Matthews: Unlike McCain, Compromising Principles No Problem for Romney

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The MSM's McCain mania of 2000, the hysteria of the Straight Talk Express, might be history. But some of the liberal media's infatuation with John McCain clearly lives on. It was on display during today's "Hardball" in Chris Matthews's friendly, respectful interview of McCain. The most telling point came as Matthews suggested that compromising his principles exacts a psychic cost from McCain, whereas Mitt Romney does so without problem. Matthews began by teeing up a very comfortable question for the Senator from Arizona.

View video here.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: On the questions of whose the real Republican, now the issue has come up here with Romney saying he's from the Republican wing of the Republican party. He stole the phrase obviously from Howard Dean, when he was "the Democratic wing of the Democratic party." Is that a fair claim?

JOHN MCCAIN: I don't think so. I think it's very clear that then Governor Romney when he was running in a liberal state supported [Dem] Paul Tsongas for president, he said that he didn't want to go back to the Reagan years, that he was not a Reagan Republican. He contributed to a Democrat candidate in New Hampshire, and he had liberal positions on virtually every issue from abortion to immigration. So, look, we've got to earn the voters' respect, that's what it's all about. We've got to respect the voters before we earn their respect. I don't see how you can make the case when his record is rather clear -- understandably in many ways -- of running as a liberal in a very liberal state.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Senator, when you've had to compromise to get support from some Republican factions that may not normally be with you because you're quite a maverick [yes, Matthews broke out the cliche], you've looked like you've had a tortured look on your face when you've had to do it. You remember what you said about the flag in South Carolina. You didn't really feel happy about that. It doesn't look like Romney has a problem with doing this stuff.

The screencap shows Matthews at the moment he laughs at his own indictment of Romney.

JOHN MCCAIN: I'm sorry you brought it up, because I have to quickly say, what I said about the flag in South Carolina was an act of cowardice on my part.

MATTHEWS: Well, what's he doing? What's Romney doing? He has flipped on everything. Well, I don't want to put the words in my mouth [you just did, Chris.] If he's pro-choice in Massachusetts to get elected, now he's pro-life to win a national Republican referendum, what is he?

MCCAIN: I think that's for the voters to determine, but think we all run on our record. I am a proud, conservative Republican. There are other conservative Republicans in the race. I don't lay claim to the mantle. I do lay claim to the strength of my credentials and knowledge and background on national security issues which I think is the transcendent challenge of our time. Radical Islamic extremism. I'm the most prepared. I believe at least my qualifications I hope have earned me the voters' consideration.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Matthews’s softballs for McCain, high hard ones for Romney. Ping to Today show list.

[Dante3]

McCain is creepy and confused and ready to sell out this country. And he lacks principles - obvious from the way he treated his first wife.

[Brilliant]

Or Clinton, for that matter. But you’ll never hear the Dem operative, Matthews, say that.

[Shortstop7]

What happened with his first wife?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Exactly. I do believe that Clinton is a sociopath, in that lying or changing positions seems to exact no psychic price whatsoever from him.

[CaptainK]

When Matthews slobbers over a Republican candidate it’s time to run like hell in the opposite direction.

[Baladas]

For sure - even Democrats should take your advice.

[hunter112]

Chrissy would love to see McCainiac regain his frontrunner status, just to screw the Republican Party. He’s such a pathetic excuse for a journalist!

[doc1019]

Amen!

[Dante3]

He had an affair with his present wife - a younger and richer woman - and dumped his first wife and children. This after all his wife had done for him. This is not mere gossip but publicly known.

[Shortstop7]

Yikes! Thanks for the info.

[Pittsburgher]

I am one who is still furious at Matthews’ attempt to derail Fred’s campaign with the Harper kick in the b***s. I’ve listened to the YouTube and my own Tivo versions of the audio, and my conclusion is the same: At the very end of the telecast, if you listen very carefully, after Fred delivers his famous “boring without me” line, after the 15 second applause, Crissy says to Maria into the open microphone “He knew Harper!” Seriously, check it out. She responds with an innocuous “Good Job!” but the premeditation is confirmed.

[Grateful One]

The media’s “infactuation” with John McCain is anything but genuine.

It is STRATEGIC!!

And Chris is it’s most recent pimp!

[JRochelle]

I’ll take the rino McCain any day over the phony rino Romney.

[popdonnelly]

Matthews is not a journalist. He’s a political animal.

[Dante3]

McCain is frantically for amnesty and illegal aliens and a creepy, sleazy person. He showed he can not be trust and may be a mental case. I will take Romney, albeit not my top choice, anytime over McCain or Rudy.

[okie01]

The left's strategy is evident -- attack and discredit every possible Republican nominee, driving a wedge between him and the base.

Then, when we have rejected all but one, attack and discredit him.

All of this is, in reality, an attack on the Republican base -- attempting to disspirit and defeat us.

What's worse...it's working.

[webboy45]

Much ado about Romney. But I’d vote for him just because Chrisy tries to knock him down.

[festus]

Who asked your opinion Christopher ?