Posted on 10/06/2012 8:05:16 AM PDT by papertyger
I'm about at my wits end. I've been trying to remember enough of the circumstances I'm about to relate to create a citable talking point.
Sometime back in the mid 90s, Chris Matthews and Rush Limbaugh were on friendly terms; if I remember correctly, the last time Matthews called into Limbaugh's program, Rush shamed Matthews into utter silence when Rush noted Matthews was getting high profile exposure for his criticism of a conservative figure for the exact same thing he defended his old boss, Tip O'Neill.
At the time, I was struck by the fact that Rush didn't make more out of Matthews craven partisanship and shameless hypocrisy, but they were on more cordial terms back then, so he may not have wanted to twist the knife.
Does anyone else remember this incident in enough detail for me to document it?
I do remember that they were on good enough terms for Matthews to guest host once.
I do remember one time Chris Matthews subbed for Rush. It was one of the worst shows ever and many on FreeRepublic wondered WTF Rush was thinking in letting that happen.
Didn’t he sit in for Rush on one occasion. I think l even listened to him that time. Correct me if i’m wrong.
Also, CM was on the anti-Bill Clinton bandwagon during the Lewinsky scandal when Chris had a 30 min show on CNBC.
I think it was the day of the Columbine massacre and Chris started crying on air.
Yeah, Rush took major heat for giving over the golden EIB mike to Chrissy for the day.
That being said, this was something else. Matthews was calling into the show.
Again, if I remember correctly, this wasn’t even Rush’s normal brilliance. Another caller had earlier reminded Rush of Matthews duplicity, and Rush asked Matthews about it on air.
Matthews just went silent with an unstated “you got me” when Rush asked him for an explanation.
Then both of them just continued the conversation as if nothing significant had happened.
I probably wouldn’t remember any of the exchange at all if it hadn’t been for the bizarre way they both seemed to treat Matthews actions as if he was just playing a part in some theatrical production instead of influencing public opinion.
Thanks for jogging my memory....
I do remember and thought he was stupid back then. Now I turn on Mathews show just to see how far stupid can go.
Didn’t Phil Donahue own big chunks of both Rush’s and Matthews’s shows at one time?
That may be one partial explanation for the guest hosting.
bttt
Are you trying to find out who the “conservative figure” was who Matthews criticized? Are you trying to find out what it was that he had once praised O’Neill for that he was now using to bash a conservative? I wish I could help. I started listening to Rush during the 1992 election. I did hear Matthews guest-host the show. Other than that, I can’t recall a situation you describe, but I either missed that show or it did not stay with me like it has with you.
Your memory is correct. Through the late eighties and nineties Matthews presented himself as an objective observer of the political scene. Kind of like in Bill O’Reilly’s style. He praised and criticized those on both sides of the aisle. He went over to the dark side at the turn of the century. Reason’s why are varied. First, today’s Matthews is his true self, the past was an act. Two, he has mentally gone off the deep end. It is rumored that he is a heavy drinker, known to go on benders. His red face is a common trait of drunks.Unstable people have been known to swing dramatically in their political leanings. Locally we had a radio guy named Jay Diamond swing from hard right winger to Moonbat Lefty overnight about 10-15 years ago. He was mentally not all that stable from what ever side he took. Third, he saw a niche to occupy to save a failing career. I call it the Dennis Miller play. He saw unoccupied ground, took it, and turned around his financial situation. I might be unfair to Miller, but I have suspected his rightward turn had a similar motive.
On a side note: I watched Mattews almost ever night at one time years ago when he was rational ....
He normally had great guests and important people on...
I truly think he as developed mental problems (because being a liberal) over times from his diabetes ...
...because today he is bat shit crazy and in full libtard mode evey night...
Anybody think he is just playing a role ?
I think Dennis Miller is sincere (and actually more a Libertarian than a true conservative)...but his true Epiphany came immediately post 9/11. That was the impetus for ALOT of people to take a realistic look at the world around them.
Have been doing some research...have sent you a FReepmail.
That’s a great idea. I’m just not sure I’d get through.
Of course, If I could get through Rush’s audience would surely remember the incident if any could.
way back then, Chris was going after Clinton and Hillary about something, don’t remember what, but thats why he subed once for Rush...
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