Matthews: Where have all the "big, beefy" "every-way big guy" Democrats gone?
While discussing the Democratic presidential candidates on the August 8 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, host Chris Matthews asserted: "I don't see a big, beefy alternative to [Sen.] Hillary Clinton [D-NY] -- a big guy. You know what I mean? An ... every-way big guy. I don't see one out there. I see a lot of slight, skinny, second- and third-rate candidates." Matthews prefaced his comment by saying, "I guess I'm thinking of an Eddie Rendell were in the race -- the governor of Pennsylvania -- or if [former Vice President] Al Gore were in the race or someone else who's a good heavyweight to be running."
As Media Matters for America noted, during MSNBC's August 7 coverage of the AFL-CIO Democratic presidential forum, Matthews asked Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson about former Sen. John Edwards' (NC) performance: "Why did they seem to be glancing blows that didn't grab the audience? Is the fact that he's a small man -- I mean, literally, physically?" Robinson responded: "He's not physically that small."
Matthews' characterization of Gore as "a good heavyweight" marks a change from his previous characterizations of Gore. As Media Matters noted, on the December 21, 2006, edition of Hardball, Matthews asked Washington Times editorial page editor Tony Blankley if Gore was "in fighting weight" and then said: "He's the Hindenburg."
Matthews has also previously suggested that Obama's being "skinny" is an asset, rather than a liability. On the January 17 edition of Hardball, he asserted:
MATTHEWS: He looks like the young American hero -- OK, the ears stick out. I think [New York Times columnist] Maureen Dowd made that point. He's got the skinny, lanky look of a young, healthy guy. He looks like the young Lindbergh before the politics got in the way, the young Jack Kennedy. If he sits around and waits 'til he's middle-aged, and he's got a fat neck, he ain't going anywhere. So, the smartest thing that kid is doing -- and he is a kid compared to us -- is go for it and make Hillary try to catch him.
As Media Matters has documented, Matthews has previously touted the purportedly presidential attributes of each of the leading Republicans running for president:
- On the May 2, 2006, edition of Hardball, Matthews said of former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, "He looks like [a] president to me."
- On the November 19, 2006, edition of the NBC-syndicated The Chris Matthews Show, Matthews and his panel gushed over Sen. John McCain (AZ), calling him "passionate," "a smart hawk," and "kind of like Martin Luther." On the March 29 Hardball, Matthews stated: "John McCain certainly deserves to be president, based on his contribution to this country over the years."
- On January 19, Matthews said of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: "He has the perfect chin, the perfect hair, he looks right." On February 13, Matthews said Romney has "got a great chin, I've noticed."
Media Matters also noted that, during the July 18, 2006, edition of NBC's The Tonight Show, Matthews predicted a Giuliani victory in 2008, but also asserted: "I hope the American people take the next election very seriously and don't just vote partisan ... or personality or who has the happiest smile ... but picks the person that makes us feel the safest."
On the August 8 show, which featured Townhall.com columnist Amanda Carpenter, The New Republic senior editor Michael Crowley, and Newsweek White House correspondent Holly Bailey, Carpenter said regarding Edwards: "I think he's trying desperately, you know, almost like a little kid, 'Hey, remember me?' "
From the 5 p.m. ET hour of the August 8 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews:
MATTHEWS: The guy who's caught off guard here and almost irrelevant is Edwards. He just keeps slipping through the cracks.
CARPENTER: Yeah, he's quite desperate.
MATTHEWS: He's not the avant-garde candidate. He's not the Bobby Kennedy, like Obama. He's not the establishment candidate like Hillary. He's just there.
CARPENTER: Yeah, I think he's trying desperately, you know, almost like a little kid, "Hey, remember me?" and "What about the lobbyist money?" He brought that up at YearlyKos and again at the debate last night. I mean, he really is kind of stealing Obama's territory on the lobbyist money and trying to own that and make it his and bringing it up every chance he can.
MATTHEWS: Here's a tough question, Holly. Is Barack Obama the dog in the manger, meaning the person who stands there and prevents somebody who can really take on Hillary from getting into second place? Is he her best friend really, 'cause he can't catch her?
BAILEY: Well, you know, I think on one hand, sure. But at the same time, you know, if we look at the field, I mean, you know, it's hard to see who would be getting his support, you know, if he weren't in the race. I mean, I think a lot of people who are supporting Obama would probably still be -- would probably shift to Hillary, but that's just a guess.
MATTHEWS: Yeah, I think you're right. I guess I'm thinking of an Eddie Rendell were in the race -- the governor of Pennsylvania -- or if Al Gore were in the race or someone else who's a good heavyweight to be running. But, you know, I do see a lot of really good second-tier candidates here, but I don't see a big, beefy alternative to Hillary Clinton -- a big guy. You know what I mean? An all -- an every-way big guy. I don't see one out there. I see a lot of slight, skinny, second- and third-rate candidates.
CROWLEY: [New Mexico Gov. Bill] Richardson's kind of beefy. Richardson's a little beefy.
MATTHEWS: Yeah, right. I know. We'll talk about Richardson later. Thank you Michael Crowley, Amanda Carpenter -- Richardson's a fine public servant, but I don't see it connecting yet. And Holly Barry [sic], thank you, from Newsweek.
Another wondeful example of MSNBC and its great journalists.
And Sueeld, if you are waiting for someone to be called on for this statement by the person that occupies the 8pm eastern timeslot, forget it. Hell will freeze over first.
Well Casey, you said that not me, lets just make sure the record speaks for itself. I was more commenting on how again the network that allowed Imus and Savage is still playing the racecard.
Not only the racecard, but the sexually confused card.
I'm confused. Does he mean "formidable" ...or is he talking Man-Crush beefy?
I think he means the Folsom/San Francisco hairy chested types.
Another example of how he is always commenting on the male anatomy.
Chris has a secret.
I guess that's why Matthews is "forever blonde". : )
I'd really like to know why Matthews is suddenly obsessing over size exclusively on Democratic candidates. I do recognize that Democrats are typically accepting of gay men, but it doesn't mean that we're size queens. WTH is Matthews thinking?
I think in Chris Matthews' ideal world, the candidates would just whip out their genitals and whoever has the biggest penis, that's who he'll support.
Well, he'll choose the biggest penis only from a group of guys who all make tax cuts for the rich their first, second, and third priority.
That would be Hillary...
I'd hit that if it were well hung. Oh, yeah. :D
I'd like to add that the more I see of Chris Matthews, the more he seems to be turning into a Deep One.
Chris Matthews is a lousy interviewer. In addition to being a hack, he speaks over his guests - as if what he has to say is both more insightful and more interesting. Nevertheless, MSNBC is still the best of the mainstream media. Keith Oberman is the best newscaster out there, and he is on MSNBC. It's just that Chris is a jerk busy sucking up to the "right."
Chrissy doesn't like their jibs. BTW Ricards is a big beefy guy.
Yet another argument for making the primary season much, much, much shorter. I mean, we've still got a long way to go and this is the crap that they're talking about?
In a perfect world, when the "news" channels didn't have any news to report, they would just have to show a looped video of a monkey riding a unicycle. Heck, when Tucker is on, it's tough to tell the difference.
Apparently, we can add "size queen" to the list of Tweety's questionable traits
I'm thinking there might a little mileage in reworking some of these fine bear comics with Mr. Matthews in mind:
http://www.bearwithme.us/
I've never thought of Mr. Matthews as a bear but, hey, apparently it's kinda okay to hang out at bear bars and admire the bears even if you aren't, you know, gay. But, I've also heard that it's okay to be gay and like bears.
Mathews should try to get elected to office someday and experience real America.
I hope the American people take the next election very seriously and don't just vote partisan ... or personality or who has the happiest smile ... but picks the person that makes us feel the safest.
God the vacuousness of this man is simply staggering. The lead up: Gosh, lets hope people don't vote on superficialities!", followed by "Let's pick the guy who makes us FEEL the safest!"
Is it any wonder this country's on the skids? This is just so... pathetic.
chris matthews doesn't even see the upcoming presidential election in terms of responsibilities, and the qualifications to meet those responsibilities.
He thinks he's casting a movie... he's like a producer casting his upcoming movie, sitting in the first few rows of a mostly dark theatre, looking up at the screen, at 'screen-tests'... a candidate appears on the screen, and chris shouts impatiently to the projectionist:
"Too small! He's not right for the part, get him off the screen! And if you got any more Alan Ladds and Mickey Rooneys on film, don't waste my time... next!"
And another piece of film rolls, showing the next New Face maybe, in chris's upcoming movie; and chris shouts again:
"No! No no no! Too skinny! The role requires a beefy guy... we're casting for president of the UNITED STATES, not president of Biafra you know! And don't try my patience by showing me some kind of Orson Welles or Burl Ives, because "beefy" doesn't mean enormous either... next!"
The screen flickers, and a man appears on it, and chris leans forward, rapt and eyes bulging:
"Whoa! He's it! That's the guy! My MAN, I've found him! I want his agent on the phone, ASAP... what's his schedule, what's his price, what..."
But then the guy on the screen, the New Face, chris's MAN, he speaks... and chris is stunned:
"...what... what the frig... what, is this guy even American? What's he saying? Does he have a speech impediment, or what? Geeze, there goes that train, right off the tracks... the guy sounds like a mix of drunk and dumb... he'll never get the role ever not ever, talking like that... and too bad, he look's perfect... oh well, never mind calling that dope's agent... he's going nowhere, as good as he looks, talking like that... what's his name anyway?"
"Arnold Shwarzenegger" says the voice from the projection booth.
"Man" says chris, "If there's anything that sounds weirder than this guy's voice, it's his name... dang, a ridiculous name and he talks like he's just been kicked in the head by a mule... you might as well put a "DEAD END" sign at the top of the street he lives on...
Hey, never mind any more tests, I've made up my mind: I'm going with Alan Ladd as our next president...
I know I know, he's short but so what?
Since when was height, or bulk for that matter, ever a qualification to be president of the United States, and Commander in Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, and to fix our 'broken' U.S. Army, and manage an out-of-control contractor-owned DOD, and to Right the Department of Justice...
So Alan Ladd's short...
Hey! We'll just make his VP even shorter, so nobody'll even notice, good idea?"
The voice from the projection booth laughs:
"You're a wizard chris... I'll get Mickey Rooney's agent too, to see if he can play the VP."
"Right!"
And as chris gathers his stauff, and makes his way out of the mostly dark theatre, he shakes his and wonders at the guy who looked so good, but talked like a caveman or something:
"You got to be kidding me...
Carl-LEE-forn-KNEE-yah?
...what the heck is wrong with that guy's tongue... is that a joke, pronouncing the name of the state like that?"
Sooo... are you leaning towards Barack Obama/Michael Clarke Duncan or towards Barack Obama/Gary Coleman?
Brilliant, my friend.
Who says these 'pundits' on the television aren't smart?
The proof is right there above, in the transcription in the item... as the several razor-sharp wits took their turns in the dialogue, someone named holly baily is represented only once in the transcript, but she made the most of it... it doesn't take a lot of words, when you know what you're talking about:
BAILEY:
"Well, you know, I think on one hand, sure.
But at the same time, you know, if we look at the field, I mean, you know, it's hard to see who would be getting his support, you know, if he weren't in the race.
I mean, I think a lot of people who are supporting Obama would probably still be --
would probably shift to Hillary, but that's just a guess."
You know holly, it's OK to take a guess, and to try and be a good guesser... they say that's what Copernicus and Galileo and Kepler were: simply good guessers.
Maybe your guess will turn out right, just like those guy's guesses did... we'll wait and see, if maybe your guess is right.
But, you know, holly, well I'm not sure, you know, what it is I'd be waiting for, I mean, since, you know, I haven't a clue what it was, you know, you guessed at...
I mean as best as I can tell, you had one swing at the ball holly, and you WHIFFED:
Nothing But Air!
Its hard to understand what role Chris is now playing at MSNBC. Is he a news person? Is he an analyst? Is he a cheerleader?
What purpose does his show serve?
I keep going back to the fact that MSNBC really doesn't care about presenting political show but really about presenting shows that sell stuff. Frankly, if the producers at MSNBC through it would sell commercial time they would serve up dancing parakeets or sock puppets discussing world events.
Somewhere at MSNBC a "demographics expert" has written a report indicating that Chris should keep doing whatever he is doing. If there were any reputable news organizations still in existence then Chris would have long ago been shamed off the air.
Sigh......
I think "People Magazine" should get a cable network and make Matthews its anchor.
Tweety's still looking for his perfect man.
He's got to have a nice package, a comfortable chin and he's got to be big & beefy.
Don't give up Chris, he's out there somewhere.
I thought him ( Mathews ) and Giulliani were still dating ? after he broke up with McCain ???
Funny that Matthews never mentions the crossdressing Giuliani.
Matthews: Where have all the "big, beefy" "every-way big guy" Democrats gone?
HBL you show him our "big beefy every-way manly man"!!! :-)
Pearlene, I'm only that through the anonymity of the internet. I'm actually an anemic, non-beefy, limp-wristed effeminate wuss with a weak chin. I'm also lousy in bed.
And Worrierking, remember, Chris is the one with the comfortable chin, his man needs to have a nice jib.
I'm going to have to write all of this down so I can remember all of Chris's peccadilloes.
I never thought I'd be able to use that word in a sentence.
"I'm also lousy in bed."
Ha! I might have believed you, HBL, until that. You can't shatter my delicate sensitivies like this. I know in my heart of hearts that the fiery passion of Don Juan lies within you!
You know, I have seen a lot of really bad republican presidents out here, and I don't see a big, beefy alternative to Ron Paul -- a big guy. You know what I mean? An all -- an every-way big guy, someone smart, someone honest, someone with decent values, someone who can spell hypocrisy. I don't see one out there. I have seen a lot of slight, skinny, third- and fourth-rate republican presidents, but not a single one that's worth any respect...
I thought Tweets liked guys who smell good.
I'm big and beefy, and I gotta go to a lot of trouble to smell good.
I think Tweets is conflicted about his man-preferences.
Is it just me or does the way Tweety flits from man crush to man crush seem a bit creepy, in a parking down the street and watching your house kinda way?
Solon, if you get back here. and on the subject of man-crushes; The Daily Show last night with Cavutos Bush interview gave Matthews a run for his money.
What ever happened to real journalists who don't ask embarrassingly stupid questions? Thoughtful intelligent men like Murrow and Cronkite?Instead of half witted boobs like Chris Matthews who can't keep his squirming latent homosexual man crush closet queen tendencies to himself?
Soo.. Tweety likes 'em big n' beefy? Hmmm..........
BARRY BONDS for President!!
Matthews has just a big mouth with a lot of hot air coming out of it. I don't know why people call him an "expert".
We really are living in the dark ages. Faith trumps reason. Feelings trump rationality. And GW Bush is president of the most powerful nation on the earth! Gone are the likes of Murrow, Cronkite, Koppel, et al. We're now stuck with these lightweights and parrots who care more about their paychecks and ratings then their journalistic integrity.
As a former j-school student, this all has been a long time coming. And while the nation slept . . . the corporate takeover of media has reached its apex. To think that a good portion of the right actually consider OReilly, Hannity and Limbaugh journalists. It's a sad time indeed.
On a more positive note, when you've hit rock bottom there's no where to go but up. Maybe this thirty-years of conservatism is exactly what we needed to ensure that these fascists and social Darwinists will not return to power in our lifetimes. Within a single decade they've taken us from world leader to international pariah and rogue nation.
You know Mathews could find something good to say if he were sitting butt naked in a hot tube with a naked henry Kissinger , " you know those wrinkles make YOU, look powerful ." As far as McCain should be president , because of his service , we'll what about his stellar record on Iraq . Mathews is beginning to creep me out, if he likes "beefy" right wing guys so much, he'd fit in great at the Bohemian Club, he can massage Henry's raisins, or play gotcha w bush sr.
The real bad thing about chrissy, is his shallowness, trying to come across as an expert, at the same time bringing up Edwards "size, he's a small man " THe guy is just an insider, motormouth , and sycophantic toad, eager to please conservatives in DC.