Chris Matthews: GOP Strategist Has "Forked Tongue"

On Hardball Tuesday, Chris Matthews urged Barack Obama to be bold in his policy choices. When a Republican strategist disagreed, the host told him he spoke with a "forked tongue." Raw Story reports:

"It seems to me that he's got one chance to get everything done," Matthews stated passionately on Hardball. "Ronald Reagan taught everybody that. Get it done the first year or don't talk about it. ... He's got to do it. He can't say, 'I'll put it off till after the year after next.' ... Do you think this guy can survive as president if all he does is do a little tax cuts and push SCHIP?"

Matthews put the question of boldness to two political strategists, Democrat Steve McMahon and Republican Todd Harris, but neither one seemed to respond to Matthews' implication that Obama needs to do something visionary to fulfill his promises.

"Doing something dramatic and bold on the economy I think is something they're very interested in doing," McMahon began. But he also insisted that "the middle decided this election and the middle of the country -- the swing voters -- are waiting for him to address their economic concerns."

"Big doesn't need to be conflated with liberal," Harris commented. "I think it's important that people not lose sight over what this election was and what it wasn't. What it was was a historic victory for Barack Obama. What it was not was a wholesale realignment of American politics to the left."

"You guys are so -- you speak with a forked tongue, Todd!" exploded Matthews.

Watch:

Comments

[whatsthatsound]

He was waiting to sucker punch the poor guy. He let him speak for about twenty seconds and then he had his, "You, sir, are no Jack Kennedy!" moment. And what the guy said was basically right. First of all, as largely a repudiation of Bush, the election was not really a signal that Americans want to live in Michael Moore-land. Second, that if Obama DOES pull away from the center in the way Bush did, he will face similar popular disapproval (though not to the same degree, since the Bush administration is in a class by itself in terms of arrogance, incompetence and harmfulness).

[scjk67]

i'm surprise that mattews didn't spew out the coming of the "third reich" from the repthuglicans

[Badfickle]

I love it when mathews calls people out on their BS. Usually on the right but sometimes on the left too.

[Krikkit]

Man was his last guest wrong on so many levels. It was a victory for the middle AND for the left. The Right lost in a trouncing. There IS a political realignment -- to the pragmatic center and a bit to the left of center. The ultra Right's gravy days are essentially over once Obama takes office.

[Bruupo]

They have to keep repeating the meme that the country is and always has been "center-right" because their only alternative is to admit how large a percentage of their support in 2002 and 2004 was based solely on fear.

[TheNoBullExpress]

Whats with these lunatic fringe ads on this cozy website ?
I'm just recovering from all of the right wing lying ....reformed Bubba here needs a break

[LemonMeringue]

GWB did not have a mandate - either time. He did not even win the election - either time.

[rollingdivision]

Nothing like some good ole bigoted expressions.

[research]

Obama won with twice the mandate of GWB!

Values polls of Americans show they agree with Kucinich's policies.

It's FDR time!

[Clayton139]

Todd Harris was talking with a FORK Tongue ! WE the People are sick and tired of all the LIES !
That is why Chris Matthews is so good ! He is "Hardball"...!
No wavering on the questions to get the answers Matthews !
Chris is GOOD !
If; Todd Harris, Republicans, GOP, FOX News, Sarah Palin, THINK the American People cannot see through there "Hoky Poky" LIES anymore ! They’re Done !
They are already History as far as I am concern !
The Bush/Cheney/Rove/Fox News Propaganda's has ruined this Country with there more than 8 Years of RULE !
THE “REPUBLICANS” HAVE RUINED THE USA LAST 8 YEARS !

[Bitsko]

Chris Matthews is full of it. Most presidents don't get squat done in their first year.

[Krikkit]

No, he is absolutely right, REGARDLESS of what "most" presidents do or don't do. We are living in extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures. If he fails to deliver something tangible quickly, the left will turn on him to the delight of the right. Wanna see disaster? if Obama is simply a president like "most" others, the GOP will come roaring back beginning with the 2010 midterm election of the House and Senate. Then they'll be able to block any Democratic legislation they want, just like they have for the past two years, and they'll blame Obama and the Democrats.

I thank God every day that Obama is not like "most" other presidents. If anyone can get the House and Senate to work WITH him to improve the economy and get serious on the environment, it's him.

[Wingit]

Franklin Roosevelt pushed to get fifteen major pieces of legilation through congress in the first 100 days of his administration. I look for Obama to get close to twenty.

[xmw]

I was wondering if HUFFPOST was going to run this. I saw this last night. Todd got his hiney smacked. Only problem is his probably enjoyed it.

[reasonlives]

This wasnt Hardball Tuesday, it was Monday. Edit much?

[xmw]

I said "last night". Comprehend much???

[camenbert]

how u mean smac.ked?

[richmc]

Says the guy who has the indicted Tom Delay on as a commentator all the time

[whit4brains]

Last time I saw Delay on there Matthews told him he was all about "hate". It was great. Chris smacked him down.

[demfriend]

When the country is such a mess and we who voted for Barack Obama are so wanting to hope for better and change from the Bush lawlessness/signing statements and war making and just a general healing of the country so we can work together to heal, the republicans want to fight and challenge anything Barack Obama wants to do. How can we expect healing and a general working together to get out of the financial meltdown when the republicans can only focus on making things worse? What kind of group has the GOP dissolved into that they don't want to make any attempt into working together to bring our country out of the recession/depression we are in that Bush and the GOP got us into. I can only hope the cable news channels will bring this to light and even Chris Matthews if he can do anything more than Faux will.

[Clayton139]

Well said !

[newhouse1]

As a 8 year veteran of the USMC, happy Veterans Day to all my brothers and sisters in arms, those living and those guarding heavens scenes. In answer to "What has the GOP dissolved into...," I am reminded of the vietnam axiom, "In order to save the village, we had to destroy it." That was bizarre and thought to be funny in a no-funny sort of way. Republicans are of the same or a similar mindset. It is unfortunate on an epic scale that they were able to ascend to power using the 7 deadly sins, notably greed. Tough to get that one back in the bottle without touching very human frailty parts. The road ahead of our nation is indeed perilous, perhaps more so than ever before. The tools of war are more sininter. The robber barons of the Carnegie era could never have imagined such access to government, and therefore the peoples, treasury. Our global interconnections are more than most will admit, and we are in the center of it all. Someone of the Republican persuasion needs to step up and say, enough.

[Culturemaven]

Thank you for serving our country. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

[RockObama08]

Although it is now the 12th, I salute you and EVERY member of our armed services for serving our country! Whenever my husband or I see one of the enlisted men or women, we thank them for their service.
As for the GOP, it seems they are no longer of one voice, one mindset, or one direction.
GOP = Republicans who voted Democrat + ISOLATIONISTS
Ones of the 'true' Republican persuasion said "ENOUGH!" on November 4th,by voting for Barack Obama. And as a member of the democratic party, I welcome them. I also feel bad for them, and you.
With such dissension in the ranks of the GOP, who do you align yourselves with in the future?

[Krikkit]

How can we expect healing and working together? We can't. The GOP is all about power, not cooperation. They lost it and they want it back.

[StevieRae]

As Mathews has begun to reveal to his listeners, the hymnal has been passed out: Republican spokespeople are now all singing the same song: America is still a "center-right" country.

They don't want to acknowledge the realities of what brought about Obama's win. My only issue is the same one, Republicans have proven in the past that if something is repeated often enough, people begin to assume it's true and factual.

Mathews, and hopefully others will continually push back and challenge the hymn singers!!

[Americanium]

Years ago I was taught about the dangers of group think. Apparently no one in the GOP learned this theory.

What is happening in the GOP is group think. It started with either Fat Head behind the golden mic or wanna be baby Jesus Hannity. GOP leaders dare not oppose talk radio and McCain's Campaign reflected that. We all know the result.

Group think is not good.

[Krikkit]

I say let them yammer if it molifies the ignorant base.

[lmrgreen]

Yeah, I used to be "center right"; Bush moved me way left of center. And obviously, I'm not alone. Of course, for the Republicans to figure that out they'd actually have to pay attention to facts - something they have a track record of being very good at ignoring.

I'd be perfectly happy if I never saw another Republican OR Democratic strategist on any news show - they are not "news"; they are annoying. They never actually answer the questions, but instead spout the daily talking points. I love seeing that Matthews and a few others are starting "call out" the talking heads and demanding that they actually answer some questions.

[jwervel16]

Obama is doing a full clean-install of Mac OS X into Bush's Government XP. Less games, less bloat, less leeching, and more muscular efficiency, security, and focus.

[devanate]

Haha! Nice analogy.

[Bitsko]

LOL and true

[JessWonderin]

I believe it was Windows 95 . . . .

[Heru1]

DOS DUHBYA