We are in the middle of an intense election cycle, we all know. Both parties are, for the first time in many years, completely undecided as to which of their candidates is "the" candidate. It's pretty exciting for a political junkie. So, what does the Associated Press give us? What political news is of the utmost importance to help us all in this supremely important decision, so urgent that the AP felt we needed to know about it? Why, it's that Chris Matthews has made a few lefties mad at him for helping Hillary win in New Hampshire, of course! The AP is trying to drum up sympathy for Matthews who is supposedly on the receiving end of a "backlash" for his supposed attacks on Hillary Clinton.
Chris Matthews a target for people who believe media backlash helped Hillary Clinton
He’s become the target for critics who think a backlash against the media played a part in Hillary Clinton’s surprise win in New Hampshire. Chris Matthews laughs off that idea, and insists he has a lot of respect for her.
Geeze, give me a break.
So, we get a puff piece on that well-known and extremely important politician named Chris Matthews, huh? Yeah, I know Matthews is neither a politician, nor integral in the scheme of decision making for the presidency, nor even particularly relevant to much of anything. Yet, the AP gives us a two page puff piece on how Chris Matthews is being dealt a "backlash" from people who think that the media unduly attacked Hillary before her win in New Hampshire. Seriously... who cares? I mean, we have important political doings here, these days, and the AP gives us a piece on Chris Matthews as if what is going on with him is somehow pertinent to the decision we all have to make as voters.
The AP is also trying to paint Matthews as some sort of "hard hitting" watchdog keeping politicians, in particular Mrs. Clinton, honest. Yes, he is the bane of the left, a thorn in their side... now, he's not one of them at all! No, they really mean it. Why Chris has even said negative things about Hillary before!
The liberal watchdog Media Matters for America counted more than eight negative remarks Matthews made about Clinton for every positive one during September, October and November.
Gadzooks! EIGHT THINGS? That monster!
And to prove that Matthews is one of the good guys, the AP gives us the words of the extreme left website, firedoglake.com.
"Chris Matthews, it’s high time for you to go," she wrote. "None of us dainty ladies out here who depend on our husbands to get anywhere in life will pull out our lace hankies, drop into our fainting couches and cry a single tear when you’re gone."
Yeah, riiiiiight.
The AP also indulges in a bit of hero worship of Matthews' supposed outspokenness. After relating when Matthews said that the only reason Clinton is so well-known is because, "her husband messed around."
Bam! That quote raced around the Internet and unleashed a fresh round of anger toward Matthews at a time emotions were already frayed.
Gosh, poor Chris!
I have to say, this is puffery of the worst sort. But, then, that's what we've so come to expect from the AP, isn't it?
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Lefty inquisition
January 12, 2008 - 22:36 ET by nkviking75Sounds like the "leftest of the left" has started its own inquisition to purge the doctrinally impure. Or maybe they're applying their own version of McCarthyism. Or the political equivalent of ethnic cleansing.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
...counted more than eight
January 12, 2008 - 22:43 ET by DaBird...counted more than eight negative remarks Matthews made about Clinton for every positive one during September, October and November.
Eight negatives in 3 months? Hey Media Matters, pick any night of the week and I think you could count almost eight negative remarks against any one of the conservative candidates. Welcome to a day in the life of conservatives dealing with a liberal media.
Boo-boo
January 13, 2008 - 00:10 ET by Tim GrahamRead it again, folks. They're claiming that there's a ratio of eight negative comments to every positive one, not just eight. That could be. But AP doesn't take into account (or publish stories on) conservatives finding that Chris Matthews compared Bill Clinton to Jesus Christ, or other liberal swoons over Obama.
I think it's weird that the reporter has no left-wing labels for the fierce bloggers quoted.
Coincidentally, I just read
January 12, 2008 - 23:34 ET by motherbeltCoincidentally, I just read that story immediately before coming to NB just now. And while I was reading it, I was thinking "why is this news?" Do people really care if anyone is mad at Chris Matthews over his being too "critical" of Her Royal Clintoness?
And then, as I read on, I got it. It's just a back-handed slap by the AP at critics of Clinton, and an opportunity to portray her as a sympathetic character, unfairly beset by her critics.
Matthews would bite Hillary if he could
January 12, 2008 - 23:54 ET by Lame CherrySo this story is saying in essence that Hillary will bawl her way to the White House.
Well hells bells bring out the tears and Perky can cry her way to CBS stardom and Matthews being a girly can bawl Olberman off MSNBC.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
If you think FDL was
January 13, 2008 - 00:35 ET by Right2thePointIf you think FDL was hitting on Chrissy you ought to take a look at TalkLeft.
FDL was doing the light work compared to them.
"Chris Matthews, it’s
January 13, 2008 - 10:29 ET by motherbelt"Chris Matthews, it’s high time for you to go," she wrote. (emphasis added).
(She says they won't retire to their fainting couches when he's gone. She doesn't even realize that she is calling for his ouster from a supine position on said couch, hanky and smelling salts in hand.)
That is typical liberal reaction: don't like what someone is saying? Get them to shut up; get them fired.
And then they will turn around and tell you, with a straight face, that liberals are champions of free speech and that it's conservatives who want to shut up people who don't agree with them.
They should give us the
January 13, 2008 - 09:31 ET by the strugglerThey should give us the ratio of favorable Republican stories to unfavorable Republican stories on this a$$hats show.That's the elephant in THIS room.
Clinton's Are Ruthless
January 13, 2008 - 09:56 ET by planetrepublicanThie Clinton's don't take prisoners, they execute them. If Hill gets in Matthews is a walking dead man, that's for sure. Won't be long before MSNBC boots him out, aka Geraldo-style. I hope to God FOX doesn't pick him up. Any MSM type (liberal) has to watch out, Hill & Bill have L-O-N-G memories and they do get even. This is a career-busters. Having said that, I have NO sympathy for Matthews.
I am at a loss as to why
January 13, 2008 - 10:11 ET by Captain RepusI am at a loss as to why there is so much press and commentary about Mattspews recently. He is nothing more than a self-centered egomaniac working for a failing cable network (MSDNC) owned by a corporation which provides aid and comfort to our enemies.
In todays world, surely there are more newsworthy subjects to discuss. There is no reason to further build up this moron's notoriety.
Awww. Feel bad for Chrissy.
January 13, 2008 - 13:07 ET by c5thenWhen he acts the liberal lapdog and spews punditry on the air, he is rightfully skewered by watchdogs like NewsBusters. When he tries his hand at a bit of journalism, he is skewered by the left-wing nutroots for not being the good little pundit that the media is supposed to be in their view. Poor Chrissy... he can't win either way. Well, I guess his HUGE salary helps offset the quandry for him a bit.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.