Matthews again cited "terror and taxes" as "Republican strong points," despite polling to the contrary
SUMMARY: Even though polls suggest that Democrats actually hold an advantage over Republicans on both issues, Chris Matthews again asserted that "terror and taxes are the Republican strong points" in the upcoming midterm congressional elections.
On the October 13 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, host Chris Matthews again asserted that "terror and taxes are the Republican strong points" in the upcoming midterm congressional elections, even though polls suggest that Democrats actually hold an advantage over Republicans on both issues.
As Media Matters for America documented when Matthews similarly stated on October 11 that "Democrats cannot match" Republicans "on the issue of taxes" and that focusing on taxes is "the best Republican strategy," polling shows Americans trust Democrats more on taxes than they do Republicans, a finding that is reaffirmed in the most recent Pew Research Center for the People and the Press poll on the subject, which showed a 46-35 Democratic advantage on taxes in February 2006 and a 45-30 advantage in September. Matthews again returned to baselessly claiming the tax issue benefits Republicans despite admitting in March that polling indicated "people trust Democrats more on tax cutting."
Recent polling also indicates that Democrats hold an advantage over Republicans on dealing with the "war on terror." For example, a Gallup/USA Today poll conducted October 6-8 gave Democrats a five-point advantage over Republicans -- 46 percent to 41 percent -- on "who would best handle terrorism," a Newsweek poll conducted October 5-6 gave Democrats a seven-point advantage -- 44 percent to 37 percent -- on the question of "which party is more trusted to fight the war on terror," and an ABC News/Washington Post poll conducted October 5-8 gave Democrats a six-point advantage -- 47 percent to 41 percent -- on the question of "which political party" would "do a better job handling [t]he U.S. campaign against terrorism."
From the October 13 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, which also featured CNBC chief Washington correspondent and Wall Street Journal columnist John Harwood:
MATTHEWS: Yeah, terror and taxes are the Republican strong points. On the other side, somebody put it rather well. They said casualties -- it's a hard way to put it, make it political -- casualties and corruption are the best arguments for the Democrats.
HARWOOD: Exactly.
MATTHEWS: C and C against T and T.
HARWOOD: But the question is -- they got a lot of money in the bank. The question is, can they push those people out to get them to vote like they did in 2004? It's much more difficult to do this year.
Terror and taxes are the Republican strong points. Most everything else they get crushed on, eh? These they don't get as crushed on. ;-)
There wasn't anything incorrect here - he said "strong points" not that they beat Democrats on this.
...only if they weren't running against the Democrats.
If a midget is 1 inch taller than another midget, he's still not tall.
I watched Matthews on Bill Maher and he made the tired claim that he must be unbiased since he receives criticism from both the left and the right. Then I caught a few minutes of his "college tour" show with Robin Williams as a guest and he asked the live audience who would vote for Bush again if it were possible. The audience roared approvingly in response! This is Matthews' demographic and he knows it.
Give me a break... that's pathetic.
Hahaahahaaaaaaa.
But in fairness, some quality questions were asked by the students and I don't recall complete applause for Bush, on this rare "Hardball" episode that I caught. Matthews got lucky with Robin Williams as his guest. The students were supportive of a fairer political system less tainted by corporate cash.
I'm sure you're right... it's always surprising to me (and we see it perpetually on this site) how two people can watch the exact same broadcast and get two entirely different enterpretations!! I realize Georgetown may not be a bastion of liberal ideals... but, uproarious applaus for a Bush re-election? I find that hard to believe... Then again, most college-age kids have no idea what they're talking about anyhow -- they could have been at a taping for "The Man Show" for all they new.
'knew'
I watched the show as well. I would say that 10% at best cheered when the question about voting for Bush again was asked. They may have been loud, but there weren't many of them...
along with impressive sprays of spittle, lazy assumptions spill out of his mouth on just about every other question.
I wonder why "terror and taxes" are perceived to be Republican strong suits? The suits have gotten so very rumpled and tattered, no amount of pressing and cleaning could restore them.
They've terrorized and taxed us (middle class) for 6 years.
We got a deficit to pay for everything.
Up is down, down is up, and the direction we're going is whatever we say it is.
How American?? Pundits or Propagandist???
These dip sticks have yet to get a policy issue right since they got the pulpit, 6 years of hearing this drivell, and they would be happy to be just screw-ups. The fact is they have been telling lies, and making false arguements for self serving policies for no other reason than the pursuit of power.
When is enough, enough??
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
a midget analogy on a liberal blog???
And one that would help Republicans, no less, if it ever caught on.
Republicans also like to use the term "Tax and Spend Democrats."
I like to use, "Borrow and Spend Republicans." It's not Bush's debt right? Let the next president worry about it.
I use to like matthews but the more I watch the more the turn off becomes.It seems as if every times a positive comes up for the dems,he is always looking for a negative.Yesterday 10-16-06 he had james baker on talking about Iraq and the recommendations his committee had for this tradgedy in Iraq.As much as matthews rails about the wounded he has seen in the Hospitals,He allowed baker to contiuley refer to certain pages in his book.If this man and his committe have any solution to this tradgedy let them"speak now or forever hold their piece" to have even an inkling of a solution and not bring it forth now is shameful and to hold it for after the election is shameless. If this commitee could save lives and treasurelets hear it NOW'
I caught that segment of the show, and from what I remember, there was applause for voting for Bush, but it definitely wasn't "roaring in approval" and was almost immediately drowned out by an loud booing.