Matthews on Romney: "Everything about him is perfect ... the tie always tied"
On the August 13 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, during an interview with Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, host Chris Matthews said: "Let me ask you about [Republican presidential candidate] Mitt Romney. You know, I watched him on the [NBC] Today show this morning. He looks like a million bucks. Everything is perfect. Everything about him is perfect." As examples, Matthews cited Romney's "look," his "manner," and his "shirt," with "never rolled-up sleeves" and "the tie always tied," and asked: "That perfection -- is that the Republican Party of the 21st century? Is that what we're looking for, the perfect efficiency expert?" Huckabee responded: "Well, if it is, I'm not going to get the nomination, because I'm far from perfect. ... I've got a bald spot on the back of my head. My life has been one of nothing but struggle in many ways."
Matthews frequently fawns over Romney's appearance, as Media Matters for America has documented. On the January 19 edition of Hardball, Matthews said of Romney: "He has the perfect chin, the perfect hair, he looks right." On the February 13 edition of the show, Matthews said Romney has "got a great chin, I've noticed."
From the August 13 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews:
MATTHEWS: Let me ask you about Mitt Romney. You know, I watched him on the Today show this morning. He looks like a million bucks. Everything is perfect. Everything about him is perfect -- his look, his manner, everything, the shirt, never rolled-up sleeves, the tie always tied. That perfection -- is that the Republican Party of the 21st century? Is that what we're looking for, the perfect efficiency expert?
HUCKABEE: Well, if it is, I'm not going to get the nomination, because I'm far from perfect. I'm the guy that -- you know, I've got a bald spot on the back of my head. My life has been one of nothing but struggle in many ways. But I think that's why I'll end up being the nominee. There a lot more people that can relate to people like me.
Another fashon/grooming critique by a shameless conservative agenda furtherer? Fluff misinformation is in full gear.
"Fluff" is the word. I think Matthews could easily get a job on the Romney Campaign (if he already hasn't) doing just that.
Yeah, that's it ... Tweety is a fluffer.
I agree, Tommy. Pretty weak by MM, IMHO.
Back in April, Matthews opined that Romney "only has rich people behind him."
In May, Matthews accused Romney of a "sucker punch" against Al Sharpton after Romney defended himself against comments by Sharpton about Romney's Mormonism.
Yeah. Matthews really loves Romney. (Roll eyes.) </sarc>
Pro-rich people and anti Al Sharpton? That oughtta hure him in the eyes of the GOP base.
(eyes spinning out of skull, <no HTML tag strong enough to contain csarcasm of comment>
I just love the idea that having your tie, you know, TIED, is in some way approaching "perfection."
Talk about lowering the bar.
The conservative agenda, with respect to the '08 election, has been to criticize Democrats based upon their blackness, cleavage and hairstyles, while gushing over how "presidential" and "perfect" the Republicans look.
I disagree. I have yet to see any comments regarding Edward's cleavage.
Give it time.
Matthews's job (apparently) is to give the regular guy take on everything, but he does seem a bit hung up on looks. "Gee, do you think (ex-movie star) Ronald Reagan knew he looked different (better) than other people?" (Uh, yes, Chris, I think he was probably vaguely aware of that.) And Matthews sure did gush over "Shrub" (R.I.P. Molly Ivins) in his "Mission Accomplished" pilot's outfit. More and more these days when I find myself watching cable TV political news/talk shows, I realize I probably have something better to do.
(BTW, tommy, too bad about that tough loss in Iowa.)
Jesus, Chris. Just after I took your side on the Burnett thing!
"That perfection -- is that the Republican Party of the 21st century? Is that what we're looking for, the perfect efficiency expert?"
Yep. That's what I'm looking for...a well-dressed religious fanatic. He does look good, though....
"He does look good, though...." --nerzog
He looks darn good enough you can practically see Matthews internally questioning his own sexuality. ...Not that there is anything wrong with that.
He not only looks good.....he's a knockout!
and you could land an aircraft carrier on those shoulders!!
Mitt-bot al-most per-fec-ted ... af-fec-tive ver-i-si-mil-i-tude, ex-cel-lent ... sounds al-most ... hu-man.
Right now Huckabee's got my vote.
Is it the bald spot in the middle of his head?
pardon me. I think he said "back of his head". Lets see Romney top that one!
"Is it the bald spot in the middle of his head?"--bkboase
Um...It's called his face.
; )
I could be wrong, but I don't see the Republican base giving the nod to a Mormon, no matter how good he looks. I think they're more likely to go with Giuliani because he reminds them to be scared of Turrists, or Thompson, because they aren't sophisticated enough to separate him from the characters he plays on TV.
I think Romney's religion will be a non factor with most Republicans. As a group Republicans are very tolerant. ;-)
Having said that of course that doesn't apply to Hillary's choice of fashion. If she so much as dare to hint at the wrong colored fashion accessory, we'll be out voting against her in droves.
Now that is good satire!
Your candidates followers seem to be the most tolerant of other religions.
[link to www.nytimes.com]
No, they won't give the nod to a Mormon
But they will give the nod to a moron. Of that, you can be sure.
So Mr Mathews dumped both Giulliani and McCain ? What a narcissist ! Gotta slap myself back into the " it is not the color of the skin but the content of a man's character " reality. . That knife cuts both ways. Wonder how much Romney spends on his haircut ?
Well Matthews suggestion that Romney, a nicely turned out dresser [right down to his tie] is an example of the perfect Republican look is a bit much.
But, it's not Conservative MIS-information, Romney is a neat dresser. Matthews didn't suggest that Democrats are slobs in comparison, so it's not furthering some Conservative agenda.
It's just Matthews being Matthews.
Now the big question, will he be named "Worst Person in the World" for saying this? Is this an outrage?
You're sure hoping so, aren't you? Looking for an actual example to fit your neatly defined opinion again?
So it is a crime in the world of Snoopy to have an opinion? Interesting.
Oh, look! Putting words in my mouth. And this from the same person who just told Julia to stick to poems.
My saying that was my opinion. Just like you saying what you want to say is your opinion.
Well, let's see. I said you're looking for a fact to back up your opinion. You claim I am saying it's a crime to have an opposing opinion. I point out you are the one actually doing that, and then on to square one to begin again. That republican circular logic, full of opinions, just devoid of facts.
It may be republican logic, I can not stand Republicans but you seem to be acting more like Karl Rove by not wanting any deviation from the prepared line, sort of scary no?
Oh, now I'm forcing conformance? You can think whatever you want, and I will freely point out you are more interested in a double standard where your opinion is presented as fact and others facts are nothing more than an opinion to you. But feel free to continue. You've already trolled off topic with your Olberman tirade, may as well get as much as you can out of that old shoe...
Asking if he is going to be the Worst Person in the World for this topic is not trolling (in my opinion). Its a legitimate question. he should be and I was hoping someone would agree. You obviously do not, that is fine.
Well, I guess I don't get your dry humor. It isn't obvious from anything you've written that you think Matthews was out of line in the 1st place.
I just think there are gonna be bigger fish for Olbermann to fry.
I just think there are gonna be bigger fish for Olbermann to fry.
Then will you & Casey please stop bickering & pass the tarter sauce
Its a legitimate question.
Oh, like hell it is. It's a distraction. It has nothing to do with the current topic.
This MMFA thread/topic is so weak that trolling off topic, in this case, is a relief. Can't MMFA do any better than this?
This is more pro-Romney misinformation than "conservative" misinformation. It is kind like of asking Jan why she isn't more like Marsha.
Marsha!...Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!
: (
Hahaha... the best point made yet!
Gads! I love anti-intellectuals!
Your enemy's enemy?
This is just another example of why image is in the eye of the beholder. For I don't see this as pro-Romney in the least. When a pundit says "Everything about him is perfect", for me, that pushes the narrative towards that candidate being insincere, robotic, fake.
Those that may be teetering on the voting edge for Romney might hear this and think he is too polished and slick and may look away from him. This isn't conservative misinformation or furthering anything positive for Romney, to me.
The misinformation would be saying he "looks like a million bucks". That's flat-out understatement by a factor of about 250.
Edwards has some salon time ahead of him to catch up, for sure...
Matthews being Matthews...
Yes, well, Matthews being Matthews means he's biased as usual. You quoted him yourself Jee-tah* "the perfect Republican look." He didn't say the perfect candidate look, he specified Republican, because he expects and always portrays Republicans to be neat and well groomed and "presidential."
*phonetic spelling of what I hear in my head when I see the name "Jeter" (I married a Yankees fan so I see that name pretty often)
Let me begin by saying anyone married to a Yankee fan is ok in my book:-)
ChiCat,
I don't see this as Matthews being biased. He's not saying Republicans are "neat" while Democrats are "slobs"
He's apparently got some image in his head of what a perfect Republican would look like.
IMO, Romney looks like a perfectly groomed Ken Doll ;-)
HA! Shows what you know...Ken is blond, like his girlfriend! ;)
We'll have to agree to disagree. I can't help but wonder what Matthews imagines a "perfect Democrat" to look like. It's clearly different than his image of Republicans, and since we know how hot Chris thinks Mitt is, I can't help but think his vison of a perfect Democrat would be less flattering.
It is sad that intelligent people are reduced to discussing hair and wardrobe as political discourse because that is what the "news commentators" are discussing.
Well see when you come from the Democrtic party, your nominee could look like anyone in the country. Republicans however, have a hard time finding qualified candidates that aren't Rich, White, Christian males.
He's had a few coments on the Dems. I can't recall any of them being positive in nature.
Is Chris Matthews angling to get the Press Secretary job in the Romney Administration??
I thought he loved Rudy also, remember the no "Pee Smell" in Manhattan?
So now Matthews is back to liking men again?
Another Republican who was handsome, dressed well, and "looked presidenntial": Warren G. Harding.
Is it just me, or would it be very easy to envision that just off camera, Tweety keeps a Hello Kitty notebook whose margins are filled with endlessly scrawled variations of "Mrs Chris Romney" (with little hearts over the I's) and "CM+WMR=TLA." ...seriously, i'm surprised he hasn't just hauled off and asked someone in mid-interview "mmmm...isn't Mitt just DREAAAAAMY!" Seriously, he makes the shrieking schoolgirls who fawned over the last flock of boy-bands look like models of seriousness and gravitas
So Tweety is The Other Mrs. Romney?
Crapture, why all the speculation? I've been able to tap directly into Matthews Id, and convert it to a JPEG.
On the heels of his recent description of Rove as a "gentleman" in his cut & run from office, you've inflamed my rudimentary photo-screwing skills to create Tweety's vision of a discreet young gentleman.
HBL is not responsible for any negative effects suffered in the course of going to link.
HBL, they say a picture is worth a thousand words. This is priceless. :-)
pearlene, you're up too late or too early. I know how Vegas is, but you should be asleep., old woman. ;0)
HBL, I went to the link and a major bout of LOL ensued.
good show
Could it be that Chris has taken a page from Stephanie Miller? Rather than a future husbands list as SM has (with Olbermann and Feingold at the top), Chris has a future civil unions list where he dithers over Romney and Bush? Who can forget his man-crush on Bush not that long ago? We can understand his attraction to the manly, clean men but then why not John Edwards? Mirror, mirror on the wall....Edwards in the cutest of all.
Too bad Dennis Kucininck(sp?) is short and not pretty because he is the finest of the crop. We are a sick bunch when we elect our Presidents because they are pretty or we would have a beer with them.
Peace out -- Maggie
How she must have suffered.
Hmmm, where are all the that Romney is a bleeping blopping @#$%* @#$% phony posts?????
Ow, yes, I mean, have you taken a look at Obama recently? Obama barely looks like 5 bucks. Everything's a mess! His look, his manner, everything, outrageous! His shirt all loose, too big and wrinkled, one sleeve rolled up, one sleeve scratching his balls, the tie always flying around the entire room, hanging on for bare life. That pure imperfection, ow yes, Obama's the democratic nominee alright.
Tweety's got a new boyfriend ... Think Dumbya's gonna get jealous?