Matthews on Obama: "[T]his gets very ethnic, but the fact that he's good at basketball doesn't surprise anybody"
SUMMARY: On Hardball, discussing Sen. Barack Obama's bowling performance at a campaign stop, Chris Matthews said to MSNBC political analyst Michelle Bernard, "You know, Michelle -- and this gets very ethnic, but the fact that he's good at basketball doesn't surprise anybody, but the fact that he's that terrible at bowling does make you wonder." While showing the video of Obama's bowling, Matthews asserted, "[I]t isn't the most macho form there."
On the March 31 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, discussing Sen. Barack Obama's bowling performance at a March 29 campaign stop at Pleasant Valley Lanes in Altoona, Pennsylvania, MSNBC political analyst Howard Fineman asserted, "[I]f you can't do something like that, you shouldn't do it. He should have stuck to shooting hoops -- which he's very, very good at, by the way, and which translates racially, too, especially during the NCAA basketball tournament. Don't do something you've never tried before in front of a national television audience, OK?" Addressing MSNBC political analyst Michelle Bernard, host Chris Matthews responded, "You know, Michelle -- and this gets very ethnic, but the fact that he's good at basketball doesn't surprise anybody, but the fact that he's that terrible at bowling does make you wonder." While showing the video of Obama's bowling, Matthews asserted, "[I]t isn't the most macho form there."
Media Matters for America documented that on the March 31 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe, co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Willie Geist repeatedly mocked Obama's bowling performance -- which Scarborough called "dainty."
Earlier on Hardball, Matthews asked Obama supporter Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA) about Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama's former pastor, by asserting, "Let me ask you about this Jeremiah Wright story. You go to a church. I assume it's a black church. That's my jump to assumption there." He added, "Is this preacher problem a real problem? I've looked at it. It doesn't seem to bother black voters. It seems to bother some white voters. What is that story about? How do you see that story as a political problem for Barack Obama?"
From the March 31 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews:
MATTHEWS: Let me ask you about this Jeremiah Wright story. You go to a church. I assume it's a black church. That's my jump to assumption there. Is this preacher problem a real problem? I've looked at it. It doesn't seem to bother black voters. It seems to bother some white voters. What is that story about? How do you see that story as a political problem for Barack Obama?
FATTAH: Well, you know, Billy Graham probably was the spiritual adviser for five presidents, I think, and he said some of the most offensive things that I think have been on the record on -- and -- at that time. Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Jeremiah Wright -- we have ministers who are preaching from their theological vantage point. And so when Pat Robertson says, well, 9-11 was brought on by gays, or all these kinds of things, people listen who -- but I think they listen only in the sense of understanding that people who are speaking from a spiritual standpoint sometimes see things the way they see them. But in the real world, Barack Obama is someone who, for his entire life, has brought people together. He's someone who was born of a mixed racial couple. There's no way you can make him out to be anti-white. His mother was white. His grandmother was white. His -- you know, I mean, he talks about his family in a way in which I think none of this Jeremiah Wright stuff is going to attach to Senator Obama.
And the other thing I would say is that Jeremiah Wright, who was a United States Marine, who served at the bedside of President Johnson, he fought for people to have the right to say what they want to, and even when we disagree with it, he actually put on the uniform and made sure that people could speak their mind.
[...]
MATTHEWS: Here's a guy trying to break into the white ethnic voting crowd, so he goes and plays a sport most associated, I think, with regular folks in the big cities and small towns. And you and I grew up doing a little bowling. We know what it's all -- we know what a pathetic score is, and neither of us have ever done a 37, I think it's fair to say.
FINEMAN: Well, to be fair to Barack, it was over seven frames, OK? But that's --
MATTHEWS: OK.
FINEMAN: -- but that still isn't much. He definitely needs some bowling lessons. He should do what we used to do in Pittsburgh, which is all-night bowling for a dollar, you know, really work on your game.
I think he did get [former Pittsburgh Steelers football players] Franco Harris and he did get Jerome Bettis, the Bus, to endorse him. And he's traveling around on the bus with the Bus. But if you can't do something like that, you shouldn't do it. He should have stuck to shooting hoops --
MATTHEWS: Yeah, I know.
FINEMAN: -- which he's very, very good at, by the way, and which translates racially, too, especially during the NCAA basketball tournament. Don't do something you've never tried before in front of a national television audience, OK?
MATTHEWS: You know, Michelle -- and this gets very ethnic, but the fact that he's good at basketball doesn't surprise anybody, but the fact that he's that terrible at bowling does make you wonder --
FINEMAN: That doesn't surprise anybody either.
BERNARD: Well, it certainly doesn't surprise anybody black, I can tell you that.
MATTHEWS: Is black a bowling --
FINEMAN: This is just killing him.
MATTHEWS: I don't know, I guess everybody bowls.
FINEMAN: This is just killing him.
MATTHEWS: I know.
FINEMAN: This is just killing him, Chris. Don't show this over and over again.
MATTHEWS: No, no, we're doing it again. This is a killer. Look at this killer. Because it isn't the most macho form there, I must say, but who knows?
Talk about some true colors on display.
It almost makes me worried. If the Obama camp ends up pointing out these blatantly racist statements in the media on a regular basis, you could end up with a reverse backlash from the soft-brained who don't recognize the bigotry. You can almost here the meme now: "Well Obama's camp is acting like everyone's a racist. And there's that preacher you know."
But if you're looking for the cultural value of bowling look no further than that titan of rolling; the Dude.
Come on. "Racist comments?"
I hate to be defending Matthews, but pointing out a racial stereotype that exists in America (blacks are good at basketball) is not itself racist. Sure, Matthews should have known better than to give the sterotype legs, but noting that it's not surprising to "anybody" suggests that he was not necessarily employing the stereotype, simply acknowledging that it exists.
Shouldn't the measuring stick of a racially insensitive statement be whether or not it is offensive to the targeted race? In fact, Michelle Bernard, who is black, not only didn't take offense, but offered her own similar statement, claiming "it certainly doesn't surprise anybody black" that Obama is a poor bowler.
I think it is gripes like this, in the midst of a whole lot of actual racism in the country, that give the liberal/progressive movement a bad name. I think Obama himself might site this article as proof that Americans are still afraid to talk about race.
I'm sure there are a lot of people that disagree with me, but I am a progressive Democrat, and I can tell you that people outside the progressive movement do not see this MMFA article and say, "Well, good for them. I'm glad they called out this bigot and helped end racism in the U.S" Instead, they're saying, "Wow, these lefties are really sensitive about issues of race."
I understand that it is MMFA's duty to note any instance of perceived racial bias in the media. That's great, but preaching to the choir isn't going to change the racial landscape in the U.S. Telling a bunch of progressives that Chris Matthews may be a racist doesn't really serve any greater interest.
But if you can't do something like that, you shouldn't do it.
Don't do something you've never tried before in front of a national television audience, OK?
I agree with the above statements by Fineman.
As I wrote on another thread on this topic:
When politicians attempt this kind of thing for a photo-op & fail miserably, they are going to get some good natured ribbing.
Pretending to be a bowler or a hunter or whatever to appeal to certain voters is always a risk if you don't have a clue what your doing.
Uuugghhh. Sheer photo-op misery.
I gotta agree Roundhouse, Bush looked like a world-class ignoramus landing on that aircraft carrier. Without a doubt the dopiest of photo-ops ever attempted in recent history.
Obama might be kicking himself in private for the bowling debacle, but he's been a good sport about it in public. I saw a clip on Morning Joe where he tells the crowd how his bowling didn't turn out too great, admitting it was so bad an 8 year old kid was trying to help him by give him pointers. He was able to joke about it & laugh at himself. That shows me something good about the guys character.
Holy crap.
I asked the question in an earlier thread and although I did not expect an answer on nation television -- I am humbled.
Matthews has stated that bowling is more macho than basketball because "white men do it"
Can he be fired now, please. I have GOP'er friends who will support this because they think he is a raving Leftist -- why I have no idea they must be listening to Rush or channeling Francisco Franco.
Well, over 7 frames that is 5.3 pins a frame, more than half each time
Notwithstanding it shouldn't matter and that your staff should have stopped you - 37 over 7 frames, c'mon - that's pathetic. I know there probably aren't many alleys in Kenya or Hawaii, but that's just flat ass embarrasin' for an Illinois Senator. You live in CHICAGO for Christsake. We know Pizza, Pork, Polka, and BOWLING.
It's a school that banned football for thirty years, during which time it built an atomic pole under the bleachers, which shows its commitment to sports.
It's set in a community where the bookstores outnumber the restaurants. It's set on the South Side, where there are no, count 'em zero, bowling alleys.
The [prk is down in St. Louis anf the bowling is up in Milwaukee.
It's a school that banned football for thirty years, during which time it built an atomic pole under the bleachers, which shows its commitment to sports.
It's set in a community where the bookstores outnumber the restaurants. It's set on the South Side, where there are no, count 'em zero, bowling alleys.
The [prk is down in St. Louis anf the bowling is up in Milwaukee.
From the uchicago.edu web site.
"Eighty-one recipients of the Nobel Prize have been students, researchers, or faculty here. Since 1979, 12 of Chicago’s faculty have been honored with the prize—three in physics, eight in economics, and one in literature. Our creative writers and scholars have recently won the Pulitzer prize, the National Medal of Science, the Grammy award, and the MacArthur Foundation “genius” grant, among other major awards. Even undergraduates have the opportunity to study with a Nobel laureate here."
Pretty wimpy school huh? If they could just get some bowling alleys.
"and this gets very ethnic, but the fact that he's good at basketball doesn't surprise anybody, but the fact that he's that terrible at bowling does make you wonder -- "
No...please... Chris..... expand on this...... what does this make you wonder?
That some blacks can bowl and other can't..... just like white people?
That blacks are natural athlete's because of the slavery breeding of making them that way?
That todays blacks have to give some thanks for the way their ancestors were treated..... oh wait.... that was Pat Robertson
That blacks don't ask for MF'er iced tea...... oh wait... that was BillO
That white men can't jump?
Come on Chris....... elaborate?
Hello..... Chris....... are you there??
As much as I like that MMFA is exposing this garbage from Chris.... I wonder if this really is misinformation or simply exposing a racial sickness that certain members of our society can't walk away from?
That todays blacks have to give some thanks for the way their ancestors were treated..... oh wait.... that was Pat Robertson
Actually, it was Pat Buchanan, but it's hard to recognize one Pat from the other when they're wearing their sheets on their head.
Chris has had man-crushes before but yeah I think he's really in love this time ;-)
He's doing his college tour thing with Obama [I think tomorrow night] I'm not going to watch. Seeing Matthews drool , gush & maybe even try to touch Obama isn't something I want to see. Yuck.
Oh no. Chris loves men with shoulders you can land a 747 on. Republican men. Big strong white Republican men.
He only harasses women so as to not blow his cover . . .
For all his hours of broadcasting I can't think of one positive contribution he's made to the coverage of this campaign.
He might have looked reasonable when Tucker Carlson was his lead-in but now that he's placed between Gregory and Olbermann his clownishness is being shown for exactly what it is.
I know the Right Wingers will try to make a big deal out of this, but I think it took some courage to get out there and try something he knew he was going to suck at.
I wonder what Leno has to say?
Nothing relevant, unless you think "Duh" is a trenchant comment.
Wait, I've read your posts. "Duh" is usually above your level.
"...this gets very ethnic..."
The subject doesn't get "very ethnic" immacculately by itself Chris. It is people like you that make that way.
My husband is black and he is a good bowler (and he plays piano and likes classical music and was a country music DJ back in the day). He is 6'5" and never made the basketball team. Really, who gives a crap what Chrissy says. He is out of touch just like Charlie Gibson who thinks middle income people make $200,000.00 a year.
You know, even Michael Jordan didn't make his high school basketball team...true story...GO HEELS
But yeah, this is just really silly. This is just a prime example of pundits with way too much time on their hands...Maybe if they only had a show once a week, instead of five days a week, they could cover the substance of the race instead of the trivialities.
On a side note, Chuck Hagel was great on the Daily Show last night, and Eric Alterman, you were great on the Colbert Report. The guy who builds houses out of garbage was alright ;)
You know, even Michael Jordan didn't make his high school basketball team...true story...
Not quite the whole story, he didn't make varsity his Junior year.
And Roosevelt couldn't dance.
I hear he was a killer with the hand-jive, though.
"All we have to fear... is FEAR itself!
And uh... you know... STAIRCASES.
Staricases, Soccer, Dancing and Fear, but then I think we've got it covered."
-Dennis Leary
Obama, become president?....LMFAO
While Obama MIGHT be able to steal the nomination after having played the race card so CONTINUALLY, there isn't a snowball's chance in hell he's gonna ever sit in the White House. Not since it's been revealed that he sat in the pews for 20 years listening to a LOWLIFE, BIGOTED, RACIST, PIECE OF SH*T ANTI-AMERICAN A$$WIPE LIKE WRIGHT.
Obama may be able to get the support of the idiots on the left I've come to despise (and I'm a LIBERAL DEMOCRAT), but if you think he's going to survive the attacks by the 527s using Wright as fodder, you're simply delusional...lol
Here we go again, August Moron. First, OF COURSE I'M EQUALLY DISGUSTED WITH THE SCUM ON THE RIGHT. OF COURSE THEIR SUPPORT OF MCCAIN, AND HIS LACK OF OUTRAGE AT THEIR HEINOUS COMMENTS SICKENS ME.
However, as I've pointed out before, your DEFENSE of Obama by using these scum as your basis for defense is EQUALLY DISGUSTING. It's the defense of a friggin four year old. "But hey, mom, they're doin' it too, so why can't I?"
It's pathetic. Liberals should NEVER defend the HEINOUS, BIGOTED, RACIST, ANTI-AMERICAN COMMENTS OF PASTOR WRIGHT, or the BONE-HEADED, PATHETIC ACTIONS OF OBAMA IN SITTING IN A PEW IN THIS SCUMBAG'S CHURCH FOR 20 YEARS BASED UPON THE IDEA THAT "HEY, REPUGLIKKKUNTS DO IT TOO."
That is the purview of scum. Liberals should decry the heinous words and actions of Obama and his pastor JUST AS LOUDLY AND VOCIFEROUSLY as the words and actions of McCain and those scum you mentioned. The fact morons like you DON'T shows me that your decrying of Hagee, Robertson, and others like them is nothing but hypocritical BULLSH*T. You're scum in my view, no better than the Repuglikkkunts you rant about.
Obama's inability to bowl relates more to his class than his race. In order to identify with the majority of the black population he portended to come from a lower middle class upbringing. The young l8 year old white mother, absent black father, food stamps. lack of health insurance and of course victim of racism. All this brought to our attention in statements made by Obama and Rev. Wright. In reality, he had a far easier life than many black or white Americans. He was brought up by loving grandparents in a middle class neighborhood in Hawaii, had a loving mother and sister. Had the opportunity for foreign travel, and he also attended the most elitist school in Hawaii and also excellent universities. All have led him easily into the upper middle class yuppie life style he now enjoys.
Bowling does not fit his style. The press found it laughable when Kerry tried to impress by going hunting. Obama looked just as foolish. For all his identifying with Jack Kennedy, he doesn't know much about him if he doesn't know that Kennedy never condescended to the blue collar working man in order to win votes. He never made a fool of himself to win votes. He didn't have to be a phony to win the hearts of working men. He did it with honesty.
Obama is no Jack Kennedy.
Racial stereotypes are racist by their very nature! Holy Cheese, what planet do you come from?
It can be racial but it doesn't have to be. By definition stereotyping technically has nothing to do with weather or not you like or dislike another person or race.