'Non-Partisan' Matthews Condemns 'Melhman Cesspool' Over RNC Harold Ford Ad

MSNBC-Hardball/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Referring to an RNC ad as the "Mehlman cesspool," Chris Matthews was being non-partisan. Really - he told us so!

On this afternoon's Hardball, Matthews interviewed Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., Dem candidate for senator from Tennessee. The first topic up was an ad the RNC is currently running using actors to tweak Ford on his positions on a variety of issues, from taxes to gun control to North Korea. The ad also alludes to the fact that Ford attended a Playboy party at the Super Bowl in Jacksonville in 2005.

At the ad's end, an alluring woman saying she met Harold at a Playboy party whispers "Harold, call me!"

Democrats have been quick to cry that the use of a white woman is an insidious appeal to racism. Matthews wasted no time sounding the Dems' battle cry:

"Congressman, let's get out of the Ken Mehlman cesspool here for a minute. I really do, I think this is a nonpartisan assessment. The ad, I have seen it 10 times today, it has ethnic overtones, sexual overtones. I don't think Ken Mehlman was healthy accepting this kind of environment."

Three asides:

• Before being turned over to Matthews, Ford was interviewed by Norah O'Donnell. She posed several questions about the ad, and at first Ford opted for the high road, even saying "bless his heart" about his Republican opponent Bob Corker and claiming "I have too much joy in my heart to be mad.". But Ford eventually got into high gear - revved up, you might say - and made repeated references to the ad as "disgusting," "despicable" and "offensive."
• Asked by George Stephanopoulos this past Sunday whether he had attended the Playboy party, Ford gave an answer of breathtakingly Clintonian evasiveness, saying he had never attended a party "at the Playboy mansion." Maybe not. But the question is whether he attended a Playboy party at the Super Bowl in Jacksonville in 2005. Apparently he did. I guess it's a question of what the meaning of "Playboy party" is.
• Have you ever seen Norah O'Donnell make eyes like that at a Republican?

You can view the ad here and come to your own - non-partisan, of course - conclusions.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Chris Matthews/NewsBusters non-partisan ping to Today show list.

[ken5050]

Did you see my thread from yesterday?..Chrissie went nuts..

[Dane]

And Chrissy calls himself an "independent".

Hey Chrissy, it's pretty tough to outdo Monica treatment of democrats, but you get an A in your effort.

[billhilly]

"Have you ever seen Norah O'Donnell make eyes like that at a Republican?"

Are you kidding? The daggers weren't even protruding in that shot.

[MARKUSPRIME]

Already voted for Corker, HFJ sucks.

[Txsleuth]

One thing for sure...the dems can dish it out...but CANNOT take it!!

They have no sense of humor....and a VERY thin skin when it comes to anything less than slobbering praise for their idiot ideas.

[YaYa123]

Nora was ga-ga over Harold, grinning like a school girl, unable to interrupt him. Even when he said Corker won't debate me. Maybe Nora doesn't know they've debated twice already with another scheduled????

Nora thinking....Oh Harold, you're soooooooooooooooooooooo cute!!

I wish someone would ask him about that fiance he promised to introduce after election day. I'm thinking Harold made her up.

[muawiyah]

Guess the Dems (and Matthews) don't think Ford should be allowed to get near any "white women".

Hey, the Dems just recently demanded the Republicans get rid of all the homosexuals in public office, and for the last couple of years they've been demanding "W" run off the Jews.

ARe these guys crazy or what!!!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Ga-ga's the word. I've never seen anything quite like it. Hope the screen grab captures it.

[Alfonso1000]

They way O'Donnell was looking at Ford is racist because the ad was racist.

[edpc]

Ford opted for the high road.......claiming "I have too much joy in my heart to be mad."

Yeah.....we can tell by your joyful countenance.

[ken5050]

Off topic, but another reason why I'm getting more optimistic each day...

Did you see Steny Hoyer's announcement that he would support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker, and not oppose her as has been rumored?

Well, notice he didn't say that he would support her for minority leader in the next House..

[Crawdad]

From Bill Cosby:

http://www.tvparty.com/satfat/harold.html

[Cowboy Bob]

Democrats have been quick to cry that the use of a white woman is an insidious appeal to racism.

So, its official? Harold Ford does NOT date White women?

[Petronski]

The flak is always thickest directly over the target. Tweety's in a panic now.

[tobyhill]

It's very simple, Ford went to a Playboy Party with Playboy Bunnies and now is fair game in politics because it puts into question his real family values. I think the ad is hilarious.

[Dog]

You amaze me watching this every day...

[Pharmboy]

Beauty.