle, pot.
I really don't need a "family values lesson" from the party of Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Elliot Spitzer... I could go on and on and on.
You're missing the point:
June 30, 2009 - 06:07 ET by motherbeltYou're missing the point: Democrats never claim to have any family values.
Therefore, they can't violate them and be hypocrites.
They do, however, talk a lot about caring for the poor, while having the stingiest record of charitable giving that one can imagine.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
For the umpteenth time: Has
June 29, 2009 - 21:49 ET by RogerCfromSDFor the umpteenth time: Has Chrissy come out of the closet yet? If not, he really has no moral authority with which to deride Republicans.
Isn't Chrissy co-owner of the apartment where the homosexual was busted for trying to sell sex with his adopted son?
A nation cannot be free without a free, unbiased media. We are not free.
Meanwhile, as the Democrat
June 30, 2009 - 00:31 ET by ckc1227Meanwhile, as the Democrat party is awarded the family values throne by Matthews, the world awaits the John Edwards sex tape, lol.
LOL....the understatement, ckc
June 30, 2009 - 00:36 ET by BlondeGolly gee.....Edwards' aide went on the record saying he never fathered the kid...it was all a big pay off, oh, yeah, and Edwards said he'd be Attorney General in the Obama administration, if not the running mate. Ooops....and something about Silky Pony Boy and Reille picking out their wedding colors, you know, just in case Elizabeth succumbed to her cancer (sorry, Liz, but you are so crass you deserved my recounting of the story....normally I'd abstain from repeating such vile gossip, but, you know....)
Yep.....Family values to the Dems, for sure, for sure.
I hope he fails, too.
With this line of "thought"...
June 30, 2009 - 05:54 ET by Red Jeep...by Matthews and his panel, churches should just give up if one member of a church sins.
Or, to use Matthew's words: Have Churches finally embarrassed themselves out of calling themselves for family values? Have Churches finally embarrassed themselves out of preaching the 10 Commandments? Why? Because every one sins.
It really seems like the differences between the Republicans and the Liberal Democrats have become a a difference between good and evil.
by Matthews and his panel,
June 30, 2009 - 06:54 ET by motherbeltby Matthews and his panel, churches should just give up if one member of a church sins.
Right...they should definitely get rid of the "sin" thing....because that's just unrealistic and causes them to lose credibility!
\sarc
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Matthews , Republicans, & Democrats
June 30, 2009 - 06:50 ET by trhug" Let him that is without sin cast the first stone". I cannot condone the gov's lack of discretion, but I do know that a man is not condemned for sins. The only action that damns an individual is the
lack of acceptance of CHRIST. It is simply amazing why mankind will not accept a gift of forgivness. " For all have sinned ". This includes me, Chris Matthews, Obama, Congress, et alii........... There is nothing new about sinning.
-----------------------
June 30, 2009 - 07:17 ET by buzzkill3r---------------------------------------------------------------
"Republicans need to (insert liberal idea here) in order to attract more voters."
- Liberal News Commentator
---------------------------------------------------------------
Might as well read:
---------------------------------------------------------------
"The Allied forces need to destroy their weapons and pursue diplomatic solutions if they want to be accepted by the Third Reich"
- Adolph Hitler
---------------------------------------------------------------
Why on earth should we ever listen to these people?
If it weren't for double standards, Liberals would have no standards at all.
Obama and Family Values
June 30, 2009 - 10:06 ET by BlueCat57Anybody want to lay odds on what the press would find if Obama was really put under the microscope?