Matthews: Has GOP Sounded Dog Whistle Declaring Open Season On Sarah Palin?
It appears Republicans need to be read their conservative Miranda rights: anything negative you say about Sarah Palin can and will be used against her by the liberal media.
Such was made infinitely clear on Monday's "Hardball" when the host first teased, "Has someone sounded the dog whistle," and later opened a segment, "Are Republicans putting out the word that it's time to stop Sarah Palin?" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: Plus, has the word gone out among some Republicans it’s OK now to bash Sarah Palin? Where once was heard a discouraging word, now -- or seldom heard, now Palin is taking shots from the likes of Ed Rollins, our own Joe Scarborough, even Barbara Bush. Has someone sounded the dog whistle?
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MATTHEWS: Welcome back to HARDBALL. Are Republicans putting out the word that it’s time to stop Sarah Palin?
Just before the midterm election, Karl Rove told "The London Telegraph" -- quote -- ""With all due candor, appearing on your own reality show on the Discovery Channel, I am not certain how that fits into the American calculus of what keeps me -- or helps me see a person in the Oval Office."
A few days later, Politico ran this headline: "Next For GOP Leaders: Stopping Palin."
A few weeks after that, some Bushes weighed in. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LARRY KING LIVE")
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": What’s your read about Sarah Palin?
BARBARA BUSH, FORMER FIRST LADY: Well, I sat next to her once, thought she was beautiful. And I think she’s very happy in Alaska, and I hope she will stay there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEB BUSH (R), FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR: If it’s between my mom and Governor Palin, I got to go with my mom just in general, because she’s my mother.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTHEWS: Well, that was Jeb Bush, of course.
And then rising Republican star New Jersey Governor Chris Christie chimed in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON")
JIMMY FALLON, HOST, "LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON": Do you think Sarah Palin could do it?
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: Be vice president?
(LAUGHTER)
FALLON: Be president.
(LAUGHTER)
CHRISTIE: Well, you know, who knows, Jimmy.
FALLON: Yes. Yes. Yes.
CHRISTIE: It’s an amazing world.
FALLON: Crazier things have happened, I guess?
CHRISTIE: I don’t know, but it’s an amazing world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTHEWS: You have got to like a guy who rolls his eyes when he’s asked a political question.
And then just yesterday, veteran Republican strategist Mike Murphy was on "Meet the Press."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "MEET THE PRESS")
MIKE MURPHY, REPUBLICAN MEDIA STRATEGIST: I have been a critic all along, started on this show at the Republican Convention saying I thought she was a bad strategic choice, because she’s a poison pill in the general election, wipe us out, I believe.
But in the Republican primaries, particularly in the movement conservative silo, which generally will win the Iowa Caucus, and therefore get a lot of momentum, she’s very, very powerful, if she runs. So I think she will have a half-life, but she is going to be a terrifically powerful force, in some ways, for good. She’s kind of a polemicist and everything. But, as a candidate, she’d be a disaster.
And we will see if other Republicans start to take that position. Quietly, a lot of them do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MATTHEWS: "As a candidate, she’d be a disaster."
So, is the word out?
Is the word out?
Well, Rove's comments were published on October 27 more than five weeks ago. Barbara Bush's jibe on Larry King was on November 23 basically two weeks ago. Ditto Christie's remarks. As such, these are hardly new revelations.
As for Murphy, the candidates he's advised include a lot of Republicans in Name Only such as John McCain, Christie Whitman, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He most recently ran Meg Whitman's unsuccessful campaign against California governor-elect Jerry Brown.
Additionally, since Palin was announced as McCain's vice presidential candidate in August 2008, Murphy has been an outspoken critic of the former Alaska governor making his castigation on Sunday's "Meet the Press" anything but surprising.
But that's not important, for this isn't about news with Matthews and his ilk. Palin's been their target for over two years and it's unlikely to stop.
Makes you wonder if the "Hardball" host really thinks she'd be a disaster as a candidate or if deep down inside he's concerned that she really could beat Obama in 2012 and he feels he needs to keep on beating on her to prevent such an eventuality.
After all, when you look at the attention this so-called disaster of a candidate gets from the press on a daily basis, it's really liberal media members that have declared open season on her and not Republicans as Matthews said.
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Comments
Insecurity
Submitted by grammajane on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:32am.
What is with all these msnbc so-called hosts?? Are they insecure about their jobs as Palin constantly has bigger audiences then any of them? Bashing is all they ever do and when people bash others, usually means they have zero respect for themselves. "Tingle up his leg" can't have one show without bashing Palin and her family. Must be awful spending his life being so jealous of a woman who has so much more class and admiration then he could ever hope to have.
You know that expression on Tingles face says so much.
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:34am.
He's so happy that when is spitting poison. Keep smiling Tings, you're feeling the heat and we promise to keep it on. You just keep flinging your crap hoping some of it sticks.
I just tossed the two Prissy books I bought onto one of my...
Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:39am.
...Webers.
If there isn't enough flame left to incinerate them both, I will remedy the situation in the morning, as I still have a few ounces of charcoal fluid around here somewhere.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Dave??
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:45am.
Don't burn them. They're every bit as rare as Nancy Pelosi's KNOW YOUR POWER -- A MESSAGE TO AMERICA'S DAUGHTERS
And after what Jon Stewart did to Chris in that book tour, maybe Chris won't be writing any time soon.
Cool,
Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:58am.
I was being a mite sarcastic.
Prissy was once somewhat grounded once upon a time, but something went hideously awry with him about a decade or so ago.
LOL - Late-life reverse puberty, perhaps?
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
I've got to tell you as an
Submitted by jdhawk on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:43am.
I've got to tell you as an outdoorsman that doesn't get outdoors like he would like, Sarah Palin's Alaska is a terrific series. She is great and her family is wonderful. This series not only gives you a great panorama of Alaska, its natural beauty, and abudance of natural resources, but informs you about a possible presidential candidate like nothing ever created (it sure beats some ghost written crap like duhbama's snozzers).
If she runs for president and wins, this series will be something that will be viewed and other candidates will attempt to emulate in the future.
I have gained new respect and admiration for Sarah Palin not only watching this series, but how she helped candidates across America win big in November. In fact, what the lame stream media doesn't want you to know is that mostly those that refused her help are looking for a job!
Go Sarah Palin!
So, far as "tingly leg" goes, eat sh*t and die . . .
As for the GOP, they screw with Sarah Palin at their own peril
Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:47am.
I just hope we as a nation will still be around to see the outcome.
Some of you get this.
Most of you don't.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Yellowcake
Submitted by miss911ninja on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 1:01am.
Can a missile reach the United States from Iran?
miss911, not exactly sure,
Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 1:08am.
...but the Chicoms, or the the Russkies, or God knows who it was, can damn sure reach us from 35 miles west of the California coast, as was clearly demonstrated a couple of weeks ago.
The only question is, what can they reach us with?
After all, it will only take one.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
They Know
Submitted by miss911ninja on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 1:26am.
Maybe Wikileaks will tell us who it was, because our government sure as hell won't. And you KNOW they must know!
The more the do it, the
Submitted by d1carter on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:49am.
The more the do it, the stronger she seems to get. I say, keep on doing it and we'll see how it all works out. The message that is becoming clearer and clearer is just how weak BHO is and will be in 2012. This economy problem will not go away by 2012 and they know it.
What a dink......
Submitted by NeoKong on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:55am.
He was giggling like a little girl because he had a chance to snipe at Sarah Palin like a yappy little lap dog. The sad part is that you know he dreams about her at night while he violates himself. The man is totally pathetic.
What about da Bromance with Barry
Submitted by donabernathy on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 2:11am.
won't he get jealous
roflmao
No....
Submitted by Ozconservative on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 5:25am.
Tingles still dreams of sweet man-love with Barry Boy Wonder. You're thinking of Kapitan Kreepy Keith who thinks since he can't get Sarah he'll go for Bristol instead.
Big whistle, little man
Submitted by zachlind on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 1:16am.
As with most remarks by Mr. Matthews we should assume that when he speaks it’s in favor of events and moments he’s most familiar with. Perhaps when he’s at home a dog whistle may be his tool of choice when summoning “family” members.
DING DING DING
Submitted by donabernathy on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 1:25am.
WE HAVE A WIN'A
Makes you wonder if the "Hardball" host really thinks she'd be a disaster as a candidate or if deep down inside he's concerned that she really could beat Obama in 2012 and he feels he needs to keep on beating on her to prevent such an eventuality.WELCOME TO REALITY. ROFLMAO
Open Season on Sarah Palin
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 1:27am.
Open Season on Sarah Palin ?
More like Open Season on RINOs . . . with Sarah Leading the hunters . . .
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Uh-oh. Red meat for the
Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 2:12am.
Uh-oh. Red meat for the Sarah Palin fans here. Is NB declaring open season on everyone who doesn't necessarily support Sarah Palin? :)
so
Submitted by amyshulk on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 3:35am.
If I object to the msm trying to tell me how/what to think re: SP, I'm a "fan"?
The more they slam her, the more I look to see where the fire is, and I just don't see it - I also went from "sarah who?" to "You go Sarah"
btw - her show is 1 the whole family enjoys - rare!!!
Ronald Reagan
My apologies, but I didn't
Submitted by Chris Norman on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 10:07am.
My apologies, but I didn't know the term "fan" was offensive. By the same token, any fair criticism at all or any fair questions about her from any conservative will immediately cause that conservative to be labeled a "RINO" by several people here.
When we see legitimate
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 10:43am.
When we see legitimate criticism of Sarah Palin, we'll allow it. Repeating lies, distortions, or Tina Fey SNL skits is not legitimate criticism. If you at least had one legitimate criticism of her, you could have already posted it./// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
well
Submitted by amyshulk on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 3:30am.
The msm thinks they still have the power to control the cycle - the 1 that got O elected & convinced people that Bush was/is a blithering idiot - so they really do believe if they keep saying it, people will believe it.
Heck, my sis {who gets her "news" from npr, is a registered R, who voted for O & lives in Pelosi's district} bought into the Bush = idiot hook line & sinker!!!
Her argument - he said it, right?
I pointed out that O has said some REALLY stupid crap but they don't play it 24/7 so she didn't hear about it.
She doubted - I told her about O saying; the Dr who would allow a child to sicken so he could justify removing their tonsils & the Dr who would do the same to a diabetic so he could amputate. I pointed out that IF a Dr would do that, they are GP's NOT surgeons, so where's the gain???
Just hope she abstains in 2012!!!
Ronald Reagan
Palin's a sideshow. Nothing
Submitted by rubberneck on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 6:45am.
Palin's a sideshow. Nothing more.
Actually, Palin's approval
Submitted by Cowboy on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 7:14am.
Actually, Palin's approval ratings are at least as high as Obama's...
Not as high
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 10:53am.
but higher. Case in point, the TV show she's got. Not the only point, but you get the idea.
-Jon
The party establishment
Submitted by MidAmerica on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 7:40am.
The party establishment bigwigs, whether D or R, do not like populist candidates like Sarah who by-pass them and gain in the polls on their own appeal. The 'important' insiders keep their jobs by being gatekeepers and having the power to 'groom' and guide potential candidates.
The self-important insiders message to populists is "Kiss my ring or kiss my *#ss."
MidAmerica--
Submitted by matthewdean on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 7:54am.
I was wondering if I could borrow your last three words to use in a post to rubberneck?
MD
Sorry Chrissy Mat
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 9:55am.
Looks like your wishful thinking is wrong, again
Matthews Has a Point
Submitted by BW222 on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 9:59am.
The Bush (Blue Blooded RINO) wing of the GOP appears intent on destroying Sarah Palin. From Baby Huey (Karl Rove) to ditsy Nicole Wallace who did her best to sabotage Palin two years ago (who bought the "scandalous wardrobe and set up the ambush interview with Katie Couric).
It's all part of paving the way for Jeb in 2016.
The Establishment GOP has always been . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:09pm.
. . . uncomfortable with her. But it's not just Palin.
It's the Tea Parties.
Rove, the patrician Bushes, and old time campaign strategists ilke Ed Rollins are comfortable with the political environment they evolved it: Top-down, marketing-driven politics. The party hierarchy sets the agenda and controls the competition through its allocation of resources, including funding.
They are fearful of losing control, when in reality, that loss has already begun.
As I've written on NB over the past couple of years, both major parties face major transitions, during which they will either morph or perish.
One of the first signs of trouble was in 2008, when several Tea Party-endorsed candidates won over the Establishment preference. Rove and others are angry that Angle, Miller, and O'Donnell "prevented" the GOP from grabbing the majority in the Senate, but they also understand that had it not been for the Tea Parties getting out the vote, the GOP would not have done as well as it did.
I wrote in 2008 that to regain control of the nomination processes, the Dems and GOP would have to terminate the primary process and return to the state and national conventions to broker the nominations. As long as they maintain the primaries, grass roots movements like the Tea Party are going to be felt.
From the wreckage both Dems and Reps appear destined to suffer will emerge major parties -- perhaps more than two -- that are far more responsive to the real issues plaguing our Nation.
Anyone for whom "RINO" is a
Submitted by jimspice on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 10:26am.
Anyone for whom "RINO" is a word worked frequently into everyday conversation should immediately make efforts to get Palin to run as an independent, or convince the T-party(s) to run her as their official candidate. Move from the big tent to the pup tent.
Yet further advice
Submitted by Blonde on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 11:09am.
From a driveby sto'bought troll.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
~Sarah Palin's pup tent
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:58pm.
Holds more people than the Dem's "village". LOL
I got a feelin'........
Submitted by Tomorama on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 10:35am.
I saw somewhere the other day a study done that recorded every mention a network has had on Sarah Palin and THIS network was well over a thousand, CNN was 800 or so and the NETWORK she works on was around 600.
Christ Tingles, you would think there was a wee bit more going on in the world than having you single out a NON office holder who may or may not run for President while protecting the loser in chief.
Nah, that would mean he had some journalistic integrity.
working relationship.
Submitted by CarlosS on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 11:25am.
Tingles reminds me of those old Japanese WWII soldiers that are occasionally found on deserted Pacific islands. Given their orders and then completely forgotten..., so Tingles just keeps bashing Governor Palin since he hasn't gotten any new orders from DNC.
If anyone sounds a dog whistle . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 11:36am.
. . . Andrea Mitchell will be the first to know.
I hope so.
Submitted by wiwf on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 11:47am.
I hope so.Taking shots…
Submitted by JPR1 on Tue, 12/07/2010 - 12:54pm.
Mmmm yeah, a couple of sissy-boy jabs from the likes of Ed Rollins and Joe Scarborough are supposed to put Sarah Palin on the ropes? I don’t think so Chrissy. You and the rest of your gang of liberal pukes have been trying to put her down for the last three years.
She’s still standing dude and smiling to boot.
You’re going to need some kind of Kryptonite there Chrissy boy. You’re not going to find it, but keep trying; this is most amusing now and will only get better by 2012.
Whatever she chooses to do, anyone thinking of running Republican should know damn well, he/she will either have Palin’s support or not and that condition will prove critical.
So...
Submitted by jimspice on Wed, 11/30/2011 - 4:44am.
How'd this one work out for ya?
???
Submitted by The Vet on Wed, 11/30/2011 - 4:50am.
What are you on about? Another reply to a blog post from a year ago.