Posted on 09/08/2006 9:16:58 AM PDT by RatherBiased.com
Since the revelation that Richard Armitage, a former high-ranking official in the State Department, was the source of the much-ballyhooed Valerie Plame "leak," many in the media have refused to touch the story with a ten-foot pole. This was quite a turnaround since before the Armitage involvement was known, many journalists believed the CIA leak story was one worth pursuing on a daily basis. Some even believed it could bring down the Bush White House, or at least end the careers of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney.
One of the biggest media figures boycotting the Plame story has been MSNBC host Chris Matthews who has yet to mention the scandal at all since the Armitage report broke, a dramatic contrast to the 27 times he mentioned the "scandal" in the five months leading up to it.
Like P.J. Gladnick, I couldn't help but notice Matthews's strange flip. So I decided to ask him about it. His answer revealed an animus toward Vice President Dick Cheney and a fear of being asked to answer tough questions himself.
Last night, I went to a party held by MSNBC and National Journal celebrating a new venture the two media outlets are launching together. Quite a few NBCers were there, including Chris Matthews. I struck up a conversation with the host about the topic of Plame and why he hadn't talked about the story at all. Here's a rough transcript of our discussion which I wrote down shortly thereafter:
Q: So I've noticed you haven't done anything on the whole Valerie Plame story since the Armitage story broke. Why not invite Joe Wilson on the show to defend himself?After that remark, Matthews left the conversation. He stuck around for at least 15 more minutes afterward before leaving.
A: Because he'd say basically the same thing he always says. 'My wife had no involvement in getting me the mission.' He'd just repeat it over and over.
Q: Maybe, but isn't it at least worth showing your viewers that this guy has no credibility considering how much you talked about the story before? Shouldn't he be held accountable for wasting all our time? Why not invite one of his representatives or defenders on the show?
A: Well, the story's just gotten so complicated. I mean, it's just such a mess. Because what if it's true that Armitage was the source, but those other guys [presumably Rove and Scooter Libby], also were leakers, what then?
Q: Isn't that a question worth exploring on your show?
A: It could be but the problem is that Dick Cheney has so many apologists it's ridiculous. So many journalists like Bob Woodward will say or do anything just to get access to him. And then all the people in the administration too.
Q: I don't see why this is stopping you from mentioning the story at all. The viewers at least need some sort of closure don't they?
A: Hey listen I need to get out of here. I have to get back home.
Matthews is the tv poster girly boy for my tagline.
Bias? What Bias? Agenda? What agenda? Funny how he talks about Cheney apologists...meanwhile Christine has been on the Clinton/DNC payroll for years.
MSNBC needs to wonder why it is in the toilet ratings wise?
Chris Matthews makes my skin crawl. Looking at "Hairball" is akin to watching a train wreck.
Who was the lardass on Scarborough last night that said Rove called Chris Matthews and said Wilson f*cked with us and we gonna f*uck his family?
BDS
Chris Matthews, you are either a very evil man or you are dumber than dirt. Take your pick!
[Let's see, as usual, the great Ann Coulter has it nailed.
'Fitzgerald's entire investigation was nothing but a perjury trap from beginning to end for anyone who misremembered anything about who told whom what about a low-level nobody at the CIA who happened to be married to a Walter Mitty fantasist.']
Yep! (Thought it warranted repeating). Maybe Chrissy can use Ann as a "consultant" on his show to help explain the more "complicated" stories, it sure looks like he needs the help, lol.
"Great job Matt! Reporting on the "reporters". New Media BUMP!"
Oooh. Now that sounds like a good TV show or weekly news story.
I will make sure if my USA Today like paper for Conservatism ever hits the newsstands I will include this section.
Matthews is a complete worthless dunce.
Matthews is someone that if I saw walking down the street, I wouldn't say a word to him. I would just smack him in the teeth and keep on walking.
The only way to beat liberals is to beat liberals.
Please do not insult whores by comparing them to Matthews. I said earlier this week and I have more respect for prostitutes because they actually ask to be paid; Matthews sells himself out to the DNC for free.
HARDBALL coming up with Colin Powell as guest. Wanna take bets on whether Matthews ask Powell anything about Val and Joe? Armitage?
That's a sure thing, isn't it?
Hmmmm.... WHO is that masked man? That name is vaguely familiar.
Charles---Please do the "Plame Game" song parody...PLEASE. (Based on the "Name Game" song).
how stupid does he think we are??
A fellow SoFladite was mentioned in this story but I'm much too (BLUSH!) modest to mention his name.
THE PLAME GAME
Tune: "The Name Game"
The Plame Game!
Come on everybody! I say now let's play a game
I betcha I can make a crime out of outing Agent Plame
The real outing of the name, I treat it like it wasn't there
But an 'R' or a 'W' or an 'M' will appear
And then I say "Rove," add an 'R,' then I say the name
Then "Novaka Whacka" and "Woe"
And then I say the name again with a 'W' very plain
Then a "We Whine" and "Mo"
And then I say the name again with the 'M' that came
And we end up with the name that takes the blame!
O.K. Let's do Joe!
Joe Joe Rove Roe, Novaka Whacka Woe Woe, We Whine Mo Moe
Rove!
That was good! Let's try Valerie!
Valerie Valerie Rove Ralerie, Novaka Whacka Woe Walerie, We Whine Mo Malerie
Rove!
Now you got it! Armitage!
Armitage Armitage Rove Rarmitage, Novaka Whacka Woe Warmitage, We Whine Mo Marmitage
Rove!
The Plame Game!
I read the posts following your question, and I see no one responded. I guess that means freepers have FINALLY stopped watching spitty chrissy, or that spitty didn't bother to ask Colin about this story. Fitzy needs to be hung out to dry, fired by the DOJ, lose his law license, and go to jail. FREE SCOOTER! :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.