David Shuster’s suspension was a topic of discussion on the February 11 edition of "The View," as at least Barbara Walters and Whoopi Goldberg disagreed with the Clinton campaign for demanding an even harsher punishment for Shuster. Walters first expressed mixed feelings that many people rely on "The View" for news adding "sometimes we’re very wonderful and very accurate and sometimes we’re not."
An offended Joy Behar chimed "I don’t think we’re less accurate than a lot of the shows that I watch, because I watch all of them," adding "we do our research here." Barbara Walters apologetically replied "I shouldn’t have said that."
Behar apparently does not watch the most accurate shows. She made false statements about Vice President Cheney’s position on the Marriage Amendment, falsely claimed the Bush administration was behind the "Swift Boat" ads, said Republican presidential candidates "never mention health care," and claimed the current Bush administration has raised taxes. But they do their research.
Moving on to the David Shuster suspension over the "pimped out" Chelsea Clinton comments, Barbara Walters scolded the Clinton campaign for demanding that MSNBC punish Shuster even further, exclaiming: "[Shuster] apologized, MSNBC apologized. Drop it already! It’s okay. He made a mistake."
Whoopi Goldberg added she has some sympathy for Shuster because of the many times she put her foot in her mouth, and felt that his suspension was too harsh. Behar, perhaps referring to her recent anti-Catholic slur regarding the saints, joked that the Catholic Church is "always after me."
The entire transcript is below.
WALTERS: Well, you know we have heard sometimes. And sometimes I think "isn’t it wonderful?" And sometimes I think "oh heaven." That a lot of people get their news- you know a lot of women and some men- you know a lot of men watch us, who have different hours of the job. And they get their news from us. And sometimes we’re wonderful and very accurate, and sometimes we’re not. And I think "is this where they’re getting their news?" You know.
BEHAR: Why not?
WALTERS: I guess it’s like so many young people get their news from Jon- not young people, but lots of people- from Jon Stewart.
BEHAR: But I don’t think we’re less accurate than a lot of the shows that I watch, because I watch all of them.
WALTERS: I shouldn’t have said that.
HASSELBECK: And we cover it from different angles too, so it’s a little bit more comprehensive.
BEHAR: We do our research here.
WALTERS: This is what is interesting now because it’s, it’s now become a bigger story and that is the man at MSNBC-
BEHAR: David Shuster
WALTERS: David Shuster who said that, used that unfortunate word and said that Chelsea was pimping.
GOLDBERG: Being pimped.
WALTERS: Being pimped talking about her advocating, because Chelsea used to, you know, just sit in the background and she was in the audience and you’d see her smiling and now she’s taking a more active role. And he has been suspended and-
HASSELBECK: For those comments.
WALTERS: For those unfortunate comments which were-
BEHAR: Do you think he should have been suspended Barbara?
WALTERS: Well, I think what’s interesting, after that is that Hillary Clinton then wrote to NBC, to the NBC News president, Steve Capus, and she’s criticizing him. This is what she said: "I became Chelsea’s mother long before I ran for office." But she- it was as if she was advocating more than just his being suspended. Perhaps I feel this because of the years in all of you. You know, there are times, sometimes we say something unfortunate, you apologize, he’s getting suspended.
BEHAR: He apologized.
WALTERS: He apologized, MSNBC apologized. Drop it already! It’s okay. He made a mistake.
HASSELBECK: I don’t blame Senator Clinton for going after him as a mother. You know, I think any mother would, and would with duty and honor defend them against anyone making comments-
WALTERS: We understand that, but he has been suspended. They have apologized as I said, maybe I’m saying this because I did say there were times. I look at you because you and I have gone through this-
GOLDBERG: Yes we have. Yeah.
WALTERS: But when you say something you didn’t mean, and it comes out wrong, and at a certain point- the man has been suspended. It’s his livelihood. The station has apologized. As I said, Chelsea is a lovely girl. I’ve met her many times. She’s really- you know, they’ve done something very right with this leverage. She’s also an adult.
HASSELBECK: She’s only three years younger than me. Like, I would go out and support my mom too. But I also feel like, you know, there was a part of me when I got the calls, I thought okay, you know, the Clinton administration and the Clinton campaign, they know their audience here that we have. Is this just a way of getting the word out to a very specific audience? Is it strategic? So that opens up complaintville.
GOLDBERG: Here’s the thing. This is what happens when white folks try to throw around words that they’ve heard in rap songs. [laughter and applause] It’s- you know- they’re trying- I mean, that’s the truth. He’s trying to be, he’s trying to be relevant and present and he made a mistake. It happens. I have inserted foot in mouth many times.
HASSELBECK: Yes we all have.
GOLDBERG: But the bottom line-
BEHAR: I haven’t. I don’t know what you’re talking about.
[laughter]
WALTERS: You always say "I’m a comedian." I can’t get away-
BEHAR: So has she and so has she.
WALTERS: So I- I can’t get away with that.
BEHAR: The Catholic Church doesn’t care if I’m a comedian or not. They’re always after me.
GOLDBERG: That’s right. You’re going to Hell no matter what.
SHEPHERD: Also too, I think the suspension and the apology, that’s enough.
GOLDBERG: That’s enough.
SHEPHERD: But, you know, if Hillary Clinton becomes president, the pot shots are going to be taken at everybody in her family. And are you going to want everybody- you know- where do you stop?
BEHAR: Well, that’s a good point, because once Chelsea got into the game, now she might be open season.
WALTERS: When she was sitting in the audience and smiling, that’s one thing, perhaps. But when you’re actively- go ahead. Say it! Say it!
GOLDBERG: But if someone had said that about Barack’s daughter, there would be a whole different kind of outcry. So, I mean, you know, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. I feel like the guy made a mistake. He made a mistake, and what really should have happened is she should have called him up and said "let’s have lunch. Let’s talk." But now it, you know, we’re in a debate as to whether he should be suspended. You know, I don’t know whether he should have been suspended. But I do know that it does happen sometimes in the moment, and again, he made an unfortunate decision. Should he stay suspended? I don’t think so.
BEHAR: It’s a problem when it’s about the kids. I really do think that’s when you run into trouble.
HASSELBECK: Even if the kid is on the campaign and calling, and-
BEHAR: Yes, it’s a child. I mean she is 27-
HASSELBECK: She’s not a child. She’s 27.
BEHAR: But she’s not running for anything and why go after her? It’s like when they used to say she wasn’t pretty. I thought it was so evil.




















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Comments Policy
The First Amendment, and specifically
February 11, 2008 - 15:49 ET by YahooWatcherthe freedom of the press part, only applies when the Clintons in conjunction George Soros, the 9th District Court, the U.N., and various other left wing nut cases say it applies.
Otherwise, you had better keep your mouth shut.
For once, I find myself in agreement with The View "ladies"
February 11, 2008 - 15:57 ET by RJIt was overkill to suspend Shuster, and more than anything else, it probably speaks to the power of Hillary's "testicle lock-box."
But this is worth a wry smile: "An offended Joy Behar chimed "I don’t think we’re less accurate than a lot of the shows that I watch, because I watch all of them," adding "we do our research here."
I'd love to know what shows Joy puts in the category of less accurate than The View.
I agree that suspending him
February 11, 2008 - 16:18 ET by motherbeltI agree that suspending him was overkill; he should have just apologized and MSNBC should have told the Clintons to "move on."
It was a stupid remark, resulting from the increasing acceptance of street slang in more "formal" (shall we say) settings. It's obvious he wasn't using it in a sexual sense, any more than "Pimp my ride" means selling prostitution in one's car.
I did like that, in his apology, didn't say that he insulted Chelsea by implying that she was doing anything wrong; he just said he used an "inappropriate" (to say the least) phrase.
But I suspect the Clintons want to keep this in the news a while longer...to detract from other problems, and to generate sympathy. This may also have a subtle effect on what questions Her Royal Clintoness is asked at the MSNBC debate.
Oh, and Joy: But she’s not running for anything and why go after her?
For the umpteenth time, Joy, NO ONE went after her. Shuster went after her mother, for exploiting her daughter. Which maybe wasn't right, because Chelsea is old enough to decide how she wants to help her mother's campaign, but he did NOT "go after" Chelsea.
Joy Behar is as thick as two planks!!
I agree with Barbara
February 11, 2008 - 15:59 ET by ksimm81People do rely a little bit too much on 'The View' for their news. These are probably the same nut jobs that watch SNL or the Colbert Report for the latest info.
I guess anything with a leftist tilt is considered 'news' in this day and age.
Behar watches them all????
February 11, 2008 - 16:23 ET by Lame CherryLast time I checked there were 24 hours in a day, 3 cable news, 3 networks and various other outlets online, so how is it with over 24 hours of programming does Behar "watch them all".
Either she is a liar or it explains her insane prattling on as she is not getting any sleep and watching multiple programs and combining what she hears to form crazy opinions.
Lastly, Shuster is not the issue. Hillary pimping Chelsea is the issue which she did and which Chelsea whored herself willingly.
It is campaign tears for the Clinton strategy.........as stated all political families do this and it is fine. It why politicians have kids.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Lastly, Shuster is not the
February 11, 2008 - 16:36 ET by motherbeltLastly, Shuster is not the issue. Hillary pimping Chelsea is the issue which she did and which Chelsea whored herself willingly.
No, Lame Cherry, whatever you think of Shuster, Chelsea did not "pimp" herself, nor did her mother "pimp" her. Chelsea was supporting her mother and working for her campaign, as any daughter would want to do. If it was "inappropriate" or somehow bordering illegal for her to be calling superdelegates, then it was serious lapse in judgment on her mother's part. No one hasclaimed that.
But helping one's family is NOT being expolited or used. And Chelsea certainly didn't "pimp" or cheapen herself by helping with her mother's campaign. If your mother or sister were running for office, wouldn't you help out in any way you could? I don't see why that's wrong, just because it's Clintons.
I disagree with your
February 11, 2008 - 17:48 ET by BruzillaI disagree with your assessment. The Clintons were extremely protective of their daughter throughout the Clinton presidency. She was hands off to reporters, photographers, and any other media folks. They wouldn't even allow the usual stock stories dealing with growing up in the White House, birthday celebrations, etc. The Clintons went to great lengths to protect their daughter's privacy and rightfully so.
Then came the Lewinsky scandal, and talk that the Clintons were on the outs, and what did the Clintons do? They rolled out Chelsea to reinforce the image that they were still one happy family. Once the scandal passed, the veil went back around Chelsea.
Jump to the present... you would have never known Chelsea Clinton was still alive through the early primary season. She was never mentioned, referenced, discussed, or seen. Then Hillary's lead in the Iowa polls heads for the basement, and the media is dominated by reports of Hillary being cold and impersonal. What does Hillary do? She rolls out her mom and Chelsea to prove she's not an android, and puts the daughter she fought hand, tooth, and nail to protect onto the campaign trail. She went from never mentioning Chesea and protecting her privacy, to putting her front and center on the campaign trail, and why? Because she was losing in the polls and was desperate for any edge to help her win.
If that isn't pimping someone, I don't know what is.
Bruzilla, this has nothing
February 11, 2008 - 18:15 ET by motherbeltBruzilla, this has nothing to do with her former life in the White House. Chelsea is 27 years old!! Her parents have been out of the White House for eight years. She has been living her own life. The press has had little interest in her during that time; why should they have? No one keeps tabs on the kids of a former President's or even a current Senator. She showed up when her mother started running for President. What is wrong with that? Should she have stayed away?
I just don't see anything wrong with her coming back to help her mother. I'm NOT a fan of Her Royal Clintoness...but I think some things are OK .....even if it's a Clinton doing them.
No, she didn't show up when
February 11, 2008 - 19:16 ET by BruzillaNo, she didn't show up when her mother started running for president. Her mother had been running for president officially for the better part of six months, and unofficially for six years, before Chesea came on the scene. Chelsea didn't "show up" until her mother started losing in the polls, and was being criticized as being cold and unfeeling.
The issue here isn't what was happening, but when. The Clintons used their daughter to score points with the media and the voters during the Lewinski scandal, and Hillary trotted, pimped if you will, her out again when she got into a jam in her run for president and needed a warm & fuzzy supporter on the campaign trail. Remember that Chelsea was nowhere to be seen when Hillary was the front runner, so you can't make the case that this is just a kid coming to help mom. This is mom needing her kid to come out and show voters that her mom isn't such a cold hearted manipulator as everyone thinks.
At 27 with the environment she was raised in,
February 11, 2008 - 20:09 ET by IamTinmanChelsea knew what she was doing when Hillary asked her to help campaign . She's definately not a child.
That being said, accusing Hillary of pimping her out is essentially calling Chelsea a whore. That's disgusting and totally classless just like Imus's uncalled for remark and Shuster deserves to be fired for it.
Joy Behar is a comedian? Don't you have to be funny to do that?
The comment is not a
February 11, 2008 - 22:40 ET by BruzillaThe comment is not a reflection on Chelsea. If it were, Schuster would have called her a whore. A pimp is someone who sells out someone else to their own gain, and that's what the Clintons are doing. Hillary was losing in the polls, and taking heat for being cold and unfeeling, so she needed a way to humanize herself, and the best way to do that was reinforce the view that she is a mom. So she asks Chelsea to take a leave of absence from her job and come and hit the trail with her. When Hillary was the front runner, Chelsea was never seen nor heard. It wasn't until Hillary started tanking and needed to paint a more human picture of herself that she thrust Chelsea into the spotlight.
I agree that yes, some could say this is just a daughter helping her mom, but when you look at the timing, and how the Clintons used Chelsea during the Lewinski scandal, it becomes pretty clear that they seem happy to pimp out their daughter to the media and voters when it benefits them. That doesn't make Chelsea a whore, but it sure makes her parents look like pimps.
It is by inference a reflection on Chelsea
February 12, 2008 - 01:36 ET by IamTinmanThe definition of pimp is:
ergo, one can't be a pimp without having whores to pimp.
At any rate it was totally devoid of class and further proof of why the MSN is rated even lower than congress.
Helping?
February 11, 2008 - 20:06 ET by docbTo keep her under wraps until 3 weeks ago [she would not even talk to a child reporter]then have her bust out is certainly exploiting their daughter. They are in a tight race and Chelsea off sets the coldness of hillery and the 'coded' slime from Bill. Chelsea also gets the sympathy vote for her mother.
Do not think for ONE MOMENT THAT THE CLINTONS DID NOT KNOW SOMETHING WOULD CAUSE A RUCKUS surrounding Chelsea. This is pure calculation. However, Chelsea is an adult and they took the risk that she would help them with youth and sympathy votes and she could take it. That is usery -pure and simple.
In politics you run the numbers--figure out which votes you can lose in the short game and go for the long ball. The clintons did this with AfAmericans, Hispanics, gays, Unions and affluent males. It SEEMS TO BE BACKFIRING... The more reason for Chelsea, tears for votes, and their slime of opponents.
I want to turn the page and not go back to the last century.
Whoa...hold the phone...
February 11, 2008 - 16:27 ET by WhoIsJohnGalt...Behar is a comedian? Really? Or did I read that wrong? She's about as funny as a gallon jug of milk.
And Chelsea "not pretty"? C'mon, she's adorable! She's the spitting image of Webb Hubbell!
Comeon, wijg, that's a
February 11, 2008 - 16:32 ET by motherbeltComeon, wijg, that's a liberal tactic, to disparage someone's looks. She may not have been an adorable teenager, but she has grown into a nice-looking woman. Not gorgeous, but nice-looking.
Yes, she is not completely
February 11, 2008 - 19:57 ET by WhoIsJohnGaltYes, she is not completely unattractive, but the Hubbell reference was more than curious when she was a teenager, no?
motherbelt, with all due
February 11, 2008 - 20:02 ET by balboamotherbelt, with all due respect, this is not a "liberal tactic." Look at any post about Helen Thomas, Rosie, et al, and you'll see what I mean.
Yeah, you're right. I stand
February 11, 2008 - 20:51 ET by motherbeltYeah, you're right. I stand corrected.
Who takes Joy seriously?
February 11, 2008 - 16:39 ET by whatajoyJoy acts like she is the end-all say-all on politics, but it's so obvious that she has no clue what she is talking about. I remember last year she said that the president has access to our tax dollars like it's a bank and he can withdraw money from Americans whenever he wants and spend it. I'm like, Joy, what the heck are you talking about? Did she skip all her American History classes in jr. high or what? She doesn't know the simplest of things when it comes to politics or government, yet she acts as if she knows all. No one takes anything she says seriously and never will. She's a dim-witted comedian and nothing more.
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Take it easy! We're not making a western here.
~ Uncle Junior (The Sopranos)
It's hard to believe that
February 11, 2008 - 16:43 ET by motherbeltIt's hard to believe that Joy has two degrees, isn't it? Sociology and English Education.
Be glad she is on the view. She could be teaching your kids.
(Or someone's kids, if you don't have any in school. But you get my point....)
There are kids out there
February 11, 2008 - 20:16 ET by IamTinmanThat Joy has "taught". Be afraid, be very afraid!
Joy does research?
February 11, 2008 - 19:30 ET by ChaitealoverHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Chai
“...Bury me on my face,” said Diogenes; and when he was asked why, he replied, “Because in a little while everything will be turned upside down.”
BEHAR: We do our research
February 11, 2008 - 20:08 ET by Jack Bauer"I don’t think we’re
February 11, 2008 - 20:58 ET by MikeknaJ"I don’t think we’re less accurate than a lot of the shows that I watch... we do our research here." - Behar
Oh, man, that's the funniest thing I've read in weeks! Thanks for the laugh, Newsbusters. ROFL.
"The shadow proves the sunshine" - Switchfoot
http://www.xanga.com/mikeknaj
Bingo, Whoopi
February 12, 2008 - 01:52 ET by Cool ArrowGOLDBERG: Here’s the thing. This is what happens when white folks try to throw around words that they’ve heard in rap songs.
And 50 years from now Rap will be banned in classrooms as offensive. It will go the way of Uncle Remus.
♣ a seal