Clinton writes NBC about newsman's Chelsea comment

MSNBC correspondent David Shuster may or may not hang onto his job, following his distasteful comment about former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton.

But this much seems safe to predict: Even if Chelsea's mom relents on her threat to boycott future debates on the cable network, Shuster won't be one of the questioners.

Her campaign aides quickly made clear their furor over the journalist's remark. Hillary Clinton followed up with a letter today to the head of NBC News, Steve Capus. The Times' Pete Nicholas, our primary Clinton reporter, was among those who received a copy, and here it is:

"Thank you for your call yesterday. I wanted to send you this note to convey the depth of my feeling about David Shuster's comments.

"I know that I am a public figure and that my daughter is playing a public role in my campaign. I am accustomed to criticism, certainly from MSNBC. I know that it goes with the territory.

"However, I became Chelsea's mother long before I ran for any office and I will always be a mom first and a public official second.

"Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient.

"I would urge you to look at the pattern of behavior on your network that seems to repeatedly lead to this sort of degrading language.

"There's a lot at stake for our country in this election. Surely, you can do your jobs as journalists and commentators and still keep the discourse civil and appropriate."

  -- Don Frederick

Comments

[mark m]

I feel bad for Chelsea and her parents. It's very sad when journalists become so "relaxed" that they just blurt out whatever they think might be funny or off-the-wall in order to provoke interest. That said, I don't put all the blame on David Schuster, though he is certainly responsible for his actions. But I also think Joe Scarborough is a big influence. I've watched Scarborough over the past few weeks. He has gotten arrogant and rude many times. He says outrageous, distasteful things like a 7-year-old on a holiday from authority. He has belittled his co-host on many occasions...made sexist comments to the weather caster and so on. Sure everyone around him smiles and seems to find his "style" amusing. Who knows what they actually think...because HE is the star. So, MSNBC you better take a good look at the kind of environment that Morning Joe is fostering...if you don't you may have another episode like Shuster's and Imus before him!

[El]

Actual reporting would be a refreshing change.

You know, telling the public things about the actual policy positions of the candidates on important issues instead of launching personal attacks, analyzing the functioning of tear ducts, and whipping up frenzies over where someone cut their hair... Or do they not teach about such things in journalism classes anymore? Come to think of it, do media employers actually require an education of their reporters these days?

[Barbara]

Yes this was a bad comment by Shuster. But while Clinton keeps playing this up, Obama is winning states and may or may not win Maine due to early voting.

The Clintons are proving that they are distractions and they allow sideline issues to be distractions. Meanwhile the Obama campaign runs a smooth and well organized operation.

[sarahj]

This complaint by Clinton is so disingenuous it's unbelievable. First, the language Shuster used is commonly used, and doesn't seem all that edgy, at least not to the post-Baby Boomer generations. Second, Shuster is a very good, fair, and upstanding reporter deserving of at least some benefit of the doubt -- it's appalling that Clinton is happily trying to ruin a decent person's career over this game she's playing. Third, Chelsea is an adult and a public figure at this point, not someone deserving of special treatment and protection -- after all, she's capable of calling to persuade super-delegates. Fourth, where's Clinton's demand for her husband to step off the campaign trail after his racist remark in South Carolina -- double standard here. Obviously, Clinton is looking for more woe-is-me moments to garner sympathy and votes. I'm frankly surprised this didn't bring a tear to her eye.

[YBFMiami]

Another sign of the growing desparation of the Clinton (aka Billary) campaign. No one would have paid attention to this remark (made in jest) if the Clintons didn't choose to make a big deal of it. If they put their adult daughter to the forefront of their campaign, they have to be willing to take the heat. Chelsea is no longer a child, who should be off limits. If the Clintons want to insulate her, they should send her back to her private life and stop parading her accross the country in their nasty and, again, desparate fight to re-enter the White House.

By the Way, On Saturday night MSNBC (in what must have been meant as some type of apology) ran a somewhat flattering portrait of Hillary Clinton showing her early work. What a shame that what was once a promising public servant has degenerated into an unprincipled win at all cost politician.

MSNBC also had a female/Hillary friendly anchor to cover Saturday Night's caucuses. MSNBC...get some backbone. I loved watching your election night coverage...now Yawn!!!

Obama08. (ABC...Anyone But Clinton...If Democrats nominate Billary I will either sit out the general election or cross party lines...ABC)

[ajk]

I know English is difficult, but what part of "pimping out" do people not understand? Just today, a tv show reported that Larry Burkhead was pimping out his daughter Dannilyne Smith (Anna Nicole's daughter) by selling her picture. This is not a comment about the innocent daughter, but about a parent who used his child for his own profit. Saying that the Clinton's were pimping out their daughter is not an attack on Chelsea any more than saying that Larry Burkhead was pimping out his daughter was an attack on Dannilyne. Both were comments on the character of the parents. Perhaps the parents don't deserve the criticism, but for every reporter and commentator to twist the words into an attack on Chelsea is ridiculous. I can understand why the Clintons would want to deliberately misinterpret the focus of the attack for political advantage, but why do so few reporters understand the role of a pimp? (No implication about the private lives of reporters intended 8=).

[Marks]

Hillary said “You’ll never have to worry about me being knocked out of the ring. I think I can go toe to toe with John McCain every single day."

She's pretty sensitive and thin skinned on those comments pertaining to her campaign's behaviour.

Schuster said nothing bad defaming Chelsea.

Hillary wants him fired is a joke! The guy can be reassigned to doing stories on the environment instead of politics.

Plus she has that guy who said Latino's won't vote for black candidates and keeps him employed. That lie is worse than anything Shuster has said. They spread that false statement wherever the campaign goes.

She got swept this round, only leads in delegates now because of Super Delegates that can change their mind at any time.

She better focus on staying head to head with Obama instead of talking about battling McCain.

[Jenna]

Good for Hillary! The coverage on msnbc has been outrageous. As a woman I have watched and cringed as the language and comments used against Hillary seemed to know no bounds. While everyone understands that criticism comes with the territory, msnb coverage has been very sexist and gone way too far. Her response against the network itself was long overdue.

Here is an example of the kind of coverage Chris Matthews has given Hillary:
http://jezebel.com/354311/hillary-clinton-has-the-clap

Does any other candidate get every mannerism they make criticized in the same way?

[LinuxRocks]

Considering the unwarranted pedestal NBC/MSNBC have put Obama on, I suppose it was only a matter of time before their on-air personalities would make such blatantly disgusting comments as the one Shuster made about Chelsea Clinton. It's appalling to think that a "news" organization, which one would HOPE would treat all candidates with equal respect, has to resort to continually bashing Hillary Clinton--and her family--while treating Obama like a god. Their behavior has been disgraceful for months...it's really not all that surprising that they've now stooped to such a tasteless low.

[Vinster]

Did Hillary have a big cry over this too?

[UCLA Professor]

This hullabaloo is emblematic of Hillary's disconnection from everyday people and everyday language. I use the term "pimped out" all the time. It's a common pejorative phrase used in the same vein as MTV's "Pimp My Ride".

So if she says she's writing this as a mom first, and as a public official second, I'll take that at face value. But Chelsea's 27 and all grown up. Don't freak, Hillary!

I happen to be for Obama- now more than ever. The conventional wisdom is that the two are not that different, but I think the cultural chasm between Hillary and Obama is huge. She's the freaked-out overprotective PTA mom who puts you in private school to protect you from the kids who drive pimped-out rides. He's the cool dad who takes you to the sickest concerts, then pimps out his buddies to get you some back-stage passes.

[M. and E. Steadmann]

This threatening letter of Senator Clinton reveals exactly the sort of President she would be: a petty tyrant who seeks the most ruthless way of destroying her critics.

Unless Senator Clinton has been freeze dried the past few years (come to think of it, she might have been), the English language has been evolving as languages tend to do. The word "pimping out" can be applied to cheap, flashy ways of selling or promoting a project. Here in America we are lately "pimping out" cars (see the MTV show Pimp My Ride), homes (real estate agent slang), talent (used among artists/actors/writers and their promoters). WebPro News, which covers technology, recently ran an article called "Is Time Warner Pimping out AOL Europe?". Was anybody fired there?

Senator Clinton knows very well the meaning of this phrase. And if she doesn't, she is seriously out of touch with her constituents (which she might well be). But more likely, she knows and is exploiting the mere utterance of the phrase to avoid debates (in which she comes across as shrill and disingenuous) and to inflame her radical feminist backers.

Many people seem to have forgotten the thuggish tactics of the Clintons when they were in the White House. But their malicious quest to destroy a man's career like this is the reason more and more people are voting for her opponent.

Thank you,

The Steadmanns

[Al Bundy]

Hillary's mad at the world because she can't come to terms with the fact her liar husband is banging every fat broad except her.

[MannyF]

David Shuster's remark was reprehensible, not because of the word "pimping" -- in the era of "Pimp My RIde" and "Pimp'd" it hardly shocks the ears -- but because it is such a sleezy accusation. Chelsea is doing no more than presidential offspring have done in campaigns for decades.
Still I think the lady doth protest too much, a convenient way to not debate without refusing to debate.

[Mark]

This is a typical Clintonian maneuver. Don't offend the Clintons - OR ELSE!

I don't think the phrase "pimped out" is anything to get excited about. I'm glad I'm not as tightly wound as some folks. Must be stressful to live that way.

I'm even happier now that I voted for Obama.

[Bob]

I congratulate Hillary for standing up to this type of obviously vicious attack.

As for the people here who do not see this as an attack on both Hillary and Chelsea, it is both. And, the use of the word "pimp" in this context is not meant to imply "tricking out a car" or "dressing up really cool".

The word "pimp" was clearly used in its original street slang sense and both Shuster as well as those approving of him should be ashamed of themselves.

[Brenda Kapila]

Come on everyone, can you imagine what would be said about Hillary if she said that Obama was pimping out his wife? I switched from FOX to MSNBC and now I've stopped watching MSNBC. I want unbiased news, not biased attacks. The American people can make up their own mind without the newsmedia trying to convince us to take on their views. First they made a big deal saying Hillary was crying. I was so concerned, until I saw that a tear didn't even run down her face. Give me a break, or should I say "Give Hillary a break." I'm ashamed of our news media and everyone else should be too!

[E. Lotfi]

shuster's comments shows that the corporate media has reached a new low. It is not just an individual thing; every organization has culture and standards- the MSNBC appears to have forgotten both;and incapable of hiring people with civility and qualification. If you can make a career out of bad mouthing people you are welocome to MSNBC-Do not worry about real issues.

It is indeed a sad day for America.

[Stephen]

But it was certainly ok for the Clintons to call Paula Jones 'trailer trash', and it was ok for Hillary to beg Dick Morris to lie about her husband not committing the crime of battery on him, when he gave notice of terminating his employment with Billy-thug. And of course it was ok for Billy-thug to play the race card by pimiping his exploitation of African-Americans for the benefit of he and his wife - neither whom live in Harlem, or south central los angeles, but sure want their vote!! Obama actually cares about society, regardless if he becomes President, while the Clintons want to continue their dynasty - nope!

Chelsea was pimped, and we all know it - good job Mr. Shuster.

[Tom]

Chelsea is no longer a child and responsible for her own actions like everyone else. If she chooses to campaign for her mother, and Hillary approves Chelsea's campaign activities, then Hillary should not be surprised by whatever the media says about the former First Family members. After 8 years in Bill's White House dealing with the media (in which the media showed remarkable restraint with Chelsea the minor), and she didn't think the media would go after an adult Chelsea, then she is too naive or to stupid to be president. What is also really scary is that NBC may fire it's reporter for using their right to free speech. This just shows how media consolidation will be the end of free speech in America.

[Angela Fuentes]

Just because MTV culture has glorified misogyny doesn't mean that it is ok to us when talking about a candidate's family. To see all the apologists for using the word "pimping" is disturbing.

Some of the names Chris Matthews has called Ms. Clinton have been "She Devil," "Nurse Ratched," "Madame Defarge." (You know, the haggy, knitting, plotting character in A Tale Of Two Cities noted for being a ruthless villain?) Matthews has also spouted that Clinton is "witchy," "anti-male" and "uppity." And he was one of the first to mock Ms. Clinton's laugh, saying "what do you make of the cackle?"

Matthews has questioned whether a woman can lead: "[L]et's talk about the troops... Will they take the orders?" and on another occasion, wondered, "Is she hemmed in by the fact that she's a woman and can't admit a mistake, or else the Republicans will say, 'Oh, that's a woman's prerogative to change her mind,' or 'another fickle woman'? Is her gender a problem in her ability to change her mind?" Because obviously, women can't make up their minds. Ever!

Clinton's personal life isn't even off-limits; Matthews has mused, "Is she a convincing mom?" Has Mr. Matthews ever asked if any of the male candidates look like convincing dads? He also pinched her cheeks after speaking with her once. Would he dare pinch John McCain's cheek?

Shouldn't we be able to agree that no matter what your political allegiances, this is not the way you speak of a woman -- whether she is a senator or not?

[Doug M]

This is all about Billary and does not have much to do with Chelsea. Billary will do whatever it takes to win.

Also, don't be surprised if Billary does not try to help Obama if he gets the Democratic nod because Billary will want another bite at the apple in 2012.

Go Obama 08.

[Andrew C]

I was wondering how long it would take the Obamorons to find fault in a parent's natural reaction to the clearest-cut example yet in this campaign of the debasing of public discourse by a media obsessed with ratings over substance. Imagine if Shuster's sexist and grossly inappropriate sexual innuendo had been made against any other person's daughter the outcry that would have ensued. Mr Shuster is old enough to bear the consequences of his rash actions and he is lucky that he is not being hauled into court for libel. As for the disturbing trend for all these Obama "ditto heads" to delight in anything negative about the Clintons it is sad indeed to see. Being a Democrat has nothing to do with your online Tourette's compulsions or your bitter vitriol. If you can't support HRC if she is the nominee then just leave now and pout in the corner with the Naderites. This election means life and death to some people and they can't afford your posturing that there's no difference between HRC and McCain (Just like there was supposedly no difference between Gore or Kerry and GWB, yeah right)

[joe]

"Cry Baby" is a biologic mother, but in reality she is an 'egg-donor' and possesses no maternal instincts. she couldn't care less about that kid, and was never present during the child's developmental years.

No surprise that chelsea is as icy cold, impersonal as her XX chromosome egg donor.

Hillary uses everyone around her to advance her own personal gain - spouse, child, donors, clergy, fellow members of congress, etc.

*** " Don't Inhale " ****

[SteveJJ]

He should have said "whored out" instead of "pimped out". Maybe Hillary and Bill wouldn't have been offended by that comment.

[Keith Henderson]

To those who have tried to parse "pimping out" in an innocent sense, you are equivocating and rationalizing. MTV and MSNBC should have different standards when it comes to language. Should Chris Matthews be forgiven if he says that he wants to "tap that a**" regarding Obama's wife? It's fine on MTV.

Journalists should know better than anyone else that poor word choice can make a story out of a non-story. The comment was unprofessional, regardless of whether it was innocent. Someone paid as well as Shuster should be able to come up with a phrase that captures the same semantics without being so culturally charged.

[D.King/VR]

It Is Very "Inportant" That The Supper Delegate's Remember
That Young Teenagers Make "RATICAL ACTS" Smoke A
LOT OF 'WEED' And Much Moore ,Why ? Wood "Well Thinking
Adults" 'Use Teen's To Vote............' I Hope Reasonable Heads Will "Prevail" If We Gave Teen's There way We
All Be In Trouble. Mrs Clinton Is A Fair and Reasonable
Woman, We Need! "PRUDENT" DELEGATE'S."

[Ronald Loui]

Well, for those people who think this has anything to do with the P-word, google Chelsea Clinton and Nino Selimaj, e.g. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/26/politics/main3300357.shtml

It seems that the Clintons have a habit of going SOPRANOS on people instead of asking nicely.

Chelsea is a big girl -- she's a hedge fund manager, let's not forget, at Avenue Capital. The NY Daily News estimated her salary between $100,000 and $150,000 in 2006. Good for her! NYC is expensive. She should really be fighting her own battles.

But the earlier comment is right. ajk, 9:40pm. The P-word is pejorative for the parents, not the person presumably being controlled and exploited. What was the name of JonBenet's mother? That's an unfair comparison on many counts, but there is something undeniably creepy about the sudden pageantry of Chelsea.

[F Bergin]

Seems to me that misogyny runs deep in large sections of the US media - especially MSNBC.

[JimS]

Like AP, you phrase this as Clinton is angry because......Where is your anger? Do you think it's acceptable? Would the headline be "Obama furious" if the comment was made about Mrs. Obama or one of his children or would the headline be more on the order of "Racist Outrage". By phrasing it as a Clinton problem you set her up for attacks as playing for the sympathy vote. The media is going to get its way with Obama as the Dem nominee but at the expense of the media's already damaged reputation for fairness.

[Cesar Guzman]

Hmmmm.
Very interesting comments.
But, after thinking about all of them, I side
with those that highlight the Clintons' desire
for power and wealth, and the heightened
sensitivity that is not unknown to oligarchs.

[helene]

I have been a devoted fan of MSNBC, watching daily the programs which I felt entertaining and informative...but since "Morning Joe" came on, the tone of MSNBC has changed. Joe Scarborough is rude and obnoxious...he started off by being "middle of the road" and has now become worst than Rush Limbaugh (and, yes, Imus!) in his nastiness. HE'S the one that should lose his job...not just David Shuster. Shuster, being the new kid on the block, just seems to be trying to impress the other now-obnoxious-since-Hillary-has-been-running people, i.e., Chis Matthews, Tucker Carlson, and even Tim Russert (who was never smart-alecky before but is now). (Only Dan Abrams and Keith Olbermann have remained above the fray.) They should ALL be admonished by MSNBC...not just Shuster! MSNBC is allowing a negativity that encourages Shuster's type of remark...it was a "Carlson" type of remark (whose show he was on) and Shuster was probably encouraged to say outrageous things, but everyone, including Carlson, is certainly quiet now...they created the atmosphere and now HE will unfortunately be the only one paying for it. They should ALL pay a price for their lack of good taste, and not just Shuster.

[John Howard]

The Clintons are the most pompous asses of the politicians at the presidential lifetime that I have ever seen in my 65 years. The attacks by quasi-journalists on this family, while inappropriate, are well-deserved. They presumed the election would be handed to them by an America fed up with their family's behavior and do-anything antics. I can't wait to be rid of them for good after Obama kicks their butt. Shuster SHOULD have talked about Slick Willie pimping himself out to all the girls with the power that America entrusted him with. Some of us haven't forgotten, and won't.

[Dave R]

Although "pimped out" may be in common usage today among a certain set, David Shuster's use of the phrase was inexcusably bad form. But for Senator Clinton to claim the indignant high road is even worse form. If Shuster should lose his job for a single comment, then the Clintons should be banished from public life forever for their decades-old pattern of gutter morality and contempt for the truth.

[Edwin Karr]

It will be nice when the Clintons just go away. Somebody needs to 'pimp' Hillary, whether it is Chelsea or her sorry has-been husband. If 'pimping' is the worst word ol' fat ass Hillary has ever heard, she is definitely out of touch. BUT, it is not. She uses gutter language regularly. If you do not believe so, just ask her about Monica.

[L A Roth]

This has been a long time coming with Matthews and da boyz. I've switch to CNN or PBS for Prez news coverage. I miss Olbermann, a little, but he and Russert seem to be cowed by Matthews -- not really themselves when he's blustering and blundering.

[Sondra]

***UNBELIEVEABLE*** When did it become okay for newsmedia to so blatantly attack a candidate's campaigners? Say the same P word about Obam's wife, or God-forbid, McCain's wife....or any member of any candidate's campaigners, albeit family member or not. Who is empowering MSNBC by supporting the clearly gender-biased remarks against Hillary.

The presidential candidate is a woman. Her communicative style is scruntized by every action and inaction she protrays. Women have long been considered a b**** when their communication styles are equally on mark as their mail counterparts. Why do we continue to embrace the confidence, arrogance, and assertive characteristics in our male politicians/leaders (loosely applied) when the female colleagues are consistantly lambasted by media who then influenced those less-than-intelligent society.

Let's all play a role in remembering "all men/women are created equal." Gener attacks are wrong---it is the 21st century.

[Lamb Cannon]

Merely because younger, socially inept cretins feel comfortable, particularly the "Caucasian" ones, using big, bad gangsta language doesn't mean they shouldn't shut their overfed, petulant mouths in ordinary discourse. The posts above are a really good example of this.

This is the product of sleazy parents with zero parenting skills. Next time you are on a job interview, try telling your would-be employer about your pimping skills. Assuming you are not attempting to get a job as a drug dealer, it in all likelihood will not get you that upwardly mobile position you will need to keep buying all the useless garbage you see advertised on teevee.

[Bill W]

If he had said looks like Hillary is pimpim out her sexual preditor husband Bill back into the white house nothing could have been said about that, since, we, all know, that is a truth!

[Jaxon]

Well, isn't this bringing out the Hillary haters (Republicans) in force. I think the real question here is whether MSNBC is doing news or entertainment, and, either way, whether we really need another FOX News. I'm over them both and am heading back to CNN.

[Armyvet]

If offended, Chelsea should be making the complaint, not Mother Hen. Mother should not presume to speak for her daughter. Or, do the Clintons speak for each other? If so, that is another reason not to vote for Mother Hen.

[dave]

let's see... has clinton ever been seen or heard to speak out against any of the censorship and constant smear and hate campaign as consistently practiced by the fascist corporate media against certain other people also contending for the presidential office?
no? case dismissed? not quite, if anyone is still waiting to be held accountable for her crimes, it is likely someone who would not be seen pointing at herself, or clapping for approval in a manner reminiscent of certain shakespeare characters. she would also be well advised to withdraw her candidacy instead of drawing attention to her practical experience with criminal activities. her closet has been described as being stuffed with skeletons and rotting corpses, and she appears seriously deluded or demented not to see that it might be only a matter of time until they explode in her face, no matter what her 'mentors' might tell her. i suppose anyone but herself has by now come around to taking notice of the information around, like 'the clinton chronicles,' and additional charges brought up against her by people like peter paul and a host of others. even her 'minor' offenses might eventually put her in jail for good. unless of course she escapes liability and the law by making it to the white house first.

[SKETCHY41]

What would the term be regarding Romney's sons, McCain's daughter or any other political candidates who have agreed to the support of their children? Why pick only one child from one candidate who just happens to be a democratic candidate. To make it 'fair play' include all of the children of all of the candidates. Shuster is responsible for the words that come out of his mouth, the network is responsible for who they hire and what they allow to be broadcast. Enough of the passing the buck to someone else. Nonaccountability for actions are ruining this country.

[Linda Spiegler]

I'm quite sure if anyone in the media had called Obama's daughters "nappy-headed," or suggested he is "pimping out his wife," the firestorm would reach Jupiter. No one, not even the white male establishment, would have stood for a racist remark, nor should they. But woman-hating is so integrated in our society, anyone moron can do it, and any woman is fair game. You'd think women would get it. Afraid to talk about the *real* issues? Read a book? Do your homework instead of jumping on bandwagons? By all means, then, keep making excuses for people like David Schuster. But don't expect to get away with it.

[Betty Martin]

Mitt Rommey had five sons charging hard in his campaign for him all the time. Why didn't Shuster say they were pimped out? Because there would have been a huge uproar. No one would dare say that about his son's. But on MSNBC anything goes against Hillary. Finally, the sexist reporting on MSNBC has been recognized as going too far. If Clinton loses, it will be because men didn't support her including male reporters. (That means you too Chris Matthews.) The male reporters were delighted on Super Tuesday when Obama won a state, and when they had to report that Hillary won a state, you should have seen their faces. Barely a smile or positive tone in their voice. What does that say about today's America? Sad. Isn't it. Guess we women haven't come as far as we hoped.

[fay]

Bush has been called everything in the book by the dems and nobody says anything. Hilliary paraded Chelsea out there so if she can't take the heat, go back to her job! She only wants to keep this thing going for all the free press she's getting. I'm willing to bet, she's been called worse names than that.

[ck]

Our country verges on economic collapse: GM posts the largest-ever loss for an automaker; Warren Buffett offers $800 billion to shore up the markets; the feds try to help the masses facing foreclosure. Yet the DP seems poised to anoint as its presidential nominee a complete neophyte, a smoker who’s admitted using alcohol, marijuana & cocaine to avoid facing reality? We’re in a huge mess, one created by another man, also an alcohol & drug user. It seems clear to anyone with a functioning brain that the only candidate with a prayer of digging us out is Hillary, a hard-working, smart, responsible, courageous woman. Yet the lazy, rhetoric-dazed, star-crazed media seem more worried about appearing un-hip than uncouth, sexist and stupid.