MyDD :: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea

Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea

by masslib1, Thu Feb 07, 2008 at 11:53:17 PM EST

Is David Shuster on drugs? What on earth would cause him to go after, of all people, Chelsea Clinton? Tonight he pondered whether or not the young woman was being "pimped" by her mother. How ridiculous. Does anyone remember such a suggestion being made when George Bush's nephew campaigned for him? I sure don't.

Chelsea is an intelligent, thoughtful woman. She quite clearly has elected to campaign for her mother, and why shouldn't she? If your mom was running for President, wouldn't you want to be involved? I sure would.

Pehaps this has more to do with Chelsea's steadfast rule of not taking questions from the press. Or, maybe it's just the usual attempt to smear Hillary so common on MSNBC. Whatever the reason, this sort of behavior on Shuster's part is offensive. And, to question if she's being "pimped." Disusting.

Here's the clip:

Tags: Hillary Clinton, 2008, president, Chelsea, Shuster, MSNBC, media (all tags)

Permalink :: 44 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 5)

I was really stunned when I heard this. Chelsea Clinton is a wonderful young woman, and I'd be thrilled if my daughter grew up to be like her. I find it intolerable that anyone would take this kind of sleazy shot at her, no matter who they are.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 12:04:57 AM EST

Says the guy who... (none / 0)

...recommended a diary accusing Michelle Obama of being a mysogynist. Seems you pick and choose which sleazy shots you find intolerable.

Shuster should probably be fired.

by Mystylplx on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:25:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Says the guy who... (none / 0)

Michelle Obama took an incredibly classless shot at the Clintons, but that's not the subject here. I find it amazing that you would even attempt to change the subject.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:31:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not changing the subject. (none / 0)

My last sentence (above) put it back on subject.

I was just pointing out the double standard in your outrage.

Shuster should probabaly be fired. (Back on subject)

by Mystylplx on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:37:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Not changing the subject. (none / 0)

I certainly make no apologies for recommending that diary, so if you want to believe I have a double standard as a result, you have every right.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:42:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Not changing the subject. (none / 0)

At least Shuster has the grace to apologize.

by Mystylplx on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:50:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

Mika B. on Morning Joe (MSNBC) also commented negatively on Chelsea's calls to the women on "The View" asking them to vote for her mother. I'm not sure if these were live calls or could they have been robocalls to NY/NJ voters?

Mika has gone gaga for Obama and very negative for Clinton(s), so that while I formerly looked forward to hearing her sparring with Scarborough, I'm mostly turned off on by the tenor of the whole program.

by susie on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 12:37:11 AM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

Her dad and brother are Obama on the Obama team, her other brother is with the McCain team. She lacks credibility.

formerly bookgirl

by masslib1 on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 12:40:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 0)

Big Tent Democrat has some harsh words for Shuster.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 12:42:36 AM EST

MSNBC is vile (2.00 / 1)

Had he said this about Obama or Bush's daughter(s) it would be all over for Shuster.

Media Matters, get to work!

by diplomatic on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 12:57:43 AM EST

don't hold your breath (none / 0)

for Media Matters to come out firing on all cylinders about this one.

John McCain: 100 years in Iraq "would be fine with me."

by desmoinesdem on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 08:58:57 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

what a fucking idiot.

by Soltare on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 01:06:02 AM EST

Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

You won't hear a word from Democratic Party leaders. They've sat on their hands all year as the frat boys in the Georgtown Social Club talk about "cackling" and "castration" and "thick ankles" and "pimping out" a candidates daughter.

The Democratic Party apparently endorses this kind of sexist attack. The voters the Democratic Party needs are noticing the silence.

by hwc on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 01:25:52 AM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

Noticing and as a result moving to Hillary and feeling more motivated to send her money, at least I am.

by Thaddeus on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 06:18:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Tagg Romney a giggalo? (none / 0)

Note that none of the major networks has accused the Romneys of "giggalo'ing out" Tagg and the other sons by having them on the campaign trail. No of course not, Mitt and Tagg are men. Everyone in the mainstream media knows that only women are whores.

The blatant sexism makes me vomit. And, nobody in Democratic Party says jack. But, good lord, mention that LBJ helped MLK pass civil rights legistation and Democrats jump to call you a racist.

It's all I need to know about the Democratic Party. It's even more disgusting than when the low-life John Kerry gay-bashed Dick Cheney's daughter during a nationally televised debate.

by hwc on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 01:56:58 AM EST

Re: Tagg Romney a giggalo? (none / 0)

Kerry didn't "gay bash" her! He mentioned it in context of a question--the Republicans spun it as an "outing" and you seemed to have fallen for it.

by Thaddeus on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 06:19:16 AM EST
[ Parent ]

my god (2.00 / 0)

pimped?

he just called the very nice chelsea a whore.

He should be fired, nothing less.
Everyone should dedicate as much time as possible pushing back on this tomorrow.

Offend the Media - Vote for Hillary!

by Seymour Glass on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:12:26 AM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

EMAIL MSNBC: viewerservices@msnbc.com 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 (from Media Matters)

by nance on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:43:22 AM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 0)

EMAIL MSNBC: viewerservices@msnbc.com

MSNBC
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

(from Media Matters)

by nance on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:44:50 AM EST

OMG (none / 0)

What a non-issue!

Really guys?

The guy made a very idiotic remark, he went a bit beyond the standard 'is chelsea being paraded around', whatever, if you are looking for entertainment news turn the channel to VH1.

Nonissue

by MrMacMan on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 04:14:03 AM EST

Re: OMG (2.00 / 1)

Wait until you have a daughter and people talk about you pimping her out...

Step aside kool-aid drinker, we've had enough of the misogynist media and it's time for you and others to deal. with. it.

by diplomatic on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 06:12:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OMG (2.00 / 0)

I disagree--it's a sexist comment in re: to Chelsea and less directly Hillary. Nobody would accuse a man, certainly not a black candidate, of "pimping" anyone.

I think the other comments are right on. It would be especially useful if men were the ones to complain abouyt all the sexist comments lest we expose more women to the "angry feminists" critique and fuel the misogyny of the knuckleheads.

by Thaddeus on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 06:22:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]

re: OMG (2.00 / 0)

What would your reaction be if a news anchor said it looks like Obama was pimping Michelle Obama?

If the concept of a prostitute is what springs to mind when someone sees a young girl on a city sidewalk I say that guy is in serious need of counseling.

The fact that we have to casually tolerate men putting women into a sexual frame, when what they are doing at the time has no sexual connotation at all, is the point. Shuster revealed himself to be a neanderthal and the network should reject his behavior. If Shuster lacks the talent to inject some tasteful humor into his commentary he shouldn't be on the air.

by ineedalife on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 09:12:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: re: OMG (2.00 / 1)

what would my reaction be?

It would be the same thing.

I remember back to 2000 when the Clintons were accused of parading around Chelsea... it was false and she told the media she wanted to be there, but it's the same argument.

by MrMacMan on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 11:39:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

These accusations of misogyny are really starting to get out of hand. Most of them are baseless.

Get mad all you want at Shuster, by it wasn't misogynist.

by beanbagz on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 07:56:17 AM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 0)

Making ridiculous contrarian arguments doesn't make them true. Saying you are pimping out a daughter is as bad as it gets for a PROFESSIONAL JOURNALIST on national television when speaking about the daughter of a FORMER PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY.

by diplomatic on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 08:03:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

Ridiculous contrarian arguments? I'm suggesting a deep breath or two because it's getting embarrassing with the righteous indignation over every single slight or comment. Labeling everyone who speaks ill of the Clintons as a misogynist is not going to win any friends or any arguments.

Pimping Chelsea does not mean he called her a whore. You people are smarter than that and hearing what you want to hear. People pimp projects, they pimp rides, they pimp clients. He was saying something negative about the way she was being used by the Clinton campaign. I disagree with his point, because I think until recently she was being used more like a prop to make her mom look more appealing to younger voters.

By the way, are you supposed to be yelling the words in all-caps?

by beanbagz on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 08:13:30 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 0)

I just heard that Shuster apologized this morning on MSNBC. I guess he felt it was something.

by diplomatic on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 09:02:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 1)

Yup. Phil Griffin returned my e-mail and said Shuster had apologized and pleaded for us to keep watching. This one must have hurt.

Email protests do work.

by ineedalife on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 09:17:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

It was a lame, offensive statement. (none / 0)

There was nothing remotely "mysogynist" about it.

You folks need to take a deep breath and stop screaming 'sexism' or worse, 'mysogyny' every time someone says something offensive about your candidate.

by Mystylplx on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:11:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Or worse... (none / 0)

...every time someone brings a valid criticism of her, as has happened repeatedly, recently, here on MyDD.

by Mystylplx on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:12:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

MSNBC Worse Than FOX (2.00 / 1)

MSNBC has become a joke. And Olbermann has replaced Matthews as its #1 clown.

by BigBoyBlue on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 08:25:30 AM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 2)

This isn't the first dumbass statement I've heard from David Shuster, and I'm sure it won't be the last, but why does he think it's unusual for Chelsea to campaign for her mother anyway? In 2004, the Kerry and Bush daughters were really involved - much more so than anybody's kids this year - and nothing was made of it. I admire Chelsea for going out and campaigning, especially after all the abuse she's taken over the years. Can you imagine having to go through your awkward teen years in the spotlight, with people commenting on your looks on TV - no wonder she's wary of the media.

by AnnC on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 08:44:57 AM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 2)

What's really sad is that the response to this is not unanimous. I thought the thread over on Daily Kos was really bad.

You sure wouldn't see me making excuses if someone made a derogatory comment about Obama's daughters, even though he's not my candidate. Maybe it's a father thing, but I just can't understand anyone being okay with this.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 09:52:12 AM EST

Jesus! I want his head rolls! (none / 0)

and the jerk that laughed too. Both of them. It's so disgusting that it makes me sick in my stomach. Bill's gonna be so mad about this as a father.

by JoeySky18 on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 10:50:52 AM EST

Shuster should be fired like Imus. (2.00 / 0)

I have sent an email to MSNBC urging this.

by dpANDREWS on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 11:16:58 AM EST

Well to be fair.... (none / 0)

Don Imus was a two-fer. Racist and sexist. Though this is not apologizing for Shuster in anyway.

by ineedalife on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 11:19:00 AM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (none / 0)

and they wonder why women voters are flocking to Hillary. The Clinton campaign should put MSNBC up on a running stream on their website. They would likely raise thirty million a day. MSNBC- The Official Barack Obama is Jesus channel

Disclaimer: Until Obama wins then we switch to our normal programming of John McCain is a manly man

by rossinatl on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 12:32:19 PM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (2.00 / 0)

This has to be at least equivelent to Don Imus's remarks on the offensive scale, and arguably it's even worse. I think a firing is warrented. On the plus side this will give Hillary another fundraising boost.

by Christopher Lib on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 02:44:03 PM EST

That was clearly over the top. (none / 0)

Shuster's going to need a surgeon to remove his foot from his mouth over that one.

by Mystylplx on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:07:14 PM EST

Look. (none / 0)

There's no doubt that Shuster crossed a serious line and needs to be spanked. But all this 'mysogyny' 'sexism' talk isn't helping your candidate either. It was a lame, classless, offensive thing to say, but please stop pretending that he literally meant Hillary Clinton was selling Chelsea as a prostitute.

I have a friend who is a single father of a six year old son. He seems to meet a lot of women when he goes out with his son. I often accuse him of 'pimping' his son to meet women. That's the sense that Shuster used that word. There was nothing sexist about it. Offensive? Yes. Sexist? No.

by Mystylplx on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 03:55:24 PM EST

Re: Shuster's Baseless Attack on Chelsea (none / 0)

MSNBC, Fire David Shuster .

by BlueSea on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 04:10:04 PM EST

Lets be 100% honest (none / 0)

If the Clinton's were really pimping Chelsea out they would have had to loan 5 mil to the campaign. They'd be makin' mo money money mo money!

....... Just a little humor folks.

by dpANDREWS on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 04:17:43 PM EST

David Shuster Suspended by MSNBC (none / 0)

Media Matters website:

Here's the link: http://mediamatters.org/items/2008020800 07?f=h_top

Clintonism is the kind of Government I could get used to...

by Mariel on Fri Feb 08, 2008 at 04:22:46 PM EST

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