"Pimped Out" Resurfaces On MSNBC

On "Verdict with Dan Abrams" Wednesday night the infamous phrase "pimped out" returned during a discussion of Chelsea Clinton.

The panel — which featured Huffington Post Media Editor Rachel Sklar, radio hosts Bill Press and Stephanie Miller, and Butler University student Evan Strange — was debating the merits of asking Chelsea to comment on her mother's credibility in light of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, which Strange asked her to do the day before. Miller jumped in with the dreaded two words that caused MSNBC so much grief and earned David Shuster a two week suspension (though he ultimately claimed he was "thrown under the bus to pay for the sins the of father").

A wary Dan Abrams immediately went into polite damage control, dismissing the phrase "pimped out" as "unacceptable," and saying, "this has been an issue here, we don't need another issue."

From MSNBC, 3/27

Previously: Bill Press: Caught in the Middle of David Shuster's Screwup

Comments

[politicalpunch]

I totally agree, Stephanie Miller is a comedienne. You don't have her on and expect political correctness. Nor do you have her on in discussions of political matters. There is no shortage of pundits out there. CNN uses her too! Miller adds absolutely no value to the conversation.

As for David Schuster, he should of been fired from the beginning. Not suspended from the air. I do not care who you are talking about, Schuster used extremely poor judgement. As a professional news organization those remarks are simply never appropriate. If you want to remain creditable! Furthermore, had the same been said about Schuster kid, he would have decked the person and demand they be fired.

However, as I just commented on another article about MSNBC. That network should come with a warning: "viewers should take Xanax before watching!" MSNBC is out of control, over the top with drama. I have completely stop watching the network. There power only remains if they have an audience.

[LeoMarvin]

Stephanie Miller is a comedienne. You don't have her on and expect political correctness. And by the way, when the first person (Schuster) said "pimp out" it was about Chelsea. But when people say it now around Hillary, Chelsea, etc., they're making a cultural reference to that story. It's not the same, and people should lighten up.

[Mattie]

why are Obama supporters so hate filled! Just wondering!

[conscioushope]

Mattie~

I am a former Hillary supporter, who now supports OBAMA.

I find it sad that each side hates the other. I take your comment to heart, and I, for one, will do what I can with those I know and those I do not know to treat all with dignity and respect.

I have a close friend named Hattie and she and I are on opposite sides and we still care about our relationship above our different political beliefs.

I think OBAMA's time is now for our country. I sadly think it is Hillary's time to bow out but I do not say that with hate, but with sadness. I can only imagine how difficult it is for her now.

[butch350]

They are responding to the VILE, VENOMOUS, and HATE filled verbiage being
spewed by Bill, Hillary, and their campaign workers.

If you can't take the heat - turn momma's picture to the wall and leave.

[LeoMarvin]

What was hateful about my comment?

[timinhi]

This whole thing is stupid. I'm a Clinton supporter, and I stopped listening to Stephanie Miller a couple months ago because of her blatant anti-Hillary, pro-Obama slant, but this is still a non-issue. I certainly objected when Joe Schuster first said it, but this time, it was not said in any way, shape or form as a negative attack on the Clintons. In fact, it was an attempt to humorously reference the previous "scandal" and also make clear that Chelsea is NOT being "pimped out," and is under no obligation to answer questions from the media if she prefers not to, especially questions concerning her father's infidelity in the 90s. How gross and inappropriate for a "reporter" to ask a daughter about her parent's sex life in the first place. Stephanie didn't do anything wrong, and it was Dan Abrams who called more attention to the comment than was necessary. Let it go. I'm surprised that HuffPost, which wants to annoint Obama President without an election, would even publish a story about it.

[unenrolled]

Yes it is stupid. The real story should be

The real danger to America is from within

#1 Hillary
#2 Carville
#3 People who would still vote for a pathalogical liar.

Chelsea's reply to the Bosnia question. " If that is what my mother said, then that's how it was" The Clinton offspring.

[BarryChamplain]

Yesterday, Keith Olbermann had on a local NYC rock DJ, to do the closing "fluff" segment about "American Idol". She came on, did her irreverent thing, and invoked the phrase "pimp and ho'".

Well, KO, was in shock. He could not have made his discomfort more clear, if he had taken out a billboard in Rockefeller Center; he said there were certain things that MSNBC never wanted to hear again, and that she had just pulled the trigger on The Big One. See you again, dear, on a cold day in Hell.

This is my fear about players from new media becoming cable news "commentators". What made them the "edgy" media types they are, is already ringing corporate alarm bells. They're being told that if they want to be invited back onto this medium which is trying so nobly to "graduate" them into the rarified Bigtime, they will alter their act to MSM proportions... or suffer the consequences.

Yesterday, I heard a sound byte of another one of those feted "it" gals, Ana Marie Cox, basically apologizing for why the press thinks John McCain's so darned groovy. Ohhh dear. The cocktail weenies have done another one in.

I'm worried that too many of these will smell the greasepaint, check their bank accounts, and fall in line. And then... what good will they be? Do we really want to see Rachel Maddow, adjusting her observations to be more spongeworthy? Might as well just book Joe Klein and Laura Ingraham, again.

[AurigaRa]

Agree about comedienne point, except I don't think Steph needed to bring up this phrase. It wasn't funny. I cringed, and I thought the FIRST incident was overblown.

Steph can be funny without being crass and I wish she would remember that because we need her on TV. Leave the crass stuff to that other not-funny comedienne who is always at the roasts.

[LeoMarvin]

I agree it wasn't funny, but not every joke works. And I don't think they're hiring her to avoid humor. If her attempts to be funny fail more than they succeed, eventually they'll stop inviting her. But if she plays it completely dry and humorless, she'll be gone even sooner.

[Marshall Lucky]

That show annoyed the hell out of me. Here you have Stephanie Miller and Rachel Sklar, the two sexiest brunette talking heads on television on the same show and instead of focusing on THEM, that weenie Dan Abrams whines over the word "pimped". Abrams needs to grow a pair and/or shut his trap.

[alm123]

When that remark came out, I was sickened.
This election was turned into a big joke by the entertaining news media, incluing Abrams.
Abrams show is very biased against Clinton.
My verdick, Keep people like miller out of news commentation.
Also, I gave up Abrams. I thought he was responsible. Now he has his fixed jurors on his show.

[Tequilatarian]

Stephanie Miller (AKA "Mama") is a comedian, and was trying to get a little humor out of the episode. She herself admitted on her radio show today that she knew as soon as the words left her mouth that it was an oopsie.
While Steph is an Obama supporter, she was actually defending Chelsea's right to not answer that question. Dan Abrams (who if high up on Steph's "future husbands list") has already forgiven her, fer cryin' out loud.

LEAVE STEPHIE ALONE!!!!!! YOU'RE LUCKY SHE EVEN PERFORMS FOR YOU PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!

Paula from north Hollywood
The Official Tequila Enthusiast of the Stephanie Miller Show

[johnsnakecusak]

A lot of the remarks here about this, are just very sad, the ignoramus who first asked the question was operating at one level of ignorance, but all these defenses of his lack of normal human judgment are even more incredible.
This culture we live in is being steadily dumbed down and numbed out by those among us with no sense of the appropriateness of anything! When a simpleton who is in college and doesnt have a normal sensitivity filter on his stupid mouth is given a stage in the media for his idiocy, it's all becoming just too much. And when scores of other idiots leap to his defense, it's just worse.
How did the first amendment rights to free speech become an excuse for sub-human behavior?

[leftbehind2000]

Excellent observations.

[BrooklynLager]

The guy who answered the question is only 20! To him Chelsea Clinton is an adult, and he's not going to be worried about offending her sensitivities. It's got nothing to do with the electorate being "dumbed down". The questioner is almost a child himself.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

Bill Clinton says saddle up let fight. daughter is on the campaign is on the road. to include having her fire about being under fire. At age 28 she is a big girl.

[samuraijack]

Hey now! Eight year olds can stand on a sniper-infested tarmac waiting for the privilege of meeting The Commander in Chief's - Commander in Chief In Waiting, but you must leave poor poor little Chelsea alone. She is the only prepubescent in the world whose parents had affairs- you must be delicate.

[luckyoldson]

Wow.

That comment is about as far off the mark as McCain is regarding the surge.

[luckyoldson]

I find many of the comments here, indicating an opinion that Chelsea, because she's helping her mother's campaign, should be open to answering personal questions relating to her parents marriage rather bizarre to say the least.

Why would anything Chelsea has to say about something that happened so many years ago, and that has literally nothing to do with Hillary's ability to govern, be so important to so many here? And which of you would want anyone ever asking them such a question about their own family or parents...or even legitimize the question with a response?

I can't imagine anyone with a shred of dignity or intelligence responding any differently than Chelsea did.

[sandiegoconservative]

I kind of agree with you, but . . .

I think Hillary's lack of movement or anything during the scandal can reflect her ability to deal with issues as a President, but its a weak argument.

And while the question has little relevance, if she's going out there to represent the family, she should be ready to answer dumb questions.

But in the long run, it really is not that important.

[democraticjack]

Uh, she did answer it.

[MAGLATINA]

DEFINITELY, THE APLUMB AND FORTITUDE SHOWN BY HILLARY, IN THE "L AFFAIR" IS A PLUS FOR ANYONE CAPABLE OF LEADING THIS NATION... I THINK THAT THIS NATION NEEDS TO FOLLOW THE TREND OF OTHER NATIONS HAVING WOMEN LEADERS; BUT MOST OF ALL SOMEONE THAT ISN'T GOING TO BE HISTERICAL AND UNWOUND IN A CRISIS. AS TO THE BOSNA "FAUX PAS", IT WAS INDICATED THAT THERE WERE SNIPERS IN THE AREA AND THE US ARMY HAD THEIR OWN SNIPERS READY TO PROTECT HILLARY...

[globality]

Why would anything Chelsea has to say be considered important

She talks and acts as a child and has zero accomplishments to show for the incredible priviledge and opportunity she has had. Name one accomplishment

Is she paying these schools to use their auditoriums as a campaign vehicle for her mother

The Monica lewinsky affair and disbarement of her dad are fair subjects. If she can handle corkscrew landings and sniper fire she can handle this

[luckyoldson]

Which of these would you consider to be a "zero accomplishment?"

Being a National Merit Scholarship finalist in 1997 or graduating with distinction from Stanford?

Just wondered...

[furelise]

Why do you think a young woman should be asked personal questions unrelated to the election? Her father's infidelity has been publicly exposed and Sen. Clinton and her daughter were publicly humiliated because of it. Monica Lewinsky has publicly apologized to Sen Clinton and her daughter and she is living in London with a new life. Sen. Clinton showed her strength and dignity throughout. Sen. Clinton decided to remain with her husband as many women do. All of that affair is in the past, Pres. Clinton was not disbarred. He is now a member of the New York State Bar Association. The young man's questions was no more than an attempt to embarrass and humiliate her and more than likely, to look like a big man on campus.

[jrterrier]

she handled it. she told the schmo that it wasn't any of his business. next question?

[dawlishgal]

It is not bizarre at all to wonder if a woman who has been cheated on so many times can still be devastated by yet another betrayal by her husband. This is a woman who is running for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, an office that hardly needs to be filled by somebody with an enormous potential to be distracted by family problems, especial familiar and gratuitous ones like a husband who has never managed to grow up. People have a right to know...Hillary has already lied at least 3 times to keep Bill's "illness" of perpetual juvenality from becoming a public issue. Time is well past for people to know the truth...will she be distracted or not? And even that isn't the real issue...the real issue is the rest of having to do as we did when BC was president....be constantly waiting for that other shoe to fall. And fall it did, over and over and over. I, for one, have had enough of the Clnton marriage and as Hendrik Hertzberg put it its "metric that seems to attract constant investigations."

[luckyoldson]

Bill and Hillary have been married for 32 years.

How many here can say the same?

[huffhuffpass]

They're politicians who travel and work a lot, probably around each other more than the average couple! They're together for political reasons not love. Chelsey is and was old enough to be an area where there were snipers, but her fathers affairs are too much? Grow up

[furelise]

It's difficult to see how anyone would believe they have insight into another marriage. Maybe you should check out the pictures of them when they were dating and their wedding pictures? Then make a guess about whether or not they married for love. By the way, Hillary has said she misrepresented what happened in Bosnia. Would you like a list of the instances of Barack Obama's misrepresentations?

[Azjhutch]

Been spying in the Clintons' window, have you?

[lobear00]

My wife and I just passed the 32 year mark. and still going.

[Farfennugen]

Like most things in the Clinton world, words have different meaning. "is" was a challenge for Bill, so I am sure "marriage" would need similar clarification in regards to the Clintons.

[dawlishgal]

This is a marriage in name only....one of expediency and political convenience. A REAL marriage is made up of TWO PEOPLE, both of them are trying to protect the marriage and save their spouses from unnecessary humiliations . Both MUST be demonstrating love and respect for the other. As shown by the recently-revealed notes, how many times was Hillary at home in the White House when Bill was dropping his pants for Monica? 6? 7? 8? In her own home! You can call that a marriage, but to me it is a sham.

Shakespeare may have said, "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments," but if anything ought to be an "impediment" to a genuine "marriage" it is cheating on one's spouse with the zeal and consistency with which BC pursued bimbos.

BTW, we just celebrated our 40th anniversary.

[NABNYC]

Stephanie Miller is just too funny. I don't know how any of those panelists kept a straight face. I'm afraid they may actually believe the Clinton assault machine claim that Chelsea is some delicate little flower, the female, who must be protected from harsh words. Is there a law that says no one can use the word Pimp if someone's mentioned Chelsea within the last 10 days?

This whole Chelsea line is absurd. She works for a hedge fund on wall street. Her parents have sent her out to campaign in one of the nastiest, most hard-ball primaries in recent years, and she's on the dirty side. The idea that she must be protected from "words" is ridiculous. Sounds like the old white southern belle story. The problem is that this paternalistic attitude is quickly turned against other women to justify excluding them from equal participation.

[Mattie]

You mean she supports Obama, how sad for her mother, I had no idea she was on the dirty side until you told me. Wow, that is news

[globality]

What has Obama done that you would consider nasty

besides beat your candidate

[andyboy]

Chelsea is supposed to be the new Princess Diana. The Clintons have this huge Camelot fantasy or at least Hillary does. Chelsea is being coerced. Did you notice how at first she just stood there looking uncomfortable and would not say a word? I wonder how many stage mother tirades Hillary has brow beaten this poor girl with about how historic she is and how she was born to be a hugely important beacon towards Clintonlot for young women all over America.

[Mattie]

wow, you really like to reach don't you. Are you privy to their private conversations, that must be nice. HIllary and Bill have filled you in on their plans for their daughter. You must be a close family friend. Oh wait, you're just a crazy Obama supporter consumed with hate, that was my second guess.

[sheraz]

Are you drunk?

[luckyoldson]

I've never read anyone ever refer to Chelsea as "...some delicate little flower, the female, who must be protected from harsh words."

The "pimp" comment was thrown out in relation to using Chelsea to help her mother's campaign...as if that's out of bounds in some way.

Maybe you could provide an objective and believable link to such a reference.

[NABNYC]

Msnbc reacted to the pimp word by apologizing to the Clinton campaign, and suspending David Shuster. Clinton responded by saying that was not enough, because someone had used a "debasing" word in connection with her adult daughter, and suspension was not enough. "I'm a mother first, and a candidate next. Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient. " Meaning a grown adult male should be fired because he said a word about that delicate little flower Chelsea.

The question is why should any media be censored by the state, represented by politicians. We have first amendment rights. People are subject to laws. They should not defame someone, cannot say certain vulgar words on TV. Other than that it's a question of judgment. No politician should demand that a media person be fired because they said the word pimp. The Clintons are tied in with Rupert Murdoch who is on a crusade against msnbc because he wants to take over the financial reporting. The Clintons spew lies, deceit, cover up, fail to disclose, attack Obama, use racism, and campaign for a Republican. But they are suddenly very sensitive when it comes to the word pimp. I don't buy it.

[dawlishgal]

Bravo!

[MariaHopeful]

I have no great love for Dan Abrams. I find him as annoying as Geraldo Riviera, Greta Van Susteren, Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper; these people who treat politics as if they are covering sports or the latest misbehaving Hollywood "star." However, I thought he handled that unfortunate comment professionally. He was quick to respond and did "reprimand" the woman who made the comment. The bigger question for Dan Abrams who is GM of MSNBC, is why are you allowing your station to become so tabloid. You have spent the whole day so far talking about Jeremiah Wright while Fox (yes Fox!) has been doing stories about violence in Chicago Schools, the economy, the war in Iraq; CNN has been doing stories about the economy - talking in-dept to people who are actually hurting, the war in Iraq and some live feeds. You seem to want to take up Fox's cause. One of the bigger offenses is that the same people just keep saying the same things! May I just take this opportunity to remind MSNBC that Rev Jeremiah Wright is not running for public office? And that you have not heard Obama say any of the things you are accusing Wright of saying. It is a dead issue! Give it up already!

[FogBelter]

I love Stephanie Miller ... Kudos to Mama for stirring up the Hornets Nest!

I thought it was really nice how Dan put Rachel on the spot with a followup ... Her expression was like "Oh crap!", but she handled Dan's panic well. Dan must have been having images of rubbing Matthews feet as penance for allowing "pimped out" to be resurrected during his show ... images of banishment to the Isle of Schuster,

In regards to the Chelsea firewall issue with the press ... I don't think comparing her barnstorming venues on her mother's behalf to other candidate's children who are keeping a low profile is the same thing ... if she's out there she's fair game. A friend of mine speculated that Chelsea might have some issue that demands her to be limited from unrestricted press access ... maybe a mild form of Autism which prevents her from being able to handle herself well when she is off script. She did respond to the question about Monica in an odd, halting way ... maybe it's nothing, but I was pondering what my friend said in light of a 28 year old woman needing to be handled with such deliberate care.

[apresdeluge]

Shame on you for your stupid remarks about Chelsea Clinton. She was asked a totally inappropriate question and answered it in a totally approriate way. As for being "fair game", you sound like Dick Chemey talking about Valerie Plame. Obama supporters have no shame.

[Independent voter]

Hey bozo - Slick Willie is the one who is saying take the gloves off.

If the hedge fund manager doesn't want to hear pimped out comments or be asked questions about her sexual predator parents, then she should get off the public stage.

[piquet]

BTW Chelsea Clinton is an adult. With a massive education. If she CHOOSES to be a mouthpiece for her mother in this very rough campaign. Then she is NOT be handled any differently than any other spin doctor in either camp.
Nobody owes her anything. Get over the this mother hen shit. She chose to dive into the mosh pit. News flash people get knocked around in there. Stay away like the Bush daughters of you can't handle the circus.

[anticon]

Hillary is the one who brought this into the campaign when she said it was the toughest time of her life.If this was her toughest crisis it would incompetent of voters not to examine how she acts under pressure.

Chelsea no longer wears braces.She wants to be a political figure answer all questions or stay home.Her choice.This ain't bean bag!

[Jandie]

apresdeluge - Bill Clinton himself said it yesterday that "If a football player doesn't want to get tackled or want the risk of an occasional clip he shouldn't put the pads on." Chelsea is an adult now and is campaigning for her mother - it's a fair and appropriate question. If she can't handle it then she should stay home.

By the way - the student that asked her that question is a "Clinton" supporter.

[FogBelter]

" As for being "fair game", you sound like Dick Chemey talking about Valerie Plame. Obama supporters have no shame."

Explain to me how outing a covert CIA agent is like questioning how a primary surrogate of a Presidential candidate on the campaign trail can be maintained in a hermetically sealed mason jar in terms of taking queries from the press?

Clinton supporters have no sense,

[Strywever]

You must have seen something way different than I did! What you describe as "odd" and "halting" I would describe as deliberate and definite. I thought her response was perfect in both word and tone. Seems the Clintons' little girl has grown up, and certainly doesn't need Mommy and Daddy to defend her.

[MoeGreen]

For all we know the Clinton's are together for political reasons and it was known long before they were even married that monogamy wasn't expected in their possible marriage of convenience.

But whatever, it hurt Chelsea deeply as a child and she has no control over it, is not obligated to answer for it, and should be allowed to deal with it personally and out of the public eye even if she is campaigning for her mother. It's absolute garbage for it to even be brought up to her. As a father of children with an adulteress XW, I strongly believe the kids are not to be subjected to the painful mistakes of their parents.

As for "pimping her out"... that's equally garbage. She believes in her mom, can perhaps connect with a voting block that could help her mom. She's involved and likely of her own volition.

I do think it's notable that the Obama campaign has never said the words "Whitewater", "Lewisnki", "Pimped Out", "McDougal", "Vince Foster", "Perjury", "Wal-Mart", etc. They've only called her on truth versus fiction on her stated record. If she has more practical experience, she has to be called to show honest examples. What she's got is not awful, but she couldn't leave it at that. Let's remember that is is sensationalist main stream media that's subjecting Chelsea to painful memories of her family and questioning her as a thinking individual, not the Obama campaign.

[uglybetty]

Why shoild they talk about the Known lies about Clinton ???
As for your Walmart dig you need to be aware Walmart was supporting the Obamas til May 07 when Michelle abruptly quit , because it would'nt look good for Obamas campaign !

[apresdeluge]

One correction: Obama did bring up Wal Mart in one of the debates.

[Karenina44]

Stephanie MIller is doing the mea culpa thing this morning. Momma likes the shock value on things. I still think she is great... give her a listen.

[dtrobert]

I saw the bit last night. Miller was saying something like: " Let's make sure NOT to use the words "pimped out" ". She was making a point about the fact that Chelsea Clinton is being unduly protected by the media.

I thought HuffPo was better than to out-Drudge Drudge with a non issue like this.

[amosduncan]

Stephine Miller accidently on purpose threw in "pimped out" to get attention, which is always job one. The fact that some people take this failed stand up comic seriously as a political commentator is funny in itself. She knows the best way to keep getting asked on these stupid shows is to get noticed.

Bottem line: Many Obama supporters are quite happy to try and get the spotlight off the Rev. Wright dust up by throwing Chelsea Clinton under the bus. Ah, the inspiring new politics of hope!