Something truly shocking happened on Sunday's "The Chris Matthews Show": three out of four of his guests said the current anti-government sentiment sweeping the nation is not because Barack Obama is black, and that the news media are actually responsible for exacerbating the suggestion that protesters are racist.
There was even some consensus that the same kind of dissent would be happening if Hillary Clinton was president.
On the flipside, and not at all surprising, Matthews not only didn't agree, but seemed rather disappointed by this viewpoint being expressed (video available here, partial transcript below the fold):
CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: Rick, you've just got a big cover out this week in Time magazine about this paranoid streak in American history. We've written about it, learned about it for years. Is it part right now, part of it is this white attitude towards a black president? Is it that stark?
RICHARD STENGEL, TIME MANAGING EDITOR: You know, I start from the viewpoint that lots and lots of racists voted for Barack Obama. I don't, I can't tell you what is in people's minds and heart. I do believe that the reaction that's going on now would happen to a white president who's trying to do some of the same things that Barack Obama is doing. But I do think also that us dwelling on it, and I agree with Obama about this, is actually not good for the public discourse. It's not good for America. We basically have to move on from this kind of discussion and deal with him as he is, as President. And by the way, remember once upon a time we worried about the fact that people couldn't criticize Barack Obama because he's black. We're passed that now.
Fascinating comment by Stengel. After all, maybe it's time for the media to stop bringing race into every discussion about this president. Maybe then he'll just be President and not a black president.
But Matthews wasn't buying it, and continued to pan the water looking for the dirt he was craving:
MATTHEWS: Let's take a look at this sign, I want Kathleen to go to this, "I Want My Country Back." That was last weekend in Nashville. Would that have happened with another Democratic president? I want my country back?
KATHLEEN PARKER, WASHINGTON POST: I think so, Chris, and I so agree with what Rick said. I mean, of course there is a racial element any time you have this conversation there's going to be a certain percentage. But, by the way, in January 75 percent of voters approved of Barack Obama, and they didn't, that percentage didn't suddenly become racists. So, there's something else at work, and when they say, "I want my country back," they're talking about this great anxiety that's widespread about the rapid growth of government, the growing debt and deficits, you know, this healthcare program that's so huge and incomprehensible to most. So, when they want their country back, they're not saying, "We want white America back." I don't think, I think that's a stretch. They're saying, "We want to remain a constitutionally sound country." And they're in doubt about that.
0 for 2. Care to make it a hat-trick, Chris?
MATTHEWS: This existential question is about should he be president, that this rage we're seeing and these rallies, you think it would be there with Hillary if she were president?
DAVID BROOKS, NEW YORK TIMES: Yeah, I do. I mean, what Rush and Glenn Beck are doing, that's just race-baiting. 100 percent, that's race-baiting. But if you take a longer view what we're seeing now is what we've seen before in American history with Father Coughlin, William Jennings Bryan, with Andrew Jackson, Huey Long. It's a populist uprising of mostly rural people who think the moral backbone of this country comes from people who work with their hands, who are extremely suspicious when you get government power fusing with banking power which is a lot of what they've seen over the past few weeks. And so there, there, they would be upset if Washington merged with Wall Street the auto industry, the energy sector, the health care industry, and if a bunch of what they saw as overeducated people were leading the country. They'd be upset whether it was Hillary, whether it was John Kerry or whether it was Barack Obama whether it was anybody.
0 for 3. Finally, Matthews got the answer he was looking for:
HELENE COOPER, NEW YORK TIMES: I disagree with you guys, I think race plays as huge part of what we're seeing. I'm looking at, you know, the, the, what you just described about the rural, the rural south and rural people who were afraid, I mean you didn't see that when George Bush was in power and he's the ultimate elitist.
Not surprisingly, Matthews was pleased: "By the way, by the way, Helene, I'm with you."
For the record, the Matthews Meter was evenly split on this, so he's not alone.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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→ So what Chrissie?
September 20, 2009 - 18:38 ET by Cool ArrowAll these shouts of "racism" are starting to make the real thing look like the little (person of the male gender, not quite yet a fullgrown man) who cried wolf!
So the White House tells you to tone it down, and dutifully, you do it.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Chris' fatal attraction...
September 21, 2009 - 08:44 ET by Apodictic... with the WON is noting more than OCD, however he continues to set the record for how long a member of the state-run media can fellate a president without coming up for air.
I'd been noticing how over
September 21, 2009 - 14:38 ET by JohnMI'd been noticing how over the past few weeks, the more the accusation of racism is pitched, the less power it seems to have. Your citing the old adage of the (person) who cried wolf is appropriate, but I don't think it's fully appreciated.
Everyone's getting innured to the term, and soon it won't matter. Start calling everything and everyone racist, and the idea gets diluted. Who's going to care when someone says something like (for example) using black ink is racist?
Which will be bad for anyone who actually is a victim of racism, because it will sound trite. So, the overuse of the race card is actually going to hurt the progressive agenda, and yet they continue to play it. Not too bright.
Grasping for Strawmen
September 20, 2009 - 18:42 ET by NortoI would say. Wow, those were all pretty surprising answers, and the disagreeers may not get a call back.
Matthews doesn't count
September 20, 2009 - 18:47 ET by BKeyserMatthews doesn't count because he's essentially colorless- kind of like this guy. But Stengle, Parker and Brooks are all white. Only Cooper is black. Cooper thinks its racism. Stengle, Parker, and Brooks do not. Hmmmm.
I think the only conclusion you can draw is that Stengel, Parker, and Brooks are quite obviously- racists.
This is why the Matthews
September 20, 2009 - 19:05 ET by Gat New YorkThis is why the Matthews has lost his audience. He is a pod for Obama and is utterly irrelevant.
GAT NEW YORK...
September 20, 2009 - 19:57 ET by danybhoyThere has to something wrong with Matthews, really. It can't be done to being an idiot all the time. Many folks are idiots & have more brains then Matthews. Something must actually be wrong with the man. Alcohol maybe? I almost feel pity for the guy, but he comes across as too much of a tool despite the number of people I have heard say that he is an OK guy. Something does'nt add up, & I'm not just looking at his ratings...or my fantasy football score.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
"Lost his audience..."
September 20, 2009 - 20:56 ET by DEVILDOCMOMdid anyone ever actually listen to him....? Never have seen his show and from what I read here I am glad I have not.
Matthews reminds me ...
September 20, 2009 - 18:50 ET by SentryDanMatthews reminds me of a whale, cause he is always blowing air out his hole.
Outside of liberals, who listens to this clown? He difinately isn't looking at the same people protesting that I am.
Remember folks, Freedom isn't Free. It was bought with the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving and who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
For those who fought for it, Freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know.
Also remember folks, that the way to SUPPORT THE TROOPS is to support their mission. Anyone who says that they support the troops but don't support their mission is lying about supporting the troops. And if you want to know, yes I do have a dog in the fight, he is a United States Marine.
I have an idea I'm going to blog about...
September 20, 2009 - 18:56 ET by cjbreischI have an idea I'm going to blog about, and I think it's something that we should try to promote on right-leaning blogs/newsites.
I'm going to try to make a deal with one other blogger, who leans to the left. Here's my deal.
For the next 3 1/2 years, I promise not to bring up Obama's race, if you promise the same.
Good luck with that
September 21, 2009 - 13:00 ET by ChaitealoverLet us know if you get any takers
Chai
http://i29.tinypic.c...
September 20, 2009 - 18:58 ET by nicksmith112http://i29.tinypic.c...
I'm a refugee from the Democratic Party.
Matthews forgot...
September 20, 2009 - 19:02 ET by jdlybrandThese guys didn't get the template. You're slipping, Sissy!
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
Of course Matthews was
September 20, 2009 - 19:44 ET by GregEOf course Matthews was disappointed in the guests who didn't see race as Matthews does. The media, Matthews included, wants some whacko to do something drastic. They're waiting for it. They're hoping for it. There are whackos on every issue known to man, and sooner or later, some whacko on some issue will do something drastic. They're waiting for a Timothy McVeigh to show up so they can point to it and say "See!!??!?!? we told you!!! These right wingers are creating this! Please, FCC, please step in and fix this. Get them off the air!!!"
The "emos" (emotionals) are waiting with baited breath. Pelosi, in her little crying session last week, is also waiting. They want the whacko to appear so they can ratchet up their race card playing.
Well hey. Just imagine
September 21, 2009 - 22:42 ET by AlanaWell hey. Just imagine how they would have run with it if a tea party proster had bitten off the finger of an Obama health care supporter.
I mean, just imagine!
But since it went the other way, it didn't even register a blip in the MSM.
So it really only depends on which side the nut is ON.
Quick question
September 20, 2009 - 19:17 ET by jdlybrandWhat did they call people who opposed 'Hillary-Care' sixteen years ago?
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
Smart.
September 20, 2009 - 19:22 ET by Dan The Man 2Smart.
Gawd!
September 20, 2009 - 19:33 ET by rightwingidiotGawd! Matthews is such an idiot.
When are they going to replace him with a coin operated machine?
how about
September 21, 2009 - 16:15 ET by boomerconreplacing Mathews with a teleprompter? Those seem to be gaining popularity lately.
Or maybe those "sing along" crawlers with the bouncing ball, so we can just read it ourselves.
I kinda miss those days at the ol movie house. Things were simpler then. And more honest.
The World According to Brooks
September 20, 2009 - 19:34 ET by CaringwhiteguySo according to David Brooks (the NYT's resident "conservative"), it's only guys like Limbaugh and Beck who are racists.
The other dissenters are merely hicks, country bumpkins. They are frightened because of ignorance, lack of education and unwillingness to accept the opinions of their betters (the elites who write opinion pieces for the New York Times).
Stimulus = pork pay to
September 20, 2009 - 19:47 ET by EdhenryStimulus = pork pay to supporters and weakening dollar
Tax and trade = job loss for US workers for unproven problems
Healthcare = govt takeover and more payola to supporters
Card check = more union power = job loss
Appointments, associations, tax cheats, czars, speaker
All of these are the antithesis of conservatism.
And he cries race?
I was struck by Brooks
September 20, 2009 - 21:08 ET by ReaverI was struck by Brooks answer too. The degree of arrogance and condescension he displayed in that statement was breathtaking. I also noticed that it passed without comment from anyone else on that panel.
I wouldn't recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. - Hunter S. Thompson
Chris Matthews
September 20, 2009 - 23:05 ET by merlin61These people like Chrissy and David Brooks are so jealous of Beck and Limbaugh that they can't stand it. They, the libs keep saying Beck and Limbaugh are stirring up the hatred. No, its the Dumocrats who are stirring up the race card, hoping for some whacko to start something so they can blame it on the right. They are just too obvious.
These conservatives who
September 20, 2009 - 19:40 ET by deerjerkydaveThese conservatives who are protesting Obama just so happen to be the same ones who protested Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice, Colin Powell, J.C. Watts...
What's that? They didn't protest them?
Proof this isn't about race at all but policy. Clearly the far left has run out of substantive arguments and have fallen back to the tried and true race card.
Leave it to that pansy
September 20, 2009 - 19:41 ET by fitzfongLeave it to that pansy fraud David Brooks to claim that Limbaugh and Beck are race-baiting. That douchebag is more obsessed with getting Limbaugh to notice him than Dan Abrams and David Schuster ever were. Here's a tip, Brooks: you're in over your head...get out your knee pads and stick to servicing President Alinsky.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Matthews is giving Keith
September 20, 2009 - 19:53 ET by marvlMatthews is giving Keith Olbermann a run for the money in the "you've got to be frickin' kidding me" category of the "how in the hell did these people wind up on television" sample from "the most clueless people from the planet Mongo."
The only difference between Matthews and Daffy Duck is that Daffy Duck is talented and doesn't get tingles in his leg.
MSLSD...
September 21, 2009 - 05:40 ET by danybhoyDon't shortchange the other shortbus riders, Special Ed & Shuster. Those 2 are several cans short of a 12-pack. Honorable mention goes to Mika, good looks & a conected father can go some way to landing & keeping a job you suck at. Just so you know, Mika & Joe's radio ratings suck @$$ as well as their TV ratings. Nice to know Beck nukes those 2 clowns in every ratings book.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
I wonder
September 20, 2009 - 20:31 ET by nwahsI wonder if Mathews will look at the bigotry motivating the White House to encourage New York Governor Paterson to not run for governor? Is it because he doesn't make a pretty candidate?Special Olympics stereotypes?
I'm being sarcastic of course, but someone should call out the White House for asking the first legally blind governor of a state, to not run again. I find it disgusting.
Politics is showbiz for ugly people
What can I add?
September 20, 2009 - 20:31 ET by FuzzlenutterWhat can I say about this boob that hasn't already been said here and on other sites/blogs?
Simply pitiful...
Obama is a Failure
September 20, 2009 - 20:34 ET by HoosierEmI think Chris Matthews knows that Barack Obama is well on the way to being the worst president ever (even ahead of his old boss, Jimmy Carter) and he's grasping at straws to explain the reason why. He has to know that Obama is leading this country down the very wrong path.
Typical liberal - he's got to find someone else to blame.
→ HoosierDaddy?
September 20, 2009 - 20:39 ET by Cool ArrowYou've got to remember Matthews worked for Carter.
He can latch his name to two losers.
No wonder Beck has 3x the
September 20, 2009 - 21:05 ET by KevroyNo wonder Beck has 3x the viewing audience as this race-baiting partisan hack moron.
Chrissy just called Ear
September 20, 2009 - 21:06 ET by MikeBChrissy just called Ear Leader a liar! Chrissy is a racist! Buwahahahahaha.
Obamandias himself said that the protests are not due to race, but a disagreement over the scope of government. Are you sure you wish to maintain that the protests are due to race?
S'matter, Chrissy? Did you forget to check your fax machine for your talking points this morning?
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Chris Matthews plus just about anybody.
September 20, 2009 - 21:30 ET by JimcinscEquals Dumbest Babies Ever. Chris still can't get over that man crush he obviously has on Barack.
One must wonder
September 20, 2009 - 22:02 ET by Poljunkif Chris Matthew believes he is so relevant... Imagine Obama could have his way all networks would be controlled (as in Venezuella), does Chris Matthew believe he would make the cut of those few loyals remaining under an Obama controllled Media
Me thinks not!
Liberals
September 20, 2009 - 23:07 ET by pbthinkerThe problem with liberals is they just can't believe people would disagree with them on policy and, if they do, they must be racist, homophobes, or just plain stupid. Matthews fits the mold of how these people think. Notice how, once Stengel uttered his opinion, Matthews went to Kathleen Parker (it's a Southern thing and yes it's racist) to get the answer he wanted.
Obama seems to be content with people saying these things are racist while he just denies it, but not too emphatically.
Election 2008-God's way of showing us that elections count.
Chris Matthews is a bigot
September 20, 2009 - 23:41 ET by zachlindIt’s not often in politics you run across a person so comfortable with their bigotry that they aggressively promote the obsession publicly on a television show. Of course I’m referring to Chris Matthews and the show Hardball, a show that barely tops 500,000 viewers in a world of close to seven billion people. Some years back I just assumed he was perpetually angry, and quite possibly beat his wife regularly, but after enduring a number of nightly shows for investigation purposes I’ve come to the conclusion that we are witnessing nothing more complicated than a daily ration of the consummate brassy bigot.
Nasty bigoted Mathews.
September 21, 2009 - 00:53 ET by AvitarThis is why GE must never get another Government contract or a export/import permit. They have to sell the technology divisions to American Corporations.
Chris preaches....and practices racism
September 21, 2009 - 01:14 ET by wolfemanicMatthews Insults Rice & Powell as 'Showcase Appointments'
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/geoffrey-dickens/2008/08/28/matthews-insults-rice-powell-showcase-appointments
And let us not forget when the same media minnows, who while fighting for the greater glory of a more equal world ignored this....
XM satellite radio hosts Greg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia laughed and gave encouragement to a guest, "Homeless Charlie," on their May 9 program who said he wanted to have sex with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Cumia added, "I just imagine the horror in Condoleezza Rice's face... as you were just like holding her down..." and having sex with her and punching her. Homeless Charlie later said he wanted to have sex with Laura Bush and called Queen Elizabeth a "horse-faced bitch."
The May 12 Washington Times reports that both Sharpton and Jackson refused repeated media requests for comments about the matter yesterday.
"By the way, by the way," America doesn't care what...
September 21, 2009 - 05:23 ET by Thalpy"By the way, by the way," America doesn't care what Matthews thinks about the issue of race. Any thinking person should be able to look at the economy, the cabinet, the czars, and White House staff and know that there is enough concern generated from all of that to trump race on any day.
Chris Matthews just isn't very bright. More than that, he's unpleasant to watch, so I don't. Even if I had a book to sell, I don't think I would go there. Frankly, I can't imagine what attracts anyone to him.
Thalpy... I can't imagine
September 21, 2009 - 16:15 ET by bigtimerThalpy...
I can't imagine what attracts anyone to him, or much of anybody on msnbc...CNN's not far behind with the exception of Dobbs and maybe King that does the Sunday morning shows.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
i want my country back...
September 21, 2009 - 05:38 ET by sarainitalyI heard Chris ask this Sunday, if people would say that with another Democratic President....fancy slip in of the word Democratic, since he knows if he said Another President it would produce a plethora of replies. We went through 8 years of I Want My President Back.
He is race baiting tool.
and....
September 21, 2009 - 05:40 ET by sarainitalyAnd Joe Wilson was motivated because SECONDS prior, Obama was calling his opponents liars! And because Obama was LYING!
Gawd!
What else?
September 21, 2009 - 07:28 ET by nadadhimmiTo Chrissy tingles, of course it HAS to be about race. What else has he got?
David Brooks?
September 21, 2009 - 07:35 ET by Indiana JoeWTF is he talking about? Rush and Glenn are "race-baiting?" When? How?
Could you provide a citation, David, or are you just covering your arse?
Can any lefties here provide a cite? Anyone? And, save your breath, pointing out that the Left is playing the race card does NOT count as "race-baiting." That's just telling it like it is.
"Four legs good... two legs better!" - George Orwell
BHO stands out in front of hundreds and Lies-
September 21, 2009 - 08:46 ET by JIMMY1660and once caught-his minions call race-enough is enough. BHO is not my POTUS-he walks like a street thug-his disdain for the jacket and tie-he is not presidential period. just like Hilary is not Presidential-has nothing to do with skin color-he is not qualified-his history shows he has no experience for the job at hand.
BHO- THE PROGRESSIVE PIRATE
OF COURSE HE DISAGREES!
September 21, 2009 - 08:48 ET by sockit2meAnything else does not fit his "narrative"!
In this interview, David
September 21, 2009 - 12:19 ET by JRJ08In this interview, David Brooks states that the comments of Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh have been "race baiting". And none of the other panelists disagreed with that assessment. Given the fact that Beck and Limbaugh are worshipped here and, especially, at the "massive" Tea Party rallies, it's fairly clear what is driving all the rhetoric. Trying to perpetuate the notion that racism hasn't been driving a great deal of the mindless rage being expressed against this president is just a more subtle form of racism.
→ Jar-Jar
September 21, 2009 - 12:30 ET by Cool ArrowAs long as the Liberals pin all the backlash of their socialist agenda on racism, we'll continue to point out your racist techniques.
A Democrat killed Harvey Milk, Nancy!
And
September 21, 2009 - 13:14 ET by okiehawk44A Communist killed JFK!
HELENE (The face that
September 21, 2009 - 13:12 ET by Jack BauerAnyone checked out the editorial and columnist ranks of the Slimes. From what I can see it's 95% WHITE.
The NYTimes is a seething mass of ANGRY WHITE LIBERALS. Not to be judgmental or anything.
Noel... Darn...that Big
September 21, 2009 - 16:09 ET by bigtimerNoel...
Darn...that Big Sky Country radio of mine picked you and Steve Malzberg up again today!
Imagine that...
Reall enjoyed all of it...only one thing I disagreed with was the B- you gave O on his appearances yesterday just because, I didn't watch them, other than clips here and there, I can't stomach much of him anymore...I know I'm not being fair as I didn't watch them, for me it is just a natural reaction.
...I'm only saying that because I automatically cringed when I heard that...can't help it. ;-)
I love the way Malzberg says right out loud...
LIE...."YOU LIE Mr. President...YOU LIE! (this was after your interview)
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'
Mostly rural people? Who
September 21, 2009 - 22:34 ET by AlanaMostly rural people? Who mostly work with their hands?
Where do they get these notions?
The biggest protests have been in the cities, by regular middle class people.
RACIST SUBURBANITES...
September 21, 2009 - 22:51 ET by danybhoyMany of those who have been protesting Obama, the DNC, & the MSM are folks from the suburbs who have never done this stuff before. These are folks who left the cities to flee the crappy results of Demacratic gov't policies. The leftists who ruined the cities that chased out those who could afford to leave that behind, call that..."white flight". These folks just want to live in peace & not have gov't rules & policies ruin their lives, schools or neighborhoods.
BTW, libs are now doing this on a national level. They ruin a state, & then move away to escape the hell that their own political idiology created, & then vote for the very same types of people in their news area. Liberals = Locusts.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
→ Danybhoy scores
September 21, 2009 - 22:58 ET by Cool ArrowLiberals are locusts. Where did you find such prose?
If you ever catch me using that line (and I will) please remind where I got it.
A Democrat killed Harvey Milk, Nancy!
dany... Exactly... ...an
September 21, 2009 - 23:00 ET by bigtimerdany...
Exactly...
...and it is hurting us all in the long run.
It's been their plan in the making for decades, they have patience as they have pillaged and plundered us all...and they aren't done yet by any means, not by a long shot.
'Go Green...Recycle Congress'