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.

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Comments

[spinns17]

funny how after 8 years of this country being screwed .and only after the american people took charge ,and not wall street,banks ,and oil companies.­the mediea found a voice.lol where have they been.who cares what they have to think now.

[jdmba]

For all of you non-minorities out there who ask why P-E Obama identifies as a Black man, rather than white (since he's half white), this, here is your answer. People see color. Even if we ignore the One Drop Rule, people of color are still viewed through the spectrum of race. No matter how much you try to deny it, or even praise it, throughout his entire life, PE Obama was treated as "a smart Black man" or an "ambitous Black man," or a an "articulate Black man" or at the very least, a "diverse pick."

The Benetton comment isn't a surprise to me because it's a realistic depiction of how people think... which is what makes it so annoying.

[gracewithease]

Thank you for writing that.

Yes, to many in this country, what we call "white" is the norm and everyone else is "other".

Personally, I am so tired of it. I am not happy with Chris Mathews. Perhaps one day he'll sit at my table and realize, the beauty of many shades, more than one sex and orientation is not just in sweater ads and Obama's cabinet.

How do we write to Mr. Mathews?
Anyone have an addy?

[jdmba]

I agree completely. People of color are not just decorative, like holiday ads. We are the norm, and just because the mainstream media has ignored us, it doesn't mean that we don't exist.

I wish I had his email addy.

[moda31]

i always say, if obama wasn't a successful man and instead were a less productive member of society, nobody would be rushing to claim his white side; if a person's black side is readily allowed to own personal failures it sure as heck should get to own personal successes as well. as an unknown teenager or a young man, nobody thought "oh there goes a biracial man walking down the street" as they clutched their purse a little tighter, he was black then & he's black now.

[jdmba]

Hear, hear! No one would be calling him half-white if he was a criminal. In fact, they would disown it. That was the whole point of the One Drop Rule-- so whites didn't have to acknowledge their slave blood. So now that we've lived with it for 400 years or so, I'm keeping it up, for the good ones too. If you have one drop of African blood and you've done something significant, I consider you Black! lol.

[EminentGrise]

Chris Matthews continues to kneel at the altar of the "ONE". I think he wants to be the big O's press secretary. Or prehaps Minister of Propaganda.

[Shadow08]

The flaw in your post is where you said you think. Clearly you don't.

[moda31]

matthews has this adorably annoying old man obsession with race, like this guy who grew up with little to no exposure to people who didn't look like him, who now that he knows such people exist is in love with the idea of not being racist & coming across as open & embracing people of different backgrounds. he always gets this bizarrely fixated kid sensibility about him when he talks about issues of diversity.

[Palmz]

Very keen observation. I watch him often enough to agree with you totally. We need more like him.

[Shadow08]

He's in his sixties. He's from Philly. He's seen racism his entire life and he's sick of it. It's not an obesssion. It's something he wants to see end in his lifetime, just like many of us in his age group from inner cities.

[tedbear]

Leave Chris alone!

[Georgiamitch]

I agree. Go watch Hannity have spasms now that a repub isn't in power. Just go away with your negativity

[ChicagoSuz]

There is no one on the planet who enjoys the political process more than Chris Matthews. He is the least jaded person on the air. I enjoy watching him get excited about events. He may not be polished or always P.C., but he's always honest and very knowledgeable about history and informed about current events, as well. He doesn't just make up the news like most of the other pundits do. I loved the way he outed Michele Bachman - she's a dangerous lady & we needed to know that...

[bwither]

Did you hear that Chris?

It's the sound of you losing to Arlen Spectre.

He's worse than Joe Biden when it comes to the foot-in-mouth crap. Unbelievable.

[GeorgeP922]

What are you saying that PA people are so racist that they would judge a man like Mathews that celebrates diversity?

I know PA has it's racist communities, but I think the 2008 election disproved they vote that way.

So no, if he runs I think Chris will wipe the floor squeaky clean with the incompetent Spectre.
Nothing is sweeter than beating repubs in PA, it sets the standard, remember when whats his name lost by double digits?

[Querent]

"What are you saying that PA people are so racist that they would judge a man like Mathews that celebrates diversity?"

bwither didn't say anything like that. Have you been taking straw-man lessons from the Repugs?

[HC4BO]

He better get to practicing if he plans on running for office in PA ...

Shooting off comments like he normally does will get his Tweetyness canned in the primaries ...

[clsmithj]

Shouldn't this be in the entertainment section. I don't know who Benetton is.

[Palmz]

"Clearly it has the picture we're looking for"

What did Chris say that was wrong? NOTHING. Interesting use of the word WE. Considering he is part of the MSM.

He is absolutely correct. As a journalist, he is echoing what others are thinking? We are all looking for diversity from the new administration. The notion that only white male are qualified, as often is the case in this country is ludicrous.

Now we are seeing the good blend of diversity, experience, intelligence and YES color to boot.

Don't believe me? Look at the reaction about Hispanics in the cabinet. We know Bill Richardson will be appointed for a post but is that enough? Ask the Hispanics.

Diversity matters and Chris was echoing that observation.

[gracewithease]

What other white people who think they are not racist may be thinking. It wasn't what we who are considered "other" by the likes of you and Mr. Mathews were thinking.
We are just relieved and grateful to be represented for a CHANGE.

[Village]

God almighty. There are people in this world who aren't white men. Could we act like it?

[Vivianite]

Beautifully put. And, yes----we can.

[Moka11]

Between Matthews and Scarborough I can never make up my mind who is the dullest tool in the MSNBC toolbox.

These are two of the most unappealing pompous media figures not working for Fox. If Matthews is not distracting me with his spraying his guests with "spittle" I can always count on Scarborough arrogantly verbally abusing his co-host or some other female guest on his show.

[JGxHitzert]

I love all the hipster liberals (Hiberals or Libsters?) out running around having programmed themselves to go all batsh@#t crazy every time an old white guy says something. You need to chill out a bit and recognize who your allies are. Matthews is excited and expressive. Now it is not always elegant but bluntness that trends liberal is good for la Causa no? This guy sends out a high pitched tone that is heard by and soothes other old white guys making them feel comfortable with our values and our wish to see competent leadership.

I for one am glad he is out there channeling his inner Irish Thug when he calls bulls#@t on some fundo madman who would turn our country into some down home version of Taliban led Afghanistan.

[gracewithease]

Old white guy said something and we are asked to be patient and pat him on the head.
We are asked to relax and just hope racism away, as if it could happen without an uproar. Conservatives asking us to be all kumbah ya about offensive comments make me laugh.

Meanwhile, with our hard work, the dominant paradigm is shifting.

[Roses]

This is one progressiv­e/liberal/­independen­t (prolibent?) who agrees with you entirely. Prioritize everybody!

[DaizeRK14]

don't understand why this is controversial.

[Palmz]

I am waiting for that explanation myself.

[OneTop]

Isn't this guy campaigning ?