I don't think Matthews came off better than Malkin, but it sounded as though she hadn't done her homework. When he started hammering her with his did-Kerry-shoot-himself chant, she floundered and didn't even get out that Kerry had never been shot period. And she never clarified that Kerry's self-inflicted wounds weren't deliberate or that his after-action reports turned ricochets/blowback into purple heart material. Granted, he didn't give her a lot of time, but she just kept responding with something like "I'm just telling you what the book says".
Matthews looked as though he were about to explode, which didn't look good, but Malkin was overwhlemed by his bulldozing tactics. Hopefully she'll be better prepared for the next apoplectic host and shine as she usually does.
My question is why hadn't Matthews done his homework? It didn't seem as though he'd read the book...big surprise, huh?
"I don't think Matthews came off better than Malkin, but it sounded as though she hadn't done her homework."
You need to do your homework. Matthews broadsided her, as she wasn't on his program to discuss the SwiftVets controversy, rather to talk about her new book on internment during periods of war. Considering she had no idea at all as to what was about to hit her, I think she did exceedingly well against the onslaught of vitriol from Matthews.
I think Malkin refused to allow Matthews to establish his vocabulary, that's what she resisted. No one ever charged that Kerry shot himself. To say, 'No, he didn't shoot himself' would have given the impression that the charge was that Kerry shot himself. It was a subtle technique Matthews was using to fool people who aren't paying attention...he was setting up a straw man and trying to get Michelle to use his vocabulary. She did the right thing and handled it well. She stuck to the language of the book which was a good idea.
I saw it too and was sitting on the edge of my seat.
Matthews attacked her,he didn't interview her.
He was wild eyed and crazy and she didn't stand a chance against that maniac.
I agree with your take. Malkin could have stopped the whole discussion with a quick "No, I'm not saying he did it deliberately. I'm saying that the people who were there say that there's a strong possibility that Kerry accidentally shot himself. And you weren't there so how would you know whether he did it or not."
I couldn't believe that she didn't expect that Pissy Matthews would be so rude given that he's been foaming at the mouth to attack anyone of the swiftees.