Someone should tell Chris Matthews to go pick on someone his own size . . .
Matthews enjoyed himself at the expense of a local legislator during last night's MSNBC coverage of the primaries. Kirk Watson [shown in a clip from today's Morning Joe] is a state senator from Texas and an Obama supporter. Matthews cornered Watson at length over his inability to name specific accomplishments by Barack. Credit Kirk for keeping a smile on his face, but there's no denying he was put badly on the spot [HuffPo speaks of Matthews having humiliated the guy].
View the exchange here, via HuffPo.
But wasn't this the case of a major-league Hardball hurler polishing his stats at the expense of a minor leaguer? Has anyone seen Matthews go after any of Obama's heavy-hitting supporters with such a vengeance? Until Chris challenges the likes of John Kerry or Ted Kennedy -- not to mention Caroline Kennedy or Oprah Winfrey -- in the same aggressive fashion, it's hard to see last night's performance as other than easy pickings for a schoolyard bully.
And don't you wish Watson had had the presence of mind to say something like this?:
I'd say it's a pretty good accomplishment for Obama to be able to send a thrill up the leg of a middle-aged member of the MSM.
Note: Hillary's campaign loved Matthews's performance so much they've linked to the video at her official web site. Does this mean Hillary's hard-feelings toward MSNBC over Shuster are forgotten? Has Matthews gone from Media Matters's Public Enemy #1 to its new fave?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Huff Post comments
February 20, 2008 - 07:16 ET by dronetekYou gotta love all the Obama supporters crying foul because the Obama campaign actually had to answer a real quuestion! What in the hell is wrong with these people?
I see your point, but mine
February 20, 2008 - 07:20 ET by Mark FinkelsteinI see your point, but mine is that it was easy pickings for Matthews. Let's see him try it against Caroline Kennedy, John Kerry or Oprah Winfrey.
Baby steps, Mark.. baby
February 20, 2008 - 07:53 ET by motherbeltBaby steps, Mark.. baby steps.
It's kind of like watching a dog walk on his hind legs....it doesn't look great, but it's amazing that he can do it at all.
(I'd credit that line, but I can't remember where it's from.)
Huffpo Humor - who knew !
February 20, 2008 - 07:22 ET by robertjacobNice line - I like it. Humor at Huffpo - who knew?
If you're referring to the
February 20, 2008 - 07:26 ET by Mark FinkelsteinIf you're referring to the final line, the words Watson should have said, they're mine, not HuffPo's!
LMAO!
February 20, 2008 - 07:49 ET by motherbeltMark, LMAO!!
And thanks! Way too many mornings I end up having duct tape with my coffee, this AM I had a good chuckle!
(Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead?)
WTF?? Did Billary offer him
February 20, 2008 - 07:51 ET by USA4freedomWTF??
Did Billary offer him a cabinet job?
the hate mail has to be coming in!
the nerve to ask what he has done to be pres.
you are to ask how do you feel??
does he make you want to swoon?
does he make your knees feel funny?
I think that C.M. is off meds, just the other week he could not say "I love OB. more" now..: give me his record!!????
careful Chris for a min. there we thought you might really be a news guy.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
the great part is, even if
February 20, 2008 - 07:54 ET by USA4freedomthe great part is, even if they know the question is coming they don't have and answer because........... there is no answer! He as done nothing, except tell us gum drops and unicorns are coming. I cant wait! I'm going to name my unicorn silky pony!!
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
I agree with you Mark, if it
February 20, 2008 - 08:52 ET by USA4freedomI agree with you Mark, if it was some big fish, they would get the standard questions.
They guy really looked clueless, and then Chris just jumps him.
Esp. with the “you are on national TV, give us an answer”, line.
I still think Chris is on medication.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
remember?
February 20, 2008 - 08:57 ET by seaniepremember the time matthews pretty much made michelle malkin cry (I think it was her) and then later in the same show tried to itimidate zell miller and zell told him if he was in the same room he might change his tone, basically saying to chris, you want your ass kicked?
it was sweet, I think it was about 4 years ago when zell spoke at the GOP convention
Read some of the comments
February 20, 2008 - 09:01 ET by USA4freedomRead some of the comments left on Huf Po.
One gives the Ph # of PMSNBC, and give the line that Chris did not have any problems with Bush’s inexperience. (I guess that running a state thing, does not count).
They make my day.
Thanks Mark, after weeks of being down in the dump this has added a few laughs.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Ambush Journalism
February 20, 2008 - 09:03 ET by well99Actually I think he talked to Zel a day or two later.Zel hammered him.It was great.Matthews would not let Michelle finish what she was saying and when he tried that on Zel wrong answer.Zel didnt put up with it.I remember Zel saying something about wishing dueling was still legal.
You know Matthews doesn't
February 20, 2008 - 09:23 ET by motherbeltMatthews spouts this drivel occasionally to polish up his "tough journo" creds.
You know he doesn't care a fig that Obama has zero accomplishments...he gets that "thrill up his leg" when the guy speaks.
MB
February 20, 2008 - 09:54 ET by well99Matthews is like the rest.Facts arent important.As long as the rhetoric sounds pleasing to their biased ears they could care less.
Watson needed a Give 'Em
February 20, 2008 - 13:33 ET by bigtimerWatson needed a Give 'Em Hell Zell Miller moment!
Speaking of Zell, I wished he was running for President.
Btw..of course it is safe to do Hill's bidding now...plus they want the debate to go on the network, she makes a threat and they buckle...some of them at the top, gladly IMHO.
LMAO!
As an aside I know everyone knows by now, the lemmings following Obama answer the same way as Watson...tells you all you need to know.
Media Matters
February 20, 2008 - 17:34 ET by Jerry MackMedia Matters has succesfully whipped Chris back into line.