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Matthews Takes Record for Hot Air at Chilly Inauguration

MSNBC host's 'sizzling free-associations' provided some hot air in chilly DC

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 22, 2009 3:25 PM CST
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(Newser) – It's a good thing Chris Matthews didn't run for the Senate after all, Jack Shafer writes for Slate, after listening to the MSNBC star let his mouth run wild Inauguration Day. "Drawing from a larder filled with old anecdotes, unreliable metaphors, wacky intuition, and superficial observations, the always-animated Matthews steers whatever's handy into the hot wok that is his brain," Shafer writes, parsing offending comments about everything from Muhammad Ali to Ted Kennedy's hat.

Shafer was particularly irked by Matthews' assertion, looking out over the ebullient crowd on the mall, that the Obama celebrants are MSNBC fans. "This is the network that has opened its heart to change, to change and its possibilities. Let's be honest about it. These—these people watch this network out here," Matthews opined. “MSNBC is the ‘it’ network for the Obama masses? That’s news to me,” Shafer writes, adding that Keith Olbermann wasn't having any of it either, and "approached his colleague like a teetotaler trying to talk down a drunk."

Chris Matthews.
Chris Matthews.   (AP Photo)
Chris Matthews.
Chris Matthews.   (AP Photo)
Then Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama and Chris Matthews.
Then Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama and Chris Matthews.   (AP Photo)
Keith Olbermann did his darnedest to keep Matthews on track.
Keith Olbermann did his darnedest to keep Matthews on track.   (AP Photo)
A crowd gathers on the Mall to appreciate MSNBC, according to Chris Matthews.
A crowd gathers on the Mall to appreciate MSNBC, according to Chris Matthews.   (AP Photo)
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Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann do their thing during MSNBC's inaugural coverage.   (kapicks)

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You know, Keith, this country is not as monarchical as it sometimes seems to the outsiders. I was at the shoe store the other day to get my shoes fixed, and sitting next to me—standing next to me at the cobbler was Jane Roberts.
- Chris Matthews

The chief justice of the United State has a wife who ferries worn shoes to the cobbler for repair, just like you and me, and the chief justice enjoys college basketball like a normal person. Take that, you hoops-hating monarchists! - Jack Shafer

If you watched MSNBC's coverage, you understand why Keith Olbermann wears a body apron and totes a fire extinguisher whenever they co-host: to keep the flying grease from setting his suits aflame. - Jack Shafer

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Rob
Feb 28, 2009 8:10 PM CST
Spray Matthews and co with a garden hose.
Guest
Jan 24, 2009 6:21 AM CST
A very literal answer to a facetious point.
Mad
Jan 22, 2009 9:59 PM CST
Last place? MSNBC routinely beats Fox over the last several months, just wait once Obama is in full swing. America is tired of all the hate Fox spews

Well, he's not running for Senate
Los Angeles Times

Matthews too opinionated for anything but commentary, said MSNBC
Washington Post

 
television • John Roberts • MSNBC • Chris Matthews • Keith Olbermann • John Cusack • Muhammad Ali • Rachel Maddow • President Obama • Val Kilmer • Inauguration Day

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