What would MSNBC “Hardball” host Chris Matthews say if, for example, Sean Hannity’s wife was running for office, and Hannity had contributors to her campaign, one after another, being featured on his show?
Think he’d find that a problem? Maybe a massive one?
Well, hold that thought, as you read the following excerpt from Peter Hasson’s blog at dailycaller.com:
Following news that 48 of Chris Matthews’ “Hardball” guests have donated to his wife’s campaign, the other candidates in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District are lining up to call foul on Kathleen Matthews.
On Monday, Republican candidate Aryeh Shudofsky called on MSNBC to suspend Chris Matthews’ show for the duration of Kathleen’s campaign. Shudofsky accused Kathleen Matthews – who is running as a Democrat – of “inappropriately benefiting from her husband’s position,” according to CNN Money. In an interview with The Daily Caller, Shudofsky described Matthews as a part of the “world of insiders” that has damaged American politics.
Democratic candidate David Trone’s campaign made a similar point in a statement released to The DC on Tuesday.
“…if the allegations are true, it certainly begs the question of whose interests Kathleen Matthews will represent in Congress.”
Holy excrement.
If it were one or two guest/contributors, I think most reasonable people would say either that it is no big deal – i.e. it stands to reason that people who Matthews likes on his show might contribute to his wife’s campaign, so what if a couple do so?
But 48 of them? If that doesn’t scream quid pro quo – i.e. give my wife money, get on my show – what does?
Elsewhere in the article, Democrat primary opponent David Trone says there is nothing illegal about this. I don’t know that he is right. If 48 contributors to Kathleen Matthews’ campaign get national cable news network exposure, does the “equal time” issue raise its head? How many Shudofksy and Trone contributors should also be on “Hardball” – and treated with the same positive aura that it is a near-certainty Kathleen Matthews’ contributors are?
This stinks. And, while Aryeh Shudofsky’s call to suspend Matthews’ show for the duration of his wife’s campaign is obviously self-serving (though it probably does not matter regarding his chances, since Maryland’s 8th is solidly Democrat), the fact that Matthews is shtupping his guest list with her contributors/supporters gives it legitimacy.
It seems to me that someone over at MSNBC has to say or do something here. I’ll wait…..but I have no confidence that it will happen, or that the rest of mainstream media will say anything about it either.
No, that would only happen if said media were neutral…..
. . . . . . . . . . . How many people watch Cwazy Cwiss Maffhews ? . . . . . . . . .