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Self-inflicted politics (MSNBC's Keith Olbermann attacks Michelle Malkin in his blog)
MSNBC ^ | August 19, 2004 | Keith Olbermann

Posted on 08/19/2004 10:45:26 PM PDT by Cableguy

Michelle Malkin, the unfortunate and overmatched author of a self-loathing book that attempts to justify our World War II internment and robbery of Americans of Japanese heritage, became the harbinger of the next mucky smell of low tide. She raised the story— heretofore consigned largely to Robert Novak and everybody to his right— in that delightful, Teflon way of modern politics: ‘I’m not saying that John Kerry shot himself. But in the Swift Boat Veterans’ book, they ask whether or not his wounds were self-inflicted.’

If Ms. Malkin isn’t seen on television, or moving on her own power, in the next few days, it’s understandable. My colleague Mr. Matthews forced her to hang herself out to dry ten or eleven times (never prouder of you, Chris). He may have directed the momentum, but her wounds were ultimately, uh, self-inflicted.

As Chris rightly pointed out, nobody has produced an iota of evidence that John Kerry’s wounds were anything other than the result of combat. Even in the book, the references to it are speculative and without provenance. Ms. Malkin wouldn’t even go so far as to attribute the suspicion to herself. It was in the book.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: keitholbermann; kerry; malkin; msnbc; olbermann; selfinflicted; swiftboatveterans
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To: Dont Mention the War

Talk about "premature jockularity"!


21 posted on 08/19/2004 11:44:11 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (Do not remove this tag under penalty of law.)
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To: Dont Mention the War

No wonder he sticks up for Chrissy and Kerry..Pricks stick together..He thinks he is the second coming of Walter Cronkite...even worse he thinks its a compliment


22 posted on 08/19/2004 11:47:17 PM PDT by skaterboy
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To: Dont Mention the War

His show sucks in my opinion. He was good at ESPN. That was about it.


23 posted on 08/19/2004 11:51:24 PM PDT by Cableguy
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To: Cableguy

LOL! And he has to attack Michelle Malkin? The Kerry Campaign Boat is goin' down. The Left is in panic. From Keith Olbermann to Robert Scheer, they're witnessing their Golden Boy being unable to handle tough questions and so they're tearing into every one who shows all the flaws in Kerry's persona - no wait his political Kevlar. When that finally disintegrates, its buh-bye Hanoi John and they know it.


24 posted on 08/19/2004 11:54:58 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: CobaltBlue

Its a good question and Michelle asked it nicely and the Left can't shoot it down so they attack her personally. Good grief and if she did make a mistake, they won't let her get a word in edgewise. I think for the Olbermanns of this world the truth is political TNT - they can't afford to see it receive widespread exposure.


25 posted on 08/19/2004 11:57:37 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Sgt. Pile E-6

I doesnt matter they can scream and yell, shout down guest all they want to,

This really is the modus operandi of the liberals. Just listen to them. They shout and yell with no substance, just charges. They are soooooo empty. Makes a person just want to take a nap until they are out of breath, which seems like never.


26 posted on 08/20/2004 12:00:24 AM PDT by taxesareforever
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To: CobaltBlue
The question is why is Matthews interrogating Malkin when it's Kerry (the now proven Christmas in Cambodia fraud LIAR) who deserves the scrutiny and no further benefit of the doubt. See here for further on the Matthews exchange.
27 posted on 08/20/2004 12:10:47 AM PDT by Steven W.
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To: All

AMBUSH JOURNALISM...OR MY EVENING WITH CAVEMAN CHRIS MATTHEWS
By Michelle Malkin · August 20, 2004 02:34 AM

Here's a peek behind the cable TV curtain. It's not pretty.

So, my publicist arranges for me to go on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews on Thursday night to talk about my recent columns on the FBI and national security profiling and my new book. Despite the show's basement ratings, we figure it's a good opportunity to reach out to a new audience. FOX News, with whom I have a contract, has generously allowed me to appear on some competing networks to talk about the book. Thursday was the second to the last day that I could make such appearances.

A few hours before the show, a producer calls to tell me I will be on for two segments--the first topic will be the Swift Boat Veterans, the second topic will be related to the book. Fine. This is the news business. I understand the need to go with the flow and cover the hot issues of the day. I am prepared to discuss both topics.

In a pre-interview, the producer goes over general questions about Kerry's response to the Swift Boat vets, whether the charges will be an issue in the presidential debates, and the basic themes of my book and its implications for the current War on Terror. I am originally scheduled to be on with the Washington Post's Dana Milbank. This was scratched and I am informed at the last minute that the other guest will be former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown.

As I am seated at the table with Matthews, who I am meeting for the first time, he cracks a joke--and not in a well-meaning way--about how I look. (There are quite a few people who are hung up on this.) "Are you sure you are old enough to be on the show? What are you? 28?" I grit my teeth. He badgers me again with the same question. I politely answer his question and supply my age.

(I wonder how Matthews' wife, the respected TV journalist Kathleen Matthews, who hosts a show about working women, would react if informed about her husband's treatment of a fellow female journalist. I've been in the business a dozen years and would be happy to talk to Mrs. Matthews about my firsthand experience with Neanderthal chauvinism in the workplace.)

Needless to say, things went downhill, fast and loud, from there.

1) Matthews introduces me, says we'll get to the subject of my book "in a minute," and launches into a spiel about how Bush should order the Swift Boat Vets to stop running their ads. Matthews intentionally mischaracterizes me as "speaking on behalf of the Bush campaign," when he knew full well I was there (with special permission from FOX News) to talk about my book, which he had sitting right next to him on the table and which he had chatted with me briefly about before the start of the segment. I correct him. He does not acknowledge his error.

2) When I tried to make a point about how the mainstream media ought to subject John Kerry to as much skull-pounding interrogation as private citizens such as Swift Boat Vet Larry Thurlow had endured from Matthews and the Washington Post, Matthews cut me off and snorted that he had never been thought of as "mainstream." Yeah, keep snorting.

3) In response to Matthews' claim that the Swift Boat Vets campaign was orchestrated by the White House, I noted that the Boston Globe--hardly a hothouse of GOP operatives--had raised many of the same questions about Kerry's war record as the Swift Boat Vets had. No response from Matthews.

4) Willie Brown expresses exasperation over Swift Boat Vets' questions about Kerry's wounds. He says: "There are questions about the shrapnel wounds. So what else is there? How much he got shot? How deep? How much shrapnel does he have?

Note that I didn't bring the subject of shrapnel. (Got that, Keith Olbermann?) Willie Brown raised the issue.

Here is how I responded verbatim:

"Well yeah. Why don't people ask him more specific questions about the shrapnel in his leg? There are legitimate questions about whether or not it was a self-inflicted wound."

Matthews frantically stuffed words down my mouth when I raised these allegations made in Unfit for Command that Kerry's wounds might have been self-inflicted. In his ill-informed and ideologically warped mind, this transmogrified into me accusing Kerry of "shooting himself on purpose" to get an award.

I repeated that the allegations involved whether the injuries were "self inflicted wounds." I DID NOT SAY HE SHOT HIMSELF ON PURPOSE and Chris Matthews knows it.

Only someone who had not read Unfit for Command would interpret what I was saying the way Matthews did. The book raises questions by vets, many of whom were with Kerry, about whether there was or wasn't enemy fire during the Dec. 1968 incident that led to his first Purple Heart (Patrick Runyon is quoted in a Boston Globe account on p. 35 saying "I can't say for sure that we got return fire or how [Kerry] got nicked. I couldn't say one way or the other. I know he did get nicked, a scrape on the arm.") and whether the injury came from a self-inflicted wound after he caught a tiny piece of shrapnel when he fired a grenade from his M-79 grenade launcher too close (p. 36); whether or not there was "intense rocket and rifle fire" during the Feb. 1969 incident that led to his second Purple Heart (Rocky Hildreth, officer of an accompanying boat on Dam Doi Canal that day, says there was no "intense rocket and rifle fire" on p. 78); and whether the shrapnel wound in his buttocks, which Kerry says he sustained in March 1969 and led to the awarding of his third Purple Heart, was the result of a mine explosion while on a mission or from a wound from his own grenade that he set off too close to a stock of rice he was trying to destroy (p. 87). See also pages 30-31. I was trying to get to these points, but Matthews would not let me finish a sentence.

Well, guess what? This foaming jerk Matthews, who called me irresponsible and kicked me off the show admitted that a) he himself had not read the damned book, b) he was not interested in asking Kerry about the specific doubts raised by vets about his wounds, and c) he had not and would not question Kerry about these specific allegations.

"Are you saying he shot himself on purpose?" Matthews hammered. I repeated myself again clearly that I was referring to the allegations about self-inflicted wounds in the book. When I tried to explain that the vets who were with Kerry had cast a lot of doubt on whether enemy fire occurred during the first two incidents, Matthews cut me off again. "Why did you say that?" he badgered. Because, I said, I was talking about what was in the book, which he had admitted he hadn't read.

"Don't you wonder?" I asked.

"No, I don't," he bellowed. "It's never occurred to me."

With that, I was kicked off the second segment.

As the show broke for commercials, Matthews scrambled for his producers to see if what he said was true. And I'm irresponsible? One staffer ran to the office where I had left my copy of the book, and handed it to Matthews, who--for the first time, apparently--started flipping through it. I asked for my book back and politely said thank you. After I left, he trashed me again on the air and his scurrilous charges were repeated by his MSNBC colleague Keith Olbermann, who called me an "idiot."

I am used to playing hardball. I expect it. I am used to ad hominem attacks. I get more in a day than most of these wussies have received in their lifetimes. But what happened last night was pure slimeball and the unfair, unbalanced, and unhinged purveyors of journalism, or whatever it is they call what they do at MSNBC, should be ashamed.

What I take away from all this is that the Democrat Party waterboys in the media are in full desperation mode. I have now witnessed firsthand and up close (Matthews' spittle nearly hit me in the face) how the pressure from alternative media sources--the blogosphere, conservative Internet forums, talk radio, Regnery Publishing, FOX News, etc. --is driving these people absolutely batty.

Keep bringing it on.

***

By the way, the full MSNBC Hardball transcript is here. Matthews and Olbermann's blog bloviations are here. Olbermann expresses incredulity that I was simply reporting what the Swift Boat Vets' book says, rather than spouting off in a half-baked manner:

Ms. Malkin wouldn’t even go so far as to attribute the suspicion to herself. It was in the book.

Olbermann, alleged journalist, is smearing me because I agreed to discuss and analyze claims made by the authors of Unfit for Command and actually referred to what was in the book--rather than cluelessly spew uninformed opinions about the book a la Chris Matthews (of whom Olbermann drools, "never prouder of you, Chris.") Parroting Matthews' conspiratorial line, Olbermann ignorantly suggests that I am following orders from the Swift Boat Vets to "steer the Kerry-Shot-Himself flotsam into the mainstream media." I suggest he talk to the producer, Dominic Bellone, who booked me about the circumstances of my appearance on the show and ask whether I was dispatched by the Bush campaign or Swift Boat Vets operatives or anyone else associated with the vets' book.

The feedback e-mail for Hardball is hardball@msnbc.com.

Chris Matthews' phone number is listed in the Spring 2004 News Media Yellow Book as 202-885-4600.


28 posted on 08/20/2004 2:44:00 AM PDT by Clinton Is Scum (this is from Michelle's web site, www.michellemalkin.com)
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To: L.N. Smithee

You'll also note that Olbermann was among the few ESPN almuni NOT invited back for that network's 25th anniversary. Olbermann has a long history of infuriating TV executives (as well as viewers). When his current gig on MSNBC ends (and it will, very soon), he'll be lucky to get a weekend sportscaster job in Omaha. Meanwhile, Dan Patrick, Stuart Scott and a lot of other SportsCenter anchors have ridden to ESPN train to fame and fortune...


29 posted on 08/20/2004 4:42:59 AM PDT by Spook86
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To: CobaltBlue
Michelle Malkin was wrong to suggest that "self-inflicted wounds" meant Kerry deliberately shot himself. It's clear that what was meant was that Kerry inflicted the wounds on himself via accident or carelessness.

According to her article, posted here, she did NOT suggest that -- Matthews tried to twist what she said into that, but she did NOT suggest he shot himself. I would need to read the transcript, but that is Michelle's take on it.

30 posted on 08/20/2004 4:56:00 AM PDT by RogueIsland
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Comment #31 Removed by Moderator

To: RogueIsland
Below is part of the show transcript. I high-lighted the area where the editors at MSNBC decided to throw in a period to make it look like Ms. Malkin was stating that Kerry shot himself to get his purple hearts. In reality, Ms. Malkin was trying to continue her point as Chris Matthews kept cutting her off. I saw it, Chris Matthews knew what the "self-inflicted" issue was from the start because after two weeks of the emergence of the Swift Boat Veteren's ads, if he says he hasn't read the book, he's not just a liar, he's a damn liar.

BROWN: He volunteered twice. He volunteered twice in Vietnam. He literally got shot. There‘s no question about any of those things. So what else is there to discuss? How much he got shot, how deep, how much shrapnel?

MALKIN: Well, yes. Why don‘t people ask him more specific questions about the shrapnel in his leg. They are legitimate questions about whether or not it was a self-inflicted wound.

(CROSSTALK)

MATTHEWS: What do you mean by self-inflicted? Are you saying he shot himself on purpose? Is that what you‘re saying?

MALKIN: Did you read the book...

MATTHEWS: I‘m asking a simple question. Are you saying that he shot himself on purpose.

MALKIN: I‘m saying some of these soldiers...

MATTHEWS: And I‘m asking question.

MALKIN: And I‘m answering it.

MATTHEWS: Did he shoot himself on purpose.

MALKIN: Some of the soldiers have made allegations that these were self-inflicted wounds.

MATTHEWS: No one has ever accused him of shooting himself on purpose.

MALKIN: That these were self-inflicted wounds.

MATTHEWS: Your saying there are—he shot himself on purpose, that‘s a criminal act?

MALKIN: I‘m saying that I‘ve read the book and some of the...

(CROSSTALK)

MATTHEWS: I want an answer yes or no, Michelle.

MALKIN: Some of the veterans say...

MATTHEWS: No. No one has every accused him of shooting himself on purpose.

MALKIN: Yes. Some of them say that.

MATTHEWS: Tell me where that...

MALKIN: Self-inflicted wounds—in February, 1969.

MATTHEWS: This is not a show for this kind of talk. Are you accusing him of shooting himself on purpose to avoid combat or to get credit?

MALKIN: I‘m saying that‘s what some of these...

MATTHEWS: Give me a name.

MALKIN: Patrick Runyan (ph) and William Zeldonaz (ph).

MATTHEWS: They said—Patrick Runyan...

MALKIN: These people have...

MATTHEWS: And they said he shot himself on purpose to avoid combat or take credit for a wound?

MALKIN: These people have cast a lot of doubt on whether or not...

MATTHEWS: That‘s cast a lot of doubt. That‘s complete nonsense.

MALKIN: Did you read the section in the book...

MATTHEWS: I want a statement from you on this program, say to me right, that you believe he shot himself to get credit for a purpose of heart.

MALKIN: I‘m not sure. I‘m saying...

MATTHEWS: Why did you say?

MALKIN: I‘m talking about what‘s in the book.

MATTHEWS: What is in the book. Is there—is there a direct accusation in any book you‘ve ever read in your life that says John Kerry ever shot himself on purpose to get credit for a purple heart? On purpose?

MALKIN: On.

MATTHEWS: On purpose? Yes or no, Michelle.

MALKIN: In the February 1969 -- in the February 1969 event.

MATTHEWS: Did he say on it purpose.

MALKIN: There are doubts about whether or not it was intense rifle fire or not. And I wish you would ask these questions of John Kerry instead of me.

MATTHEWS: I have never heard anyone say he shot himself on purpose.

I haven‘t heard you say it.

MALKIN: Have you tried to ask—have you tried ask John Kerry these questions?

MATTHEWS: If he shot himself on purpose. No. I have not asked him that.

MALKIN: Don‘t you wonder?

MATTHEWS: No, I don‘t. It‘s never occurred to me.

32 posted on 08/20/2004 6:03:06 AM PDT by Hatteras
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To: RogueIsland

She should have just painfully described to Matthews the difference b/w a self-inflicted wound and shooting yourself on purpose. Matthews was pathetic here, but Malkin could have taken a different tact. Why doesn't anybody ever ask Matthews why he spends so much time attacking conservative 527s, but not liberal 527s that spew the Bush=Hitler crap? I sent a long email to Matthews this morning, not that it will do any good.


33 posted on 08/20/2004 7:38:20 AM PDT by Akira (Experience is a hard teacher, but fools will have no other.)
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To: FranklinsTower

You are right. Advertisers should be targeted. Oberman also has gone over the top, maybe he just can't deal with popular women journalists.


34 posted on 08/20/2004 7:42:49 AM PDT by Dante3
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To: Cableguy

Olbermann is an idiot.

The very fact that he is repeatedly inflicted upon us, despite his inability to garner ratings, is evidence, in and of itself, of the left-wing media bias.


35 posted on 08/20/2004 7:46:26 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: Cableguy

This guy needs to get his dorky haircut back, return to Channel 5 in LA and show his 'hilarious' World of Wide Sports clips.


36 posted on 08/20/2004 8:26:19 AM PDT by GSWarrior
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To: Dante3
popular women journalists

Both Olbermann and Matthews shamed themselves, in their blogs and on their shows.

They look like they're Tag-Teaming on a Woman.

Wusses.

37 posted on 08/20/2004 8:56:28 AM PDT by happygrl
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To: happygrl

Rush is going to have Michelle Malkin on his show!


38 posted on 08/20/2004 9:07:41 AM PDT by L.N. Smithee (Hey, KERRY! We said it to Saddam, and now to you -- If you have nothing to hide, QUIT HIDING IT!)
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To: Cableguy

I didn't know that MSNBC was even on the air anymore. I am even more suprised that people actually watch the channel.


39 posted on 08/20/2004 9:22:18 AM PDT by cpprfld (Who said accountants are boring?)
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To: PBRSTREETGANG
Olbermann is an idiot.

Actually worse. He's a typical liberal elitist who's too smart by half. People like Olbermann and Matthews aren't capable of honest debate because facts are rarely on their side. Therefore they rely on interruption, namecalling and volume to strengthen their argument in the hope that those techniques will quell the opposition. They don't.

As usual it's the liberals who, after inventing it, are the first to invoke political correctedness...and the first to circumvent it.

40 posted on 08/20/2004 9:44:38 AM PDT by blake6900
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