"The clergy should stay off Capitol Hill," MSNBC's Chris Matthews flatly declared on the November 10 "Hardball." Matthews fumed with disgust as Politico's Jonathan Allen told him that Catholic bishops lobbied Democrats to pass the pro-life Stupak Amendment to the Democratic health care reform bill last week.
"I understand the [pro-life] argument" that the bishops brought to the table, Matthews added, but huffed that they should not "show up" on the Hill.
After the commercial break, Matthews took to the air again to clarify that it was not in fact bishops but staffers with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) who lobbied the Democrats. Such a distinction, he insisted, was important.
The relevant transcript follows [MP3 audio available here]:
JONATHAN ALLEN, Politico reporter: She [Nancy Pelosi] did do one incredible political thing the other night. She had the Conference of Catholic Bishops in one room, the pro-choice lawmakers in the other.
CHRIS MATTHEWS, "Hardball" host: No but actually on the Hill? The bishops showed up?
ALLEN: On the Hill. She has two conference rooms.
MATTHEWS: Did the bishops show up?
ALLEN: The bishops showed up.
MATTHEWS: They shouldn't have.
ALLEN: Two conference rooms. She did shuttle diplomacy between them.
MATTHEWS: Well I'll tell ya that's, the clergy should stay off Capitol Hill. Anyway thank you Jonathan Allen. I understand the argument. Don't show up.
...
MATTHEWS: I first want to clear up something. We had a report a moment ago that bishops of the Catholic Church were actually on Capitol Hill this weekend. Apparently staffers from the U.S. Conference of [Catholic] Bishops were doing the lobbying, not the actual bishops. I want to clear that up, it's important.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Hey Matthews
November 10, 2009 - 18:55 ET by iveseenitallIt's the government "OF THE PEOPLE" , including Catholic Bishops--you pathetic, arrogant jackass!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Chrissy Matthews
November 10, 2009 - 20:22 ET by blazermaniacAnd Matthews should stay off TV.
That my friends
November 10, 2009 - 20:46 ET by FastEdsays it all - I'm thinking we all were thinking the same, too bad chrissy has "mainlined" the KoolAid and has had his brain turned to mushy oat bran.
Proud member of the MOB - Move Over Barack, we want our country back!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Isn't it funny?
November 11, 2009 - 10:46 ET by Patriot IIThat this maggot has no problem at all badmouthing Christians...but the rest of the time is busy kissing the respective asses of muslims? Send this s.o.b. to iran or somewhere where he can be happy!!!
And Chris Matthews is a
November 11, 2009 - 06:16 ET by Tim GrahamAnd Chris Matthews is a "Catholic" -- sort of in the way that Joe Lieberman is a Democrat. Chris Matthews is a caucus of one.
When Matthews sits in the judgment seat of God, will the Lord say "since you've told the clergy where to go...."
Just who in the sam hill
November 10, 2009 - 19:02 ET by bigtimerJust who in the sam hill does Matthews think he is?
Give me a break!
I can't take much more of this wizard of smart.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
→ bt
November 10, 2009 - 19:09 ET by Cool ArrowHe's the guy who defends an Army Major's "right" to communicate with our sworn enemy.
In other news, Matthews claims moral authority over the Catholic Church.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
You got that right
November 10, 2009 - 19:12 ET by bigtimerYou got that right RO...
I tell ya, I think he's really gone 'round the bend...trying to outdo Olbie isn't a particularly smart thing to do.
Then again...he doesn't have any of those left...his true colors are shining through ..and they aren't pretty.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
So, the staff
November 10, 2009 - 19:07 ET by UpNorthor the Bishops give up their rights as American citizens when they join or work for the Catholic church? Never heard Chrissy bemoan the presence of the UCC, Lutherans or the AME churches, but then, they're more representative of the liberal theologies, aren't they?
What. A. Hypocrite.
If the Bishops were up there
November 10, 2009 - 20:35 ET by motherbeltIf the Bishops were up there demanding free health care for all, or "affordable housing" I'm sure Chrissy would be all in favor of their participation.
Granted, he corrected himself and admitted they were staffers, but that doesn't mean he wants Bishops to offer any opinions on legislation, because their consciences and opinions are formed by their faith.
One can be against abortion, but not for religious reasons.
The End of Chris Matthews?
November 10, 2009 - 19:12 ET by TenebrousThis could be a career-killer for Matthews.
I think the man is senile.
-----
Random-jumbled-thoughts.blogspot.com
Career killer?
November 10, 2009 - 19:32 ET by SickofLibsHow can you kill what's already dead?
Darn zombies.
This could be a
November 10, 2009 - 20:36 ET by motherbeltThis could be a career-killer for Matthews.
I have two things to say about that:
One can only hope....
and
We should be so lucky!
Ditto. 'Doubling down on
November 10, 2009 - 20:52 ET by bigtimerDitto.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
The Bishops may want to
November 10, 2009 - 19:16 ET by winston smithThe Bishops may want to stay for a while longer and try to exorcise the demons from the tortured, rotting soul of rep. Lynn Woolsey who wishes to sic the IRS on the Catholic Chuch and take away their tax exemption. She once voted against recongnizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith but voted in favor of Rahmadan and Diwali (Hindu) commmencements in Congress. She is a hateful, belligerent, unwavering Marxist who legislates and regularly propagandizes against Christian Pro-life Americans. Republicans need to do a better job in highlighting her anti-Chrisitan bigotry in her next Congressional run.
MSNBC - The Place For Lunatics
ws... You pegged the
November 10, 2009 - 19:23 ET by bigtimerws...
You pegged the witch perfectly...and she is a witch, and that is putting it politely...because we have to here.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
"Well I'll tell ya that's,
November 10, 2009 - 19:49 ET by ParalegalGoddess"Well I'll tell ya that's, the clergy should stay off Capitol Hill"
And you should stay off my TV you spit flying frog!
I would have been willing to make one exception
November 10, 2009 - 19:50 ET by Patrick MichaelAs much as I am opposed to abortion and I AM!! I would have been willing (had I the power to see the future) to have had a little conversation with Chris Matthews mom. Well, not really but it felt good to say.
Stay Free!!!
It ok for gay rights
November 10, 2009 - 19:58 ET by gmonsenIt ok for gay rights activists to protest on the hill, but for God's sakes, let's not allow Bishops up there. I guess its my age, but I just cannot get my head around KowTow-ing to some in the name of diversity, while those who represent core religious values are attacked or diminished.
Sick puppy
November 10, 2009 - 20:31 ET by general companyMATTHEWS: Well I'll tell ya that's, the clergy should stay off Capitol Hill.
Cant have anyone defending those ungratful baby's, can we Chrissy
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Total Truth by Nancy Pearcy
November 10, 2009 - 20:44 ET by TruthMattersTotal Truth by Nancy Pearcy provides a good explaination of this lunacy.
First women
November 10, 2009 - 20:45 ET by MES41067Now their citezenship whats next.
(Lenin called them "useful idiots" I for one have no use for them.)
If this weren't about Bishops
November 10, 2009 - 20:49 ET by FastEdbut about nuns, the rulers/yardsticks would have been out, and poor littl chrissy would have bloodied knuckles, or a "thrill" glowing on his backside.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
How about the race-revs too
November 10, 2009 - 21:05 ET by ghblogI'd stipulate to that if Rev Jackson and Rev Sharpton would stay away too...
I'd also add CAIR to that list too.
Obama worshippers suffering
November 10, 2009 - 22:12 ET by marvlObama worshippers suffering from leg tingles should stay out of TV studios.
Hmm
November 10, 2009 - 22:41 ET by justbob223The last I heard, American Catholics were still citizens who had a right to have their voices heard by those who are supposed to represent them.
How Conveeeeeeeenient....
November 10, 2009 - 23:03 ET by Intellectual HonestyJONATHAN ALLEN, Politico reporter: She [Nancy Pelosi] did do one
incredible political thing the other night. She had the Conference of
Catholic Bishops in one room, the pro-choice lawmakers in the other.
CHRIS MATTHEWS, "Hardball" host: No but actually on the Hill? The bishops showed up?
ALLEN: On the Hill. She has two conference rooms.
MATTHEWS: Did the bishops show up?
ALLEN: The bishops showed up.
MATTHEWS: They shouldn't have.
ALLEN: Two conference rooms. She did shuttle diplomacy between them.
MATTHEWS: Well I'll tell ya that's, the clergy should stay off
Capitol Hill. Anyway thank you Jonathan Allen. I understand the
argument. Don't show up.
Notice how Matthews first displays (I would guess feigns since he probably already chatted with Allen before the show) disbelief, then repeats his questions to make sure he "heard right" and then goes on his mini outraged schtick.
And yet when he comes back he does a sheepish clarification that is meaningless to those that may have moved on. For those that hung in there it clearly shows how shoddy Allens reporting is if he is trying to push an exclusive in person and on camera, answers in a cocksure way that the Bishops were the actual go-betweens and then it turns out they had sent representatives which is anything but outlandish.
This is very reminiscent of the NYT and many others that put out false info and then do a retraction knowing that the false info is now to be found in the ether of the net.
An morons should stay off
November 10, 2009 - 23:07 ET by George S PattonAn morons should stay off TV.
That would leave about 24
November 10, 2009 - 23:09 ET by Radical1979That would leave about 24 hours of dead air on MSNBC.
I must disagree with ol'
November 11, 2009 - 00:40 ET by MikeBI must disagree with ol' Tingles. I think leftists, especially so-called journalists and especially politicians should stay off the hill. No politicians on the hill means that our pay checks are safe.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
As a Catholic
November 11, 2009 - 06:41 ET by vaboxrboyI can tell you that politics are never supposed to enter our discourse nor should our clergymen enter into this arena. Just as it's disgusting for some fringe people to take communion and then spit it out or cause any disturbance during mass, no members of the clergy shold be out on the political front. We moderns Catholics are often called "Cafeteria Catholics" because most pick and choose what is acceptable, but politics is really out. Matthews was right on this one.
Cheers,
Chuck
I don't think Matthews's
November 11, 2009 - 09:07 ET by Ken ShepherdI don't think Matthews's reasons are the same as yours. You apparently want to keep the clergy separate from politics for the good of the Church and the promotion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the proclamation of a greater heavenly kingdom.
Chris, on the other hand, is coming at this from a "separation of church and state" tack motivated by secular leftist ideology.
Matthews and Olberman....
November 11, 2009 - 06:43 ET by John WIThese two clowns should shut the hell up, and stay off t.v. with their warped political views.
These two should be the pied-pipers for ALL of the MSM commentators, who obviously have NO clue as to what the working class is going through these days.
If they had a hint of a clue, of what it really takes to work a real job, and run a real business, they would be singing to high heaven a different tune.
Matthews / An Intellectual Giant
November 11, 2009 - 10:27 ET by telecasterThis story pretty much says it all about the intellectually vacuous and intolerant Matthews.........I can't take 2 minutes of this guy....somebody get him some ritilin
Matthews Should Stay Off Capital Hill
November 11, 2009 - 11:35 ET by DaMamaChris Matthews is the epitome of liberal nonsense. Every time he opens his mouth, he provides more evidence of his lack of common sense and his idiotic liberal ideology. This is why internet news sites and talk radio are flourishing. No one wants to watch network or cable news because of their extreme liberal bias. The average American is conservative, and we are tired of phonies like Chris Matthews providing their liberal take on all news stories. Matthews is a fool, and proves it every time he opens his mouth.