Okay Mathews is a Dillhole, but when you read the entire question in context this wasn't that bad a statement. Not even close to some of the other things MMA has caught him on.

Gee, Really?!?!?  Okay, here's the entire question:

"Let me ask you about how he -- how's he connect with regular people? Does he? Or does he only appeal to people who come from the African-American community and from the people who have college or advanced degrees?"--Tweety

So now, let me ask:  Do you believe that African Americans and people who have a college degree are somehow irregular?

 

 

Let me stop you right there Rick. My wife is an African American, in about one more semester she'll be an African American with a college degree, so you cut the patronizing tone. Now, like I said Mathews is a dillhole, who has said much worse things, for him this is mild.

The fact that he has said things that are "worse" does not make this statement any better.  As a "Journalist," he needs to be called out he pulls this type of crap--every time, not just when it's really really bad.

By the way, I certainly wasn't attempting to be patronizing, since I have no idea who you are.

Point taken, just because he was lest idiotic and racist than usual isn't a reason to give him a pass. I stand corrected.

No harm DDC, (at least I thought, until I got back to my computer and started scrolling down).  Looks like we started a big argument, then left to have a beer where it was quieter.  :-)

Beer ?  You probably had GREEN TEA !  You irregular college-degreed and/or African American, you ! 

So "mild" racism is okay?

I'm sorry, I just don't understand your comment.

Is there some kind of barometer for racism and/or misinformation that MMFA should be monitoring?

Even given your arbitrary label of this as "mild," I would much rather MMFA call Matthews on ALL of his BS comments, not just the ridiculously, absurdly way over-the-top egregious ones.

"Mild" misinformation is still misinformation.

"Mild" racism is still racism. 

Well, if racism explains his African American reference, what bigotry of his is highlighted by his college grad reference?  Or is there no place in the liberal victim dictionary for them, so it's OK, right?

Oh, Tommy ... come down from your high horse. The "liberal victim" thing  is as old and tired as your "Why is this here?" act. The point is that Matthews is once again trying rationalize Obama's support through the right-wing prism. This is a tried-and-true part of the right-wing agenda ... marginalize Democratic constituencies as outside the "normal." Feel free not to comment if you deem the topic silly ... but spare us the manufactured outrage. It's lame.

Thanks Sportsguy, I'll take it from here.  It goes back to what conservatives believe a patriot to be and what an actual patriot is.  If the Americans who settled here from England were "patriots" we'd still belong to the British.  Conservatives have their own definition for everything.  Similarly, African-Americans and college grads aren't regular people I guess.  And this isn't insignificant.  The whole black community this and latino community that is played up too much imo.  We are all Americans.  I know this isn't a newsflash, but Obama appeals to more than those two categories of people Chris. 

August,

First off, Matthews is no conservative, and his campaign fawning over Obama hardly squares with the flak he is taking with these harmless comments.

As I said earlier, (later on in this thread) - his reference to "regular people", in my opinion, are the working class Democrats, the base of the party that their nominee needs to win in November. How anyone can infer from that he thinks everyone else is "irregular" is unwarranted - it should not be taken literally.

First off, Matthews is no conservative, and his campaign fawning over Obama hardly squares with the flak he is taking with these harmless comments.

Tommy, good point.  The guy has practically professed his love for BO, and yet he now his advancing the conservative agenda to his hero's detriment. right.  CM and Olbermann would sooner shoot themselves than portray Obama in a poor light. CM can barely walk in BO's presence, with his legs all tingly . . .

What are you talking about.  Is this the same Chris Matthews who said Fred Thompson had a presidential look.  Or the same Matthews who fawned over Giuliani being America's Mayor.  Or the Matthews who is so in love with McCain.  I have never heard him speak positively of Hillary.  He was one of the main cheerleaders in the Kerry flip-flopping fiasco.  This is also the same guy who gushed over Bush looking like a leader when he hopped out of the fighter jet.  Remember "Mission Accomplished?"  What the hell are you revisionist historians talking about?!?

That would probably be a good response to a different post.  But interestingly you don't, and can't, refute that he gushes over Obama.

How about that it doesn't matter?  You all talk about it like he is actually in love with them.  It's getting pretty ridiculous, to tell you the truth.

It's also ridiculous to complain that Matthews conspires to further the 'conseervative' agenda by degrading BO's supporters

He's framing his terms as a Conservative would...which is what most of the MSM does these days.

Strawman alert. Who says he is part of any conspiricy? The false frame he used is benificial to a conservative narrative.

And your "false frame" rants are lethal to the liberal agenda.

Really? Challenging false frames is BAD for liberals? I dont see how. I mean your stupidity hasnt hurt conservatives that much.

Which is why, once the primary season is over, Mr. Matthews will be falling all over John McCain.  The media is trying to elect Barack Obama, and will totally flip to John McCain for the general election.  You just watch. I am willing to be money on it. A lot of money.

A false frame like this is still a legitimate complaint no matter how Chris feels about Obama. He has a tendency to hero worship this guy then that guy. That doesnt stop him from pushing these false frames they SHOULD be exposed.

Outrage?  I would say those who say this comment from Matthews is racist are the ones who are outraged.  How ridiculous, more conspiracy rightwing media baloney that the Democrats use so they can blame someone else, yes, play the victim........sorry you don't see it.

I would say those who say this comment from Matthews is racist are the ones who are outraged.

By your count, how many people have done that here?

Therick, "every time".

Deeznuts, calling it "mild" racism......or is that not outrage? 

Wzwriter, calling Matthews an idiot.

 

Interesting.

Gee, Tommy.  You don't believe that he should be called out on this type of crap EVERY TIME he does it?

If not, why not?

Do you believe it's okay to sometimes be racist?

And in that same post, I asked: Do you believe that African Americans and people who have a college degree are somehow irregular?

tick tock tick tock

Exactly, Gov...

I think most of us who are commenting on this are doing it in the vein of being amused, or shaking our heads at Matthews and his capacity for the vapid, meaningless, and just plain ignorant ...

But it makes Tommy and his fellow travelers feel better if they can just dismiss our thoughts as the rantings of the "angry left."

Whatever gets you through the night ... it's all right, it's all right ...

So Deeznuts is amused at "mild racism"?  Does he agree with you?

He's outraged, Tommy.  He probably broke his keyboard. You win.

Tool.

Namecaller.  :-)

Gov:

There are times when Tommy has something substantve to contribute to the discussion ... and there are times when he just wants to argue. I'd venture to say this is one of the latter times. He's resorted to name-calling, tho, so I'd say this particular discussion with him has run its course.

Nice dodge after your "amusing" comment.  I will ask again, but do you think Deeznuts is amused at mild racism, I mean, since you made the comment and all?

Tommy:

Unlike you, I'm not a mind-reader. I'd suggest you ask him. I fall into the category of holding Matthews up for the ridicule he deserves as a card-carrying member of the clueless clown posse that makes up a big portion of the national political media.

That clear things up for ya?

You are the one who made the assumption, I didn't.  I went by what he posted.....Now you backtrack from it, why not just admit it?

Tommy:

Let's try this one more time. I have no idea what Deeznuts thinks of the topic. I wasn't addressing his point. I was offering an opinion admittedly perhaps a generalization, based on my own perceptions ... which according to you, is allowed.

Got it now?

That's right where I'm at.  Matthews (etc.) does not represent America, he's just a high-paid tool who sees the America through pricey hotel windows and breaks bread w/ other tools who make their livings dissecting and generalizing the masses from their privileged vantage points.

Tommy do you not see that he's not asking this question honestly?  He asks if Obama connects with regular people.  Idiot. I guess all of these folks that have been polled and say they prefer Obama to Hillary and McCain are all either black or college educated.  The question is a race-baiting question.  Has nothing to do with right wing or left wing.  Sorry you don't see that.

August, I said I don't agree with Matthews, but this item is misplaced, he is offering his opinion and MMFA just doesn't like it.

Exactly my point.  These bobble heads are giving their personal opinions and they are racist.  I'm sorry.  Everyone got their panties, boxers and thongs in a bunch when Obama said "typical white person".  Understandable.  Where is the outrage when Matthews says he expects Obama to be a good basketball player, or do regular people connect with Barack besides African Americans or Pat Pukecannon basically saying blacks are better off because of slavery.  I'm waiting for someone to engage me in that last comment.  So Tommy tell me why the media isn't outraged when people give their racist views of blacks, but are ready to exile a man for saying "G.D. America?" The only answer is double standard.

August, I never said one word about Obama saying "typical white person", it was much ado about nothing, in my opinion. Everyone is way too sensitive these days to every single comment made by someone they don't like politically, it's 99% ideologically driven and it's ridiculous.

All it does is demean and cheapen real racial incidences.

Blacks are not regular people.  WITH?

Tommy, I'm not speaking to you directly.  I'm simply trying to show you why this is a big deal.  All these white folks in America got soooo offended when Pastor Wright made some negative comments, offended when Obama says "typical white person" but no one gives a rats arse if the media is speaking this way of a minority.  When taken collectively it's more there than just one comment being taken too seriously.  Furthermore, I am beside myself that no one has taken Pat Pukecannon to task about his saying blacks are better off because of slavery.  Daily, Tommy, we daily have to accept the media speaking about us in this manner.  So when you tell me this is one comment being over analyzed, you lose me, because I have a memory like an elephant.  It's not one comment, it's an everyday comment. 

But August, you are only focusing on one half of Matthews' comment - what about the college grads he refers too?  If he had said African Americans alone, then you may have a point - but this "mild" racist angle falls apart, in my opinion, when he also mentions college grads.  That is why I believe he is speaking of "regular" people in the politically demographic sense.

And since I am a college grad, then should I be offended because he called me "irregular" too? 

I'll give you that.  I still would rather he not separate any race from being "regular" people.  You are 100 percent right.  These are racially sensitive times as they should be.  You can't have the propagandist media making comments about minorities without some sort of backlash or disappointment.  You are offended (not you specifically) by Reverend Wright's, Michelle Obama and many African-Americans disenfranchisement from America, but every chance the media gets they're showing us in prison or portraying us and our culture as being inferior in some way shape or form.  Again, just imagine if a prominent media figure said jews benefited from the holocaust.  The media would have a field day ripping that person down and yet Pukecannon's comments are passed off like 'that's just good ole Pat being Pat.' Hardy-f-in-Har.  You can't have it both ways. 

I'm sorry. Everyone got their panties, boxers and thongs in a bunch when Obama said "typical white person". Understandable. Where is the outrage when Matthews says he expects Obama to be a good basketball player, or do regular people connect with Barack besides African Americans or Pat Pukecannon basically saying blacks are better off because of slavery. I'm waiting for someone to engage me in that last comment. So Tommy tell me why the media isn't outraged when people give their racist views of blacks, but are ready to exile a man for saying "G.D. America?" The only answer is double standard.

Pat Buchanan's not running for president; he's a measley commentator. BO is, ergo he wants to represent and serve the entire united states, yet he vehemently defends and apologizes for his racist and lying friend.  By no means should that disqualify him for president, but it's more worthy of consideration then Buchanan's comments.

As for basketball, if I just saw BO on the street and never heard of him, I'd too think there's a better chance than not that he'd be good at basketball.  He's tall, young, and looks athletic.  I'd think the same of a tall, young and athletic-looking white person. If saw a 300 pound black guy who looked to be an athlete, I'd think there's a better chance than not that he'd be good at football.  Same about a white guy . . . .Does that make me racist?

 

No doesn't make you racist, just means you've probably never played a sport.  As for Buchannon.  Get real. Obama is running for president, but he never made those damn comments.  You want him to pay for what came out of another man's mouth, but have no problem with these homophobic pastors that preach against America and it's tolerance of homosexualism, weekly.  Pat Buchannon basically told blacks, be happy you're in a country that has given you rights.  You are privileged to be forced to come here on a slave ship.  All I'm asking is where's the media attention for a man making ignorant comments on MSNBC, who at one time ran to be president of the United States of America?  There will be no media coverage, because either white America agrees or it's more important to harp on a black man making disparaging comments about America than it is a white man.  Again DOUBLE STANDARD!! 

As a person who very often thinks Buchanan makes good points, I thought the comments of which you speak were outrageously stupid and yes, racist. But again, he's on a cable news channel. The overwhelming majority of Americans are unaware that he ever even uttered those remarks.

On the other hand, BO's on the national stage running for president. While I don't at all think that wright's views should be ascribed to him, I do think that, because they've been close for 20 years, that it's legitimate to ask him questions about the former's comments. It's relevant that BO spent all those years in wright's congregation. It does shed light on BO's views of the world.

As for sports. Have played, not very good. I'm tall, in shape, or athletic, like BO

 

meant to say NOT tall or athletic . . ..

Well Thomp, as I 've said before it is understandable.  I myself wondered how someone could listen to that rhetoric for 20 years.  I don't attend that church, but I don't think this sentiment was shared weekly for 20 years.  I do understand the scrutiny Obama's received for attending and supporting the church, I do not and never will understand how Hagee can make comments like this, support McCain and it's somehow not as bad.  I will never understand how Pat Buchannan can make comments about blacks benefiting from slavery with no outrage from the media.  And no Pat isn't running for president of the United States of America, he's just helping people form there opinions on who should be nominated on an international political commentary show. 

Again, although I do think Buchanan's a very smart fellow, his statements in that article were terribly outrageous, and just so stupid.  And you're also absolutely correct that his hosts on msnbc, or wherever else he appears, should question him about those comments too.

Dude.

Put down the meth pipe or syringe or whatever you're messin' with friend.

what a clever comment, douchebag

Noo00. Steve and August Heat, I promise you, I swear to you there was a rancid post by Hot Nuke I was responding to with that comment. MMFA must have rightfully scrubbed the nonsense and left mine.

I think if you follow my comments here you'll find that I think August Heat is right on with his posts on this topic.

O man, steve. I am so very sorry.

I am very sorry, August Heat. That post was not for you. It was for a post by Hot Nuke.

Actually Roundhouse, I am sorry. I re-thought what I wrote and it was inappropriate. I didn't see hotnuke's post, but even if your post was to me, it was just needling . . . . and not virulent or anything like that . . . Just woke up on the wrong side of the bed . . . Good day!!

It's alright. No need to apologize. I would fully expect to be taken to task for deliberate and unwarranted needling like that.

I hope you have a good day too. It's early, maybe you can still get on the good foot.

He is offering his OPINION wrapped in a false frame. This is dishonest. Do you get a thrill when you molest small furry animals? I am sure you have no problem with that since it is just an OPINION wrapped in a false frame.

While Tommy plays the propaganda parrot. SKWWAAAAAKKK liberal victims, SKWAAAAAKKK, victim culture SKWWWAAAAKK. SportsguyDave spelled it out exactly. It isnt that hard to understand. We all get that you are determined we allow the false frames and false characterizations alone and stop exposing them. That fits YOUR agenda. We arent playing. Lets hear a few more of your skwwwwaaaks though.

How 'bout this for ya, to sink to your level so you can understand it better..

False frame, false frame again!!!   WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!.......whine, cry, skwaaaaaaacccccccckkkkkkkk!

Delicious.  

Poooor Tommy now he is playing the conservative victim WWWAHAHHHHH. See how easy this stupid I will assign a venal motive thing is? It takes no THOUGHT which is I assume why you try it so often. You cant talk about the subtance. You KNOW its a false frame so you go to attacking the MOTIVES of us for trying to fight against these false frames. You reach into your limited hivemind talking point bag and pull out the liberal victim card. Its STUPID but it will have to do. Then you do your duty as the propaganda parrot you are and start skwaaaking. Then WHINE when you are called on it. Sad tommy.  Sad indeed.

Tommy,

 It is annoying when someone infers that being African American is some how "abnormal" or “irregular”. That said I realize that the race of the average American is White. Anyway as uncomfortable as race talk is for some of us it is necessary to have these discussions honestly and openly without lodging the racist bomb. Until we can do this there will always be this underlying your different than us regular Americans theme running through the American conscious that CM displays with this statement. It’s good to have it out in the open. As distasteful as it was to read Pat Buchanan’s you Black people are ungrateful for the food stamps we White people gave you essay I’m glad he wrote it. Pat expresses a sentiment that I believe is still prevalent enough to be damaging and we need to hear this stuff and to dispel this nonsense head on. Anyway I started to write Pat to ask why haven’t I been receiving my food stamps and public housing that WHITE people are giving to BLACK people.

 

Lynn,

I ask you because I expect you will give me your honest answer, do you really believe that Matthews thinks black people, or college grads since he lumped them together, are not "regular" people, in the literal sense? 

I wont attempt to read his mind. It isnt one of my talents what is clear is whatever he THINKS he used this false frame which clearly implies they ARENT.

I wait for Lynn's answer, to whow the question was specfically asked.

And I am sure she will give it to you.

Tommy,I honestly do. I have heard CM speak about race and he confesses to have grown up in a community that was devoid of contact with Blacks, he said he never had a Black classmate and that Blacks were seen as something different. If one did make a Black acquaintance it was always pointed out that the acquaintance was Black. I have a co-worker who does this when relaying little anecdotes where race has nothing to do with the story, but if the parking lot attendant who is only nominally involved in the tale he will say something like The parking lot attendant who was a Black guy ask me how was the weather. When people do this Tommy and I believe they mean no harm but it shows that they believe that somehow the Blacks are indeed different and that it must be pointed out. That said I believe that CM has made a special effort to grow beyond his upbringing and to evolve on those issues. I don’t think he’s there yet. It’s hard to unlearn feelings and sentiments you have held over a life time. I don’t believe CM is some raging racist, I actually believe the opposite. He probably doesn’t intend to be insensitive, but I do believe that CM probably still thinks of the bowling White guy from Altoona as being the prototype of a regular American. Now I consider myself a regular American and nobody can convince me otherwise and I have a college degree, I’m African American, and I can’t bowl to save my life. I can’t own other people’s labels. Now this is no huge deal as far as I concern but it is annoying when some of my fellow Americans want to do that to me.  

 

But Lynn, what about the college grad reference he used exactly the same way?

A VAST majority of American voters are either enrolled in college, have a college degree, have attended college for at least one year, or have child in college.  Higher education in America is very regular.

Tommy,

The people I know are all regular people and we encourage our kids to go to college, unfortunately us regular people who go to college can end up with a lot of debt .

Lynn,

Matthews is saying that blacks and college grads are not "regular" people.  Many here are saying it's an affront to black people to imply they are somehow "irregular".  But I am asking if that is true then you have to assume he means college grads are also "irregular", what is he saying about them then?  Because the racial angle that some are seeing makes no sense in that context, with regard to college graduates.

You are correct that you're wrong to apply racism to Matthews' charge that people w/ college degrees are not regular people.  And he's wrong too.

Governor, You don't even make sense.

I am responding to those here that are seeing a disrespectfulness towards blacks in what Matthews' said, and how that squares with college grads.

If you can't answer intelligently, and I am not even addressing you, please ignore me. 

OK.

Tommy, I think the explanation that makes the most sence is this:

In Tweety's conservative head, Black=lowest of the classes, and College Grad=top of the heap.

He wondered about "regular people" = all those in between.

Given his multitude of boarderline racist and anti working class comments, it seems clear to me.

 

I'm fairly shocked that someone would go to such lengths to try and take race out of Matthews' African-American comment.

Absolutely agree.  I wonder when you will chastize those on this very thread that are doing that.

You suck at ignoring me.

Except that "Tweety" is not conservative, so where does that leave your hypothesis?

Watch it Tommy, you chastised me for taking a condescending attitude, and I apologized.  You should do the same to the Gov.

I can be quite condescending to those whom I believe argue disingenuously, sorry, to each his own.

Tommy,

 It's a stupid throw away comment and yes it implies that college graduates aren’t regular people. It's what the wingers have done in the past. They characterized college grads as smarty pants know it alls trying to tell the regular people not to vote for people whose policies were contrary to the interests of the regular people. They also characterized Blacks as not being regular people but irregular lazy people looking for hand outs. I do think it's a mischaracterization of college graduates, and this statement encourages class and race distinctions. I disagree with you whole heartedly on this one. Maybe CM didn’t mean to do this, BUT this is what these kinds of statements do.

 

Exactly Lynn whether these mischaracterizations are purposeful or not they still need to be addressed and not ignored.

I dont know I have never heard of such a thing. Is it spelled out in the Conservative Propaganda Parrot Guide? Is the liberal victim thing this weeks assignment to the hivemind?

Thats why I stand corrected Deez, I was wrong.

"Regular people" in Tweetyspeak = "Typical white person" in Obamaspeak

Yeah, the same if Matthews had used "working people" instead of "regular people", thus implying that African Americans and college grads don't work.

Memo to Matthews: An elderly African-American voter who has been participating in American democracy for decades is a regular person.

Well, let's see, Tweety.  Speaking for myself, I'm a white male with a tech school diploma.  And I support Barack Obama.

Matthews is an idiot.

Does Mathews use his a-hole to speak out of his pie hole, or is his pie hole only connected to his twig and berries? Inquiring minds want to know...

Snoopy, your the only dog here (as far as I know), so, go bite him in the crotch and bring back a full report.  :-)

I would, but I'm afraid I might catch something!

I think Matthews just insulted every African-American AND every college graduate in the country.  Does he mean that African-Americans and college grads are nor "regular people" and are therefore inferior???? 

I'm sure he thinks they are superior.

[end sarcasm]

 

He pretty much insulted everyone listening by implying that the struggles over low wages, debt, the high costs of energy and healthcare that so many people face are somehow different for certain segments of our society.

We are all bound together by an economy that simply isn't working for the most of us.

So when Obama talks about the cost of tuition, healthcare or stagnant wages there is no reason to think in terms seperate interest groups. We're all in the same boat.

It's his stupid attempt to define The Maverick as the candidate of Real Americans.

Matthews did inappropriately phrase this question. He should've asked whether Obama makes "regular people" feel tingles up their legs when he speaks.  I hope CM can control himself tonight, but doubt he will.  Like the rest of the media, particularly msnbc, he's in the tank with Obama and likely will have difficulty containing his tingling feelings when in the presence of his hero.

I wouldn't get too worked up over Matthews's feelings. He changes affections like others change socks.

This is at least the fifth man crush he's had since the beginning of the primaries.

He started out with Rudy, who I believe gave his high school ring to Chris.

Then he switched to Mitt because of his manly chin.

He soon tired of Mitt when he noticed that other guys were starting to tell him what a hunk Rudy is and that he was a fool to dump him.

Rudy took Chris back with certain conditions, one being that he couldn't look at another Republican.

Once again, Chris's eye started to wander and he found a new father figure in Fred.

Chrissy jilted Rudy this time and then hooked up with Fred until he found what he thought was his true love, John McCain.

They dated for a short time and I think he took John to the prom.

If you say he's now dropping John for Barack, I won't argue. I do know that he's getting a pretty bad reputation for his many indiscretions.

Excellent analysis. funny too.

Then he switched to Mitt because of his manly chin.

And, if I remember correctly, his broad shoulders.

Shoulders you could land a jet on...

It would seem that Chris has become quite the little slut!

... and let's not forget Tweety's "youthful indiscretion" with Tom Delay. After spending half the time allotted to interviewing Tom Delay with trying to recruit him as a talking head for MSNBC and "get on" the lucrative payroll that he so deserves ... Tweety loudly proclaimed to and about Tom Delay that "he is a GREAT guy".

Castrati Matthews should have been fired long ago and is truly one of the most despicable so-called Journalist out there.

What's worse than a bore? A loud bore.

Now I disagree with Matthews here, I think Obama does have, and will have, broad appeal among the electorate when more than just primary voters and political junkies are engaged.........but WITH?  Matthews has every right to ask these questions and bat them around with his guests, on his show.  This is not misinformation or furthering anything, it's just that you don't like it.

What exactly are the rules MMFA for discussing your precious Democratic candidates on opinion cable shows?  Is opining on strategy and voter preferences off limits if it isn't 100% flattering or "furthering the liberal agenda"? 

Black and college educated voters are not irregular.

That's not what he means, and you know it Governor......if you want to take it literally, go ahead.

He most certainly means that Black and college educated voters are not regular people.  Do you refute that?

If it offends you, that is your business.  I understand the context in which he is referring to "regular people", so I am not.

Sorry. 

So I guess you are one of those "typical regular people".

Matthews does not have the power to offend me.  Sorry if you thought he did.

Beware! Another attempt at a thread de-rail...

What exactly are the rules MMFA for discussing your precious Democratic candidates on opinion cable shows?

This is an easy one Tommy, you are not trying.

It is a part of conservative misinformation to suggest that blacks or college types are not regular people. Chris has bought into it and apparently so have you.  If he had simply stuck with "white working class", it would not have earned a mention.

So is Matthews being racist, or bigoted against college grads?  Or both?

Nah, I'd say CM is just being stupid.  He could have framed the question better, just as suggested above. 

Matthews probably should have worded it differently. He could have said something like 'Does Obama only connect with African-Americans & college grads? What about those that don't fall into those two categories?'

Of course that's what he meant. But because he said "regular" it gets a rise out of some here.

It's like Obama saying "typical White person". All Obama needed was the word "some", as in some typical White people, which I'm sure is what he meant & no one would have balked.

Matthews is a boob, so I'm not excusing him, just explaining him.

I'm disappointed that you can get into Chrissy's head so well :-0) I wonder what that means for us as a couple (of posters). Seriously, Chris has his head uphisarseoozle quite regularly these lo many years. Who gives a rodent's furry butt what tune this canary sings. He is regularly off key. And I agree with Solon about the false frame. These cable dolts have expertise in the false frame. It qualifies as misinformation and agenda pushing as such. These dolts have waaaay too much time on their little hands. I think they need to be punked by Ashton Kutcher. Especially Miss Chris.

Why must you willfully as stupid questions?  Quota?

"as" should have been "ask".  And I misread Tommy's question, so my apologies for asking my own stupid question(s).

So is Matthews being racist, or bigoted against college grads?  Or both?

Huh?  You have confused me with someone else.  Voicing the conservative talking point that blacks and college grads are not "regular people" does not make it racist or bigoted. It is a BIAS Tommy.  A conservative bias, and misinformation.  You are flailing now.

I agree, it's what the right wingers did with the Bush campaigns. Regular people were the good working class White people and anyone who did not fall into that group were presented as morally challenged. They encouraged a suspicion of what the educated Liberal elites and of course  minorities were characterized as moral deficients, except those that accepted and advanced rightwing philosophy of course. Those were featured prominently in the right wing medium and of course the Supreme Court.  

Obama's appeal among whites is dwindling. It is still there, but exit polls in recent contests show him increasingly relying heavily on the black vote.

I'd say he's not up to the point where we can say he only appeals to black people, but he's getting there.

but exit polls in recent contests show him increasingly relying heavily on the black vote.

Hmmm. There hasn't been a "recent contest" in quite a while, unless you count the constant revisions in Texas, where he won handily with a broad spectrum of the population. 

Blacks and college grads are not regular people?  Thankfully he clarifies "regular people"  to mean white working class people who can bowl.   Can Obama woo those voters even though he can't bowl?   It's a legitimate question, but Mathews insults just about everyone in the asking of it.

but the fact that he's that terrible at bowling does make you wonder."

I have no rational explanation for what Chris is "wondering about".

Maybe it makes him wonder whether Obama can keep his arm straight and hit the same mark consistently?  I dunno...just a bowler's thoughts...

And who gives a damn if his score were only 37.  I don't want a pro bowler as president.

Earl Anthony '08

Oops, didn't realize he died in 2001.

And he'd still be an improvement over WPE Bush.

His fabrication of the "regular people" demographic is indicative of the whole elitist mindset of the "educated" media. So anyone who isnt' a college grad, or better, is just a run-of-mill joe in his mind. Like getting a degree in law, or journalism, or whatever, significantly distinguishes somebody from roofers and whatnot in what they want and need out of life.

Steve, You have a point, but I think Matthews is referring to the base, or the working class Democrats that jumped ship for Reagan back in the 80's and are beginning to return to the Democrats - what with the slumping economy and so forth.  These are sometimes referred to as "regular" people.  I don't take it as Matthews meant to diminish hard working folks, if he did I would have a different opinion on this - sometimes the vernacular in political punditry labels and bundles people together to categorize demographics when discussing who is for and who is against someone. 

They are broad generalizations for sure.

You're probably right Tommy. Although I was too young then, I've heard there were scores of Reagan Dem's in my state, PA, who jumped ship.

I have joined the boycott of MSNBC, especially Matthews.  I received an email a few weeks ago on this.  I went to his site and let him know that my family and I are longer viewers.  When he gets over his love affair of Obama, maybe I'll watch again.  Sad day when Foxnews gives better coverage.

What is ridiculous about Matthews is that Obama is connecting with EVERYBODY in the primaries.  I know people from all demographics that support Obama.

He obviously means that African-Americans and college graduates are hard-core Democrats, and the rest, the "regular people" are Republicans or swing voters.

The "liberal media" at work again. 

By that I mean, I wouldn't read too much into this, it doesn't mean that he thinks that African-Americans or college graduates are not regular people, it was just a lazy short-hand way to generalize. This is pretty weak as far as MMFA standards go IMO.

I dont think it is. These false frames are sometimes focused and very intentional and other times are just unconcious and silly. They worm their way into the public conciousness when they are not confronted. The conservatve power structure is genius at marketing. These things WORK if they are just ignored. Chris isnt too bright I doube he was intentionally using this false frame but it should be exposed anyway this is one of those things that fester in the dark but when exposed tend to fade away. I think the mischaracterizations ought to be talked about every time. I dont think they should be ignored.

Good god, you act as though every word spoken is filtered through some agenda to bruise and batter liberals at every turn.  Nobody is that paranoid, or can even dream up such conspir