THE MILLER-MATTHEWS TRANSCRIPT
Hardball's Chris Matthews, like Dan Rather is beomcing a characture of himself. This transcript from last night's aborthed interview wilt Zell Miller proves it.
Ultra-cool Kerry Spot reader Joe TIVOed Hardball, and sends in a transcript:
Matthews: Do you believe truthfully that John Kerry wants to defeat the world with spitballs?
Zell: That was a metaphor. You know what a metaphor is?
Matthews: Well, what do you mean by that metaphor?
Zell: He wanted to cancel these weapons programs. Cancel, means to do away with. I think we ought to cancel this interview.
Matthews: Well, that would be my loss Senator. Well, let me ask you about this because I think you have a view on reporters of the world. You said, “It was often the soldier, not the reporter, who has given the freedom of the press.” What was your point?
Zell: Well, it certainly got a rise out of you.
Matthews: Well, it’s a shot.
Zell: You’re a reporter. You didn’t have anything to do with the freedom of the press.
Matthews: Why did you single out reporters… Because you could get an applause line at a conservative convention.
J.C. Watts: Now come on, Chris.
Zell: You’re hopeless. I wish I was over there. In fact I wish we lived in the…
Matthews: If a Republican Senator broke ranks and spoke for the democrats would you respect him?
Zell: Yes, I’ve seen that happen from time to time.
Matthews: Jim Jeffords switched parties after getting elected…
Zell: Wait a minute, wait a minute… If you’re going to ask a question..
Matthews: It’s a tough question. It takes a few words.
Zell: Get out of my face! If you’re going to ask me a question, then step back, and let me answer! I wish we lived in a day where you can challenge a person to a duel. Now that would be pretty good. (Norah Odonell loud laughter)
Don’t pull that stuff on me like you did that young lady when you had her brow beaten to death. I’m not her! I’m not her! You get in my face I’m going to get back in your face. [Jim's note: I presume this is a reference to Michelle Malkin?]
Matthews: Senator can I speak softly to you?
Zell: No, no. You won’t give me a chance to answer. You ask these questions and then you just talk over while I’m trying to answer just like you did that woman the other day. Why don’t why I even came on this program.
Matthews: Well, I’m glad you did. Well let me ask you this…
Zell: No, Are you going to shut up after you ask me! Are going to give me a chance to answer it.
Matthews: Yes, sir. I’m going to give you a chance to answer.
FRANK LUNTZ’S FOCUS GROUP ON MSNBC
The focus group gathered by pollster Frank Luntz appeared to like Zell’s speech better than Cheney's. They're describing it as, "stronger... focused on the family... dead on, convincing coming from a Democrat."
Then there’s one woman: “His entire focus was on terrorism and why we should be afraid.”
The "spitballs" line got a big laugh. The focus group seemed to like the line, and many thought it illustrated a serious point well.
Cheney’s line about “as if al-Qaeda will be impressed with our softer side” did well with his group, and in particular, "He declared at the Democratic Convention that he will forcefully defend America after we have been attacked. My fellow Americans, we have already been attacked" sent all the lines on the instant-response graphs taking off. Sounds like even the Democrats agreed with that line and liked it.
Final count, 11 out of 17 liked the speeches tonight and said they're more likely to support Bush-Cheney this year.
I'm surprisded that MSNBC ran this.
ZELL VS. CHRIS MATTHEWS! THE SKIRMISH IN HERALD SQUARE!
Wow. I have never seen a guest rip into Chris Matthews the way Sen. Zell Miller, the big star of this evening (sorry, Mr. Vice President) just did on MSNBC. Matthews appeared to be asking, "oh, come on, you don't really think John Kerry wants to arm our soldiers with spitballs, do you?" Apparently, the sarcasm was lost on the MSNBC host. When Matthews interrupted Miller one time too many, the fired-up Georgian lit into Matthews for not letting him finish, and said he wished Matthews wasn't a few blocks away in Herald Square so they could resolve this face to face.
I suspect this will get spun in Democratic circles as a sign that Zell Miller has gone nuts, and is now the political equivalent of a rabid dog barking at anyone who disagrees with him. In fact, Zell is articulating the fed-up frustrations of a significant number of Americans. Judging by the Kerry Spot e-mailbag, he was the the viewers' favorite for Wednesday night.
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