Faith

Chris Matthews Scolds Reporter for Using White House Talking Point on Contraception

While Chris Matthews may hove gotten that thrill up his leg in the past for Barack Obama, as a Catholic he‘s pretty fired up over the president’s mandate that faith-based employers provide contraception. How upset? He was bold enough to scold a New York Magazine reporter for using a White House talking point to defend the mandate.

(Related: 5 reasons Obama may be losing the contraception mandate)

During a segment on MSNBC’s “Hardball,” reporter John Heilemann responded to one question by saying that 28 states in the country already have the mandate. Seems like a slam dunk for the president. But it’s not, and Matthews caught it:

“It’s not the law of the land,” Matthews snapped when Heilemann brought up the argument. “The law, those requirements are not the same as this. I’ve gone through this. That’s what the White House is putting out. Get that established independently of the White House. Just do that, because there’s co-pays involved and it’s different.”

So why isn’t it a slam dunk? It is true that 28 states have the requirement. But as Matthews correctly notes, many of those laws include caveats, unlike the federal mandate. The National Catholic Reporter has more:

Currently, 28 states have laws requiring contraceptive coverage as part of health plans. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 20 of those states offer some type of exemption, a list including Arizona, New York, Maryland, Missouri and California.

Whether exemptions exist or not, Catholic groups in all 28 states can avoid the contraceptive mandate in one of three ways, says the U.S. bishops’ conference. These include self-insuring prescription drug coverage, dropping that coverage completely or opting into a federal law that preempts any state mandates. Critics say the narrowness of the recent federal ruling would block religious groups from taking any of these avenues.

Kaiser Health News confirms the exemption number.

Noel Sheppard noticed that Heilmann looked pretty embarassed:

Chris Matthews Blasts John Heilemann Over White House Talking Point on Contraception

He ends his analysis with a question: “Kudos to the Hardball host, but wouldn’t it be nice if nobody on MSNBC was ever allowed to echo Obama administration talking points?”

Comments (132)

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  • jrcess
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:48am

    To bad Chris Matthew’s mother did not use contraception or his old man withdraw, would have been a better world.

     
    • marhee9
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:27am

      Lol, that’s for sure. This guy is a great poster child for the left. When he said it was “his job” to make Obama sucessful, that really showed how far the liberal media has fallen.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GEYAbSoYxs

      Report Post »  
    • GETLIFE
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:59am

      I agree with AVENGERK. Obama will hold this up as proof of how well he can listen and compromise.
      But it will cause many to take a closer look at what the WH is trying to get past us.

      Report Post » GETLIFE  
    • jhrusky
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 1:53pm

      I’ll bet Matthews is jumping up and down for joy now that the cowards at Fox News have fired Judge Napolitano. The Judge was the most common-sense guy on Fox. Now it’s totally worthless.

      Glenn, you should consider hiring the Judge to be on GBTV.

      Report Post » jhrusky  
    • BenDover4Obama
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 3:47pm

      How would Chris know its a BO / WH talking point, unless he receives them as well?

      Report Post » BenDover4Obama  
    • SpartanPride
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 4:17pm

      Now Mathews ought to do the right thing and denounce Obama for the marxist he is and throw his support to the GOP.

      Report Post » SpartanPride  
    • SpartanPride
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 4:20pm

      Best part of CM ran down his momma’s leg

      Report Post » SpartanPride  
    • WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges10
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 6:02pm

      It won’t work, Chris “Goebbels” Matthews. You’re gonna swing with the rest of those TRAITORS.

      Report Post » WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges10  
  • izukiddin
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:36am

    Looks like Chris is a better Catholic than a liberal.

    Report Post »  
    • onthefrontline
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:15am

      A true sign of Change on the Catholic Liberal side…
      They are begining to see through the FRAUD that’s
      OCCUPYING our White House..

      Report Post » onthefrontline  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:20am

      Don’t kid yourself…Matthews will shill for Obama shamelessly and relentlessly. What Matthews is doing is damage control. He knows Obama‘s on the wrong side of this and has been hurt politically so he’s using his media position to force Obama to acquiesce on the mandate and attempt to save whatever Catholic and Christian votes he can. This is tailored to turn around later and say ..”hey what a good guy Barry is, he, listened to us, he stepped in and changed the law for you good christian folks..now go forth and vote for him”.

      Report Post »  
    • Chip Handerson
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 11:45am

      We just need to make sure the GOP never goes down the contraception angle. If we stay on the conscience clause, not even feminists can side with Obama. This could just be his undoing.

      Report Post »  
    • MS Patriot
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:10pm

      The Christians have set back unabashed by the socialist agenda of the the progressives until the Federal Government has now taken a shot at religion. You can not have socialism and Christianity. No where do the two exist without the socialist government’s intervention.
      For the last 24 years we have been under the control of the elitist who wish to rule the world. We have only had President’s who have attended Harvard or Yale.
      Why do they attack the Christians so vehemently? Because the Christians in this country are responsible for all that is good in this country, the morals and values taught in Christian families is the reason why our country grew to be a world super power in manufacturing and the military. We were blessed by God, who saw that we were rewarded for the faithfulness of the Christians in this country. Satan has been allowed to erode the Christian base of our nation and slowly eat away at the morals and ethics that made our country strong. We allow exemptions to McDonald’s for health care, but yet the federal government attacks religion. If you didn’t believe the lying progressive agenda before, you better believe it now. When government gives a restaurant chain more preferential treatment than religion there is no mistaking their intentions in the end.

      Report Post »  
  • scuba13
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:35am

    Matthews is still a left wing kook, no matter what he says he will still be a blowhorn for Obama.

    Report Post » scuba13  
  • Mrs. Bowers
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:28am

    This is a first for this guy! I didn’t think he had it in him to be objective. Glad to be proven wrong!

    Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:42am

      Matthews is old school Roman Catholic from Philly. Like most Catholics, who voted 54% for Obama, he’s a fool. Fact is, Catholics are getting what they deserve. Stupidity is no excuse. Maybe this will wake up their leadership and bring them back into the flock of traditional values and away from their support of socialism/communism.

      Report Post »  
    • dissent
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:45am

      Yep, the real headline here should be “Matthews has first recorded independent thought”. I mean, it’s more shocking and improbable than a perpetual motion machine or dividing by zero…I thought we’d figure those things out before any MSNBC host actually had a thought of their own.

      Report Post »  
  • mtonepa
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:27am

    I hate how this argument is only around Religion, I am not against the arguement but there is something bigger happening. This should be more about the Feds constant mandates on us and how they continue to remove our freedoms everytime they mandate something and the cost of all these mandates. Where does the Fed get the authority to tell a business that they must provide a product or service for free to anyone.

    If they are only looking out for our health why don’t they mandate that Health insurance companies must provide Cancer Medication for free or free antibiotics?

    It is never what it seems, they are buying votes at the cost of our liberty. That is the real discussion.

    Report Post »  
    • IFIXRIGS
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 1:54pm

      As i agree with your comment in general you are wrong about one fact . It is all about religion. If they get rid of this then they have won. The fact that religion is the basis and the primary reason that we are a Nation. If they destroy that then they will have won totaly and outright.

      Report Post »  
    • NYHuguenot
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:47pm

      My question in this? If I take a drug that is essential to my life I still have a copay. Why is this drug mandated to be sold with no copay?

      Report Post »  
    • Ginny
      Posted on March 10, 2012 at 11:07am

      You are so right, there is a much bigger picture and we are slowly, but surely losing. Can we last til November?

      Report Post » Ginny  
  • Unix
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:19am

    Indeed this is a Constituional issue, anything else is just a lie. The WH has stepped in a big pile of it this time, as I read somewhere, Catholics are a big tribe. Wake up please, wake up America, the wool is being pulled over your eyes by the Marxist-Agitator-in-Chief…

    Report Post » Unix  
  • wboehmer
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:11am

    When Chris Matthews is so quick to pounce on the nonsense White talking points, a HUGE MISCALCULATION by the Worst-President-Ever Obama Administration just may be indicated.

    Report Post »  
  • Azza
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:06am

    First and foremost — this is a First Amendment issue !!!
    The Liberal Democrat sluts in congress are addressing this as a contraceptive issue — it is not– they were elected to protect the Constitution and our Civil Liberties — and they failed !!! Thank God the Republican Women in Congress came out to assure us that they will protect us against infringement of our First Amendment rights !!!
    Hosanna -Tabor vs EEOC — unanimous 9 judges SCOTUS ruled that the –
    1st Amendment’s Religious Liberty clause was to prohibit government interference in the internal affairs of Religious groups –in general and in their selection of their leader in particular –
    Obama and the DOJ lost this argument and no one is touching the slap in the head Obama got from the SCOTUS —
    Obamacare has the same status toward our civil liberties that the Democrat in both the Senate and Congress brought against us!!! when it was mandated –
    Call congress 1-202 224- 3121 — and attack Boxer –Murry –Pelosi for making this issue a contraceptive issue not our civily liberty issue —

    Report Post »  
    • Harry Assenback
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:22am

      Amazing how all of the Lesbians in the White House are fighting for Contraception……Liberals freely give up their rights and bodies to “Governement Controlled Healthcare” but ask the same “Government” to stay out their body with regards to Abortion.

      Report Post » Harry Assenback  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:53am

    He just realized that warm tingle was urine running down his leg ….. I wish he would go away… Pathetic llittle socialist….

    Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:00am

      Peace Corps Matthews from Philly. Duck and cover during Vietnam.

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:14am

      Looks like the Administration finally hit a soft spot with some of the progressives like Chrissy Boy – you can’t have your cake and eat it too – Socialism under Obama turns into a Dictatorship with a Sharia Constitution and the true separation of Church and state will be eliminated.

      Report Post » db321  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:52am

    .
    Wow Chrissy came up for air and had a clear thought. Now if we could just find a way to keep his head out his Behind, on a permanent basis……

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:01am

      SPANKDAMONKEY, LOL, I don’t Chrissy will ever be able to accomplish that spectacular feat. Well, dislodging his head from his fourth point of contact would be a spectacular feat for him. He is being his usual self and trying to have his, both ways.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • NYHuguenot
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:06pm

      His behind or Obama’s?

      Report Post »  
  • Comeandtakeit
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:44am

    First they came for the conservatives but now they came for Chrissy- I love it. All of a sudden, Obama jumped the shark too soon and bit Chrissy right where his thrill meets his leg. Clue time.

    Report Post »  
  • BuggiOlleo
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:36am

    Contraception and politics be darned; this isn’t the issue at all..The Constitution is the problem!;..
    She obstructs the vision and direction of tinkering politicians who know better than the rest of us….God in the Constitution is a Contemporary problem because we are spoiled…We have out of control politicians(like today) and out of Control Judges(9th District come to mind) who are nudging the Constitution into the Future–for only one purpose–CHANGE..This hedges on out of control Governance..
    This is the ‘Why’ of the Tea Parties existence! Government, at all levels, needs to be lassoed and wrangled into a hog tie. Somber folks not caring about the direction of Government better wake up…and I see many stirring…;however, we need more..Vote out whoever ain’t doing their job..Most politicians I see want to make a deal rather than help..Deal making is over!…..Instead of defense, we need to be on the offensive..we should not have to defend being who we are….AMERICANS..all of us!; and dog gone it, we have let a bunch of Progressive egalitarian oligarchs bear the fruit of our labor–No, this will not do..Nope, Nada, zip, zero, nyet.!!!! and again

    Report Post » BuggiOlleo  
    • delinski
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:15am

      I agree with you Bug but I am happy to see there is enough outrage on Chris’s part that he can put his progressive agenda aside for a moment to criticize this blatant corruption of government intrusion on religion. I don’t like the man or his communist agenda, but will give him some credit for at least speaking out this time.

      Report Post »  
  • BuggiOlleo
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:35am

    Contraception and politics be darned; this isn’t the issue at all..The Constitution is the problem!;..
    She obstructs the vision and direction of tinkering politicians who know better than the rest of us….God in the Constitution is a Contemporary problem because we are spoiled…We have out of control politicians(like today) and out of Control Judges(9th District come to mind) who are nudging the Constitution into the Future–for only one purpose–CHANGE..This hedges on out of control Governance..
    This is the ‘Why’ of the Tea Parties existence! Government, at all levels, needs to be lassoed and wrangled into a hog tie. Somber folks not caring about the direction of Government better wake up…and I see many stirring…;however, we need more..Vote out whoever ain’t doing their job..Most politicians I see want to make a deal rather than help..Deal making is over!…..Instead of defense, we need to be on the offensive..we should not have to defend being who we are….AMERICANS..all of us!; and dog gone it, we have let a bunch of Progressive egalitarian oligarchs bear the fruit of our labor–No, this will not do..Nope, Nada, zip, zero, nyet.!!!!

    Report Post » BuggiOlleo  
  • HKS
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:32am

    Gee, Chris might just get kicked out of that cherished lib club by not sticking to WH talking points. He just might get that leg tingle transferred to his cheeks when Obama slaps the crap out of him for not following orders. Democrats are programmed not to dis-obey orders from the boss, serious violation here.

    Report Post » HKS  
    • bandi9
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:45am

      obama slapping, haha. that is probably how he would fight, by slapping, the girly man.

      Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:26am

    .
    Oh it’s working on Top of a Lap……

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • AzSage
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:26am

    Typical NIMBY progressive.

    Report Post » AzSage  
  • Listen_then_think
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:21am

    This story proves it is NOT possible for zeig heil matthews to be impartial. He is an active, avid hater (impartial?) of conservatives and republican values and ideas until it is something personal to him. Now he is (impartial?) up in arms. I will not watch msnbc or even flip throught the channel, I would rather they have zero ratings.

    Report Post »  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:23am

      though of course i side with my catholic church i have to recognize this is a battle for implementation of sharia in america-of the catholic kind.

       
  • highwayman
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:17am

    Could Chrissy be losing that loving,tingling feeling ?

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:24am

      That’ll be the day…

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • MyAgendaIsTruth
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:19am

      The only way Matthews will lose his tingle up his leg is to get his legs amputated.

      I can’t even stand hearing him in these short clips. I am embarrassed that he came from my home town of Philadelphia. He makes me want to puke every time I hear his voice.

      Report Post » MyAgendaIsTruth  
  • crazyoz
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:16am

    Are you sure its working on the laptop?

    Report Post »  
  • crazyoz
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:14am

    Matthews should not have had that last one before going on the air.

    Report Post »  
  • rationallyurs
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:04am

    guess chrissy needs some more semi-man love from obama—or maybe some real man love from the moochelle

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:03am

    Ahhhh Chrissy is trying very hard to be “impartial” he must have had to use double mouthwash for the ashes in his mouth……..

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • Cat
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 8:55am

    One thing’s for sure …
    Crissy Tingles programme de televisione es dunde drano

    Report Post » Cat  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:18am

      All I can tell you people in the rest of the country is that life long Democrat Catholics from Massachusetts are visibly upset with Obama on this. If you only knew how upset people are and i believe this alone has turned peopls’ votes. This is a great moment for Republicans and we must make as much hay as the sun shines.

      Report Post »  
    • Cat
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:30am

      Ishk >

      So, Barry Soetoro’s ratings should be plunging, correct?

      Report Post » Cat  
  • drago
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 8:49am

    Chrissy is a catholic? Sorry, i aint buying it…….

    Report Post »  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:17am

      Why do you think Tingles still foams at the mouth over the mere mention of KENNEDY?
      He named his daughter Caroline,DUH.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on February 10, 2012 at 8:47am

    The one thing they all leave out is that not having insurance coverage for contraception is not the same as not having access to contraception. They all want to act like if insurance doesn’t cover it, it can’t be had. It’s ridiculous.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • seeker9
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:07am

      I noticed that too. They say contraception but mean FREE contraception (paid for by the taxpayer).

      Report Post » seeker9  
    • smithclar3nc3
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:07am

      Exactly,you can get condoms any and every where. It’s not like you need a prescription. Alot of bars still have the in the restroom as well. It‘s not like you can’t get them without insurance.
      This just shows the intent of Obama and his ilk to create a society TOTALLY DEPENDENT on the Government. It shows their true goal is ultimate power by creating a society without responsibility unable to exist without mother government.

      Report Post »  
    • Dstarr55
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:16am

      Gonzo, you are spot on and it is one thing I can’t stand about this debate. No women is being denied birth control or the morning after pill. There is a vending machine at a college that distributes the morning after pill – you don‘t need a doctor’s prescription to obtain and birth control cost is minimal and in some cases can be obtained free of charge . This false argument by the MSM is frustrating to watch. The point is religious freedom from government intrusion and mandates. Everyone should be fearful of that.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 9:16am

      Smith, Planned Parenthood hands it all out for for free… paid for by you and me!

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • MS Patriot
      Posted on February 10, 2012 at 10:21pm

      This is exactly what they are hiding. If the Federal government wins the mandate decision on forcing religious institutions to do this, what will stop them from forcing us to change our beliefs? Will they be able to say how much can be donated to the Church? Could they tell a Catholic college to remove crosses from dorm rooms so that Muslim students won’t be offended? What if the students are using federal money to attend the Catholic school?

      It‘s just the start and if this is not stopped the onslaught on the Christians in this country will begin and it won’t stop until they have all of us under their rule. You can take that to the bank. Separation of Church and state was placed in the Constitution to keep government out of religion. So what did they do, they managed to take religion out of government. Now they are working on taking religion out of the churches. I guess we will all have to be Scientologist.

      Report Post »  
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