During MSNBC's coverage of Tuesday's primaries, Hardball anchor Chris Matthews politically decapitated Texas State Senator Kirk Watson, an Obama surrogate. Watson, a state senator, attorney and former Mayor of Austin was on MSNBC to represent the Obama campaign opposite of Congresswoman Cynthia Tubbs-Jones of Ohio. After Tubbs-Jones gave an extended salvo, Senator Watson rebutted and unassumingly waltzed into a lion's den.
Chris Matthews launched a preempted strike asking Watson, “What’s the unique selling point of Barack Obama to Texans?" Watson responded by making remarks about Obama's uncanny ability to coalition build, inspire and restore a sense of hope. Matthews then shot back: “You are a big Barack supporter aren’t you senator?”
“Yes, I am,” Watson replied.
“Name some of his legislative accomplishments,” Matthews retorted aggressively.
Clearly caught off guard and rattled, Watson gave no response.
“Sir, you have to give me his legislative accomplishments,” Matthews said, continuing his onslaught. “You support him for president. You are on national television. Name his legislative accomplishments, sir. Can you name anything he has accomplished, SIR?”
Watson stammered and paused.
“List Barack Obama’s accomplishments as a senator now. NOW.” Mathews commanded.
Watson was clearly overwhelmed, embarrassed, out gunned and speechless.
The camera returned to Matthews and Countdown’s Keith Olbermann, who appeared stunned by Matthews' attack asked Chris to, "Name one accomplishment the Senate has made this year?"
Matthews justified his inquisition by saying, “He is here to defend Barack Obama and he had nothing to say. That’s a problem,” . “Why do you think they call it Hardball?”
“But this isn’t Hardball. We are doing the election results,” Olbermann cleverly responded.
Keith was wrong, this is hardball...future surrogates BEWARE!
See it for yourself here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/19/chris-matthews-humiliates_n_87493.html
See a mixed martial arts re-enactment:
Or a Sith Lord re-enactment:
"Talent alone won't make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: 'Are your ready?" - Johnny Carson
6 comments:
That was painful to watch. Tweety seemed to be off his meds today and Senator Watson will be prepared the next time he's invited on live national television.
It couldn’t have happen to a better person.
Sen. Kirk Watson is a snake.
In October, Sen. Kirk Watson voted to ignore the public and divert nearly a Billion tax dollars to convert portions of Austin existing freeways (183, 290W, 290E, 71E, and 71W) into tollways.
This double tax, of tolling drivers to use public expressways to drive to work, school and shop, benefits Watson contributors, developers he was hired to lobby for and the City of Austin, who pays Watson $450 an hour to do land deals.
padwan learner...padawan learner!!
I've never seen a reporter go so hard on a surrogate before. It is commonly understood most surrogates don't know all the minutiae associated with the candidate your supporting.
There probably was a way for Watson to work his out of that.
But i'm sure Matthews hasn't heard the end of this from his producers. People won't agree to be interviewed by him.
I'd say that all of us who are active Obama supporters have the responsibility to be able to provide at least some kind of answer to that basic question. Here's your homework, folks:
http://www.progressivepatriots.com/senate/senObamaIL.html
I'm sure Chris Matthews is trying to be the first to appeal to the chorus of cynics who insist that Obama is a lightweight. He often goes against the grain to score points.
Meanwhile, he really should have asked the Hillary surrogate what the hell she has accomplished in the Senate. Getting beaten by Republicans for 16 years does not make you "strong."
Post a Comment