Ask Chris Matthews to Come Clean on Abramoff: Rep Louise Slaughter

[cal04]

Once again please only recommend this diary if you think others should see the information I'm posting.
Hi y'all. I am down here in Williamsburg, VA attending the 2006 Issues Conference of the House Democratic Caucus. I wanted come on here and urge you guys to not let up on your incredible activism around Chris Matthews. Please keep up the pressure. I cannot believe he had the audacity to refer Senator Edward Kennedy as "the guy that molested" Justice Samuel A. Alito's wife during Mr. Alito's confirmation hearing. Again, this kind of comment is simply absurd, uncalled for, and harmful to our nation. For someone like Mr. Matthews who is in a position to have an influence on shaping of public opinion, he has a responsibility to treat issues fairly and the public honestly. That is why I have been so disturbed by the recent revelations of a potential connection between MSNBC host Chris Matthews and former GOP super-lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

This just doesn't sit right with me. And I am now even more troubled about revelations of potential connections between him and convicted felon lobbyist like Jack Abramoff.
I have read news stories showing how Mr. Matthews was included in the plans of those organizing a Jack Abramoff "fundraiser" originally scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 2003. The so-called "Spy Game Gala" was actually one of Mr. Abramoff's pet projects designed to funnel money to his numerous organizations. In this case, the proceeds from the Gala were intended to go to a fake charity Mr. Abramoff had established, the Capital Athletic Foundation, and from there into the coffers of his clients and allies. (The impropriety of this event is heightened by the fact that Jill Doolittle, wife of Rep. John Doolittle was hired by Mr. Abramoff to plan the event - more on that below.)

Well this is a serious problem. As the public is learning more and more about the Republican selling of Washington and Mr. Abramoff's role in it, Mr. Matthews has consistently downplayed the significance of Mr. Abramoff's actions. For example, he said on January 3rd he said on Hardball, "I'm not sure that people are going to see as part of any Republican culture of corruption," adding that, "It's not going to be part of a larger story of Washington this year, I think." I wonder why Mr. Matthews was so quick to downplay this growing scandal. Mr. Matthews has already made public comments that, even if made in jest, have challenged his objectivity. But now, the fact that Mr. Matthews was so involved with a sham event connected to convicted felon and a well known uber Republican lobbyists such as Abramoff raises serious questions to about his ability to cover Washington's latest scandals in a straightforward manner.

He should be open and honest about any connection he has, however small, to political insiders who are currently being investigated. If the integrity of his political commentary has been compromised in any way, his viewers have a
right to know about it. So please keep up the pressure on MSNBC - and let them know Mr. Matthews needs to be straightforward, open, and honest about any possible connections to Mr. Abramoff. We are fighting for honest and open government here in Washington and at the same time we also need to hold our media accountable to make sure they are fair, honest, and open about the news they are supposed to cover. -LMS

more
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/3/14210/21317

[Skidmore]

1. Louise is a goddess....a goddess of justice.

Matthews was also right smack in the middle of Plamegate too. Trying to pay his mansion off. He's corrupt too.

[blm]

2. YES!!! This is the second lawmaker pointing to Matthews integrity.

Keep it coming.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

3. I'm not only boycotting Whoreball but also boycotting threads ABOUT

Whoreball on DU and whatever liquid crap has dribbled out of Tweety's mouth today.

However, I'm not boycotting threads about politicians who ask media whores like Matthews to come clean about any influence under which they have come which might explain why they've been turned into media whores. I applaud Representative Louise Slaughter for the courage of asking these kinds of questions. It takes guts to take on the media, because there are so many sheep who accept whatever they see on their screens as gospel.

[against all enemies]

4. Matthew's brother running on GOP ticket in PA.

Chris, that piece of shit, will do everything he can to help his brother, which in turn will help Ric Santorum.

I hate all of them.

[oasis]

5. Tweety and Jackoff are going down.(eom)

[oasis]

6. Tweety gives a typical freeper reaction to Tom Tole's cartoon controversy.

Just now on "Hardball Hotshots". At least panelist Craig Crawford attempted to put Tole's toon in a proper context.