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

[kissmygrits]

If I were a swing voter and I saw GOP money going to an ad about what the press says about O, I think I would lose my sh-t, considering all the problems the GOP has gotten us into and has not even devoted $.05 to solving... but that's just me...

[thinklib]

Uh...excus­e me, but what about the issues?

What if I want to vote based on economic, social, and other issues - instead of race? What if I disagree with some of Obama's positions (not that anyone cares about that), does that make me racist if I don't vote for Obama? Is that what Chris Matthews is saying?

This is just further proof that America, for the most part, has become a cult of personality.

Sad.

[Countdown09]

I really appreciate C. Matthews making that comment. But I'm afraid the people he referred to it most likely fell on deaf ears.

[meanguy]

funny how the left keeps bringing up race over and over

[themightylex]

Funny how the right keeps bringing up race (negatively) over and over

[kissmygrits]

Chris M. is left? Not that far left, as far as I can tell. He's more like an Obamacan, or maybe an Obamaderat­e... (yes, I'm coining new terms)

[gladys46]

I would say that Chris is "right" leaning ... and can be an equal opportunity butt butt kicker!!

[thinklib]

The issues aren't the issue.

And if you happen to bring up the issues or, heaven forbid, disagree with Obama on some issues, you're a racist.

[CtJean]

Geez, listen to yourself

[ebanks84]

No, you're a dummie. Only unintelligence cannot understand intellect!

[Deparis]

The dumbest statement ever uttered today.

[000Jade000]

It's brought up because it matters. Chris is no dummy; he knows that racism is alive and well and seems to genuinely fear that it will keep well-meaning Americans shackled to irrational fear and ignorance and prevent them from even considering to vote for Obama.

And let's make no mistake, the right has brought up race more than any other group. Only they use "clever" words like "exotic," "Halfrican," "terrorist fist jab," "Muslim," etc. in an effort to other the Obamas and play to the fears of the citizenry.

[gladys46]

If you weren't a coward, you'd admit that people so vehemently against O (a man of such quality) is race affected! You may hide behind differences on political "issues" but, that doesn't fly either! There is no competition between O and Mc ... face it and then face that racism disease so that healing might take place.

[thinklib]

Geez.

Listen to yourself.

[Deparis]

I'm with you girl!

[meanguy]

gladys, when you get to the point that not only do you believe you are correct, but that there is NO possibility that anyone might disagree with your position or your candidate, you've jumped headfirst into the vat of koolaid

maybe you get off on pretending to know why everyone feels and thinks the way they do, but not everyone is that pretentious-or delusional

[1099]

Yeah you're right. Anyone who doesn't want Obama as President is obviously flouting outright racism. People who try to hide behind those pesky political "issues" you mention are missing the point of the election process and what the qualifications should be to become the leader of the free world. It's plain to see that Obama has to become President and anyone who disagrees with that idea is just absolutely wrong and deluded.

My advice to you would be to start taking small sips of the Kool-Aid as maybe you've had to much too fast (maybe you've had too much too fast...)

[sf101]

And this is from someone who not too long ago was doing everything possible (short of being caught saying the N word on air) to get Hillary elected on orders from his G.E. corporate bosses.

[marthlois]

That's because his mind is OPEN - unlike a lot of others.
I'm very proud of Chris Matthews for speaking his truth, from the heart, and imploring others who might have a racial bias, to vote for the issues. If they do that - Obama will win and they will as well. That's just the short and simple of it.

[vshdst]

Old habits are hard to break.

This is America and race matters!

[ltfcrazy]

I don't smoke, drink or eat junk food anymore. Old habits may be hard to break, but not impossible. Once they are broken, you begin to wonder why you had them in the first place. The answer is usually FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real. After you realize their is nothing to fear but fear itself...t­he dream of a better future becomes reality.
Obama '08

[CtJean]

Why on God's green earth does race matter?

When my daughter was a child, she asked if she could have a friend over. She told me all about how much fun she is, etc etc. Not once did she mention her race. As it turned out as you may suspect the little girl was of a different race. Did it matter? No. They were friends until the little girl moved with her family to another part of the country. You're wondering if they stayed friends, at that age (6 years old) it's difficult to keep in touch.

Just wanted to share that. Race does not matter.

[DCinFrance]

Jean, you sound like my daughter. It shouldn't matter. In principle. In reality and in fact it does matter. To a lot of people. To deny that it is disingenuous, and approaches insensitive, and patronizing, to all those that suffer by the hands of those that it does. Your story tells me that you reached over boundaries to teach your daughter principle. Bravo. But the world, and the human condition, is what it is. It is an endless fight to stand up to intolerance. Why on God's green earth does race matter? Keep asking the people for whom it does that very question. Every day.

[meanguy]

why would anyone be wondering if they stayed friends? just wondering.­..

[JMBrodie]

CTJean,

I, too, grew up with white friends. Have many white friends today. My daughter has a white boyfriend. I am glad you are raising your child to see people for who they are. We have that in common.

None of that negates our history here. My having great friends does not erase racist taunts, DWB, profiling and general stereotyping. Those words and thoughts do have real-world consequences. What we believe, what we say, what we do affects others. We tell our kids that all the time, then forget that when race is involved.

Race is what drives us to question the loyalty of an American who lived overseas, has a name that is similar to that of a known terrorist, as if Bin Laden had a patent. Imagine hating anyone named John because of what Booth did.

What concerns me is this lack of wanting to look at what is right in front of us. Race does matter, has mattered, shapes the way people think about themselves and where they fit. It determined the pecking order in our society, and to our credit, we have tried to undo to make that more perfect union. We make something go away by facing it -- not denying that it is there. The pain involved in challenging hard subjects is nothing compared to the pain caused by ignoring them.

I hope that you are teaching this to your daughter as well.

[schicklett3]

Thank you Chris Matthews!
I sincerely hope voters will follow your advice.

VOTE SMART - OBAMA '08!

[aperezfl]

Well, what could the GOP response to this be? "No, look at color and keep your prejudices. They've got you this far."

[WillNYC]

his comment makes too much sense... it will be bashed by the GOP.

[barackobama4prez]

Good luck with that lol...it was a nice pitch though...

[macbabe]

he was honest and sincere without to much prompting from Leno, good interview!

[barackobama4prez]

Yes he was. I was saying good luck getting really old people to put themselves in the place of their kids and grandkids and open up to change.

[BillForObama]

That was a Leno I needed to have seen. I could feel Matthews' sincerity as he spoke. I know that is is something that he really believes. Good for him!!!

[DarthDerisive]

it may bode well! I think we are a lot furthur than the media and the Rathuglicans want us to know! we will find out Nov. 4th!