David Shuster suspended over Chelsea Clinton remarks: Updated with apology
By John Amato Thursday Feb 07, 2008 4:20pm
Hi David, I've really liked the work you've done (and want you get your own show) and so does most of the blogosphere, but saying Chelsea's being "pimped out" was out of line. Why is it not OK for Chelsea to campaign for her mother? If David used the word "pimp" in any context associated with the Obama camp, I think I know how everyone would react. He's apologizing on Tucker later today. That's a good thing.
Here's his apology:
Download | play 
Download | play
Update: NBC responded very quickly and released this a little while ago.
On Thursday's "Tucker" on MSNBC, David Shuster, who was serving as guest-host of the program, made a comment about Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton campaign that was irresponsible and inappropriate. Shuster, who apologized this morning on MSNBC and will again this evening, has been suspended from appearing on all NBC News broadcasts, other than to make his apology. He has also extended an apology to the Clinton family. NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks.
Makes you wonder why Matthews wasn't suspended.
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Sacrificial lamb for the Mockingbirds.
timed for a Hillary boost, and outrage from mothers everywhere for a misogynistic smear on a daughter.
its soooo transparent.
he got into a pissing match with Joe Scar this morning - maybe he figured he had nothing to lose...
i hate to see him go, but yeah, that was uncalled for.
Stupid and irresponsible comments but hardly worth an up-roar. Apologize and move on.....
trying to be like that infantile Tucker is a big mistake. David shoulda known better.
Must be a generational gap thing. As a 20-something that didn't strike me as disrespectful or anything...thats just everyday slang we use.
So shouldn't Bill Clinton be banned from making TV appearances for his racist comments about Barack Obama?????
I hold Shuster in pretty high regards. Poor choice of words, David. Hope to see you back soon, though.
The comment as it's understood is not offensive in itself. The only thing questionable about it, is why you would question Chelsea campaigning for her mother at all? What did you expect her to do? Is Hillary 'pimping' Bill (don't go there) or any of the other thousands of people working for her campaign?
David, my man..
You CAN'T say something like that...
I'm so sick of The Fucking Clintons. This is all they do. Cry, cry, cry. Whine, whine, whine. She has to grab the attention away from Obama who has momentum. Is this what you Democrats are going to vote for on? The Endless Clinton Soap Opera. Maybe MSNBC is in on it with them. Yet you all never seriously took The Great Whore Master to task when he attacked Obama in South Carolina. Now the Whore Master is going around saying that he's allowed to support his wife but not defend her. What a joke coming out of the Great Wife Cheater's mouth.
whiteyfresh @ 6:
Bill doesnt work for a network so ....no
Reich-wingers say far, FAR worse on a daily basis.
Wow, this hurts. I hope he learned something and can move on. I really like David Shuster and his reporting and await his return to MSNBC in a active role. Again, his comments were inappropriate but what's even worse is how the Clinton's are using this for some tactical political advantage - typical!
Here is the free media she has hoped for!
Controversy is cheap and easy and boy the sheeple love it!
Oh, and don't forget the special on Anna Nichols baby's first visit
to the grave of her mother!!
and the pretty girl missing in Aruba, and, and,
David went to far.
nochickenhawk @ 10:
But you're not angry huh?
Was saying "pimped" really THAT inappropriate? What happened to free speech in this country? The Clinton machine has the networks by the balls the same way the Bush machine did, and now Shuster is being "Dan Rather"ed for the sake of getting Hillary some more feminist support. She plays the helpless victim very well, but I guess I'm just not buying it.
what an incredible opportunity lost for MSNBC - with fox's ratings plummeting, country moving towards the left - rather than take advantage of this by hiring maddow, rosie, replace morning joe with some decent talent- they have sought to divide their own audience with their irrational bias towards Hillary.
I've got to disagree with this. None of us know who decided that Chelsea Clinton should be making phone calls on behalf of the Clinton campaign. It's entirely possible it was Chelsea's own idea. But maybe it was her mom's idea. Or her dad's. Or a campaign staffer. Only folks within the campaign know for sure.
But Shuster didn't say she was being pimped out, he said, "Doesn't it seem like Chelsea's sort of being pimped out..." What he's engaging in there is nothing different than the rampant suggestions and inuendo that fills the media's political discourse these days. But nobody is actually discussing the root of his comment, specifically that it does seem like she's being pimped out.
For that matter, it seemed like they were pimping out Bill Clinton, until he pissed off the john and he had his leash tugged. And McCain pimps out his mother. And Obama pimped out Oprah. And Huckabee pimped out God. And... and...
He said something stupid, who hasn't? But he said he was sorry so can't we let it go at that? Chris says something stupid every time he opens his mouth, so why is he still on? Same goes for Joe Scar too.
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it was a poor choice of words, however, it seems the press is pretty ticked that chelsea will not speak to them or answer questions
she will speak to voters...but not the press
and dang...she has grown into a hot and powerful woman
Isn't this the same network that hired Savage Weiner?
dON'T FEED THE CLINTON MACHINE JOHN.
Remember how she won new hampshire. No, not the crying. Matthews attacks. These old voters are nuts. Crying, the media attacks, the gop. They sure do allow the outside world to effect their vote. Previously I would say true true true. With these old voters that are looking for an excuse to curbtail hope. Let's not give them that opp.
On top of that "they" say the media is in the tank of obama. He loses twice. Why? The media? They are not as dumb as they appear. :)
I can't believe Shuster used this choice of words, though the figurative meaning of "pimping" in the popular culture is much less degrading than the literal meeting the older generation knows. Still, he should have known better than to use such a loaded word, and also should have known better than to attach it to the family member of ANY political candidate. I mean, the Bush twins, the Carter kids, the Fords, the Gores -- all have campaigned for their parents and no comment was made of any similar kind. What of it? Dave, you disappointed me.
One more reason to vote for Obama. No more victims - we need a leader!!
What an incredible non-issue. Is her daughter being pimped out by her parents? Ever since she was that pimple faced kid in the Whitehouse. What he said was totally true, and unless you have been under a rock since the 70's the terminology doesn't mean that some guy in a gold plated Caddy and a green suit will have her turning tricks in an alley. Jesus the world is going to hell in a handbasket. I can't wait to see David's guaranteed show after this is over.
he deserved to be suspended but if thats the case, I want every FAUX news bobble head, Beck, Coulter, Ingrahm and any other wing nut who have uttered slanderous hateful words towards Edwards, Obama, the 911 Widows, or anyone else who's been slimed tossed off the air.
If the precedent was universal...FAUX news would be a test pattern right now.
Yes what he said was bad, but if the media wants to get technical, the majority of them would be in the trash bin.
Matthews wasnt suspended becasue Billary didn't throw a hissy fit demanding it. Nothing really to wonder about.
I don't hate Obama, but everywhere I look Obama supporters are obnoxious.
Gross.
daPlaya @ 5:
I thought the same thing and I'm a 30-something, but in retrospect; it wasn't professional to use such slang. I'm sure if he was back working for FOX and did that, they protect him since it was about someone with (D) after their name. Nevertheless, technically it was a bit much and you have slue of emails and (feinged?) outrage coming from the Clinton camp, you can't ignore it. Oh, and threatening to pull out of a debate doesn't help either. MSNBC can't afford to lose the opportunity to showcase the network as it is bound to be a huge ratings winner. oh well...
Pimped out?
Come on, Shuster. If you don't want to be perceived as an asshole, then stop imitating Rush.
Total hypocrisy. Savage, O'Reilly, Coulter, etc. have said much worse repeatedly with no consequence. Shuster made this one slip up and he gets slammed. Bullshit.
LiberalTarian @ 28:
That can apply to ALL supporters of ANY candidate.
Left&Left @ 31:
Exactly..what about when beck accused the Minnesota senator of being one of them.....what he said was wrong but pales in comparison to the sheet flung against the wall on a daily basis in wing nut land.
Somehow I remember this conversation going differently when Imus fucked up.
Yeah, Rutgers really had the networks by the balls.
Or is it "Ho's" Bad/"Pimps" good?
Dr. Matt @ 12:
Sorry, hourly basis. I guess it depends who is making the rules and the comment. :>(
The dems have finally copied the reich approach. It works for them (r's).
We hope you survive this one , David.
Pimped out, eh? Which reminds me...
http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=1385080d2eb00aa50d110819e7148036
Enjoy.
:)
Gawd..my compatriots on the left can be such freakin' whiners. "He said something we don't like..SUSPEND HIM, FIRE HIM, GET HIM OFF THE AIR IMMEDIATELY!" Further, I can't figure out why we're so surprised to hear obnoxious commentary on a channel that makes it's money from obnoxious commentary, shallow news coverage and shows about entrapment. If you're that offended, change the channel.
He should have be banned and flogged for an inane story.
So now we're to believe that a daughter/son can't campaign on behalf of his/her parent?
The US MSM has gone insane with stupidity. They've long since been an embarrassment and merely reflect an empire in decline. Whatta joke!
Of course, the thing we laughingly refer to as our fourth estate is this country has become a parody of itself and is too self-absorbed and dumb downed to even be or feel insulted by the criticism hurled at it.
Everyone who has ever run for President has pimped out every member of his or her family.
Okay, maybe Roger Clinton and Billy Carter got a pass, but you know what I mean.
I can think of many things far more offensive. But don't blame the Clintons. This is Obama's fault. ha ha ha ha ha ha
Calling Hillary Clinton a pimp and by extension her daughter a whore is reprehensible and totally unacceptable. Davis Schuster should be ashamed of himself - as should those here allowing their hatred for Senator Clinton to color their good judgment. What if Schuster said that Obama pimped his girls? Would that be OK too? Or would those here who seem to agree with Schuster come apart at the seams?
Wrong is wrong. Period. No matter whom the dis was against. Schuster deserved his suspension. Now if only MSNBC would see fit to stuff a sock in Chris Matthew's mouth.
MSNBC hearts Obama.
I'm not sure but I think that Hillary is not loved as much by the same news corp.
Boy you could see this coming. He needs a demotion and some time in the corner to calm the f$%k down.
daPlaya @ 5:
Yeah - that figures.
Limbaugh's comment about then fifteen year old Chelsea being the family's other dog got him guffaws from the right and not even a notice from the cowardly left. Maybe that's southern for "almost sweet sixteen."
She can campaign for her mom all she wants. I think it's the fact that she's calling super delegates for her that asks for the "pimping" tag.
This is amazing to me. Regardless of extremely literal implications that could be taken from this, it's a figure of speech at this point. I can't even tell you how many people have used this phrase in day to day life around me, regardless of how professional they are. I understand this man is given a public arena on television and should have more accountability than say, a friend of mine, but give me a break.
Of course, Schuster must be punished. But I hope it is only a time out and not permanent.
I find it odd, however, that Matthews is allowed to say outrageous things on his show with no apparent response from the boss.
Olbermann apparently escapes the wrath of the bosses because he speaks the truth and his ratings are climbing every month.
It goes without saying that the people on Fox are far, far worse than any news program, but they are not in the spotlight here -- MSNBC did the right thing, but I hope they have put an end time on the suspension.
hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll betcha that 99 per cent of people hearing about David Schuster's suspension weren't even aware of the comment until hearing of his suspension. I am so sick of the Clintons. Rah, yay, David Schuster.
The Fat Lady Sings @ 41:
And were this the 1950's, I'm sure that's how most people would have taken his comments. Alas, this is not the 1950's and NO ONE (aside from, evidently, a very small group) pieced together that he was calling Chelsea a whore.
The great thing about language is how it evolves.
Ummm...I don't get what was so offensive here. As another poster said, folks in my generation use the term all the time. "Pimped Out" has long since lost its connotation to "whore" and has become much more benign.
Whenever these "Offense By Language" issues come up, the first thing I ask is, "Who is actually offended by it?" Did Chelsea express offense? Did the Clintons? If so, they deserve the apology (maybe) but nothing more. Chelsea has blossomed into a smart adult woman who can take care of herself, but she is also stepping into the political arena and should expect comments she might not like. But "pimped out"?!? Considering what Chris Matthews, and other TV hosts have said, Mr. Shuster's comment isn't even in the same galaxy of offense.
Pathetic.
Great, just great. We need Shuster's comments. He is often the lone voice of reason. He had a lapse in judgement for which he apologized this morning on the air, apologized to the Clinton family, and plans to apologize this evening on air.
The Clinton campaign is threatening to not take part in any debates on MSNBC as a result of a trendy euphemism he used? If the Clintons are willing to throw someone under the bus who is one of the few on-air, logical, fact-based spokesmen, then I seriously question their motives in this campaign.
Hello....
does anyone know what the Operation Mockingbird was(is)?
He said the right thing. She knows what her mother is up to and will not warn American public. Her behavior is treasonous -- the way she treats journalists is sickening. You either treat everyone equally or admit that you talk to people only because mommy thinks it's a good idea strategically speaking. You can't have it both ways. Shuster must have noticed that this lady likes to surrender herself with the commoners with herself in the spotlight. The moment the Clintons win, she will show the middle finger to everyone, this time to journalists AND American people, but after all, nothing less than that can be expected from the Clintons. She will probably take some of the family fortune, move to Israel or England and won't give a f**k when NAFTA II gets passed in 2010. Bravo David.
I have come to really like david schuster, what he said was innapropriate. Although of course he used it in the modern slang fashion, so its not as bad as some might think i certainly hope he comes back soon
another example of how the Mainstream Media takes care of the Presidential Front Runners. Whatever happened to Shuster when he compared Presidential Candidate Congressman Ron Paul to Al Qaeda?
NOTHING!!!!
I can totally imagine myself saying that, and not thinking that it would offend.
Usually bringing the candidates' kids into the discussion is NOT cool if they dont choose to be involved, but you have to expect otherwise if they're campaigning on behalf of their parents. Then a dialog opens up. I personally don't think the remark would offend me that much.
Not only MSNBC but they should suspend the entire team at CNN
Why can’t America see those telephone banks that make those so called poles?
Why can’t Americans talk to and have some interviews with those persons that take the polls? Talk to these people and listen to how they talk.
Look at the questions and listen to the tone of talk. Why can’t America listen to those poles being done?
Why because it’s so secret biased and screwed up its pitiful that America believes any of it. These news items are tools that manipulate and convince America what is not happening. America this is so wrong they should be challenged, and likely will show the corruption they are. Discussing, CNN.
I am sick and tired of Blitzer, Lou Dobbs, and Cafferty telling me what America is saying in e-mails cherry picking. Every news cast should have a warning label under their picture as to who they support before the reports.
Yes, and just the other day Romney's spokespersons was complaining on NPR that he was handicapped by being called "Mormon candidate Mitt Romney" in the press. Actually said that Romney was being treated the worst by the press. I guess he never heard of "The Clintons" (Who I don't like) and how they are portrayed.
I can't find Shuster's email addy....anyone know it? I'd like to email him and tell him many of us support him and believe this whole ordeal is nonsense.
I heard that Shuster asked if, instead of apologizing, he could just give Chelsea some blinged-out spinners. Shuster: "they're da shiznizzle, yo!"
Put on some sun glasses and a wide brim hat and David Shuster looks and acts a lot like Truman Capote. The neurotic he is.
I have really enjoyed Shuster's reporting, but recently he has been trying to spice up his act with provocative comments like the other frat boys on MSNBC. When Matthews had to apologize recently for savaging Hillary, Shuster defended him: "[T]o see him have to go through this is absolutely infuriating, to see the way these groups used him for pure political gain is absolutely infuriating."
Don't kid yourself. Shuster INTENDED to attack Chelsea.
After asking "But doesn't it seem like Chelsea's sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?" he then said: "I will give Chelsea Clinton a break when she sits down and gives an interview to somebody like ... Bob Franken, because if she ... wants to do all this stuff, then she should face the questions, right?"
Shuster tried to be inflammatory and succeeded. He has no one to blame but himself.
He has good chops as a reporter, and I hope he sticks to that instead of trying to wangle an invite to Jack Welch's stable.
How long is the suspension for?
Noone is allowed to insult the daughter of our future Queen.
He would be best to watch his back for the rest of the year, and stay away from airplanes. He will probably end up suffering the same fate of Senator Wellstone.
Bush has went to great lengths to prepare our country for a full dictatorship, Mr Shuster should have known better than to speak this way towards the already chosen heir to Bush's throne.
Oh give me a fucking break. He says "pimped", a stupid thing to say, and he gets suspended? Chris Matthews says stupid shit all the time and hardly gets his hand slapped, while Tucker can say stupid shit and... hey, nobody is watching him.
This is a fake controversy.
daPlaya @ 5:
As a 30-something, I agree. At worst Shuster was being unprofessional for using slang, which is far from "out of line". And last I checked, NBC doesn't usually suspend it's personalities for on-air unprofessionality. (I'm sure someone will come up with instances where someone was suspended, I'm talking "on the whole" they don't suspend for unprofessionality. If that were the case, most of MSNBC's dayside crew would be suspended on at least a weekly basis.)
Unfortunately, he'll be suspended for a phrase he used covering a story that really didn't matter. Because it's not a big deal that Chelsea is campaigning for her mom. In fact, it's pretty much expected that she does. And calling superdelegates is part of this process. It was a non-story, spurred on by The View Crew, whose comments were worse. They were making fun of Chelsea. Shuster was just using a slang term.
And indeed. Why hasn't Matthews been suspended? His comments have been down right deplorable, plus, he's 50% insane. Just look at the looks Keith shoots his way on Election nights.
If only they had suspended Tucker!
I've heard worse from others. At least this proves David is human. Hang in there, David. You have a lot of support.
This to me is the worst aspect of being liberal:conscience. The Repubs kick our ass when it comes to speaking and acting without remorse. Sometimes things just have to be a bit adult like dirty when dealing with some of those righty cocksuckers. Shuster's words were a little inappropriate, but they lowered the damn bar with constant hateful B.S. I think Shuster deserves a pass, period.
I am really shocked. The trash and garbage that comes out of Scarboroughs ass everyday and he gets 3 hours ever day?
I heard David's apologize but a suspension... If he had a history like Imus, or those other nitwits I would agree. Suspend the other assholes, no fire them.
I hope he comes back albeit with his head hanging down.
LiberalTarian @ 29:
They are a hateful bunch aren't they? Their leader is running on a platform of unity and post-partisanship, yet they demonize anyone who doesn't sign on to the mantra. They can't see it, but they're really not so different from the neocons they purport to despise. Wherever I go in the blogosphere, this is the scariest group of true believers I've ever encountered.
Jesus, could Tippers' heirs make more out of a molehill? It's idiomatic now, bitches! Welcome to the 21st century.
According to David Shuster, Chelsea is being pimped out. I'm not sure if Shuster is an MSNBC journalist or some white guy doing his best impersonation of Snoop Dogg.
Think about it. Did Schuster ever ask if Mitt Romney's sons were being "pimped out"? If course not. Mitt's a man and so are his sons. There is no way the phrase would have slipped out of Schuster's mouth if he were talking about Romney's sons working to get him elected.
Chelsea Clinton is making phone calls and shaking hands, just like all the other politician's grown kids are doing. You know and I know he used "pimped out" because she's a female and because she's a Clinton and men in the media simply cannot get over the Clintons' sex life.
Dear Media: Get the fuck over it. Not everybody lives like you do. You all slavered over details of Clinton's sex life but you never questioned Newt Gingrich's. Or Al D'Amato's. Or Joe Scarborough's. And you wonder why Chelsea Clinton won't talk to you oafs.
David Shuster calls the corporate machine on their bullshit too often, and that is why he gets suspended, and why corporate machine oafficial mascot Tweety Matthews can go on drooling about Aqua Velva, and worse, with no fear of repercussions... after all, he is only doing his master's bidding.
Steveboy @ 72:
You have obviously never taken a foray into Freeperland, then.
Must be a generational gap thing. As a 20-something that didn’t strike me as disrespectful or anything…thats just everyday slang we use.
------------------------------------------
Yeah, I'm in my '50's. But I know what pimped out means, and use it myself to describe something, like a car or a computer, with all the bells and whistles. You might even use it to describe a person who is dressed to kill. But saying a young woman is being pimped out when you are referring to her being put to work for her mother is way too loaded. It is a slur aimed at both of them.
Having said that, Shuster should make a real apology (the one he gave this morning was of the "if anyone was offended" variety) and get back to work.
Steveboy @ 72:
I'm with ya.
I'm on the fence between these two since my guy(Edwards) left the race. I honestly see very little difference between Obama and Clinton. Each campaign- and their purported supporters- are both turning me off. I'll vote for the Democratic candidate in November, but with all of the negativity, I'm worrying that I'll be in the minority on this one.
From the tenor of these comments I can surmise the following:
1. Anyone can say ANYTHING about the Clintons any time they want.
2. There is nothing too offensive, nasty or false enough to be out of bounds when talking about the Clintons.
3. The Clintons are not human beings with feelings, thoughts or emotions.
4. They have no right to expect anyone should treat them with respect or common courtesy.
5. Any comment made about the Clintons, when made about someone else (Mr. Obama, for example), would be an outrage.
I am appalled that people who identify themselves as "progressives" stoop to the level of the average Freeper when commenting on this incident. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Do not for one moment think that this kind of talk from a "reporter" is not aimed at all women with the absolute goal of making sure that the next woman who might consider running for president understands just exactly how she will be treated.
This election has shown the extreme hatred towards women in this country. Are other languages so full of words with double meanings, one of which is 'all a woman is good for is to be used, abused and killed by men...'? Listen closely to the Hate-Hillary crowd and ask yourself how what is being said would sound if applied to the other candidates. You may find, like me, that the Hate-Hillary crowd is the Hate-Female-that-doesn't-know-her-place crowd, or the Hate-Female-with-power-crowd or the Hate-Female-with-independant-thought crowd... or just the plain old Hate-Female crowd.... and since Chelsea is a female, vocal, independant, smart... better put her down too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIxgw04Y0Fc
If he had been concentrating more on his delivery than the controversy he was manufacturing there wouldn't have been a problem. Coming from a person of Shuster's alleged caliber, one would have expected "exploited" or "taken advantage of" to be closer to rolling off the tongue. Some of these talking heads can come across as pretty sophisticated when taken a few sound bites at a time, but once again the facade has come crashing down.
David Shuster has been appropriately suspended for I don't have any idea how long. I liked David and still do, but appearing on Scarborough is his downfall. Rightly Scarborough should be fired because he is doing the same thing to Mika.
She was much more balanced at the beginning, but she has started leaning more and more to the right, probably to please Scarb.
Shuster should also stay away from Tucker. He, like Scarborough should both get walking papers with a recommendation to go apply at Fox. They are always looking for loons.
Matthews is another case. He and Buchanan should take an extended leave. Those two clowns are on MSNBC, and even other channels, 24/7. Don't they have a home-life? Don't they ever sleep? And Buchanan - they should handcuff his hands to his chair, or make him sit on his hands. That constant chopping gets on people's nerves.
abarts @ 69:
As Obama supporters, we feel even more energized by the comment and the aftermath (we know that the Clinton people called NBC -- this outrage is so much more effective than Hillary's tears, isn't it Mr. Penn? And so efficient -- no more 5 million loans needed if you can ask the media to explain the headline "They call my daughter a whore!" to the targeted audience nation-wide) Anything short of the nomination is not acceptable for us. NBC, thank you for giving the Obama campaign such a boost!
Sorry. Dont buy it. Clinton's gigantic thing is that the Republicans will throw buckets of dirt at her in the general election and only she can take it.
Then what the hell is Hillary doing, if she is such a concerned parent, putting her daughter in harm's way? [Chelsea is 28 years old, and living in NYC, is she not?]
They didn't suspend bill clinton for his udertone code racist marks, though every one with a brain got his message. We are tired of the holy than thou Clintons. They are an embrassment to this country. Can't they leave us alone?
Did I miss something? When did Chelsea Clinton enter the race for President?
That's why Schuster needed to apologize - because Chelsea is not running for office.
And no she doesn't have to answer questions or submit to an interview. The MSM didn't grill the Romey boys during their bus tour.
I can't decide if this is a 'phony outrage' moment or a 'dumbing down the media' moment.
I am so very confused.
Wien @ 16:
I was wondering what we would be hearing if someone said that Laura was pimping out the twins? The fucking rightwingnuts would go ballistic!
See, we don't EXPECT that from David Shuster, because he's usually quite strong. However, when they hire pundits for the sole purpose of having them say loony things, it's a little harder for them to bring down the hammer on those guys.
A bit of a can't-win situation for MSNBC: they had to do something, yet it's impossible to do something without appearing just a smidge hypocritical in the process.
Sooo, is there a video accompanying this little faux pas? Or should I be too outraged to even think of hearing this vile comment repeated?
Shuster, he seemed like a good enough bloke, seems he misspoke. I wouldn't exactly call for his lynching (just a figure of speech, albeit a bad one)
Poor Shuster! He's a gunius trapped in a world full of retardation!
IdahoMoe @ 11:
And he never made any racist comments about BO. Read the transcripts, the reporters made the comments, but Barack Obama didn't listen to what was actually said.
zen @ 87:
Tool? He just dropped out of the GOP race.
Saint Augustine @ 90:
How about if an anchor said Obama was pimping out his daughters (who frequently appear with him) or pimping out Michelle? Just slang, right.
Well Kyle - I wouldn't know what people in the 1950's said or thought - I'll leave the dispensing of that information to you. As for me - most women got that it was an insult. Just because it's currently fashionable to refer to women and girls as ho's doesn't make it right - or is only wrong when those ho's are 'nappy headed' and the insult is delivered by someone known for spewing hate?. I guess it's OK 'cause it's only Hillary, after all. And everyone hates her and her family - right?
Perhaps you can school us on that as well.
Big deal...not...if this is the standard,all of fox,rush and the hate bunch would be shut down by the FCC.
Well, after listening to his "apology" I'm not at all sensing any genuine remorse.
Just another newsbot who made a Freudian slip, likely a neocon programmed to sound rational.
He's a fucktard
Truly Equal @ 66:
They are both fucktards.
Steveboy @ 72:
I support Obama. I would make two points. All of his supporters are not this way so please don't paint us with so broad a brush. Secondly, I think the level on both sides is really out of control. I hate the name calling (calling her a b & an c) as much as I hate the closet muslim and rezKo smears.
It's about respect.
One of the casualties of horserace coverage and politics as entertainment is the idea that anyone in public life deserves any.
The problem is, we are the losers. Just look at these comments. We Democrats have two good candidates and yet media wannabees have us gnawing off our own legs.
There's another part of this story that's not getting more coverage - what led David Shuster in that direction was the fact that even though Chelsea Clinton is now campaigning for her mother - she is off limits to the press and cannot ask or question her....which I think is bull and he's been questioning also - she's not private anymore!!
Now the person raising the issue is gone - who'll ask/follow it now?
I do think his choice of word could have been better.
The rule has always been when it comes to Presidents kids you don't just use kids glove you do even touch them saying that Chelsea’s being “pimped out” is an outrage on par with Limbaughs compareing her at the age of 13 to a dog.
kaT @ 96:
No, definately not just slang. I respect Schuster and I think he should have his own program. He is being held to a higher standard because he is so much better than Matthews or Carlson. Now if the comment had been made by O'Lielly we would be outraged but wouldn't expect Faux to do anything because we know Billo is an asshole.
How people get by without apologizing, I'll never know. He did not apologize. He basically said if anyone was offended by his comments about pimping out Clinton's daughter, he's sorry. That's not an apology. He is basically saying there was nothing wrong with what he said, but he is sorry if someone took it wrong. How come he can't just be a man and admit he said something wrong instead of some people took him wrong. These right wingers creep up every where, even in the legitimate main stream media like MSNBC.
As a thirty-something, I take offense at the remark, but anecdotal reporting of whether one is offended doesn't prove anything. If these people aren't saying something provocative, they aren't trying, and if they don't provide the requisite provocative sound bite, they are going to get canned because there appears to be some perverse connection between complaints and staying on the air. For some reason, without complaints, they must assume people aren't watching (and becoming overcome with outrage.) Some things are beyond the pail. Of course he should be suspended, and of course more should probably have been for other offenses, but it reminds me of this joke:
A highway patrolman pulls over a man for speeding. The driver says, "But the guy in front of me was going faster than I was." The policeman says, "Ever go fishing?" "Yeah, sure." "Ever catch all the fish in the lake?"
[I didn't say it was a good joke, but merely meant to illustrate a point.]
I would suggest people pick up a book and turn off the tv. I am fed-up with people who obviously haven't informed themselves beyond what has been on tv. (This is not meant to impugn anyone here, just venting about personal encounters.) I would say that these hyperbolic statements about Hillary being royalty-in-waiting are the most ill-informed tin hat speculation that I've ever heard--I guess one bad joke just opens the flood gates, doesn't it.
But seriously, Democratic Hillary haters, try to get a grip. A Democrat must be elected this time because the Supreme Court is going to have a few vacancies within the next 8-10 years, at the outside. Unfortunately, it is no hyperbole to say your freedom is at stake because McCain (or any Repug) is going to appoint more "Federalists"--hyperbole which really means "repeal the New Deal governmental protections and the privacy cases (which actually started with birth control before getting to abortion...ah, but they're only women anyway)"--like Alito and Roberts. But if you really think that BROWN really meant to say, "The way we stop discriminating is to stop discriminating," good luck with that.
Saint Augustine @ 105:
Now if the comment had been made by O'Lielly we would be outraged but wouldn't expect Faux to do anything because we know Billo is an asshole.
Yes, the difference is we expect this from O'Reilly, not Shuster, who apparently is as classless as BillO
CD @ 104:
That rule surely doesn't- or at least, imo, shouldn't- apply to a 28 year old woman who is actively campaigning for her parent. We aren't talking about the 13 year old daughter of a sitting President.
His choice of words was a bit out of line, though it was simply more casual than anything. "pimp" doesn't apply to much imo, as in "I pimped myself to move some wine at the store today," inferring not that I did anything dirty or untoward, but that I suspended my true personal opinion to support the better cause. Not Webster's, but that's the News today.
If this was deserving of censure, then why do Beck, all of Fox News, and other get away with insulting Muslims in AMerica and calling the "terrorists?" How does Matthews get away with all his stuff, and how does Scarborough not face sexual harassment charges?
Let's not even get started with Tucker's inanity.
And yes, why does Chelsea get immunity form press questions while campaigning for her mom?
And, why is it news when a daughter supports her mother? It's news when offspring don't, but.....
And how much of an endorsement is it, really? How is Chelsea anything more than another "fortunate son (daughter)"?
Ok, I just watched David's apology on Tucker. He looked and sounded sincere. I did not see his apology this morning, was this different?
reading about this just now, it seems totally blown out of proportion and now reading this: http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/hillary_campaign...
and particularly this part.."Wolsfon (top Hillary adviser) added: "You have to question whether or not there is a pattern here on the part of the network (MSNBC)." He added: "Is this part of a pattern? I don't know, but [it's] beneath contempt."
Then, unbidden, he concluded: "I'll say this. We've done a number of debates on that network...I at this point can't envision a scenario where we would debate on that network given the comments that were made and have been made."" it REALLY is just getting blown out of proportion
Truth B Told @ 1:
The fact that anyone is calling these super delegates stinks regardless if it is Clinton or anyone else. Let the voters decide hopefully and if the super delegates decide this election, they will lose half the party including me.
“I will give Chelsea Clinton a break when she sits down and gives an interview to somebody like … Bob Franken, because if she … wants to do all this stuff, then she should face the questions, right?”
Excuse the fuck me? Schuster will "give Chelsea Clinton a break" when she bows to his demands?
And why should she face questions from reporters? When did Mitt Romney's sons call a press conference so they could get grilled about their parents? How many questions did the press ask Mary Cheney when she was an officially paid member of the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign? What is it about Chelsea Clinton that brings out the knives from these guys? I'll tell you. It's because they hate the Clintons and they feel they can say and do anything when it comes to the Clintons.
I am glad the Clintons are calling these guys on their bullshit. And I'm not even a fan of Hillary Clinton. I don't really like her and didn't vote for her. But goddamn it, stop with this one-sided shrill anti-Clinton bullshit as if it is the birthright of "reporters" (notice they only want to be real reporters "grilling" someone when it is a Clinton. When it's a Bush, they all revert to stenography) to pile on one family.
And yes, Chris Matthews should have been suspended and Scarborough should have been suspended for his remarks about Thompson's wife.
Well shit, SHE IS being "pimped out"
Hillary can't do anything in the youth vote so she is sending Chelsea to colleges to speak!
Ok, Chelsea is a grown woman who has always been very private. Hillary has started using her to gain a demographic...
Function: verb
transitive verb
: to make use of often dishonorably for one's own gain or benefit
john, thank you so much for posting this. you do a service to public awareness when you stand up for the truth--especially in defiance of the msm, which has totally lost its marbles--and i respect that. thank you.
I heard the remark Shuster made last night and it angered me not for the "pimp" phrase (I guess I'm immune to that type of language) but I was angered more for why he singled Chelsea out. Why does her campaigning for her Mom make it "unseemly"? Was it unseemly to have the Romney sons, or the Bush twins campaign for their fathers? Is it unseemly for Caroline Kennedy to evoke the name of her father when campaigning for Obama? Never heard a word from Shuster and the MSNBC gang on those cases. Caroline Kennedy has always been a very private person and the press has respected that, but now that she has jumped in to the fray (at her children's urging) does she (and her kids) become tabloid fodder? Should be interesting the next time her daughter puts up racy pics on her facebook. (or does Caroline get a pass because she's an Obama fan?)
Come on now... This is not a story! Shuster, who is a great reporter and is not yet used to filling an hour of talk made a stupid mistake. There was no hatred directed toward the Clinton's, it was a poor choice of words nothing more.
To see all this Hillary is the victim shit is ridiculous, boy does thaat woman know how to play the media and female base she has!
Shuster just made another, much better, apology on "Tucker". He called his remarks "innapropriate" and said his critics were "justifiably offended".
Right on both counts. Hope he's back soon.
Truly Equal @ 66:
Amen. You want real controversy, check out Peter Paul's Story. The real goods are in the second part.
Then, there's always Siebel Edmonds, but who the fuck cares what she has to say?
odanny @ 108:
Yes, the difference is we expect this from O'Reilly, not Shuster, who apparently is as classless as BillO
I know from my own experience that being in certain company can influence one's words. I believe Schuster is a quality product and that he made a mistake. I trust he will have learned from this experience and not be influenced by some of the people he works with.
I'm reminded of the time I overheard a man of the cloth say "damn it" when playing golf with another man of the cloth. Having been friends for years, these two men said things on the golf course that would not have boded well for them if said in front of their congregations!
I voted for Obama and I really hope he wins. But I have to say, right now the rest of his supporters are on my last nerve.
Steveboy @ 72:
Worth repeating.
But then I'm a stupid activist Boomer, what could I possibly know?
@ John 115: Well, shit Chelsea isn't doing it for her own gain or benefit. So, your quest to be the truth-sayer falls dreadfully short. Families shouldn't campaign? Get real. Or at least try to dig up a definition that fits.
To restate something that probably got lost in my three hour post:
(Caveat, I started with Kucinich, but for I'm not stupid enough to give the Repugs the election.)
If she wins, Democratic Hillary haters, need to get a grip. A Democrat must be elected this time because the Supreme Court is going to have a few vacancies within the next 8-10 years, at the outside. Unfortunately, it is no hyperbole to say your freedom is at stake because McCain (or any Repug) is going to appoint more “Federalists”–hyperbole which really means “repeal the New Deal governmental protections and the privacy cases (which actually started with birth control before getting to abortion…ah, but they’re only women anyway)”–like Alito and Roberts. But if you really think that BROWN really meant to say, “The way we stop discriminating is to stop discriminating,” good luck with that.
This is not an isolated incident, MSNBC has been slandering Hillary from the beginning of this campaign, it has been getting worse and worse, with one after another journalist taking a shot at her.. Somebody had to finally go over the line.. Now it has happened, I'm kinda of sorry that it was David, I was sure it was going to be Twitty..
A ridiculous non-controversy that makes MSNBC look retarded. Yeah, I actually do find it a bit hypocritical when the Clintons use Chelsea to help their campaign but make her 'off limits' to the media. No one else does this and gets a break. The use of "pimp" is pretty appropriate and obviously non-sexual in context to what he said, but we live in bullshit PC world where we need to avoid offending anyone so Shuster gets his career fucked up over NOTHING.
And this is coming from someone who plans on voting for Hillary. What a joke. If they wanted to bash a media outlet for being anti-Clinton then look no further than FoxNews.
History Book - Modern Times
Chapter 21 (2000-2010)
... American people felt sorry for Hillary Clinton after she cried notoriously before the famous primaries. Later her daughter was victimized by the media, being called a whore at some point and the parents and strategist being referred to as pimps, so the public just couldn't stand it anymore and ultimately voted for her out of pity and gender solidarity. Years passed and the neo-con polices continued. The war in Iraq has never ended, but that was a prediction of Clinton's contender back then, John McCain, who just couldn't resist the Clinton machine in '08. Bill Clinton later helped to pass a new NAFTA-like plan, called 3RDWORLDCOUNTRYFTA, that farther ruined American workers and dramatically decreased the US standard of living. The war and trade policies were too much to bare for the American public in 2012 and Clinton eventually lost her presidential campaign to Jeb Bush, a brother of George W. Bush...
A sign of a desperate campaign is to try to get traction out of BS like the flippant Chelsea remark, and MSNBC is certainly bending over to accommodate it.
The coverage on MSNBC tonight seems almost like a Clinton infomercial. How many times do we need to see and hear the tape of the kinder and gentler Bill? Comparing Clinton-Obama coverage in the last few hours alone, it seems like 3-1 in Clinton's favor. You'd think they'd at least be a little more discreet about it.
zen @ 87:
I agree with you, zen. The outrage is ridick. And Chelsea Clinton is an adult. If she isn't, then the Clintons should be faulted for sending her to campaign in states alone and without parental supervision.
Apart from Olbermann and an occasional Matthews, MSNBC has lost me. I can catch the salient clips here.
Shuster is such a fine serious reporter. To do this to him when he was yanked into a talk-show fill-in job for Joe Scarborough is unnecessary. If this was his regular gig, fine. But it wasn't.
this started when msnbc decided to go "fox" with their news channel. chris matthews got the ball rolling and he hasn't stopped since. it's not entirely david shuster's fault. it's the culture at the network. there's years and years of hate and invective against the clintons from msnbc that helped bring this about. the people in charge there are the ones who should go on camera and apologize. then they should get started making it a real news organization again. firing chris matthews would be a good place to start.
This is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard in at least a couple days. How P.C. have we become where the guy can't make a simple mistake and then simply apologize for it!? The phrase "pimping out" in today's parlance does not equate prostitution despite its relation to the word pimp. MSNBC should apologize to David Schuster for not simply accepting his apology.
Every year that goes by I think more seriously about getting the hell out of this P.C., religious freak filled, morally bankrupt, lobbyist controlled country.
I'd say "God help us all" but of course that is just another creation of the sheople.
MSNBC's treatment of Matthews and Shuster kind of reminds me how the NCAA treats its big money programs like Notre Dame with kid gloves but gives the littler guys a load of punishment. Like Jerry Tarkanian once said, "The NCAA is so mad at Kentucky, they're gonna give Cleveland State another 3 years probation."
Muddy @ 124:
lmao... YOU ARE DENSE...
Hillary is using Chelsea dishonorably to HER benefit!
Also, i never said families shouldn't campaign! Where did I say that?
You can't have Chelsea campaign for her mom but hide her from scrutiny! Thats the problem!
Everytime Hillary looks like she is in trouble something grabs the sympathy card..
- Before NH she cries
- Before Super Tuesday she cries
- She announces she is loaning herself 5 mil because her opponent has raised more then her.
- Now she is low on cash and heading into 3 primaries where she doesn't look very good (except for WA) and this happens and is blown out of proportion!
Think about this, she was the front runner for the last year!
After Iowa she said she didn't expect to win,
Before NH she said she didn't expect to win
Before SC she lowered expectations
Before Super Tuesday she lowered expectations
All this happened even though she was leading in the polls EVERYWHERE (except Illinois) up to the last week! You people wonder why Obama fans aren't Hillary fans? Obama hasn't lowered expectations! He goes into contests with High expectations at the risk of falling short!
The Deomcrat Candidates agreed in August to not seat the delegates from MI & FL and yet after she won FL and realized she needed the delegates she is now fighting to get them counted! You can't change the rules!
There has been such a blatant bash Hillary love-fest on MSNBC and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. Imagine if David had said that Obama is pimping Michelle, Caroline, or Oprah. You hypocrites would be up in arms. Many of you appear to be immature, uncouth, vile and so blind for your love of Obama, that you are as fanatical as the Right wingers. You have lost all concept of what is right vs. wrong. You Obamamaniacs are scary and are not helping Obama's campaign. Take a good look at yourselves!
Andy K @ 79:
I like Hillary, but I like Obama more. The major policy difference I see is that Clinton is more hawkish on foreign policy. Elections are about policy and personality, and I think Obama carries more people with his personality. I think he's more likely to be elected, and I think he's more likely to be able to institute progressive policy after he's elected.
I'm sorry if y'all have run into obnoxious Obama fans. I got nothing but love for HRC, but I recognize there are people who get all crazy about her. Its not necessarily fair, but its true.
But were we not talking about Cheney's lesbian daughter, and do you remember the outrage then. At that time she was neither called an inappropriate name nor was anything said about her, only that she was gay, which was even then well known.
Saying that Chesea was being pimped is way over the top.
Dr. Squid @ 133:
Yeah. I'm sorry, but I don't see it. Maybe they are quick to respond because of Imus, but I think the verb "to pimp" should be part of our every day lexicon (with all its connotations). Would it be better if he said that Chelsae was prostituting herself?
Shuster is supposed to report the news. I wish more newscasters would say exactly what is happening even if the words aren't pleasant.
grand Marnier @ 135:
Good point, I suppose, except in so far as Oprah, Michelle, and Caroline (Kennedy?) are adults and not subject to the same kind of influence that a daughter is subject to from her parents.
Maybe it comes down to this, if Chelsae Clinton approached the Clinton team and said, "What can I do to help?" then this is over-the-top. But if Bill or Hillary leaned on Chelsae to go to bat for them, then its an accurate description to say "pimping." I think Shuster was saying that he suspected the latter.
But upon reflection, I can see what you're saying. It was probably inappropriate.
ronhohn @ 137:
I've got to disagree with that last bit. It isn't OTP. It certainly wasn't meant to be a compliment, but if you ask the average viewer of, say, Pimp My Ride if this was a horrible comment, they'd probably laugh in your face.
The problem here is that we live in a society that is both calloused and sensitive. Go figure.
Shuster's judgement needed to be checked, however. He should know that there's a huge segment of the society that will take his words in a way that he didn't intend them to be taken. He's a professional communicator, fer chrissakes!
grand Marnier @ 135:
And thanks for playing "REALLY BAD ANALOGIES"
Come on now... Shusted implied that Chelsea didn't have a choice! That she was at her mom's will! Oprah, Caroline and Maria all went out there on their own, and they are established in the world..
I 'm so angry about this and especially the sick obama cultist that are defending this offensive remark.
But if it had been directed at sasha and malia obama the cultist would be having race riots.
MSNBC JUST BEAT FOX NEWS IN SLIME REPORTING. THEY HAVE BECOME WHAT THEY LOVE TO HATE.
.
Of course this is nothing like the blow hard Fascist Propagandists over on FOX PRAVDA NETWORK have done to Obama... NO?
What with the Madrassa swift boating and the middle name being Hussein and all, or that he's brown skinned and would look better in a turban and such... NO?
Just checking...
'Cause it's Bill Clinton doing the pimping, not Chelsea, K?
.
Excuse me:
OTPOTT.Old Billy @ 138:
So you no problem with Tweety getting no punishment for much the same thing.
That was my point, and thanks for calling me a sexist for pointing it out. Asshole.
Indefensible Period. The Old boys club at MSNBC are out of control. Termination, en masse, need to be implemented at that network. And i am equally sick of the Obama Cultists, in ANY way, defending it!!!
NCTL @ 142:
You Pant Suit Blog Patrolers are HILARIOUS...
Obama fans never said you can't be mad.. As one of them I find it horrible what he said, however I think too much is being taken from it! He made a stupid comment! It's that simple... I like how the Hillary supporters have come to call us "cultists" wow someone backs a candidate that brings them hope and inspiration, brings hundreads of thousands of new people to the election process and they are a cult now? Any candidate would be happy to have the Obama "cultists" behind them!
In reality are we any different the the blind hillary supporters? The people who vote for her because she is a woman or because they feel sory for her? Shit, just vote with your heart.
John @ 147:
John, I pointed out up-thread that I'm on the fence, so don't take this the wrong way...But I'm going to vote with my head. I always have. Just happens that my head and my heart were always on the same page in the past.
Michele Walsh @ 80:
Mother of schtupp, are you people kidding me? For real? Did some ayall jump online right after a society cotillion in 1953? Re-emphasis: It is a cross-gender idiomatic phrase that has ceased to have ANYTHING to do with gender or promiscuity. It is about glossing stuff up and selling stuff. THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS NOW. AND HAS FOR MANY YEARS. TO MANY MANY PEOPLE. Grow the hell up and get your eyeballs focused on something real, like getting rich assholes' money out of politicians' pants and policies and, um, maybe, staving off the whole world-being-destroyed thing.
Personally I just want a Dem in congress. I have nothing against Hillary I just don't think she can beat McCain.
This is wrong on so many levels. Liberals don't make insensitive and bigotted comments about anyone, especially other liberals. Everyone knows that. And if they do, surely it must be a slip of the tongue. Shuster deserves the standard pass here.
Just because he made this overhyped statement and just because he laughed at Mitt Romney's concession speech, tried to embarrass a US congresswomen and then mistakenly named fallen sodiers that did not even live in her district, and erroneously announced the impending indictment of Karl Rove, all this does in no way mean he's a lackey tool. I wish everyone would stop calling him that.
When Keith Olbermann says 'pass the guacomole' or 'chicken and waffles' or calls a Jewish newscaster a monkey, we gave him a pass and stood tall for him. So let's all afford David Shuster the same consideration.
We were correct in hyping him for more airtime on MSNBC and we should once again demand his return to the network. He's one of us for Goddess' sake.
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