Chris Matthews, over at MSNBC, must have been off his medication when he took on conservative author Michelle Malkin a few days back on Hardball. If there's a point where this campaign made a turn, favoring George W. Bush, we saw it happen when Matthews verbally slashed Malkin. Made you think of that shower scene in ''Psycho,'' except that Matthews uses his tongue for a blade.
Chris Matthews Re-enacts Shower Scene From ''Psycho''
Written by Jack Engelhard
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
[Excerpt]
Chris Matthews, over at MSNBC, must have been off his medication when he took on conservative author Michelle Malkin a few days back on Hardball. If there's a point where this campaign made a turn, favoring George W. Bush, we saw it happen when Matthews verbally slashed Malkin. Made you think of that shower scene in ''Psycho,'' except that Matthews uses his tongue for a blade.
If you were among the ''undecided'' before, this episode of Bad TV should help you decide. What you witnessed was this political season's worst moment.
Better yet, a defining moment.
Matthews, the political talk show host who's become famous for speaking over and above his guests, has now made it plain that if you want to be heard on his low-rated program, you'd better be with him on Kerry…O Come Let Us Adore Him! Otherwise, like Malkin, you're in for a trashing.
Malkin was there to talk about her new book, ''In Defense of Internment,'' but Matthews had something else in mind. Plainly, he wanted to bag a trophy for his man Kerry.
Does Gimbel's tell Macy's? What better prey for MSNBC than bagging a regular from across the street that's doing so much better business, Fox TV News.
So enter Malkin. Matthews kept after her to come straight out and declare that Kerry had inflicted his own wounds to earn his first Purple Heart, as suggested by Swift Boat Vets against Kerry. Matthews to Malkin: ''Are you saying he shot himself on purpose?'' Here's where it got ugly, for there isn't much ''Malkin to Matthews.''
He wouldn't let her speak. Over and over again: ''Are you saying he shot himself on purpose?'' Matthews was desperate to OUT her. Malkin tried to explain that she's taking no position. She's a reporter, so she reports, and that's what these Swift Boat Vets are saying. That is all.
Not good enough, as Matthews clearly went bonkers trying to get her to fess up. Malkin, mostly speechless throughout, remained classy.
As for Matthews, this was loud-mouth sleaze, and if these are Kerry's friends, be afraid. Be very afraid.
Rarely, even in this over-heated political climate, has a host been so rude to a guest. Matthews's ploy backfired. Never again can we view Matthews as an objective go-between. He must now be seen as a crude partisan. Ditto another alleged ''journalist,'' Keith Olbermann, who later came on and, according to Malkin, trashed her all over again. (Said she made a fool of herself.)
But wasn't it Kerry himself who set this trap for himself? Kerry made Vietnam the issue. Why should his supporters be so surprised and hysterical when his opponents issue right back?
Two can play this game of Hardball.
