David Shuster

[AndyMarquisLIVE]

I'm surprised the socialists (forestal and Kerad) didn't post this sooner.

David Shuster, MSNBC Mourning Chelsea Clinton Remark

Yet another example of foot-in-mouth syndrome due to the hours of punditry on TV, followed by an apology and suspension! Yesterday, while referring to Chelsea Clinton's campaigning on behalf of her mother, MSNBC correspondent David Shuster commented, "Doesn't it seem as if Chelsea is sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?" Yes, he totally said that. Or, as the Washington Post's Howard Kurtz writes, "Using a prostitution metaphor for the daughter of a presidential candidate is a surefire way for a journalist to get into trouble."

Earlier today, Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson spoke out against MSNBC, noting that it was "disgusting" and "beneath contempt," even suggesting to pull out of a debate on MSNBC. So, tonight Shuster apologized:

"I used a phrase that was inappropriate, and I apologize to the Clinton family, the Clinton campaign, and all of you who were justifiably offended. As I said this morning on MSNBC, all Americans should be proud of Chelsea Clinton, and I am particularly sorry that my language diminished the regard and respect she has earned from all of us and the respect her parents have earned in how they raised her."
​

MSNBC president Steve Capus has suspended Shuster (the remarks were "irresponsible and inappropriate") and even Keith Olbermann weighed in (after noting that while Shuster is a good reporter) that the remarks were reprehensible.

Media Matters' president David Brock made a statement criticizing a "troubling pattern" of behavior from MSNBC commentators, such as Don Imus, Tucker Carlson, and Chris Matthews: "If MSNBC was genuinely trying to tackle the problem of sexism on their airwaves, this wouldn’t keep happening...The time for apologies has passed. The time for a real commitment to change is long since overdue."

We can't speak for 27-year-old Chelsea Clinton - or Jenna and Barbara Bush or Mitt Romney's five sons - but we bet most children of politicians try to support their parents' efforts however they can. Unless they're Andrew or Caroline Giuliani, that is.
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Yet, there he was this morning on morning joe anchoring the show and yappin' his mouth like he's running for President. One thing's clear, NBC wasn't so concerned about his comments or they would've 'suspended' him sooner.

 

[cwo_ghwebb]

He didn't make Olby's 'worst' person designation? Of course not, he's a fellow journalist! :chokes:

 

[chernmax]

LOL, so would they be forced to apologize if they stated former President Clinton pimps out his interns...

 

[vraiblonde]

They had that all over Fox last night and it's the dumbest thing I ever heard. Sure, Shuster could have used more professional language, but Chelsea's not a little kid.

They can scream and yell, call Bush every name under the sun and accuse him of all sorts of heinous acts, and nobody says a word. Yet some reporter says that the Clinton campaign is pimping out Chelsea (which they are) and all hell breaks loose.

 

[RangerJohn]

He didn't make Olby's 'worst' person designation? Of course not, he's a fellow journalist! :chokes:

However, Olby did rag on him pretty hard. I'd say that chances are David Shuster won't be appearing on Countdown any time after his suspension.

It seems like Billary's campaign is trying to play the "victim" card now....

Instance 1: She cries in New Hampshire and somehow wins NH (after the polls show her losing handily)

Instance 2: Chris Matthews suggests that her success and electability is at least partially due to Bubba's philadering....Hillary claims foul...Chris apologizes and now is no longer playing "Hardball" with Hillary, but more like "Intentional Walk"

Instance 3: The afforementioned Shuster incident.

There have been some reports that Chelsea may have violated some local poll rules about campaigning in polling area's. The only laws that the Bush twins violated were trying to get into a bar with a fake ID! (Which is something that a few of us probably attempted in our younger years!)

I think we might just be seeing the beginnings of a train wreck here on the Dem's side....damn but this is going to be entertaining! Get your popcorn ready!

 

[ImnoMensa]

All America should be proud of Chelsea?? Why??

I wish my daighter could have her opportunity's. Great schools and a job earning over $100,000 a year as soon as she got out. She didnt get them because her name was Chelsea Jones.

Why should I be proud because she got a job because of Mom and Dads influence.?

She does have courage I have to give her that, it isnt easy being the daughter of a known pervert, and then going out and facing the public.

 

[Mateo]

There are precedents here...Caroline got a job due to Jackie's influence. Could it be said that Teddy bear is "pimping"her out ? After all, a woman who lets her children decide for her who is the best candidate beggars a question as to why . And we only have the word of the view"ladies" that it was Chelsea, and I think we know, especially Whoopie (she of the infamous Danson "blackface" episode), where their allegiances lie.
The press hasn't been shining in this, but you know the press...they are so enamored of themselves that they think they are so important and can tell us who to vote for.
How about Oprah....is she then a high priced "consultant" (read escort)

 

[vraiblonde]

She does have courage I have to give her that, it isnt easy being the daughter of a known pervert, and then going out and facing the public.

Chelsea has been taught to shut down and compartmentalize. There's a story, not sure if it's true, that Bill and Hillary used to sit young Chelsea down and say mean things to her - attacking her parents, her self, her looks, her etc. The idea was to toughen her up and immunize her against the press.

Again, not sure if it's true, but note that even during the impeachment hearings, you never saw pics of Chelsea having a natural reaction to all that. She was always holding hands with her parents, big smile on her face. Stepford kid.

I will say that I'm a big Chelsea Clinton fan. She definitely got the best parts of her parents all rolled into one. If I had folks like Bill and Hillary, you'd never get me off the couch - my therapy bills would run into the millions. But she doesn't seem affected by them.

 

[Kyle]

... But she doesn't seem affected by them.

:serial-daughter:

 

[Mateo]

All America should be proud of Chelsea?? Why??

I wish my daighter could have her opportunity's. Great schools and a job earning over $100,000 a year as soon as she got out. She didnt get them because her name was Chelsea Jones.

Why should I be proud because she got a job because of Mom and Dads influence.?

She does have courage I have to give her that, it isnt easy being the daughter of a known pervert, and then going out and facing the public.

Your daughter will succeed because she has good solid influences through you. I am sure we have all used help to get a leg up but in the end,but we get through because we have to. Much as you dislike the Clintons, you have to respect how hard they tried to protect their daughter from the limelight. I think they succeeded well and despite Rush's attack on her as "the new dog in the WH", she has become a fine young lady. The Bush twins also went on the trail for their father. This doesn't make him a pimp either.

 

[vraiblonde]

I wish my daighter could have her opportunity's.

That's not fair. Your daughter *could* have Chelsea's opportunities if YOU had decided to take the path of riches and fame. Most of us aren't interested in the work and compromises it takes to achieve that level of success. I know I'm not.

But don't lay that off on Chelsea. She'd be stupid to not take advantage of the opportunities that her parents have afforded her. She hasn't gotten into drugs or booze, she doesn't have a promiscuous lifestyle that I've ever heard about, she didn't screw off her classes and flunk out of college, she hasn't joined a hippie commune. That's pretty big accomplishment for a child of politics and celebrity.

 

[Kyle]

If the Clintons were really interested in Chelseas well being and protection, they would have endevoured to be decent, honorable people and set a better example to their child.

 

[vraiblonde]

If the Clintons were really interested in Chelseas well being and protection, they would have endevoured to be decent, honorable people and set a better example to their child.

Chelsea's pedigree doesn't suggest she is destined to become a soccer Mom and housewife. She will more than likely have a public life, and the Clintons have trained her well for that, in my opinion.

 

[Mateo]

I don't see her being anything other than her own person and she is responsible enough for that. If I followed the logic of some others on this thread, I should have become a drunkard and wife/ child beater like my father, and married a condescending woman like my mother.
Does the drunken escapades of the Bush Twins mean that their parents are lacking in moral judgement ? According to the definition of some others, yes it should, but these are also two fine daughters that in the end are turning out well.
We can only hope that our children turn out for the best also, especially in this time of extremely negative influences.

 

[itsbob]

Much as you dislike the Clintons, you have to respect how hard they tried to protect their daughter from the limelight.

You mean how they promised THEIR daughter would NOT be treated like royalty when he first got elected president, and that she would go to public school like the majority of other Americans.. no special treatment because she might be the president's daughter??

 

[Mateo]

You mean how they promised THEIR daughter would NOT be treated like royalty when he first got elected president, and that she would go to public school like the majority of other Americans.. no special treatment because she might be the president's daughter??

If you believe EVERYTHING A POLITICIAN SAYS, then you deserve what you get.
Please tell me what president has sent their children to public schools ??? I am sure there have been some, but none in my living memory.

 

[MMDad]

If you believe EVERYTHING A POLITICIAN SAYS, then you deserve what you get.
Please tell me what president has sent their children to public schools ??? I am sure there have been some, but none in my living memory.

The issue isn't about sending your kid to public school or not. It is about saying one thing and doing another. Does that really not matter to you at all?

 

[ImnoMensa]

That's not fair. Your daughter *could* have Chelsea's opportunities if YOU had decided to take the path of riches and fame. Most of us aren't interested in the work and compromises it takes to achieve that level of success. I know I'm not.

But don't lay that off on Chelsea. She'd be stupid to not take advantage of the opportunities that her parents have afforded her. She hasn't gotten into drugs or booze, she doesn't have a promiscuous lifestyle that I've ever heard about, she didn't screw off her classes and flunk out of college, she hasn't joined a hippie commune. That's pretty big accomplishment for a child of politics and celebrity.

Gee I sure am sorry I decided not to take the path to riches and fame.
Wonder how I missed that crossroads?
Maybe it was when I left high school and got a job instead of having Senator Fullbright sponsor me for a Rhodes Scholarship.

You are right Bill has sure made a lot of compromises that led to riches.
He compromised our military secrets to China ,He compromised the White House by renting out the Lincoln Bedroom, You're right I am not willing to do that.

I certainly dont blame Chelsea for taking advantage of her parents influence. Thousands of others have done the same thing. Al Gore, Michael Douglas,,
Jesse Jackson Jr., Kate Hudson, Hank Williams Jr. , Patrick Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy as another poster said, just to name a few.
It is amazing that she is as normal as she is.

"That's not fair. Your daughter *could* have Chelsea's opportunities if YOU had decided to take the path of riches and fame.

What's not fair about my wishing my daughter had her opportunities. I would bet 90% of the people in this forum wishes their kids had her opportunities.
Wish that they could give them these opportunities.

Maybe we all took the wrong crossroads,because God know's we all cant give our kids all we wish for them.

 

[Baja28]

When WTOP reported this yesterday, the precursed the story with "Now be forewarned, what you're about to hear contains offensive language and me be offensive to some". I thought they were gonna drop the N bomb... Dumbasses

 

[Mateo]

The issue isn't about sending your kid to public school or not. It is about saying one thing and doing another. Does that really not matter to you at all?

Excuse me, I thought the issue was about Chelsea. My position is DESPITE her parents or maybe because, I think she turned out to be fine young woman in her own right. Branding her as a carbon copy of her parents was flat wrong or does that matter to you ?
Are you a carbon copy of your parents? Should you be judged by them ?
.