David Shuster: "I Was Thrown Under The Bus To Pay For The Sins Of The Father"

David Shuster's now-infamous "pimped out" remark happened just two weeks ago yesterday — meaning that he returns to "Hardball" today after serving his two-week suspension. In regards to his suspension, Huffington Post's Rachel Sklar asked, "Would this have happened without Chris Matthews?" Today, as he returns to the air and gives an exclusive interview with TVNewser's Gail Shister, Shuster seems to answer Sklar's question with a resounding "NO."

"Does it bother me that I was thrown under the bus to pay for the sins of the father?" Shuster asks rhetorically in the interview. "No. As somebody who's covered politics for a while, I understand all the forces that were in play."

Matthews himself created controversy with remarks about Hillary Clinton that many viewed as sexist and for which he himself was ultimately forced to apologize.

Visit TVNewser to read the entire interview, which includes Shuster's explanation, "Tensions were clearly building. I was at the wrong place at the right time, or the right place at the wrong time. I don't know which."

UPDATE: Shuster returned to the air on "Hardball" with a package on John McCain and the New York Times. Screengrabs from his first day back on the job below:

David Shuster back on the set of "Hardball" after serving his two-week suspension

David Shuster and Chris Matthews on the set of "Hardball," or,
David Shuster and the father whose sins he was "thrown under the bus" for

Comments

[booker52]

Chris Matthews has said worse and nothing as been done with him. I agree that David was made to pay for Chris's sins. Granted the one time David made an off the cuff remark that hit the Clinton camp the wrong way and he was the paid. I said at the time it was censorship, I still do.

[duckfan00]

Russert and Matthews set the tone early on Democratic primary coverage. They decided to go after Clinton and keep hammering at her. The underlings like Shuster,Andrea Mitchell, and Chuck Todd were to provide to ammunition each day and Shuster just got carried away. Shuster is a good reporter. Mitchell not so good.

[Crozier]

Andrea Mitchell Greenspan is Alan's wife and a classic inside JAP and Republican apologist. She is connected by marriage and station to the power players in the Corporate global elitists and always posits their positions.

[scandals&skeletons]

funny isn't it how mathews showed a picture of osama bin laden while talking about obama, o'reilly uses lynching in regards to michelle obama. yet no demanding of apologies from the obama camp, no calling for heads to roll or people to be fired. interesting contrast to schuster saying one inappropriate word and hillary herself calling for his firing.
for me this speaks volumes in regard to what obama views as important and what clinton views as important.
you be the judge.

[cricket]

if you know david shuster, he doesnt suck up to anyone. i know he does not have a lot of on air exp as others and one time before he raised a silly question. he is just inexperienced. but he is no chris mathews, far better stock than chris matthews. i think his comment got more criticism because of the election heat and clinton wanted to be known as a crusher of criticism unlike Kerry. but i am not sure if the same would have happened if it was someone like mathews or oliely who have been around for a while. david is a noob and it was easy for clinton camp to make some noise and come out successful.

[xargaw]

I am old enough to remember when Chris Matthews was good. Sadly, that was a long time ago. It has been reported that he has had a problem in the past with booze and has health issues as well. It is hard to give him the benefit of the doubt when you look at his body of work the past 10 years. It is pretty unprofessional and biased. I stopped watching him when he had Delay and Boehner on every night a couple years ago and let them lie with impunity without any challenge whatsoever.

[Rb07]

Shuster in no inexperienced noob like you make him out to be. He cut his teeth on FOX and earned his pay stalking the Clinton's on Whitewater and the Lewinsky impeachment. His remark about Chelsea was no slip of the tongue because he has long demonstrated his contempt for the Clintons. His statement about being "sacrificed" is as disingenuous as his non-apology when initially contacted about his remarks. The jocks at MSNBC were just circling the wagons around Matthews after he was forced to apologize for his idiotic anti-Hillary remark. It was obvious that the anti-Hillary tirade picked up a notch at that time, and it gone up up a turn higher at Olbermann's after Shuster returned to MSNBC. Just the good old boys rallying the ranks against this shrill, uppity woman who dares to run for President.

[candybar]

Shuster was just kissing up to Matthews and got in trouble...Pat B is the only objective one on the network...Even Keith is trying to out do Matthews...That was the end for me on msnbc

[TxWonderWoman]

After the 1992 Republican Convention, after which I changed my party afiliation to Democrat, I never thought I would say this. I think Pat Buchanan is a pretty cool dude. Hate his politics, but he is pretty even handed and doesn't appear to allow his politics to drive an agenda on TV. The other aholes at MSNBC should follow his lead.

[Johnniedog]

TxWW,
You are obviously not very attentive. Pat B. is on their shows as a filler guest. His job is to take the opposite view to make the show seem more interesting. He is paid to stir the pot, so to speak. His entire job is to fool you into thinking he is a real guest.

[scandals&skeletons]

pat b. has been touting hillary for months. he was in denial about obama until this week. he is not happy that the republicans will run against obama, he was salivating at getting a shot against hillary.
i will say this he is a remarkably insightful analyst when he doesn't have a dog in the hunt.

[SEQUOIABISON]

Pat the Rat Buchanan the Republican Shill only started being objective about Obama when he started winning and proved Pat utterly wrong about his chances.

Nice to see that phony eating humble pie.

[scandals&skeletons]

pat wanted to run against clinton so bad you could smell it.

[union79]

So good to have you back, David.

I respect you as a fine reporter and think your response to being thrown under the bus is right on. Indeed, there were a lot of things at play before you made the unfortunate comment.

What pained me about your suspension was the way Matthews uses his air time to put people down in the most mean spirited manner and yet is not called on it by MSNBC. His mean spirited, "gotcha'" assault this week on the Texas Obama supporter was utterly ego driven and served no useful purpose.

So welcome back David ~ I missed you and your fine reporting.

[TxWonderWoman]

It served one useful purpose. It made me laugh until I cried and wet my pants.

[union79]

Incontinence meds sound like something you would find beneficial??

Might save you future anxiety and wet pants!

[LolaM]

I agree totally with you union..

Welcome Back David!!

Wonder when Fox is gonna suspend Billo after his "lynching party" comment.. Oh I guess he doesn't have to worry...Hillary calls and threatens to pull out of a Debate that BTW she's been whining about (Why won't he debate me every weeekk..wahhh wahhh)

Obama made no calls, no threats...Chelsea is 27 years old!! Maybe he shouldnt have said it the way he did (David)..but why was Billo in his seat last nite..?? Oh yeah he said he was sorry if anyone took his words the wrong way, it wasn't meant like that..hmmm strange when Michelle Obama says that ..ooohh noooo she just hates her country.
Amazing..

[dawlishgal]

The really manipulative thing done by the Clintons was to pile on Schuster, while, a few years ago they did nothing to John McCain when he told the most cruel and filthy joke at the expense of Chelsea, Hillary and Janet Reno. And he told it in public too.

Clinton keeps talking about how she is a good friend of McCain's and how much she admires him, even though what he said was far worse than Schuster's misinterpreted remark. The Clintons needed another skit for their martyr act, and Schuster was the guy who opened his mouth when the time was right for the Clintons, wrong for Schuster.

When the Clinton's campaign there is always some bleeping tempest in a teapot. Why is that? I used to think that the fault was entirely with the far right for scrutinizing every little they thing did. Now that the Clintons have adopted the over-scrutininzing of everybody else as THEIR campaign tactic, I stopped giving them the benefit of the doubt.

As Henrik Herzberg said, there is some marital dynamic that encourages constant investigations of the behavior of the Clintons.

Fair, or unfair, I don't want 8 more years of it.

[Lap48]

Even Keith called out Matthews for THAT one, primary night. It was remarkable that not many HuffPos seemed to notice the palpable moment of tension between Matthews and Olberman when Keith told him, after the grilling, that [the segment] wasn't "Hardball"

[thebeerdoctor]

I agree union79.

[Roose]

Welcome Back David. I missed you.

[YellerDawg]

What? Not enough Clinton hating on Huffpo for you?

[MacTheBlogger]

...
Yawn.

Typical much-ado-about-nothing PC-inspired narcisstic hypersensitivity.

We're just WAITING to be offended by SOMETHING, aren't we?

If people would channel all this time, passion and energy into helping others, the world would be a much better place.

But it's easier to just complain. Getting one's hands dirty requires too much effort.

Surely we can do better than this.
.

[CintiBlue]

Thank you, Mac.

I've tried to put together a most eloquent response to this linguistic disaster and nothing comes up to snuff.

Words and phrases get absorbed into the common lexicon all the time and we don't even realize it. If anything, David is guilty of lazy language. Big deal.

[YellerDawg]

You wouldn't be so sanguine, if that "lazy language" had been directed toward your daughter.

[rayboat]

"This is bigger than Kennedy. . . . This is the New Testament." | "I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often. No, seriously. It's a dramatic event."

-- Chris Matthews

[Witchitalineman]

Chris Matthews is a hypocrite, rude and a sexist. Why he's allowed along with Tucker Carlson to have their own programs is beyond me. I only watch Keith anymore!

[Cunningham]

You weren't thrown under any bus, you jerk.

YOU made the stupid and degrading comment, then YOU insulted your viewers with a non-apology. Now you're whining? Oh, boohoo. Take responsibility for YOUR actions and stop blaming others.

[Jinxykb]

Bitter!!?! Table for 1! Bitter!

[chaz]

Cunningham,I couldn't agree more.

[thepeoplechoose]

In the last week, with all that is going on, the one thing that caught my attention was when Matthews bagged that Texas State congressman, Watson. Matthews was unrelenting to the point of simply being mean as hell. It's one thing to make note of how support for Obama is perhaps based upon the rock star idea as opposed to the facts (which Obama has a super legislative record) but this was altogether uncalled for. It was even cruel. I don't listen to Matthews much and this event will end that. Why should anyone listen to a person who, to make his point, uses this kind of tactic. It is possible to make your point without being an asshole.

[Beckyjo]

I have always had trouble listening to someone being beat up verbally. I actually began to feel sick while Chris Matthews was beating up on that Texas state senator. Finally I muted the TV and left the room, and have not watched any reruns of the incident. I did see the senator's rebuttal a day or so later and can perfectly understand why he responded to Chris as he did. He was not expecting this attack and was not prepared for it. Somewhere I read that the MSNBC director finally stepped in and told Chris to stop. I don't think anyone was comfortable with it, and I am disappointed that Chris Matthews seemed to enjoy it and was proud of his action. I am a fervent supporter of Obama and could not have done any better than the senator on the spur of the moment. It took Sen. McCaskill to fill in all the blanks, which it was easy for her to do since she serves in the US Senate with Sen.Obama.

[Jonni Rae]

I agree completely, and Kirk Watson is a cancer survivor! He is no surrogate of Obama, he is just endorsing him. Yesterday Chris bragged that they had t-shirts out about it. And he was laughing about it!! He is beneath contempt. Kirk wrote a letter, I am not sure where , but it appeared on the Obama blog, saying he just had a "brain freeze" moment. I guess Matthews felt he was unimportant enough to do this to. He owes Kirk Watson an apology. I don't watch hardball anymore,just was watching the election coverage. Who does he think he is? I see him as on the level of O'Reilly. He is just power mad, puerile, and thinks he can get away with anything. He always has the same people on now. I think he will find fewer who want to be on his show.

[Oldchef]

I have to agree. Matthews was incredibly rude to Sen.. Watson, and keeps playing the clip all week, as if it makes him some sort of hero, instead of just a jerk. It was not Hardball, but post-debate schmoozing that the poor guy expected and then he got sandbagged and browbeat. Olbermann was clearly embarassed. Notice that in the post-debate show after the CNN debate, he was on by himself 10-11, then Tweetybird by himself 11-12.

[oligodendroglia]

everyone at MSNBC are whores ... including keith ...

imagine what would have happened if michelle and barry were accused of "pimping out" their daughters ... just to make daddy more appealing to voters ...

[Ajita]

Its not ok to use a commonly spoken word like "pimping" which has colloquial meaning, but its fine to call reporters "whores". Someone's a hypocrite....

[Jinxykb]

Amen!

[kickbass]

The guys on MSNBC are in fact whores. This would be in sharp contrast to Chelsea Clinton who is working for her mom's campaign because she undoubtedly loves Hillary, and is likely happily working for the campaign without getting paid. Russert, Tucker, Scarborough, and Matthews and the rest of the MSNBC crew are, on the other hand, working for Jack Welch and certainly say exclusively things he likes to hear.

[kennedy]

If Shuster or Chris had made a remark that Obama thought in anyway was racist, they would have been fired on the spot. No questions asked. But insulting women, no big deal. What a load of crap.

[Ajita]

I dont see O'Reilly being fired over the "lynching" comment, do you?

[Earl]

Yes, it certainly is an interesting accommodation for Mr. O'Reilly by his employers.

[wshanks]

First off, what Shuster said wasn't wrong. He wasn't implying anything to do with sex by using the phrase "pimped out." Chelsea was and has been pimped out by her mother. Shame on Hillary Clinton for using her daughter in such a crass way while also claiming to protect her.

Matthews may be a sexist, but I don't understand the hatred for him. He's an entertainer. I like watching him. His opinion is not one I wholly value, but it is interesting to hear what he has to say. People are so quick to condemn... Bill O is one who should be condemned. Matthews, for all his faux pas, is not a terrible person and doesn't seek the downfall of equality. He's an old school male and his prejudices pale in comparison to Bill O's.

If people spent as much time picking up litter as they do trashing "Tweety," a mere entertainer, the world would be a lot cleaner place. Just sayin'.

[lorelynn]

I have no idea what you find crass about a 28 year old daughter working on her mother's campaign. Which candidate hasn't had their 28 year old kids working on their campaign? Name one. Shuster was annoyed that young, pretty Chelsea is asking for super delegate support - a totally appropriate task for her - and he's afraid that older men won't be able to resist. But this is one of the things that candidate's kids do. It's a normal task. And Democrats have known Chelsea for years now. It's probably fun for them to get a call from her.

Shuster gets paid a very handsome seven figure salary to not make stupid mistakes like that. It's not like he's some local beat reporter barely scooting by on $45k a year. I like Shuster too. But he did screw up and the apology should have been instantaneous. You don't demean the former first lady, a sitting senator and first viable female candidate for president by comparing the fact that her daughter works for the campaign to a pimp putting girls out to work. it's wrong regardless of how you dress it up. Words have meanings and the fact that pimp now has a more casual definition as well doesn't make it appropriate for a mainstream news channel to use while discussing the presidential campaign. It's one thing on Bill Maher, it's another thing on a news cast.

I have to wonder would you enjoy watching Matthews if he was racist? Would you be okay if Shuster wondered why Obama is pimping Michelle out? I doubt it. Misogyny is no more accceptable than racism. Why is that so hard for some people to understand?

[wshanks]

Well, you have to understand the use of the phrase "to pimp out." It simply means to set one to work to make you look good. These days, it is not used in the connotation of a pimp putting prostitutes out on the street. So there's that.

Why do I think the work Chelsea has been set to do is crass? Because while she is doing the work, her mother has insisted that she is "off-limits" and "not allowed to talk to the press." That, to me, is bullshit. If she wants to send her daughter forth, that is fine, but don't play the wounded mother when she is attacked for doing so. And don't disallow such a valued surrogate from talking to the media. Let me gauge Chelsea's mettle if she is going to be advocating on behalf of her mother, it's only fair.

Sexism? Ah, of course, that's what it all comes down to, right? No, I refuse to submit to your playing of the sexism card. I am treating these people like people, regardless of their sexual organs. If you want to call it sexism, fine.

Matthews is somewhat of a sexist. That's what I meant by an old school male. I won't make excuses for him. He's still entertaining to me, and I'm not going to stop watching him for it.

Sexism more acceptable than racism? Yes, I agree. That's plainly obvious. Does this make for a double standard? Perhaps. Women definitely have a different standard to live up to. I don't believe it should be that way, but at the same time, I can't help but believe it will always be that way. Sadly, it will take a more extraordinary woman than Hillary to become President of the United States.

[gevan]

So why isn't Chelsea in Iraq with the armed forces?

[Earl]

Seven figure salary? Where do you get that information?

[LolaM]

Hey BTW..

Anyone hear that the youngest Superdelegate that Chelsea went out to breakfast with.. (part of the whole thing that started the stupidity that you all stopped watching MSNBC over)... Well the kid was undecided and guess who he voted for.. He lives in Wisconsin and VOTED FOR OBAMA!!

[boycottrightwingthings]

If you like watching someone who is sexist, then what does that say about YOU? The comment by Shuster was sexist and derogatory,and Mathhews is the king of sexism. I am boycotting MSNBC, because the response was too little and the rampant sexism continues. Chelsea loves her mom and is doing what many kids whose parent runs for president does-supporting them and campaigning for them. Chelsea is a grown woman, NOT a child.

[mcfried]

I also like watching him - still think he's an asshole

[flasher3838]

mathews is put out there by msnbc as an objective newsman. he does elections and all other forms of news that is suppose to be covered by objective newstypes. fox does not put oriley in that catagorie. therfore it is worse for msnbc to have a very obviously non objective person like mathews covering the news and elections then anything fox does. same can be said for olberman.

[Pammy1151]

Why is it that everyone in the business has to be nuetral. Let's face it KO is and never has pretended to be nuetral. I have never heard Matthews state his actual position. He is more of an entertainer than an actual reporter. Yes, Fox can have all of their right wing BS and that is fine. Why can't MSNBC be liberal???? What is the problem here. It is with you who want it to be what YOU want. If you don't like it don't watch. That is why we have cable. If you think CNN is better watch it and quit using this forum to bitch. Who care and don't you have anything better to do????

[BubbaJudge]

Schuster is one of the few great reporters out there, and unfortunately offhandledly and without malice, vocalized what many people felt. Even the women on The View made fun of Chelsea for cripesakes.

He apologized, served his suspension and its great to see him back.

O'Reilly can threaten Michelle Obama with lynching and is on Leno tonight.

shows where the priorites are.

[thgy]

I guess your people didn't care enough about your candidate's wife to make sure Fox handled it properly. Or are you willing to accept O'Reilly statement in the hopes the whole thing will just fade away. Fightng over the comment would mean more people hearing about how Michele Obama is only proud of her country now that she has a shot at being first lady.
Course that would mean the Obamas are willing to do anything to be elected.

[Jonni Rae]

O'Reily's comments were dangerous, not merely racist. He said he wouldn't send out a lynching party for her unless he found out that she thought America was flawed in some way. Rev. Jackson pointed this out on Olbermann last night. He wasn't talking about racism, he was talking about danger. The Obama campaign has brought a lot of people together; many are celebrating this as progress. Others hate the idea. To talk about lynching the wife of a black presidential candidate is more than irresponsible, it is criminal, in my opinion, with all the crazies out there.

[RamonBackwards]

LOL. If Shuster comes out with a big scoop, start the clock, because eventually he will be proven wrong.

Shuster is interested in notoriety, like most of them. He just happens to be a lefty. People are real dumb.