Chris Matthews Just Can’t Bring Himself to Say the Economy is Doing Well

NewsBusters ^ | March 28, 2006 | Noel Sheppard

[PJ-Comix]

There was more good news about the economy today. The Conference Board announced that consumer confidence is now at its highest level since May 2002. Yet, on Tuesday’s “Hardball,” host Chris Matthews just couldn’t admit on television – with people watching – that the economy is actually doing well. Instead, he stuttered, stammered, and referred to the current economic condition as “not terrible.” Yep. 4.8 percent unemployment and 17 straight quarters of positive economic growth in Matthews’ view is “not terrible.”

In a segment featuring Pat Buchanan and former Clinton transportation secretary Rodney Slater, the threesome were discussing potential changes in the administration now that Andy Card has stepped down as the president’s chief of staff. Buchanan said:

“I would not be surprised to see a change, frankly, at secretary of the treasury. I mean, John Snow was -- I think he was treated very badly at the beginning of the second term, but it`s quite clear somebody is not selling the president`s economic policy when times are relatively good in macroeconomic terms, and about 35 percent of the country think he`s handling the economy well.”

Matthews turned to Slater and asked: “Why do you think that is, Mr. Secretary? Why do you think the president, who has got a (stammer, stutter) -- not a terrible economy, in fact, better than it was -- gets no credit for it in the polling?”

And folks wonder why people tell pollsters the economy is doing poorly. After all, television hosts like Matthews can’t even bring themselves to refer to the current economic condition as anything better than “not terrible” when the cameras are rolling.  

[PJ-Comix]

And folks wonder why people tell pollsters the economy is doing poorly.

Those pollsters are taking Ouija Board Polls. Their planchette is glided by their fingers to reflect that the economy is bad because that is what the news organizations that commissions the polls want to hear.

[ClearCase_guy]

Joey Cheek won two speedskating medals at the 2006 Olympics -- gold in the 500 meters and silver in the 1,000. Imagine Chris Matthews inteviewing him:

"Mr Cheek, your Olympic experience, it was a ... a ... not a terrible performance, better than Bode Miller's, why do you think so many people hate George Bush?"

[T.L.Sink]

Everyone knows that Matthews is just a shill for the Dems and not a very talented one. His style is to interrupt, talk over, babble almost incoherently, and stutter out the liberal talking points. He and Olbermann together barely make a 1.0 in the Nielson ratings. I only occasionally watch him and mostly for entertainment and to see what facts the libs are spinning to conform to their biased views.

[johnny7]

Matthews is nothing but a DNC stooge... his one objective is to snipe at Republicans... the higher-up the better.

To consider this barracks-whore a political commentator is giving him credit for something he isn't.

[T.L.Sink]

You're right, of course, but he can't be taken as seriously as you seem to take him. His viewing audience in the cable world is miniscule. Look at him as a sort of parody or caricature of MSM liberalism. When you view him in that way you can relax, laugh at his buffoonery, and when he becomes tiresome click onto a serious news outlet. In other words, he lacks the stature or worthiness to be taken very seriously.

[11th Commandment]

Wait this is BIG NEWS---- Chris Matthews has a cable television show.

Seriously, if RUSH, Hannity and the FR would not report on Matthews, nobody would know nothing about his opinions.

[PJ-Comix]

What kind of salary does Matthews make? It must be a lot since he bought a mansion on Nantucket next to Mama T and her Boy Toy.

[dhs12345]

Consumer confidence is supposed to be 107; well above what was predicted. Heard this yesterday morning.

So, it appears that Americans are too concerned about the economy either.

[dhs12345]

aren't

[T.L.Sink]

I don't know his salary but he achieved his "level of incompetence" at about 15 grand. By the way, who is Mama T?

[PJ-Comix]

I don't know his salary but he achieved his "level of incompetence" at about 15 grand. By the way, who is Mama T?

Mama T is the one who has a Boy Toy formerly known as Kohn.

[PJ-Comix]

Matthews just said "CHEEEEEENEY" three times within 5 minutes. Maybe some conservative should go on his show and pronounce his name as "Mah---THEWS" like he is sneezing.

[T.L.Sink]

Matthews babbles and stutters so incoherently I'm surprised he didn't interrupt himself and say it in grunts and gasps.