Chris Matthews 'Believes' Disastrous Book Interview Left Jon Stewart Crestfallen

NewsBusters ^ | October 5, 2007 | P.J. Gladnick

[PJ-Comix]

Talk about a case of false bravado! Just about everybody who watched the recent Comedy Central book interview (video) of Chris Matthews by Jon Stewart about Matthews' book, "Life's A Campaign," agrees that it was complete disaster for Matthews who exclaimed at one point, "This is the worst!" The opinion that Matthews came off horribly is almost universally shared by all observers whether conservative or liberal. However, Matthews himself is now claiming that everybody else is all wrong about that interview as you can see at the tail end of an Examiner.com article about the 10th year anniversary party for Hardball:

On a side note: Matthews was overheard discussing his Tuesday appearance on "The Daily Show," which featured a heated exchange with host Jon Stewart. According to one source, Matthews was steadfast in his belief that the debate left Stewart crestfallen, and Matthews victorious.

Matthews can continue to convince himself that he came out of that interview victorious but a look at the Comedy Central transcript pretty much confirms what most have thought really happened despite Chris' blustering denial of reality:

Jon Stewart: Life’s a Campaign. Now if I read this correctly, and I believe I read this book correctly, what you are saying is: People can use what politicians do in political campaigns to help their lives.

Chris Matthews: Yeah. It’s irony isn’t it?

Jon Stewart: It strikes me as fundamentally wrong. It strikes me as a self-hurt book, if you will. Aren’t campaigns, fundamentally, contrivances?

Chris Matthews: Yeah, campaigns can be. But politicians, the way they get to the top, is the real thing. They know what they’re doing. You don’t have to believe a word they say, but you have to watch how far they got. How did [Bill] Clinton get there? How did Hillary get there? How did all these guys get there? Reagan. They have methods to get to the top.

Jon Stewart: So you’re suggesting that even if noone believes a word you say, you can be successful.

Chris Matthews: Yes.

Jon Stewart: Now that seems to me to be a book about sadness. Is it not?

Chris Matthews: No.

Jon Stewart: How? In what world?

Chris Matthews: Can I give you one example of the truth here? Bill Clinton, when he was in college, would get women, girls, in bed…

Jon Stewart: Not just in college.

Chris Matthews:: … by listening. He listened to them. When friends of his couldn’t get the girls, he’d tell them ‘you gotta listen to them.’ I thought, growing up, that you drank beer and you bragged. But he says, you have to listen to them – it’s flattering. And it works.

Jon Stewart: It works if you care what they’re saying. But politicians often listen, but it’s a contrivance.

Chris Matthews: It’s not a contrivance. I’m listening to you.

Jon Stewart: No, you’re not.

Chris Matthews: How can I not? You’re trashing my book!

Jon Stewart: You don’t listen to anybody! I’m not trashing your book; I’m trashing your philosophy of life. Your book is an excellent recipe –

Chris Matthews: Do you want to succeed?

Jon Stewart: I’ve succeeded!

Chris Matthews: Do you want to have friends?

Jon Stewart: I have friends! I want real friends! Wait a minute. If you treat life like a campaign, at the end of your life do you give a concession speech?

Chris Matthews: No.

Jon Stewart: Well, then, it’s not a campaign.

Chris Matthews: It is a campaign. Everything about getting jobs, it’s about convincing someone to hire you. It’s about getting promotions. It’s about selling products. It’s always a campaign. It’s a campaign to get the girl of your dreams. It’s a campaign to do everything you want to do in life.

Jon Stewart: But there has to be some core of soul in there …

Chris Matthews: I’m not denying that. You’re a hard sell. Watch the Clintons. Watch how successful they are. Watch what they do. They do listen to people. Hillary Clinton went on a listening tour of the state of New York and won a Senate seat.

Jon Stewart: Labelling something a ‘listening tour’ doesn’t mean you’re listening. That’s what I’m saying. President Bush had a sign that said “Mission: Accomplished.” That doesn’t make it accomplished.

Chris Matthews: He wasn’t listening.

Jon Stewart: What campaigns are, are photo opportunities that are staged. And there’s nothing in this book about ‘Be Good. Be Competent.’

Chris Matthews: That’s the Bible. It’s been written.
Jon Stewart: This book has been written, too! It was called “The Prince.”

Chris Matthews: This book is better. Did you read it? What’d you think?

Jon Stewart: Yes, I read it. I thought it was a recipe for sadness. Only because when I read it I thought ‘This strikes me as artifice. If you live this book, your life will be strategy.’ This strikes me as saying success is finite.

Chris Matthews: No no. Because there’s a lot of good stories in it. To get ahead in life, people are good listeners, they’re optimistic people, they’re very good at asking for help because they don’t try to do it alone. And everytime the ask for help, they get more people invested in them.

Jon Stewart: On the campaign trail, that makes common sense. Listening to people, caring about people. But in this book, there’s stuff about “Attack Someone Where You Know Noone’s Going To Attack Them.”

Chris Matthews: I didn’t say that.

Jon Stewart: You tell the story about the guy in the campaign who attacked the other guy in the campaign on health care. And they asked him why he did that, and he said ‘cuz nobody else is attacking him on health care.’

Chris Matthews: No. He said he supported national health care because he knew his opponent wouldn’t do it because it looked like socialized medicine. He did what he thought was right. But that’s where he decided to strike, because he knew his opponent wouldn’t go with him.

Jon Stewart: That’s what I’m saying. Sometimes when you read the book, it seems like you’re saying ‘Do what you think will win,” not “Do what you think is right.”

Chris Matthews: Well, it’s both.

Jon Stewart: Well, this seems to emphasize the former.

Chris Matthews: It does! Can you come on ‘Hardball?’ We can play this both ways.

Jon Stewart: I don’t troll.

Chris Matthews: You are unbelievable. This is the book interview from hell. This is the worst interview I’ve ever had in my life. This is the worst. You are the worst. I thought you were so big, you weren’t afraid of me.

Jon Stewart: I’m not.

Chris Matthews: This book scares you. There’s something in this book you fear.

Jon Stewart: There is something in that book I fear. Like fascism. All I’m saying is this: I love what you do.

Chris Matthews: Can I tell a story?

Jon Stewart: You can. It’ll be edited out.

Chris Matthews: Okay. This is a book about good values, it’s a – it’s hopeless with you! You’re Zell Miller!

Jon Stewart: No. No duels for me. I appreciate it that you tried to …. I’ll come on your show and you can yell at me.

I suppose if Chris Matthews can delude himself into believing that his book is better than Machiavelli's "The Prince," he can also fool himself into thinking that he was victorious in that Comedy Central interview.

[PJ-Comix]

I'm still chuckling over Matthews' claim that his dopey book is BETTER than Machiavelli's "The Prince." Talk about an ego problem!

[Archytekt]

he’s a delusional fool totally full of, um, himself...

[ClearCase_guy]

From Matthews’ perspective, the world would be a lot better if everyone behaved like the Clintons. They are his model for appropriate behavior. He comes right out and says it.

[Psycho_Bunny]

I’m not trashing your book; I’m trashing your philosophy of life.

lol....Stewart took Matty to the shed.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

You’re too kind!

[zencat]

Just amazing how Matthews can’t seem to separate politics from life. I happens on the right, but seems much more common with lefties.

[donnab]

This is great. Chrissy is so in love with the Clintons he comes across like a pubescent teen who has his first big crush. Its disgusting.
He is heading for the big meltdown especially when he can say that he was victorious in this interview. He personifies everything that is wrong with the Clintons...who all live in the land of denial.

[HamiltonJay]

Frankly I thought Stewart treated Matthews quite well, he did challenge him, but not in a confrontational or ignorant way (as Matthews often does), on the merits and point of his book.

Matthews couldn’t defend his work to those intellectual challenges, and just looked like the stuffed shirt he is.

After seeing the tape, Stewart did not go “looking for a fight” he simply posed honest questions and comments to the author about his work. Matthews was ill prepared for his books presumptions to be challenged, he expected a puff piece book promotional PR stint.... and had no ability to handle himself when it turned out it wasn’t that.

[rhombus]

I don’t think anybody came out “on top” of this exchange but maybe I’m wrong because I couldn’t even get all the way through even the abbreviated interview. For me BOTH Mathews and Stewart were just too annoying.

[mort56]

Little Chrissie is the best MSNBC has to offer? Is it any wonder why this poor excuse for a cable news channel is in the toilet? Hell, you know you are a loser lefty when even John Steward, the lefts golden boy, is on you case.

[mewzilla]

Jon Stewart: But there has to be some core of soul in there …

Hence the problem, Mr. Stewart.

[mmichaels1970]

Never knew this happened. I saw a bit of Chris on Martha Stewart as well.

[DogByte6RER]

ping for later

[tcrlaf]

CNN is already geared up to be The Clinton Propoganda Network, and it’s going to be tough to beat...

They will breathlessly report every push-poll DAILY from thier pollster, who just also happens to pay for Hillary’s Private jets...

Get ready for THE BIGGEST LIE ever to shoved down the Sheeple’s throats...

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Mildly suprprised that Stewart took on Matthews.

Obviously the book REALLY rubbed him the wrong way to take on a fellow leftist.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Exactly.

The book appears to be based largely on the model of the Clintons. The reason for no soul.

[wideawake]

Pinging you, Borges, to Chris Matthews' humble claim that his new book is a superior work in comparison with Niccolo Machiavelli's Il Principe.

[vietvet67]

That laugh of Crissys is almost as bad as Hillarys and he should make a dentist appointment for his drool cup fitting.

[No.6]

I’ve never had an ounce of respect for Jon Stewart until now.

I’m sure I disagree with him on almost every issue still, but at least he isn’t an amoral Clintonoid.

There’s a word for the philosophy Matthews espouses: sociopathy.

[dinoparty]

Wow, I read something like this, and it confirms everything I believe about how liberal politicians and media people really think. Everything is “strategy”. They really do lack developed souls, and they are so blind that they think every one else has the same motives as them.

[capydick]

Get ready for THE BIGGEST LIE ever to shoved down the Sheeple’s throats...

Which is why the Pubbies need to take on the networks coverage as well as their candidate. And they have to do it NOW! But - I'm afraid we both know this is not going to happen.

[domenad]

PAAAHAHAHAHAH! Crestfallen? If Stewart was 'crestfallen', it was only because he was thinking "This idiot is shilling for ME?"

After watching that interview live, I immediately called 911. The conversation is shown below.

"Yes, 911? I'd like to report a brutal rape happening live on television......yes......full on rape......yes.....yes there are witnesses but most of them seem to be laughing and enjoying the spectacle. Nobody is helping him.....no, no lubricant appears to be in use....uh-huh....yes, the victim's name is Chris Matthews and....hello? Hello?"

[Archytekt]

“You’re too kind!”

its a family friendly forum ;)

[Melchior]

It ia ironic the importance Matthews gives to listening when old motor mouth does so very little himself.

[sono]

Dennis Miller is going to be all over this interview.

[rod1]

Liberals, of necessity, need to suspend reality and enter never, never land just to get through the day. Matthews and Olbermann demonstrate that attribute every day in every way.

Apparenly, Chrissy triumped over the unkind words of Jon Stewart. Keep saying it over and over while you spin around three times Chrissy.

[Mygirlsmom]

"Look at me! I'm successful!! And did I mention those are very nice shoes you're wearing, Mr. Stewart.."

[theDentist]

I recall that Derek Sanderson (Bruins) once said that you can learn something of great value from everyone, from your teacher to the town idiot to even the mayor. Therefore, I’ll accept that he may have something of value in the book worth learning. But I’m still not going to buy it and put a penny in his bank account. In other words, whatever valuable insight he may have will most likley be found in any other book, even if written by the town idiot.

[7thson]

This is so bizarre and funny at the same time. His total dismissal of the Bible is extremely telling. His ego that he is a better writer than Machiavelli is also interesting. I never thought Jon Stewart was funny but he had some good lines in this. The line about giving a concession speech when you die was funny.

[CharlesWayneCT]

It is a campaign. Everything about getting jobs, it’s about convincing someone to hire you. It’s about getting promotions. It’s about selling products. It’s always a campaign. It’s a campaign to get the girl of your dreams. It’s a campaign to do everything you want to do in life.

This has been the message of the left's public persona for some time now. I watched a show with a bunch of lefties, including the Trippe guy, and his statement was it doesn't matter what the truth is, it's the perception that counts.

Matthews is talking of a world view where everything you do is outcome-based, end-justifies-the-means. You decide what you want, and do and say whatever it takes to get it.

[Badeye]

Stunning how many times he cites the Clinton’s, who never achieved more than 49% of the vote in an election cycle.

This doesn’t really surprise me...Jon Stewart did pretty much the same thing to Begalla and Carlson just before ‘crossfire’ was strikened from CNN’s laughable lineup.

[7thson]

Watching O'Reilly last night, he stated that the night before, MSNBC had a total of 80,000 viewers over a 24 hour period. He said you might as well be off the air and that you could get more viewers with a monkey jumping up and down. Bernie Goldberg said he had more people than that at his last bar-b-que.

It reminded me of what Roger Ailes said about Paula Zahn - that he could get better ratings filming a dead skunk.

On a serious note, when is this network going off the air? This proves what I have been saying for years - it's not about ratings, it's about idealogy and propaganda.

[donnab]

ROLF

[Ditter]

I saw this, Matthews didn’t seem to realize that Stewart was working him over. Stewart is a great interviewer, wish he would come over to our side like Dennis Miller.

[CharlesWayneCT]

What I feel about Jon Stewart is that he’s deluded, he’s somewhat ignorant, his thought process is flawed, but I don’t think he does serious attacks unless he actually believes what he’s saying. He doesn’t make things up to win points (he does make some things up for laughs, but that’s a different story).

I think I could have a real conversation with Stewart, because he would challenge me on what I believed and why, but he wouldn’t belittle me with false claims. I could be wrong, but that’s how I perceive him. He’s still to annoying to watch much.

[mylife]

Stewart basically called Matthews a twisted bitter little man, now Matthews confirms it.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Meanwhile, Stewart is still pushing the lie that Pres. Bush printed and posted the sign that read “Mission Accomplished.”

That sign on the Navy boat had nothing to do with the President’s war effort in Iraq.

Another Leftist lie that has been disproved. But Jon Stewart, a typical Leftist...

...is not listening.

[popdonnelly]

This bum did everything he could to get George Bush thrown out of office.

As for the title of his book, it shows the arrogance of these self-absorbed Washington politicos.

[shalom aleichem]

In watching the interview, I felt John was just trying to get Chris to concede a few points, but as Chris insisted that he was totally right, better than The Prince, etc., Jon had to let him have it. Totally took his pants off and Chris was oblivious to the whole thing. Made him an absolute fool.

[mom.mom]

This was a fabulous interview. If Jon Stewart appeared crestfallen it would have been because of the vacuousness of Matthew’s book and philosophy of life.

Jon! Come to our side!

[t1b8zs]

Does this explain the asinine interview with his wife last night 10/04......I wanted to puke but saved my dinner and switched back to FOX.....

[mylife]

Anyone got the video?

I cant find it on youtube

[mmichaels1970]

you could get more viewers with a monkey jumping up and down

Man....wouldn't that be THE coolest TV stunt! Fox, in an effort to bury MSNBC broadcasts a bunch of monkeys jumping up and down with cute music during Chris' or Keith's shows and publishes the ratings.

[meowmeow]

Jon Stewart: But there has to be some core of soul in there …

Wow - maybe there's some hope for that guy.

[popdonnelly]

“You’re Zell Miller!”

I’m sure that’s the worst comparison Matthews could come up with.

[JPJones]

Mathews wrote a book, and cites the Clinton’s as role models for success? Did I get that right?

[popdonnelly]

We don’t need a fairness act. We need truth in publishing. Every time Matthews appears on television, there should be a little banner beneath him that says, “Former Democrat Politico”.

[DCPatriot]

Just a few minutes ago, Laura Ingraham was absolutely trashing Jon Stewart. In true Laura fashion, she insulted Stewart's height, looks, intelligence.

She must be scheduled to appear on Matthews' show to hawk HER book 'Power to the People'.

[DGHoodini]

Spin spin spin spin
Spin spin spin spin
Wonderful Spin
Marvelous Spin...

[mewzilla]

I’m sure that’s the worst comparison Matthews could come up with.

If Stewart has any sense, he'll consider that comparison a compliment.