MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer on Wednesday angrily agreed with Democratic claims that the National Republican Congressional Committee made a sexist slam against Nancy Pelosi. Appearing on Morning Meeting, Brewer attacked the critique of the House Speaker as "not good" and a "poor move." [Audio available here.]
After recounting how the GOP organization released a statement mocking the Democrat as "General Pelosi" and hoping that the top commander in Afghanistan will "put her in her place," a visibly annoyed Brewer complained, "Really? Put the first female Speaker of the House in her place? Not good." (Pelosi had given an interview in which she suggested General McChrystal should not give his advice to Obama in public.)
Parroting a liberal Congresswoman, she fretted, "Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida was so infuriated, she says it's evidence the Republicans long for the days when a woman's place was in the kitchen."
Continuing to agree with Democratic talking points, Brewer derided, "You don't say about the first Speaker of the House [sic], she should be put in her place. And I think if you're trying to win over independent voters ahead of the next election, that was a very poor move." In what could be the motto for many of the liberal anchors on MSNBC, Brewer announced, "I'm not a political strategist but once in a while I play one on TV."
The host eagerly repeated comments by Wasserman Schultz calling the Republicans sexist. She recounted, "Quote, ‘Not surprising coming from a party that is 80 percent male and 100 percent white,’ unquote." Of course, Brewer seemed to have no complaints about Pelosi essentially telling General McChrystal to shut up. CBSNews.com explained:
"Let me say this about General McChrystal, with all due respect," she said. "His recommendations to the president should go up the line of command. It shouldn't be in press conferences...The fact is I think that that's not where this debate takes place."
Following that interview, the NRCC released a statement mocking the speaker as "General Pelosi."
Perhaps the oddest moment in the segment came when Morning Meeting host Dylan Ratigan inserted some gratuitous Sarah Palin slams into the conversation. Brewer mentioned that the former governor had made comments supportive of a troop surge in Afghanistan. Ratigan blurted, "Do you think Palin would go fight? I think anyone who wants to send troops to go fight has to be willing to go fight themselves."
He bizarrely added, "Napoleon used to fight. George Washington went and he fought." Informed that Palin’s son has served in Iraq, he retorted, "I'm aware. I have family members who did the same thing. Doesn't mean I did it."
A transcript of the October 7 segment, which aired at 10:30am EDT, follows:
MSNBC GRAPHIC: GOP "Sexist" Pelosi Slam?
DYLAN RATIGAN: What is going on in the world of politics?
CONTESSA BREWER: Ahh, yes. The National Republican Congressional Committee is eager for General Stanley McChrystal to put House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had her place. Okay, here’s the set-up. First, Pelosi told Charlie Rose feedback about Afghanistan should go up the line of command. It should not be delivered with a microphone to a public audience. But, the Republicans are mocking the Speaker of the House as General Pelosi, saying she failed her economic policies and that, quote, "Taxpayers can only hope that McChrystal is able to put her in her place." Really? Put the first female Speaker of the House in her place? Not good. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida was so infuriated, she says it’s evidence the Republicans long for the days when a woman's place was in the kitchen. Quote, "Not surprising coming from a party that is 80 percent male and 100 percent white," unquote. She was referring to the makeup of the House Republican conference. The NRCC spokesman says Pelosi is playing out of her league. So, I wonder if the Republicans are going to call Sarah Palin General Palin? She's on Facebook saying more troops should be sent to Afghanistan. The Hill has the story here. Palin writes, quote. "Now is not the time for cold feet or second thoughts or indecision. It's the time to act as commander of chief and approve the troops so clearly needed in Afghanistan."
RATIGAN: Do you think Palin would go fight? I think anyone who wants to send troops to go fight has to be willing to go fight themselves.
BREWER: Now, remember, her son-
RATIGAN: Napoleon used to fight. George Washington went and he fought.
BREWER: Her son- Her son just got back from Iraq. So, she has a personal stake in this. And my point is not to say-
RATIGAN: I understand. No, I get it. I'm aware. I have family members who did the same thing. Doesn't mean I did it.
BREWER: Right. The point being that everyone is entitled to their opinion. You don't say about the first Speaker of the House [sic], she should be put in her place. And I think if you're trying to win over independent voters ahead of the next election, that was a very poor move. I'm not a political strategist but once in a while I play one on TV.
RATIGAN: And as well you should. Lovely.
BREWER: Fired up. That's what I got.
