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Matthews suggests African-Americans aren’t ‘regular people.’»

While discussing Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) during MSNBC’s Hardball last night, host Chris 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?” Watch it:

On Monday’s Hardball, Matthews said of Obama: “This gets very ethnic, but the fact that he’s good at basketball doesn’t surprise anybody.”

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58 Responses to “Matthews suggests African-Americans aren’t ‘regular people.’”


  1. RUCerious Says:

    Just another ’slip’ by the whitest jackass on tv.
    Does his mouth EVER wait for his brain to tell him what he shouldn’t say?


  2. RUCerious Says:

    What about African American College Grads like Daryll?


  3. hellinabucket Says:

    Does Chris pay any attention at what’s going on in the world? It looks like Chris doesn’t have a clue about who a “regular person” is.

    I’ll tell you that I don’t fit the demographic of the african american, the upper class or the lower class. I’m squarely in the middle, take my kids to their baseball and soccer practices, try to save money and try to decipher where this country is going and who can take us there and can say that Obama does connect with me.


  4. Kryptik Says:

    Hrm…race baiting and elitism branding.

    Matthews has learned his talking points well.


  5. misshusseinmolly Says:

    Is Matthews saying that African-Americans aren’t “regular people”? Or that people with college degrees aren’t “regular people”? Or both? Who else counts as “not regular people” in Tweetyworld?


  6. Menehune Says:

    At least he didn’t say “typical” people–that would have been racist.


  7. misshusseinmolly Says:

    In 2000, the media framed Bush as “a guy people want to have a beer with.” And we see where that got us.

    Now, Matthews is trying to make this race about “a guy people want to bowl with.” Personally, I think America would prefer to focus on “a guy (or woman) who can run the country.”


  8. barfly Says:

    This code-word tap-dance is best accomplished by someone who isn’t a club-footed buffoon.

    At this point, I’m waiting for the blackface and corny old Jolson rhetorical retreads to make their gap-toothed appearance.

    It’s coming…

    Wait for it…


  9. Who Misspoke Today? Says:

    Maybe Matthews considers those who regularly spew the Bushit crap as regular people…


  10. McWars Says:

    Holding those Coloreds to a Higher Standard — 2008 Edition


  11. Anacher Forester Says:

    Actually, tools like Chris Mathhews aren’t regular people.

    misshussienmolly, CNN doesn’t calibrate him ‘cuz he works for NBC.

    -AF

    Andrew Sullivan Is A Fraud


  12. misshusseinmolly Says:

    Anacher Forester Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 2:54 pm

    misshussienmolly, CNN doesn’t calibrate him ‘cuz he works for NBC.
    __________________________________________

    Oooops — that’s right, he does. Thanks.

    More caffeine, please…


  13. hellinabucket Says:

    Question: Which living president has the lowest approval ratings?

    Answer: Bush and Carter. Carter later became what is considered the greatest ex president in modern times. The jury will be out on Bush. Possibly literally.


  14. misshusseinmolly Says:

    Seeing as how Obama is leading the popular vote in the Democratic primaries, my guess is that he’s connecting with “regular people” quite well. And that’s ALL the “regular people” we are blessed with in this country — all ethnicities, all educational levels, all religions, etc.


  15. impeachcheneythenbush Says:

    #12 - progressisgood - and your comment is related to this thread how? One more time and I’m flagging you…again. Idiot!


  16. L. Hussein Annie Says:

    Lordy. I’ve lost count of the number of times I have just *cringed* over something truly embarrassing that has flown out of Tweety’s mouth…yikes.


  17. L. Hussein Annie Says:

    As a matter of fact, that comment forcibly reminds me of Billo’s marveling that when he ate at Sylvia’s (I think) -a “black” restaurant in Harlem, people weren’t yelling, “Hey M— F–er, get me more iced tea!!”


  18. Uncle Ho Says:

    TO: Tweety
    FROM; An Honorary Soul Brother

    That’s mighty white of you - honky.


  19. TheRadicalRightisRadicallyWrong Says:

    I ask that everyone go to: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19599749/

    And enter this latest example of Tweety insanity on Abrams “Beat the Press” tip box and let’s see if he’s willing to address it!


  20. TheToonGuy Says:

    Imus was fired for less.


  21. phantasymanINphantasyland Says:

    RE 20
    Leave us Honky’s out of this cuz we ain’t regular people neither


  22. RUCerious Says:

    Miss Crathews in neither regular nor normal. He should consider a mental laxative.


  23. Zee Says:

    I don’t think so, ToonGuy. Don’t diminish the racism and sexism from Imus.

    I think Kryptik got it right:

    “…and elitism branding.

    Matthews has learned his talking points well.”

    The “regular” was in opposition with all the college-educated they’ve been trumpeting that Obama appeals to. Now, come PA, they need to bring in the “regular” people, the blue collar, the bowlers, what-have-you.

    The real tragedy is when will the FATHEADS on TV stop dividing us up, stop making each election into a HORSE RACE, and focus on the issues instead!

    We should be allowed to bring a class action suit against them for abdication of duty on OUR AIRWAVES.

    /rant


  24. RUCerious Says:

    Wasn’t Progressive enough for ya, Chris just misspoke!

    Recommend (0) | Report Abuse (Yes, I did)

    Somewhere there’s a very lonely Thomas the Tank engine train set that needs some playing with.


  25. GregM Says:

    I’m African-American and college educated. I guess I’m very irregular.


  26. phantasymanINphantasyland Says:

    Right on Zee


  27. Uncle Ho Says:

    Sya it LOUD!

    I’m Black and PROUD!

    BLACK POWER!

    Free Huey!

    from an honorary soul brother.


  28. McWars Says:

    progressisgood

    The point is not whether you’re offended by the fact that we, and the rest of Black and educated America, are offended.

    I don’t get those who put themselves in the repetitive, redundant and tenuous position of spouting and defending controversial language (”PC!”). It’s not as if we can run out of new and interesting things to say, and not to mention, tolerant things to say.

    I think Matthews should talk more about diabetes.


  29. fymioyo Says:

    A few years ago I was watching Hardball and heard Matthews say that if there were ever any “black people” at restaurants he would go to with his parents as a child, they would “try hard not to stare at them” and treat them like “regular people.”


  30. phantasymanINphantasyland Says:

    I think Chris Matthews should keep his comments to people with IBS… now those are irregular Americans!


  31. Uncle Ho Says:

    ooops! my bad. I left out the classic:

    Black is beautiful.

    there, all fixed now.

    Free Angela!


  32. SP Biloxi Says:

    What in the hell is wrong with Tweety? How can Obama connect with “regular people?” Hello??? Memo to Tweety: Obama is not Mork from the planet Ork or an alien from K-Pax! Geez… when is this clown going off the air? Every time Tweety opens his mouth, he lets it out his stupidity. Glad that I don’t watch Tweety any more. His show has become the joke of MSNBC.


  33. phantasymanINphantasyland Says:

    we all know that Obama isn’t really an African American anyways… what kind of proud black man would publicly bowl a 37? Dem folks is s’posed ta be good at sports ain’t dey?


  34. Buckie Boy Says:

    Race baiting and elitism branding.

    Doesn’t Matthews think we all know what they are doing?

    Oh, that’s right, the 28%er’s don’t think, forgot about that.


  35. PatrioticLiberalChristian Says:

    Matthews is so full of sh**, there’s no way anyone could consider him “regular”. Hey, Chris, take two Exlax (the one from TP counts) and call us when your brains are de-fecated.


  36. MCMetal Says:

    While discussing Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) during MSNBC’s Hardball last night, host Chris 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?”

    Did Tweety ever question in almost 8 years if Chimpy’s only connection was to born-with-silver-spoon-in-their-stupid-mouths wealthy , spoiled , faux Southerners , whose families always protected them even when they reached middle age and beyond ?


  37. freedom lover Says:

    GregM Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pm
    I’m African-American and college educated. I guess I’m very irregular.

    To the Right, you’re not even American.


  38. misshusseinmolly Says:

    I hope Tweety isn’t a “regular” person — I hope that somebody with that mindset is part of a small minority.


  39. Zee Says:

    Hmmm….what is wrong with Tweety… same thing that is wrong with all of us. Look at the TV. And I don’t care which channel claims to be more or less “fair and balanced” — all those white male fatheads think they are the “norm” because the entire DEFAULT pundit, newscaster and “expert” is middle-aged, white, male. Don’t even get me started on the few women they allow on the air. If they’re not anorexic they’ve got long, tossled manes of hair, plumped-up lips…and babydoll jewelry. WTF is up with those teen-aged necklaces? Do the stylists shop at Claire’s?

    But! Has anyone else noticed that they’ve recently brought in many more black “guest” hosts and experts?

    I have to give Obama props for that, however painful a reason it is that they have to bring in “experts” on…that is, to “explain” the Black Experience, I guess. Let’s hope they don’t evaporate from the screen if Obama’s not the nominee. You know, maybe, maybe they’ll STILL have something relevant to say, you know, about our society as a whole. You think?


  40. MCMetal Says:

    progressisgood Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
    McWars Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm

    Thanks for letting me see the light!

    WHITE POWER!!!

    Yeah…………More cocaine for everyone

    I’m sure the retarded , grinning , braying stupid jackass in the Oval Office would wholeheartedly agree ………


  41. Zee Says:

    Oops…sorry. I forgot. Must not rant.


  42. MCMetal Says:

    I prefer watching/listening to Tavis Smiley over you and everyone else anyway , Tweety ; strange how a black journalist could connect with a white college educated man whose parents are Muslim , eh you badly needing some sun , white crust of moldy bread……….?


  43. Shayne Says:

    RUCerious Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm

    Miss Crathews in neither regular nor normal. He should consider a mental laxative.

    Miss Cracker Mathews?


  44. McWars Says:

    # progressisgood Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm

    This comment will hopefully get the troll thrown out of here.


  45. Shayne Says:

    progressisgood Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
    McWars Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 3:27 pm

    Thanks for letting me see the light!

    WHITE TRASH POWER!!!

    Fixed it for you. Now you can show it to your neighbors at the trailer park.


  46. specialist f Says:

    progressisgood
    Unless you have a point with your gibberish,consider yourself FLAGGED!


  47. abarts Says:

    is that like being a “typical” white person?

    I can’t believe in 2008 this conversation is STILL going on.


  48. PatrioticLiberalChristian Says:

    I was just wondering if the college students on the campuses where Tweety often tapes his shows are going to take offense to be considered “not regular” by big-mouth.


  49. katy Says:

    weeellll… this could make TODAY’s spitball very interesting…

    The Pennsylvania primary is coming and Barack Obama will be on Hardball’s College Tour with Chris Matthews at West Chester University. It will be broadcast live so no editing, and you know Matthews will ask Obama the tough questions.
    Watch it on MSNBC, this Wed. 5pm ET/2pm PT


  50. Shayne Says:

    Mathews’ entire show today features Obama on campus. First question, BOWLING. What an idiot.


  51. Castelcomerkid Says:

    Why does this glomb who constantly is putting his feet in his big fat mouth still got a job with any respectable station?


  52. katy Says:

    oh! that’s NOW!

    damn… what’ll i do? sam is samstituting for randi today…

    i’ll have to divide it up… gotta watch my senator…


  53. Shayne Says:

    Katy, they replay Mathews a several times a day.


  54. hussein toasterhead Says:

    Kilo Says:
    April 2nd, 2008 at 6:05 pm

    You’re not 5 years old. You know that “does he connect with average people” is quite a well established benchmark for every presidential candidate. There is no mystery as to why this question is being discussed, it is practically law that it must be. You know he’s black and the fact that he does connect with black voters and why isn’t even worth discussing.

    Yeah yeah yeah, we know that the “candidate you can have a beer with” is a major qualification for a President, even if the candidate in question is an alleged teetotaler.

    However, that’s really not what Matthews asked. In context, “regular people” translates as “default,” aka “white.” Is it racist? No, not particularly. It’s just ignorant of the new coded language of race in America.


  55. DallasNE Says:

    When you single out one race for whatever reason we have a word for it. It is called racism. Matthews comment then is racist by definition.


  56. Marie Says:

    The worst of it is that Matthews doesn’t realize he is a racist, a misogynist; he’s clueless.
    He thinks he’s savvy, witty, and intuitive — what a joke.


  57. Marie Says:

    Sort of OT:
    There is gossip surrounding changes at CBS, including the retirement of Bob Schieffer on Sun. AMs. Matthews contract expires in 09 — his name was mentioned. If that long shot comes to pass, that would put him on CBS against Little Timmy on NBC.


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