Chris Matthews must go, women's group says

A new women’s organization is setting out to get Chris Matthews fired from his job at MSNBC, calling his treatment of women on his show sexist.

The nonpartisan group, called The New Agenda, held its first meeting this week in New York and established as one of its goals the sacking of the host of "Hardball with Chris Matthews."

Matthews’ contract is up for renewal next year. His plans are unclear, but in his home state of Pennsylvania, some Democrats have pushed for him to abandon TV and run for the Senate in 2010 against the Republican incumbent Arlen Specter. (A recent Quinnipiac poll found that to be a potentially competitive matchup, with Specter leading Matthews 41% to 36%.)

The 30-some women who attended New Agenda's inaugural meeting included representatives of other women’s groups from around the country, along with supporters of Hillary Clinton’s defunct presidential campaign, according to one of the founders.

“The goal of the group is when his contract comes up for negotiation is to have it not be renewed," said Amy Siskind of Westchester, N.Y., a New Agenda founder and a Clinton supporter. “The kind of language he uses and the kind of behavior he exhibits in the public domain toward women objectifies them and leads to bad things for our society and to domestic violence."

MSNBC spokeswoman Alana Russo said today that Matthews was out sick and unavailable for comment.

Clinton loyalists were displeased with Matthews’ coverage of the Democratic primary race and what they see as a long-established pattern of demeaning behavior toward women.

For instance, in 2007 Matthews was talking on the air with Erin Burnett, a CNBC business news anchor, when he asked her to lean into the camera. "Come in closer. Really close," he told a flustered Burnett. He then laughed and said, "Just kidding, you look great.... You’re a knockout."

In January, Matthews apologized on the air for a comment he made about Clinton’s political achievements. He had said she owed her Senate seat and presidential bid to the fact that her husband had "messed around," a reference to the sex scandal that led to President Bill Clinton's impeachment.

Siskind would not reveal what tactics the group would use to get Matthews off the air. She likened the organization to the Navy Seals, saying their methods would be "covert."

Describing MSNBC as "the boys of sexism" cable network, she also suggested Matthews may not be the group's sole target.

New Agenda's other goals will include helping women politicians who might one day compete for president, Siskind added.

-- Peter Nicholas

Photo: NBC News

Comments

[Marian]

Yes, my husband used to watch that show or sports but this past year he has not turned to them, other than the debates and decided that it was not a news show, there is better coverage elsewhere.
In the past the conventions had roll call votes from the states, I know I only voted for one Kennedy for President if
Bobby had not been killed that early summer day I would have voted for two of them.
I do not understand why some think we just vote for the party. Most people vote what they feel will do the best for our country.
What they do not seem to realize that we will not only vote for McCain we will volunteer many hrs without a ticket to attend something attached. I know if Hillary is not the choice that I will spend over 11,000 calls for McCain and what ever else I can do to help save our country. I fear Obama that much.

[Alessandro Machi]

Keith Olbermann needs to go as well. Both of them. I can't tell you the number of people who tell me, "I USED to like Keith Olbermann", or I can't believe I USED to like Keith Olbermann, it's basically a tie.

if you go to my http://www.HILLARY-WINS.com blog and use the search box on the upper right hand and type in their first or last name you can find several articles about their outrageous and sexist behavior.

Hillary Clinton would have never suspended her campaign if not the for the antics of MSNBC, CNN, Time Newsweek, and the AP all demanding that she resign from the race.

here is an example of the crp she had to put up with as the race was winding down... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/27/opinion/main4129478.shtml?source=mostpop_story

http://www.CAUCUSCHEATING.com
http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com
http://www.PROTEST-POSTCARDS.com

[Alessandro Machi]

Keith Olbermann needs to go as well. Both of them. I can't tell you the number of people who tell me, "I USED to like Keith Olbermann", or I can't believe I USED to like Keith Olbermann, it's basically a tie.

if you go to my http://www.HILLARY-WINS.com blog and use the search box on the upper right hand and type in their first or last name you can find several articles about their outrageous and sexist behavior.

Hillary Clinton would have never suspended her campaign if not the for the antics of MSNBC, CNN, Time Newsweek, and the AP all demanding that she resign from the race.

here is an example of the crp she had to put up with as the race was winding down... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/27/opinion/main4129478.shtml?source=mostpop_story

http://www.CAUCUSCHEATING.com
http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com

[hjl]

Women, please ditch MSNBC. We manage the majority of purchasing decisions for our households, and have considerable power over MSNBC's sponsors. Let's ditch this channel, and prove that keeping sexist boors like Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann on the air is bad for business.

[alice1970]

We are done with sexist talking heads choosing our candidates. The same Cable news media chose George W. Bush over Gore in 2000 - that worked out really well.
Perhaps women (like:
Kaycie | August 13, 2008 at 01:04 PM

I need to look at the fact that we have an unofficial gender apartheid in our country in American politics.

Barack Obama is sexist. There is no place in the democratic nominee for sexism. And, there is no place in the democratic nominee for a "yes" vote for FISA, particularly after he said he'd filibuster it.
Barack is not what he claims to be.

[alice1970]

The fact that the DNC would choose Mark Warner to keynote an address on the anniversary of women's right to vote is further indicative of their dismissal of women.
PUMA

[hrcpuma]

hjl,
you are right. Even better, we need a coordinated effort to boycott its sponsors. People who choose to be public figures don't have the same "freedom of speech" in the public arena. I can't go to my office and say anything i please about anyone, and Matthews should not be able to either. Whoopi Goldberg lost her Slimfast sponsorship the minute she made negative remarks about the incompetent Bush I recognize that a lot of his antics are desperate attempts to stir the pot and get viewers. Bill Clinton was vilified for stating a fact-race is a factor in how all groups vote, not just whites.

And for the Obots, shouldn't you be somewhere making Husong's O symbol (LOL) or a video with half naked teenagers. . This is a discussion on a serious subject that clearly your leader cares less about.

[Catalina]

I don't know what's more shocking: that an obviously sexist commentator is allowed to stay on the air, or that anyone actually watches MSNBC.

[Monarch]

The crew of media boys at MSNBC persistently violated Senator Clinton and anyone who voted for her (18 million+) during the primary. The media spectacle of hatred and propaganda is an embarrassment to MSNBC and to the Obama campaign. It is also a violation of basic Democratic principles. Matthews not only should be fired; he should be arrested for advocating totalitarian tactics in the American political sphere.

[Becky]

I think only 14 people watch that show anyway.

[CC]

It's not a new women's group, it's the old women, friends of Hillary, giving themselves a new name, in hopes of getting attention. This is Hillary Clinton's personal hit squad.

Hillary Clinton got more than 17 million votes, but less than 18 million. To exaggerate is to diminish reality, and it gives the impression that you're a little nuts, so stop doing it. Also, stop with the name calling.

[Brendan M.]

I hope these women also try to get the entire FOX "News" network pulled of the air for their constant sexism and racism, as well. If not, this comes off as just revenge for Clinton.

[desmond]

I'm very happy to hear those women are going after Matthews.
He is a prententious self- inflating windbag. I have stopped watching him.
Desmond

[desmond]

I'm very happy to hear those women are going after Matthews.
He is a prententious self- inflating windbag. I have stopped watching him.
Desmond

[B positive]

I stopped watching msNBC back in December 2007 when I could no longer tolerate the sexism as well as the overt rooting for one candidate.

msNBC has become the new PRAVDA... stupid enough to think we don't know it's propaganda! Spitty Matthews is one of many there who needs to go.

[CC]

If you don't like Matthews, don't watch his show. But don't applaud any politician's personal hit squad, it reeks of communism.

[Mariah]

Suck it up ladies! Quit your crying already. Do your jobs and earn your seat in the board room. If you earn it, you'll get it. Crying about how unfairly you're treated won't get you there. You're not treated unfairly... You're treated exactly how you should be treated - based upon what you've earned.

[Solemn]

I thought the show is called "Hard Ball"? Although I agree that Chris Matthew was being unfair with his comments regarding Senator Clinton but, should you punish his lively hood rather than ask for a formal apology?

These sounds like women's vendication towards the primary result or the disenfranchise of the DNC which at this point is a mess. It's kind of hard to project the justification in these, while the party that you ladies propesses to belong to will not even acknowledge our votes. More less go after Mr. Matthew to vent your frustration.

I'm sorry Ladies, but this is ridiculous. If the person wants to make an arse on themself, it's their constitutional right. To go after him will not change the primary and his comment only played a very small part, if not, it played no part at all to the result. There are more important issues in this country that need attending to, and if you ladies want to be heard, this is not it.

No crying in Hard Ball, Ladies.

[Ariel Alima]

Silly women... I adore Chris Matthews and really just see this as a bunch of women still bitter about the loss of Hillary. In other news though, where is Chris Matthews these days? I keep tuning in and NADA. It's been weeks I am getting very sad about this.

[BJ]

YES, take them ALL away! Take MSNBC as well, the Obama Network!!!

On your way out, grab that "miss air america airhead" out the door too.

[Hillarysmygirl08]

I guess any woman who either votes for Obama or watches Chris Matthews has no self respect. I do not understand women who back a sexist candidate or watch a sexist on TV. It's about time women get rid of Chris Matthews and I pray he runs against Arlen Spector he would get his butt kicked. He better not run in my state no one will vote for him and he will find out that Pennsylvania is Clinton Country and we do not like him.

[Virginia]

I use to watch Chris' show all the time - but during the campaign you could sure tell he didn't want Hillary to win
everyone is so ga ga over Obama and he did get all the good press -- I am surprised Hillary can stand up straight with all the foot prints on her back -- Just because a lot of the press didn't care for Bill Clinton they took it out on Hillary to make sure another Clinton would not get in the White House - She is a strong woman and I do believe she would not let Bill tell her what to do - so what if she would ask him for an opinion she would still be the one to make the final decision - so thanks to Chris and Tucker Hillary is out of the picture

[Nakia Robinson]

If you don't like something on T.V. don't watch it. Just because someone doesn't say everything you want 24/7 doesn't give you the right to have them taken off the air. If you have so much free time to waste and care so much about America why not spend it helping your fellow citizens that are in need? What a waste of time and effort that could be spent changing our country... Please grow up and at least act like you're mature adults.

[MamaMiaMaya]

Matthews and Olbermann have done it! They have succeeded in driving me, a life long Democrat, to the GOP candidates McCain-Palin. I am so turned off by CM & KO's outrageous bias that I can't bring myself to even consider Obama. I was a Hillary supporter and so upset when Obama dis-ed her by taking the old, white guy, Biden. Obama deserves to struggle every single day for the rest of this campaign. I'm rooting against him. He may win but I want every day until then to be a punishing trial so he will constantly wish he had picked Hill.

[Constance]

Finally, a real women's group. I am fed up with NOW and NARAL who are nothing but the Democrat party's women's axillary and who never understood the use of power. I agree that Matthews is the tip of the sexist iceberg over at MSNBC. Even their token female news readers have learned to sexist slur for attention. None of this would bother me except I can't cancel MSNBC and am forced to subsidize their sexism with my basic cable payment.