Hillary Campaign Goes To War With MSNBC Over Chelsea "Pimp" Comment

Source: Talking Points Memo (TPM)

By Greg Sargent - February 8, 2008, 1:19PM

This is really something. The Hillary campaign has just gone to war with MSNBC, dispatching a top Hillary adviser to launch a lacerating attack on the network on a conference call with reporters moments ago.

On the call, top Hillary adviser Howard Wolfson suggested that there's a "pattern" of reprehensible comments by MSNBC personalities, and said outright that the Hillary campaign could no longer "envision a scenario where we would debate on that network given the comments that were made and have been made."

Wolfson made the comments in response to a question about a now-notorious comment by MSNBC's David Shustser, in which he asked if Chelsea's campaigning on her mom's behalf meant she was being "pimped" by the Hillary campaign...

Read more: http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02...

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Finally they take MSNBC to task for their talking heads.

He should be called on it.

Mz Pip

Had been made in the context of Michelle campaigning on behalf of Barak, multiple people would have been fired. And they should be fired in this case, as well. That's inexcusable.

They were said about Michelle, you'd have people screaming "Racist" at the top of their lungs.

I haven't seen too many people at DU very upset about this.

Shuster basically called Chelsea Clinton a whore. No one called the Bush daughters whores, or the Kerry daughters. Not even the Mittens kids -- but it's OK if it's Clinton. Pisses me right off.

It's beyond any reasonable definition of "political commentary." Made even worse when Chelsea has done nothing whatsoever to deserve it. The Bush Twins at least invited a certain amount of derision through their behavior -- but even they weren't subjected to anything like this.

Somebody needs to lose his/her job for this.

but I've come to expect as much from these idiots...

I think.

--p!

prefaced by how lovely everyone in the Clinton family is..

By the same token, is Schuster "pimping" for his mother as a regular gainfully employed on msnbc..

The guy needs to be fired and for punishment be the new latrine person at the nbc commissary..

throwing names at the daughter is bullshit plain and simple.

pimping: "to make use of often dishonorably for one's own gain or benefit" And he said in a weird way.

Do you even know the meaning of the word Pimp?

He was called last night and sent back a fuck you email. He was given a chance but he was defiant and defensive.

David has been "reporting" dishonestly for several weeks. I have learned that what he (and others) are doing is called "motive journalism". I am glad to have a word for it.

don't leave me wondering.. define "motive journalism"

Is the "motive" short for (e)motive or motiv(ational)?

motive - as in ulterior motive

I was talking with a friend and we agreed the term does not convey the idea very well.

We thought "agenda journalism" would be better but still not spot on.


Any ideas?

If that is what they call it... it's from a playbook somewhere.. I did have a site some years ago that gave new meaning to the power of words by changing their conventional recognizable definitions in terms defining the same thing otherwise by giving them new terminology.. This process called "neologism" is rampant with the Neocons..

The definition of "neologism" is:

A *neologism* is a word, term, or phrase which has been recently created (or "coined"), often to apply to new concepts, to synthesize pre-existing concepts, or to make older terminology sound more contemporary. Neologisms are especially useful in identifying inventions, new phenomena, or old ideas that have taken on a new cultural context. The term "e-mail", as used today, is an example of a neologism.

Etymology: Greek νεολογισμός , from νέος new + λόγος word, speech, discourse + suffix -ισμός <-ismos> -ism

Neologisms are by definition "new", and as such are often directly attributable to a specific individual, publication, period or event. The term "neologism" was itself coined around 1800, so in the early 19th century, the word "neologism" was itself a neologism.


example:

POW= (new terminology) "enemy combatant"..

then it wasn't much of an apology, was it? Given there even was one.

and that's still an understatement.

Of course, they never said a word about Mittens's sons avoiding military service by "serving the country" pimping for their daddy's campaign.

MSGOP is disgusting. The only time I tune in is if I've been warned of an impending Olberman rant.

I'm a Edwards supporter now favoring Obama, but that sort of talk is completely inexcusable. I'd support anything the Clintons did in response.

And while I like Shuster, that comment was 1000% (I know, not a real number) wrong and he should apologize.

I've stopped watching MSNBC because I hate seeing my heroes, Olbermann and Rachael Maddow, have feet of clay and join in the Clinton bashing.

And I probably won't even vote for her and I'm sick of it.

Implying that Chelsea is a whore being pimped is beyond the pale.

usually. He is the only one always standing up for Hillary, but he screwed up this time.

All campaigns are accused of hauling out their family members to appeal to different segments - it's part of the game. If he'd used less inflammatory language, this probably wouldn't be an issue. From what I gather, he wasn't negatively referring to Chelsea in any way,

on Scooter's trial. He has for some weeks been on the dark side.

Don't forget - he used to be with Fox. His mother apparently told him she was not proud of what he had become at Fox so he went job hunting. I bet she is not pleased with him lately.

in Schuster the last few weeks---I think being on MSNBC as a more 'regular' pundit/reporter has gone to his head!

I only heard about this today - busy doing other stuff - and I'm in shock.

"Pimped"???????????

I hope MSNBC - and NBC in general - has a collective sphincter attack. They probably won't be able to poo for a week. Which would be WELL DESERVED.

I'd expect a low blow like this from the lovely folks at Pox Noise. john gibson would say something like this. But David Shuster!?!?

He should be ashamed of himself!!! Shuster I'd let sit things out for awhile (which is probably killing him), just by virtue of his past performance as a rather high-caliber journalist. One who, again, should know better. He'd get a time-out for - I don't know, a week maybe? On the other hand, if it were chris matthews, with his testosterone-issue crap and his oinking on and on with snarky remarks about Hillary, I'd say "BUH-bye."

Really, something needs to be done.

What kind of individuals does MSNBC hire. When people like David Shuster and Chris Matthews pollute the airwaves with this hateful mysogynistic venom someone has to be held accountable and there must be consequences.
Contact the people listed below who are responsible for Shuster and Matthews -- they should be fired.

Contact MSNBC's:
Mr. Phil Griffin,
Senior Vice President, News
NBC Television Network
30 Rockefeller Plz
New York, NY 10112
phil.griffin@nbc.com

Steve Capus,
President, NBC News
steve.capus@nbc.com

MSNBC
letters@msnbc.com
MSNBC/Microsoft-NBC
30 Rockefeller Plz
3rd Fl
New York, NY 10112
(212) 664-4444

And he'd love to get rid of MSNBC. The way I see it MSNBC is the future counter to FOX News. Hillary is helping her doner and trying to trash MSNBC.

Think on that!

Then she can worry about the bastards in the media and the others who have benefited from the Reagan deregulation. First she has to win.

Go Hillary

He apologized. Let's move on.

He apologized. How much of this is being done to garner sympathy before the next round of voting?

BTW "Pimping someone out" has a far less offensive connotation to the youth of today than it does for the over 40 crowd. I don;t believe there was a sexual aspect meant by his comment.

If you are the Hillary campaign you take ops where you can get them

Did he apologize. As far as I know, he didn't. Shuster does not have a record of this type of behavior so I, for one, feel an apology ( a sincere one) is in order and should be accepted.

and again tonight

I stopped watching MSNBC (and it used to be my default channel) so I missed it.

on Morning Joe today. I saw the video on DU earlier, but I don't have the link.

i know back in the early 70s it was meant as 'messing with your head' - as in "ahh, don't mind me, I'm just pimpin' ya".

Got to be careful with something as malleable as slang.

I do think it's a generational thing, that the use of the word has inevitably changed. To someone in Chelsea's bracket it probably comes across as MTV-speak, implying she is hip and cutting edge.

But one does have to be very careful when using lingo. If the speaker had actually been a young person Chelsea's age it would have no doubt been taken quite differently.

and was raised to have a hide like a rhino. Her family knew she'd have to be tough and develop a very thick skin. Unlike Obama, they knew exactly what the GOP far right was all about and they prepared her very well.

Still, in the absence of similar comments about the sons of Mitt and Huckabilly, this is way over the top. It was thoughtless, heartless, and completely unworthy of any commentary on any network that pretends to be a reputable news source.

It's something I'd expect more from Pox News.

So long as they didn't create the situation (and I can't imagine how they could have), you use what you get in politics, you know? If the unfortunate remarks allow them some spin by way of offensive treatment toward women, then they're only taking a bad thing and making it better for themselves. I can't fault them there.

they're slamming Clinton in ways they've never slammed men before - it's got to stop. No one said a fucking thing about Romney's boys pimping, OR about the fact none of them ever served a day in the military while strutting for a warmongering prick.

EDIT:

Oops. Somehow I saw a 'not' when I read it - as in "reason to not support her".

Nevermind.

Can you imagine if the GOP candidates started getting in line to demand apologies for all the hideous comments Olbermann has made about them these past months? That would take some time....

of those politicians? Because Shuster called Chelsea a whore.

There is an inference to political prostitution, which is bad enough.

Damn, even when you people get what you want, you still can't stop whining.

Politcal whore and a sex whore??? Both are selling themselves for money. You can try and pretty this up all you like - if he had said it about Mrs. Obama, your head would have exploded and don't even bother denying it.

And what's with "you people"??

This place has gone nuts.

As for the "you people", it's part of the English language. You know, like "fuck you people."

Everytime I think I'm starting to empathize and understand the Clintonistas on this board, something like this happens. Shiny!

Only at DU....

a statement like that!

Obama supporter would say, "Its over, Shuster has apologized..." The problem is DEEPER, i.e. MSNBC's & esp. Chris Matthews' Bias. HERE'S A TEST:

All week, at least since so-called 'Super-Tuesday', Hillary has been moving (or staying) ahead of Obama by over 6 pts in the daily tracking polls, (Gallup, Rasmussen, etc.) However, No WORD of these on Tweety's 'Hardball' (although when Obama is ahead or within 2 pts it's highlighted). The latest of such polls covers FEB 5 thru FEB 8. Now, a Newsweek Poll dated Feb 6-7 came out showing Obama 1 pt ahead, 42 to 41 or something. I BET TWEETY HIGHLIGHTS THIS NEWSWEEK POLL AS A "NEW" poll on his Monday 2-11 broadcast, even though as mentioned there are several later polls he has NOT mentioned showing Hillary 6 pts plus ahead, (except he showed one poll's data showing that Obama matches up w/ McCain better than Hillary).

WHAT BIAS!!!. IF TWEETY DOES THIS ON MONDAY LET'S SHOWER MSNBC W/ COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROOF OF BIAS ACTIVITY.

And the Clintons have every right to be pissed off about it. But I also have to wonder why Hillary still wants to do business with Fox News, after all the disgusting things they've said about her and her family.

So what?

Those who make their living in the public eye have to be overly aware of what they say.

Goes with the territory and I'm sorry for David as he has been a good guy. It seems that only the good guys like Shuster and Imus loose their jobs while the scum like Tweety go on and on.

David gave her camp the perfect opening. I assume that her surrogates will be out in force. I sure hope so.

I don't think most understand the deep and angry resentment at the MSM for their sexist (unchallenged and not recognized) script and their "motive" journalism. The people that are really angry are not on line for the most part. The roots for the anger started with the impeachment and continued on through Al Gore and John Kerry. They have had enough.

Take 'em on Hillary. There is an army waiting to join you.

About damn time

attention and donations. Ahh, the smell of righteous indignation in the afternoon!

You get it every day on Bama Underground

listen to the video in Hammy's link:

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02...

Tell me if you think Schuester was sincere..

I will say it again. The greatest threat to our democracy is this takeover of the entire media by the right wing. The other day Wolf Blitzer had Glenn Beck on as if he had a credible opinion not colored by his fascism. I will not turn CNN back on. Now this! If, by some weird twist of fate, the Democratic party gains the whitehouse and maintains a majority in the congress, the first priority should be to break up these media giants, those with a corporate agenda. I don't think I will have to worry about it because we will not win the presidency, no fucking way.

and Trust me, "change" won't come from the puppet Obama..

Chelsea is an adult now so it is fair to criticize her but this is beyond the pale. Since when was it considered wrong to campaign for a family member? If this had been said about one of the Bush twins the repugs would have been justified in having a cow. I don't care if it's a "hip" term or not I'm not hip and I'm offended. Lots of African American's call each other the N word. There's a good chance that when Obama was a kid he did it too. That doesn't make it right but he was a kid. I did lots of stupid things when I was a kid too. If he did it today I'd have a cow. It also wouldn't make it right for for MS-NBC to call him that or to say that Chelsea is being "pimped". Calling Jenna Bush a drunk would have been wrong. Apparently MS-NBC agreed, since they never did it.

I'm sorry but this pisses me off!

All politicians take the stage with their families; wives, children and husbands stump for their relatives...but only Hillary 'pimps' Chelsea?

I DON'T THINK SO.

programs on MTV and VH1. Being of a certain age, I shudder every time I hear the word. Shuster was certainly way out of line and should have to eat his words. Was he trying to be cute? Not clever.

Pimp: "to make use of, often dishonorably, for one's own gain or benefit"

And I wouldn't blame ANY candidate for getting bet out of shape about it. I know I'd be steamed if anyone suggested I was "pimping" my kids!

It's offensive and inflammatory, I don't care how much people try to sugarcoat it.

I have no idea what channel that is on but it is a show that I have watched.

I don't think Schuster meant that Chelsea was a whore (although my 70 yr old mother thinks that)

I think he chose his words poorly for prime time...he apologized and I personally am ready to move on.

But don't you know there's no such thing as sexism

Is that offensive, too?

I'm sorry, but I don't see Shuster's comments being sexist or misogynist as much as reflecting the political utilization of a surrogate. McCain's pimping out Lieberman. Chuck Norris is out pimping for Huckabee.

I don't want to defend the usage of the term, but pimping has a much different connotation that it used to.

It's kinda typical -- people are quite selective about when they take offense and who offends them.

A bit disingenuous, but that's politics.

because they're seen as a financial burden. That's not part of our world, but it is a lot of places. People DO pimp their daughters into prostitution or marriage to settle debts.

She's a well educated, 28 year old adult who works for a Hedge Fund and is going around the country speaking on her mother's behalf and explaining her policy positions.

The thing Schuster found rather odd, and has been overlooked, is that reporters are not allowed to talk to her on the record, as if she were still 12 years old. That's where the "pimp" thing came in.

If they weren't still over protecting her and screening her from direct contact with reporters, while at the same time using her as a full fledged surrogate, he wouldn't have had made the observation and then commented on it.

Chelsea is out there campaigning, is present at most campaign events, and working hard for her mom, which is great, but if she's willing to be out there in public she has to roll with the punches.

Pimp was a bad choice in words, yeah, but she is being strategically used by mom's campaign (just like Kerry's daughters, just like Mitt's sons) and that was the spirit in which it was said.

I think the HRC campaign is exploiting this way too much.

BTW, who released this transcript? MSNBC or the campaign?

Bush wouldn't go on the record, and needed Dick by his side before he'd face Congress, which he didn't do. He wouldn't let Harriet speak on the record, or even allow a transcript. Nobody in the Administration has to own up to anything. Why must Chelsea go on the record?
Family members are involved in campaigns, and going on the record has never been a requirement, and we ought not start holding her to a higher standard.

When I think of the various family members, Clinton's brother, Carter's brother, the Bush twins, among others, Chelsea's handled herself with aplomb. What was she, 13, when Bill took the oath? Nary a misstep. Classy even.
Schuster seems to be trying to smear her for merely being involved. He is NOT a member of the MTV generation, and about the whitest guy out there. I'm not buying the whole hip slang thing, a la pimp my ride. He meant selling herself for her mom.

astounding, isn't it.

but hardly unexpected anymore unfortunately...

But...That shit is OFF LIMITS!

Explain your post!

No matter what the circumstances it was a sexist, inappropriate remark. I can't believe I'm reading some of these comments on a supposedly progressive board. Sad and disappointing.

and exactly the point this incident is bringing up

Rush and others were calling Chelsea a DOG. Over and over again on their shows.

Come forward a year or two, and John Derbyshirewrote an op-ed calling for the death of Chelsea Clinton. Later, he claimed he was joking...but his apology fell sort of flat.

This stuff has been pushed on Chelsea time and time again.

No one made any big fuss over Jenna talking for her Dad...only a small fuss for Romney's 5 sons stumping for their Dad{all could have entered the service for Dad's war)and so it goes. Just Chelsea--the one shining example of someone who followed her goals and achieved them.

This was way over the edge.

McCain's Mom is being pimped by the McCain campaign ?

Cheers
Drifter

Declaration of war is my term.

Transcript:

HOWARD KURTZ: Hi, Howard Kurtz here. Howard, as I'm sure you know, on MSNBC yesterday David Shuster was talking about Chelsea Clinton's role on the campaign. He was complaining about the fact that she calls delegates but doesn't talk to the press and then he said the following: "doesn't it seem as if Chelsea is sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way." I'm told that MSNBC has apologized. I wonder if you had any reaction to Shuster's characterization and to the networks apology.

HOWARD WOLFSON: I'm not aware that they've apologized. I haven't received any phone call. I'm not aware that Senator Clinton or Chelsea Clinton has received any phone calls so I'm not familiar with any apology. Look, I think that the comment is disgusting. It's beneath contempt. And it's the kind of thing that should never be said on a national news network. There was an apology by another NBC news personality last month on air. I'm not aware that that person ever apologized to the Senator for anything he had said. And I think at some point you really have to question whether or not there is a pattern here at this particular network where you have comments being made and then apologies given. Is this part of a pattern? Is there something that folks are encouraged to do or not do? I don't know, but the comment was beneath contempt and I think any fair-minded person would see it that way. I'll say this. We've done a number of debates on that network. We had agreed yesterday to do a debate on that network. And I at this point can't envision a scenario where we would continue to engage in debates on that network given the comments that were made and have been made.

Hit them where it hurts, in the ole pocketbook!

Kurtz is an assclown.

J

I have been astounded all primary season at the willingness to participate in debates run by clearly hostile and biased reknucklian operatives from one biased Bullshit Media System outlet or another. I don't seem to recall the reknucklian debate hosted by Olberman, maybe I missed that one? There was a brief boycott of False Noise, but they are just not even bothering to pretend at all that they are remotely objective. MSNBC, CNN, and the broadcast networks are all just about as biased, if not quite as willing to be overt about it.

.
.
.

after all

ya let Dubya ruin your country

and it's reputation.

It appears, no it is obvious, that some from a certain camp have dismissed the slur as if it was simply somebody talking about "pimpin' my ride."

K&R

don't ever call someone's child, essentially, a whore.

That's horrible.

Glad the Clintons are saying NO.

mouthpiece like he is? Or did Chris Matthews give you one of his "I HATE HILLARY" t-shirts? He wears it everyday and y'know it's really getting stinky.

Although I am currently not a supporter of Senator Clinton in her campaign for President, I applaud her and her adviser Howard Wolfson for standing up to MSMBC (or is it MSRNC?) and one of it's talking heads David Shuster for his hateful remarks about Chelsea Clinton. Tweety Matthews, Joe Scarborough, Pat Buchanan, et. al. have tried their best to defame Senator Clinton by using the only method they know i.e., character assassination. Now they are attacking Chelsea by using the same sick method. Why anyone with one ounce of decency would ever watch those despicable low lifes is beyond me. Good on Clinton and Wolfson for fighting back against such scum.

this will be good for Hillary. She is protecting her daughter and all the stay at home Mom's in the world who couldn't relate to her will now have a reason to admire her.

I only get to watch Fox down here (CNN goes international a lot) and even they don't say crap like that.

They have been attacking Hillary and her family for a while now...won't and haven't watched for 2 months!! They suck! And I hope they pay!

this is how far our media has fallen. Once upon a time the media only reported the news and social trends, now they are enablers of stupid colloquialisms. who makes the news? what makes the news? what is news? what is reported as news?

fucktards. They are an absolute disgrace.

i expect we'll be treated to months of 'poor me!' but i doubt it will work in her favor

Just out at 3:15 PM : Check out NY Times Politics

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/clinton-c...

Here is my letter:

Dear editors,

I am repulsed at the thought of you and your advertisers having people represent your program that would say things daring to all but stigmatize a family member of a Presidential Candidate.

I refer to David Schuster asking: "whether the Clinton's are pimping out their daughter" And following up with the obviously phallic comment of wanting to shove a microphone in her face"?

How can I accept anything your network does as news worthy, when your news staff speaks with reckless, insulting abandon against the daughter of a former President and perhaps a future president.

At the very least, Mr. Schuster should be relieved of his position of reporting responsible news but NOT before a FULL meaningful apology retracting his statement regarding Ms. Clinton is produced . It is about time your network gave Women the same respect that you give any other group. Until you do, consider the thousands if not millions of viewers and advertisers you have offended having Mr. Schuster express himself in outrageous sexist terms.

Sent to both e-addys:

Tell

maybe my foot left an imprint on Schuster's buttocks.. I can only hope!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Therefore, their adorers will go absolutely bat-shit-crazy with false outrage.

This serves the Poltical Royals of both parties very well.

And far too many of us "little people" fall for it. That's just plain SAD.

Now BOTH Tweety and Schuster will go out of their way to "slobber all over" EVERYone who supports Hillary.

Mission Accomplished Hill-Bots!

He's lost his job already

They canned him.
Limpballs says absurd crap like that and nothing happens to him. And now the MSM obviously gets away with it.

Further evidence of the mainstream corporate media driving the election.

and won't fire himself.

Which you and I pay for!!!!!!!

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Is the fact that some people here seem to dismiss the 'pimping' comment as being ok since they think any offspring of Clinton is fairplay.

To those I say.........it is NOT acceptable to use any such comment to any woman. Period. How would you like it if your mother, wife or daughter was accused of 'pimping' for you?

Any woman, in fact anyone working on the campaigns should be treated with some similar level of respect across the board.

supporter, I find that f***face's comment re: Chelsea, reprehensible! I hope she (Hillary) comes out and uses ALL of her "dry powder"! That low life MSM bastard, corporate whore from hell obviously has no Mother or he would know how one would respond to such a low-life, ignorant attack! How DARE he speak like that of Chelsea, the BEST First Daughters since Carolyn and Amy! Sic 'em, Hillary My children and their dad don't call me their "Little Wolverine" for nothing. I hope Hillary decimates that little bastard!

but I don't want to calm you down.

This whole event seems so typical of the Clintons to me. Glad I voted for Obama.