Matthews To Dodd: ‘Do You Find It Difficult To Debate A Woman?’
Matthews To Dodd: ‘Do You Find It Difficult To Debate A Woman?’
During last night’s post-Democratic presidential debate analysis, MSNBC host Chris Matthews was hung up on the fact there is a woman running for president. After questioning Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) about Sen. Hillary Clinton’s (D-NY) position on entitlement reforms, he then asked Dodd, “Do you find it difficult to debate a woman?” Dodd, not surprisingly, said, “[N]ot at all.” Watch it:
Matthews continued to focus on Clinton’s gender in a subsequent discussion with NBC’s Tim Russert, saying that “her husband” had her on a “short leash”:
Let me tell you how short Hillary’s leash is. She was asked by you, sir, about whether we’re going to get full disclosure of contributors to presidential libraries. And she did not feel that she had the latitude in her husband’s absence to give you an answer. She said, you’ll have to ask my husband, as if you’re a guy going door to door trying to sell someone and says you’ll have to wait for my husband to get home.
But as Media Matters points out, Clinton said that she had “co-sponsored legislation that would have sitting presidents reveal any donation to their presidential library.” She could not answer whether or not the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Library would “voluntarily” make such donations public in the absence of such legislation because she does not control those entities.
Matthews’s post-debate analysis is often colored by his personal views on gender. After an August Democratic presidential forum, Matthews said he was astonished that Clinton said, “I’m your girl.” “It’s post-feminist,” said Matthews. “You can say ‘girl’ now. It’s so fascinating.”
MATTHEWS: Do you find it difficult to debate a woman?
DODD: No, not at all. I haven’t faced one in the eight elections I’ve been involved in, but I think here this is a question of looking for leadership. There’s no more important election, Chris, in our lifetime than the one that’s going to be conducted about 14 months from now. […]
RUSSERT: What I want to hear is the conversation tonight between president Clinton Hillary Clinton about president Clinton’s comments last year on MEET THE PRESS that we ought to have an exception that if we know the number three guy in Al Qaeda knows a bomb is going off and where it’s going off, it’s okay to beat the hell out of him. Have a presidential (inaudible).
MATTHEWS: Let me tell you how short Hillary’s leash is. She was asked by you, sir, about whether we’re going to get full disclosure of contributors to presidential libraries. And she did not feel that she had the latitude in her husband’s absence to give you an answer. She said, you’ll have to ask my husband, as if you’re a guy going door to door trying to sell someone and says you’ll have to wait for my husband to get home. It was unbelievable that she wouldn’t answer that. Never mind, let’s drop this.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
52 Responses to “Matthews To Dodd: ‘Do You Find It Difficult To Debate A Woman?’”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Oh lordy. Chris Matthews goes from “smart pundit” to “rightwing tool” so fast it makes my head ache. …OUCH!!
September 27th, 2007 at 4:28 pmBoth Matthews and Tucker Carlson are pathological in their attentions to Hillary Clinton. The very thought of her in the White House drives these guys insane (or rather more insane). Matthews is as angry at Clinton as he is cuddly with Tom DeLay.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:35 pmIt is mind-boggling to me that the same network that employs Keith Olbermann, also gives this knucklehead a paycheck - not to mention Tucker. Thanks for bringing this to light.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:36 pmI think Dodd did rather well last night. The more I hear from him the better he sounds.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:37 pmMathews coverage of Clinton is amazing.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:38 pmThere is not one day but he has at least 5 minutes coverage on his show about Hillary and the Clintons for a long time.
Is he admirer of Hillary or that’s how he sells his show?
Matthews is a “Right-Wing” puppet. All you have to do is tune into his show and watch the round table. Their usually the last fifteen minute segment of the show and it’s I hate Hillary the whole time.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:40 pmwhen it comes to women I’m a “master debater”
September 27th, 2007 at 4:47 pmI find it difficult to determine what goes on in Chris Matthews’ mind.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:52 pmI watch his show about every night. The thing is about Matthews is that I agree with him around 80% of the time. He is a staunch opponent of the Iraq war, and often derides the hypocricy of Republicans. I’ve seen him really go after Republicans when interviewing them.
Obviously, there are times when he says things I do not agree with. But on the whole, he tells it like he really feels, which most of the time I agree with.
September 27th, 2007 at 4:53 pmMatthews is a “Right-Wing†puppet. All you have to do is tune into his show and watch the round table. Their usually the last fifteen minute segment of the show and it’s I hate Hillary the whole time.
Comment by maxamillion — September 27, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
Could it be he hates Hillary because she is too far to the right?
If I were a pundit I’d be praying for President Hillary every day…
September 27th, 2007 at 5:01 pm# 10 - Does Matthews have a brain ? The man is a walking contradiction. One minure he will say something sensible, and then he will after the ” left ” in some incoherent rant.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:03 pmI thought Dodd was a woman.
Comment by BARTLEBEE — September 27, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
DOUGH!!!
September 27th, 2007 at 5:09 pmWith that face?
September 27th, 2007 at 5:09 pm2 bagger if he was.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:09 pmHillary showed us her true agenda and warmongering last night..She said she will keep troops after 2013. She wants to keep troops to fight Iran…
September 27th, 2007 at 5:10 pmShe agreed on Israel bombing Iran and Syria..She is nothing but an AIPAC puppet.
Just imagine if Russert said:’Do you think that Iran has the right to bomb Israel nuclear reactors’ to defend itself from Israel?1…Just imagine the reaction…
But she said it is ok with her to bomb Syria,Iran..and keep the troops until 2013 or after…
Is that what the people voted for in their last election?.
She voted to give Bush the OK to bomb Iran, but she goes around shaking hands and telling everybody that she is going to stop this war…Whom is she fooling?
VOICE YOUR DISGUST AT:
hardball@msnbc.com
September 27th, 2007 at 5:11 pmviewerservices@msnbc.com
NO
He only finds it difficult to debate idiots like Matthews
September 27th, 2007 at 5:13 pmI’m reminded of the TDS montage wherein every talking head on TV was asking, “IS AMERICA READY FOR A WOMAN PRESIDENT?!” After all, they don’t have any dicks to think with, how would they get any wars started?
September 27th, 2007 at 5:15 pmWhom is she fooling?
Comment by tarazan — September 27, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
About 40% of Democratic primary voters, apparently…
Don’t feel do bad about her hawkish record, though, there is no reason to believe what she has said and done in the past is any firm indicator of what she’ll do when she is Prez.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:18 pmMatthews is a drooling sexist. He is obsessed with women, with sex, with gossip and all things irrelevant and salacious. He needs to be placed on some kind of hormone treatment because something is definitely out of whack.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:22 pmBiden said it best about Hillary when he referenced “They feed on this….the Bush Clinton thing….It’s a reality.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:23 pmBiden said it best about Hillary when he referenced “They feed on this….the Bush Clinton thing….It’s a reality.
Comment by hellinabucket — September 27, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Yah! That was the funniest part of the debate last night when Joe said the line about “all the old stuff comes up. About policy - I mean policy” and looked over at Hillary. His internal monlogue was screaming “Please Don’ t Hurt Meeee!!”
I really like Biden, I wish he were doing better.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:27 pmThis is the same guy who said that Fred Thompson “smelled good”. Something about the Aqua Velva. Bringing Sen. Dodd on his program and not asking one the smartest people in the Senate some meaningful questions is just a waste of airtime. But then, these MSM types are allowed to do that as long as we keep purchasing the products they advertise.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:30 pmBiden did well last night also.
When he emphasized “policy” I believe that was mostly to squash any mud slinging about the more sorid “stuff” that is brought up about President Clinton.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:31 pmMatthews is such a moron. Would he have asked Hillary if she had any difficulty debating a man? The question is an asinine one either way.
So far the voters seem to be doing a fairly decent job of not allowing race or sex to be an issue in their voting decision, focusing more on candidates’ track records and positions on issues. It would be nice if the talking heads did the same.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:36 pmSorry to point this out, TP. But, you got the quote wrong. Matthews was actually asking if Dodd is gay, “Do you find it difficult to DATE a woman?”
September 27th, 2007 at 5:37 pmSorry to point this out, TP. But, you got the quote wrong. Matthews was actually asking if Dodd is gay, “Do you find it difficult to DATE a woman?â€
Comment by MistyFowler — September 27, 2007 @ 5:37 pm
First of all, why would you be sorry to point it out? Is there something wrong with it? Dodd deserved better questions and this “jerk” was not able to provide them. If you want to ask if someone is gay, not that it is your business, why don’t you come out and say it? Sen. Dodd is a longstanding member of the US Senate. He deserved better questions. I’m sure he wouldn’t refuse to answer them. It’s just, in my opinion, casting a shadow for the stupid ones.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:51 pmRussert seems to not have gotten out of high school, as yet. And I wonder if the closet, yet.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:55 pmWhat a TWINK.
10. I find it difficult to determine what goes on in Chris Matthews’ mind.
Comment by tombaker
___________________________________________________________
Evidently, so does he.
September 27th, 2007 at 5:55 pmFirst of all, why would you be sorry to point it out? Is there something wrong with it? Dodd deserved better questions and this “jerk†was not able to provide them. If you want to ask if someone is gay, not that it is your business, why don’t you come out and say it? Sen. Dodd is a longstanding member of the US Senate. He deserved better questions. I’m sure he wouldn’t refuse to answer them. It’s just, in my opinion, casting a shadow for the stupid ones.
Comment by foreyes — September 27, 2007 @ 5:51 pm
Whoa, I was being funny. Who shoved a stick up your ass? Did you seriously not get that my post was a joke?
September 27th, 2007 at 6:02 pmWhoa, I was being funny. Who shoved a stick up your ass? Did you seriously not get that my post was a joke?
Comment by MistyFowler — September 27, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Sorry, didn’t get your thrift. Maybe next time.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:05 pmI should have said: Sorry, I didn’t get your “D”rift. Maybe next time.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:08 pmTomBaker: “I find it difficult to determine what goes on in Chris Matthews’ mind.”
You could say the same thing about Russert. Let’s keep a couple of things in mind. Jack Welch, an enthusiastic supporter of Bush, hired both these guys and gave them contracts for $5 million a year. Their checks are signed by GE. Do any of you here think that Welch and the corporate board of GE like the Clintons? Which party do you think the board at GE prefers? The one which generally thinks corporations should be more regulated or the one which doesn’t want any corporate regulation?
September 27th, 2007 at 6:15 pmSen. Dodd has one of the most reasoned policies on the Cuban Embargo. Why was he not questioned about it? MSM keeps hiding what is important to the American people. How do we stop it? For one thing we shouldn’t buy the products they peddle. Once we start doing that they will have to listen!
September 27th, 2007 at 6:18 pmHow do you debate a woman? It’s pretty easy, really, you just find the clitoris and…
…wait, I misread, never mind.
September 27th, 2007 at 6:27 pmThe one which generally thinks corporations should be more regulated or the one which doesn’t want any corporate regulation?
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — September 27, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
You know the answer Col., but I’m always glad to read your comments!
September 27th, 2007 at 6:27 pmwait, I misread, never mind.
Comment by scarshapedstar — September 27, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
As well as setting yourself for trouble with womankind. But to be honest with you, I couldn’ stop laughing!
September 27th, 2007 at 6:32 pmIt should read couldn’t
September 27th, 2007 at 6:37 pmWhy would Sen Dodd, a brilliant member of the US Senate find it difficult to debate Sen. Hilllary Clinton who happens to be a woman? Is it because this “jerk” doesn’t expect a woman to be brilliant? Now we know!
September 27th, 2007 at 6:58 pmThat’s a typical day’s work for tweety. Never about the substance.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:13 pmTweety says, “You can say ‘girl’ now. It’s so fascinating.â€
I say that is just gay!!! Where are the two (findger) snaps up just after the word “fascinating?”
September 27th, 2007 at 7:19 pm36 - I do say the same of Russert.
September 27th, 2007 at 7:31 pmWhether that’s true or not, Russert is afraid of losing something. What is it?
Probably, in my opinion, his preferential status. That’s hard to lose. Think about it, I wouldn’t want to lose it myself if I had it, that’s probably why I don’t have it And, neither do you!
September 27th, 2007 at 7:44 pmThank you, foreyess!
September 27th, 2007 at 7:45 pmforeyes: “Russert is afraid of losing something. What is it?”
His $5 million a year check?
September 27th, 2007 at 7:50 pmDixie: right, and next he’ll be saying “fabulous!”
September 27th, 2007 at 7:51 pmforeyes: “Russert is afraid of losing something. What is it?â€
His $5 million a year check?
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — September 27, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
I’m afraid so Col. Wouldn’t you also be afraid? I’m being honest: would you put up your ability to pay your mortgage against your desire to say “put up or shut up”. If you have done it, like I suspect you have, please forgive me.
September 27th, 2007 at 8:20 pmY’all,
Russert works for NBC which is owned by GE; one of the largest military contractors in this country!!
He has a missle pointed at his head everytime he opens his stupid mouth!!
Russert is a useless corporate, reich-wing, Repugniscum tool!!!
September 27th, 2007 at 8:34 pmI think the candidates should have jumped on Russert about the bible question. I couldn’t believe it. I submitted a question to MSNBC on the candidates veiws on executive power and privelege, which I think would have been a lot more relevant to today than the bible. But I guess it wouldn’t have been a gotcha moment for Russert.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:58 pmI thought Dodd was a woman.
Comment by BARTLEBEE — September 27, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
A statement which proves you’re not what you pretend to be.
September 28th, 2007 at 11:32 pmProve me wrong BARLEEBE. I dare you!
September 28th, 2007 at 11:49 pmThomas Jefferson was a religious man. So were most of the rest of our Founding Fathers. Yet they all risked their lives to help found a nation which held dear the principle of separation of church and state. Rather than allow the issue of religion to be injected into our new democracy, these men were willing to die if needed. Fast forward to the latest Democratic Party debate. Our moderator, Tim Russert asked candidates for the highest office in our land, “what is your favorite bible verse?” I yearned to see just one of them look Tim in the eye and shame him with a history lesson. I wanted to hear just one of those assembled on the stage to say to Tim, “After all our Founding Fathers did in protecting all of us from being subjected to a government with a mandatory state sponsered religion, you are asking that we here, in essence, swear to a loyalty oath to a Christian God?” Not one candidate objected. All of the candidates were like sheep, letting Russert frame the conversation, as though the question he asked was not causing out Founding Fathers to roll in their collective graves. Who am I voting for? None of the above.
September 29th, 2007 at 4:46 am