Posted on 10/09/2006 5:55:50 PM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
view edit Posted by Mark Finkelstein on October 9, 2006 - 20:40. The show bills itself as 'Hardball.' But in surrounding himself with regulars who are either certified liberals or renegade Republicans, doesn't Chris Matthews prove himself to be a softy, unwilling or unable to take the high heat from true-blue Republican flamethrowers?
Let me say something that might surprise some NewsBusters readers and dismay others. I like Matthews. Not that conservatives are the arbiters of patriotism, but I do consider Chris someone who loves his country and, as misguided as he may be on various policy issues - has its best interests at heart. He's no Keith Olbermann.
That said, although he professes not to be a partisan and will speak to Democrats about "your" - not "our" - party, there can be little doubt that his rooting interest hasn't changed much since the days he was a top aide to Tip.
Fair enough. But if this is really 'Hardball,' and not just a comfy echo chamber, why is it that Matthews' regular guests are essentially confined to liberals, mainstream moderate-left pundits, and Republicans notable for being renegades all-too-willing to criticize the GOP?
Take tonight's show.
- First, a report from Matthews' main reporting man, David Shuster, who reliably offers a Republican-unfriendly take.
- Next, the left-leaning NBC heavyweight, Andrea Mitchell.
- Followed by the Dem governor of New Mexico and former Clinton UN Ambassador Bill Richardson.
- Succeeded by MSM pundit Howard Fineman.
- After a report from another NBC reporter, Mike Viqueira, Matthews' two final guests were the affable but hardly conservative Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post, and the only person who is colorably a Republican: Pat Buchanan. Pat is a Hardball regular, and with good reason. He gives Chris cover - 'see, I do too have on conservatives!' But Buchanan is Chris' kind of Republican- one who quit the GOP and is often a bitter critic of Republicans. Witness tonight's show, in which Pat accused Republicans of a "cover-up" of the Foley matter, and warned Denny Hastert not to lie to the FBI. With "Republicans" like Pat, who needs Bob Shrum?
So, c'mon Chris. Stop playing softball, and find yourself a real Republican regular!
MSNBC-Hardball/NewsBusters softball-ping to Today show list.
Oh...man, you can't be serious about thinking that Chris has the best interest of America at heart....
The way he has gone on and on about the LIES that Bush and Cheney and Rove have told???
Just once I would like to see him have a discussion without blaming something on Bush, Cheeeeny, or Rove.
I applaud your honesty....but, I don't agree.
I think he would rather have ALL of our troops DIE in Iraq..if it would get rid of Bush...than have no more die..and have Bush get credit for winning the war.
I know, I know. But I just don't get the same hate-America-first vibe from Chris that I get from Olbermann and many others on the left.
And undeclared semi-ambassodor to North Korea.
You should also point out that Matthews also cheats his audience by being the worst offender when it comes to journalists interviewing journalists. That's why his show never breaks news, and why it is the blandest pap of recycled talking points.
Chris loves himself first and foremost. Country comes fourth or fifth. Even O'Neill had better priorities than that.
I dunno, Mark, it's not just a matter of being misguided on various policy issues - he can be vicious, as evidenced by his brutal attack on Michelle Malkin. I have to admit that I didn't see it, because I never watch his show (and thank you for your yeoman's service in putting up with that), but I did read about it here on FR, and everyone was outraged by his behavior towards her.
BRAVO
For whatever reason I missed the episode[s] in which he attacked Michelle, and perhaps that would have changed my perception, but would you agree that he is not repugnant in the same manner as an Olbermann?
Chrissy is a wuss, just ask Zell.
Chris is a tenacious punk with a one-track mind.
We used to watch Chris a few years ago, during the Monica mess, and he WAS pretty outraged about Clinton's behavior, so I guess he does have SOME redeeming qualities.
Matthews' real problem (and the reason that he likes Buchanan) is that he is a raving anti-Semite; someone who blames the "Neocons" for every American failing.
You can see the Nazi hatred in his eyes whenever he went after Lewis Libby, who is Jewish.
In fact, I read recently that Libby explicitly accused both him and Tim Russert of anti-Semitism, and I believe Libby to be right on both counts.
Good post and very good advice to Chris.
Chrissie's 'Hardball' is MSNBC's version of 'The View' without Elizabeth Hasselbeck...
Thanks Chuck. I'm not surprised but still a little disappointed that many people here are focusing on the fact that I said I liked Matthews rather than the fact I called him a softy and challenged him to recruit a real Republican regular.
But that's not exactly criteria for a virtue.
O'Neill had this nation flirting with bankruptcy (until Reagan appointed Volcker). And Matthews was present every step of the way.
If it had happened, they would have nationalized industries and launched us down a rabbit hole -- I'm not sure we would have ever recovered.
Chris might not be as rabid as Olberman, (hard to tell with all that spittle), but he's even more ego-driven, perhaps because he's a bonafide member of the Washington elite.
"Echo chamber" is right. Chris' regular guests are trained to begin most responses to his long, winding questions with; "you got that right, Chris". Fineman and Buchanan the most reliable on that score, as if they don't want to offend honcho Chris. Chris' regular guests dare not correct Chris even when the basic premise of his question is flat out untrue.
I watch HARDBALL often, and you're so right that his fair and balanced guests aren't. Chris doesn't want arguments, he wants affirmation. Especially when he's on one of his extended crucifixion crusades. For months on end, his target was Scooter Livvy, intersperced with vitriolic tirades against Dick Cheeeney. That's Cheeeney with no title.
HARDBALL is perpetually the lowest rated MSNBC show, but his job isn't in danger. Where in the world is Rita Cosby? Even she had better numbers. But poor Rita, she isn't a Washington insider. Matthews got a huge new contract, bought a Martha's Vineyard summer home, (or was it the Hamptons?) Abrams couldn't fire Matthews if he wanted to.
When you get right down to it, Chris's major failing is he's just so woefully stupid.
It's hard for a fella to overcome that.
Thanks for the link. It certainly does put Matthews in a more unflattering like. I will bear in mind.
Lardball with Chris Matthews
I DID see that show with Michelle Malkin....he was disgusting....but he always is to anyone that is remotely conservative...UNLESS, he can get them to slam Bush, Cheney or Rove.
Okay...I am sorry, I did let you down on that part.
But, what good does it do for us to agree with you on the "softy" part...if WE are already more critical of Chrissy than you are to begin with??
OF COURSE, he won't recruit a real Republican or conservative, because they would make good points...and only HE is allowed to do that...and the guests are just there for him to spew all over....and AGREE with him.
I'm still one of your biggest fans....I hope I didn't make ya mad.
I remember Shuster when he was on Fox. He literally stalked Conley (is that his name)...the guy who was being questioned about Chandra Levy disappearance. I was surprised when he disappeared from Fox and then saw him on MSNBC. That's GOTTA be a step down career wise.
Chrissy still wets the bed every nightbecause of that, I'll bet.
Mark Finkelstein is 100% right on this...
He won't because then he would actualy have to debate the facts
He’s an opportunist, and also the kind of guy most wouldn't mind having a drink with. Whether you like him and his show at the moment depends on how much you like the poor sap he's scandal mongering against.
I don't think Chris hates our country
But also I don't think he lives in reality ... if you've ever noticed .. Chris has a bad tendency to compare real life to that of scenes from Hollywood movies
Also .. he likes to brag about the politics of John B. Kelly. Jack Kelly was a political thug in Philly
Chris also likes to claim he's for the "little guy" when truth be told .. he believes in the socialist policy which does not help the "little guy" .. it only keeps them down
In many ways, Chris reminds me of my one brother ... my brother has a view of life that only he knows everything and only he is right and everyone else is just stupid .. he also has a tendency to insult everyone around him to make himself feel better
My one brother is the kind of person ... that when people walk away after a conversation with him .. your first response is "what a jerk"
He's an idiot.
Then why has he been wrong on every major "scandal" that's come down the pike? If he's the liberal brainiac, I'd sure hate to see their village idiot.
This precisely describes the Diane Rehm Show on NPR.
Umm...You're just plain nuts.
Matthews is an imbecile.
Couldn't agree with you more. Then again, I am Mark Finkelstein!
I didn't know two people in a phone booth watching a TV was a niche !!!
Does Hardball even have an Nielsen rating anymore.
Silly boy lost me the night Al Gore gave his concession speech after the 2000 election.
He was literally crying and called his speech "Lincolnqest"
Gore gave a good speech, probably his last remotely sane one, but to rank it up there with Lincoln was just plain stupid.
"In our house, it's almost totally Fox News, HGTV, and The Food Channel, with Netflix movie rentals on weekends."
Sounds like our house too.
Chris Spitball Matthews is a lying, drooling, mean-tempered lefty, whining fool.
Michelle Malkin needs to throw a pie in his nasty ugly face.
(Proper paybacks for his ill treatment of the dear young lady about two years ago.)
Cool :)
uesday
Did you happen to catch matthews interviewing Barnicle and the youngish bearded guy from The Hill or RollCall, one of those publications I think. No wonder I can't remember his name, Matthews hardly let him get a word in edgewise. It was Barnicle he wanted to hear, because Barnicle "affirmed" every premise Matthews threw out there.
Matthews showed an ad Congressman Reynolds opponent is using against him on the Foley matter, and young bearded guy lost favor with Matthews because he didn't think this kind of Foley attack would work anywhere else. Matthews wanted the guy to agree this kind of ad would spell doom for republicans all over the country, like Barnicle did.
The other guy was visibly ticked off, especially when they returned from a break and Matthews went right back to Barnicle. He had a look on his face like, "what am I...window dressing?"
I hope you were watching. Vintage Matthews
It's like I told Mark -- by watching Hardball he's doubling Matthews' audience.
Remarkably persistent low ratings. If he wasn't a complete DC schmoozer & reliable Democrat asskisser the show would be gone.
I did have it on, but more or less as background noise. I didn't find the anti-Reynolds ad all that devastating. A far cry from the anti-Goldwater 'Daisy' ad. But Chris can always dream!
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