Although the Republicans' Florida convention is on hold due to weather, the debates are moving forward starting with MSNBC host Chris Matthews and the chair of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus. The pair got into it Monday morning on the set of Morning Joe, which is broadcasting live from Tampa.
Matthews accused the Romney campaign of taking a "cheap shot" and "playing the race card" with Mitt Romney's comment last week that no one has ever asked to see his birth certificate. The campaign has defended it as a harmless joke, not directed at the president, but simply an acknowledgement of where Mitt and his wife Ann were born.
Matthews, to Preibus:
I have to call you on this Mr. Chairman. You’ve been suggesting that somehow Obama has been running a negative campaign and your guy is running a positive campaign, but that’s not accurate. They’ve both been negative. That cheap shot about 'I don’t have a problem with my birth certificate [from Romney] was awful. It is an embarrassment to your party to play that card. This part about getting rid of the work requirement for welfare is dishonest. You are playing that ethnic card there.
You can play your games and giggle about it, but the fact is your side is playing that card. When you start talking about work requirements, you know what game you’re playing, and everybody knows what game you’re playing. It’s the race card. Yeah, if your name is Romney, yeah you were well-born, you went to prep school. Yeah, brag about it. Yeah, this guy [Obama] has an African name and he has to live with it.
Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough asked Matthews to clarify. "You think Mitt Romney’s playing the race card?"
"There’s no doubt he did on the birth certificate," Matthews said. "Why would he bring it up?...And I think the work requirement fits right into it."
Priebus disputed Matthews' accusation.
"You got your monologue in, so congratulations," Priebus said. "The fact of the matter is he’s from Michigan, he was born in Michigan. He’s making the point that 'I was born in Michigan.' We’ve gotten to a place in politics where any moment of levity is totally frowned upon by guys like you just so you can push your brand. It’s a moment of levity. Everybody gets it."
"What's the joke?" Matthews asked. "I don't get it."
Scarborough and co-host Mika Brzezinksi suggested it was an ill-timed, ill-written joke on the Republican candidate's part. "He misfired badly on the joke," said Scarborough.
"Mitt Romney has continuously said the president was born in this country. It's a non-starter, it's a dumb issue, it's a distraction," Priebus added.
They continued like this for a while.
"Garbage, garbage," Priebus said, shaking his head.
"It's your garbage," Matthews fired back.
"We went from a tropical storm to Hurricane 3," joked guest Tom Brokaw.
Cue commercial break.
Watch the clip above.
Leave a Comment:
Chris Mathews captured the attack mode of the GOP and placed it, with clarity, within the reality, of what it truely has been.
Matthews may have serious body chemistry imbalances since that electric thrill of a shock ran up his leg four years ago. Totally not professional and actually, sadly losing his grip on live camera. Not sure why he was allowed to run the show like that. (And, yes, I mute Ann Coulter when she flies off the handle, but Matthews is way ahead of her .)
Again Chris disappoints with distractions that are not anyway the huge issues the country and world has. Debt, jobs, war, economy should be the only thing you guys should be talking about. He is not a journalist but just an opinion guy. Joe you usually do a good job jumping in but not today. I guess Chris still has the tingly feeling in his leg for his guy Obama who fooled everyone 4 years ago.
Thank you, Chris Matthews for getting it right!!! Thank you for speaking up!! I watch you everyday and even twice a day. You are always right on target with your observations and analysis.
Go Chris! U were right on it! It's about time someone challenges this fabrications that the GOP blurt out! I am disappointed that the JOE panel did not contribute more. Instead we have those" mamby pamby" facial expressions going around the set. Shame on Mikka! Let's quite sitting on our hands and allowing this garbage to abound.
Matthews' performance was PITEOUS. NOBODY is credible or respectable when they spin like that little gremlin in the blender!
I hope Tim Russert re-embodies, grows up and gets back into reporting QUICKLY!
Matthews needs to figure out how to challenge someone in a dignified & professional manner.
Chris Mathews is a buffoon. He's the only one playing the race card and it's to suck up to the dems who are his audience.Just more of the politics of the dems hate the repubs and the repubs hate the dems. Our country is bankrupt. Our people can't find work. Investment in our children's education is waning. This petty name calling and race bating is counter productive and Mathews is a dumb a**.
Mika (sp) B owes Chris an apology - when signing off she thanked Priebus & Brokaw and then said "and thank you Chris Matthews I think" What!!! Rovian strategy is in full play - be the ugly attack dog and then claim that Obama is that. If Romney's point was to claim his "birthright" in Michigan he had it at - "place where we grew up, Ann ... Ford Hospital, me (Mitt R) born in ... hospital - No need to add the birth certificate comment except to reinforce the birther strategy.
Chris' demeanor was not at all inappropriate. People get uncomfortable when he points out the truth and then try to discount the truth by claiming a person is angry or rude.
Isnt Chris Matthews the guy who uses a picture of Obama instead of Viagra?
Orth, Barosay, Gerding are absolutely correct in their assessments. tempus and ron have to stoop to name calling - sounds like GOP fodder to me. tempus should take own advice and learn how to comment in a "dignified and professional manner." Regarding ron's claim of bankruptcy - no there is so much income and wealth in this country that gets hoarded by the top 1% it is impossible to say that we are bankrupt. The bankrupt philosophy of the GOP and the current generation of legacy wealth holders is what is destroying this country. Go back and look at the marginal income tax brackets during the years of great economic growth in this country. Even during the Eisenhower years when the top marginal tax rate was above 90% - the top 15% of of the population held 85% of the wealth. A pretty good deal for them and a good deal for the country. This country built infrastructure on a massive scale. Now we aren't even able to maintain our infrastructure. In order to be "job creators" the hoarded wealth needs to be recycled back through the economy in order to keep our economic engine fueled. Call it "redistribution" if you want but the bottom line is that the rich always get richer - and good for them - but by fueling the economy our country stays strong and there are real jobs available. Now 1% of the population holds more than 90% of the wealth and large amounts of that wealth/money goes offshore to avoid taxation and make money on money, not on work. That's what is ruining our country.
Can I get a Amen for Chris Matthews...Rock On
Amen to that... Mika & Joe are milk toast puppets, pandering not to upset anybody...Mika should apologize.
Thank you Chris for laying the smack down on Rinse Prie-butts. Keep kicking his butt and tell some of your colleagues to do so too because it is the right thing too do.
Obama supporters continue to avoid The important issues that we are dealing with in America and abroad. Please ignore their distractions and stay with the positive team - Romney and Ryan - They will give us the change that Obama promised but did not deliver.
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Chris Matthews SCHOOLED Priebus, handed him his "HAT" and showed him what door to leave by. Wow! The BIRTHERS are those whites that cannot accept a black man as President of these United States. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG! HE MUST BE FROM ANOTHER PLANET! NO BLACK MAN COULD EVER BE ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! IF ONE WAS, WELL THEN "WE WANT OUR COUNTRY BACK"!
As for hose people who claim Obama's college records and other documents ARE SEALED ... please peruse FACTCHECK.ORG Obamas-sealed-records:
Now it all makes sense doesn't it. Will someone tell Donald (bankruptcy) Trump and Chuck (Michael Jai White will kick your @ss) Norris ....
Chris Matthews is a braindead fool. Just how in the hell can you claim race in the birth certificate comment?
This single-celled political LIE is to get the democrats worked up over how the GOP is slighting the acting president.
What a bunch of political crap from a loudmouthed toilet. From your ranting and raving in that video you are going to need a whole roll of paper to wipe up after that lie.
In all seriousness I think what Biden said to the African Americans was more racist than what Romney said. Now if an African American said that to other African Americans it could have been taking as a joke. For a white person to say it is totaly racist.
You aren't a serious person Rolla. You never have been. The Republicans had been saying, "We need to unshackle business." Biden was referring to that when he said, "They want unchain business?...no they want to put you into chains." Most of the audience was in fact white.
However, the unfounded, false accusations about our President, and Commander and Chiefs births certificate over the past four years straight has not been in reaction to something the Dems have said it has been an organized Republican effort to claim the President is illegitimate because he is black. If you are claiming otherwise then you are a racist.
Your party tried to claim Clinton was illegitimate also simply because he was a Democrat because you guys are fundamentalist right wingers who don't like to lose and hate your fellow Americans and don't believe in democratic principles. That is exactly why your party have obstructed everything in Congress this time around just like you did when Clinton was President.
Republicans need to be thrown out for several decades until they can grow up.
richard,
"nobody has to ask ME where i was born".
that's what mitt romney said. his implication is clear-even an idiot can deduce what he meant by that statement AFTER ALL THE BULLSH!T ABOUT BARACK OBAMA'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
what lie are you referring to in your last sentence? mitt romney has been running a dirty campaign, and has lied about rick santorum and newt gingrich. now, romney is lying about the President when he approves of ads that say that the work requirement was removed from welfare.
if mitt romey is going to make such a stupid "joke", then we have a right to question whether it is racist or not. the President could have come back with a nasty comment about mitt's mormonism, but i doubt if he will do that, or say, "this is President Obama, and i approve this message", on an anti-mormon ad that democratic pacs might put out.
ever since President Obama took office, we have heard horrible comments about his birth certificate, his religion, his citizenship, his patriotism and on, and on, and on. we have heard from the romney campaign and his sons demanding that President Obama release his birth certificate (the first one was fake, right) and his college transcripts, and then MAYBE ROMNEY WILL RELEASE HIS TAX RETURNS. of course we know he will not. it doesn't matter what President Obama would release-NOTHING WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH, because you all have already decided that he is not an american, and that he SHOULD NOT BE PRESIDENT. according to pat buchanan, you all are concerned about if our President made it to where he is because of benefit of AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, getting into schools and getting positions (president of harvard law review) that should have gone to some white boy.
you all are very naive and blind if you think that President Obama isn't paying a price for being the first african american President. repubs are making sure that he does, in keepingwith their promise to EACH OTHER to say no to all economic policies that President Obama brings forth.
how much more do we need to see and hear from you all, the repubs. somebody needs to call them (you) out.
thank you Chris Matthews.
What would libs do without the race card? I think Chris knows he is about to lose his tingler.
Chris Matthews has to be the biggest ..........heck, I cannot even think of a word...of any one that poor BSNBC has on their staff. This guy is a certified idiot.
" I felt a thrill run up my leg" listening to Obama. He has no business being on any news coverage of any legitimate news story. Leave him on his progressive, bottom feeding, bottom rated, show he has....but don't dare let him cover anything.
I have never seen a more stupid moronic acting so called "reporter" in my life.
BSMBC ought to put him out to pasture along with Olbermann.
glenn beck comes to mind as a more stupid moronic acting so-called "reporter", along with others on fox news.
I agree and am totally proud of Chris Matthews for giving it to that weirdo Priebus. Mitt Romney may have been trying to make a joke, but he has to know that it wasn't funny! I usually watch Morning Joe every day, but I don't know if I will going forward. Mika and Joe just sit there and always let the GOPs say anything they want without challenging them. If Mika is supposed to be the "Liberal" on the panel, she needs to stand up for the President against all the LIES that Romney and GOP tell.
I'm beginning to believe Mika is slowly being brainwashed by Scarborough! Pretty soon she'll be calling herself Independent if she keeps wimping out on the GOP! LOL
Matthews played to his audience. MSNBC plays to their audience. Fox plays to their audience. Truth has nothing to do with it. Hypocrisy, now that is another story.
Great job, Chris. My disappointment is with the others sitting on the set who looked uncomfortable or embarrassed by Matthew's calling the GOPer on his lies. I understand how Matthews may have been feeling when listening to the nonsense being spewed by Priebus. Those lies are an insult to not only those on the set's intelligence but to the viewers. I find it frustrating to watch reporters who know their guest is lying and they sit and smile pretending that no one is noticing that they are too gutless to do their job and call them on it. I hope we will see more of this enthusiasm from Matthews to get the story straight for the American people since some are too timid and afraid to do so.
I couldn't have put it better myself. Keep it up Chris. Someone has to call them on their lies.
Chris Matthews was incredibly courageous and on point this morning, correctly attacking the RNC Chairman for their party's failure to stop playing the race card in the Presidential campaign.
For those of us who still support Obama, in spite of the obstructionism, overpowering superpac money, and unrelenting pursuit of limitless pure greed by special interests -- most of which back Republicans -- this morning's Morning Joe has been a refreshing breath of fresh air.
Mica is wonderful and always does her best to make the case for the Democrats, but the show is called "Morning Joe" after all and Joe usually gets his way and way more air time.
3 hours every morning... mostly of Joe's POV.
Chris really set that balance straight this morning. I hope he is not punished by the network for it. If he is, I will lose faith in the system altogether and you will only demonstrate that the deck is in fact stacked against getting the truth to the American public.
More Chris Matthews on Morning Joe this week PLEASE!
I agree. Chris Matthews was awesome. I am so happy someone finally said what so many of us have been thinking. Thank you Chris.
The others are not going to chime in because they are cowards... especially Mika. She is a sorry excuse for a progressive. I'm so proud of Chris... he knows what he is talking about, unlike Mr. Priebus. If you want go up against Chris Matthews, you'd better have your facts straight. Wow, I wish he was on there every morning.
Genevieve -- That is what Chris Matthews does without apology on his evening show. NO one gets by without Chris challenging them on the facts. If you watch the clip, Priebus glances in Chris' direction when he regurgitated standard GOP talking points. I thought Chris was going to sit quietly out of respect to it being Joe Scarborough's show and address it on his own show later today. But, I am glad he called out the GOP foolishness.
I must live in a different world than all you folks on this board... a couple of questions:
1. Did or did not Romney, on numerous occasions, say that he believed that Obama was born in the US? Did not the GOP chairperson? Yes or No.
2. As far as Matthews complaint about Europe... again a simple question.. did or did not Obama express his belief that the Health Care systems of Europe were superior to those in the US? Yes or No...
You folks all complaining (to each other) that you are outspent, your message isn't getting out..etc. You have drank too much of the kool aid.
The reason Matthews was upset is that he tried to play the Race Card, and it didn't work.. it is not a conversation stopper as it was in the past. There was nothing about Race in any of Romney's comments.. Can a twisted mind come up with a view that everyone is racist.. yes.
I do agree with you guys on one thing.. More Chris Matthews on Morning Joe.. or maybe NBC evening News or Meet the Press... Why not just have him as the Democratic spokesperson...
Have a good day.
I totally agree with Chris Matthews. He had the fortitude to challenge the long list of blatant lies the GOP has been spewing. Thank you Chris, for asking the questions and challenging the lies on our behalf. It is what we all would love to do and the race card was played by McConnell when he said that the Republicans' job was to make Obama a one term president. The unsaid part of that statement was "because he is black". So, no question, the race card has been out there. Thank you Chris, you were awesome!
Yes you do live in a different world, the one that makes fun of people because of a disabiity or race or sexual orientation. And then denies any culpability, playing dumb and denial of intent. I hope this opens up an insistance on behalf of anybody who is sick of this Father Knows Best Show sitting next to the Good Wife and turn instead to Newsroom... so glad Chris' son got a part on this excellent HBO production that points out the toilet we have gone down as far as any kind of honest reporting of the news or the facts.
Chris, thank you!!!! You said what I would often like to say to the GOP/TP, Preibus, Romney, Ryan, etc. They sit there, insult the President, mislead the people and the “journalists” do not react. I would much prefer an orderly discussion but what the GOP has put us through is really an insult! Well November is coming and I wonder how the GOP feels when we say:
“NO, H E L L NO” to them! Thanks again Chris!
Fantastic job by Mr. Matthews! I cannot say enough. This is exactly what our mainstream media has been lacking. It is extremely rare that any right wingers appear ever appear on opposition shows like Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow etc., because they simply cannot defend their positions and the corporate advertisers don't want them to.
On the other hand the Democrats consistently do appear on Fox, ABC, CNN etc all the time and take any and all challenges to their policies, character etc.
It shows clearly to me who is really up to the challenge of leading this nation, when one side is ready to openly and intelligently argue their positions with opposition media outlets and the other is not.
The sad part is that the rest of the panel simply sat by and cried foul while simply afraid as always that the Republican's will stop showing up altogether and only do interviews on Fox like the cowards they are.
Kudos Chris you are simply the best journalist in mainstream media today! Keep up the good work.
yes thank god for journalist like chris matthews. all he is doing is keeping it real. the other on the show should be ashamed of themselves. they are just as shady like mitt. morning joe host has really show its true colours.
Chris Matthew's comments were on the mark. One point that gets overlooked is the GOP claim that the Keynesian model of supporting the business cycle is "European socialism." Far from it - Keynes was a staunch conservative Member of Parliament. Keynesian economic theory was NOT born of any socialist philosophy. Keynesian theory is based on the belief that support of the business (yes - business or 'bidness') cycle is at the heart of a strong and sustainable economy. But the GOP insists that it is "European socialism."
Take a look at how well the "austerity" approach - which is popular with the GOP and is currently being used in the European marketplace - is working. Unemployment in Ireland 15%, Greece 22%, Spain 24%. The GOP is applying the European model of "economic recovery through austerity" and it is failing here in the US. The GOP has blocked every attempt Obama has made to bring the country back to full employment. The GOP caused our credit rating to be downgraded - not Obama. The GOP blocked extension of Unemployment Insurance benefits which immediately slowed the economic recovery. The GOP wants to take away the earned benefits of Social security and Medicare. These benefits are called "entitlements" because these programs have been paid for by the participants. Unemployment insurance is paid for through payroll taxes too!! It isn't magic money coming out of the ether. It comes from money that the citizens of this have paid into to provide a later benefit if and when needed. And the GOP wants to take these things away from hard working people. How is it that so many people in this country support the GOP when it is against there own self interest!!! Unbelievable!!!!
keith,
Chris said something everyone was thinking but didn't say?
Ok but I'll say what the other side is thinking: the acting president will do anything, buy any vote he can by pandering to each and every specific group he thinks he can bullsh!t. He reverses himself time and time again. He is for change whether it is good OR bad; whether it costs America every dollar it's got. But what does he care - he and his whole family get theirs on the backs of American taxpayers. And finally, when the hell is his administration going to pass a budget? When in the hell is he going to STOP RAISING the debt ceiling?
Oh, and when is his administration going to actually accept any responsibility for anything and stop blaming past presidents from Bush all the way back to Washington?
The CONGRESS passes the BUDGET and CONTROLS the debt ceiling. The current president is not ACTing president, that would only occur if the President were to die and the Vice-President were to take over. He would finish out the term and run for election after that. All the president can do is give an outline of what he wants in the budget - and the Republican controlled House keeps putting things in there that are unacceptable and the bill gets killed in the Senate and then the House rejects what the Senate sends them, which is closer to what the President has asked for.
Richard,
What about all those years of Republican congresses that raised the debt ceiling? Or do those just not count? The only candidate for president that I see changing his mind as the wind blows and pandering to the base (and I mean that in the most negative sense) of his party is Romney. God help this country if he is actually elected. God help us all, because he will make sure that the poor and middle class are decimated to make sure that he and his rich, elite blue-bloods get what they want: domination over all of those they consider inferior to them.
About 40% of the voters would support the herd of their choosing no matter what they say or do. The rest endure the partisan banter and vote for the lesser of two evils. Unfortunately the country is held hostage by the usual suspects who make the rules, set the agenda and set their less than enlightened minions out to foul the water so the choice becomes even more confusing. Which side is foisting the bigger turd on the public? Decide for yourself don't listen to these bozos.
nn you read my mind. Its the silence of the others that lets this crap go on. They continuously disrespect the president in the most unAmerican way. And then even Brokaw was more worried about offending the GOP than speaking truth to power. That's the whole purpose of the press, hold our leaders accountable. Scarborough will be indignant with faux rage in 3,2,1...
hey b,
Disrespect the acting pres in the most unAmerican way? Are you kidding?!!! It IS EXACTLY THE AMERICAN WAY to voice their opinion of the pres, his administration or anything else for that matter.
This isn't some back-water dictatorship society we have here. Are you aware of this or anything else for that matter?
yes, richard, it reminds me of how the bush administration told us to keep our mouth's shut if we did not agree with the iraqi war.
anyone who voiced their feelings against the war, was told by the bush administration that they WEREN'T SUPPORTING THE TROOPS, and were unpatriotic.
apparently w. bush wanted some "back-water" dictatorship when it came to opposition of the iraqi war. bush himself said his "biggest challenge of his presidency was convincing the american people of the link beween 9/11 and iraq".
THAT WAS BUSH'S BIGGEST CHALLENGE, convincing the american people of the biggest LIE EVER TOLD BY A PRESIDENT.
Sed I remember I repeated a joke that I heard Chris Rock say on stage. I told a guy I ws playing poker with that was losing his ass that I havent seen a beating like the one he was taking since Rodney King. The African Americans at the table got mad at me and said that that was racist. However when Chris Rock said it in front of an African American audeince they laughed like hell. Normal a white man that makes a joke like that ( going put yall back in chains) is considered racist.
CM was close to losing his composure, but Priebus had no answer to support his European charge against Obama and broke off the exchange. The idea that President Obama's race does not drive the ceaseless direct and indirect allusions to his "otherness" is ludicrous. Republicans either do not recognize it or choose not to acknowledge it because it occurs at the cellular level. Some know exactly what they are doing; the drones are following their programming.
An example of the insidious nature of this practice is that our President is routinely referred to as Obama or Mr. Obama. What happened to President Obama? Even when I was thoroughly disgusted with G.W. Bush, I continued to confer the honorific. To me it is a sign of disrespect for the man on a personal level and rather than diminishing the President diminishes the pundit or citizen that ignores the reality of a President that was hired by the voters.
I completely agree with all the posted comments. My wife is African American, and we have 2 sons - one of whom is disabled. The promo by Martin Brashear could be our story. I look at poll data and cannot fathom why one woman, one Latino, one African American or in fact anyone with a modicum of intelligence would endorse a Romney/Ryan position (or lack of) and vote them into office. As a an ex pat European I get tired of the bashing of Socialized Medicine, and government involvement in basic infrastructure. How come no one reminds the people how the GOP has not supported ONE idea from President Obama - even hopeless President George W Bush got support for some of his ideas, including the crazy invasion of Iraq. Perhaps a simple presentation showing a sensible allocation of spending by each major category would enlighten us all, because we can't keep on spending more than the rest of the world combined on Defense. We need sensibility, and I hope CM presses for it.
Proudemo - I will add that I can't believe one person with one brain cell would vote republican....
Thank You Chris - you were so on point this morning. The rest of the group was cowards - we all know what the GOP is doing and you called them out. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
Chris Matthews was so right today in talking to Reince Priebus. The race card was being played by Mitt Romney. It is Priebus who also needs to clean up his act. He comes across with non thoughtful practiced answer in the most nasty way. If I were Romney, I would not want Priebus representing my voice.
Way to go Chris Mathews and Tom Brokaw! It's about time more people in the media held the birthers and their apologists responsible for their snide comments!
yes, except Tom Brokaw 'punked out' too when he failed to realize that Romney didnt just make an 'off-colored- joke!! He knew just what he was doing and who he was doing it for! and to 'DCOOK104', u do live in a different world or should i say the "bubble" if you believe the repup party isnt a party of 'racist'! No matter what they say out of their mouth its their actions and legislation that tells the story!! They'll say anything to get elected or appeal to independents but they all hate that a black man is president and would love to 'take the country back' to when this was not the case no matter how much good he has done for the country or how hard he works inspite of so much obstruction from the conservatives!! If you listened to Chris you never heard them call the other presidents "european' or 'not like us' when they put forth the same policies as Pres Obama!! Chris was angry at the blatant 'lies' and 'phoniness' of everyone on that panel and how they consistently spew lies and are never challenged with the facts!! Mika should be banned from the Democratic Convention if she intended to come cuz her silence makes her just as dishonest and guilty as the rest even though she claimes to be a honest, fair-minded liberal!!! As chris said they're all acting like 'trash'!!! GO GET EM CHRIS!!!
Lynie, You are absolutely right. The GOP is the party for racists. Everyone that I know who is a member of the Republican party is a racist, and I mean EVERYONE. They absolutely can't stand the fact that a black man is president. They nearly froth at the mouth at the thought of it. Republicans do want to "take the country back." Back to Jim Crow and poll taxes. The few minorities that are in the GOP are used by the party leadership. Look at what they did to Michael Steele. He got thrown under the bus by the party leadership. The only reason the GOP had him as party chair was because Barack Obama was running for president on on the Democratic ticket. The hoped he would pull in some of the black vote. "Oh, look, the Republicans have a black party chairman." It didn't work and they threw him under the bus and put that sleazy Rince Prievous as the chair. Michael Steele got used by them, and then used up. They don't even acknowledge him now, pretend he doesn't exist. If I were him I'd kick the GOP to the curve. He didn't deserve what happened to him. Some payment for loyalty.
Chris Matthew is correct. Mitt Romney was playing the race card. Reince Priebus is one nasty person who has a practiced mean spirited response to almost everything. If I were Romney, I would not want this person representing me.
I totally agree with you!!! he should be banned from all talk shows due to his nastiness, mean spirit and dishonesty!! He fits perfect with the Romney campaign though and thats why he represents him!! shameful!!
Not to mention his nasally obnoxious whine. I can't stand the little weasel.
CM why do you bring up the race card. You've got to be kidding. If a person disagrees with the president and doesn't like him he is a racist. Ive heard it and been acused of it for the last 5 years. I'm not a racist. But I do believe since the president came to office racism in this country has been set back 20 years because of people like you that have nothing else to offer........
Jim respectfully, CM never said you can't disagree. But why is Obama the first president to be asked for his birth certificate & grades. He went to the same school as Romney.
How can anyone call the man who risked his presidency by ordering the assault that got Bin Laden be called unAmerican? (An assault Romney said he would not order because it went into Pakistan)
What is more divisive than telling Americans your elected leader is not legitimate?
Disagreeing with the president is different than insinuating he was not born in the United States and lying about removing the work requirement from welfare reform for "those people."
Jim for the past five years some people have been trying to tell you something, try listening since eventually where you and racism are concerned you seem to be the one constants.... don't think the rest of us have this problem... send in Dr. Phil to straighten you out.
Jim by you saying you're not a racist and yet you don't see the race card then you are racist...sorry to burst your bubble of hate...
Matthews is a race baiter, on top of being a complete moron. I guess he thought it was okay for Biden to use the "you'll be back in chains", even Charlie Rangel thought that was a raceist comment.
B. Honest 2888323, I am finding myself much in agreement with what I have found of yours tonight, lol, am surprised at seeing the name with numbers attached. However:
You are absolutely correct, NO other President has EVER been subjected to not only this degree of scrutiny, AND also this level of disrespect. The fact that he is our First Black President comes immediately to mind, considering the HUGE number of people that ARE racist in this Nation. There are many people that STILL do not think that Blacks, Latinos or Orientals should be given equal rights, that think them to be inferior, and, somehow, Un-American.
Considering that the Republican Party has, systematically, tossed out or alienated ANYone of color, unless they MORE than toe the Party Line, and can be used as a showcase piece, speaks whole volumes. That the GOP Convention itself was overwhelmingly white, and mostly male, them having to SEARCH for people of ANY color for the camera to showcase, leads me to believe that, even if they do not out and out say it, the Repub Party at it's core is extremely racist, the Tea party even more so.
Considering that the Koch Bros, and their father, all have very strong ties to the KKK, and they were some of the major contributors for busing in people to those 'Town Hall Discussions', the ones that were disrupted by people carrying racist signs and signs saying such foolish things as "Keep The Government Away Form My Medicare" says a whole lot in that very direction.
Racism is very much alive in this Nation, and although it is not Politically Correct to admit it, many people truly are, and show it in various ways, often times trying to hammer a different point (Birthers, wanting transcripts of grades as if a black man could not have had good grades etc.), although it still comes down to the racism or else they would not be hammering so hard.
Chris Mathews is one of the few people in the media trying to hold these racists birthers in the republican party to account for what they say. Romney even tells reporters what questions they can ask and what questions they can't (taxes, Medicare, etc.).
Finally somebody in the media actually willing to confront people on their lies an innuendo instead of lobbing softball questions at them so they can maintain their access and be invited to their cocktail parties. Chris Matthews put the rest of the other cowards on the set to shame.
Chris don't change a thing! the pathetic unraveling of the other commentators shows exactly why you are better than all of them. you put facts on the table and priebus had no response.
perfect, chris. don't ever, ever change.
Finally there is someone out here that has put this man in his place. He has been on every news outlet with this same song and dance. No other Journalist has stopped him. Thank you Chris for setting the record straight and pulled the mask off of this joker.
Within that first 30 seconds you could see by the look in Prieb-ass's eyes that Chris was drawing blood! And I loved the way the audience clapped about 3 different times while Chris was talking!
I loved it ! Chris Mathews was right to speak out the way he did and for that I am very grateful. The people need to know the truth not the lie's they're in-applying of Pres. Obama. I just wish we had more democrats in the house of congress and senate doing the same.
... awesome exchange! Mathews brings "truth to power", in a way that only he can. And the GOP's "mouthpiece" simply couldn't handle it. The fact is, "conservatives" painted a target on this president's back, within hours following his election. That, and nothing else, has been the GOP's number one priority (per Senator Mitch "what's his name') since Obama's inauguration. And they've been both willing and eager to make this, his first term, his last (no matter what) to the detriment of the country-and the people-they were sworn to protect and to serve.
Chris did a great job on ending lies and what was said by Romney is racist regarding birth certicates. Priebus looks like he had the white sheet taken off his face. Joe & Mika should correct their guest when they say things they know are lies, but they just smirk and act embarressed( i watch morning joe everyday) I thought Mika had some backbone, but she seems just as bad as Joe. Thanks to Chris Jansing, Andrea, Alex, Tamron,Martin, Chris Matt, Al Sharp, Ed, Rachel and especially Lawrence. I watch them all since i am retired and they all call out the lies with truth.
Finally thank you Chris Matthews! This guy has been on every news outlet spewing this garbage. No one has had the guts to correct this crazy rhetoric. They all let him rant like an angry minion, blowing every dog whistle he has it's sickening. Romney needs to practice what he preaches, stop saying Pres Obama is running a dirty campaign. He is the one who continues to use vile characterizations, which is different from telling the truth. Romney stop your madness THERE IS NO CRYING IN POLITICS!!
Hooray for Chris Mathews! What a breath of fresh air. Finally, someone willing to call these guys out for exactly what they are doing. I agree with other commenters on this page that it was the silence of the others on the set, their inability to contribute to the discussion, that made the segment feel awkward. The type of points CM made are what Morning Joe is all about and should be MORE about: passionate, aggressive, respectful and... real. Just what the doctor ordered - the type of morning jolt we could all use more of.
finally a news person who is not afraid to say what we all know is true. the republicans have been using the race card for the past 4 years and no one ever says anything about it. finally. it is about time. and frankly obama should say something when he knows they are doing it too. playing like it hasn't happened is not working. call these people on it everytime is happens.. everytime..
WTG Chris!!!! Finally someone who has the balls to call out these lies and BS RNC talking points. The best part was watching "the couple" Joe and Blondie have to sit and watch their buddy prance get his ass handed to him for once. GOOD JOB CHRIS!!!!!!
THANK YOU Mr. Matthews for speaking the truth on MJ today. Only when the anti-racists speak out and speak often can we combat racial hatred.
All of the other cowards on the stage should be ashamed of themselves. Notice how not one of them can answer what was supposed to funny about romney's racial attack.
Brokaw really showed what an tired, old, uniformed bigot he truly is.
Dang! You go Chris Matthews! Thank you for hammering Priebus. What a dweeb. Five years from now, I'll bet my last dollar the country will be pondering what the freakin' fuss was over Obamacare and Obama will be hailed a visionary for finally doing something about it. What the heck is our problem that we can't see that Europe and Canada could actually do something better than we do.
Go get 'em Chris! Glad someone is holding their feet to the fire. The rest of the media has gotten way too polite and lets them get away with their lies. The press is even being told what questions they can ask and they droolingly follow. Thanks Chris!
Plain truth: the Republicans can't stand to see a black man as President. They still resort to the lowest common denominator by bringing up the birth certificate and allegations of Obama being a Muslim(as if its wrong to be a Muslim). Thank you Chris Matthews for giving the RNC head whore a verbal ass-kicking.
I don't think the GOP Powers-That-Be are truly racist, but they're more than happy to use racism as a reason to fire up their NASCAR, beer-drinking good ol' boy base. Whatever it takes to WIN, doesn't matter how much it's hurting the country.
You expect lies and dishonest ideas from NBC ,. That is what they do. They campaign for Obama 24/7. Everyone knows it is OBAMA and Biden and the dems in general who have been the racist playing the race card at every turn. NBC home to the worshipers of the god of destruction Obama. Hate mongers all of them.
Excuse you. Hate mongers? You're clearly referring to Faux News.
Dream on Wade. Read the posts on here and it 99% pro Chris to ...Well, you. Now back over to FOX. Just don't bring your RNC friends back to muck it up like you always do. Keep the lies and BS at FOX.
GREAT JOB CHRIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you should have Al Sharpton, Michael Moore, Big Ed Shultz and the rest of the MSNBC team on site to discuss the Republican Convention. Should get great ratings.. the Republicans might even make a political add out of it... come to think of it, it might be a great SNL skit.
Waddya Think? More Kool-Aid?
wade, go back to bed, u obviously woke up too early, maybe some tea will help you? For 4 long yrs ive watched ur party trash this President, and he always turned the other cheek, Im praying to God to protect this great man and give us 4 more yrs, without a republican congress. Yes Wade, he is the greatest President we have ever had, he is intelligent, compassionate and all the hate u throw at him, falls onto his shoulders and makes him even stronger. May God have pity on ur souls, for its him u will have to answer to when its ur time
I watch Chris Matthews. I respect Chris Matthews most of the time, but this tirade against Priebus was ridiculous. He looked like a grade schooler fighting for his crayon. As for Joe, you lost complete control of your show which is pitiful. I have no idea why you were so embarrassed.....maybe for Chris and his tirade? You could have easily pointed out that no one in the DNC stood up and pronounced that Romney IS NOT a MURDERER, another great example of extreme
Wade - you don't have a clue do you? I am surprised you even know how to type....
Wade,support your claim.Im not going to disrespect your views.But how about giving some facts to support your statement.Like i would love to see where you saw or read Obama,Biden,play the race card.Show me.