Don Imus Show Rips 'Angry,' 'Vile,' 'Psycho,' 'Spittle-spewing' Chris Matthews for Attacking Mark Levin

As NewsBusters previously reported, Chris Matthews on Tuesday blamed conservative talk radio hosts Mark Levin and Michael Savage for supposedly creating the climate of hate that led to Saturday's shootings in Tucson, Arizona.

On Wednesday, FBN's Don Imus and his sidekick Bernard McGuirk responded to the "angry," "vile," "psycho," "spittle-spewing" MSNBCer (video follows with transcript and commentary):

DON IMUS: Time for a "Bernie Briefing' with Bernard McGuirk, sponsored by our friends at P.C. Richard & Son.

Good morning, Bernard.

BERNARD MCGUIRK: Hey, Chief.

Well, psycho Chris Matthews actually mentioned our own Mark Levin and Michael Savage regarding the shooting in Tucson last night, and Mark Levin actually responded quickly. Here it is.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

MARK LEVIN, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Defending ourselves against what, some A-hole on MSLSD with no numbers, no ratings, no audience, no substance, no common sense, making an allegation. We know without question that the murderer in Tucson was mentally ill, a liberal pot head, and all the rest of it. We know this for a fact.

Even if he had a copy of one of my books, and was a listener to this program, what the hell does that have to do with some nut trying to kill a congressman and killing a federal judge, and spraying the whole audience?

(END AUDIO CLIP)

MCGUIRK: There you go, spittle-spewing Chris Matthew versus "The Great One," Mark Levin.

IMUS: Well, we know that both sides are just -- and it's -- but nobody takes Chris Matthews seriously. I mean, I can't imagine they do.

MCGUIRK: No. Well, nobody watches him.

IMUS: That's just not -- there's no relevance. There's no audience, no relevance, and he's a vile human being. And angry. He's angry because he didn't wind up being Tim Russert.

MCGUIRK: Really. He is what he's accusing other people of being.

IMUS: Yes, of course.

MCGUIRK: I mean, Sarah Palin was a target of more vitriol, and it's a wonder she hasn't been harmed at this point.

IMUS: That's an absolute great point.

It is a great point. ABC's Claire Shipman reported Wednesday that death threats against the former Alaska governor have reached unprecedented levels in the past few days.

If God forbid something were to happen to Palin, would all the folks like Matthews spewing vitriol at her 24/7 bear some blame?

As these holier-than-thou so-called journalists continue to ask for a toned down rhetoric in the wake of what they dishonestly claim were killings incited by outspoken conservatives, why is it they feel absolutely no responsibility to govern their own tongues?

Yes, that was a rhetorical question.