Chris Matthews Was Against the Iraq War While He Was Tingling Over It

[kpete]

by Tommy Christopher | 2:37 pm, September 20th, 2015

..........during the show’s “Overtime” segment, Matthews and Ramos got into it again, this time on the issue of the Iraq War, and the media’s coverage of it.

RAMOS: It was clearly a mistake. We made a huge mistake and as journalists, I think it is also part of our responsibility. We were silent we didn’t challenge…
MATTHEWS: No. That’s not true.
RAMOS: We didn’t challenge George W. Bush and we didn’t…
MATTHEWS: Keep that “we” to yourself.
RAMOS: No, no, no.
MATTHEWS: No, keep that “we” to yourself. I opposed the war. The we doesn’t work here.
RAMOS: The fact is that as journalists…
MATTHEWS: No! No! No. No. (crosstalk) I opposed the war in every column I wrote and every time I was on television.
MAHER: I did too.
RAMOS: I’m sure you did.
MATTHEWS: You’re wrong.
MAHER: And Michael Moore got up at the Oscars.
MATTHEWS: What do you mean, you’re sure I did? Don’t be condescending. We were against the war.
RAMOS: But what I’m saying is that as journalists
MAHER: You don’t like this guy. (crosstalk)
RAMOS: As journalists we should have done much better…
MATTHEWS: We ?!?!
RAMOS: … challenging the Bush administration.
MATTHEWS: But we did challenge it.

Chris Matthews’ steely opposition to the Iraq War is a subject that comes up periodically, and is shot down periodically, as well. Matthews’ critics concede that he opposed the invasion and the war in print, but that in his much more influential television forum, it was a different story. That’s not exactly true, there are plenty of examples of Matthews expressing opposition to Iraq policy on TV, but they are greatly outweighed by his consistent bashing of the war’s critics, and tingly amazement at the Iraq War’s huge “successes.”

For example, he called then-President George W. Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech an “amazing display of leadership,” declaring that Bush had “won the war,” and “was an effective commander,” before going on this turgid riff about Bush’s flight costume with guest Pat Caddell:

MATTHEWS: The president there — look at this guy! We’re watching him. He looks like he flew the plane. He only flew it as a passenger, but he’s flown —
CADDELL: He looks like a fighter pilot.
MATTHEWS: He looks for real. What is it about the commander in chief role, the hat that he does wear, that makes him — I mean, he seems like — he didn’t fight in a war, but he looks like he does.
CADDELL: Yes. It’s a — I don’t know. You know, it’s an internal thing. I don’t know if you can put it into words. […] You can see it with him and the troops, the ease with which he talks to them. I was amazed by that, frankly, because as I said, I was originally appalled, particularly when I heard he was going in an F-18. But — on there — but the — but you know, that was —
MATTHEWS: Look at this guy!

MORE:
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/chris-matthews-was-against-the-iraq-war-while-he-was-tingling-over-it/

[Paladin]

1. Tweety's hard-on for Dubya and the flight suit is well-documented.

And to this day, Matthews gets an extra gleam in his eye and some additional spittle at the corners of his mouth, when the possibility of U.S. armed engagement presents itself. He's a war junkie, pure and simple---he thinks it improves us as a nation, I've heard him say it more than once......

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

2. Chris Matthews: 2005's Misinformer of the Year - Media Matters

http://mediamatters.org/research/2005/12/23/chris-matthews-2005s-misinformer-of-the-year/134530

Chris ♥ George, Part 1: Bush sometimes "glimmers" with "sunny nobility." On MSNBC's Hardball, during a discussion with Washington Times editorial page editor Tony Blankley of the effects on President Bush and his administration of the investigation into the leak of the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame, Matthews said "[S]ometimes it glimmers with this man, our president, that kind of sunny nobility." [Hardball, 10/24/05]
Chris ♥ George, Part 2: "Everybody sort of likes the president, except for the real whack-jobs ..." Insulting the majority of Americans who hold an unfavorable opinion of President Bush, Matthews exclaimed on Hardball: "Everybody sort of likes the president, except for the real whack-jobs, maybe on the left," adding, "I mean, like him personally." [Hardball, 11/28/05]
Chris ♥ George, Part 3: Matthews praised Bush speech as "brilliant" even before it was delivered. Before Bush had even delivered his November 30 speech at the U.S. Naval Academy, Matthews used variations of the word "brilliant" twice to describe it, while deriding Democratic critics of the Iraq war as "carpers and complainers." [MSNBC live coverage, 11/30/05]
Chris ♥ George, Part 4: Bush "belongs on Mount Rushmore." Recounting his experience at a White House party, Matthews said that he "felt sensitive" during his interactions with the president, adding: "You get your picture taken with him. It's like Santa Claus, and he's always very generous and friendly." He continued: "I felt like I was too towel-snappy with him," explaining that Bush had noted his "red scarf" and remarked that he looked "preppy." During the same show, Matthews stated: "If [Bush's] gamble that he can create a democracy in the middle of the Arab world" is successful, "he belongs on Mount Rushmore." [Hardball, 12/16/05]

more at link

[marmar]

3. Weathervane Tweety tries to revise history.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. Tweety is a conflicted guy.

He was one of the few who put his foot down when it came to the Iraq War. Completely opposed to it.

But, when it came to "W"s moment, I think he knew not to be the first to attack the codpiece. Afterall, Keith Olberman did not remain long when he was on a 24/7 attack plan. And, Tweety knew that "W" did not like confrontation. People who were opposed to him usually ended up in a First Amendment corral, back in those days. "W" couldn't even face the 9/11 investigation panel without Dick Cheney holding his hand.

So, I'm guessing Tweety was being diplomatic because he wanted to be sure to be in the short list should "W" grant him special consideration for an interview. It worked so well for his buddy Tim Russert. Until that moment in history, I had absolutely no idea that it was that easy for the White House to contact and control the media.