Chris Matthews Rips Obama's Handling of Egypt Crisis: 'I Feel Ashamed As an American'
MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews appeared on Morning Joe, Friday, to slam President Obama's handling of the escalating crisis in Egypt, saying it made him "ashamed as an American." Matthews, who famously declared Obama gave him a "thrill" up his leg, excoriated what he perceived to be the President's disloyalty to Egypt's leader, Hosni Mubarak.
The Hardball host berated, "And Barack Obama, as much I support him in many ways, there is a transitional quality to the guy that is chilling." He added, "I believe in relationships...You treat your friends a certain way. You're loyal to them."
Matthews has previously lauded the authoritarian Mubarak. Pointing out Mubarak's stand against Hezbollah and other extremist elements in the region, the anchor on January 31 wondered, "How can you say he'll easily be replaced? This guy's the George Washington of peace over there."
[See video below. Audio here.]
Deriding immediate calls for Mubarak to step down, Matthews lamented, "Character and planning...I feel shame about this. I feel ashamed as an American, the way we're doing this. I know [Mubarak] has to change. I know we're for democracy, but the way we've handled it is not the way a friend handles a matter."
Matthews even attacked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's performance: "I watched Secretary Clinton today. I don't get anything. I don't see anything other than two and two are four. I keep waiting for five. Show me you've done your jobs over there."
A transcript of his answer to Joe Scarborough's question, which aired at 8:22am EST, follows:
JOE SCARBOROUGH: Chris, a statement yesterday from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, real concern among Arab states, if this is how we treat our ally of 30 years and I know it's tough to bring these facts up to people who want to call for his immediate lynching, but if we treat an ally of 30 years this way, demanding that he leaves quote "now," Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, are other allies in the region start questioning America's character [sic]?
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Well, I think that's the great word, Joe. It's character. Our national character. We do is have a character. And Americans think about ourselves as the good guys and being good friends and loyal. And these are values that mean a lot to us as people. You don't walk down the street and watch your friend get gunned down and not do anything about it. We're not Kitty Genovese here. We're not a situation in New York or something when somebody gets mugged and we watch it happen. Was he our friend for 30 years? Are we denying that? I remember, Joe, when he came to one of those afternoon events they had in the House Foreign Affairs committee back in 1981 after Sadat had been assassinated. And, of course, we Americans loved Sadat. There was a great emotion towards him because of what he had done for peace and his courage. And we just loved his dignity and his personality. And Along came Mubarak, this strong personality. We thought things might come apart over there and he held everything together. He was strong. I was with Tip O'Neil that day and I walked aback from that meeting with him and I said, "He's a strong guy." And we were just chatting about what an impressive figure he was and we've been with him for 30 years. And now we're saying, it's time for the gate. Well, we should have known this. My second point of view about this, it's friendship. He's 83 in May.
He's getting old. We should have prepared this 10, 20 years ago. In friendship, where was the State Department? Don't we have hundreds of people sitting over there in Foggy Bottom with no other job except to know what's going on in Egypt, with no other job, but to know the culture and politics in that country and to understand who the potential leaders and factions that might off set the Muslim Brotherhood? What are they doing? I watched Secretary Clinton today. I don't get anything. I don't see anything other than two and two are four. I keep waiting for five. Show me you've done your jobs over there.
And I just wish, in our friendship, we should have been smart and I think we don't have a plan B. I mean, the guy's almost 83. His plan was Gamal. I was talking to Secretary Powell while ago. I hope it wasn't off the record, because he said it rather clearly to me. I said, "What do you think of Mubarak?" He said, "He's like every other leader in the world there. All they think about is primogeniture." They want their oldest kid to be their successor, whether it's Gadaffi or Bashar Assad. They call themselves Baathist, monarchist, whatever, Islamists.
It all comes down to the same thing. They want their oldest kid to replace them. And what was the plan for transition for our friend? Did we ever talk to him about it? Did we talk about it, encourage him? That's my view. Character and planning. And I don't see- I feel shame about this. I feel ashamed as an American, the way we're doing this. I know he has to change. I know we're for democracy, but the way we've handled it is not the way a friend handles a matter. We're not handling as Americans should handle a matter like this. I don't feel right about it. And Barack Obama, as much I support him in many ways, there is a transitional quality to the guy that is chilling.
I believe in relationships. I think we all do. Relationship politics is what we were brought up with in this country. You treat your friends a certain way. You're loyal to them. And when they're wrong, you try to be with them. You try and stick with them. As the great old line was, "I don't need you when I'm right." You've got to help out people when they're in trouble and all I'm seeing is transaction. Who we going to get the next deal with? And, by the way, we don't have a plan for the next deal, so we're not even good at transactions, let alone relationships. What are we good at here? That's what I keep asking. What have we done as leaders and friends? Nothing except watch.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Wow!
— Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
- Scott Whitlock's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
Wait, I am confused. I
Submitted by WarEagle66 on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 3:37pm.
Wait, I am confused. I thought Matthews was against dictators?
Or is that only when Bush or Reagan supported them?
Matthews flip-flops almost as
Submitted by Beukeboom on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 3:39pm.
Matthews flip-flops almost as often as Clinton did.
Not Confused
Submitted by stanmo42 on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 3:43pm.
Note to Chris Matthews in regards to your "Treat your friends a certain way" comment: Obama treats his friends a certain way. Union thugs, abortionists, muslim theocrats, and GE all get treated a certain way. The man has no other friends outside of the Jeremiah Wright Crowd.
Big bus
Submitted by StarAZ on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:26pm.
Big bus--plenty of room underneath. Still, I can't believe Chris is beginning to see what many of us have known--Obama has no moral center. He's a windsock. As for sticking with Mubarak, I can't figure out who is playing whom over there now--I think each side thinks they are playing the other.
The thrill is gone . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 3:47pm.
Obama's handling/mishandling of the Egyptian crisis just ain't charging his leg these days.
That tune was going through my head, Galvanic.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 3:59pm.
"The thrill is gone, baby ..."
I guess Prissy and Obama ain't going to be butt buddies anymore!
Now it can go through everyone
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 6:07pm.
Elses
Wow - I agree with Chris Matthews..
Submitted by Gary Hall on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 3:49pm.
I'll get over it.
But, indeed. Obama has blood on his hands here. After two days of protests - the protestors had won. Murbarak went on air - apologized for becoming a dictator, of sorts. Promised to start a transition to open up the political process, to amend the constitution, not to run again, etc.
That was a win. How often in history has a couple days of protesting brought a 30 year old government to it's knees? The protestors had found confirmation of their strength and power; they should have gone home knowing that at any moment in the future, if the transition did not proceed as promised, they could take to the streets again, and force the issue.
At that moment, President Obama should have praised Murbarak. He should have spoken "to the citizens of Egypt," about how their voice was heard; about how we have and will continue to stand by our friend, the Egyptian people. How thankful we and the world are for Egypt's long history in standing for peace and stability in the region. That this is a potentially great opportunity for Egypt and it's citizens. That they have achieved a great victory - a giant first step - in obtaining more freedom and opportunity for their future. That the US, and world bodies would stand by and would offer any and all assistance to the process of transition to free and open political process leading to new elections in the fall of this year, as their president had promised them.
And what did Obama do? He liked his finger and stuck it up in the air - looking for what would please the far left the most. Instead of offering up hope for the future, he threw in the towel of our long friendship and partnership with Egypt, and instead of helping to guarantee desperately needed stability during this most challenging moment in modern Egypt's history, Obama stuck a knife in Murbarak's back, and said, "Today is not soon enough, you should have left yesterday."
And people died.
(;~/ gary
Gary
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:12pm.
I think the bottom line is Barry got the call on the bat phone from George Soros giving him his marching orders. This man-child couldn't find his head with both hands. For the moment, Thrills Matthews may have a point. Ugh.
CommanderTaya - on Soros/Egyptian Brotherhood
Submitted by Gary Hall on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 6:06pm.
Here's all ya need to know - the ole one two punch..
1.) Muslim Brotherhood wants end to Egypt-Israeli peace deal 2.) Why Obama has to get Egypt right By George Soros (what?) Next?(;~/ gary
Thanks!
Submitted by CommanderTaya on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 6:21pm.
I caught #2 on Drudge this morning, hadn't linked to the other. If George Soros advocates a position, I run the other way. I shudder to think what's next for us with the sock puppet in the WH.
Barack Obama, the
Submitted by dscott on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 8:39pm.
Barack Obama, the Backstabbing Opportunist, the double dealing weasel. He has set the world on fire and now back in Washington DC he fiddles like Nero as the flames consume the Middle East.
No Problem, chris
Submitted by notinstl on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 3:59pm.
I'm ashamed you're an american, too! It is kinda cute watching him pretend to bash obama
Chris...move to Canada.
Submitted by Beukeboom on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:00pm.
Chris...move to Canada.
Uh OH!!
Submitted by Fraybird on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:01pm.
Maybe Auditory Orgasms and Roman Columns don't necessarily translate into effective leadership................DOH!!
LOL
Submitted by StarAZ on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:26pm.
Almost forgot about those stupid columns!
OK, Who are you
Submitted by locusto on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:08pm.
and what have you done with that whck job Matthews??
'I Feel Ashamed As an American'
Submitted by jdlybrand on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:08pm.
I know what you mean Chris. You make me feel embarrassed to be a human being!
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
Ballonn Headed Tingly
Submitted by donabernathy on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:10pm.
"STAY AWAY FROM SHARP OBJECTS."
RoFlMaO
Barack Hussein Carter.... Mmmm Mmmm MMMM!
Submitted by wedapeople on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:18pm.
Tingles is preparing to start shilling his upcoming special on The Presidency.........................................
"Bill Clinton President of the World".
He is losing it.....
Submitted by Ashrak on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:24pm.
So are we supposed to just stay out of it Chrissy or are we supposed to run the world? Chrissy made a fool of himself here, again - or is it still?
Getting pretty tough to be a ideologue these days, huh Panama TIngles?
The Leg Tingler
Submitted by RightRealDeal on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:38pm.
Chrissy: " Go Toward The LIght".
Obama must be having an LBJ
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:49pm.
Obama must be having an LBJ moment....
If I've lost Chris Matthews....
Axe'll have to run down from Chicago to bi**h-slap Matthews back into line.
and Haaretz is not impressed. (via Ed Driscoll)
Jimmy Carter will go down in American history as "the president who lost Iran," which during his term went from being a major strategic ally of the United States to being the revolutionary Islamic Republic. Barack Obama will be remembered as the president who "lost" Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt, and during whose tenure America's alliances in the Middle East crumbled.
Jimmy Carter, squared.
Come on, guys, tell us again about his sophistication and skill, and how his IQ is "off the charts."
Guess who just got
Submitted by Hunter12 on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 4:55pm.
Guess who just got dis-invited to the WH Super Bowl party? No rubbing elbows with J-Lo now, Chrissy.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Sometimes even a moron can crash headlong into the truth...
Submitted by Slyrr on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:03pm.
Late to the show, and he really blows.
'Nuff said.
Could not have said it better.
Submitted by Cyborg 0427 on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:09pm.
Boy oh boy do I wish I had said this.
D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Submitted by Herbster on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:06pm.
Heavens to Murgatroyd! Are we seeing the beginnings of a divorce here? Are Chrissy and obambi going to have an "Amicable separation?" Wow! And shrillery is going to be separated from this "Loving trio?" As the old joke goes, "Was she the lookout?"
This says it all.
Submitted by Cyborg 0427 on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:10pm.
Right as rain.
The freakin guy is schizophrenic!
Submitted by Diesel on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:15pm.
Either that or he's finally realizing what the muslim brotherhood would do to him & his toe-head if they had their way.
He & the missus probably had a trip to the pyramids planned.
This would see me proud of my Country
Submitted by Ashrak on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:19pm.
The only thing being lost today is the facade that the middle east is not filled with barbaric zealots bent on Islamic domination of the entire planet. I think that is why Obama is having such a tough time with this - facades are his specialty and he has no control.
The only real answer to Islamic terrorism rest in the hands of Muslims themselves. When it comes right down to it, the picture of themselves, of their "muslim world" can only be shaped by them. It is time for all the world to see it as it is.
As the Old Gaurd falls, from media in this country to dictators in the middle east. the real picture becomes clearer and clearer. Gets a little tougher to blame the USA in Egypt when no more funding for its government goes there from taxpayers pockets here. Bye Bye dhimmi status. Oh, and same to you Jordan. You folks don't get to play both ends against the middle anymore. Hey Barry, that goes for you and your bots too, homey.
America can honestly and legitimately say "Look, we tried not using our own resources and instead buying yours, we tried accepting your dictators, we tried buying peace with dhimmitude, we tried arms balancing among multiple countries, we tried limited military interventions (primarily air), we tried econonomic sanctioning on the world stage, we tried all out military conflict - fully deposing a brutal madman and we even tried hanging around for a while to help get things on the right track. And you know what all this got us? The same thing resulted at every turn. Muslim blaming the USA. Liberals in the USA blaming the USA. Well, we are done taking the blame for your action and inaction. Enough.
So here is the one option remaining if the status quo does not change post haste - as in real peace going forward. You folks are on your own with this very specific warning - We The People of these united States have had quite enough of your religious drama and we will not stand for your antics any longer. NOT one second longer.
We have fully demonstrated our kindness for decades, only to have you take advantage of it and then disrespect it. You are now 100% warned, any attack upon us or our like minded and treatied allies will indeed be responded to with overwhelming force that will not relent until not even one more rocket, not one more bomb, not one more gun is fired in aggression based on Islam. Enough is Enough. Oh, and sell your oil to someone else. We don't want it and we don't need it.
Would Chrissy be proud of that? Ha ha, yeah right.
I'd like to get a quick bet
Submitted by Hunter12 on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:44pm.
I'd like to get a quick bet down before the nightly news starts. How many of the big three will feature the story about the Muslims hoodlums murdering two families of Christians under the smokescreen of the recent unrest? I'm going with 0, that's zero, and giving 1,000 to 1 odds.
"An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." - Sir Winston Churchill
Your odds are far too low Hunter
Submitted by Rovin on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 11:21pm.
10,000 to one would be too low Hunter.....................
Now if Michele Bachmann....
Submitted by Forbus on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:31pm.
had said the same thing...word for word...Tingles would have spent a whole week ridiculing her.
Well tingles may yet
Submitted by Boudin on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:50pm.
Blame it on her
This shouldn't be a surprise
Submitted by HopeChangeInAZ on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 5:35pm.
This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that has half a clue as to what is going on in the world around them or who is not wedded to a particular ideology such as Chris Matthews. This country elected one of the most inexperinced presidents in recent history and one of the most liberal, which is saying a lot when compared to the likes of Jimmy Carter.
Please tell me the last successful liberal foreign policy that this country has implemented? Policy that has been planned and well executed and not reactive. If the liberals haven't created problems with their flawed world view, they have set in motion events that usually require a Republican to come along and clean up. I am afraid that is what we are seeing occur with Egypt, iran and other beligerant nations. Apologize and look weak and see where it will get you. At the end of the day, this is still one of the greatest countries this world has ever seen regardless what the leftest in this country want you to believe.
You have reason to be
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 7:12pm.
You have reason to be ahsamed, Christine...
Chrissy, this wouldn't have
Submitted by kangaroo on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 7:58pm.
Chrissy, this wouldn't have anything to do with Glen and Stu taking the mickey out of ya the last couple of days would it? Have to say that was bloody brilliant.
"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on"--Thomas Jefferson
Shock :-() Chris Matthews
Submitted by dscott on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 8:26pm.
Shock :-()
Chris Matthews criticizes his orgasmatronic leader? Is the flower off the bloom?
Well Chris, better late than never to the party, careful you might become a, a, a, dare I say it???? a Neocon???
Here's the deal Chris, most of the Third World including the M.E. has been victimized by high food prices in the last couple of years and this rise in food prices is accelerating. Chris please ask the question why is this so? You've all seen my tag line and that's the answer to your question Chris. The ecofanatic policy of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barack Obama since they took control of Congress. Their mandates of Ethanol have each year increased the land tilled for corn for ethanol and thus has increasingly crowded out food production to the point of rising prices. You saw the food riots 2 years ago, this is only the beginning as the full INSANITY of the Ethanol mandate is yet to hit in the US with their demand of 15% ethanol in gasoline. Ethanol pollutes the air and increases CO2 emissions, not decreases them. BTW- increasing ethanol content is going reduce NOT increase fuel mileage results thus making overall fuel consumption increase costing everyone more money on top of the high price of gasoline from foolish Drilling bans.
Please Chris if you love the poor have mercy on them and demand an end to the Ethanol mandates that have caused food prices to rise on those most vulnerable all over the world. What we do here does affect the world. The Muslim Brotherhood and other fanatics are taking advantage of desperate people whose backs are against the wall.
Demand an end to the EPAs ability to regulate CO2 as they abuse their power, they are incompetent in their wrong headed approach to energy efficiency and worse greatly harm the poor by forcing up fuel prices which also disproportionately falls upon the poor of the world. Have mercy on them Chris, have mercy and put aside your political correctness.
Just to underline how woeful
Submitted by dscott on Sat, 02/05/2011 - 5:46pm.
Just to underline how woeful the MSM's coverage of events has been regarding the ME I would like to direct your attention to an article in the Asia Times.
Wheat prices 101 and Egyptian instability
In this case, Asian demand has priced food staples out of the Arab budget. As prosperous Asians consume more protein, global demand for grain increases sharply (seven pounds of grain produce one pound of beef). Asians are rich enough, moreover, to pay a much higher price for food whenever prices spike due to temporary supply disruptions, as at the moment.
Egyptians, Jordanians, Tunisians and Yemenis are not. Episodes of privation and even hunger will become more common. The miserable economic performance of all the Arab states, chronicled in the United Nations' Arab Development Reports, has left a large number of Arabs so far behind that they cannot buffer their budget against food price fluctuations.
Earlier this year, after drought prompted Russia to ban wheat exports, Egypt's agriculture minister pledged to raise food production over the next ten years to 75% of consumption, against only 56% in 2009. Local yields are only 18 bushels per acre, compared to 30 to 60 for non-irrigated wheat in the United States, and up 100 bushels for irrigated land.
Why is it the MSM is so woeful on commenting on these things Chris???? Why indeed? How about you break the log jam here and start covering stuff your fellow liberals are too busy to consider let alone give a crap about the world's poor.
Ahh poor
Submitted by libfail on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 8:18pm.
Chris is ashamed today. What has he been doing for years, saying be proud? I don't think so.
Don't feel bad Chrissy
Submitted by BikerHoop on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 8:24pm.
We feel ashamed that you're an American, too.
Maybe Chrissy can hang with
Submitted by 98ZJUSMC on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 8:58pm.
Maybe Chrissy can hang with Anderson Cooper and find out how the Egyptian's really feel about Honsi?
A good ass beatin' never really hurt anyone.
What's new? Matthews is
Submitted by Cowboy on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 9:26pm.
What's new?
Matthews is ALWAYS ashamed as an American. Except when somebody successfully violates the Constitution...
Well, the Blind Squirrel Found It's Nut.
Submitted by LibertyAtStake on Fri, 02/04/2011 - 9:23pm.
I guess that's what the tingle was all along.
http://libertyatstake.blogspot.com/
"Because the Only Good Progressive is a Failed Progressive"
Could it be that this frog has noticed
Submitted by Army Brat on Sat, 02/05/2011 - 7:48am.
the water getting hotter?
Prolly not. Though... I met a Liberal that saw the danger of creeping, sometimes galloping, sharia.
Anything is possible...though in this case not probable. Could be the blind squirrel thing.
LOL @ 'MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Wow!'
Submitted by ChrisNH on Sat, 02/05/2011 - 8:51am.
ILOVE it when this Leftist shrew on MSNBC gets shut up with only a 'Wow!' You just KNOW she is CRUSHED to see her beloved Obama trashed by 'One of Her Own.' Great to see.
Ahh...
Submitted by packman on Sat, 02/05/2011 - 9:30am.
Obviously, the thrill is gone...
"...Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread..." ~Thomas Jefferson
He's just redefining
Submitted by wiwf on Sat, 02/05/2011 - 11:06am.
He's just redefining "tingling feeling in my leg". Don't worry, he'll come around to his normal self again.