Matthews: Palin aspiring to be “a professional ignorant”
posted at 3:49 pm on April 28, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Don’t be silly, Chris. Sarah Palin isn’t looking for a gig on MS-NBC’s prime time! Let’s put aside the point Noel Sheppard makes about Matthews using the grammatically horrid phrase “a political ignorant” after praising himself as someone who constantly seeks knowledge. Let’s instead look at the journalistic standards at MS-NBC for political argumentation, as Matthews reports that Sarah Palin takes great joy in ignorance by quoting that rock-solid source … “somebody alludes to”:
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CHRIS MATTHEWS,HOST: Maybe I can push your button with this one, Cynthia, my pal. It doesn`t bother you that she`s making zillions of dollars. But how about this, as someone who trained yourself, like I did, to learn some things, who gets up every day and tries to know something before they talk. Here she is saying she has — somebody alludes to her sheer joy that she gets out of not knowing anything.
I really think, not that she`s unintelligent, but she`s campaigning almost for the role of a professional ignorant, like, “I don`t know anything, therefore I should be listened to.” She seems to aspire to knowing even less. It`s a weird advantage that she claims that if I`m really ignorant, then you should really listen to me, because I`m not like one of those intellectuals back east. It`s a strange ambition. I think she`s pursuing it effectively.
CYNTHIA TUCKER, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION: Well, I don`t think she would pursue that effectively as a presidential candidate, Chris. That`s where Ken and I differ. It is fine if she wants to go out and make a lot of money giving speeches. I think this idea of winging it, of not knowing anything about foreign policy, knowing very little about domestic policy, would not serve her any better in a presidential run than it served her when she was McCain`s running mate.
I don`t think the vast majority of voters respect that or want to see that in candidates. It`s fine in Palin world. She has a small constituency of very enthusiastic supporters. But the majority of voters, including the majority of Republican voters, expect their candidates to actually know something about policy.
Well, as long as somebody alludes to it, it must be true! Palin must wake up in the mornings in complete bliss over the idea that she doesn’t have to talk about policy at all. Except, of course, that Palin does — whether it’s energy policy, health-care reform, or even nuclear policy, Palin not only doesn’t avoid it but issues almost daily communiques on substantive policy from her platform on Facebook. In fact, her speech at the SRLC this month spoke almost entirely to policy, including Afghanistan and the foreign policy bungling of the White House, when many expected her to focus more on politics and the integration (or lack thereof) of the Tea Party and Republicans.
Certainly, one can disagree with Palin on policy, or demand deeper explanations. But the notion that Palin doesn’t address policy at all is an argument that qualifies someone as a “political ignorant” … but it’s not Sarah Palin.
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She doesn’t clog up her synapses with superfluous BS as you seem to do…Chrissy.
midlander on April 28, 2010 at 4:54 PM
Nothing but talking points, same old crap.
You are dumb.
Brian1972 on April 28, 2010 at 4:55 PM
For someone who they think is not to bright, they sure fear her.
The internals must show she is kicking *ss on the liberals…the only conservative taking it to them. The rest stand back and wait for her to make her brilliant policy statements, they wait and see how the public reacts, which is always positive…then the other conservatives hop on the bandwagon.
She is the leader of the conservative movement, she is out front taking the heat, but also leading the way.
right2bright on April 28, 2010 at 4:56 PM
Well, she did major in journalism.
Bobbertsan on April 28, 2010 at 4:56 PM
You’ll have to excuse Crissy.
When you’re walking around with a 24×7 Obama boner, less blood makes it to your brain.
Chickyraptor on April 28, 2010 at 4:57 PM
Hell, some people have won Pulitzers knowing far less. Eh, Cynthia?
ddrintn on April 28, 2010 at 4:58 PM
Ditto that! I’m surprised you got “holy smoke” through. The other day I couldn’t get “secess!on” through without the exclamation point. Jesus!
TXUS on April 28, 2010 at 5:01 PM
Anyway, this is about as meaningful and has about as wide an audience as a Palin-bashing op-ed in The Nation.
ddrintn on April 28, 2010 at 5:01 PM
This is sort of like the pot calling the kettle black.
Chris Matthews is already “a professional ignorant”
J_Crater on April 28, 2010 at 5:03 PM
Brian1972 on April 28, 2010 at 5:04 PM
Yeah, Chris likes picking on chicks, like Michelle Malkin, but he didn’t have the cajones to stand up to Zell Miller after the RNC convention a couple of years ago.
Chris may pass himself off as a man in the elite circles he travels in, but he would get his ass whooped by behaving that way to women in flyover country.
Query, if Chris whines to an “off” mic, does it still count as liberal wisdom?
This guy was angling for Russert’s job before he hit the floor.
And parent company NBC actually took the risk of having Chris and Olberman, both of whom apparently forgot or refused to take their meds first, as color commentators on election night a year or 2 ago, only to put them in time out for the next election because of their juvenile behavior.
What a network.
They sure aren’t going to be happy this coming November.
molonlabe28 on April 28, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Oh Tingles, Tingles, Tingles. You’re slip is showing again my good man.
alohapundit on April 28, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Matthews: “Palin aspiring to be “a professional ignorant”
That coming from a professional moron!
GFW on April 28, 2010 at 5:05 PM
When you’re walking around with a 24×7 Obama boner, less blood makes it to your brain.
Chickyraptor on April 28, 2010 at 4:57 PM
+100…that’s a keeper…maybe some sort of bumper sticker?
lukespapa on April 28, 2010 at 5:05 PM
These guys penchant for self-parody is extraordinary.
BD57 on April 28, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Brian1972 on April 28, 2010 at 5:09 PM
Not to worry Chris…….last free elections were held November 2008.
Americans just want to go to their soccer games and school choir performances, not mess with tiny little stuff like the Republic.
Obama Forever!!!!!
PappyD61 on April 28, 2010 at 5:12 PM
Brian1972 on April 28, 2010 at 5:13 PM
Oh but FlickeringF*cktard NEVER calls Palin “dumb”! LOL! Why can’t you and BlueSite just stay away from Palin threads? You’ve already shown your sexist trollness where she is concerned. We got it, moron. Go away!
JAM on April 28, 2010 at 5:23 PM
Only a fool would take that bet, and Mama didn’t raise no fool.
Gang-of-One on April 28, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Chris Matthews is a stupid.
Colorado Anne on April 28, 2010 at 5:29 PM
You’re safe, Chrissy… she doesn’t want your job or title.
ya2daup on April 28, 2010 at 5:30 PM
MSNBC has to resort to a shock value for its
newsstories in the same fashion MTV has to play garbage “reality” shows for attention.madmonkphotog on April 28, 2010 at 5:34 PM
Brian1972 on April 28, 2010 at 5:34 PM
After reading what Chrissy said all I can say is that the guy is completely nuts… He makes no sense and he is calling Palin ignorant?
Sure… sure… Sarah Palin is unelectable… sure keep telling yourselves that… I’m sure we’ll be hearing that all the way up to the moment she is elected and for all 8 years of her presidency… I’m sure…
CCRWM on April 28, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Those idiots are just mad that she earned a degree in journalism without becoming a card carrying marxist.
Slowburn on April 28, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Poor Chrissy, each day he becomes less and less relevant.
GarandFan on April 28, 2010 at 5:48 PM
Do you kiss your mom with that mouth? Such bad language…you should be ashamed.
Bite me.
FlickeringFlame on April 28, 2010 at 5:52 PM
She’s so ignorant. /s
NoLeftTurn on April 28, 2010 at 5:53 PM
That’s a compelling and persuasive argument. I thought you came here to add some “intelligence” to the Palin threads?
NoLeftTurn on April 28, 2010 at 5:54 PM
uh, that was my response to some dork’s request that I “stay away from all Palin threads.” Dude cant handle debate and discussion so he says “waaaa waaaaa stay away you make me upset waaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaaa”.
FlickeringFlame on April 28, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Sarah is running so far ahead of Chrissy his spittle can’t even keep up.
tigerlily on April 28, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Actually you’ve said it more than once and the inference was that it applied to all of us stoopid, drooling, sycophantic Palinistas. Still, I have yet to see you contribute anything of value to this discussions. When does the “intelligence” start?
NoLeftTurn on April 28, 2010 at 6:11 PM
portlandon on April 28, 2010 at 6:12 PM
It’s only POLICY when they agree with it. Barring that, to them, it’s just, “Blah, Blah, Blah…” and rhetoric. Yes, they’re stupid for thinking that way but that’s the Leftist mind in a nutshell. It’s like trying to correct and understand a schizophrenic’s brain. It’s best left to the professionals offering straight jackets.
Sultry Beauty on April 28, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Chris Matthews is delusional in the true medical sense of neurological or mental illness. His arguments are never presented at face value, only in metaphors or hypothetical storylines, ‘…Dick Cheney is like the troll under the bridge…’, ‘…Sarah Palin gets up in the morning with no ambition to learn stuff’. May be driven by jealosy, inferiority. Same is true for Olby, Schultz, Shuster, maybe even Maddow They’re clinically,sadly sick, sick people. Great resume enhancer for your run-of-the-mill MSNBC pundit.
16MPG on April 28, 2010 at 6:17 PM
‘she’s making zillions of dollars’…as if that’s a crime. Zillions? Sounds more like the deficit dear leader’s imposing on the people of this country. Why has being successful become such a crime? Chris, don’t tell me you wouldn’t trade places with her, either.
Kissmygrits on April 28, 2010 at 6:18 PM
No, I managed to read the descriptive and informative adjectives you use when referring to Sarah Palin, not the lack of insight you demonstrate when trying to parse what she says.
If anyone is a maroon, its you pal.
belad on April 28, 2010 at 6:33 PM
And wrote her own book.
Del Dolemonte on April 28, 2010 at 6:33 PM
All by herself?? /flickering flame
belad on April 28, 2010 at 6:36 PM
LOL, the old “quitter” meme again?
You really need to have simplesimon right some better material for you.
Del Dolemonte on April 28, 2010 at 6:39 PM
You really need to have simplesimon
rightwrite some better material for you.Del Dolemonte on April 28, 2010 at 6:39 PM
Del Dolemonte on April 28, 2010 at 6:40 PM
Typical left wing talking head…I’m special and your not, oh did I mention that I am smarter than everyone too…!
Badbrucskie on April 28, 2010 at 6:42 PM
Actually, legal scholar crr6 proved to me last week that Palin didn’t write her book.
6’s source of positive proof? A local TV newsbabe from San Diego who’s married to a linebacker for the Chargers.
Del Dolemonte on April 28, 2010 at 6:43 PM
Very few writers write books by themselves. They get lots of help from publishers, ghost writers, professional consultants and other helpers when writing a book. I am aware the likelihood of Sarah Palin writing a book strictly by herself was extremely remote.
belad on April 28, 2010 at 6:51 PM
I forgot to add:
Unlike Teh One, who wrote not one but two books all by himself.
belad on April 28, 2010 at 6:53 PM
Good one Chrissy!
MCGIRV on April 28, 2010 at 6:57 PM
It’s time we combat their Alinsky ridicule tactics by turning the tables and labeling personal attacks as sexism. It’s unacceptable to attack her in such a degrading manner. Perhaps if we start labeling people like Matthews as sexist it may quell their below-the-belt remarks toward Palin. If not, we could go after the sponsors letting them know what type of programming they are supporting.
Christina_M on April 28, 2010 at 7:07 PM
Three people calling Sarah Palin “ignorant” and none of them have ever been governor, mayor, VP candidate, or in fact as rich as she is becoming. Who are the ignorants?
afotia on April 28, 2010 at 7:09 PM
Well Matthews would certainly know.
badpenny on April 28, 2010 at 7:27 PM
The biggest problem with Chrissy is his belief that his former boss,Jimmah, is still relevant. How ignorant is that?
belad on April 28, 2010 at 7:30 PM
And yet, fails miserably day in and day out. No wonder Mr. Matthews seems so depressed.
Cindy Munford on April 28, 2010 at 7:58 PM
Apparently what Tingles tries to know before he talks is his “talking point”.
The guy can’t even come up with something original!
On and on, Tingles is living proof “there is a fine line tween an open mind and an empty head”.
DSchoen on April 28, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Hey Tingles, since when is ignorant a noun?
RobCon on April 28, 2010 at 8:17 PM
Just ignore the thread spammers. The Wall and happyfeet just repeat the same ol’ same ol’ in every Palin thread.
ddrintn on April 28, 2010 at 8:28 PM
Matthews is just jealous about his job as a Professional Ignorant.
Axeman on April 29, 2010 at 2:45 AM
Anyone else out there get the distinct impression that Matthews is rapidly running out of things to say?
pilamaye on April 29, 2010 at 6:43 AM
How would anyone know? What is his viewership? 233,000?
Inanemergencydial on April 29, 2010 at 9:26 AM
There’s likely more persons viewing Matthews ignorant statements here on Hotair than there is on his pathetic television program.
When will Pinnochio subsidize these boot lickers so they can stay in business?
dhunter on April 29, 2010 at 4:42 PM
When I want to watch Tingles’ show I just scratch my nails on a chalkboard and the desire is fulfilled.
Akzed on April 30, 2010 at 9:05 AM
Chrissy and MSNBC, fading into nothingness. This guy will never be hired as a journalist again. He has no ethics, and he’s uglier than homemade sin….
adamsmith on April 30, 2010 at 9:39 AM
Mr. Matthews, what kine of remark is “you wake up trying to learn something”? Are you implying that when you doze off you forget everything you have ever learned. This is symptomatic of a very short attention span, the onset of Alzheimer’s, or a condition I call ‘flow through syndrome’ (FTS).
As an E-9 (retired after 25 years of proud and dedicated service) in the USAF, I found many of the junior enlisted and several officers I worked with suffered from ‘FTS’. To them it became known as “F#(k this $h!+).
However, the cure was simple. For six month, I instructed them to talk to me with either their left/right hand over one of their ears. At the end of that period they would ask me why I had done this. because it worked? I simply told them that my hold a hand over on ear I was assured that the information I imparted to this did not come out the side.
MSGTAS on April 30, 2010 at 10:11 AM
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