Chris Matthews Makes Emotional Appeal For Voters To Be Racially Open

Last night, Chris Matthews appeared on the Tonight Show, where he made an emotional appeal to American voters to remain racially open-minded at the polls and "think the way that" kids think.

[WATCH]

I hope for one thing when people go to vote: that they look at [Obama's] background, that they look at the age of the two candidates, that they look at their abilities and really open up their hearts and say "what's really good for my kids," who don't have any color awareness.

Kids don't think about race. Think like your kids for once. Think the way they think. It would be great if the older people in the country, the 70 year olds, the 80 year olds who are suspicious of change to say, "you know, why don't I think the way my kids are thinking and think about the future."

Whatever they decide, just open up your heart to this prospect of something different. That's what I hope we do.

Naturally, it's hard to fault the noble sentiments behind Matthews' message. At the same time, it's hard to fault anyone who interprets Matthew's message as an ambiguous endorsement of Barack Obama.

There are obviously many gray areas. Matthews is clearly a member of "the media," but he's not exactly a newsman. Matthews exists in the area between moderator and pundit, trafficking in a sort of news that's more based on pure opinion and open-ended analysis than fact. Moreover, the media landscape is dotted with personages whose biases are easily divined. And besides, it's hard to make an appeal for colorblindness at the polls without appearing to back Obama.

Still, Matthews' remarks also come at a time when the GOP is running ads that accuse the media of being "in love" with Obama - and that explicitly references Matthews' own famous "thrill up the leg" comment.

Comments

[PoliJunkie]

Thanks Chris for the sentiments, I like you feel that same tingly feeling in my leg whenever O speaks. i get that feeling because of what he says. It is not only truth but a lot of HOPE for MILLIONS of people in this country. No we who support O are NOT kool-aide drinkers, just people who knows this country needs a REAL "Change."

[CHARLESTHETENTH]

Chris Matthews is living in a vacuum. Talk to your grand-kids as I do mine from Elementary school to High School and racism is prevalent throughout. These kids have a very good understanding of what it is all about and how it plays out in their schools. They practice it and talk about it every day. If anything it is the kids that are more exposed and open to it than adults. Matthews makes it sound like kids are innocent from it all...they are not. Racism is something we live with every day and adults will make the responsible choices when it comes to electing our next President. Race will be an issue for some and that is unavoidable no matter what...but to suggest adults should be more like kids in being oblivious to racism only shows the stupidity of Matthews in not fully understanding the real world we live in. Kids today are more savvy in many areas that were off limits or not talked about many years ago...from sex to race. Our society is much more open today and one must be the judge as to whether that is a good thing or bad. Time will tell how it will all play out.

[Ramirez]

Who didn't see THIS coming? Chris Matthews lectures America on how he hopes we can put aside our inherent racism and vote for his candidate.

[debwarot]

And you think there is something wrong with casting aside overt racism?

[Ramirez]

There is nothing wrong with casting aside overt racism.

Matthews is asserting that anyone who votes against his candidate is a racist. Perhaps you are too.

[TrueIndy08]

we don't want to vote for our candidate if you don't believe he is whats best for the country....

we would like for this country to GROW UP and put aside the racism because it does nothing but impede progress....

And if you don't have a problem with Obama's race and skin color, just his politics, then Matthews wasn't talking to you!

[PJay1]

Lord knows I've had serious problems with Chris, but gotta give credit where/when due.

This was touching.

Thank you, Chris.

[meanguy]

i'm sure he'll let his writing team and producers know, "they bought it!"

[lafrance]

It's obvious Matthews has a soft spot for Obama. I know he tries to be fair but, he is an emotional man and it seeps through when he gets hyper.
As an Obama supporter i cannot be upset but, I am sure there are others who support McCain who would see this as bias.
However, they have Morning Joe and Buchanan and Gregory who shill for McCain all the time and then, the matter of andrea Mitchell who find fault over eveything Obama and looks down her nose at him.
so, alittle hyper partisan pro Obama stuff from Matthews or Olbermann is peanuts in comparison.

[scouserinlondon]

Think Dan Abrams is quietly in his corner as well,

[meanguy]

a LITTLEA hyper partisan pro obama stuff? any more of it and msnbc will have to register as a 527 organization

[nativeeyes]

Go Chris, you lady feeler,lol!! Native Americans, young and old and very old for OBAMA!!



OBAMA/BIDEN 08

[meanguy]

not in our household...and most of the people i know in my wife's tribe are backing mccain

[NDNlady]

Sen Obama is tops on this Indian's List!!!

[tommytoons]

The age of segregation is long since a blot on our history, We've had white folk as our leaders since the founding fathers, its nothing to be afraid of to let a Black man give it a shot to lead us for the next four years, but vote not on his race, ratther on what will be best for the country, Black, White, Brown, Red, Yellow, we're all Americans!

[debwarot]

Exactly. Don't vote for any candidate BECAUSE OF their gender, race, or ethnicity. Voting for someone because of their race is just as bad as NOT voting for someone because of their race. Vote for the best candidate - PERIOD.

[CWW]

I can't exactly agree with that......... You can make the case that one can understandably be more inclined to vote for an individual that they identify with. Especially in the case of Obama since a lot of African Americans didn't think it would be possible to see a Black president. Now anyone that votes solely because of this isn't thinking.

It is different because not voting for someone because of their race is hateful

[meanguy]

thank you...and while we're at it, can we refrain from flinging knee-jerk accusations of racism at people who don't support a particular candidate?

[karela]

I thought Chris Mathews comments were great. I liked what he had to say on that same show about not just being an umpire. He said that he's an American and he is rooting for someone. He rooting for "us". He said he loves his country and he reports from all of his senses. Let McCain rant on. If he keeps it up maybe we'll get full and fair reporting. They can bring him up to equal minutes by giving every word he says the same scrutiny that they give Obama's. Hannity and Bill O and Lou Dobbs certainly don't give balanced reporting and neither does Glenn what's it. The only way a person can see all sides is to read the blogs or possibly watch all the channels. Anderson Cooper does, in my opinion anyway, make an effort to report fairly much of the time. Chris is certainly not coming close to approaching the bias of a Hannity. Chris loves this country deeply. If you watch his show regularly for a month or two, you can't help picking up on the genuineness of his feelings about America. I like that. Sincerity is always welcome.

[era996]

Salivating Chriss,
take your lips of Obama's Ass. Let people think for themself( I think McCain is right for ourr country, and Obama is not wright
And MSNBC is a news outlet
P.U.M.A

[hokulele]

your post reflects the babel of the braindead. why don't you explain why you think macBush is right for your kountry and why you think Obama isn't? Or can you put that many words together? I beg to differ about your comment that MSNBC being a news outlet. Nothing could be further from the truth. However, MSNBC, as spinning opinion goes, does work closer to reality than other Bill-o types.

[SeaBoatbuilder]

I don't see where he's not allowing anyone to think for themselves. He's expressing his opinion, just like you, except he has a bigger audience.

How is McCain right for our country? What plans has he outlined do you think will put us on the right track for the future?

[TroubleNYC]

"...and Obama is not wright"

Your attempt at being coy actually made you smart. For a brief second.

[debwarot]

You said it and you sure got it correct. Senator Obama is NOT the Reverend Wright! I doubt that is what you meant, but perhaps some higher power was looking out for you, keeping you from saying things you will undoubtedly regret someday.

[neesy08]

?????? you have a problem with mathews asking people not to be prejudice? could you stick with the topic aand comment on what is being discussed.

you come across as being stupid and ignorant. your post is unintelligent

[mindlessmissy]

Ha ha ... People mad at Chris ( mostly females too ). Any way I seem to understand that maybe Chris is Not the right messenger for the message, BUT truthfully the message IS spot on ...

[Ides]

Of course the appropriate response when someone says something insightful and poignant is, "Well, 8 months ago he said something sexist, so screw him!" Natch. People need to get over themselves a little and take things at face value, especially from one of the loudest opponents of the Iraq War from the beginning.

[justalib]

Bravo Chris !!!

[Sloane7]

It's really hard to believe Matthews even needs to say this. I have to remind myself that there are parts of the country where this is an issue. Hopefully this election will help make that a thing of the past. He's right too; my kids don't have a clue that this could be an issue.

[useyourbrain]

"parts of the country"? It's more like parts of the country where it isn't an issue.

[neesy08]

I do not understand all of the anti-chris responses. I am African-American and agree with what he says. Please do not let race decide who you vote for. Is that not what we want in this country?
Alas, it will not happen that way with everybody. I can not imagine white supremicist and their sympathizers voting for Barack. I understand what Chris means. God love 'em. He is about 60 yrs old and rooting for Obama. he grew up during segregation and wants us to be opened minded. What is wrong with that?

[Sloane7]

There is nothing wrong with that. I understand Matthews' excitement. And I'm sad that Russert didn't get to see this election through. Very sad. You could tell he was so excited about this.

[neesy08]

Sad but true. I am southern born, and believe me, in some places, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[neesy08]

I was stunned when i heard tim passed. itnever occured to me he would not be here to call an analyze election night

[flabingo]

The difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats believe in a safety net. Would you believe that Chris Mathews is 60?