Skip to main content
  • CNSNews.com
  • MRC TV
  • Biz & Media
  • Culture & Media
  • TimesWatch
  • Take Action!

Join Us @:
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon Kindle

Tell the Truth campaign logo
NewsBusters.org logo

May 26, 2012
  • Home
  • Blogs
  • About
  • Forum
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Account
  • RSS

Hot Topics

  • Anti-religious Bias in the Media
  • Same-sex Marriage
  • 2012 Presidential Race
Home » Blogs » Ken Shepherd's blog
  • CBS: 'Troubling Signs' For Obama, Like Bush in '92, But President 'Cannot Control' Economy
  • On and On It Goes: Networks Cover 'Predator Priests' As They Stay Silent on Catholic Liberty Lawsuits
  • NBC's Williams Touts L.A. Banning Plastic Bags As Effort to Keep Them 'Out of the Natural World'
  • Bozell, Carlson Note Media's Silence on Obama Supporter's Bribe to Hush Rev. Wright
  • Very Annoyed Matthews Rips ‘Horse’s Ass Right-Wingers’ Who Cite ‘Thrill Up My Leg,’ Calls C-SPAN Host a ‘Jackass’
  • CNN Asks Tony Perkins 'Why Do Homosexuals Bother You So Much?'
  • Reuters's Freeland: 'Anorexic' Americans Think Tax Bite Too Heavy When In Fact It's Dangerously Thin
  • Soledad O'Brien Spins Romney's Words on Bain, Suggests He's Dodging the Questions

Once Again, MSNBC's Chris Matthews Slanders S.C. GOP Voters As Racists

By Ken Shepherd | January 17, 2012 | 17:30

Change font size:  A |  A
Ken Shepherd's picture

Appearing on colleague Andrea Mitchell's eponymous 1 p.m. Eastern program today, MSNBC Hardball host Chris Matthews to viewers that last night's South Carolina GOP presidential debate was chock full of "dog whistles" and racially-tinged "code words." What's more, according to Matthews, there's no point trying to argue with him on this because "you either see it or you don't."

Perhaps Matthews's dopiest claim was that Newt Gingrich calling Fox News debate panelist Juan Williams by his first name was a thinly-veiled way to attack Williams's ethnicity before a "conservative white" audience in the South:

Story Continues Below Ad ↓

There were interesting aspects to that, wasn't there some applause when he called him Juan? I mean it’s an interesting thing here. I mean, I once, it's very clever -- I mean Newt is a very smart guy. He knows how to play an audience.

There was a wonderful exchange between George Herbert Walker Bush and Pete DuPont one time where he answered a question to him and he said, "Let me help you with that one, Pierre."

Now it is his name, and Juan is his name, but there's an interesting way it's used and to personalize it, and Juan Williams has a lot of guts getting in front of that audience that’s conservative white in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and asking a question which is a reasonable question.

[...]

[T]his is going to get very, you know, very ethnic, very racial, it's going to get very hot.

And I think you saw it there in that audience there the other night. And I think it's going to be bad. I don't like it. And I think we're looking for signs of coaxing people back to their sort of tribal attitudes. You know, and how it's done and that use of the name Juan, the way he does it. You can't argue these things. You either see it or you don't. It’s just the way he did that.I sensed a little applause when he said "Let me help you," when he answered the Juan question.

Matthews realizes his arguments about racism are patently unprovable, but he had a ready defense for that: it's a secret code that racists understand and he, the ever-enlightened student of politics, also gets, even if you at home disagree with him:

Well, we know what's going on. And everybody knows what’s going on. And to argue with it, the problem with arguing it is, the people who don't hear it don't want to hear it, or they hear it and don’t want to admit it.

You can't argue a person into it. You can't say to a person that's code, because the people that don't want to hear that it's code will say that it's not and the people who clearly hear that it's code will. It's not something that you can argue with a person.

In other words, there's no point arguing with Chris about this. Making a rational argument based on facts and evidence don't matter to the Hardball host, it's all about a pre-determined narrative intent on reading racism into ripe circumstance.

The debate was in South Carolina. Juan Williams is black. The audience and candidates are white. Voila! Instant racism!

At least, that's what race baiters like Chris Matthews would have you believe.

For a related BiasAlert that includes the transcript, click here.

Share this

About the Author

Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters. Click here to follow Ken Shepherd on Twitter.
  • 2012 Presidential
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Conservatives & Republicans
  • Political Groups
  • Andrea Mitchell
  • Chris Matthews
  • Juan Williams
  • Newt Gingrich
  • Ken Shepherd's blog
  • Login to post comments
  • Printer-friendly version
Donate to NewsBusters

Comments

"Perhaps Matthews's dopiest

Submitted by ckc1227 on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 5:59pm.

"Perhaps Matthews's dopiest claim was that Newt Gingrich calling Fox News debate panelist Juan Williams by his first name was a thinly-veiled way to attack Williams's ethnicity before a "conservative white" audience in the South"

Sadly, Michael Medved is making a similar argument with a caller right now. This is why we should stop pandering for voters like this. We'll never get their vote, no matter what.


  • Login to post comments

Shooting an idiot ball from 3-point range, Matthews . . .

Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 6:15pm.

. . . hits nothing but net.

MATTHEWS: ". . . There were interesting aspects to that, wasn't there some applause when he called him Juan? I mean it’s an interesting thing here. I mean, I once, it's very clever -- I mean Newt is a very smart guy. He knows how to play an audience."

This makes the Top Ten Most Idiotic Matthews Quotes, and we all know he's had some crazy quotes.  

From now on, whenever Matthews interviews a Republican and uses the word rich, the reply should be "Hey, African-Americans know what that is . . . It's code word for white." 

  • Login to post comments

Juan seemed very comfortable in front of the audience

Submitted by tjc-illinois on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 6:21pm.

While I don't agree with his politics, I most certainly respect the heck out of Juan Williams. He has more sac than you can ever dream of Chris; but then any sac is more than you have. It is real easy to go on 'friendly shows' or on you own show where you are NEVER challenged. Mr. Williams is always thoughtful, respectful of opposing opinions and willing to discuss with a less than 'friendly audiences'.

'Well, to tell the family secret, my grandmother was Dutch." Bart

  • Login to post comments

So Tingles has added 'tribal' back into his insult vocabulary.

Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 6:28pm.

Hw was on that every day there for a while, then he dropped it completely. Somebody probably told him that's really not a great choice of words in this instance.

  • Login to post comments

Chrissy's guilt about his own party's racist past

Submitted by WarEagle01 on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 7:10pm.

is really starting to get to him. If he's going this far over the top then he really must be feeling bad about being in the same party as Bull Connor. The poor klucker.

  • Login to post comments

'... his own party's racist past'

Submitted by texasborngranny on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 12:54pm.

'... his own party's racist past'

Sorry, but I think their racism continues unabated.

  • Login to post comments

I like it when liberals like Matthews and Donna Brazille...

Submitted by krendler on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 7:12pm.

I like it when liberals like Matthews, Donna Brazille, and Roland Martin use the line - delivered in a condescending, accusatory tone, of course - "You know, a lot of racists don't know they're racists." To which, the only rational response is "Well then, perhaps you're a racist and you just don't know it."

  • Login to post comments

Barney Rubble Matthews...

Submitted by Jimi Streets on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:33pm.

The only "code" he's hearing are those little voices in his head. My goodness! How is it that anybody can go on TV, spout crap like this continually, basically lying and slandering, and still be employed?

I'm sorry...For a second there I thought libs just may have a smidgen of integrity....

No reply necessary...

Its not paranoia if they're really out to get you...
  • Login to post comments

Barney Rubble Matthews...

Submitted by Jimi Streets on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:33pm.

The only "code" he's hearing are those little voices in his head. My goodness! How is it that anybody can go on TV, spout crap like this continually, basically lying and slandering, and still be employed?

I'm sorry...For a second there I thought libs just may have a smidgen of integrity....

No reply necessary...

Its not paranoia if they're really out to get you...
  • Login to post comments

Seems like liberals are the

Submitted by tobiasdog on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 11:11pm.

Seems like liberals are the only ones who are able to decipher those "racist code words" so in my book that makes THEM the racists.

  • Login to post comments

Playing the 'Race Card'

Submitted by tadchem on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 8:58am.

Playing the 'race card' is like playing the 'class warfare' card, or like attacking the person rather than the argument. It is rhetorically a confession that one has exhausted all logic and can only persist in the debate by turning it into a personal fight.
In my experience, a racist is, by definition, an person to whom 'race' is an important factor. By default, anybody who plays the race card is a racist.
As a member of the most maligned group in current American politics (successful, conservative, affluent, white, overweight, middle-aged males), I personally feel offended that someone (Matthews) would claim anyone's ethnicity deserves special consideration when my own group is so roundly and popularly abused.
On the positive side, I am glad to see that MSNBC continues to support equal rights for all Americans by providing continuing employment for the intellectually disabled.

tadchem Richmond, VA
  • Login to post comments

⇒ I resemble that remark!

Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 9:08am.

Is your comment about being roundly abused a reference to my substantial girth?

  • Login to post comments

Good morning Cool

Submitted by cocodrie on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 9:38am.

You're not fat, you're just short for your weight.

 

Jesus Loves You so much He died for you

  • Login to post comments

⇒ Thanks, coco

Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 9:45am.

You get a signed copy of my book "The Profundity of Rotundity"

Name and town, name and town, if you wish to opine.

  • Login to post comments

Ahh, mirth with ---

Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 7:09pm.

girth.

A belly laugh.   :o)

MD

"The credibility of the story is undermined by the selection of sources." - (h/t Jer)
  • Login to post comments

New MSNBC Commercial...

Submitted by pcnav on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 12:13pm.

♫ I'm a racist, Your a racist ♪
♫ He's a racist, She's a racist ♪
♪ Wouldn't you like to be a racist too? ♫
♫ Be a racist, watch MSNBC. ♫ Be a racist, watch MSNBC. ♪

(sung to the tune of the Dr Pepper commerical)

  • Login to post comments

⇒ Was Martin Luther King racist?

Submitted by Cool Arrow on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 12:59pm.

When Dr. King joked publicly about castrating a white man, was that racist?

No. it was a figure of speech that, as far as I can remember, didn't raise an eyebrow.

But suddenly America has a problem with violent rhetoric.  Go figure.

  • Login to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

  • Is liberalism dead? (Roger L. Simon)
  • The media's next move on same-sex marriage (Get Religion)
  • Senate Dems pay women staffers less than male staffers (Washington Free Beacon)
  • Left targeting Chief Justice Roberts in attempt to save ObamaCare (IBD)
  • Walker's chance of defeating Wisc. recall looking great (Ace of Spades)
  • Ex-prez Bill Clinton poses for pic with porn stars (Fox Nation)
  • Protests against conservative group ALEC draw pitiful numbers (YouTube)

Donate to NewsBusters Today!

This form needs Javascript to display, which your browser doesn't support. Sign up here instead

User Shortcuts

Log in

  • My account
  • My buddylist
  • Log in to check messages
  • RSS feed
  • About NB
  • Contact us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise on NB
Scott Rasmussen
Rasmussen Column: 'Austerity' Talk Is Just Political Cover for More Government Spending
Walter E. Williams's picture
Walter E. Williams
Walter Williams Column: Should Black People Tolerate This?
Cal Thomas's picture
Cal Thomas
Cal Thomas Column: The Media's Religion Deficit
Chuck Norris's picture
Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris Column: IRS Gives Billions in Tax Refunds to Illegals
Michelle Malkin's picture
Michelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin Column: How the Gay-Marriage Mafia Slimed Manny Pacquiao
More >

RSS FeedAmazon KindleFacebookTwitter

Recent comments

  • A moron crying for an idiot,
    1 min 27 sec ago
  • A moron crying for an idiot,
    1 min 27 sec ago
  • According to the whacky-left-blogs...
    2 min 29 sec ago
  • What polls are really for
    5 min 25 sec ago
  • Ashley Judd calling
    7 min 10 sec ago
More >

More Like Farcebook
more cartoons
  • Bashir to Facebook Co-Founder: Go 'Play with the Traffic'
  • Piers Morgan Whacks 'Little Wretch' Who Says He Taught Phone-Hacking
  • GOP Rep. Saying Obama 'Not An American' Labeled 'Treasonous' by Ed Schultz
  • NYT's Maureen Dowd Whines on 'Women's Lower Caste' in the Catholic Church
  • Open Thread: How About That Arab Spring?
More >
NewsBusters

Executive Editor
Matthew Sheffield

Editor at Large
Brent Baker

Senior Editors
Tim Graham
Rich Noyes

Managing Editor
Ken Shepherd

Associate Editor
Noel Sheppard

Contributing Editors
Tom Blumer
Geoffrey Dickens
Dan Gainor
David Limbaugh
Lachlan Markay
Mithridate Ombud
Clay Waters
Scott Whitlock

Senior Contributor
Mark Finkelstein

Contributing Writers
Matthew Balan
Michael M. Bates
Erin R. Brown
Jack Coleman
Kyle Drennen
Douglas Ernst
P. J. Gladnick
Stephen Gutowski
Matt Hadro
D. S. Hube
Kathleen McKinley
Dave Pierre
Amy Ridenour
Julia A. Seymour
Terry Trippany
Rusty Weiss
Brad Wilmouth

Publisher
Brent Bozell

Site Design
Dialog New Media

 

  • Home
  • Blogs
  • About
  • Forum
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Search
  • Account
  • rss
  • CNSNews
  • MRC TV
  • Biz & Media
  • Culture & Media
  • Take Action!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Amazon Kindle
  • Advertise
  • Jobs

Copyright © 2005-2012 NewsBusters. Terms of Use.