‘Brand X’: Chris Matthews Slams Romney as Unknown Commodity, Unlike…Obama?!
- Posted on May 16, 2012 at 7:56pm by
Mytheos Holt
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Last night, Chris Matthews made a seemingly off-the-cuff remark about how presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney didn’t really want to define himself, except as the alternative to Barack Obama. Matthews even raised the alarmist flag that Romney could be elected as a completely unknown commodity, seemingly blind to the fact that the very man who had sent a “thrill up his leg” had been elected as precisely that.
Well, tonight, Matthews not only doubled down on those sentiments, but he made them the centerpiece of his episode-concluding segment, “Let me finish.” In the following 2 minute rant, Matthews not only excoriates Romney for selling himself as essentially “Brand X,” but makes the thoroughly inscrutable argument that the American people actually know Barack Obama better than they know Romney, because Obama “is who he seems to be.” Never mind that, as Glenn demonstrated last week, nearly every element of the persona President Obama has built for himself is misleading or outright false.
Watch Matthews’ segment below, followed by some notes on Matthews’ arguments:
Matthews opens with the aforementioned difficult to swallow argument that Obama “is who he seems to be.“ Yet who Obama ”seems to be,” even according to Matthews, is someone who appears to have few, if any, defining traits:
“A bit cool, very smart, a good sense of humor on the personal side. A fairly pragmatic progressive on the governing side, a fairly tough, no-nonsense defender of the country on the national defense side.”
So according to Matthews, Obama is cool, smart and funny. Okay, suppose that’s true. It‘s hardly the kind of deep psychological analysis that you’d give of someone you really know. In fact, “cool, smart and funny,” probably wouldn’t even be considered an insightful description on an online dating site. It’s supremely shallow, and it’s more the sort of description you give of an unattainable crush who you know nothing about as a human being than what you say about someone whose personality has been made accessible and understandable.
The political descriptors are even more hazy. “Fairly pragmatic progressive” could mean Obama resembles anyone from Theodore Roosevelt all the way down to Lyndon Johnson. If Matthews really thinks we know Obama as well as all that, couldn’t he have added some more defining adjectives, or at least narrowed down what progressive figures Obama might take inspiration from? The answer is, of course, that he couldn’t, because no one, Matthews included, has any idea who Obama’s political idols are, or what his political philosophy is. In fact, based on the descriptors applied just by his enemies, that philosophy could be anything from corporatist fascism (as Obama’s leftist detractors tend to allege) to post-colonial Kenyan socialism (as Dinesh D’Souza thinks). Some people even think Obama’s a conservative (Andrew Sullivan being one)! This narrows Obama’s political philosophy down to about 80 percent of the United States political spectrum. For Matthews to claim we know a man who could be anywhere in that range of philosophies is disingenuous in the extreme.
Matthews then proceeds to attack Romney. He calls Romney a “moderate” in Massachusetts, who (according to Matthews) pioneered the model for Obamacare, and was pro-choice and pro-gay marriage before moving right in order to appease the Republican base.
This sentence alone is more than Matthews, or any other member of the media who wasn’t on Fox, probably ever said about Barack Obama’s political platform in Illinois. In fact, aside from his pre-Presidential title (“Senator Obama”) being mentioned constantly, you could have been forgiven for forgetting that Obama had a state-level record at all in 2008, much less wondering whether it was a moderate record or not. So already, Matthews has attacked Romney using information that no one even mentioned about Obama when he first ran. Advantage: Romney.
Matthews then accuses Romney of becoming “nasty on immigration” because of his roundly mocked comments about “self-deportation.” One has to be impressed that Matthews apparently figured out what that phrase means, given that it was roundly mocked when Romney first said it. But still, incoherent and silly though the idea of “self-deportation” was and is, it’s still a more candid answer about immigration than President Obama has ever given. In fact, four years after his election, many people probably still have no idea what Obama’s vision for immigration policy is. Again, advantage: Romney.
Matthews proceeds to try to tie Romney to Bush before making cracks about Romney’s personal manner and accusing him of hiding from the press, especially with respect to his tenure at Bain Capital. After a bit more ranting, Matthews finishes off by describing Romney as trying to be the last acceptable alternative for President, which Matthews likens to “going to Denny’s”:
So this is what we’re getting this November: a candidate we know, and one waiting in the shadows hoping things get so hopeless that we elect that guy with the nice wife and kids, that one who won’t answer questions. Well right now, he won’t even tell us how he got rich for the simple reason he doesn’t want us to know the answers. He just wants us, well he just wants himself to be the alternative, the guy we end up with when nothing else is around. You know, sort of like going to Denny’s.
All we have to say about that choice of metaphor is that it rather undercuts Matthews’ entire alarmist shtick. Denny‘s isn’t the tastiest place to eat – in fact, it’s pretty mediocre and boring – but in a choice between eating Denny’s and inadvertently eating dog, we know the choice most Americans would probably make. Advantage: Romney.



















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Comments (91)
falschimjaeger
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:18pmHey Chris Matthews, how did the whole Jeporady thing go? From what I saw of it, you sir are dumber than a box of rocks. And I don’t like insulting the box, or the rocks. You are just too dumb.
Report Post »NeoFan
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:40pmI have to agree with Chris. We knew that Obama was going to be the worst president to date and we really don’t know how much better Romney will be but I am estimating somewhere around a quadrillion percent.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 12:56amObama is a known commodity. I flush that same known commodity every morning. It’s part of a good morning constitution.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 1:10amHow’s that tingle running down your leg Chrissy, oh I guess your depends are leaking…….
Report Post »West Coast Patriot
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 4:43amAll I know is this, and you should listen as I have been right many times. Romney WILL NOT win in November. Get it through your heads. He does not have the support he needs. I mean, think about it in an intelligent way. He has less support right now than McCain had at htis point in “08. He has no real base. At least Obama has a base, they are idiots, but a base none the less. If you fear Obama as much as I think you do, you need to look elsewhere. Pauls ideas are not so far out of line that you think they are. Look deep inside yourself and think about it. Do you really want another four years of Obama???? I am telling you, Paul is the only one that would win with a landslide. I know this in my heart. If Romney becomes the nominee, I know that I will be buying lots of food storage, amminition and storing up many many gallons of water. The worlds economy is going to crash in the next few years, guaranteed, no matter who wins the race. If Obama or Romney is POTUS, they will come on TV and tell everyone that they tried their best, but the economy was so far gone, it could not be saved, but the U.N. has a plan that will save us all! Not for me. Paul would tell them take a hike and we would have our entire military here to back us up. Food for thought.
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 6:59am@West Coast Patriot
Paul has about as much of a chance of winning as does the south pole melting. It ain’t gonna happen. I like almost everything Ron Paul says, but if followers of his think he has a snowballs chance of winning, they are delusional.
Plus, Paul just isn’t the right guy…sorry. He has the right message, but he’s he wrong guy. He’s whiny and not assertive enough and just like Alex Jones, makes crazy statements and then just doesn’t back them up by explaining them and then giving verifiable facts.
Right message, wrong guy. Ain’t going to win so give it up!
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 7:07amyou know, sometimes things get so stupid it is difficult to even comment. good god the man is a fool.
Report Post »michael48
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:43amhe!! chrissy doesn’t know who chrissy is…sure want a puppy outa this fellos litter…NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on May 18, 2012 at 1:26amUnknown? If there’s a choice between a decent man who has a good business and personal background and an unknown who seems to be a communist/marxist, I vote for the decent man we can track and know something about. You see what we’ve gotten the last 3 yrs. with an unknown, except, now we ALL know what’s going on. Chris is a fool who peed his pants leg too many times.
Report Post »Abraham Young
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:09pmI can very easily imagine Chris Mathews as a Pravda editor. Or a Kremlin spokeperson. No wonder we don’t view the Soviets as a threat, although we should. We have communist pinkos in our own midst pretending to give us the news.
Report Post »But the Blaze has a slant also. You won’t be reading this news on the Blaze anytime soon: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robin-koerner/its-romneys-to-lose-heres_b_1519827.html
falschimjaeger
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:06pmJoe Scarborough was unavailable for comment. Mika didn’t give him permission to leave the corner she put him in.
Report Post »falschimjaeger
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:01pmYou heard it here first. This just in. It has been reported that Obama and Mika Brzezinski have a secret love child. It was delivered by the versatile Chris Matthews. It is rumored that during the birth, Matthews was so drunk he nearly mistook the baby boys winkie for the umbilical cord and almost made him a her. But due to the fast cat like reflexes of Ed Schultz, this was averted. Watching from the wings was the Grand Pooba of MSNBC, the great and inept Lawrence O’Donnell. Rachel Maddow was outside protesting that the child must be raised by a same sex couple, but not her since she can’t even take care of a pet hedgehog. Oh those liberals. What a wacky,wacky bunch of nuts.
Report Post »lainer51
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 9:12amBRILLIANT! That would be a great skit for SNL, unfortunately, NBC and the boys would not have the guts to air it!
Report Post »llotus
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:55pmMathews knows nothing about the prez either. Is this the guy that had the thrill go up one leg and down the other or was that olberman? Their both on the same level. My vote is with Romney whether I like it or not. I like it a lot better than McCain. Romney will win. Their couldnt be that many stupid people in this country. Voter fraud and intimidation will be rampid. They will not scare me off. Lotus.
Report Post »falschimjaeger
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:50pmKnow Obama? Heck, everytime we try to find something out or expose something from his past, we are labeled either birthers or racists. Romney freely talks about his past and is not ashamed of it. Not so about Obama. Why won’t Obama still release his college records? What is he hiding? Yes, we know Obama, but only as the media reports him. Obama talks of transparency, but is transparent as a brick. There are some serious skeletons in his closet, but since nearly all media lacks honesty and integrity, we will never know the true Obama.
Report Post »beckyspatflaveredstew
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:41pmObama is like a media protected ghost. At least we know who Romney is, so we can get behind his open borders, gun control, carbon taxes, and His version of government health care.
Report Post »victorincalifornia
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:42pmI like dennys, always have hot coffee, great breakfasts, lunch or late, late, late dinners. Chris dennys not in preferred neighborhod, not expensive enough, what is it ? What a snob, guess everything is relative, my place to go when I cant find a dennys is mickee ds or taco bell
Report Post »lainer51
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:34pmHey Chris – Istanbul has EIGHT letters – not SIX….. dumbo….. and you say Sarah Palin is dumb???
Report Post »She is genius next to you.
falschimjaeger
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:24pmChris Matthews: I’ll take a clue for a handful of lint.
Report Post »Host: Lint is not a proper wager.
Chris Matthews: You’re a racist. Obama said it was and he knows everything. Oohh, just saying his name sends shivers up my leg. “Ooobammmma”. Wow, I needed that.
abbygirl1994
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:34pmHere Chris, I will define Mitt for you, Character, Principles, Values and Morals, clearly all things Obama and of course yourself lack badly! I would say you all are getting real nervous… Its time we took our country back and out of the hands of Socialist, Marxist and Communist.. tell us Chris, which one are you!
Report Post »right
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:30pmChris Matthews is going off the deep end.
Report Post »Sorry, he’s already gone off the deep end. Poor boy is CRAZY!
justangry
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:30pmAn essay I found fascinating during this primary claims there are two types of men. Men who crave power and men who crave freedom and that the only legitimate use of power are to protect freedom. Based on Romney’s support for the heinous laws passed since 9/11, I do not believe his intentions for seeking power are to protect our freedom. He is a power man, and I’m not interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUXNfk4MMlI&feature=player_embedded
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:56pmDo you live on the east or west coast?
Report Post »Lost Rebel
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:24pmWhat we know about Obama should entitle him to a “trial for treason”! Matthews is a lost soul. God have mercy on his misdirected allegience.
Report Post »lovenfl3
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:38pmMatthews is beyond a lost soul. He is the same guy that actually said that it “was his job to make sure that Barack Obama was successful.” Even Joe Scarborough couldn’t believe he said it and asked him “really? It’s your job?” Matthews doubled down and said ye, it’s my job. So this is just part of what he considers to be his job. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t5bgM61ULc
Report Post »Lost Rebel
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:22pmYeah you bet Obama is NOT an unknown. What we know about him thus far should entitle him to a “trial for treason”!!!! Chris Matthews is truly a mental moron. Maybe he should bed Obama to get it out of his system?????
Report Post »blackeyerat
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:18pmhey leave Denny’s alone they have good food. of course not according to Mrs. Obama.
Report Post »davetrav
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:12pmObama is a failure from day one. All the past leaders at least were governors of states. I can say at least Mitt isn’t Anti-American like Obama. His only friends are those that hates us, name something he has done right. LOSER—VOTE OBAMA OUT–SAVE AMERICA.
Report Post »LibertarianForLife
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:46pmYea, the NDAA, PATRIOT act, RomneyCare, and wall street bailouts definitely aren’t anti-American…
Report Post »SHOWMESTATEGUY
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:58pmMSNBC is the most liberal, out of touch network in America. But how long can they let this person continue? Even the sucky dem libs must be embarassed by this persons reports? Just kidding the sucky dem libs love every minute of his lies and distortions.
The trouble is this, I think a LOT of people are finally waking up to the fact that the msm are lovers of the dem lib party. I think a LOT of people are starting to wake up to the fact that the msm have an agenda to sell and their agenda is not America friendly. If you are a man and don’t suck then the dem libs and msm think something is wrong with you. Don’t believe me, ask Chris.
They suck, I don’t, I’m right and they are wrong.
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:48pmChris, please shoosh indefinitely.
Report Post »victorincalifornia
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:42pmwhats wrong with dennys ?
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:27pmgrand slam me……
Report Post »cemerius
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:31pmWhen does Chris Matthews get shoved into the corner of irrelevancy?
Report Post »toomuchgovt
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:27pmI don’t even like the idea of Romney being the pres, but at least I know who he is, what he believes and how he raises his children (all of which, I “personally” agree). Unlike Obama as Beck has pointed out this guy is like Forrest Gump, planting himself in a mythical world of history. Either Mama Obama was a complete liar, telling her child a fantasy about who he is or Obama is.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:15pmThe first thing that popped into my head was “Deflecting” to the tune of Eric Clapton’s “Pretending.”
Report Post »Hmmm, fits either way.
Mutiny
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:15pmHe isnt unknown. He is a clone of Obama on the real important issues.
Spending – Both have budgets that dont cut current spending.
Wars – Both have expressed the need to continue our overseas police duties.
Freedom – Both have supported bills like the NDAA, Patriot Act, and gun control.
Yes yes, I know he isnt a Communist but if we collapse we will but under the boot of the global banking communism. Romney shows a complete lack of understanding of the economy by putting out a budget that only cuts future increases. We will not have future increases when the Euro tanks. After the Euro tanks, the world banks will push for a global currency. This new currency will replace the dollar on oil. Once that happens we have a complete melt down of our system. We are in worse shape that most countries because we are not used to poverty, not eating 3 meals a day, electricity, water, and not mob violence around us. Other countries are used to these things. As the old saying goes, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Report Post »therealconservative
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:24pmRon Paul is not unknown, he’s a pacifist that will sell out our country and allies, to our enemies, faster than Obama.
Report Post »Lunertic
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:37pmSo what’s your answer Mutiny? I agree with everything you said. Heck. I even agree with what Tingle Leg said that at best, Romney is an alternative. Yes he is. But the boat has a huge leak and it’s name is Obama. At best Romney will slow the leak until a Patriot will emerge from all the goo that is now Croneyville. A shame when all we have to choose from are corrupt, power and money hungry Thugs. I’ll vote Romney and PRAY SOMEONE WITH THE SPIRIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON WILL COME ALONG!!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:31pmMUTINY still whipping your dead horse?
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:16pm@Lune
I am not sure, if Tampa doesnt change things up I am afraid we are on a unstoppable course. You would think after the tea party movement the GOP would see the light, but people like Thereal and Repub show that there are few people that understand the problem
I will be writing Ron Paul’s name in, in November. I will not support the GOP and until they realize that the 10 or 15% that want us to follow the Constitution need to be listened to. I stand by my view that Romney has zero shot at beating Obama. The only chance the GOP has is to nominate someone who is a stark contrast from Obama. Does no one agree we are in real trouble? Does the status quo seem like a good idea?
Save the “so you are voting for Obama” crap. You establishment people made this bed, you have to lay in it. If we are lucky enough to have elections in 2016, maybe then you will listen.
Report Post »DoctorC
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 11:43pmMutiny, you and the other Ron Paul write in wackos are nuts if you think that Romney is the same as Obama. Romney was moderate in Massachusetts because he knew that he was governor of a very liberal state and had a responsibility to sign some of the legislation that was sent to his desk even if he didn’t like it. He is unlike the current Obamination in that he is a man of principal and character. If enough of you write in Paul or don’t go vote, Obama could win and America will surely become mortally wounded. That will not happen if we get Obama out. Romney isn’t perfect, but get out and vote for him anyway in November!
Report Post »Mutiny
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 12:19amGuess I should add doctorC to the list of people who dont understand our crisis.
So Doctor you are ok with the big three things I mentioned with Romney? See those are the things that will change America. Yes Romney is NOW anti gay, pro life, and anti Romneycare, but those things dont destroy our country.
I feel like I am in some bad nightmare where everyone around me is braindead. Do you people understand that even if Romney wins, if he continues the big three policies this country is over. Now I dont believe there is snowballs chance in hell he can beat Obama. You people have chosen to back a candidate that is the status quo. The statue quo gets beat by 10 in November and you have no one to blame but yourselves.
I mean Romney cannot even get people to take the time and do the delegate work or he is so unorganized he didnt know the rules.
A vote for Romney is a vote for Obama.
Report Post »DoctorC
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 1:01amYou Paul wackos don’t believe Romney can win because you are delusional enough to believe that Paul actually is in the lead. Paul’s views are so extreme that he would have absolutely no chance in the November election, so the “establishment” seems to have chosen Romney. Most of us on this site didn’t really want Romney as our first choice, but we want ANYONE who can beat Obama-and Paul absolutely cannot. Most reasonable Americans think he is an extremist and a weirdo at that. He would get creamed by Obama and don’t even bother to go stand in line if you are writing him in. That is not how our system functions right now. It is a waste of a good conservative vote. If you truly are a patriot and not just a liberal troublemaker disguised as a libertarian then do as all of us will do. Swallow your pride and vote for Romney. Not for his sake, but because Obama is the epitome of evil just waiting for his lame duck opportunity.
Report Post »beckwill
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:09pmchris matthews and joe biden should team up for a new dumb and dumber flick.
Report Post »GEEK_OMG
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:05pmPlease explain to me why this idiot gets any credit for being a Journalist.. He has all of what.. 3 viewers?
Report Post »MIBUGNU2
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:26pmPALEEZZZZZ !! WE all know O’Blamer now.. He is a Lier, arrogant,
Report Post »decietful, ideologue….and just a start, Throw this BUM out in the
street come NOVEMBER !!!
Individualism
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:02pmRomney is Obama, there clones and Reptilians.
Report Post »bpodlesnik
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:14pmNope.
Report Post »therealconservative
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:20pmRon Paul is Chamberlain
Report Post »Got2bRoni
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:26pmNice try… Get back to your basement you paulbot…
Report Post »DEFCON4
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 8:32pmNot even Close !
Report Post »MadenNZ
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:06pmNot even CLOSE!!! Where the hell is this numbskull been hiding!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 9:35pmBut But But he won all the online straw polls…….. laughable
Report Post »beckyspatflaveredstew
Posted on May 16, 2012 at 10:54pmWe have a clearly defined picture of Romney, unlike Obama. With Mitt we know what to expect, unfortunately it includes carbon taxes to an international entity. He has also openly supported Massachusetts gun control policies, in His own words, He wants amnesty for those here illegally. He was at least highly influential in the crafting of obamacare. Go ahead and vote for the lessor of evil. sweet dreams.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 12:45am@Individualism
I’m going to follow you to the end of time (on this website) until you answer my question.
Just whom did you call a “pig lover”? Me or Scuba13?
Do you think you can hide? You can’t.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 6:21amthe person who said it was stupidity to mention the Occupy Movement has justification due to having fake capitalism.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 6:23amBarrack Obama just implemented Mitt Romney’s policies in Massachusetts on a Federal level. if you like Romney i don‘t see why you don’t like Obama unless its because hes black which is dumb.
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on May 17, 2012 at 8:56am@ thereal Pinpoint accurate statement. Paul would probably give half of Texas to the Mexican drug lords so they would “stop being mean to us”.
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