Hardball: For Chris Matthews, Sunglasses Means Elite
By Nicole Belle Friday Sep 26, 2008 12:00pm
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I'm getting really tired of cable airwaves being used for Chris Matthews to exorcise whatever nerdy kid demons he still holds on to since high school. Apparently, for Chris Matthews, Kewl Kid Barack Obama wearing sunglasses is an elitist act:
Here's MSNBC's Chris Matthews, moments ago, suggesting Barack Obama is "elite" in part because Obama was wearing sunglasses:
Can Barack Obama, a man of elite education if not elite background, break into the middle class and talk regular? Can he talk to regular people in their kitchens tonight, in their living rooms?[...]
Everybody thinks Barack is too cool. In other words, there he is with the shades, getting on the plane. A little bit too elegant, a little bit too proud of his own bearing. Is that a problem, that he's just too cool for words. In other words, elite.
Wow, project much, Chris? Seriously, invest in a little therapy. Take Pat Buchanan and Andrea Mitchell with you. This kind of criticism is like a bad episode of "The Hills". High school was many years ago, let's move on.
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God bless all the unhip caucasian halfwits. Where would television be without them?
Chris Matthews gets paid a helluva lot of money to call other people elites.
In the campaigns Matthews worked on, they must have had easily defined, stereotyped categories of voter demographics, and now whenever Matthews speaks extemporaneously (which is most of the time) he just can't help but think along the lines of this stupidest, wackiest lines of campaign-generated faux-demography sh*t that he used to think was God's direct wisdom.
They have their marching orders from above. Distract from what should be the main issue which is the Corporate dominance of the national life.
They will conceal the plundering anyway they can.
I guess if Obama were wearing Boosh's aquavelva, he'd be the guy in the next barstool. what the next criticism, not being accessible at the salad bar in Arby's?
chrissie is at it again.
Chris, America would rather have the old man with a $100 million and 9 homes who's clothes are too big run the country for the "little guy".
Right.
Chris, you are so cool you are culo!
Google "McCain sunglasses".
El Cid @ 3:
previously, matthews only had to choose between two white men. cool is "a black thing". this is coded racism, just like matthews did the coded sexism to hillary. someone put matthews back "on message". I surprised matthews didn't compare Obama to John Shaft or Superfly.
I remember watching this live and being livid! THEY ARE SUNGLASSES, CHRIS!!!! He's too cool because he's wearing SUNGLASSES?? Give me a break. These kind of thoughts and comments are just stupid. Are we in high school? Why is that thought never expressed when McCain is wearing SUNGLASSES??? Ridiculous.
That's awesome.
I guess Palin and her 'hip' glasses that are flying off the shelf makes her a commoner?
Chill @ 8:
nice catch here!
Well, even those "pimp shades" (that's what my grown sons in L.A. call $300 Maui Jims that they and their friends sport) won't save Obama from his poor performance in last nights debate. If I hear him say "You're right John" one more time I think I'm gonna barf:
http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&It...
Chris, you really have to get out more!!!!
Oh no, He di-int.
And I guess the Farragamo loafers makes McCain a man of the people. Now I gotta let the wife and kids know I'm an elitist based on the fact I own a pair of $12. sunglasses. Boy, they'll be surprised!
Ok, our candidate is elite. Why can't Dems embrace this. Isn't it time to force the nation to face up to the fact that letting the beer guzzling jock who pretends to care about Nascar and Football run things hasn't been such a good idea? Can we get beyond the elitist bullshit and and embrace the fact that our candidate is a learned scholar, valedictorian, and likes the finer things in life such as keeping up with current events and caring about people? Next time some nabob yells 'Elitist!' can we grow some balls and shout back 'Damn straight!'.
rcm @ 16:
Geez rcm you are cheap. Mine were $ 13.00
jonah goldberg was too scared to watch.
CoIntelPro for Pronktastic Victory Over SCLM, DIEBOLD, ESS and SEQUOIA! @ 9:
Exactly.
Tweety should have just quit while he was ahead when he called McCain, "troll-like".
The glasses thing? Can Tweety suggest something better to protect Obama's eyes in the sun?
i live in the southwest. most people wear sunglasses
out here.......i didn't realize we moved up to elitism
because we were protecting our eyes. i would have
avoided all that college had i'd known it was that easy.
I swear, Tweety is mentally ill. He calls McCain "troll-like," then pulls this high-schoolish crap. Back and forth, back and forth.
Yesterday, in the post-debate discussions, he went off on some long, self-indulgent foreign policy tangent. Just rambling on and on.
I can't stand him. He's nuts.
Jeez, I've seen any number of pictures of McCain in sunglasses.
I more or less like Chris Matthews, I guess, but he does make it tough, some more times than others.
Last night, he asked Eugene Robinson why Obama was so "unethnic" at the debate and announced that we wouldn't know who won the debate till we knew what blue collar white voters thought.
I think what Matthews really means is "uppity".
chris is a douchebag and I wish you would quit singing his praises everytime his broken clock ass gives the correct time twice a day.
also, did anyone see bill maher last night?
his closing comment on voting by color was priceless.
Tekras @ 17:
Amen.
I'm tired of bellicose, parochial, illiterate assholes running -- and ruining -- everything.
So much fluff, so little thought...
What did we REALLY learn this week?
That the "Republicans were bad at governing but good at business" is horse $hit. They are crooks and liars at both.
That McCain is willing to go to ANY lengths to win the Presidency - even if that means all that is left to be governed is a burned out husk of a country.
That Obama is our best hope, but is he willing to do what may be necessary to save the country - say NO to the Wall St crooks that want to destroy our last best chance to fix our country. Can he be our generation's FDR?
Some people wears sunglasses to shield their eyes FROM THE SUN. I know Chris Matthews does.
The immediate reaction from viewers was that Obama came out ahead. He was playing to the undecided voters. Judging from the focus group responses the "I agree with John" tactic worked in this case. McCain's "he doesn't understand" ploy didn't.
Chris Matthews is just on the front line for the counterattack to keep McCain in the game.
They did it to Gore and to Kerry after the public had similar responses to their debates. Do you expect anything else?
Chris Matthews would make a fascinating study for a team of psychiatrists. He has a set of three or four raging pathologies that he displays on various shows. It's almost like he is rotating through them one day at a time. "Today is Friday, so I must be the envious, resentful Joe Sixpack/armchair quarterback and criticize Obama's suave sophistication and fashionable eyewear. On Monday, I will be the fawning sycophant and get tears in my eyes praising the great war hero McCain and the spirit of bipartisan cooperation that makes our leaders such heroes. Tuesday, I will drop some more hints that I am going to run for office myself, because I am fed up with 'business as usual' on Capitol Hill." My question is, has a thought ever entered his head that did not immediately come flying out of his gigantic mouth??
I think it's elitest when NASCAR drivers wear big wraparound shades.
I've stopped watching Matthews, along with most other "pundits," a long time ago. He has no insights worth anything. A funny thing has happened to me since Mr. Obama burst on the scene. His mastery of English far surpasses that of any pundit I know of. After he finishes speaking, I have no interest in what any of the hacks, in print or on TV, has to say.
al dole @ 29:
That's why Tweety has to just cut the crap and say he's a good lackey for the GOP like all the other members of the MSM.
i saw this clip last night and couldn't help but wonder if one of the pundits would play the elitist card...I guess my curiosity has been answered. Voters I know who support Obama don't see him as cool or as some second coming of Christ as the wing-nuts want you to believe. They see him as i do, a candidate who is sick of the status-quo and who is looking to shake things up. Also, a guy who can actually articulate a thought or idea without sounding condescending much like McCain does.
On another note, i couldn't agree more with Nicole! Chris, get over this grade-school "I can't connect with Obama because he is too cool" meme, it's bloody annoying!
They are are not props, just sunglasses, and not very cool or "elegant" ones at that, Chris! How are the sunglasses Barack is wearing in that particular shot "elite" in any way, shape, or form? They are there for utility, Chris. Jaysus!
Chill @ 8:
srsly!
http://ndn.newsweek.com/media/46/080328_NA01_wide-horizontal.jpg
Maybe Obama's off to fight space aliens who leave their incognito status in our country.
Paul Newman is dead.
http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20229386_20199694,00.htm...
Randall Cryer @ 28:
And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar...
In the important senses of the term, he is dead wrong.
Economically, McCain married money and so is the elite. Obama is the everyman.
Politically and socially, McCain is the party of money and power. Obama is in the party of the poor and those out of power.
Now, those are the ways in which elite is a negative. But what the Hardball host is doing is buying into the McCain/Rove smear that celebrity=elite=bad. But even to the extent that is true, there is nothing inherently bad about being a cultural elite. Some great artists and politicians are elites in that sense, and I guess my response is SO WHAT? The obnoxious celebrities are the ones who have become economic elites and lost their link to ordinary people -- and anyone who has heard Obama speak knows that doesn't describe him.
I think its time for everyone to send Chris Mathews their congratulations for now having the third highest rated show (and counting) in MSNBC's prime time:
http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/09/17/cable-news-ratings-for/5165
Note that he's actually fourth if you count the fact that Olbermann beat him twice!
I see what they are doing. MSM is building up McCain and putting down Obama just to keep the people focused on their news station. Obama is ahead of McCain this week, so they have to make it look like McCain is doing pretty well too, just to keep the campaigning close or they (MSM) think people will turn the station and watch something else. Poor fv(kers.
Tweety can't keep his beak closed long enough to actually say anything intelligent.
Don't you get the unspoken theme of his statement: "Obama is uppity."
rcm @ 16:
And Cindy' McCain's $300,000 outfit is down-to-earth! Costs more than many middle-class Midwestern homes!! And what about Sarah Palin's being in the Elite Six group in Anchorage?
Matthews is grasping at straws here. Most adults know you need to protect your eyes from the sun! I wear sunglasses whenever it's sunny.
Just more proof Chris Matthews "analysis" is worthless fluff 90% ego, 10% facts. Stick Tweety in Maddow's late slot and give her the prime dinner slot, America will be better off for it.
I am so sick and tired of this Obama crap...[Then visit McOldWhiteHairedGuy support sites. How stupid are you to come here and complain about it? I can't believe some of you people-Sitemonitor]
only in america can people as dumb and mentally ill as mathews get a high paying job.
Pick a team Chris you putz.
Oh BTW, RIP Paul Newman-you were soooooooooooo cool.
Southern whites still hate blacks. They're still holding onto old the old Civil War myths about slave ownership and white women vulnerability. NEWS FLASH: you lost the damn war over a hundred years ago! You got your asses kicked. Why continue to hold onto your racist BS-to make you feel superior? Karl Rove Koolaide sheeple.
I disagree with the article here. Chris Matthews isn't expressing his point of view. He's attempting to frame the point of view of those who would consider him an elitist. Of course he doesn't point out that Obama is carrying his own suit bag.
The master of content-free journalism. Who told him he could think?
AndrewK @ 49:
I think you are right, but it does not matter. It's still enables journalism without substance.
Once again Chris Matthews being predictably unpredictable....i don't let it bother me. i could be
mistaken but i believe Chris throws out these
ideas because he does believe there are people
who think obama maybe 'too cool'. i don't religiously
listen to Chris Matthews...i prefer Charlie Rose. i
don't necessarily believe Chris Matthews personally
believes everything he says....he tries to stimulate
reaction and contraversy(ratings).
What a huge steaming pile of shite!
Do you hear the sound of millions of Repug sunnies snap in half. C and L prize for first new pic of McCain in shades.
Vale Paul Newman your politics and wonderful outlook on life epitomises the way we should live our lives today.
Dear General,
it has come to my attention, that certain well-supported fighting brigades in our military, are "elite" fighting forces.
Excuse me for being a patriot, but while the country is at war and we are are trying to pick a commander and cheif,
as a concerned American focused on the the threat of terror, I am ashamed that our military would resort to branding the liberal political agenda of elitism on our proud and honorable men and women who are fighting to secure our freedom.
Why is it that so many people are so shallow that they focus on what people look like rather than substance of what they say and their polices? This not a beauty pageant people. Stop worrying about how they look, and pay attention to what they say! We don't need a pretty president nor one who just looks presidential, but a president who cares about the country and the people. Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt were far from pretty.
That's our LIBERAL media at work. Calling the black man who has worked his way through a hard life elite. Way to stick to the issues Chris. You twat!
No, an elitist is someone who gives Paulson money to bailout his bad investments.
!!NEWSFLASH!!
ATTENTION CHRIS MATTHEWS - PAT BUCHANAN - ANDREA MITCHELL
YOU ARE NOT ONE OF US!
Stop acting like you pukes are middle class... You live far above the fray... Enjoy it.
Trying to "slum" it with the people is simply insulting.
MK @ 45:
MK, you really should take a breath. Try not to be so emotional. You'll live longer.
ysbaddaden @ 37:
I heard it this morning. What terrible news. I wonder how Joanne Woodward and his children are doing.
Chris Matthews is a rich pampered, priviledged pundit who for the good of America should retire. He's long past his prime and needs to step aside to allow fresh voices on the scene. How long must America suffer these twits?
Why do the pundits think Obama has trouble connecting with certain groups of voters but McCain doesn't?
MK @ 45:
"Socialism"? "All evil"?
Yada yada ...
Are you off your meds?
McCain is the one with no honor or integrity, you halfwit ...
MK @ 45:
Speak for yourself. America is ripe for real democratic socialism. Your standing in the way of progress. Sit down and STFU.
MK, you don't seem to have any problem when conservatives take from the poor to give to the rich. Democratic socialism will guarantee that that it works both ways.
Barack Obama does look pretty badass in shades.
Chris is suffering a form of PTSD resulting from regularly getting his ass kicked by the "cool" kids in high school. Is Obama too cool?! What kind of question is that? Sunglasses make him elite?! I guess this high school teacher is elite. And here I thought I was just protecting my eyes against dangerous rays. Who knew?!
bobsf @ 51:
Yes, but it also enables half-assed attack analysis on "liberal" blogs. This isn't journalism either, it's commentary.
MK @ 45:
YOU need to take a break from the republican/NEOCON
propaganda material. stay away from the NEOCON
kool-aid for a day or two. for a change of material
watch the palin/pastor muthee video...'the witchcraft
doctor'....get back to us on your opinion. one last
issue your president the guy you voted for BUSH
is proposing this financial bailout...'socialism'. they
bailed out fannie/freddie...loans to automakers please
spare the capitalism cheer. typical NEOCON
privatize the profit and socialize the losses
Gotugye @ 65:
As soon as you mention Hannity and O'reilly, your credibility goes RIGHT in the toilet! Take a good cue from Palin, and just shut up!!
I wear "shades" too, and I don't have a pot to pee in. Am I elite, too? And should a potential POTUS be dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and flipflops?
This isn't a damned sporting event or a damned survivor-island television show.
Our economy is more than likely going to experience an unprecedented upheaval in 2009; there is no way to avoid it.
Judging by his antagonistic mood last night, John McCain is itching to play war with Korea, Iran, Russia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, to name just 5. His refusal to even look at Senator Obama tells me all I need to know about McCain.
The corporate media culture in this country is sick beyond belief.
Matthews: Have you any clue whatsoever as to how utterly stupid and insipid you appear? Not just you, but all of your corporate media cronies?
Matthews must be schtupping Cokie Roberts, who recently put together the words "Obama," "Hawaii," and came up with "exotic."
Now Tweetie sees "shades" and free associates to "elite."
Tweetie sounds jealous.
Yeah, I saw that too and thought what a snarky bastard, Matthews was to throw a punch at another guy so much cooler than he is, when he's the one who continually spouts all the places he's been and Washington people he smoozes with.
That's strictly an ego call.
MK @ 45:
your frantic post sans punctuation says it all. your blindly following your emotions and your misinformed. i know education is expensive but what's the cost of ignorance? you should probably keep quiet and try to learn a few things while all of this goes down.
good luck to you.
He has to wear shades because when you are President you can't blink. Besides, Chris, the alternative is far worse--a President with melanoma.
I bought a pair of sunglasses for $8.99 at 7-Eleven yesterday. Hmm. Was liking Obama before I heard this. Think I'll vote for McCain in November.
Its All Fair On MSNBC
This video exampled the rationalizing nature of MSNBC's racist commentary. Although often indirect, like Pat Buchanan's statement "he's got to come off like one of us," they constantly make reference to the "good oh boy network."
Actually, MSNBC has been doing a lot of racist programing in conjunction with covering Barack Obama. Two nights ago, and I am still looking for the video feed, while a black news commentator talked about the possibility of the debates being delayed, they showed another black reporter in the field. This reporter had makeup problems and the end result was she looked like she was in "Black face --" an old stereotype showing black actors with very dark faces and bucked out white eyes. Granted this could of been a mistake, but I could get passed the fact that MSNBC is supposed to be professional. In any event, I am now watching for continued paring. Not only is MSNBC is doing it but CNN is doing the same. Somehow, I think these networks are asking the question: "are you sure you want to put a black face in the oval office.
So far, the rationalization of presenting offensive material under the claim they are expressing freedom of whatever is getting old. Pat Buchanan has been on MSNBC too many times and always walks up to the door of racial commentary with a hint of ambiguity to save his ass. That is getting very old too.
Joseph
JESUS H. CHRIST!! ARE WE IN F**KING HIGH SCHOOL?? WHATS WITH THIS KEWL SH*T??!!!
Senator Obama wears sunglasses to protect his eyes from the sun; JUST LIKE REGULAR PEOPLE DO!! If he didnt wear them, tweety would say he was too macho to wear them like regular people do.
Every so often, tweety hits one out of the park and I begin to think that maybe he's not such an a**hole after all. THEN, he says sh*t like Obama is an elitist for wearing sunglass and then he goes right to the top of my fecal roster and I want to bit*hslap his teeth down his throat for being such an a**hole after all!!
MK @ 45:
In my socialist world, you would get a free education!
MK: Punctuation can be your friend. Trust me. It's not elitist. It's not socialistic. It eases communication. George Will does it. Pat Buchanan does it. Bob Novak does it. I know; I checked; you can too.
Is it caffeine? Speed? What's the problem?
Really. Calm thyself. Then, re-watch the debate with the sound turned down and tell me who's more presidential.
If you dare.
MK @ 45:
Ahh how times have changed, was it not just a moment ago that Chris M was trashing both Clintons and was oh so queer for obama? He got a tingley feeling up his leg when obama gave a speech and he and Keith O just gushed and gushed when they interviewed obama. No obama fan complained then. Saturday Night Live got it and ran with it and it was funny. But now it aint' funny because he is talking about obama. Get a grip this fool has been off for a long time.
I figured it out, people! Conservatives FINALLY are realizing they lost this election! This explains all the hostility. I'd feel sorry for all you guys, but you're not worth it! Congrats Obama!!!
After I became legally blind from cataracts, I asked my surgeon what causes them. He admitted that science hasn't pinned that one down. However, 2 things CAN cause it, diabetes and exposure to too much bright light. Surfing as a teenager and being a mechanic exposed to lots of electric welding immediately came to mind. Offhand, he said that sunglasses should be worn while you're outside, even on cloudy days. Anyway, 4 years ago since my surgery I now have 20/22 vision, which is almost normal. However, I need glasses for reading as I can no longer focus my eyes, but they're working on focusable implants.
So, I don't see (pun intended) how protecting your eyesight is "elitist". Is that all they've got? Pathetic.
Sounds like "A little bit too elegant, a little bit too proud of his own bearing." is not too subtle code for "Uppity." Nothing more than PC racism. What next, criticizing him for wearing a belt to keep his pants up?
MK @ 45
Haha..that was a most pathetic rant, and you took the time to type it. But it was funny. thanks!
hey, look, it's john mccain, WEARING SUNGLASSES.
(warning: this picture contains a graphic close-up of a booger!)
How dare a black man be educated and look well put together! And how dare he wear sunglasses to protect his eyes from the sun!
How frickin' racist can the MSM get? I guess we're about to see...
MK @ 45:
LOL, the GOP troll pool is certainly reaching for the bottom of the barrel. I guess MK is one of the few trolls that would do the shilling for free and no McCain campaign swag.
Sad, sad...
BTW, how will president McCain defend us, when his only military experience is in crashing airplanes, creating international incidents, almost sinking an aircraft carrier, and his only military "achievement" was to be captured by the enemy. So you want to be defended by John "deadmeat" McCain? The only way I can see John McCain defending us, is by him fighting for the enemy... because I am sure he will fuck things up royally for which ever side he is fighting for. LOL...
Apphouse50 @ 81:
My money is on meth. I heard it is quite popular among closeted inbred rednecks...
constituent @ 70:
After using my famous FOX analyzing techniques, I'd ponder the opinion that the full depth of knowledge shown by MK45 would indicate that he's been hanging out at the nearby chimp cage too long or attending too many Republican rallies - same thing really, and thinks that's what life is really like - full of hate and bigotry.
Get a job MK... at Walmart for example. See what life is really like for the majority of your friends and neighbors, for a change.
ez @ 83:
really, the only thing left to do is pray every day some rightwing nut job doesn't do the unthinkable.
my atheist friends think i'm nuts, but i pray for obama every day. mccain too.
BigIslandDave @ 22:
I caught that too. what was that about as if he had a clue about the "average joe.
Tyler Durden @ 90: