Radio Host Nails Chris Matthews: 'You're Clearly Working for the Re-Election of Barack Obama'
MSNBC's Chris Matthews ran into trouble on Thursday when an Iowa radio host mocked the TV personality: "I just want to make sure we're starting with some honesty. You're clearly working for the re-election of Barack Obama." WHO-AM's Simon Conway appeared on the December 15 Hardball and promptly started sparring with the liberal anchor. [See video below. MP3 audio here.]
After Matthews' bland introduction, Conway struck: "Well, first of all, it's always a pleasure to welcome a Democrat to the Simon Conway Show, Chris." (The interview was simulcast on Conway's program.) A rattled Matthews responded, "This isn't going to go very long here if you're going into this game of assigning" political labels.
He then proceeded to interrogate the radio host, a new American citizen from Britain. Conway reiterated, "I just want to be clear that we're going to be honest. You're clearly working for the re-election of Barack Obama and I'm okay with that. I just want some honesty here."
After Matthews wondered what Conway believed in, the influential radio host retorted, "I'm working for the election of a conservative."
A transcript of the December 15 exchange, which aired 5:18pm EST, follows:
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Well, Simon Conway is an Iowa radio talk show host who has spoken to each of the Republican presidential candidates, except Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, who's not competing in Iowa. Simon, thank you so much for coming on and doing this simulcast. I see you at the mic there. What's it smell like to you out there? What's the sense? Just, if I'd ask you to do a little peroration now on which way it's going, what's it feels like? What is it?
SIMON CONWAY (Iowa talk radio host): Well, first of all, it's always a pleasure to welcome a Democrat to the Simon Conway Show, Chris. So, you're very welcome.
MATTHEWS: Well, what is that? Are we all giving our party labels out here? Are you giving me yours or what? Or you don't want to give one? No, you want to give me one but don't give yourself one. That's fair enough.
CONWAY: No- Chris, I'm not a Republican, never have been and never will be. I'm keeping my independence.
MATTHEWS: So you give out labels, but you don't assign one to yourself. That's very clever.
CONWAY: Well, there isn't one. There isn't one. I just want to make sure we're starting with some honesty. You're clearly working for the re-election of Barack Obama.
MATTHEWS: No, I want to make sure-
CONWAY: -and that's okay.
MATTHEWS: This isn't going to go very long here if you're going into this game of assigning- What is your political voting record, then? How'd you go last time?
CONWAY: I've only voted once, I'm a fairly new citizen to the United States, and I voted for John McCain while holding my nose.
MATTHEWS: You voted Republican.
CONWAY: I voted Republican.
MATTHEWS: So, that is how we should identify you, sir, based upon your record.
CONWAY: If you wish to do that, but, look, the bottom line-
MATTHEWS: No, no. You're doing it to me. So, why don't we do it to you and have some fun?
CONWAY: Fine! If you want to do that, Chris, you can go ahead and do it. It's untrue, but you can go ahead and do it. But, that's okay. I just want to be clear that we're going to be honest. You're clearly working for the re-election of Barack Obama and I'm okay with that. I just want some honesty here.
MATTHEWS: Well, what are you working for, sir?
CONWAY: I'm working for the election of a conservative.
MATTHEWS: And who would that be?
CONWAY: Well, we don't have an individual yet. We've still got an open field, and it's very interesting, and certainly Iowa is not, is not done yet. I think we've got plenty of time, I think we can still see this race change.
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Comments
Liberals never get that
Submitted by metaphorsbwithu on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:19pm.
Liberals never get that conservatism is not about "cult of personality" voting.
Most conservatives, and it should be all, vote according to support for conservatism, conservative ideas, and Constitutional principles.
Killing the messenger, a favorite sport of the left, cannot kill ideas and principles. They may "destroy" or compromise an individual, engage in their search and destroy missions, but there will simply be more leaders to rise from the ashes.
Chrissy
Submitted by Okieflyover on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:27pm.
Labels and attacks every person he interviews but it is fun watching him get so defensive so quick.
But he didn't say he wasn't working to elect Obama.
>Okieflyover - In Chris Matthews' own words ...
Submitted by metaphorsbwithu on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:49am.
As galvanic noted in a comment earlier:
In a discussion with Joe Scarborough after the November, 2008 election Matthews said:
"Yeah, well, you know what, I want to do everything I can to make this thing - this new presidency work and I think that ..."
Scarborough breaks in and questions whether Matthews believes that this is indeed his job to help Obama's presidency and Matthews goes further:
"Yes that's my job. My job is to help this country ... to make this work successfully because this country needs a successful presidency."
Here's the YouTube link:
http://bit.ly/uJyqs7
There you go.
I'm not hearing a denial.
Submitted by NeoKong on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:27pm.
It did not seem to bother him to be labeled a campaign worker.
Chrissie <3 Obama
Submitted by Radical1979 on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:53pm.
I think he would love to say out loud he's working for Obama, but someone might call the FCC and it wouldn't look good. Not that they'd do anything about it...
sweet
Submitted by michiganruth on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:37pm.
any chance to see Chrissy disconcerted is great. thank you, British radio host person!
Poor Chrissypooo getting a
Submitted by pilgrim4jc on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:40pm.
Poor Chrissypooo getting a little of his own medicine… how ripe! Take it like a man you baby...
This is the same Chris Matthews who . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:42pm.
. . . on Election Night 2008, declared to his NBC/MSNBC pals that is was his "job as a journalist to see Obama's Presidency succeed."
Any pretense at objectivity was lost at that point and forever more.
His Hardball program, day after day, disparages GOP candidates (except perhaps for Huntsman -- MSNBC's favorite) while engaging his liberal and Democratic guests in discussion on what Obama has to do to get re-elected.
Matthews' talked to Conway as if no one has ever seen his program.
Chrissie sees his reflection and is as revolted by it as we are.
Submitted by drsamherman on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:46pm.
Liberals hate it when you point the mirror in their direction. Assuming they get any reflection back at all, they are revulsed by what they see of themselves if they have any predilection towards truth in any measure. Problem is they lie so much they lost track of the truth years ago.
At least this guy gives a
Submitted by killa37 on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 7:58pm.
At least this guy gives a little positive balance, in comparison to that dolt Long Walk, Short Piers Morgan.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH
Submitted by ROSSMAN on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 8:00pm.
There are those who voted for Obama once who will not vote for him again. I estimate 10%. There will be few if any who did not vote for him (less than 1%) that think he is worthy of a 2nd term. If he was running against a light bulb, he would lose. No landslide in the offing!! He will likely get far less votes the 2nd time around!! HE CANNOT WIN!!
BRAVO!!!
Submitted by jdripper on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 8:11pm.
Give the gentleman a cigar he has b***h slapped the BO supporter.
Jack
In cricket terminology
Submitted by Ozconservative on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 8:19pm.
Well played sir!!!
Wow!
Submitted by Kansasgirl on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 8:21pm.
Refreshing to see conservatives butting heads with "limp-wristed" socialists.
Notice Conway's lack of respect for the prodigous intellect.
Submitted by acaiguana on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 8:26pm.
Of Chris Matthews.
right
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana notes from the Underground' (Soon to be at theaters near you)
Sounds to me like...
Submitted by DoktorFranken on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 9:14pm.
...someone at MSNBC needs to change widdle Cwissy's diaper. Cause he filled that segment up with some righteous stank.
Who does this guy think he is?
Submitted by AmWLS4VP on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 11:58pm.
Simon Conway dared to take on the "Thrill up my leg".
The audacity to question the journalistic integrity of the greatest newsman ever to grace the face of the earth.
Simon, this is not just a man, this is an ANCHORMAN, of a little watched cable offshoot of some other network tied to a larger network, tied to a former CEO of a green energy company which advises the president, which paid NO TAXES last year through favorable tax legislation done with thousands of lobbyists in congress.
Nothing to see here people. Move on. Just some conservative commentator make a name for himself.
Looks like Simon took my suggestion...
Submitted by kch50428 on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:04am.
When he announced on his Facebook page he was going to be simulcasting with Chrissy, I suggested he get him to stipulate up front that Chrissy & CNBC were in favor of the re-election of BHO... LOVE IT!!
Simon Conway behaved like a jerk.
Submitted by Superman on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:20am.
Of course Chris Matthews is biased. We all get that. But that doesn't give you permission to be a jerk to the man. This Simon Conway guy was disrespectful right out of the gate and for no reason. This makes Simon Conway look bad, not Chris Matthews. Let's try to be more civil. Let's set an example.
Get over yourself, Superman.
Submitted by Ken Shepherd on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:26am.
Get over yourself, Superman. Matthews is a bully who needs to be taken down a peg, and nothing Conway said was out of line. Matthews is a self-described Obama fan and has stated on air that he sees it his job to ensure Obama succeeds -- read, gets re-elected.
Matthews also voted for George Bush. Did he become a bully
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:33am.
before or after?
Jer
Jer,
Submitted by gfrrman on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:57am.
turns off the filter. Have you EVER watched his MSNBC show OR "The Chris Matthews Show", cause if you have then your reply is so obtuse as to be hilarious. My god...but considering the source totally predictable.
g
Yes, gfrrman...
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:59am.
But very rarely of late.
Jer
Thanks For The MediaMatters Moment. Again.
Submitted by stratman on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 1:00am.
Regardless, a non-sequitur, Jer. Matthews is a bully.
Non sequitur or not, strat...
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 1:01am.
The moment was not inspired by MediaMatters.
Jer
Well, I guess I should thank
Submitted by stratman on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 1:20am.
Well, I guess I should thank you for saying there are no bullies on the Right.
Well, strat, since you haven't thanked me for anything in
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 1:46am.
nearly a year, maybe you should ease in to it, lest the shock overwhelm us both.
Jer
You Know Me, Jer.
Submitted by stratman on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 3:32am.
I'm gracious to a fault.
The time for civility is
Submitted by poseA on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:32am.
The time for civility is over.
Wow
Submitted by Clemenza on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:27am.
This kind of reaction from the same guy who only yesterday told David Axelrod . . . . . ..
Chris Matthews Greets David Axelrod: 'This Is Called Friendly Territory'
http://nation.foxnews.com/chris-matthews/2011/12/14/chris-matthews-greet...
The man is clearly losing his mind . . . . troubling.
"our guy"....
Submitted by gfrrman on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 12:53am.
On Sissy Boys' "Chris Matthews Show" several months ago, as he and his circle jerk lib sycophants were discussing politics he actually said in a response that "this is OUR guy", referring to the ONE. I about fell out of my chair. And all the circle jerkers were nodding their simpleton minded heads in agreement. So Tingles is a BLATANT LIAR. I heard it AND saw it. Truth to a liberal/democrat is like daylight to a vampire.
g
Right between the eyes...
Submitted by Jimi Streets on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 4:15am.
Liberals, especially those of the MSNBC ilk, you know, beyond biased, no sense of humor, elitist, very easily upset, cannot stand it when they are simply asked to to be honest. Does Chris "Barney Rubble" Matthews really think he is getting away with coming across as genuinely unbiased and even-handed?
Conservatives will gladly tell you where they stand and just keep on smiling. I think that one thing about Fox News that really gets under the libs' skin is that every host and conservative guest always seem to be having a great time, laughing and carrying on. At least 90% of the liberals I've met, known, or seen on TV are completely humorless, unlikable, and seem to have lost their ability to even crack a smile!
A lot of folks like myself just might be able to conjure up a smidgen of respect for these liberal commentators and news-people if they would just be honest about who they are and what they are about.
The sacred "Call for civility"
Submitted by Jimi Streets on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 4:30am.
Why, oh why, would any conservative need to tell any conservative running for office that he/she needs to be more "civil"? Why is it only US? The democrats have been living at the bottom of the barrel for decades now with their awful slander towards conservatives. Why have I never heard, whether it be from the press, democrats, or even Republicans, a "call for civility" on the part of liberals? Almost universally, conservatives simply do not sink to the depths where liberals have dwelt in terms of rhetoric. Conservatives merely speak the truth and liberals whine about being "attacked". When have you ever heard a conservative candidate say a liberal opponent wants to "starve kids" or "let old folks die" etc., etc.? That kind of crap is the norm for libs.
John McCain got swamped because he had emasculated himself to the degree that he wouldn't even speak the truth about Obama's associations and past, as did Bob Dole 12 years before concerning Clinton. I'm telling you right now, if there is a repeat this time, if the Republicans nominate another eunuch, the clamor for a third party will begin immediately on the Wednesday after the election, if not before...
I've never heard of this guy
Submitted by ParalegalGoddess on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 10:45am.
I've never heard of this guy until now. But I already love him.
I'm surprised that MSNBC shows
Submitted by Quasi-socialist on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 6:24pm.
don't have "My name is Barack Obama; and I approve this message" at the end.
Good to see...
Submitted by helomech on Fri, 12/16/2011 - 6:49pm.
...MSDNC and Matthews getting their trash thrown back at them. And it seems to be on the rise as well.
@ Superman: it's much too late to act civil to the faux-journalistas in the Lame Stream media. They are the ones who started the sh1t-talking and character-assasination at anyone opposed to their own biased viewpoints. I'm looking forward to seeing the sensationalist media types getting their comeuppance
Matthews reminds me of a
Submitted by RR GOP on Sat, 12/17/2011 - 12:06am.
Matthews reminds me of a couple who are having an affair, go out of their way to act like they aren't, yet everybody knows they are, and most play along and act like they aren't when they're around them.
"Under Capitalism, man exploits man. Under Communism it's just the opposite."
"All that Communism needs to make it successful is for someone to feed and clothe it."