Chris Matthews, on Monday's "Hardball," threw out a couple of crazy comparisons as he likened the socially conservative Sarah Palin to shock jock Howard Stern and the rakish Bill Clinton to God. First up, in his "Hardball Sideshow" segment, Matthews claimed the reason the former Alaska governor was so popular on the lecture circuit is because, "just like Howard Stern the reason people will pay to hear her is that they have no idea what she's gonna say next." However Matthews outdid himself, just a little later, as he declared listening to Clinton's strategic advice for Democrats on passing health care reform was like hearing, "The Voice of God." [audio available here]
The following Matthews observations were made on the August 31, edition of "Hardball":
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Now for tonight's "Big Number." Sarah Palin is no longer in elected office but people apparently still want to hear what she has to say. According to Politico how many speech requests is Sarah Palin fielding right now? Over 950 speech requests. I know it. I knew she was gonna do it. Say what you will, but just like Howard Stern the reason people will pay to hear her is that they have no idea what she's gonna say next. Anyway a speech next month in Hong Kong to the Investors Forum. I'm betting there's a lot more to come. About 1000 speaking requests, so far, already in, to hear the former governor of Alaska. Tonight's "Big Number."Story Continues Below Ad ↓
Then after a clip in which former President Bill Clinton urged the passage of health care reform, Matthews, on the August 31 edition of "Hardball," offered the highest of compliments:
MATTHEWS: Let's take a look at the former President Bill Clinton who really knows what he's talking about in politics, especially on this front, where he went through that Hell in '94. Here he is offering advice to the Left in saying this. Let's listen.
BILL CLINTON: I'm just telling you we need to pass a bill. It needs to be the best bill we can possibly get through Congress. But doing nothing is not only the worst thing we can do for the economy, and the worst thing we can do for health care, it's the worst thing we can do for the Democrats. And don't you think the Republicans don't know it.
MATTHEWS: That is the Voice of God sir, David Corn. That is the Voice of God because it's the voice of truth
and experience. I completely buy what he said, completely. Because when you lose in politics you lose. And if you think you're gonna get any credit from the center, or from the right, or any of the commentators from that part of the world, for losing, you're crazy! The Democratic Left will be pounced on and blamed for defeat. So this idea you're waiting for the perfect bill or you won't go without the public option is suicidal.
Incidentally this isn't the first time Matthews has spoken of the former president in religious tones, as back in February 28, 2007, he compared Clinton to Jesus.
MATTHEWS: When I watched him [former President Bill Clinton] at Mrs. King's funeral, I just have never seen anything like it....There are times when he sounds like Jesus in the temple. I mean, amazing ability to transcend ethnicity — race, we call it, it's really ethnicity — in this country and, and speak to us all in this amazingly primordial way.
—Geoffrey Dickens is the senior news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
God is infallible. Bill
August 31, 2009 - 17:42 ET by Another Dead KennedyGod is infallible.
Bill Clinton believes he's infallible.
I get the comparison.
I disagree with the other.
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen." Ronald Reagan
To mangle an old joke:
August 31, 2009 - 18:17 ET by motherbeltTo mangle an old joke: What's the difference between Bill Clinton and God?
God doesn't think He's Bill Clinton.
But wait a minute....I thought Barack Obama was "sort of God," according to Evan Thomas...
This secular Democrat party has way too many "Gods."
Ha! I don't know anyone who
August 31, 2009 - 18:28 ET by Another Dead KennedyHa!
I don't know anyone who thinks Obama is sort of a god - he is god!
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen." Ronald Reagan
Thomas didn't say Obama is
August 31, 2009 - 19:15 ET by motherbeltThomas didn't say Obama is sort of "a" god, he said he is Sort of God.
Here's the context: Thomas was rhapsodizing on Obama's Cairo speech, with Chris Matthews (bid surprise!) and he said this:
I mean in a way Obama’s standing above the country, above – above the world, he’s sort of God.
In other words, he is like God, above the world and everything in it.
Eh, potato-potato. (That
August 31, 2009 - 19:17 ET by Another Dead KennedyEh, potato-potato.
(That doesn't work so well textually)
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen." Ronald Reagan
How about
August 31, 2009 - 21:36 ET by motherbeltHow about Potato-po-tah-to? LOL
I was correcting you (sort-of) correcting me. In effect, you agreed with what I said. I was clarifying the Evan Thomas actually did say he was God...not just "sort of " a god...
You're right. It was an
September 1, 2009 - 12:15 ET by Another Dead KennedyYou're right. It was an error on my part. I had never seen the video before. I'm guessing Evan Thomas couldn't get up from the desk for a while.
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen." Ronald Reagan
Potato-potato
September 1, 2009 - 06:37 ET by nadadhimmiThat works well here because Matthews has a head just like Mr. Potato head. He's getting more bloated and moon faced every day as did his 2nd favorite object of hot man-love; Teddy K
Except
August 31, 2009 - 18:49 ET by doug1950the real One true God of course. They want nothing to do with him.
If I said....
August 31, 2009 - 22:46 ET by farstar99If I said Chris Matthews is like the voice of my ....uh...stomach after a bowl of Dynamite Shack Chili, would I get banned?
Nah...just don't call him a
September 1, 2009 - 08:48 ET by mattmNah...just don't call him a Clinton-damned piece of monkey-obama, kennedy-hole, son of a pelosi....then you're probably OK....
Cuckoo, cuckoo...*Chrissy's head rocks back and forth*
August 31, 2009 - 17:50 ET by BO STINKSPoor Miss Matthews, so deluded and he has a bully pulpit too! Yeah, secular humanism isn't a religion, ri-i-i-ight.
"...it must be known that we are at all times ready for war." G. Washington
Matthews is off his rocker
August 31, 2009 - 17:51 ET by bigtimerMatthews is off his rocker once again...he can't help himself.
Heck, many of us here remember years ago when Clinton was Prez...and the disdain, disgust Chris showed for him was nightly...
Give me a break.
He needs to seek help, he really does.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
I guess Tingles still has
August 31, 2009 - 18:17 ET by BobAnthonyI guess Tingles still has that gay thrill down his leg!
The reason the media is corrupt? Two words...OPERATION MOCKINGBIRD!
MOCKINGBIRD - The Subversion Of The Free Press By The CIA
The silver lining of the current political/economy debacle...
August 31, 2009 - 17:56 ET by wnaegele...is that it has revealed the absolute fraud that is the U.S. media...
THE MASK IS OFF...
September 1, 2009 - 07:40 ET by danybhoyYou are dead on wnaegele, the media has exposed themselves for what they are. The only fear(of sorts)I have is that some people will forget about how bad it is now when Obama is gone. I will not, these people need to be shunned & ignored as "journalists".
The MSM as a whole, & anything GE/NBC in particular will burn in my mind as long as I live. I will hold these days over their heads forever, & more people then just a few Newsbuster's posters need to have the same mindset. Anything MSNBC is just pure crap, anyone outside of Buchanan, everyone at MSNBC is scum. No talent, no honesty, no ratings.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
Voice of truth?
August 31, 2009 - 17:58 ET by acumen"That is the Voice of God because it's the voice of truth...."
Voice of truth? Surely Chrissy isn't talking about the same voice behind the finger poked in my face telling me; "I did not have sex with that woman...." and the same voice that was impeached for lying under oath.
Shouldn't Chrissy be reporting from out on a ledge somewhere?
acumen... Not so sure he
August 31, 2009 - 18:03 ET by bigtimeracumen...
Not so sure he isn't on that ledge now....if not, he's getting close to the edge.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
The ledge.
August 31, 2009 - 18:14 ET by RukusI think that Tweety Bird went over that ledge and has somehow managed to climb back up to try again! Cuckoo, cuckoo!! ; )
Gary
A liberal's generosity is limited only by your income.
The voice of Truth???
August 31, 2009 - 18:20 ET by motherbeltOh, please.
Chrissie decides what the truth is? And since he decides Clinton is "the voice of truth" he names him God?
Time to come back from your Walter Mitty world, Chrissie!
How can anyone take this man seriously?
He has become a parody of himself!!
MB, I'm with you on this one
August 31, 2009 - 18:26 ET by FeynmanFanI don't know why anyone listens to this guy at all - unless it's the result of a morbid curiosity about what stupid thing he'll say next.
"I support the President but not his policies" - Blonde
FF--
August 31, 2009 - 18:31 ET by Kat Outta the BagThe fine people at Newsbusters are watching it for us so we don't have to. I, for one, thank theme for their supereme sacrifice.
Kat
August 31, 2009 - 18:35 ET by FeynmanFanThey're definitely going above and beyond the call of duty.
"I support the President but not his policies" - Blonde
It's a lousy job, but
August 31, 2009 - 19:16 ET by motherbeltIt's a lousy job, but somebody has to do it!
Yep...it's to the point for
August 31, 2009 - 18:34 ET by bigtimerYep...it's to the point for me if I see his face, or Olbie's I immediately click it...heck, I can just check out what's on MJ once in awhile as it is now, usually don't stay there long anymore either.
Just cannot take it.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
bt- I use the MBA methodology
August 31, 2009 - 18:42 ET by FeynmanFanI use a similar approach to deal with morons on TV, but I call it the MBA - Mute Button Award. Once someone is awarded an MBA, they get to stay on the screen but their mouth moves and nothing at all comes out.
Makes life a little easier.
"I support the President but not his policies" - Blonde
FF... Ah yes...I am very
August 31, 2009 - 19:25 ET by bigtimerFF...
Ah yes...I am very familiar with that button as well...love your acronym.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Same here,
September 1, 2009 - 11:04 ET by boomerconThanks NB'ers for keeping up with those moonbats, assclowns, and sock puppets. I just can't sit still for them.
Chrissy is an idiot
August 31, 2009 - 18:06 ET by Indiana JoeHow does he still have a show?
"Of those men who have overturned the liberties of republics, the greatest number have begun their career by paying an obsequious court to the people, commencing demagogues and ending tyrants." - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 1
If criteria
August 31, 2009 - 18:09 ET by JPR1for "Certifiably Stupid" have not yet been defined, then I believe the powers that be should simply examine this mans thinking and behavior. The job is finished.
Clinton, akin to "the voice of God?"
August 31, 2009 - 18:16 ET by Gary HallClinton, akin to "the voice of God?"
Actually, there's quite a bit of a parallel and shadow truth in that. As the leader of the free world, and as a president with the potential for a considerable following amongst the world's so-called compassionate lot of world leaders, few amongst the left would disagree that if Clinton spoke, they should follow.
In 1997, President Clinton went back to the site of the crime of the 90's, Rwanda, where he promised to the people of Africa and to the world - "never again." Already in progress, and escalating rapidly, was a civil war centered next door in the DR Congo, involving six nations in the region; indeed, a continuation of the Rwandan genocide.
By the end of the Clinton term, estimates are that over 3 million had died in the conflict. Tragically, the war involved numerous genocides, millions of refugees, starvation and disease, and became the breeding grounds for what was to become known as the "Rape wars of the Congo" (thousands of women and girls were raped - and later, UN soldiers would join in the raping."
Apparently, Clinton, the God, had spoken. Damndest thing is that everyone simply believed him at his word. Clinton, of course, knew well what was occurring in the Congo, just as he had in Rwanda before; and as before, he looked the other way - and the world followed his lead. Such power. What a legacy!
Will any journalist, or statesman, in the world ever fulfill their calling and stand up to this man and ask him what the ---- "never again," actually meant?
(;~/gary
Never again? Yeah,
August 31, 2009 - 18:28 ET by motherbeltNever again? Yeah, right.
Not only that; he downright lied about Rwanda, claiming that he didn't act to stop it because he didn't know how bad the situation was.
“It may seem strange to you here, especially the many of you who lost
members of your family, but all over the world there were people like
me sitting in offices, day after day after day, who did not fully
appreciate the depth and speed with which you were being engulfed by
this unimaginable terror.”
But the fact is that having been burned badly in Somalia, he wanted no part of Rwanda.
motherbelt...
August 31, 2009 - 18:58 ET by Gary HallBystanders to Genocide - I. People Sitting in Offices - Well, almost like Clinton almost plagerized on that one. Samatha Powers (served last year as the Obama advisor who called Hillary Clinton, "a monster") is not a person that our MSM wishes to interview on subject of the Clinton's.
Bonus -- Remember Rep. Cynthia McKinney?
Left wing media loves her too, but once again, they're not going to ask her what she thought about Bill Clinton's African policies.(;~. gary
Let's face it mb...
August 31, 2009 - 19:18 ET by JerLet's face it mb...
There were very few occasions of broad GOP support for Clinton's foreign policy actions. They claimed Haiti and Bosnia would be American bloodbaths. They carped about Kosovo while military operations were under way. They wanted us out of Somalia yesterday, and then later criticized him for leaving too soon. They complained about North Korea. Bombing Iraq and firing cruise missiles at bin Laden were "wag the dog" diversions and reckless, but later he was blamed for not doing enough. Likewise with Rawanda. If he jumped in somewhere he got skewered; if he stayed out, he was roasted. The Republican Congress in the 90's elevated opposition and obstructionism to an art form. I must admit, politically it was quite impressive.
Jer
excuse me...make that Rwanda.
So, for whatever reasons,
August 31, 2009 - 19:31 ET by motherbeltSo, for whatever reasons, (and you gave some) he wanted no part of Rwanda.
I'm not saying he should or shouldn't have sent troops into Rwanda.
I'm saying he lied, in a widely broadcast speech, about why he didn't.
Jer..
August 31, 2009 - 20:05 ET by Gary HallJer. Newsbusters is about media bias. The two parties always play political hard ball with each other, on most all issues.
The MSM, they - for this exercise, offered very little support of Bush's foreign or domestic policy actions. They attacked him on almost every single domestic and foreign policy issue in front of him. And to this day, "they" still do not hold Clinton accountable for much of anything and "they" still do not acknowledge the accomplishments of Bush for much of anything.
It's about "they."
Cheers - gary
I guess it official
August 31, 2009 - 18:58 ET by doug1950Chris Matthews and Hardball are completely irrelavent to anything or anyone. It is just 30 minutes of wasted airtime. It may as well be a Test of the Emergency Broadcast system. Everyone just mutes it when it comes on. The drivel that spills out of his drooling mouth each day gets more asinine and bizaar. He just may as well go ahead and put the Fool's cap on because everyone thinks he is one. Any self respecting conservative should flatly turn down an invitation to come on that show because they only come off looking like asshats trying to make sense of the nonsense he dribbles out. I hope he reads this. He is an embarrassment.
Correction: It's a 1 hour
August 31, 2009 - 18:59 ET by Another Dead KennedyCorrection: It's a 1 hour show.
"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen." Ronald Reagan
Good Lord!
August 31, 2009 - 19:39 ET by doug1950That is even worse.
Shame on you, Kennedy!
August 31, 2009 - 19:42 ET by SickofLibsKennedy, are you not yet satiated with having your own wildly popular, personal "Give Me A New Screen Name" thread that you have to chime in here and piss on Dougie's parade in this incendiary manner? Color me appalled, and frankly, shocked (if that is a color.)
He IS technically correct that Hardball is 30 minutes (actually less) if you factor out 1) the blabbering provocations and interruptions he administers to his rare non-lib guests or "agree with me" talking points to his lib guests and; 2) his endless recanting of ancient Democrat fables and stories and; 3) Olbermann and Maddow commercials.
"Tingle, tingle, little star . . . "
August 31, 2009 - 19:09 ET by GalvanicBILL CLINTON: I'm just telling you we need to pass a bill. It needs to be the best bill we can possibly get through Congress. But doing nothing is not only the worst thing we can do for the economy, and the worst thing we can do for health care, it's the worst thing we can do for the Democrats. And don't you think the Republicans don't know it.
This is akin to a survivor of the Titanic advising mariners that they should steer into icebergs . . .
Isn't insanity often defined as exercising the same behavior over and over again, each time expecting a different result?
MATTHEWS: That is the Voice of God sir, David Corn. That is the Voice of God because it's the voice of truth and experience.
To paraphrase Matthews' "God:" If all depends on what the meaning of the word "truth" is?"
MATTHEWS: I completely buy what he said, completely.
Well, Matthews is insane, no?
MATTHEWS: . . . The Democratic Left will be pounced on and blamed for defeat.
To the contrary, the Right will celebrate them for defeating themselves.
MATTHEWS: So this idea you're waiting for the perfect bill or you won't go without the public option is suicidal.
The Democrats have finished forming the circular firing squad, and Matthews is shouting, "FIRE!".
I'm just telling you we need
August 31, 2009 - 19:35 ET by oldmanateeI'm just telling you we need to pass a bill. It needs to be the best bill we can possibly get through Congress. But doing nothing is not only the worst thing we can do for the economy, and the worst thing we can do for health care, it's the worst thing we can do for the Democrats. And don't you think the Republicans don't know it.
It's the worst thing they can do for the democrats?!? Where oh mighty one (sorry, religous roots will not allow me to call him even a lower case (g)od) is any mention of the people of this great country? How about what is best for those of us that are not dependent of any party?
And it tickles me to see another mention of Sarah Palin, they just can't let go, can they?
multiple lightning strikes at MSNBC HQ
August 31, 2009 - 19:36 ET by katainkentOnce again Chris Matthews jumps the shark and takes hyperbole to never before seen levels.
___________________________________________
"Maybe you're better off not having the surgery, but taking the painkiller" Barack Obama (Dr. In Chief)
And another thing
August 31, 2009 - 19:48 ET by oldmanateeI truely don't think Billy C really wants to hear some of the things God is going to say....
Tingles, on Day Seven of The Great Mourning,
August 31, 2009 - 19:47 ET by SickofLibsTingles, on Day Seven of The Great Mourning, finally switches to non-black tie, still wears black suit.
And only wears black lace widow's veil while in limo.
SoL... LMAO! Hehehe...go
August 31, 2009 - 19:54 ET by bigtimerSoL...
LMAO!
Hehehe...good one...problem is, with him... you are getting to where you can picture it as well.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
BT:
August 31, 2009 - 20:07 ET by SickofLibsI have an image in my head of Tingles as one of the swarming black-clad crone-widows in Zorba the Greek after Madame Hortense kicks the bucket.
"Kennedy souvenirs!"
→ SOL
August 31, 2009 - 20:03 ET by Cool ArrowYou're thinking of Blanket. Isn't that Teddy's son's name?
Sorry, there's been so many funerals lately.
We will Barry you! - Russian prophecy
Cool-
August 31, 2009 - 20:10 ET by SickofLibsNo, not Blanket. Teddy's son's nickname is 'Electric Mohair Comforter With Deluxe Dual Heat Controls'.
→ That's right!
August 31, 2009 - 20:17 ET by Cool ArrowAnd what was the name of that waterdog? Snuggie?
We will Barry you! - Russian prophecy
Just like its master....
August 31, 2009 - 21:59 ET by BarkerI think its name is Blankety-Blank.
CA
September 1, 2009 - 01:47 ET by well99Are you talking about Splash?
Go figure...
August 31, 2009 - 20:00 ET by BarkerWhat is it with these left-wing media types who seem so eager to declare a man as "God" or God-like? If someone were to call a leftist politician the 'Antichrist' (or even compared them to said Devil), Chris Matthews would most likely unleash a full-fledged, anti-tingle diatribe.
God (The Real One) Help Us.
So, according to Clinton,
August 31, 2009 - 21:28 ET by RescuedByRushSo, according to Clinton, absence of any kind of health care bill will be bad for the economy? They do this all the time; they insert something absurd like this into their commentary, and it is largely ignored because of the more inflamatory/emotional parts of their statements, and the context in which they occurred, (Matthews being himself and invoking God re Clinton).
Nonetheless, this needs to be challenged. Any health care legislation will help the economy? Hell, if that's the case, pass a law that says "we like good health care and hope it reforms and everyone gets it." Presto, the economy recovers!
This came out at the beginning of DNC's reaction to the townhall protests. Some statement came out, (covered here on NB), where some spokesperson said something like, Republicans are desperate because they've lost the last two election cycles and every major policy fight on capitol hill...
Okay, we all get pissed cuz our authenticity is challenged, and nobody notices that they just claimed 2007, 2008 and YTD 2009, while still blaming us for the "failed policies of the past."
Happens all the time, and really pisses me off.
DSM-V would label Chris
August 31, 2009 - 21:47 ET by JAJTDSM-V would label Chris Matthew's a grandiose delusional schiznophrenia, someone has not been taking their Haldol/lithium/thorazine. he needs to stop listening to the voices in his head
JAJT
I hope he doesnt take it out on all of us
August 31, 2009 - 23:10 ET by toneyukiI am the lord your god.
You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me
I guess we know where crissy is going
Cheese & Rice
August 31, 2009 - 23:55 ET by BondPlainBondNormal
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EEK! What happened?
***POST DELETED***
Cheese & Rice (Part II)
August 31, 2009 - 23:56 ET by BondPlainBondMSNBC should be stopped - immediately - from further exploiting
the emotionally disturbed Chris Matthews in order to profit monetarily,
not to mention vindictively, at the expense of citizens whose rights
are constitutionally guaranteed.
what happened to the
September 1, 2009 - 03:11 ET by toneyukiwhat happened to the seperation of church and state?
Wow
September 1, 2009 - 03:31 ET by well99They have come out with stationary for Chrissy and Obama.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29343710
?
September 1, 2009 - 06:43 ET by nadadhimmiWhat's the deal with these liberal, socialist, alcholic old Boston Micks? Are they all nuts?
Okay...that would make Monica's Blue Dress...
September 1, 2009 - 10:00 ET by Sam GrantMatthews Shroud of Turin?
→ Sam
September 1, 2009 - 10:03 ET by Cool ArrowThe shroud of Onan, maybe?
We will Barry you! - Russian prophecy
September 1, 2009 - 10:00 ET by jessieHThis guy is nuts. Matthews, I know GOD. Clinton is no GOD. He is a cheating ass who made a mockery of the white house.
Poor Chris
September 1, 2009 - 12:23 ET by 1611LilacLadyJohn 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Isaiah 5:20a Woe unto them who call evil good, and good evil. . . KJV
Matthews is an idiot.
September 1, 2009 - 15:37 ET by b4m4wyGovernment's first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.
Ronald Reagan
Clinton like God?
September 1, 2009 - 16:37 ET by djm159Chris Matthews is comparing Clinton to God? Was God an adulterer and liar ? Gee chrissy read the Bible maybe you'll get another thrill up your leg. Comparing Clinton to being Godlike is like telling John Kerry he isn't whipped, and that he is a real man. Spare me.
Is he incontinent? Just
September 1, 2009 - 18:07 ET by RR GOPIs he incontinent? Just wondering.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.