Posted on 08/17/2006 8:07:57 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
August 17, 2006 - 22:56
If I ever knew that Chris Matthews' brother Jim Matthews is the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania, I had forgotten. Chris manifestly has not, and on this evening's Hardball peevishly berated another Republican who had the audacity to bring the fact to his attention.
After interviewing Dem Congressman Jack Murtha, Matthews had Murtha's Republican challenger Diana Irey on as a guest. Before getting into substance, Matthews testily alluded to the fact that Irey's campaign manager had sent Matthews a press release with proposed questions for Murtha. First on the list:
"How hard is it for you knowing that Jim Matthews just appeared two days ago with your opponent Diana Irey to cut the ribbon at her volunteer HQ in your hometown of Johnstown?"
Matthews lit into Irey over what the Hardball host clearly took as an affront:
"What relevance is that to anything here on this show?" "What's the purpose of this question, to intimidate [Murtha] or what?" "Do you think it was right for you to have your flack bring this up as part of a set-up for an interview with you?" And then, flashing some real anger: "I love my brother. I don't need to be reminded he's the Republican candidate for Lt. Gov. in Pennsylvania." Irey good-naturedly took Matthews' barbs in smiling stride.
Then, with a preview of the condescension that was later to reveal itself, Matthews said: "Let's move on to the substantive, grown-up stuff." Translation: this was a kid-stuff move on your part.
At the end of the interview, Irey, describing Iraqi children who regularly displayed their appreciation to US soldiers, expressed optimism for Iraq's future.
Retorted Matthews "I appreciate your coming on. You're a very delightful challenger." Very delightful? Code for 'young and attractive if not quite a heavyweight'? You sensed that it was only the fact that they were in different studios that prevented Matthews from patting Irey's hand. He ended by schooling his guest: "Let me tell you something. 50,000 Iraqis have been killed since we went in there. I don't think there's going to be a lot of flowers in there when we leave." I
Had a conservative host treated a liberal woman candidate with the same condescending paternalism, NOW would have had a picket line organized before the show was over.
Hardball/NewsBusters ping to Today show list.
Thanks for the heads-up!
What didja expect?
Good thing no one watches Crissy Mathews.
What a punk.
Ping!
Dang! I missed hairball tonight (as I do every night), is there a replay on the web?
Where does he get that number from??
And is he accusing out side of killing them?
How many Iraqis died BEFORE we went in there?
Good thing no one watches Crissy Mathews.
I don't think that list was directed at Murtha. It was directed at Matthews and IMO, achieved the desired result. Ole Chrissy blew a gasket even before the show started giving Irey the opportunity to remain calm and collected in stark contrast to Murtha's rants. Thanks a bunch Chris.
At least in my area, there's a 3 AM ET rerun.
You mean this Jerk still hosts a Cable TV show? Sheesh, what does he pull in, a one share?
That's why I don't think Irey will beat Murtha. She's got amateurs running her campaign, and mistakes like this near the election will cost her dearly.
Good report. BUMP!
Go to this FR thread:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1685323/posts
and check out the links on post #s 120 and 121.
Little Chrissy of "Hardball", has none - and I'm sure he squats to pee.
Semper Fi
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