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.
That pretty much confirms what we all knew about him.
thanks for the ping!
But Chris was expecting 22 indictments!!
Thanks for doing this.
Anyone ever believe that Chris isn't and hasn't always been a party hack?
Not too complicated, Wilson is a liar and so is Mathews!
Pray for W and Our Troops
The Plamegate affair is doing wonders to show the media for what they are. Anyone who fails to see that they are partisan hacks incapable of finding "journalistic integrity" in a dictionary is in a coma.
Between Plamegate unraveling and the Dem hysteria over the Path to 9/11, the leftists are going out of their way to expose their black inner core for all to see.
As much as I despise these people, I'm enjoying the show.
The obvious explanation has already been posted. That Chris Matthews is a hidebound shill for the Donks and the Plame affair is no longer useful to his cause. So it drops out of sight, off his show for good, without another word. Chrissy-pooh will never apologize same as the NY Slimes.
In contrast the Washington Post wrote a very fine post-Armitage editorial. The Post has always been better balanced than the Times
Another good reason for 'in-the-loop-types' to always wear a wire.
Yes, so it goes down the 'memory hole', buried and forgotten as if it never happened.
The MSM and MSNBC have become the present day Izvestia (the news) and Pravda (the truth). No news to the truth, and no truth to the news!
What a hypocrite lying fool. That's all he wanted to talk about before Armitage was "outed." Now he clams up. Bastards.
more great journalism by the Butterball
OK, so is he saying that his viewers are too stupid to understand the story, or that he is such a poor host that he can't bring a complex issue to the floor and explain it?
They are not "apologists" if he did nothing wrong. They are simply defending Cheney's good name.
meaning his last remaining brain synapse had FRied and he is completely utterly bereft of any ability to comprehend or spin anymore
He is a F#$%ing weasel.
Dick and Jane is complicated for Lickspittle Matthews.
Or maybe he mistook someone for Michelle Maklin and he had to change his Depends?
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