Chris Matthews said the most amazing thing about Kerry on his show

[jillan]

I tuned in at the end of his weekend show
THE CHRIS MATTHEWS SHOW

Just in time for the Kerry segment! These were his guests:
David Gregory -- NBC News
Andrew Sullivan -- Time Magazine; New Republic Magazine
Katty Kay -- BBC
Amy Sullivan -- Washington Monthly

All the usual conversation that we've been hearing too much of.
But all 4 of these people agreed that Kerry was not talking about the troops.

Then there was a vote - about 10 people voted, don't know who the others were, but the question was "Do you think Kerry ruined his chances for 2008?".

1 person voted no - David Gregory. :loveya: The other 3 talked about Kerry not being good at public speaking and that is what a politician needs - blah blah blah. Then Matthews said - paraphrasing here - that he also says no.
He said I have known Kerry for a long time and he is the most committed person he knows. And Kerry is committed to being Commander and Chief. I almost fell off the couch! Matthews said it with the most sincere, matter of fact voice. It was a "moment of zen".

They also talked about McCain slamming Kerry and about Hillary's comments.
The way they showed it, it was obvious that both did this for 2008.
They all agreed that both McCain and Hillary RUINED their chances for 2008 becuz of these comments.

Unfortunately the transcript is not up yet. As soon as it is, I will post the exact words. I just couldn't wait to share this Kerrymagic with you!

[Mass]

1. David Gregory is one of the few who does not cede to the pressure of CW and PC.

[jillan]

2. CW & PC?

who or what is that?

[Mass]

4. "common wisdom" and "political correctness".

It seems that saying Kerry is done is the right thing to say in polite company, in some circle, whether you think it or not. I am not surprised he did not react this way.

[MH1]

5. CW & PC =

conventional wisdom

political correctness

[wisteria]

3. Oh my, nice to hear this news. Thanks! n/t

[blm]

6. I saw that, too.

The most COMMITTED person he knows.

[MBS]

7. thanks so much for posting this

During the 2004 primaries, it always felt to me that chris matthews really liked Kerry. With all the Iraq stuff in between (and my frustration with Matthews' take on all that), I'd almost forgotten those earlier days.
Glad also to read about David Gregory. He's been ace in Bush's press conferences lately, too. Glad to know there's someone out there who's not just a corporate patsy.

Glad also to learn their opinions about effect of McCain and Hillary responses to their chances in 2008.

Waiting with baited breath for transcript and video.

[Firespirit]

8. That's quite interesting about Hillary and McCain

I agree. McCain I am less sure of, but I think Hillary's statement will come back to bite her in the ass, especially if tomorrow is a good day.

[TayTay]

9. BTW, did I tell you I saw Roger yesterday

at the Deval Patrick rally. He was with several Important Mass Dems, including the future MA Attorney General, Martha Coakley. I waited for him to stop talking and then said hi!

I got a big bear hug and a kiss on the cheek. And thanks, which goes out to everyone here.

Him I can call Honey, right?

BTW, Rox was there, she saw the whole thing.

[rox63]

12. Yep, saw it all from the bleachers

After I came down and said hi to Tay. I was thinking to myself before then, "Geez, that guy looks just like Roger..." And sure enough it was. :)

[sandrakae]

10. Did u get the transcript yet?

[rox63]

11. Anyone care to jump on this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2595826

[ProSense]

13. Thanks for the recap!

David Gregory is great. He definitely doesn't put up with the WH's attempts to insult people's intelligence.

[jillan]

14. Transcript up

Matthews words on Kerry (did this ruin his chances for 2008):
MATTHEWS: I don't, I don't, I don't share that, because I know him a little bit. He is the most committed person I've ever met to a mission, and his mission is to be commander in chief.
(it was the way he said it that put me in shock - very soft, very matter of fact)

Hillary gossip:
Ms. SULLIVAN: If the Democrats do take back the Senate, and apparently I'm the only person here who thinks they will, I believe that Hillary Clinton will not run for president. She will make a deal with Harry Reid to stay in the Senate and be majority leader. She is just, by temperament, a senator. She is not an executive like her husband is. And she loves being in the Senate. And she could do a whole lot more good with two, three, four more terms there than she could in four years.
Now this sounds GREAT to me!!!

The discussion about Hillary and McCain's reaction:
Senator HILLARY CLINTON: (Wednesday) No one wants to see the 2004 election replayed. That's about the past. And what Senator Kerry said was inappropriate.

MATTHEWS: Devastating. "Inappropriate." Like he had groped her or something. I mean, that is an amazing statement. "Inappropriate"? In other words, she damned him.

Ms. SULLIVAN: Yeah, I think it, you know, her reaction was split. The first reaction was the true one, which is `The White House is going after this guy, who could be further from being leader of the Democratic Party. This is pointless and is obviously just for political purposes.' But throwing in the remark about it being inappropriate was gratuitous.

MATTHEWS: She was saying he was trashing people who join the Army as lightweights mentally.

Ms. SULLIVAN: Yeah, as we know, you know, anybody who read his...

Ms. KAY: (Unintelligible).

GREGORY: Hold on a second.

Mr. SULLIVAN: She could've at least said that that was her first impression, then she realizes she's wrong and apologized. McCain's selling point has always been integrity. I have been persuaded, I'm afraid. I love the guy. But he doesn't have any anymore. That what he did on the torture issue, by giving in to Karl Rove, and what he's done now, knowing full well Kerry didn't mean that, means he's gone as a man of integrity.

Ms. KAY: And when he went to Liberty Hill, that was the beginning.
heehee

The rest here if you want to read more.
http://thechrismatthewsshow.com/transcripts/11052006.shtml

[kerrygoddess]

15. Nice! Thanks for staying on top of this! n/t

[JI7]

16. does Sullivan really think Hillary would rather be Majority Leader than Pres

i mean it doesn't make too much sense. if Dems lose she will run for Pres but if we win Senate she will be satisfied with Majority leader. it's just odd. the Presidency is a fall back to her real dream of Senate Leader ?

McCAin certainly is a whore. i hope his ass loses the primary again.

[sandnsea]

17. Long term notoriety

Yeah, I can actually kind of see her preferring Majority Leader. The Presidency is just a mine field and they've finally got a relatively good legacy. Majority Leaders don't get trashed liked Presidents do. It's very powerful, she'd be the first woman Majority Leader, remembered forever. She'll only be 67 in 2016. She could put more distance between her and the blue dress. Build her own credentials more. If she runs for President and doesn't win the primary, she loses a lot of her clout. I can totally see her taking this alternate scenario.

[zann725]

18. I remember Matthews saying the same thing before '04 election.

That in speaking in private with JK, Matthews said he was CONVINCED that JK would be Prez by the deeply heart-felt, steely-eyed conviction/focus of his goals. When Matthews recounted it, he wasn't just filling air-time. He truly meant it.

His recent comment, restating that...no doubt clearly recall that personal meeting with JK on the '04 Campaign trail.