Regarding Chris Matthews & Tonight's Debate

[H2O Man]

Most DUers probably know that Chris Matthews will be the moderator at tonight's republican debate. There has been some fake controversy, stirred by noble souls like Bill O'Reilly and his ilk, about Mr. Matthews' commenting recently on the Cheney administration's attempts to silence his reporting reporting on the Plame scandal on Hardball. It is likely that one or more candidates will attempt to endear themselves to the fans of O'Reilly and Cheney, by making snarky swipes at Mr. Matthews.

The OVP had a few WHIG folks call the heads of MSNBC and accuse Mr. Matthews of being anti-Semitic because he focused on Scooter Libby and Paul Wolfowitz's roles in lying this country into war, and because of Matthews' reporting on what Joseph Wilson had said. (See: "Hubris," by Corn & Isikoff, pages 265-67; and Libby trial documents). More, it was Chris Matthews' call to Joseph Wilson that warned the Wilsons about the OVP/WHIG attack on them, specifically Rove's comment that "his wife is 'fair game'." ("The Politics of Truth"; Joseph Wilson; page 1)

Today's question: how should Mr. Matthews respond to the candidate(s) who attempt(s) to score cheap points by taking the notorious republican cheap shot? Chris is considering simply ignoring most of the possible cheap shots. But if they cross the line, he will respond. How would you think he could best do so?

[Beelzebud]

1. My only question is has he had the phone call with Tom Delay to see what issue is "embargoed".

I'll never forget the leaked footage of him, and Tom Delay, yucking it up before a Hardball appearance. He apologized to Tom for bringing up a subject that he wasn't aware was on "embargo"...

He's a fucking shill...

[A-Schwarzenegger]

2. Maybe he can stand real close to them and spray them

when he flaps his slimy lips. How is it that you know this: "Chris is considering simply ignoring most of the possible cheap shots. But if they cross the line, he will respond." Did he actually say that? What a narcissistic infant.

[H2O Man]

5. I wrote that. n/t

[A-Schwarzenegger]

13. Sorry, I dont understand. Did Matthews say that himself, that he expected snarks & would respond

if they went over the line?

Edit: Did he say it publicly? Or were you speculating?

[A-Schwarzenegger]

30. He said it on the Joe Scarborough show.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

31. Oh, thank you.

[myrna minx]

3. The insincerity of Matthews will show through regardless of how he reacts to any snark.

I still don't understand why Chris "we are all neocons now" Matthews has any platform at all.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

9. Agreed. That such a hyper, drooling, giggling dufus is moderating a debate

is another sign of the degradation of public discourse.

[myrna minx]

21. It's as though the man has no mental filter.

What pops into his head flies out of his mouth. :hi: AS.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

27. He don't need no stinking mental filter.

He's got his own show so that means everything that passes through that wind tunnel he calls his mind must be worth spraying, I mean, saying.

[Schema Thing]

4. He should have special questions prepared and on hold

that strike at the most charred portions of the black heart of each candidate.

[me b zola]

41. That could quickly stop the others from their attacks. n/t

[spanone]

6. He should accuse them of carrying on the very sleeze this nation wants to exhume.

he should ask if they plan to attempt to manipulate the press the same as this WH

he should ask if they believe in freedom of the press

he should ask if they revel in the politics of o'reilly and cheney

he should ask if they intend to 'stay the course' politically....to the ruination of our political system

[H2O Man]

7. Thank you.

I appreciate an intelligent response!

[spanone]

10. then again, he may just hold up his book and smile!

[blondeatlast]

14. Excellent. I can't add to that. nt

[Me.]

8. I Read Recent;y How Chris Lehane Said

'if they pull out a knife, pull out a gun'.

Now I don't think CM should respond to every little dig, that would put the focus on him and the republicons would escape scrutiny. And a cheap shot often looks very much like a cheap shot. However, if someone pulls out a knife he should go for his gun.

[H2O Man]

12. Thank you.

I am thinking he might want to highlight that a jury convicting Libby, and make note that the jury is fairly representative of the voting public.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

16. "that would put the focus on him" ... Oh, dear, no!

[Buns_of_Fire]

24. Plugging a couple of 'em right on the spot WOULD make for a more interesting debate!

Or at least give each one of them a can of Mace, so they could walk up to each other (like Officer Judy would do on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour) and dust each other whenever they felt like it.

Or wire each podium with about 100,000 volts, with the button controlled by the moderator. ("Sorry, Senator, wrong answer..." *BZZZZZT!*)

Do it like American Idol and we can all vote online in realtime!

I'm sorry. I'm being silly. I really think they should just give them all a loincloth and a wooden spear and lock 'em in a cage.

Pay-Per-View, of course.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

11. Trying to yank the chain of a moderator by making him part of the debate,...

,...is a real cheap shot!

[H2O Man]

15. Indeed, it is.

Hence it is likely at least three republican candidates will try this.

[mtnester]

39. Only three?

I think you are an optimist at heart

:)

[H2O Man]

42. Three identified.

But I think you are right .... others may think it's the thing to do.

[blondeatlast]

17. "I'm not running for office. Answer the question, please?"

Please, Mr. Matthews, make sure that bG is good going into this (I take insulin too and have recognized a few times when his is not good).

[H2O Man]

18. Very good!

I like that. Thank you!

[Rambis]

19. Water board them

after all it is not considered torture in this country.

[H2O Man]

20. I think that

watching the republican debates come mighty close.

[spanone]

22. yes, and being the political nose i am, i will submit myself to waterboarding

[Rambis]

23. agreed, it is brutal!

the watching I mean-

[KoKo]

25. I was planning on avoiding watching....

I don't think I can handle any more of them. But, maybe I should tape it to see how Fred does... I'm not so generous about Tweety as you are able to be, even though it seems he tried to do the honorable thing with the Wilsons he's just been dishonorable in so many other ways in his treatment of Democrats. But, I suppose he's better than Tucker or the rest of the mindless. We'd probably be sad to lose him because there's not much else on politically.

[spanone]

29. the 'expectations' for the great white dope are extraordinary

how in the FUCK can he be #2 in the polls....just shows how stupid and candidate challened the right is.

[Truth2Tell]

26. Maybe he can have his good friend

and ratings magnet Ann Coulter on hand to make nasty comments on his behalf?

Or maybe he can make some remarks disparaging the "loony left" of the Dem party in order to show what a good ol' boy he actually is?

:shrug:

[LSK]

28. he should call on Ron Paul to answer the next 5 questions regarding Iraq and Terror

[Me.]

32. Good Strategy n/t

[in_cog_ni_to]

33. "I see you received today's OVP talking points."

"Sorry, this isn't Fox News. We do the real news."

"Sorry, we don't work for the White House."

"HEY! You could be answering questions from Keith Olbermann!" :7

I'm just hoping he follows up on a question someone asked Willard the other day. The man was in a wheelchair and told Willard he smoked or wanted to smoke medical marijuana and if he was president, "would you have me arrested?" Of course Willard didn't answer him. I hope Tweety tries to get an answer for the guy. I'd love to see Willard put on the spot with that one.

[H2O Man]

37. Great!

I like those.

[gatorboy]

34. Most of his crushes will be there.

Chris Matthews will bust a nut on live television and NBC will get fined for broadcasting an act of indecency

[Catherine Vincent]

35. I just want him to debate them on a personal level like Russert did the other night.

Russert was bidding for the republicans party that night. I want Matthews to bid for the Democratic party tonight. Fair is fair.

[H2O Man]

40. I think it

is supposed to be focused on economic issues. Jard to pay for butter & bombs when you cut taxes for the wealthiest in society. I think there may be a few tough questions.

[Catherine Vincent]

46. Do you think Fitzy will take the time to watch the tape delay if Plame comes up?

He is, afterall, an expert on that topic. :)

[King Coal]

36. HA!............. HA!........

[H2O Man]

38. Yep.

That works.

[me b zola]

43. Respond by asking them

...if they are deflecting because they aren't prepared to debate the issues.

[me b zola]

44. or

respond by saying that the economy is a serious issue deserving a president will treat it as such. In the last 6 years we have seen far too much of personal attacks and not enough serious debate/discussion on issues that matter to Americans.

[H2O Man]

45. Both good responses.

Thanks.