Chris Matthews: Obama's Diverse Cabinet Like "Many Faces Of Benetton," "Clearly Representative Of America"

Chris Matthews praised the image of diversity coming out of Barack Obama's press conference Monday morning, comparing it to a United Colors of Benetton ad.

Matthews said that Obama "is very aware of the picture he's offering as well as the words" and that his picture Monday morning — three women, three African Americans, one Republican (and someone who has worked with Republicans, in Gen. Jones) — sends a clear message.

"Clearly it has the picture we're looking for, many faces of Benetton or whatever you want to call it," Matthews said, "but clearly representative of America more than previous administrations."

Benetton is a clothing brand known for its inclusive advertising featuring diverse models.

Watch:

Comments

[littlepuffycloud]

Tweety doesn't even know how asinine and out of touch he really is. If he'd ever stop talking, he might get a clue, but that ain't gonna happen.

[mec57]

LOL...
Referencing a Bennetton ad to show how "with it" he is to diversity is cringe-ind­ucing...

[neurologymatters]

How very 1980s mentioning the marketing of a clothing company. It is about a President Elect who has intelligent people working for him.

[bosse]

lets us stop referring to people by color or creed for heavens sake. Let our kids grow up knowing only Americans!
Matthews, grow up, take your medications. ktb

[mec57]

Right...Ob­ama has chosen a very dynamic team...the media, in their perpetual desire to stir up trouble and create drama where none exists, were dying to bring up old news about Obama and Hillary, and Obama shot it down brilliantl­y...

[RobinSeattle]

"three women, three African Americans, one Republican (and someone who has worked with Republicans, in Gen. Jones) — sends a clear message...­."

....and no Asian-Americans. Even Bush had two Asian-Americans in his cabinet, Elaine Chow and Norm Mineta and Mineta is a Democrat. Plus the GOP has an Indian-American as a Governor and that of Louisiana, for Christ's sake.. And when will Obama appoint a hispanic to a cabinet post? Is Bill Richardson (who has an Anglo name) really going to get one of those posts or not?

This isn't a Benneton ad. This is something you would see on a black and white tv. Yellow and brown will have to wait, I guess. It is weird that the Bush cabinet would end up being more diverse than Obama's.

[donbrown]

Bill Richardson is up for Commerce Secretary.

[Klimb]

OMG...it is not about skin color or ethnicity but whoever can deliver! PE is not a miracle maker...

[Haditup2here]

Why don't you just chill. This is just his National Security Team. He hasn't named the rest of those to be selected for all of the other cabinet posts. Besides, it is about selecting competent people-- and that competency will soon be reflected by the diversity.

[Crozier]

Bill Richardson is like Barack Obama. In his case, Richardson is bi-ethnic.­...his mother is Hispanic and he was raised with his maternal family. Culturally, there is a strong culture in New Mexico.

I appreciate the answer to PEBO when asked if individuals ever saw him as a white person....­and he said that he never asked himself that question when hailing a cab in Chicago or NYC or DC.

EVERYONE knows that RIchardson is culturally identified with his mother's ethnic and cultural history.

[StillIRise]

Is this ALL of Obama's cabinet??? I was sure that a presidential cabinet required many more appointments than the handful of people we've so far been introduced to. Is this it?? Do you have an inside scoop on who all the other cabinet members will be???

[marijam]

I'm sorry, but I think Chris Matthews is an idiot and I"ve thought that since I heard him gushing over Bush after 9/11. He's so condescending he's just dripping.

[bosse]

We are all Americans, Obama, has chosen the right people who are well qualified and work for all ..
STOP grumbling and whining

[Haditup2here]

Thank you !!

[Crozier]

Here is an interesting historical note that a phi alpha theta guy like me would think about.

Andrew Johnson, a National Union Tennessee Democrat loyalist, was elected vice president on a coalition ticket with Republican Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Following Lincoln's assassination, Johnson assumed the presidency.

Andrew Johnson was impeached and failed to be convicted and removed from office by one vote. Later on, Johnson returned to the US Senate and served until his death a few years later.

William Jefferson Clinton was elected as a Democrat in both 1992 and 1996. Clinton was impeached and failed to be convicted by several votes.

Will Clinton become US senator from NY and double the coincidence?

[lofar2525]

since when did Gates become a republican­...he is a registered independan­t...I am not seeing that reach across the aisle that gives us the untied colors that matthews is gone gaga for!

[bosse]

Please folks government employed are hired and paid by American citizens to act independantly of their religious and personal beliefs. They work according to laws and as per direction from our elected President. This is especially true of our armed forces.

[antaeus]

Tweety loves pop culture.

[max]

Mathews says a lot of stupid things every show.

[hapiday]

Well I appreciate Bill Clinton for creating time limits on welfare it was needed. There were 3-4 generations of people on welfare who basically used the system with no thoughts of getting off. I worked years also with young women who stated they knew how to work the system so that they could stay on welfare as long as possible. I have 6 young women that work for me. They make $12.00-$15­.00 an hr., have benefits and now have their GED. One young lady is attending college. They all say they hope they will never have to use public assistance again. Sometimes, people do need a little help. But, people really do have to hold themselves accountable for their own future.

[Stilts9]

Chris Mathews would interrupt Lincoln at Gettysburg.

[Bitsko]

I would LOL if I didn't think you were absolutely right.

[jayded]

why is HuffPo so hard on Matthews? he always has good things to say about this site on his show.

[derekc06]

i agree... i like matthews..­.

[Bitsko]

This inane comment by Chris "I love all politicians" Matthews isn't worth the paper it wasn't written on. Real news, please.

[mirage2008]

Diversity is nice as long as qualifications come FIRST.

Asking 'why isn't there ethnicity X in a cabinet position' is shallow and stupid frankly.

[mec57]

Qualifications for office should trump one's background every time...

[luvangelHussein330]

Chris missed about four other african American posts and a Latina

[franklin opt]

I don't mean to be crass but, I haven't seen any Asians on the team. Anyone?

[brooklyncitizen]

one of his campaign advisers is asian..not sure if he has been transitioned into the new adminstration.