The MSM's McCain mania of 2000, the hysteria of the Straight Talk Express, might be history. But some of the liberal media's infatuation with John McCain clearly lives on. It was on display during today's "Hardball" in Chris Matthews's friendly, respectful interview of McCain. The most telling point came as Matthews suggested that compromising his principles exacts a psychic cost from McCain, whereas Mitt Romney does so without problem. Matthews began by teeing up a very comfortable question for the Senator from Arizona.
View video here.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: On the questions of who's the real Republican, now the issue has come up here with Romney saying he's from the Republican wing of the Republican party. He stole the phrase obviously from Howard Dean, when he was "the Democratic wing of the Democratic party." Is that a fair claim?
Story Continues Below Ad ↓JOHN MCCAIN: I don't think so. I think it's very clear that then Governor Romney when he was running in a liberal state supported [Dem] Paul Tsongas for president, he said that he didn't want to go back to the Reagan years, that he was not a Reagan Republican. He contributed to a Democrat candidate in New Hampshire, and he had liberal positions on virtually every issue from abortion to immigration. So, look, we've got to earn the voters' respect, that's what it's all about. We've got to respect the voters before we earn their respect. I don't see how you can make the case when his record is rather clear -- understandably in many ways -- of running as a liberal in a very liberal state.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Senator, when you've had to compromise to get support from some Republican factions that may not normally be with you because you're quite a maverick [yes, Matthews broke out the cliche], you've looked like you've had a tortured look on your face when you've had to do it. You remember what you said about the flag in South Carolina. You didn't really feel happy about that. It doesn't look like Romney has a problem with doing this stuff.
The screencap shows Matthews at the moment he laughs at his own indictment of Romney.
JOHN MCCAIN: I'm sorry you brought it up, because I have to quickly say, what I said about the flag in South Carolina was an act of cowardice on my part.MATTHEWS: Well, what's he doing? What's Romney doing? He has flipped on everything. Well, I don't want to put the words in my mouth [you just did, Chris.] If he's pro-choice in Massachusetts to get elected, now he's pro-life to win a national Republican referendum, what is he?
MCCAIN: I think that's for the voters to determine, but think we all run on our record. I am a proud, conservative Republican. There are other conservative Republicans in the race. I don't lay claim to the mantle. I do lay claim to the strength of my credentials and knowledge and background on national security issues which I think is the transcendent challenge of our time. Radical Islamic extremism. I'm the most prepared. I believe at least my qualifications I hope have earned me the voters' consideration.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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What? You mean Matthews
October 16, 2007 - 23:02 ET by TEWhat? You mean Matthews failed to play self-described, so-called "Hardball" with McCain just like Matthews fails to play self-described, so-called "Hardball" with every leftist freak that appears on Matthews' unwatched program?
Why Matthews?
October 16, 2007 - 23:16 ET by Lame CherryChris Matthews like all media does nothing without reason for his puppet master bosses. He ambushed Ann Coulter to help nowhere Edwards who will never win weaken Hillary Clinton.
So for his McCain lovefest, one examines McCain who could not be elected John McCain in a national election is being utilized to obviously tear down Romney.
Obviously McCain is the pawn and Matthews would tear into him if necessary..........so the attack on Romney means Matthews is trying to elevate RINO Rudy........not so Rudy will beat Hillary, but so that Rudy WILL BEAT FRED THOMPSON who Matthews and company are all terrified will get the nomination.
Thompson is being treated just like all the good news in Iraq and that is the key in this Matthews ambush for Matthews like his cartel bosses never attacks the obvious but sets up a strawman to use as fodder while the real objective falls like a domino.
As I study Matthews more, personally I do not know how he does not run shreeking from the job as it is so manipulative and literally "intel operation" put together. No moral person could ever do this as their soul would be so full of revulsion they would start confessing.
Chris Matthews a male over 40 and still bowing like the royal oaf doing his master's bidding. No real man even with the promise of Brian Williams hot seat could do this kind of psychopathic Soviet style killing off the competition without it getting to his soul.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Coulda Woulda Shoulda...
October 16, 2007 - 23:31 ET by BarkerMATTHEWS: "...you've looked like you've had a tortured look on your face when you've had to do it."
MCCAIN: 'Tortured'? Let me tell you about 'torture' you snot-nosed little smart ass....."
Just sayin'........
Thats exactly what I was
October 17, 2007 - 00:56 ET by DCC1Thats exactly what I was thinking, nice choice of words there Christopher. And he thinks Bush is an idiot?
Crazies to the left, and Whimps to the right
McCain will not get the
October 17, 2007 - 00:19 ET by jdhawkMcCain will not get the nomination and it's his own fault. He harrassed President Bush for much of his two terms. Always a thorn in his side. His capstone was the McCain/Feingold bill that denies Americans of free speech and resulted in special interest groups like moveon.org forming.
I don't feel sorry for McCain. He set himself up for failure. That he permitted Slimeball to deride a fellow Republican is par for course.
Besides, McCain knows that his best shot passed in 2000. If elected president and then reelected, he would be our oldest serving president at over 80 years of age.