Now that we have mourned the all-too-early loss of Tim Russert, we need to think about what would be the best course for NBC News in picking his replacement on Meet The Press.

This could be used as an OPPORTUNITY by NBC to enhance the journalistic standards of their news division.  Not saying that Russert didn't have good standsrds.  He certainly did, and had a well-earned reputation.  However, the problem with MTP in recent years is that it was too (for lack of a better term) "elitist".    

I enjoyed watching Chris Matthews destroy the right wing hack during the history lesson on Hardball tonight.  In case you missed it (despite its appearance on numerous blogs, including this one), here it is: http://www.dailykos.com/...

My criticism after the jump.

Has anyone noticed that Chris "Tweety" Matthews has co-opted Pat Buchannon's "wind in the eyes look?".  It has always been the first thing I notice whenever Pat is introduced on-screen and now Tweety has picked it up.  Let's hope he doesn't also co-opt Pat's genetic bigotry!  

This is off the subject, but I attended my first Obama Rally in Charleston, WV. today and got the chance to shake his hand.  The excitement was infectious and we are working hard to keep Hillary's winning percentage from exceeding 30-40 overall.  As a life-long West Virginian, I can tell you on good authority, with the demographics of this state, anything Obama can do beyond 15-30 percent is a win!

Stay tuned!

After he dismissed charges yesterday that John McCain has a temper, Chris Matthews today had no problems with Pat Buchanan implying that Obama was an elitist.

Pat Buchanan says that Barack Obama's problem is that HE IS University of Chicago and that in fact he is "Faculty Lounge". Chris Matthews just laughs and says he thinks "that is the problem". So apparently it's OK to consistently imply character flaws with Democrats but its not OK to suggest that someone who got in an actual fight has a temper?

Maybe I'm overreacting. But if I didn't know any better it seems like the candidate getting the free pass isn't Obama, it's McCain.

Give it another day, or two, and we'll probably see this headline somewhere, the odds-on bet, on Faux News...

Or, the Right Wing Freakshow will serve this up, with extra, extra spicing, over the radio airwaves

I have to admit that I probably like Chris Matthews more than many here, although I certainly don't take him very seriously.  I enjoy "Hardball" mainly because it's straight up politics, with good guests and lively discussion.  The orientation is politics as blood sport, not issues, and hence I find it entertaining rather than enlightening--which is fine for the time slot.  

It's pure and simple: stop watching television news.  The withdrawal symptoms may be severe for those of you who live and die by what the pundits say, but the end results are pure bliss.

While reading The Field I found out that Dan Lipinski (IL-3) endorsed and will vote for Obama (I am not a resident so I am not calling the office (this is in the comments about 3/5 of the way down the page).  Also I didn't find this on his website at all or at demconwatch

And now onto the main topic of the diary...

Who is scarier, Tweety or John McCain.

Well.... Who is it?

check out this Anatol Lieven in the Financial Times

Evidence after the jump.

[Update]:

---

You're unbelievable Joe, you patronized this guy.

Chris Matthews (almost) never makes me do anything but roll my eyes and groan when he opines but he just knocked one completely out of the park.

Matthews was on Morning Joe shortly after a segment with Rep. Patrick Murphy had appeared. Joe Scarborough had told Murphy that (because of his Iraq service) he was exactly what the Democratic party needs (inferring that he is the exception).

Scarborough was discussing Murphy with Matthews as his segment started and said "He's what the Democrats have needed for so long, it's been so easy to beat up Democrats as sort of weak on defense" and "This guys the real deal" when Matthews cut in with "So let me get this right, If you're a Democrat you have to have about four or five battle ribbons to be OK but if you're a republican you can be Dick Cheney with four or five deferments. That's the rule." and "Democrat's start about four notches down from patriotism and have to work their way up."

Lead this a.m. was Samantha Power calling Hillary Clinton a monster. Fair enough, I guess. They mentioned she "tried to take it back but it was too late." Meaning, you can't say "off the record" after a sentence, only before.

This is going to be a bit short, so I'll get to it.

Last night I had to take off early before the Texas polls were closed.  But some of the first numbers had him riding well.  But I knew that wasn't going to last.

The best part of this  morning´s election results was NOT seeing Chris Matthews (the Big Tweety) this morning on Morning Joe! HAH!!!

Not so long ago i happen to catch a re-run of the Daily Show in which Chris Matthews gets grilled by Stewart. i thought, what a jerk!
I felt that Jon Stewart had been too hard on Chris. He was there to promote his book and Jon had been making fun of Chris' answers and book. I felt sorry for him. I had regularly watched the Chris Matthews show on NBC right after Meet the press, and had felt his show was informative. He would inject his opinion, but i never took it that he strayed too far from either side of the political spectrum. to borrow a quote from fox, i thought he was fair and balanced. Now...

UPDATE:  I did something, in my haste, that was impolite.  Therefore, I hope it's not too late to credit the wonderfully informed link I published in this diary to it's rightful owner, hilzoy, over on Obsidian Wings.  If you will imagine, hilzoy - an Obama audience of applause headed your way.

I don't know how many of you have caught Tweety, twice now, ask some politician who supports Obama, to name his legislative accomplishments.  Tonight it was a Congressman from Texas.  Sorry, wasn't paying attention to his name.

Tweety asked the magic question and the dude from Texas was suddenly struck dumb on the spot.  Then, Hill's supporter, (all I remember is that she was from Ohio) began bragging about how Hillary has passed all kinds of legislation.  Of course, Tweety neglected to ask her to name one.

More below the fold:

Did you folks just catch that? Were you watching MSNBC right now? Chris Matthews Just laid an ambush on an Obama Supporter that was downright embarrassing.  For Chris.

You really get the impression that he is a hardcore Obama-phobe when he brings on a Clinton Supporter and an Obama Supporter, then proceeeds to Do the following:

He starts with a few seconds of smiles, and no questions to the Clinton Supporter. This ends quickly.

Then the Obama Supporter gets asked the following:[paraphrased, I can't find the video]  "Can you name specific legislation that Obama passed in the last congress that makes him a leader?"

Eh?  jump

Even handed journalism?  Wasn't that the idea when you went to school, Tweety?  Drag up a hit piece on an ill-prepared Obama surrogate, over and over again, "List Senator Obama's legislative accomplishments, Right NOW!"

And so Tweety, did you hit the Clinton surrogate the same way?  

Uh, no.

Seriously, Did you guys just see that exchange on MSNBC?

Mathews just grilled the Obama backer in Texas because he couldn't list any of his accomplishments. I was just waiting for him to ask the Hillary supporter. Could she have come up with a Hillary accomplishment? I doubt it. Why does she get a pass, especially considering how she is the one touting all of the solutions she's provided..

It's ridiculous. I sort of like Tweety but this kind of stuff is just to drum up controversy.

Disclaimer: This diary is about why Hillary sucks as a Democratic nominee against Republicans and John McCain. I don't think she sucks as a Senator or as a person.

Earlier this afternoon I saw Chris Matthews ask Terry McAuliff about Mitt Romney's statement today:

"If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror"

That inane comment is a perfect set-up to annihilate the Republican neo-con security posture. The ball is on the tee ready to be knocked out of the park, unless...   our nominee is Hillary Clinton. Because she voted for the war.