What's gotten into the NBC/MSNBC water? Chris Matthews's verbal miscue on this evening's Hardball makes a triple-header of gaffes on the family of networks today. As we've noted, Joe Scarborough kicked off the slip parade, unintentionally dropping an f-bomb on Morning Joe. About an hour later on Today, Meredith Vieira stumbled into asking Matt Lauer a question that invoked the uncomfortable subject of his rocky marital history. And now, discussing Sarah Palin's political future, Matthews committed the same stumble that an unscrupulous staffer claims the vice-presidential candidate made: calling Africa a country. [H/t anonymous reader.]
Matthews made his mistake in the course of posing a question to Larry Persily, a former member of Palin's gubernatorial staff.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: I've got to go to Larry first. You've got to answer this question, sir. Is this person unaware of basic grade-school information, like, Africa is a country of 57-or-so countries, it is not a country, it's a continent? South Africa is a country, not a region.
Clearly, this was no more than a slip of the Matthews tongue [we wouldn't want to unfairly undermine Chris's incipient Senate run]. After calling Africa a country, he went on to call it a continent. But it ironically illustrates how the alleged Palin knowledge gap might well have been nothing more than a similar slip.
Before the camera cuts away, Persily can be seen smiling wryly at Chris's miscue. For the record, Persily answered that he didn't think it was plausible that Gov. Palin is unaware of the kind of information Matthews described.
Speaking of mistakes . . . note Matthews's reference to Africa's 57 countries. Could that be what Barack Obama had in mind when he spoke of having visited 57 states in the USA?
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Blood pressure 50/12
November 10, 2008 - 18:51 ET by SickofLibsObvious evidence of long term, heavy, daily Viagra abuse.
57 states of ISLAM
November 10, 2008 - 19:22 ET by choselife3xQuite a telling slip on the part of our Supreme Leader.
http://www.desertcon...
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
Chris Mathews doesn't even
November 10, 2008 - 20:21 ET by BlackwaterChris Mathews doesn't even know his own "facts". Africa only has 53 coutries, not 57. Also he stammered through that like he was constipated or something.
SickofLibs
November 10, 2008 - 23:41 ET by Rush FanYou've hit the nail on the head! The heavy, daily Viagra abuse would account for Matthews constant "thrill going up my legs."
Someone should tell Chris Matthews that if his "thrill going up my legs" symptoms persists longer than four hours, he should seek immediate medical help.
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"In fact, the most significant human force against evil in the world is our country: the United States of America." ~ Rush Limbaugh
SoL
November 11, 2008 - 01:56 ET by DoktorFrankenI'm not sure. If Chris has been getting laid regularly he'd be in a much better mood. I usually seem much more perky after having *insert your favorite euphemism here*.
Besides, who (other than, perhaps, Joy Behar) would get near a naked Chris Matthews.
I apologize for the above statement if it ruins anyone's sexual urge for the next few months.
duh
November 10, 2008 - 18:55 ET by boozythats whats happens whens yous smokes crack
There...
November 10, 2008 - 19:09 ET by Rukus"thats whats happens whens yous smokes crackS "
There, I fixed it for ya.
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
the first slip is almost better
November 10, 2008 - 18:58 ET by katainkent"can we clean up, er can she clean up the damage that's been done and remake her image..."
perhaps all the stuff they've been pumping into the water is starting to get to toxic levels.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
A Spy in the House of Love
November 10, 2008 - 19:05 ET by lareeCome on you know, that he was reading from the teleprompter, somebody at MSNBC still has a sense of humor..they -MSNBC savaged Sarah Palin, whoever made that "editing mistake" it could happen to anyone, whoever you are, you get a high five from me, all day long!!!
Reminds me of when Imus graphic, of an old album, was spliced into Dan Abram's segment. The text "this honkys nuts" I concur, Dan Abrams, isn't wrapped too tight.
And Chris Mathews, will apparently read, whatever is on the teleprompter....did he get punkd' "You Betcha"
Good find Mark... Talk
November 10, 2008 - 19:07 ET by bigtimerGood find Mark...
Talk about pot meet kettle...
I would be laughing out loud most times, but the hypocrisy/bias in the msm is unbearable for me at this time...I cannot listen to Matthews or any of msnbc or CNN still...glad NBs and others are doing it for me.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
What a maroon.
November 10, 2008 - 21:25 ET by superconIs there any other pundit on the air that so routinely embarrasses his network like Chrissie does?Yeah sure he corrected himself but that was because he could hear his producer in his ear piece.
Stop whining and tell me what you're going to do about it.
add David Frum - IT'S CONTAGIOUS!!!!
November 10, 2008 - 19:09 ET by mom_roxfrom Kyle Drennen's NB post:
The Axis of Taxes: Obama, Pelosi and Reid (source unknown)
momrox... Heheheee...good
November 10, 2008 - 19:15 ET by bigtimermomrox...
Heheheee...good one!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Matthes
November 10, 2008 - 19:11 ET by drjohnWhat an idiot. It's hard to imagine someone so stupid being an anchor on TV.
5-21-2010
Clearly, this was no more
November 10, 2008 - 19:17 ET by motherbeltClearly, this was no more than a slip of the Matthews tongue [we
wouldn't want to unfairly undermine Chris's incipient Senate run].
OH, please, please, undermine it all to heck and back again!!
Since I've lived here, we've lost Rick Santorum, got saddled with Bob Casey, and now have Matthews to look forward to?????
I'm sure he's going to run....there he was on TV, a la Hillary Clinton, in a Phillies hat (original, huh?) when they won the series.
I lived in Minnesota when Ventura was Governor...it's not fair I should get lumbered with Matthews too!
Motherbelt
November 10, 2008 - 19:34 ET by Mark FinkelsteinI didn't say anything about not undermining his candidacy fairly ;-)
Chris, you should know
November 10, 2008 - 19:48 ET by rbosqueChris, you should know better than to throw stones in your glass house.
OT - Euros
November 10, 2008 - 19:50 ET by ShanghaiRayI just had to share this with everyone so I apoligize it for being slightly off-topic.
First, I will preface this with a question. Where are all the articles/editorials/write-ups of our European brethen praising the election of Obama? Certainly, if the Euros were so happy we'd hear about it, right?
Well, let me tell you something. Being in Shanghai I come across both socially and in business people from all over the world. In fact, I have quite a few European friends. We often discuss politics etc. in a friendly manner and frequently disagree on a lot of stuff. Last night I was at a party and the same European friends that supported our electing Obama before the election were now going off on him and the Dems/American public in general and MSM. What about you ask? They were absolutely livid about "people" in America referring to Obama as the "World's President". I couldn't stop laughing when I heard several people mention this. You see, the Euros don't want to follow any American President, Obama or otherwise, instead they want us to follow them and when the nutcases started calling Obama the "World's President" the Euros just couldn't take it.
Just wait and see, our country's position in the world will diminish instead of increase because of Obama-mania. Not that I really care what the Euros think or say but don't believe the hype in the MSM that Obama is loved by the world.
Hey SRay... Thanks for
November 10, 2008 - 19:56 ET by bigtimerHey SRay...
Thanks for this very interesting info...one thing about it though...are leftist msm will never report this kind of news anytime in the next four years, in fact just the opposite...as I'm quite sure you well know.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
I had a professor back in college...
November 10, 2008 - 20:30 ET by ImAllRightMany years back I had a professor in college that would ALWAYS make that little slip.
If Sarah actually didn't know that Africa is a continent then that is a problem, much worse than the slip Matthews made...but I KNOW that Gov. Palin knew perfectly well that Africa is not a country.
What the media is doing to her still is just ridiculous.
I've noticed alot of people really angry over the treatment of the Plumber lately, well, screw him, he's an idiot anyway. The sooner he goes away the better, some help he was in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan...NOT!
Palin/Whoever 2012!
"Democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man." - Ronald Reagan
57 states
November 10, 2008 - 21:03 ET by goldboughDid Matthews also ask an Obama rep if Obama didn't know there weren't 57 states? I highly doubt it.
Maybe Chrissy will do us a favor and move there.
November 10, 2008 - 21:08 ET by R D Helm:-)
-Dave
Did this country just elect Obama/Biden, or was it Soros/Ayers?
Palin is a threat to Obama and the media knows it
November 10, 2008 - 21:16 ET by republican_brotherI think it's so mental that the media is reporting rumors from people hiding in the cloak of darkness. Palin having to defend herself against unnamed attackers is beyond lame. I really wish I could help, this isn't right at all. The media never focused on Palin as a Governor. They are so scared of her, they want to try and destroy any thought among Republicans to consider her in 2012. Their attacks aren't going to work.
So? People call Matthews a journalist.....
November 10, 2008 - 21:22 ET by wnaegeleSigh!
memo to matthews:
November 10, 2008 - 21:39 ET by stormin1961get off this subject. we just found out that this story is false. the leaker confessed to making it up.
I checked quickly
November 10, 2008 - 21:47 ET by IamTinmanI checked quickly and could only find 53 countries. Maybe Chrissie has found some new ones.
I guess Chris can continue
November 10, 2008 - 23:53 ET by oilcanI guess Chris can continue wasting precious $$ of air time vilifying Gov. Palin's inexact knowledge of geography when in fact, those anonymously sourced stories are all a hoax. Seems he won't get the memo, or won't read it.
Months ago Chris Matthews
November 11, 2008 - 01:08 ET by RR GOPMonths ago Chris Matthews couldn't distinguish between, I believe, Utah and Nevada on an electoral college map.
Colorado and Wyoming....mmmmmaybe.
Oh, but Palin's stupid.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
57 is the number of
November 11, 2008 - 01:33 ET by Slickster57 is the number of countries that call themselves islamic. A good closet muslim supporter like obama knows this.
Al Gore flunks out of
November 11, 2008 - 07:34 ET by nadadhimmiAl Gore flunks out of multiple colleges, gets a D in his ONLY "Earth Science" class, but you see, only Conservatives can be stupid?? People are noticing these things, the media bias is becoming embarrassing to all but the most rabid of these shills such as Chrissy Matthews and Olberman. Like a male dog, they are un-embarrassed as they lick their testicles, and in Chrissy Matthews case, oh how he wishes they were Obama's, lol.
I Wish
November 11, 2008 - 08:59 ET by capavsomeone would play that tape back to Matthews and say...gee Chris, maybe that was the situation Sarah was in. She momentarily misspoke and some wolf took that back to his/her den for future use. Can we all blast Matthews with e-mails and ask how a journalist doesn't know how many countries are in Africa? He must have been thinking about Obama's 57 states comment.
The interesting line...
November 11, 2008 - 09:54 ET by JPR1is the first one Matthews makes.
"Govenor Palin is getting an interview with Matt Lauer."
You've got that bass-akwards Chris, or do you mean to imply that Lauer is doing the good Govenor a favor.
Geesh what a putz!
Matthews is an Ahole
November 11, 2008 - 11:10 ET by MillerTimeWarpMatthews is an Ahole
Matthews Complains About Matt Lauer's Interview with Gov. Palin
November 11, 2008 - 11:46 ET by Rush FanThe Huffington Post reports that Chris Matthews complained about the budget NBC expended interviewing Gov. Palin.
Matthews: "Yeah, well, you know that phrase — where is Matt Lauer? Where in the world is Matt Lauer? He's with Governor Palin up in Alaska! And they've got a limited budget at the 'Today' show these days, and they're spending on her. That tells you something."
Video included in link.
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"I'm reminded every single day, that I am not a perfect man. I will not be a perfect president." ~ Barack Obama
Africa is a country
November 11, 2008 - 12:15 ET by NorthCoasterHaHaHaHAHa Chris. Remember this slip when you mock others for similar mistakes!
Maybe
November 11, 2008 - 21:01 ET by littlemissmuffinMaybe Chris Matthews has been hanging around Joe Biden too long.
The saying goes: "A gaffe a day is the Biden way."
Matthews
November 12, 2008 - 11:18 ET by east tennessee johnGrade school knowlege? Certainly not in most public schools. What would 57 states be considered? Someone wondered how such an idiot could be a tv anchor. Simple, met the prerequisites, liberal, biased and moronicly simple.