'Clinton Wars' Seems to Be Proving an Apt Title (Chris Matthews Attacks RAT Sidney Blumenthal)

The New York Times ^ | May 19, 2003 | Jim Rutenberg

[Timesink]

May 19, 2003

'Clinton Wars' Seems to Be Proving an Apt Title

By JIM RUTENBERG

hey are only two sentences buried in more than 800 pages of text.

But those sentences in "The Clinton Wars," the new book by the former Clinton administration aide Sidney Blumenthal, have made Chris Matthews, the host of "Hardball" on MSNBC, more animated than normal, according to executives at NBC News.

Associated Press/CNBC

Chris Matthews is said to be irked by comments about him in a new book.

In his book, Mr. Blumenthal writes that Mr. Matthews wanted a job in the administration and "lobbied the White House" to succeed Dee Dee Myers as press secretary, "but the job had gone to Michael McCurry."

Mr. Blumenthal goes on to say that Mr. Matthews then "turned into a detractor of Clinton," though he draws no direct connection to the supposed failed job hunt. He also writes that Mr. Matthews told friends that his tough position on Mr. Clinton had bolstered his Nielsen ratings.

Of course, this is not exactly what a credible news commentator like Mr. Matthews wants out in the ether - an implication, even if unintentional, that he turned on a president after being refused a job in his administration.

It bothers Mr. Matthews because, he has told people at NBC News and elsewhere, it is simply not true.

Mr. Matthews has backing for his case. Leon E. Panetta, then Mr. Clinton's chief of staff, said he did, indeed, speak with Mr. Matthews about the job, which came open in 1994. But, Mr. Panetta said, he made the approach to Mr. Matthews, who was once a top aide for Thomas P. O'Neill when he was speaker of the House. And, he said, Mr. Matthews declined the offer.

"It was not by any means him calling me and lobbying for the job," Mr. Panetta said in a telephone interview. "I was calling him to check out his interest."

Ms. Myers said she had not heard that Mr. Matthews had done any lobbying.

"I find it a little bit unlikely," she said. "If he was doing it, it's the first I've ever heard of it."

Mr. Blumenthal, however, stands by his story - and then some.

He said he had "numerous sources, several of my White House colleagues" confirming the account, which he said was well known among Clintonites. "This was not a deep, dark secret," he said.

At any rate, Mr. Blumenthal said he could not figure out what Mr. Matthews was so upset about. "I don't understand his objection to it," he said. "It was the truth, and being the press secretary to President Clinton would have been an interesting job from which he could have made a good contribution."

"The Clinton Wars" goes on sale tomorrow. Mr. Matthews would not comment publicly on the matter.   

[Timesink]

Why is it I automatically believe Matthews over Blumenthal?

[dixiechick2000]

It's not just you...

[MEG33]

Matthews may be a Democrat and liberal,but his religion isn't Democrat.Blumenthal's is.He is like a cult follower when it comes to the Clintons.

[onyx]

Blumenthal is the liar this time and here's why:

In 1994, Clinton was radio-active with the democrats, having just lost the Democrats reign of 40+ years in the House to the GOP!

Therefore, with Clinton's prospects of a second term looking perilous, Matthews NEVER would have lobbied for a position on a sinking ship! Never.

[aristeides]

Sue him, Chris. Let's get Sid branded a liar by a court of law.

[Destro]

You should not automatically believe anyone on the left or right. You should believe Matthews because he can back up his claim and debunk Blumenthal:

Mr. Matthews has backing for his case. Leon E. Panetta, then Mr. Clinton's chief of staff, said he did, indeed, speak with Mr. Matthews about the job, which came open in 1994. But, Mr. Panetta said, he made the approach to Mr. Matthews, who was once a top aide for Thomas P. O'Neill when he was speaker of the House. And, he said, Mr. Matthews declined the offer.

"It was not by any means him calling me and lobbying for the job," Mr. Panetta said in a telephone interview. "I was calling him to check out his interest."

Either the Clintonistas, who are know to hold long grudges (maybe longer than the Bushies) are carrying out character assasination of those on the Clinton regime's enemies list or Blumenthal is trying really hard to sell his book.

[JimboUSofA]

Or both (a twofer!).

[Tall_Texan]

At what point was RINO David Rodham Gergen lured into the Den of Vipers (ahem, I meant Clinton White House)? Wouldn't he have been a more natural choice if he was already "on board"?

[billclintonwillrotinhell]

Sidney Blumenthal lied to every single person in America when he stood on the courthouse steps during the impeachment investigation and accused Ken Starr's prosecutors of asking him questions they never asked.

The grand-jury transcripts that were released later prove Blumenthal lied. And the grand jurors themselves exposed Blumenthal as a liar.

Why am I not surprised that the Jayson Blair New York Times failed to point out Blumenthal's history of deception?

[Claire Voyant]

I'm not so sure.....they are BOTH Democrats....therefore LIARS. Sid Vicious is just more smarmy...but they are BOTH Democrats, so I would think they are BOTH lying.

[Liz]

Sidney Blumenthal lied to every single person in America when he stood on the courthouse steps during the impeachment investigation and accused Ken Starr's prosecutors of asking him questions they never asked. The grand-jury transcripts that were released later prove Blumenthal lied. And the grand jurors themselves exposed Blumenthal as a liar. Why am I not surprised that the Jayson Blair New York Times failed to point out Blumenthal's history of deception?

I wish yours was the book that had been written.

The pack of lies spun by Blumenthal is outrageous.

This lowlife aided and abetted the Clintons' corruptness to permeate our culture like a cancer.

[Liz]

Judging by all the well-timed publicity his atrocious book is getting, it’s obvious Blumenthal is a charter member of “The Club.”

You can safely bet that if the book doesn’t sell, “The Club” will rev up it’s spin machine so that little Sid’s lies on behalf of the conniving Clintons were not made in vain.

[Miss Marple]

Discussion of the Clinton scandals has fallen to almost zero in the press and on television. President Bush's deliberate ignoring of all things Clinton has robbed the Clintons of their victim status.

Sidney's book is designed to bring this all up again, get everyone to arguing, and allow those two grifters to act like their failures were the Republican's fault.

I seriously think Hillary will attempt to get the veep nomination, at the least. The upsurge in Kennedy scandal talk, Sidney's book, and the mouthing off of Clinton over foreign policy are all signs to me that this is what is being contemplated.

I have faith in the strategery of this White House, though. The Clintons may be thwarted, to their great surprise.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

(Chris Matthews Attacks RAT Sidney Blumenthal)

Actually, RAT Sidney Blumenthal slimed Matthews, who is reported to be privately fuming but has yet to counter attack publicly. This *is* The New York Times, remember. May be Blumenthal never even wrote a book.

[rvoitier]

So far, Blumenthal is two-for-two (and I don't mean Chris') with this book--Two mentions of people in The Clinton Wars and two refutations of accusations.
The first was Christopher Hitchens where he convincingly makes blumenthal out to look like a seriously deluded individual.
And now this one.
From Mr. Hitchens' account--this is why I automatically believe Matthews.
Blumenthal is a true believer and an apparatchik.

[Jim Noble]

I seriously think Hillary will attempt to get the veep nomination, at the least. The upsurge in Kennedy scandal talk, Sidney's book, and the mouthing off of Clinton over foreign policy are all signs to me that this is what is being contemplated

I am certain she is "running" for the top spot, and in 2004.

She can't possibly wait until 2008, for one thing.

And for another, how could the Secret Service assigned to the RAT Presidential nominee EVER allow HRC as #2?

Wouldn't be prudent...

[Redleg Duke]

If Sid Blumenthal ever passed "The Truth" on the street...

he wouldn't recognize it!

[Just mythoughts]

The Clintonites were famous for their compartmentalization.

I have no sympathy for Chris Matthews, he would vote for either Clinton in a heartbeat.

[Tom Bombadil]

Mr. Blumenthal, however, stands by his story - and then some.

He's standing on sand in the middle of a rip tide. Sidney Blumenthal is a liar.

[demkicker]

At any rate, Mr. Blumenthal said he could not figure out what Mr. Matthews was so upset about. "I don't understand his objection to it," he said. "It was the truth, and being the press secretary to President Clinton would have been an interesting job from which he could have made a good contribution."

This just illustrates that democrats wouldn't know the truth if it hit them smack in the face. I can't think of a worse job than being press secretary to Clinton. Evidently Matthews knew it too.