MSNBC Suspends Anchor Over Remark About Chelsea Clinton

[Zenlitened]

Source: Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP)--A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor has led to the anchor's temporary suspension by the network.

The controversial comment also could imperil Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's, D-N.Y., participation in future presidential debates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said.

In a conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson Friday excoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to Democratic Party superdelegates on her mother's behalf. Wolfson called the comment "beneath contempt" and disgusting.

(snip)

MSNBC said Shuster, who apologized on the air for his comment, has been temporarily suspended from appearing on all NBC news broadcasts except to offer his apology.

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20080208-713130.html?mod=moj_companies

---

Alternate link: http://www.ksla.com/Global/story.asp?S=7845015&nav=0RY5

Also, Talking Points Memo has text of MSNBC statement:

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.

More:
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/msnbcs_shuster_suspended_after.php

[jlake]

1. He should be fired - and offer a REAL apology.

[BooScout]

2. agree n/t

[earthside]

41. Poor little Clinton(s)(s)

Did someone offend them again?

Did someone use a bad, well, not bad, maybe off-color, well, perhaps not off-color ... an uncomfortable word?

Poor 27 year old Chelsea ... her mommy has to protect her reputation from a big, bad reporter?

Sheesh,

If Clinton(s)(s) can't shrug-off a petty -- though indeed boorish -- statement, then clearly, they aren't ready to be in the White House, AGAIN.

Considering the abuse the Bush twins have suffered on DU, the outrage from some folks here is pretty disingenuous.

[aquart]

42. What an interesting remark.

From, I am sure, an interesting, if completely insensitive individual.

I'm guessing you're an Obama supporter. Just guessing. I'll wait till that word is used on Obama's daughters.

[earthside]

48. You're kidding.

Obama's daughters are 6 and 9 ... I don't think they are telephoning delegates or are out campaigning on their own.

Chelsea, I think is capable of speaking for herself, right?

But, mom and dad and their staff of consultants and advisors have to turn this into a reason to bash a reporter almost everybody here loved just a few weeks ago?

It's the calculating politics, not the "insensitivity" that is most noticeable in this case, AGAIN.

[CANDO]

52. I don't agree with your sentiments, but....

they never uttered a word when Gush Limpjaw called Chelsea the family dog.

[IsItJustMe]

65. Yep, I believe your a real piece of work there.

[ConcernedCanuk]

79. and I wonder why the USA can't get it's image improved - NOT!

.
.
.

All the world watches what happens "over here"

And they don't like us

I wonder why . .

(sigh)

[Skittles]

84. you don't f***ing get it, do you?

this kind of shit is NOT NORMAL and has NO PLACE on the news - this is sheer hatred for the Clintons and NOTHING MORE

[TankLV]

94. real piece of work you are...another idiotic obama supporter...

figures...

[0007]

97. The poor dears, sniff sniff - - I'm sure they'll carry that luggage

for a long time, 'eh?

[LSparkle]

4. Downright Bushian ...

Kill the messenger.

The real story IS that Chelsea was calling the Super Delegates, which is using undue influence. Do you think any of those people would have taken a call from Michelle Obama?

[jlake]

6. Accusing Chelsea of being a Clinton whore is outrageous.

Who was he carrying that message for?
WOW!

[blayne]

16. I though he might be trying to play to Tuckers audience,

but it was still in bad taste. I don't even know why Tucker still
has his show there. I though Keith would have fired him by now.

[Xipe Totec]

17. What is wrong with calling the Super Delegates?

Undue influence?!

What in the name of high school football are you talking about?

This is not a trial, and the Super Delegates are not jurors.

If Obama's camp isn't doing the same right now, they have no business in politics, but I'm sure that's not the case.

[LSparkle]

21. She's the daughter of a former president ...

Many of these people have a history with her father and mother. She'd be appealing to them on a personal level, not as someone who's talking up the policies of their candidate. Considering how private her life has been up to now, it just feels unseemly (to me).

[Xipe Totec]

32. Maybe we should vote for someone nobody's ever heard of

that way we can be sure the Super Delegates can't be influenced by prior knowledge.

I repeat, this is not a trial, the SD's are not judges or jurors.

The SDs are each an every one a mover and shaker in the Democratic party. Most are elected, or former elected officials.

They know both candidates up close and personal, as well as the candidate's families, friends, friends of friends, tennis partners...

[Kolesar]

38. We are in looney land now

And I don't mean Canada. Our time would probably be better spent doing crunches--or balancing the checkbook. good afternoon

[0007]

99. .....and BC knows all the SD's. So it does look like an edge

when his daughter is contacting them on their behalf.

[OKthatsIT]

74. Chelsea Clinton, 27 yrs old, Occupation: SECRET HEDGE FUNDS

In 2006, Chelsea left McKinsey to take a job with Marc Lasry's Avenue Capital Group, a $12 billion hedge fund. Lasry, a financial donor to the Democrats and the Clintons, was a founder of Amroc, a "distressed stock broker." Amroc's partner included Keystone, Inc., an investment firm linked to the Robert M. Bass Group. Robert M. Bass is the billionaire son of Texas oil tycoon, Perry Richardson Bass. Robert M. Bass is a long time contributor to George W. Bush's political campaigns. His brother Ed was a Yale classmate of Bush and remains a close friend. Robert Bass is founder of Aerion Corp., a Pentagon contractor.

There was a time when Chelsea Clinton was off-limits in the political scheme of things. However, with recent revelations concerning her father's dodgy business deals with Kazakhstan dictator Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan uranium mining deals for Clinton big mining Canadian pal Frank Giustra, and Bill Clinton's dubious Sustainable Growth Initiative, Chelsea's own dubious relationships with New York's most powerful hedge funds and Bush political allies raise further questions about all three Clintons' "ties that bind."

WAYNE MADSEN REPORT

[Paladin]

76. Take It Over To Free Republic Where It Will Be Appreciated (n/t)

[Autobot77]

98. "...dodgy business deals with Kazakhstan"

Is Clinton trying to import human pubis and fermented horse urine into the U.S.? Wawaweewa

[IndianaGreen]

46. We have seen 7 years of this crap from Bush and Cheney

and I sure don't want to see this crap coming from the Clintons. The country lose again!

[Evergreen Emerald]

64. There was a time when we appaulded people who stood up to the right-wing media

I see that only works when Your supporter gets attacked needlessly.

So much for Democratic ideals.

[TankLV]

101. Really? Newscasters were RUDE and behaving INEXCUSABLY to the repukes?!

I must have missed it...

[BadgerLaw2010]

58. Do that in any other job, oh boy will you be fired.

[Evergreen Emerald]

63. undue influence? People call voters ALL THE TIME

Good God, people sure love to attack Clinton. Even if they have to make stuff up!

[uncertainty1999]

93. Well, if that's the real story, Shuster should've used his grown-up words instead!

Then maybe his message would have been clear. Instead, he decided to use a word that normalizes violence against women. THAT was the message he communicated instead, not the one you articulated in clear English. So, no, this is not about 'killing the messenger.'

[joeybee12]

5. I disagree...David is usually ok...although this is reprehensible...

...Matthews should be long gone for his years-long series of disgusting comments and commentary.

edit: BTW, I am a strong Hillary supporter.

[jlake]

9. The very least he can do is offer a real apology.

[joeybee12]

14. I haven't seen the apology, so I can't comment on whether I

thought he was being sincere or not. BTW, he had to apologize once before over raking some TN rep over the coals about bashing Move On when she couldn't even say who had died in Iraq fromher district. Now THAT he should not have apologized for.

[Xipe Totec]

18. Here it is, judge for yourself:

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/hillary_campaign_goes_to_war_w.php

[joeybee12]

24. Hmmm...he sounds very jerkish in both instnaces...

...it seems like he's trying to shift the blame...that other people could take his meaning wrongly...I mean, how else could someone take that other than some rabid Obama supporters here???

[Xipe Totec]

27. He should have come clean from the start

It was an MFU and he should have treated it as such.

[joeybee12]

31. Yeah...I can understand the mistake because you're on-air and

things get said that shouldn't be...but the apology could have been better and someone should have advised him before he gave the apology.

[jlake]

19. Here is a Youtube link: First the actual "incident" and then the "apology"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIxgw04Y0Fc
he apologizes that people may have taken his "common slang" the wrong way.

[joeybee12]

29. Thanks...

...not "common slang" when you're talking about someone's daughter.

[Saturday]

25. He USED to be OK, he is now on the MSNBC

bash Hillary bandwagon like his boss, Matthews.

[still_one]

23. You're right, and I am an Obama supporter, but that is plain wrong /nt

[Hamlette]

36. Can't fire him and keep Tweety

Tweety says stuff as bad all the time. Have you noticed he can't have a woman on his show without making a comment about her looks? Gag.

I like Schuster and would hate to lose him. Too bad they don't take Tucker out instead.

It was a reprehensible comment but I think Hill is overplaying it just a bit.

[Qutzupalotl]

3. Good.

I kind of like his reporting, especially on the Plame case. But this comment was in shockingly poor taste.

[WatchWhatISay]

82. I am in total agreement with your assessment

We need good reporters like David Schuster, but the boys at MSNBC (especially Matthews, but excluding Olberman and Abrams) really need to examine their prejudices and keep it to themselves.

[SayitAintSo]

85. He was great on the Plame case - He is an excelllent reporter

He fumbled on air ... give him a break...

[BrotherBuzz]

7. I bet Faux news is hiring

[LSparkle]

13. He already worked for them and quit

Maybe that's why I like him -- he saw the light and has been doing good work at MSNBC. He made a stupid mistake but it's no reason to suspend him, especially if he is doing major mea culpas as it appears.

[MarkInLA]

8. Oh, please...

Are Americans really that thin-skinned? I was susprised when he said those words, but I didn't think it was a big deal.

[nels25]

26. Mark I agree

why is it that a GOP type can be called any and all manner of vile things and one slip of a tongue against a Dem leads to screams of indignation.

You have no idea how much grief I have had to take over the years about this subject.

I have hear the word double standard bandied about so much by my GOP friends (yes that is possible all though serious political talk has to be undertaken with care, good group to go to a Brewer game with though.) that I swear the word has been worn out.

Any way I feel that Hilliary will pull out all the stops to win, it is the MO of the Clinton machine.

No one should be surprised by this, and it is not out of bounds.

Still Shuster should have picked his words better, there could have been better ways to make the same point.:loveya:

[Habibi]

59. Huh?

why is it that a GOP type can be called any and all manner of vile things and one slip of a tongue against a Dem leads to screams of indignation.

Didja forget the sarcasm smilie?

[Quantess]

83. A GOP type can and will be "called any and all manner of vile things", on DU.

I don't see it happening on Mainstream Media.

However I agree that "pimped out" is slang, and not the most horrible thing in the world to be called.

[BklnDem75]

87. Not exactly the same term

Pimped out is a compliment describing materials such as someone's car or clothes.
The term he used in this case, pimping out, is an insult especially when describing someone's daughter/wife and would likely lead to someone's nose getting broke.

[pipoman]

92. The term is often used

when describing promotion. Pimping a book or product is a pretty common slang usage. His comment was ill advised and dumb. If everyone here had every word we muttered at work scrutinized by people looking for reasons to cry crocodile tears, there would likely be some unemployed people around....for this reason I always find it funny when print media wants to assassinate dumb comments on broadcast media. Print media has the luxury of rewrites and editorial review before their words are fed to the hypersensitive.

[SoCalDem]

86. America faints in unison from the vapors, at the mere glimpse of a nipple..

could we expect less from the "verbal on-air rape" of a poor little innocent baby of 28?

Perhaps the car show should change its name to .." Restore My Automobile, Kind Sirs"

[LanternWaste]

104. I believe that there are particular institutions in this country...

"Are Americans really that thin-skinned?"

I believe that there are particular institutions in a country which should be held to a higher standard-- government, the media, educations to name but a few.

Reducing the standard of these institutions would not only allow for, but actually condone the Lowest Common Denominator being in both a position of authority and a position to affect our everyday worlds.

That aside, it's in bad form for any employee to make that type of remark-- regardless of who it is directed against. Should that happen in my own place of employment and a co-worker's daughter was called a pimp by another co-worker, I simply would not tolerate it and do my best to make sure it did not happen again.

[laylah]

10. He should be

"Imused" imvho...I don't give a rat's ass how good he supposedly is/was.

[CTyankee]

11. Has Obama's campaign said anything? It would seem that he would

have an interest in keeping the networks on their toes about these kinds of remarks. After all, he has two kids himself and we all remember that scum like Rush Limbaugh didn't have any qualms about insulting Chelsea when she was a child...

[shaniqua6392]

12. I would think a short suspension should suffice.

He is one of the best investigative journalists around. It was a crude comment. He should also apologize directly to Chelsea Clinton and family. I am going to miss him saying, "This is David Schuster....For Hardball".

[blayne]

20. I agree.

He is a great reporter, and the short suspension should suffice.

[msmcghee]

22. I can only imagine what you two would be saying . .

. . if some talking-head had said something like that about Michelle Obama.

[blayne]

57. I would like to say we would be saying the same thing,

but there probably would be a bigger outcry because people would associate "pimp" with Obama's race. So while I would like to think my attitude would be the same, you can bet your ass that Shuster would be on a permanent suspension if the remarks were directed at Obama.

[msmcghee]

15. Seems like they had a meeting.

Saw that the loss of revenue from the debate - plus the high probability they'd get less than friendly treatment from the coming 8 year Clinton administration - just wasn't worth it. It was fourth down and they punted.

[NoodleyAppendage]

69. Agreed. MSNBC sees bucks in Clinton controversy, so they sacrifice their BEST reporter. Typical.

Schuster is one of the best investigative reporters they have...remember his work on the Scotter Libby trial? Good stuff.

J

[msmcghee]

73. I'd guess they don't care about that. The value of . .

. . an investigative reporter to them is only in the ratings it's worth. I certainly don't have any illusions about some journalistic ethical values being promoted by Jack Welch. I also think there are dozens of Schusters waiting for their chance at the gold ring.

Actually, I don't hold the comment as egregious as some do. I think a sincere explanation and apology would have been enough. The problem is that MSNBC and the other networks thrive on turning any possible verbal interpretation of any candidates words (actually some candidates more than others) - into frothing partisan yelling and screaming. i.e. ratings. Like the several bogus accusations of racism already directed at the Clinton campaign.

When one of their own does it - maybe cutting the legs off of a reporter who did some damage to the repuke cause (libby) in the past, is not such a hard call for MSNBC to make.

[MessiahRp]

28. This is all about where Shuster is on the totem pole unfortunately....

His comment, while distasteful, wasn't nearly as bad as the comments Matthews has made. However Matthews is a key piece to the MSNBC Prime Time lineup and there's no chance in hell that MSNBC will damage him by suspending him. Since Shuster is only a guest host and correspondent they can take action on him for a far less egregious offense.

For people calling for a firing, talk about lame. Let's fire every person that makes a dumb comment on the air at some point. The thing that surprises me about some liberals is that we are supposed to be compassionate people who believe in second chances. Second chances when it comes to dealing with foreign leaders... second chances when it comes to criminals not being put away for minor crimes or not getting the death penalty...

Yet here we are rushing to fire someone on a single remark.

Force an apology, suspend him temporarily and make everyone on the network aware that these comments are not allowed. On a first offense or at least a first punishment we shouldn't be calling for the head of someone.

If he does it again there was fair warning.

This isn't like when they fired that idiot Michael Savage. Everyone knew damn well what he was going to say. Same with CNN and their hiring of Glenn Beck. Those people don't care about slandering others.

Shuster is not known for doing so and has done some pretty solid investigative work. Firing him over an obviously errant remark seems as if we're rushing for a beheading on a misdemeanor.

Rp

[Kolesar]

37. The Clintons can work this for publicity--and use it for advantage

I concur with your comments. Some sense of scale, please.

[central scrutinizer]

56. a perfect segue would be McCain's "joke" about why Chelsea is so ugly

[Tellurian]

70. Nevertheless, The Schuster family will be a proud part of history

tarnishing their and their son's name forever in the annals of History. A shining example of how far the integrity of media coverage has fallen to the lowest depths of mediocrity during the 08' presidential campaign.

[sinkingfeeling]

30. I think this shows that Hillary's campaign is fighting back. And that is good. Now the DNC

should file suit against Mittens for his comments.

[AllyCat]

33. Had they said this about a Republican's family, someone would have been fired

But since it's just a Dem...suspension should be sufficient.

[Beacool]

34. When are they going to suspend their biggest a-hole?????

When is Chris Matthews going to be suspended for his continuous sexist remarks??????

Damn bastard!!!!!

[Ian David]

40. I'd rather see them fire Tucker before Tweety. But they BOTH have to go.

But once Tucker is gone, I can remove his time slot from my parental blocking controls.

[Tellurian]

71. They might, when they finish grooming Maddow for the job ..

of woman to woman, taking Hillary on, on a so-called level playing field.

Now there is a sociopath in the making... She lies with ease..or beau coup $$$..

[Bitwit1234]

35. And the say the Hillary supporters are the ones who attack

this is just one case where one of his supporters got what they deserve. They blame everybody else but they are the culprits.

[1love]

39. Now she just can't bear to debate on MSNBC

but Fox news is fine. Really. Really.

[leftofthedial]

43. he should apologize. it was rude.

he should not be suspended and certainly should not be fired.



Mitt Romney was pimping out his sons. Am I suspended?

[mattfromnossa]

66. He should apologize.

What irks me is that people have said much worse things on the air and nothing was ever said or done. Why so much attention to this remark?

[ejbr]

44. Much ado about nothing. Schuster rocks. n/t

[Yael]

45. This is just beyond stupid

[RamboLiberal]

47. IMHO he was over the line and made a sexist comment

And I think the suspension is enough of a sentence. He should make a more sincere apology though.

As to Chelsea Clinton I think the campaign is over-protecting her. She's an adult. She should talk to the press IMHO, especially that silly incident a few weeks ago when she wouldn't talk to a kid reporter. Now that was dumb. Give the kid an interview - what was the harm?

Years ago the clown who should've been fired was Limbaugh when he went after Chelsea. And if I was the Clinton campaign and was going against McCain I'd be sure the comments he made about Chelsea got played! Crude and rude!

I was glad to see Tweety have to swallow some pride a couple of weeks ago. All Dems should hold his feet to the fire. And MSNBC needs to rein him in. Tucker should just be gone and Maddow should get her own show.

But pulling the debate from MSNBC - oh please Hillary especially when you agreed to go on Faux! Let's not bleed this incident to get publicity!

[FATCATs]

49. Yep, Fire the Reptard !

[noamnety]

50. All his defenders seem to have one thing in common.

They keep describing the comment as a "dumb" comment, rather than the real problem, which is that it's a sexist comment.

If it had been a racist comment, people likely would get why it deserves a suspension. And if it had been a racist comment aimed at a man, we probably wouldn't have the further sexist contributions from DU acting like the problem is that "thin skinned" Clinton campaign who can't just graciously accept sexism aimed against them like they are supposed to. When the Makaka comment was made, I don't recall folks here saying the problem was that the person he aimed that remark at was too thin skinned, or that he was an adult, he should be able to "take it."

[Tansy_Gold]

51. Sadly, it's just another example of how misogyny has entered

the language as "common slang." We rarely consider the sexism in our language, to the point that even when it's brought to our attention we often don't recognize it. Everything from "balls" being equated to strength or heroism, to "pussy" being used to describe a wimp or weakling.

Much as I like David Shuster as a reporter, he did a stupid thing and he should pay for it -- and he should serve as an example to others.


Tansy gold

[RamboLiberal]

60. It was sexist but he didn't call Chelsea a name

He used a sexist term for what she was doing for her mom. That I think is the difference and why the suspension and the embarassment is a just punishment. If he'd have called her a whore then it would be a firing offense.

The sad part is he didn't realize it right away and apologize and that he got defensive initially about it.

But he's a decent reporter - let him learn and move on.

[Tansy_Gold]

81. I didn't mean to suggest that he should be fired, only that

he should pay in some way -- suspension is appropriate -- and that the fact that he didn't get off without some repercussions might serve as a lesson to others.

Our language, especially our slang, is insidiously sexist, and Shuster's defensiveness is part and parcel of that sexism. Our language is SO sexist that we often don't even realize it.

But I think this incident also can shed some light on the (continuing, unending) double standard to which Hillary Clinton is subjected. No one even hinted that Caroline Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama was "shilling" or "pimping" or that Caroline was "being exploited" by anyone; why then is Chelsea?

Another reason why Shuster's comment may have been a little more offensive than the same thing coming from a Sean Hannity or even Chris Matthews is that Shuster has a reputation as a more objective, professional reporter, not a partisan hack. He's held to higher standards than, say, Limbaugh or O'Reilly.

At least he is by

Tansy Gold

[Raine1967]

88. Exactly.

In all the hubbub this is the key to all of this. it was sexist. as has been well noted in this thread, Tweety has done much of the same... if not WORSE... directly aimed at senator Clinton. David didn't say anything about Chelsea, his comment was about how the campaign was using Chelsea. Was it in bad form? IMO, YES. not excusing it. But chelsea is 27 years old. Either she is in the Clinton machine or she is out. She still won't grant interviews and the Clintons are still treating her like she is a child.

As to the debate issue, this is ridiculous. Hillary already agreed to do a debate on Faux news. lf ever there were a clear cut case of serious oversensitivity with the Clinton camp this is it. This actually makes them look weak. Chelsea is no longer a child.

The Clintons are bullying the media, imo, by threatening to not debate on thier channel becuase of one stupid comment by Schuster. He is a damn fine journalist, who made a mistake. MSNBC is taking care of it. While I appreciate it, I wish they would be just as tough on both Chris Matthews and Tucker, who I have personally seen say FAR worse things, with no reprecussion. I don't really like witch hunts, and in this case, this is what I see happening.

I mean come on, the Clintons both are touting the fact that they are very good friends with John McCain, when it was mcCain who said that Chelsea was so ugly becuase she was actually the daughter of Janet Reno... or did everyone forget that little bit if nastiness?

It just seems like the Clintons are using this whole thing to excersise some kind of power they want to have over the media. If a Democratic Candidate agrees to go on Faux news for a debate... with all of the crap they pull... and instead threatens another network with a no-show over something that was stupid, but not part of a pattern of maliciousness, then I have to question motives, and the only thing I see is that this is a power play for the media.

Shuster got suspended. Matthews didn't. I suspect it is because he aimed it at Chelsea, but, as I said before, she is 27. She should be able to fight her own battles at this age. Either she is in the political game, or she isn't, but her Mom and Dad cannot keep protecting her. I am still waiting to hear From Chelsea herself in her own words about this situation.

[Raine1967]

90. To follow up, with a link...

http://www.salon.com/news/1998/06/25newsb.html

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
Because her father is Janet Reno."

That was 10 years ago. That was said by John McCain. The Clintons need to focus.

David/MSNBC is not the friggin enemy. They should not be f*cking with the hands that feeds them.

[high density]

53. David Shuster has done a lot of good on MSNBC

I'm not going to join the others here in outrage and hanging him from his nutsack. It sounds like a (bad) joke that has been blown out of proportion.

[mamameow]

54. no, not david schuster???

i really expected more from this man. we the people must start standing up with outrage when such things are said. it is insulting to someone who did nothing. i read some articles about chelsea that were derogatory because she did not to interviews, autographs. disgusting

[bean fidhleir]

55. So what exactly is the problem?

What he said, boiled down, was that her parents are exploiting her (with her willing agreement). That's all he said. And that's exactly what's going on. So why should the fact that he used a very common word (BD in Doonesbury, if you recall, even referred to having his prosthesis "pimped") be the cause of such an uproar? It sounds like faux outrage to me.

[RamboLiberal]

61. Video of him apologizing again on Tucker's Show Friday

http://mediamatters.org/items/200802080010?f=h_latest

On the February 8 edition of MSNBC's Tucker, correspondent David Shuster addressed earlier comments he made about Chelsea Clinton, for which he was suspended by NBC.

From the February 8 edition of MSNBC's Tucker:

NORAH O'DONNELL (guest host): But we begin with MSNBC's David Shuster, who has a comment about something he said on this show last night.

SHUSTER: Last night during the show, I spoke about Chelsea Clinton and noted the affection that so many of us have for her. I also spoke about phone calls she has made to super delegates to convince them to support her mom. In describing this effort, 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.

O'DONNELL: OK, David.

[demigoddess]

62. personally, I did not think much of his apology

a lot like Chris Matthews 'apology' for his sexist remark

[IsItJustMe]

67. Stupid comment. He apoligised. Nuff said. Let's move on.

[NoodleyAppendage]

68. Can we expect more media censorship from Mrs. Sensitive "Crybaby" Clinton?

Poor choice of words, but the intent is dead on. Chelsea is being used by her mother to dump up young female votes; a sector that is weak for Hillary.

J

[Tellurian]

72. It must bother the Shusters, for having their son "pimping" for msnbc, too...

:rofl:

[NoodleyAppendage]

77. You were cheering Schuster a year ago when he was going after Scooter Libby.

Schuster has been the single best investigative reporter in the MSM and has a history of going hard after the Bush Administration. His reporting on the Scooter Libby case was extolled around here at DU as the best in a long time...but that was the old DU...the one before the kool-aid drinking Clintonite DINO/DLC lovers such as your self arrived pushing your loser of a candidate.

BTW - how's Clinton polling against McCain? What? What's that? You say not well...too bad. She's a loser.

[Tellurian]

78. Huh? I didn't know who Schuster was until yesterday..

I don't really give a damn who he WAS! It's who he IS and What he SAID that got himself fired. I've only been here for 6 years and I have no idea who YOU are or what your belly aching problem is...

[Raine1967]

91. *ding*

I find it disturbing the lack of objectivity I am seeing.

IS this about the clintons, or about David? or about perspective?

He got a suspension. if people wanted punishment they got it. I would like to say I do not get this. I would... b t I really am starting to thing that this is becoming a friggin MSNBC/the Clintons issue.

DAVID is not the friggin enemy here. He made a mistake. But he is not the enemy, he is a reporter who said a dumb ass thing. The fallout in all of this is the real story.

[Vogon_Glory]

75. About time toilet-mouth corporate bootlickers got slapped down n/t

[RamboLiberal]

80. Emails between HRC official and Shuster

-----

-----Original Message-----
From: Philippe Reines
To: David Shuster
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 9:16: p.m.

David - I want to make sure I'm crystal clear here - you're saying that because she doesn't grant interviews and makes calls on behalf of her mother, you are right to say that she is being pimped out?

I don't need to read a the whole transcript for context, you were way out of line. Nobody's jumping down your throat about asking for an interview or talking about calls she made. And you know it.

There is simply no excuse for being so offensive.



-----Original Message-----
From: David Shuster
To: Philippe Reines
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 9:29 p.m.

No. That's not what I'm saying. And if you bothered to look at the transcript and saw all of the glowing things I said about chelsea and the way she was raised, you would know that.

The issue is not her making calls. As + said on the air, I have no problems with that what so ever. The issue is not her refusing interviews. The issue is that the campaign has come down hard on reporters who merely sought to ask chelsea questions. You can't have it both ways. Reporters have long respected the clintons desire that we avoid chelsea and let her have her space. But to get angry at reporters seeking to talk to her now is patently unfair. And you know that.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8408_Page2.html

[Raine1967]

89. I will say it again

Chelsea is 27 years old. Either she is a part of the Clinton campaign Machine or she is not.

She isn't a child. This is getting stupid with the way the Clintons are treating her and expecting the media to treat her. I certainly am finding this very uncomfortable to see and watch.

[TankLV]

95. funny how you're not uncomfortable with these asswipes trashing their daughter...

go back to the site you obviously are more comfortable with...

[Raine1967]

96. Wow.

What are you talking about? Did I even begin to say anything like that?

Never mind... please don't bother to answer. I am new here, yes, but I certainly would never have the audacity to attack the messenger such as this. I am real sorry that I many not agree with you, but I certainly don't think being insulting about a disagreement is really worth it.

[TankLV]

102. Thanks for proving my point. I rest my case...

there is no low you obama idiots will stoop to, none...

[LanternWaste]

106. I certainly don't think anyone would expect

I certainly don't think anyone would expect a journalist to use the term "pimping her out" in actual copy-- regardless of who the target is. It's intellectually lazy and disrespectful at best.

While I find the comment to be in bad form, I find the on-air use of it even worse.

How precisely does the "Clinton campaign Machine" expect her to be treated? Is this based on mere anecdotal evidence, or are you privy to an internal memo distributed by either Sen. Clinton's campaign or the media?

[AnnieBW]

100. It's a Horrible Thing To Say About A Young Woman

Especially one that has never given ANYONE a hint that she is slutty. Would they say that about the Bush Twins if they were making phone calls on behalf of their father?

[SlavesandBulldozers]

103. He said a stupid thing and is learning his lesson.

One wishes that something similar would have happened to Matthews who doesn't say perjorative things but spews lies along with slobber.

Go Obama.

[moondust]

105. My concern

is that the Clintons may be USING Chelsea specifically to "soften up" superdelegates with her "innocence and likeability" while claiming she is still off limits to the press just like the good old days.