Are film references a prerequisite for a 5pm show on MSNBC? Ed Schultz, who took over for movie-mad Chris Matthews, on Wednesday compared Barack Obama to George C. Scott's portrayal of General Patton. Schultz attacked House Republicans for disparaging ObamaCare and not allowing supporters of the President's health care reform to testify. The anchor salivated, "Can we say that President Obama has 'em exactly where he wants 'em?"
He added, "You know, it kind of reminds me of that 1971 movie Patton...General Patton was in the field, and he was watching Rommel bring his tanks into a trap. And General Patton put the glasses on...and said 'Rommel, you bastard! I read your book!'" Quite pleased with his comparison, Schultz concluded, "Our guy [Obama] reads a lot too. He's got these folks right where they deserve to be." [MP3 audio here. See video below.]
Matthews, who previously held the 5pm spot on MSNBC, once compared Dick and Liz Cheney to aliens from Superman.
In March, Matthews asserted that Pro-Second Amendment voices are like the Nazis in Casablanca.
A partial transcript of the September 18 segment is below:
5:07
You know, it kind of reminds me of that 1971 movie Patton. It was played by George Scott. George Patton – was played by George Scott and General Patton was in the field, and he was watching Rommel bring his tanks into a trap. And General Patton put the glasses on, the field glasses and said "Rommel, you bastard! I read your book!" Our guy reads a lot, too. He's got these folks right where they deserve to be.
