Is Chris Matthews Unable or Unwilling to understand a simple exchange between Bush and Russert?

MSNBC

[rocklobster11]

I just saw Chris Matthews on Lester Holt, and Lester asked him whether the National Guard issue would continue. Chris said that it would because Bush didn't answer the question.

Lester mentioned Terry McAuliffe's statement about Bush being AWOL. Chris brought up the president's answer about people not bad-mouthing the National Guard, and said that Terry McAuliffe had not said anything bad about the National Guard. Well, Russert did not ask Bush to comment on Terry McAuliffe, he asked Bush to comment on the National Guard issue. I've seen many stories in the press about how the National Guard is not real service and that people enlisted in the National Guard as a way of avoiding going to Vietnam. Thus, I think Bush's statement was right on.

Then Lester asked Chris about Bush getting out of the Guard 8 months early in order to go to HBS. Chris responded that HBS started in September and the period in question was from May of the previous year to May of that year. Well, that may have been Chris's period in question, but Tim Russert specifically asked the president if he had gotten out of the Guard 8 months early in order to attend HBS, and the president said yes.

So it seems that we have people saying three things about Bush's service

1. Bush got into the Guard as a political favor to his father. Note that there have been several stories that specifically countered this claim, and there have been no stories mentioning anybody who can back up the claim of political favor. It appears that the Texas Guard did have a waiting list when Bush enlisted, but there was no waiting list for pilots, because of the amount of full time training required and because of the physical and mental requirements to become a pilot.
2. Bush was AWOL during the time he was supposed to have been reporting to the Guard in Alabama. Bush specifically answered that he did report and did serve in Alabama, and the other side has provided no proof to the contrary, other than a story from the Boston Globe in 2000, in which the source has since said that he was misquoted.
3. Bush got out the Guard early due to somebody pulling political strings. The fact is that Bush went thru proper channels in getting released early. Bush had been trained as a pilot (of F-102's I think), and the Guard was in the process of switching to a new generation of Fighters. It would not have made sense to retrain Bush on those Fighters when he only had 8 months of service left.

Here's the text of the Russert interview, and I think the president answered the questions fully.

President Bush: Political season is here.  I was  I served in the National Guard.  I flew F 102 aircraft.  I got an honorable discharge.  I've heard this  I've heard this ever since I started running for office.  I  I put in my time, proudly so.

I would be careful to not denigrate the Guard. It's fine to go after me, which I expect the other side will do. I wouldn't denigrate service to the Guard, though, and the reason I wouldn't, is because there are a lot of really fine people who served in the National Guard and who are serving in the National Guard today in Iraq.

Russert: The Boston Globe and the Associated Press have gone through some of their records and said there’s no evidence that you reported to duty in Alabama during the summer and fall of 1972.

President Bush: Yeah, they re they're just wrong. There may be no evidence, but I did report; otherwise, I wouldn't have been honorably discharged. In other words, you don't just say "I did something" without there being verification. Military doesn't work that way. I got an honorable discharge, and I did show up in Alabama.

Russert: You did were allowed to leave eight months before your term expired. Was there a reason?

President Bush: Right. Well, I was going to Harvard Business School and worked it out with the military.

Russert: When allegations were made about John McCain or Wesley Clark on their military records, they opened up their entire files. Would you agree to do that?

President Bush: Yeah. Listen, these files I mean, people have been looking for these files for a long period of time, trust me, and starting in the 1994 campaign for governor. And I can assure you in the year 2000 people were looking for those files as well. Probably you were. And absolutely. I mean, I

Russert: But would you allow pay stubs, tax records, anything to show that you were serving during that period?

President Bush: Yeah. If we still have them, but I you know, the records are kept in Colorado, as I understand, and they scoured the records.

And I'm just telling you, I did my duty, and it's politics, you know, to kind of ascribe all kinds of motives to me. But I have been through it before. I'm used to it. What I don't like is when people say serving in the Guard is is may not be a true service.

Russert: Would you authorize the release of everything to settle this?

President Bush: Yes, absolutely.

We did so in 2000, by the way.

[EllaMinnow]

Is Chris Matthews unstable?

YES!

[cake_crumb]

It's just another media-manufactured microgate conjured by the left, like 16-WordGate, Wilson/PlameGate, HalliburtonGate and StockpileGate.

[rocklobster11]

I actually like Hardball. Chris's over the top, in your face, cut you off before you get a chance to say anything style is entertaining. He usually has good guests as well. I just think he should occasionally do a little research before spouting off.

[EllaMinnow]

I used to watch him every night, but I'm going through a stage where I can't bear to listen to him, so I'm watching Law & Order re-runs instead.

His Scooter Libby paranoia gets on my nerves.

[cyncooper]

I so much appreciate you posting this. I saw this.

For context you should know that Tim Russert started the ball rolling on this last night. As you know the interview was played in full yesterday morning, then Dateline played about 20 minutes of excerpts last night. Then Stone Phillips asked a very SERIOUS looking Russert, right out of the gate, if this AWOL story had been adequately addressed and Russert said NO. I was stunned and have posted on various threads about it. Then Russert appeared on Imus this morning and continued to push this story as having not been answered adequately by President Bush.

Finally, I see the Chris Matthews exchange with Lester Holt that you also observed. I wanted to cry, they are acting like President Bush is being deceitful.

Matthews, when he mentioned McAuliffe, said "Nobody is trashing the Guard". Has Chris seen the Kerry comments from yesterday where he happens to lump in the Guard with draft-dodgers? There have been many comments from many democrats disparaging President Bush's service.

And the icing on the cake with this Matthews/Holt exchange: Holt points out President Bush has addressed this issue over the years many times. Matthews says this time it's different because he's facing a genuine war hero.

[BCrago66]

You shouldn't spend so much time on this. Kerry in his heart knows that he's not a genuine person; he knows he's a scheming blowhard and that people instinctively don't like him. So he's trying a pre-emptive strike on the character and national security issues.

However, when people fucus on the race, they will find President Bush the superior on both character and on national security, and will not like Kerry because he's not a regular, stable human being.

[cyncooper]

Thank you for alerting me to this thread.

[Doc Savage]

Mathews is a Socialist pig! End of story!

[cyncooper]

I appreciate knowing just how far some in the media will go in assisting the dem candidate and trying to harm the republican.

We should all know who is coming from where.

[colorado tanker]

I you don't have the facts, argue the law. If you don't have the law, argue the facts. If you don't have either, lie.

And I don't suppose any of these "journalists" will question Kerry being discharged early to run for Congress.

[verity]

Your life will become more peaceful when you cease watching the motor mouths.

[rocklobster11]

How about seeing Drudge post this as his main story today? I've got to assume everyone in the press knows there is no story here but has nothing else to report today. Or perhaps I'm giving the press too much credit.

[cyncooper]

And I don't suppose any of these "journalists" will question Kerry being discharged early to run for Congress.

And there is the crux of my frustration. Since Matthews already christened Kerry a "genuine war hero" he clearly is interested in "digging" (harrassing and denigrating) one side, using an issue that seems convenient at the moment. He'll beat it while it's viable or is so thoroughly debunked he'll be forced to give it up.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Kerry in his heart knows that he's not a genuine person;

Deeper in his heart he knows he's not a hero. The truth regarding this will also come out.

[cyncooper]

I rarely go to Drudge anymore. Are you saying he is running something on this, or are you saying he should?

Brit right now quoting Kerry before Congress in 1971 where he lies about our soldiers over in Vietnam.

[cake_crumb]

"For context you should know that Tim Russert started the ball rolling on this last night. As you know the interview was played in full yesterday morning, then Dateline played about 20 minutes of excerpts last night. Then Stone Phillips asked a very SERIOUS looking Russert, right out of the gate, if this AWOL story had been adequately addressed and Russert said NO."

Who needs more evidence that the presss is out to get the president - just as they went after his father in retaliation for what they considered a media blackout during the Gulf War?

[gunnedah]

The so called "Mainstream Media" is trying to elect any Democrat and they lie so much they wouldnt know the truth if it hit them in the face.
The bad part about this is so many Americans are so damned dumb they dont realize it.
The Democrats and the NEA know what they are doing when they keep dumbing our kids down. They are all in bed together and feed this country a steady diet of lies!

[Helms]

CHRIS IS NOW IN FULL CAMPAIGHN MODE(DEMOCRATIC, ELITE MEDIA)

[rocklobster11]

I thought CNBC was trying to be more balanced by putting on the Dennis Miller show. Then I realized that they made it the most boring show ever, so it is sure to fail. It should have been set up like a conservative version of Politically Incorrect.

[hole_n_one]

Matthews is now "grilling" Russert on Hardball (MSNBC)

[Helms]

MATTHEWS IS MENTALLY UNSTABLE.

[westerfield]

Then Stone Phillips asked a very SERIOUS looking Russert, right out of the gate, if this AWOL story had been adequately addressed and Russert said NO.

What Russert is referring to is this exchange:

Russert: Would you authorize the release of everything to settle this?

President Bush: Yes, absolutely.

We did so in 2000, by the way.

What the President's campaign authorized to be released in 2000 were his records from Texas National Guard files, not his full service records from Air Reserve Personnel Headquarters in Denver. I think the media and the dems are hoping that there is more to this story and they fully intend to pursue it. I think Bush can expect a very nasty and negative campaign from the dems as they attempt to attack his credibility over this and the WMD issue.

[colorado tanker]

As usual, the "journalists" will only look for dirt on Bush and will make it up if they have to. Samoh, samoh.

[Peach]

You know, the whole issue is such nonsense.

But furthermore, considering that Bush's father was what back then - a Congressman? What kind of "special" favors did his father do him that hundreds of other Congressmen didn't do for their sons? If any favor was done at all, which has never been proven.

[hole_n_one]

I watch him for the comedic value.

[cyncooper]

Hardball starts and right off the bat Chris has Tim Russert on about this issue.

I have posted since Russert came out on this last night (to my shock).

Notice out of the whole interview THIS is the issue that Russert and now Matthews have decided is the weak part.

[cyncooper]

I realize what he was referring to. The fact is those records were looked for in the past, too, AS THE PRESIDENT SAID, and all that is available has been released--for years now. Nothing held back, contrary to the smarmy Russert implications.

[jwfiv]

Both Matthews and Russert hear what they want to hear, like most true-believers.

Fact and history mean nothing to them...they are both hacks and propagandists.

I can't stand Matthews...he's a rude, constantly interrupting egomaniac.

[RoseofTexas]

STUPID RATS!! They don't know the HARM they have caused their own party by WAKING UP THE GAINT REPUBLICAN PARTY!! I am sooooo freakin upset at the way W has been treated that I'm GOING TO WALK THROUGH GLASS to bring tons of voters to VOTE for W!! I'm pissed and I'm ready to RUMBLE with the hellish rats!!

[rocklobster11]

I think it's great that they're focusing on this, because it is a non-issue. At the start of the show, they showed the entire exchange between Bush and Russert, and then have Russert and Matthews try to make something of it.

All I can say is that they look kind of stupid trying to spin after Bush's direct response of "I reported to Alabama, I completed my service, I was honorably discharged. We authorized release of all records in 2000". Obviously, nothing was uncovered in 2000 or since.

[CaptainK]

Watching those two cretins right now. The side by side shot of those two big potato heads is frightening

[Peach]

Matthews is practically rabid and is certainly rude to his guests.

[jackbill]

Brit right now quoting Kerry before Congress in 1971 where he lies about our soldiers over in Vietnam.

He also mentioned that Kerry, in his inimitable fashion, is trying to distance himself from his testimony. Probably because most of the guys that he was quoting have been shown to have never served in Nam.

Kerry needs to be beaten over the head about this, and his voting record which attempted, time after time, to reduce the effectiveness of the military and the intelligence services.

Kerry isn't Irish. He's not even Jewish. He's French.

[EllaMinnow]

The side by side shot of those two big potato heads is frightening.

It makes me very happy that my ancestors came from the proportional head side of Ireland, unlike the families of Matthews, Russert, and especially Kennedy.

[hole_n_one]

Matthews: Up next we'll have former Senator and war hero Max Cleland to discuss President Bush's war record, or lack thereof.

[cyncooper]

Thank you for the positive points. The only thing about the war Russert could come up with to bash Bush with was that President Bush appeared to hesitate when asked if this was a war of choice or necessity.

Timmy reports how Bush then said "necessity" and then Tim helpfully supplies what Kerry will say, "choice".

Tim gone, but Matthews promises Max Cleland coming up to discuss the service records of Bush and Kerry. Well! As I said, I think it very interesting that the only weak spot they really must have seen in this interview was this issue, and only because they have some room to be creative.

This indicates the president was very solid indeed yesterday if this is what they're reduced to.

[Neets]

Both.

[cyncooper]

It makes me very happy that my ancestors came from the proportional head side of Ireland

LOL!

really!

[Pubbie]

And what was NoBalls Prissy Pissy Matthews doing during the Vietnam War?

Where was "Meet the Prick" Russert during Vietnam?

They were both old enough to serve...

[Howlin]

And here is Max Cleland, trashing Bush.

Why is Cleland going on about Bush getting out early? Didn't Kerry and Gore BOTH get out early?

[sinkspur]

Matthews has Cleland on right now.

Folks, I'll get slapped for this, but I've had a bellyful of this fat jerk.

He lost both legs, but he lost his mind, too, apparently. He's a very bitter man for getting his ass handed to him in 2002, and he's taking it out on every Republican he meets.

And Chris is revealing his Democrat sympathies tonight in a very big way.

[rocklobster11]

Now Matthews is denigrating the Guard. Says it was just a rich kids way to avoid vietnam.

[cyncooper]

Cleland and Matthews slamming Guard service. (Though Cleland careful to say it's different NOW)

A "rich kids way of avoiding Vietnam", says Matthews.

I won't even transcribe more from these nasty nasty characters.

[sinkspur]

The media is starting it smear job.

And they've got to go back to Vietnam to find something on Bush.

If they want the gloves off, we should put Kerry and Jane Fonda on every piece of GOP literature that's sent out.

[LisaFab]

Agree. Service to one's country, while admirable, does not grant one lifetime immunity from criticism.

This is so sad. Most veterans I know don't even want to discuss their service. Cleland and Kerry are a disgrace to all those veterans.

[cyncooper]

Matthews in Peace Corps. He said he didn't want to serve in Vietnam and says "everybody knows" that the National Guard service was a "rich kids" way to get out and "why can't everybody be honest about it like he's honest about it".

[EllaMinnow]

Chrissy himself avoided the draft by joining the Peace Corps.

[cyncooper]

Yes. But I'm sure IF Cleland or Matthews or whoever is actually confronted with that, they'll come up with some reason why that is "different".

I tell you this has me livid.

But as I posted above, I see a silver lining. Evidently this is the only thing in the interview they decided could be picked on.

[DoctorMichael]

I'm watching Krissy now on HARDBOILED now......Boy, he sounded in the first 5 minutes like HE wanted that interview rather than Russert really bad. You could see the drool coming down his chin as he salivated at the thought.

Hang it up Kris, you poser!

I think he's going to spend the rest of the program chewing away on Bush's military service records.