Matthews on Obama's and Clinton's bowling: "Maybe that tells you something about the Democratic Party"
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SUMMARY: After playing a clip of Sen. Hillary Clinton bowling on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Chris Matthews asserted, "Well, it looks like bowlers won't have a champion in the race at all. I'm actually surprised by the fact that neither [Sen.] Barack [Obama] or Hillary have bowled much in their lives. Maybe that tells you something about the Democratic Party."
On the April 8 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, host Chris Matthews, after playing a clip of Sen. Hillary Clinton bowling on the April 7 edition of the syndicated Ellen DeGeneres Show, asserted, "Well, it looks like bowlers won't have a champion in the race at all. I'm actually surprised by the fact that neither [Sen.] Barack [Obama] or Hillary have bowled much in their lives. Maybe that tells you something about the Democratic Party."
As Media Matters for America noted, Matthews has previously suggested that the Democratic Party does not consist of "regular people," and that African-Americans and college graduates are not "regular people." During the April 1 edition of Hardball, Matthews referred to Obama's bowling performance at a March 29 campaign stop at Pleasant Valley Lanes in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and asked, "[C]an Obama woo more regular voters -- you know, the ones who actually do know how to bowl?" During a segment on that edition, Matthews asked Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), "Let me ask you about how he -- how's he connect with regular people? Does he? Or does he only appeal to people who come from the African-American community and from the people who have college or advanced degrees?" In addition, during MSNBC's February 5 coverage of that day's primary contests, Matthews suggested to Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean that he should be concerned about the party's lack of broad appeal, noting polls showing a large number of "college graduates" and voters of a "high economic and social echelon" voting in the primaries. Matthews added, "I just wonder where regular people are in this."
Also, on the March 31 edition of Hardball, Matthews said of Obama: "[T]his 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."
From the April 8 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews:
MATTHEWS: So what else is new in politics? Well, on April Fool's Day, Senator Clinton challenged Senator Obama to a Pennsylvania bowl-off, after everyone watched Obama's gutter balls. With that in mind, Ellen DeGeneres gave Clinton a chance yesterday to strut her stuff. Check it out.
[begin video clip]
CLINTON: Well, you know, this is one of those stressful situations. [ball fails to hit pins] Oh! Made you look good.
DeGENERES: Yeah, thank you. That's why I like you. [ball knocks down one pin] Again, making me look good. I think you're fantastic, and I just -- just keep going, and people should decide. I think it's wrong for anyone to tell somebody -- whoever you're for, everyone has a right to vote for whoever. But to tell someone to get out, it's our vote. It's -- we're the people that should choose who our president should be.
[end video clip]
MATTHEWS: Well, it looks like bowlers won't have a champion in the race at all. I'm actually surprised by the fact that neither Barack or Hillary have bowled much in their lives. Maybe that tells you something about the Democratic Party.
How long does one need to study politics in order to offer some keen insight like this?
I bet all my money that this is Chris' last election at MSNBC. He is too in awe of John McCain, too in love with the idea of an Obama presidency and hates Hillary too much. He has showed all of his cards and pulled all of his punches. He is gone and I wonder why his demise has not come sooner. He is an insult to the inteligence of political junkies on the left that think MSNBC is a decnt source for cable news.
If we cared that much about bowling we'd elect Jeff Lebowski or Walter Sobchak. And Walter has that Vietnam Vet thing going for him too.
I'd like to kick him in the nuts for that one, honestly, just once so he can see what sissies we Libs are
Make him think twice next time
Damn Nerzog I hope Matthews reads your post!
And may I add...Chris you're an idiot.
Maybe anyone who runs for office must first prove their bowling skills? Just so we peasants know they is regular people like us hayseeds.
it does tell you something about the democratic party. it absolutely does. it tells you that the best Democratic candidate for this years presedential vote is not a particularly good bowler.
and i think there are some significant implications there for our foreign policy going forward....
POINTOFVIEW, you're right. Who the **** cares? But who is really making a mountain out of a molehill? Mathews was talking down on the democratic candidates bowling scores. That's fine. They can't bowl. I bet they need to drive hummers to make up for this masculine deficiency. But then he goes for a cheap shot at the party as if the scores have a broader implication. If he was a comedian and his comment was funny, this would be entertainment, but he is supposed to be a journalist. Thus MMFA said, "You know, maybe we should record this piece of journalism." because that's what they do. So I'd argue that it's a non-issue, but Mathew's was out of line.
As more and more information comes out about Senator Obama's links to various people and organizations that are arguably a danger to American security, I think it's time to ask some questions – and it's time the Senator provide some answers. Why does Senator Obama surround himself with sworn enemies of the state, from William Ayers, the former Weather Underground member, to Jeremiah Wright, to others who have collaborated with Saddam Hussein? Why does he choose such people? And how does that jibe with his wife's lack of pride in the USA? More important – what does it tell us about his judgment – that "judgment" he touts as his greatest quality, the reason he should be given the office of the presidency – and entrusted not just with America's safety and security, but with its integrity and standing in the world?
By Abigail R. Esman
World Defense Review columnist
olandug , you didn't add any comment to the excerpt in your post, but I'm assuming your point was that the bowling nonsense is nothing compared to the real wingnut stuff that's out there. Good point.
I listen to a lot of righty radio, so I can back up that the crap you re-printed is really out there in the media, but I also think the little things like the Matthews item above matter as well.
Remember, there are some voters who don't even read right wing propaganda papers or listen to the radio, the ones who need pictures. These bottom rung Americans may get most of their info. from TV, and may actually consider bowling skills when selecting a president, just as others may take seriously idiocy like the article you took your excerpt from.
QUICK look over there. Or over there or anywhere just stop exposing what moronic shmoes these screechmonkeys are. Do you EVER post anything that has something to do with the topic?
Oh, yeah! Richard Nixon.
There's a model for ya.
pat, are you keeping score? and did haldeman call back about that thing that happened over at the watergate?
http://www.gmu.edu/library/specialcollections/acsrmn5_8_6f.jpg
Hey folks, I watched Chris Matthews utter all those comments, and they are all taken out of context here! Matthews is a great asset: good, hard-hitting interview techniques, ethical basis behind his questions and insights, sharp wit, and no one is faster on the Q&A. He is also historically accurate, and is my personal favorite television journalist (I didn't have one before I started watching him this year; I only read books and those pointy-headed academic journals for news and info). I hope he runs a successful Senate campaign, and I will travel to Penn to help him win it!
Peace, Ken
p.s. Read The Nation magazine for some great insightful articles!
Do you honestly believe that on a supposedly serious program that purports to provide legitimate analysis and commentary on current events there is any context in which a discussion of the political implications of a person's bowling skills?
Maybe in a bar for laughs or on Comedy Central, but come on?
The next time someone complains that they don't know enough about a cnadidate or their policy ideas or positions, think about how much time these gasbags waste discussing inconsequential trivialites. Then think about the constant decline of the quality of our elected representatives over the past decades in that context.
You people are ridiculous. All you people getting angry over this comment is exactly why MMFA is not taken seriously anymore. Lose the personal vendetta against this guy, whether you like him or not. This, sadly, is not the most frivolous clip of Matthews MMFA has posted.
Next.
Wow. I'm stunned. BOWLERS don't have a "champion" in this race. Since when, exactly, have BOWLERS been a targetted voting block?
Evangelicals, Environmentalists, Libertarians, Hawks, Doves, Union Members, Blacks, White, Latinos, Asians, Men, Women, Strait, Gay, Rich, Poor... I'm pretty sure that all of these critical voting blocks are covered. But I can't believe they are being so apathetic to that critical BOWLER voting bloc. For such an egregious oversight, a party almost deserves to lose an election.
http://images.worshiptheglitch.com/passion_of_jesus.jpg
Although I should add that he did six months in Chino for exposing himself to an eight year old.
Hillary Clinton and Barcak Obama lack the bowling experience to finish the job. John McCain has been bowling since alleys had pinboys.
“It’s 3 AM, time for a president who knows the difference between a gutter ball and a strike. Time for John McCain.
Correction: If McCain were to pick up that 7-10 split then he would get a spare and not a strike.
Happy to help!
Well it's no surprise that Matthews made the comments he did. Saying African-Americans aren't regular people, Barack should be good at basketball, etc. He's a conservative pundit that is just looking to get ratings and garner attention. No one should pay any attention to the bs that comes out of his mouth. Check out Colbert making fun of him and the fox news network for having an Obama-meter.
http://campaigncircus.com/video_player.php?v=9012&keyword=81
"I'm actually surprised by the fact that neither Barack or Hillary have bowled much in their lives. Maybe that tells you something about the Democratic Party."
Oh good grief, now they condem Democrats by how "much" they have bowled in their lives? Please tell me when did the amount and quality of a person's bowling experience become part of their election portfolio?
.
A lawyer is shot by cheney.
"Perhaps that tells someting about his accuracy???"
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