Clinton Sends Blistering Letter To NBC News Over Chelsea "Pimp" Remark

New York Times:

Senator Hillary Clinton sent a blistering letter today to the head of NBC, which suspended one of its reporters Friday for comments he made about Chelsea Clinton.

The reporter, David Shuster, had said Thursday that Ms. Clinton had been "pimped out" to make calls to superdelegates on behalf of her mother.

Mrs. Clinton said in her letter, to Steve Capus, the head of NBC, that she wanted to write personally to convey the "depth of my feeling" about Mr. Shuster's comments.

"Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient," she wrote.

She also said that Mr. Capus should look at "the pattern of behavior on your network that seems to repeatedly lead to this sort of degrading language."

Read the entire article here.

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[TerryS]

Can you imagine the reaction if David Shuster
had said "Obama is pimping out his wife" because
she is stumping for him? Can you imagine the
justified outrage? Yet for some reason Hillary
and her daughter are fair game (from both the
right and the left).

[thatvisionthing]

In Shuster's own words, from an e-mail he wrote to Hillary's staff:

"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

[Dari]

On David Shuster and MSNBC becoming Shustered:
(emailed to all NBC & MSNBC execs)

The real shame of it is, as poorly thought out as Shuster's question/remark was, he is the real victim of this entire mess! He is the latest in a L O N G line of people to be "used" in order for the Clintons' to receive media attention for, yet again, being "victimized". It is noteworthy that Monica Lewinsky was younger than Chelsea Clinton is now when former President Clinton had his dalliance with her (Google her to see how she is faring Post-Clinton).

There is truth in the old cliche: If you can't stand the heat, then, stay out of the kitchen.

Senator Clinton in her letter to MSNBC stated, I am a mother first and a candidate second.

Mr. Shuster APOLOGIZED which is MORE than Senator Clinton has ever done for her vote for the Iraq war.

I think that it is important to note Senator Clinton has NEVER apologized for her war vote to ALL the mothers whose adult children are NO LONGER ALIVE to be "called names".

I use the term "Shustered" to note that MSNBC no longer reports on anything that could be construed as controversial about Senator Clinton; in fear of not getting Clinton to sign on for one of the two debates with MSNBC. Your company, is instead, gagging or pandering to Senator Clinton's victimization from two of your companys reporters/pundits.

This morning, on Morning Joe, I was disturbed to see that show being "Shustered". The guest was a political fact checker, AND checked on only 3 of the 4 candidates in the race for the Presidency. You fact checked Obama, McCain and Mike Huckabee.

Senator Clinton has re-started her smear innuendos (Exelon and Rezko) in her interview last night with WJLA (ABC) last night, it becomes important that fact checking is done on ALL of the candidates. To do less, IS pandering, lacks journalistic integrity and MSNBC and their advertisers will lose both my respect and my business for allowing themselves to be "Shustered".

[thatvisionthing]

For better programming, NBC could do itself a favor if it let Hillary drop out of the debates and included instead the other candidates who have been excluded -- like Gravel and Paul (why not R's and D's together?), and even the other candidates who dropped out after getting diminished exposure in earlier debates -- like Kucinich, Dodd, Biden, Richardson. These guys had ideas! They challenged each other, and expanded each other, and the debates were so much more fun when there was a diversity of opinion. I never felt like we had such candidate wealth as when the whole field was up there -- all those cylinders firing. Now we're down to two, and it's hardly even about issues anymore, and my views are not represented, not even for the eventual winner to hear and consider.

[kennedy]

Former astronaut and Senator John Glenn will endorse Senator Clinton tomorrow in Ohio.

[kennedy]

Why don't you ask Obama he is having dinner with super delegates.

[kennedy]

HAS ANYONE READ THE ARTICLE BY: Catherine Dodge and Alex Tanzi Wed Feb 6, 2008

The headline reads:

Obama will run for Governor of Illonis after he drops out. Obama Campaign Projects Deadlocked Race After Primaries Finish. It is based on a memo that the Obama camp says they accidentally faxed to the media. What accident? And the memo conclusion from the Obama campaign is that Obama can't win, he can only tie. I can't believe that Obama is admitting he can't win. Then why in the world is still asking for money? And why in the world would anyone vote for someone who says up front they can't win and that he will drop out to run for Ill. governor.

[kennedy]

Obama was not even in the senate to cast a vote on Iraq. But he gives the impression he was. That is like me saying I was against the war so vote for me for president. I was not in the senate to cast a vote and neither was Obama. Soldiers are fighting and dying and Obama is using Iraq as a issue to get into the WH. And he is not telling the truth about it. Shame on Obama for not telling the truth.

[TheRealMacDaddy]

You and Mattie need to go back and review Sen. Obama's history in the Illinois State House and his getting a Resolution opposing any invasion of Iraq passed. Additionally you need to review the Congressional record with regards to Senator Clinton's votes and Senator Obama's votes on Bills regarding the war in Iraq.

His votes have backed up his beliefs...Unlike Hillary who said she "was misled". I damn sure don't remember her asking any questions when she gave GWB the authority to invade.

[kjg25171]

No Obama was not in the US Senate but he was in the Illinois Senate and he spoke out forcefully against the war.

[adc]

Wow! The Clinton's are pimping out Chelsea? How much for how long? Maybe they'd throw in Sheryl Crow as a bonus?

Hmmm... yummy.

[mellene]

When you're out in the public limelight stumping you deserve taking the potshots like all of the rest, so give it a rest, Hill. Afterall, the super delegates that you folks are fighting to bribe and influence for votes are corrupt as they come. The Americans are sick to death of all of the dirty politics that are played constantly by both parties. Free us from this corrupt government that we're stuck with as Bush sends us "shopping".

[starcycle]

"potshots?" That's not a "potshot," that's an uncalled for slimeball attack.

Good for Hillary for standing up for her family. If Schuster had said that about Mccain's daughter it wouldn't be seen as an acceptable "potshot." And Mccain wouldn't then be demonized and criticized for standing up for his family, as Hillary is doing. He'd be lauded for it.

Pardon, your double standard is showing.

[Levittown]

It is so easy for the Rash Lowblow clones to trash people.
They reside on a dung heap all year and occasionally
come forth to spread their garbage. It is unfortunate that major media outlets will do anything for a " hot, get their attention item " at the expense of their readers and listeners. I and many of my friends, relatives and employees have grown tired of the crap the columnists and TV pundits use such as rumors as statements of fact when they are just unproven BS.

[saxmaniac]

Obviously, none of you were around during Harry Truman's administration. When a New York Times music critic panned daughter Margaret's singing, Ol' give-em-hell-Harry threatened to break the guy's nose, warning him he would need a supporter "down below." Truman withstood the most disgusting and low-down dirty politics by the GOP -- even worse than today -- and will be remebered as one of the top 5 greatest presidents of the country. Hillary is on the right track, and Shuster should be canned.

[kennedy]

I have read that story before. And I can see where he was coming from. No one should sit idly by while someone attacks their family. And what kind of person does that make you if you do?

[jfh]

Correct --- remember how Mike Dukakis was criticized by the press and cable gas bags for his answer to a hypothetical question about how he would feel about the death penalty if it was his wife who was raped.

Had he answered with his emotions (as Senator Clinton did as a Mother defending her child) rather than his intellect; he may have won the Presidency.

But then the double standard would apply --- it's OK for a man to respond with emotion --- but a WOMAN --- too unstable to be president!!!

[milo9]

Just another reason not to vote for Clinton. She'd better not start crying when she loses!

[starcycle]

I'm more worried about you crying when she wins.

[milo9]

I'll will be crying that much is true!

[kennedy]

milo9


Why do you hate Hillary so much? What did she ever do to you?

[REDSTATEREFUGEE]

Chelsea has that quality that drives men wild: sweet sexiness. It is the quiet ones that are the hottest in private. You go girl....

[samuraijack]

Goddammit, a pimp is a guy. He wasn't literally calling her a pimp. Use your fucking heads, people! It was a term to illustrate she was pandering for votes, which is exactly what the hell she was doing. Give me a freakin break! Have we sunk to this horseshit where a term like this, thrown out on live TV, causes a PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE to write letters???? Get some fucking thick skin, Pantsuit Mama, you're going to need it when you steal the superdelegates from the people's choice, O B A M A.

[LarBear]

samuraijack... You say; "Goddammit, a pimp is a guy. He wasn't literally calling her a pimp. Use your fucking heads, people!" So, my F***ing head, that would be the head of my Penis I guess?
You say: "Give me a freakin break! Have we sunk to this horseshit where a term like this, thrown out on live TV, causes a PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE to write letters????" Ummmm, speak for yourself as to how deep you've sunk into horse manure... I haven't at all....
You say;" Get some fucking thick skin, Pantsuit Mama, you're going to need it when you steal the superdelegates from the people's choice, O B A M A. "
F***ing thick skin??? Where does one find that type skin??? Ummm, Pantsuit Mama??? Is that a person you know who is into stealing??? So, Super Delegates should automatically belong to Obama??? So, you and the Obama's want some more unfair rules to give him an advantage like he had in Nevada???
This change you want Obama to bring... Is that for Black America??? Or the rest of America? Let me guess... You want Constitutional Free Speech, while behaving totally impolite and disrespectful to others with your foul mouth and limited Language skills???

[Godmonkey]

You're coming along quite promisingly with the English, LarBear. Keep up the hard work. You can do it!

Samuraijack is right, though, I'm afraid. Lament the debasement of American English if you will, but "pimp" has long since ceased to have a strictly sleazy denotation. While she no doubt had the most expedient of intentions, Hillary has painted herself in an unflattering light here. Bad move. Score one for Obama!

[neworleanslady68]

More sexism even in the comments! The menz come out of the woodwork to respond (on Chelsea's sex appeal, on whether Hillary will lose, on her pantsuits).

I swear, sometimes, I want to vote for Hillary (even though I'm firmly for Obama) because of this kind of garbage. I want to see the reaction of all these sexist men if HC becomes president. I want to see your reaction, when your 200+ year lock on power is over and a woman is in charge. It's coming, make no mistake. Even if it isn't Hillary, she has come close enough to put you boys officially on notice.

The pimp thing is disgusting and unforgiveable because - now follow this carefully - if the Clintons are pimping out Chelsea, then the parents are the pimps and Chelsea is a whore.

I want to put alll of the women for Clinton on notice that if Obama loses, I will be sad, but, even so, I am going to dance in the frikin' streets for all the women who wanted Hillary to win so much, and to spite all those sexist menz who will feel so castrated by having Mommy in charge again.

You better be working real hard for Obama, boys, real hard...

[Araxiel]

Could not agree more!!! Schuster's comment was taken out of context, and by pimping, he did not mean what 99% of the woosie pundits are saying. I can only hope that her "outrage" backfires, and shows her for the hypocrite she really is. As for Chelsea, who gives a crap? What are her credentials, except that her infamous parents' influence got her a 300k a year job as a hedge fund analyst? Dear God, please, please give us a break from the Bushes and the Clintons.

[phoenix09]

Lumping the Clintons with the crimanal cabal that is the Bush family is ridiculous.

[kennedy]

Obama is cousins with Bush and Cheney. Obama is running on Bushes 2000 campaign slogans. Go and look it up.

[rachaelisacancer]

Your right jack, he wasn't literally calling her a pimp. He was calling her a prostitute.

Is Chelsea's pandering any different than that of the Obama campaign? No, it's not. Duh.

Use your f-ing head.

[kennedy]

Then why is Obama and his people calling the Super delegates and asking for their support?

[dr4Will]

catching the little obama followers and their dirty tricks is always fun--thank you Hillary for giving these pathetic wimps the slap they deserve--they have divided our party to ensure their fantasies-their stupidity insures another bush in office--

[neworleanslady68]

Please don't try to taint Obama or his supporters over sexist comments against Hillary and Chelsea. This stuff has not come from Obama, but from the media and the public. I am a female Obama supporter. I call out this garbage everywhere that I find it, and I've spent my entire adult life working for women's equality. This issue with Hillary and the sexist comments is not about Obama people attacking Hillary but rather about men attacking and hating women and casting them as sex objects, as usual.

[rain39]

Ditto! From feminist 68 year old white woman for Obama who has been a civil rights supporter all my life. I have raised more than a few cousciousnesses in my day which continues. Any sexist or racist remarks around me receive my full attention, starting with "I beg your pardon" and off we go. I'm afraid I am getting worse because I don't care who I piss off any more on these matters as I am retired. Young women may shudder at the F word (feminist) but we gave our time, blood, tears and treasure so they could have the exact life they have know. Please don't bother to say thinks.

[in4success]

shuster was actually a hillary guy. just a slip of the tongue and a crossover of generational terminology that did actually describe the situation.

i want to know why the fuck the super delegates are waiting until after the "people" cast their votes before they start pledging anyway -- not the way it's supposed to work and i certainly don't want the next president decided because a lovely young woman calls and gives a dirty old perverted super delegates a fucking woody by breathing heavily into the phone and seductively whispering, "please."

the incident took place of TUCJER for christ's sake . . . his viewer demographic is three or four of the dumbest, most delusional redneck republicans alive...

distasteful comment? yes... but overkill for MSNBC to suspend their best anchor indefinitely after he apologized, as did olbermann, matthews, the pope and jesus himself. and they still send a fucking letter kicking and screaming to keep the story alive for another news cycle or two hoping to, perhaps, overshadow sen obama's momentum. funny how they waited till after the resignation and appointment of a new "black/female" campaign manager didn't accomplish it the way they had expected.

if she were under even twenty-one and NOT campaigning for her mother i'd say leave her alone. but this is insane and clearly shows a side of hillary and bill that we'll be seeing more of as days go by and pressure mounts.

they are disgusting and whiny narcissists with an extraordinary sense of entitlement that is destined to rip the democratic party apart.

they don't give a fuck about "we the people" and have been using rovian tactics, theatrics, race and gender baiting and bald-faced lying when and wherever they thought it would grab them votes.

the classless reality is that they're further exploiting the event and their daughter as a strategy for the "poor us" sympathy vote. if that's not "pimping" your daughter in the theoretic sense, then what the fuck is?

the harsh reality is that the clintons (bill and hillary) are scandal-laced, trailer trash posing as royalty.

[in4success]

and their pretty fucking silly if they don't understand that the corporate/zionist masters really running this country haven't already got the general race predetermined to be hillary and mccain so they can use divisiveness and the pages of NEW scandals and propaganda, some true/some probably not ready to go on "day one."

they really think wall street, big oil and the GOP have worked so hard to put in place all these executive powers and dictatorial powers so some self-indulged ego maniacal, abrasive shrew can take over? RIIIIIGHT! the reason they donated more to her than any other candidate is because they know they can swift boat her into oblivion.

JESUS CHRIST!

when are people going to wake up for christ's sake?

[kennedy]

dr4Will

Amen. We need another Bush like we need Cheney. Oh that's right they are both cousins to Obama.

[drblack]

Clinton voted to attack Iraq which has killed hundreds of thousands of people.
Clinton voted twice for the so called "Patriot" Act which destroys American Freedom and turns the USA into a Soviet, or Communist China like nation.
Some talking head makes a noise and no one is killed and no Freedom is destroyed and She gets Upset???!!!
Ameicans who believe in Freedom and prosperity should be mad at anyone ,Clintons, Bushies , etc who killed people for no reason and took the freedom away from Americans.

[in4success]

YES! --take a look at the difference between "experience" and "judgement" and ponder which you'd prefer we had leading us: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjg6_KXYLEI

and for al you feminists voting for hillary just because she's a woman -- take a look at how well her vote for war in 2002 benefited your sisterhood: http://www.crooksandliars.com/Media/Play/26189/1/cnn-womens-plight-in-post-saddam-iraq.wmv/

her vote for war was a calulated strategy for the presidentail bid she knew even then she was going to pursue... she wanted it on record that she was as tough as the men. how the hell can you support someone who would cause this degree of death and misery for her own self-interests?

she won't get my vote regardless... i will not have that or any future wars of aggression for profit and oil resulting in hundreds of thousands (if not millions) more deaths of innocent women and children on my conscience.

but if all that is worth having a woman president to you guys then go for it! me... i'll just sit this one out . . . rest assured i am not alone.

here's one to ponder: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/opinion/10rich.html?em&ex=1202878800&en=e24742716b04417f&ei=5087%0A

[kennedy]

in4success

Lying about Hillary is never going to get your con into the WH. But lying about Hillary will get voters to see how shameful Obama supporters are that lie about Hillary. Shame on you for hating women so much. Grow up.

[samuraijack]

Damn Chelsea, you fine girl!!!