Ad for Chris Matthews Special Derides Tea Party Protesters Who Are ‘Threatened’ by Black President

An ad for a new Chris Matthews special featured the MSNBC host complaining about tea party protesters who are "threatened" by an African American President. As pictures of protests appeared onscreen, Matthews derided, "For the first time, we have an African American head of state. But, there’s always going to be people who challenge it, who are threatened by it."

The special, Obama’s America: 2010 and Beyond, will air live at 10pm on Monday. (The ad has been running all week on MSNBC.) It will include a town hall discussion and liberal radio host Tom Joyner. The announcer in the ad, perhaps previewing the program’s tone, wondered, "One year after the historic election, how have we changed?"

The pictures of protesters in the ad focused on the Obama O and the communist hammer and sickle. Naturally, MSNBC would choose such an image and not one of the signs that protested big government or excess spending.

A transcript of the ad can be found below.

BARACK OBAMA: Change has come to America.

ANNOUNCER: One year after the historic election, how have we changed? [Video of Obama from inauguration day.]

CHRIS MATTHEWS: For the first time, we have an African American head of state. But, there’s always going to be people who challenge it, who are threatened by it. [Pictures of town hall protesters. One has the Communist hammer and sickle.]

TOM JOYNER: If you’re going to change things, it has to start first with a conversation. [Graphic: "Start with a conversation."]

ANNOUNCER: A life town hall. Hosted by Chris Matthews, featuring Tom Joyner. Obama’s America: 2010 and Beyond. Monday at 10 on MSNBC.