Chris Matthews comes clean about Barack Obama

Chris Matthews will be forever linked with the word "Hardball" (the name for his talk show on MSNBC, incidentally, was derived from a book he wrote).

But Matthews played a little softball for Barack Obama Monday night during an appearance at a Harvard University forum during which he was pressed about perceptions of bias in the cable network's campaign coverage.

When asked by an audience member about how he responds to claims that MSNBC officially supports Obama, the Harvard Crimson notes today, "Matthews responded with typical 'Hardball' wit: 'Well, it's not official.'''

The Crimson correspondent also reports that Matthews sang Obama's praises throughout his speech, calling the Illinois Democrat a symbol of the change that the country needs. "We need to elect a president who has been a student of the world and is a student of the world," Matthews said.

Matthews himself, in case you were otherwise occupied a few weekends back, was the subject of a cover-story profile in the New York Times Sunday magazine.

-- Mark Silva and Don Frederick

Mark Silva writes for the Swamp of the Chicago Tribune's Washington bureau.

Comments

[maggie]

What an Idiot. He calls himself a NEWSMAN. The really greats like Cronkite, Huntly, Brinkly, Rather never let on who they supported, we still don't know. They DID NOT MAKE the news they REPORTED IT...in an ethical, unbiased way.
Looks like Mr. Matthews needs a new profession or a good dose of ethics.

[kat1park]

Good for you, Chris. You made the right choice. At least he admits it unlike CNN and ABC. If they would just come out for Hillary already, perhaps it would give the voters some perspective. It will be easier for them to interpret all of the Clinton News Network and All 'Bout Clinton spin.

[Randell Young]

For a "student of the world" Barack Obama sure is ignorant of basic economics.

[mary]

His comments towards the Hillary Campaign have been getting more and more obvious. I am suprised that MSNBC hasn't put a stop to the smirks, comments, and apparent facial expressions that he is truly biased. In my eyes, Matthews is NO better than Mirthala Salinas.

[Franky]

to maggie:

Pehaps you missed the news, but TV "News" is now entertainment. There are no TV news shows.

Because of this, each "News" (entertainment) show has to focus on increasing viewership within their market.

The most obvious is FOXnews's support of the Bush policy, but all of them do it:
ABCnews is in the Clinton camp.
MSNBC news seems to be in the Obama camp.
CNN seems to be in the Clinton camp.

Lucky for us all, the internet is a great archive of government documents, and a good place to do research on your own....but we all know, you'd rather be entertained.

[John]

We do not need the kind of narcissist that Obama is. Open a book on narcissism and you will see Obama.

[Al]

I watched Hardball a few times. Basically it is unwatchable. Mathews never allows guests to repsond to his questions. He is rude and talks over them. I don't know why he even has guests. He believes that he knows everything even that which is unknowable.

If he had an audience of any size he would be dangerous. Fortunately he does not and never will

[toby]

It's not just Matthews, it's practically the entire press.

Obama could run over a baby, then give a rambling speech about driving safety and the press would go nuts calling it the second coming of Nadar.

This blog and all of them have done it over and over again with Obama.

But somehow, it's only Matthews? Yeah right.

[Mark]

Franky, have you ever heard of PBS? The News Hour with Jim Lehrer is pretty straightforward. Unfortunately, it's not exactly "entertaining", so most people would never consider watching it.

[IG]

John, I opened a book on narcism and didn't see Obama. Instead, I see you.

[An Inquiring Audience Member]

Fascinating story. And Mark Silva is supporting who? If you ask for full disclosure, it might be nice to offer full disclosure.

[Franky]

To John:

Open a book on Dishonesty, and you'll see that Clinton wrote it!

P.S. It's McCain that doesn't know economics. Obama's the strongest on the econ - just look at the gas tax gimmic that Clinton and McCain think is a good idea to help remind you.

[CaliforniaLady]

Chris Matthews thinks he is a news reporter and an entertainer. He is neither. He really can't even present the news in a professional manner. He is a joke. Must have had to change his trousers several times when talking about obama - you know, "the thrills just ran up his legs" when obama is speaking. What kind of an idiot would say something like this on the air.
What a country the USA has turned into. The Chris Matthews and Olbermanns of cable news reporting have to be replaced. They are by far worse than the worst comedy show ever produced for TV. They, along with obama should just drop out and do us all a favor. Journalist, indeed.

[rob]

I've said it before and I'll say it again:

Obama is nothing more than a second rate motivational speaker.

[Ron]

Maggie (and others),

Mathews is not a journalist ... he is employed by MSNBC to offer his opinion. Therefore, if he says that he like Obama, that is not breaking some journalistic ehics code.

Hello, it is his JOB to be biased!

[Dylan]

How could one not have an opinion? Journalist or not, Matthews recognizes genuine quality when he sees it. And, conversely, he recognizes the pandering, say/do anything to get elected, snake that Clinton is. How could anyone look at Hillary and not be disgusted? Cheers to Chris for candidly stating what we all feel (unless we are racist or too old to think that is).

[Vivian]

Maggie wrote:
"What an Idiot. He calls himself a NEWSMAN. The really greats like Cronkite, Huntly, Brinkly, Rather never let on who they supported, we still don't know. They DID NOT MAKE the news they REPORTED IT...in an ethical, unbiased way. "

Actually, no. Their biases showed quite frequently. Case in point D. Brinkley went on air during the Greensboro sit-ins in the 1960s to chide black and white protestors and to warn them that they would turn the nation against them. In other words, civil rights activists were asking for too much, too soon. In discouraging these young people for demanding and exercising basic rights protected by the Constitution Brinkley betrayed his bias. There are other moments, particulalry in the late 1960s and 1970s when Cronkite and Brinkley revealed substantial biases regarding feminism, civil rights, and more. The bias is there. It always is. Our jobs as viewers is to be constantly vigilant.

It might be helpful in the future, if you are better versed before giving your opinions.

[Larry]

Clinton has changed her message and style so many times this campaign..now she is "white collar" and understands the needs of working people. Hahaha: anyone who believes anything coming out of her mouth deserves someone like her in the white house. But hey, this is the country that elected Bush to two terms; intelligence does not seem to be the American people's strong suit.

[James]

The book on Narcissism is called "Living History".

[anonymous coward]

i enjoy Matthews' show and even him--against the better judgment of my ear drums. BUT he and Keith Olberman (whom I also enjoy) are so biased against Clinton and in favor of Obama that it seriously threatens my ability to watch them. Matthews should just run for the Senate and drop any pretense of objectivity.

[Fitzy]

I don't remember Matthews ever claiming to be a "newsman" but it's his show so why shouldn't he be able to express where his preference lies. Want the news without the bias? Turn down the volume and read the annoying teletype. You can criticize the man's style, but certainly not his substance.

[Hugo]

This is odd. This past Sunday Mathews on two occasions asked whether Obama can avoid being put into the "ghetto" as a result of the Wright non-issue. What the heck does that mean anyway?

Perhaps Chris Mathews should come clean about his support for McCain.

[Franky]

"Franky, have you ever heard of PBS?"

To Mark:

Yes, thanks, I need to add them to my list:

PBS seems to be in camp with Obama.