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Matthews: Plame Story Too Complicated to Cover Now [Interview with Hardball host]
NewsBusters ^ | 9/8/06 | Matthew Sheffield

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?

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.
After that remark, Matthews left the conversation. He stuck around for at least 15 more minutes afterward before leaving.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: armitage; chrismatthews; chrissyisaslut; cialeak; hardball; lying; matthews; mediabias; msnbc; partisanhack; plame; prissychrissy; punk; richardarmitage; wilsonplame
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To: Txsleuth

bttt


61 posted on 09/08/2006 10:44:30 AM PDT by Txsleuth (,((((((((ISRAEL)))))) Pray for the release of the Israelis.Pray for the return of Maj. Jill Metzger)
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To: RatherBiased.com

What a pig.


62 posted on 09/08/2006 10:44:32 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (BTUs are my Beat.)
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To: dennisw

I guess I balance him out as a politically conservative senior citizen. I have been a subscriber to the Washington Post for thirty three years, and at times during those years have also subscribed to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Times. My work made it necessary to follow the news, and at times, I made news.

It sure would have been nice to have had the internet in my early years. It would have made things a lot easier.


63 posted on 09/08/2006 10:45:44 AM PDT by billhilly
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To: SE Mom

My heavens, the man has no ethics and no conscience at all. I am fantasizing someone on the right being invited on the show and saying "Before I answer your question Chris, I'd like to know why you dropped the Plame story when it became clear you could no long use it to beat up on Rove, Libby, the VP and the President. What's up with that?"


64 posted on 09/08/2006 10:46:10 AM PDT by Bahbah (Goldwasser, Regev and Shalit, we are praying for you...)
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To: All

Drudge has picked up this story now


65 posted on 09/08/2006 10:46:38 AM PDT by RatherBiased.com
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To: RatherBiased.com

Celebrate FREEDOM! Buy a Gun on 9/11 !!!


66 posted on 09/08/2006 10:50:02 AM PDT by 2harddrive (...House a TOTAL Loss.....)
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To: KC_Conspirator

Why are you giving weasels such a bad name??? Matthews is more like a whore in church, and I rank him right down there with a child molesting priest. Same difference, different tunes!


67 posted on 09/08/2006 10:51:56 AM PDT by geezerwheezer (get up boys, we're burnin' daylight!!!)
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To: Howlin
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

So he's calling journalists liars??

68 posted on 09/08/2006 10:56:47 AM PDT by Mo1 (Think about it .. A Speaker Nancy Pelosi could be 2 seats away from being President)
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To: RatherBiased.com
A: Hey listen I need to get out of here. I have to get back home.

"Mother needs her footrub and if I'm late she she thinks I'm talking to a girl and I'll be so grounded."

69 posted on 09/08/2006 11:06:11 AM PDT by SquirrelKing
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To: johnny7
...always wear a wire.

Good point!

70 posted on 09/08/2006 11:07:04 AM PDT by 3niner (War is one game where the home team always loses.)
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To: RatherBiased.com

Spitty is such a lame little gasbag. For weeks he speculated how this could climb up the line to Cheney, going so far as to speculate who would replace the vice president. And now he goes limp?

Also, during the recent dust-up in Lebanon Spitty made a reference to the "pines of Lebanon" its the cedars of Lebanon you charlatan putz!


71 posted on 09/08/2006 11:07:37 AM PDT by Archytekt
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To: finnman69

Re post #4. Well, yeah, but besides that, Chrissy is first, foremost and always a democrat operative. Guys like him and Stephanapolos and Russert NEVER CHANGE. Their employers exhibit liberal bias simply by giving them a forum.


72 posted on 09/08/2006 11:09:25 AM PDT by Former Proud Canadian (How do I change my screen name after Harper's election?)
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To: RatherBiased.com
Great job!!

Wouldn't it be great to have Chrissy interview Howard Fineman and both of them say, "Boy, did we screw this up!"

Oh well, one can fantasize right?

73 posted on 09/08/2006 11:13:49 AM PDT by Neverforget01
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To: RatherBiased.com

Sissy Matthews is such a little slimy fag! God, how I'd love to see Zell Miller bust his mouth wide open with a lead pipe!


74 posted on 09/08/2006 11:15:44 AM PDT by Niteranger68 (I gigged your peace frog.)
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To: RatherBiased.com

At least whores give you honest value for your money.


75 posted on 09/08/2006 11:22:22 AM PDT by Gritty (Liberals get ticked off when people quote them accurately - Ann Coulter)
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To: RacerF150; Bahbah
My heavens, the man has no ethics and no conscience at all. I am fantasizing someone on the right being invited on the show and saying "Before I answer your question Chris, I'd like to know why you dropped the Plame story when it became clear you could no long use it to beat up on Rove, Libby, the VP and the President. What's up with that?"

Sissy Matthews is such a little slimy fag! God, how I'd love to see Zell Miller bust his mouth wide open with a lead pipe!

Busting chrissy with a pipe is a little harsh...but Zell Miller would be a great one to ask the question mentioned above.

76 posted on 09/08/2006 11:26:37 AM PDT by Irish Eyes
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To: 3niner

Never write... when you can speak. Never speak... when you can wink.


77 posted on 09/08/2006 11:36:09 AM PDT by johnny7 (“And what's Fonzie like? Come on Yolanda... what's Fonzie like?!”)
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To: Timesink; martin_fierro; reformed_democrat; Loyalist; =Intervention=; PianoMan; GOPJ; ...
Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigans PING

Drive by media strikes again...

78 posted on 09/08/2006 11:39:37 AM PDT by weegee (Remember "Remember the Maine"? Well in the current war "Remember the Baby Milk Factory")
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To: finnman69

Matthews and all of the other libs. haven't had time to put together all the new lies they will spew from their programing
to the stupid left.
They do not want to talk about it because of the newly discovered truths. You see, the left can't stand the truth.


79 posted on 09/08/2006 11:51:23 AM PDT by buck61
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To: HarleyLady27

The left doesn't want to discuss this subject at this time.
And, to think if this was a Republican issue they would burn the issue into ever brain in America.
It's coming home to roost for the left on the, BUSH LIED.
For months the left thought they had started a campaign on BUSH LIED but, that has backed fired.
Now, just maybe, Americans will see a part of what the left
will do to discredit other people who will not see as they do.


80 posted on 09/08/2006 12:00:05 PM PDT by buck61
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