Chris Matthews, the Sean Hannity of MSNBC
09 March 2006 12:50 pm by Taylor Marsh
Chris Matthews, the Sean Hannity of MSNBC
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| source: Media Matters |
A new report advanced to RAW STORY Thursday
suggests that Chris Matthews, the star of the Sunday talk show circuit's Hardball,
has accepted hefty speaking fees from an array of conservative trade associations.
Matthews has given speeches to at least ten major conservative trade associations
since 2001. The report's author, Dave Johnson, who blogs at Seeing The Forest
and is also a fellow at the progressive Commonweal Institute, could find no
records indicating that Matthews has spoken before any Democratic-leaning organizations.
The report is not a product of the Commonweal Institute. “Why is
Matthews speaking at so many events with Republican-associated trade organizations?”
Johnson asks. “What is NBC policy on speaking engagements and why does
NBC keep it hidden? Are these trade associations paying Matthews to
purchase influence?” Report
posits that Chris Matthews has accepted hefty speaking fees from conservative
groups
Well this just explains so much.
It explains why Republicans like Byron York from the National Review, to cite only one example, are invited
on “Hardball,” whereas a Democrat to debate Mr. York is nowhere in
sight. Instead, Matthews invites a journalist or reporter, who does not and
can not ethically offer a political opinion.
It's Republican hacks vs. “neutral” journalist, with Matthews as balast.
To the average cable viewer the distinction on “Hardball” is missed. What Jack or Jill viewer
sees is a strong Republican or conservative argument met with a factual rebuttal from a journalist, when it's needed, with no progressive viewpoint in sight. With Matthews always ready to slam anyone on our side.
Oh, and did I mention that Chrissy's brother just happens to be a Republican running for office? Everyone knows that, right? Matthews has mentioned it maybe twice.
It seems clear what MSNBC is trying to do. With their ratings in the crapper they're trying to emulate Fox, which has been said before. You'd think with Keith Olbermann as proof of what real talent can do they'd be inspired to go in that direction.
They've obviously brought so many conservatives
on board that part of this parsing seems hardly necessary. But when you have
Matthews running “I promise” ads touting he will not let pols get
their “talking points” past him, it inspires, no requires, a rebuttal.
Having heard Matthews speak fondly of Hannity doesn't mean much, unless you
look at “Hardball” and “Hannity and Colmes”
in context.
Fox “News” and Ken doll Sean use Allan Colmes to posture the Fox “News” slogan,
“fair and balanced,” is actually true. Of course, all you have to
do is watch “Hannity” to see it's an hallucination for those trying
to provide cover for the whole premise of the Murdoch/Ailes franchise. Colmes goes along by never directly confronting Ken, which would get him fired. It's Buckley's “Firing Line” without backbone or balls. It also follows the age old Hollywood
rule, support the star, as in anyone found doing detriment to the brand will
get booted. So Colmes walks the line.
Sean Hannity is the Republcian Ken doll of Mudoch's media. That makes Chris Matthews the peahen to NBC's peacock.
Matthews gets cut a lot of slack because of his former
Democratic Party status, as speech writer to President Jimmy Carter, as well
as aide to the legendary Tip O'Neil. Baby, that is so yesterday's news.
It's only speculation when the real split occurred, but given Matthews fawning
genuflecting to John McCain, it just might be that access is all. Because I
have no doubt the guy could turn on a dime, though only after his brother is elected. Just watch Matthews play both sides
of the abortion issue, which he tries to do all the time. It's the only issue on which
he plays real hardball, but only depending on his mood. If he wasn't a man I'd swear he's postmenopausal. His trademark “Hardball” topic of the last years has been Dick Cheney, which is undoubtedly the safest issue he can find to sound progressive.
Chris Matthews' past Democratic bona fides give him the “fair and balanced”
appearance, just like Sean Hannity does on his show, with Alan Colmes as foil
for the other side. But in reality, Matthews has “neutral” guests
on opposite Republican partisans, with few Democratic or progressive voices
at all. As for Hannity, he runs rough shod over Colmes and gets away with it because
he's the long-term star of the Fox “News” realm. With Hannity's success, it wouldn't be a stretch to think Matthews is mimicking it.
So Chris, babe, just how much are you getting for those GOP gigs? Hmmmmm?
UPDATE: Why is Chris Matthews — whose brother is running for Pa. lt. gov. — touting “all” his family's love for Philly radio host Smerconish? – Media Matters
