Bob Schieffer Raps David Souter For His Dislike Of Washington (VIDEO)

It didn't inflame as quickly or resonate as deeply as some of those standout moments that occurred in his conversation with Dick Cheney, but Bob Schieffer's closing thoughts on the retirement of Justice David Souter sure got my attention. Souter, in announcing his retirement, brought to the surface his personal antipathy for the District of Columbia, and Schieffer, who's always embraced life in the nation's capital, took offense and made his feelings known, saying, "As one who has lived forty years in Washington, I didn't care for his attitude." Schieffer went on to take Souter to task for never bothering to get to know the city and the "smart people" who are its inhabitants, signing off by saying, "I take it he won't miss Washington, but my guess is Washington will hardly miss him." Bravo. And Justice Souter? Ass. Door. Way out. You know the drill.

[WATCH]

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Finally today: so David Souter may be the quietest and most low-key man ever to serve on the Supreme Court. He has made it official. He is retiring to return to the New Hampshire woods from whence he came. By all accounts, he was a good Justice, thoughtful, reasonable. For sure he was the surprise to the man who nominated him, the first George Bush who thought he was picking a conservative only to discover he had chosen a liberal, but these things happen sometimes when people get jobs for life. I had no problem with the Justice's legal work. But as one who has lived 40 years in Washington, I'll be honest. I didn't care for his attitude. He made it no secret that he hated the city, once describing his work as the best job in the world in the worst city in the world. Another time he called life here akin to an intellectual lobotomy. Really? Our nation's capital. One of the most beautiful cities in the world. Call me corny, but I have to confess I've run into some pretty smart people here over the years. But then again, I've tried to get to know the city and its inhabitants. Who wouldn't, if you were going to live in a place? Justice Souter obviously. I've never known anyone who ever saw him outside the court. And now he is leaving. I take it he won't miss Washington but my guess is Washington will hardly miss him.

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Comments

[johnpfree]

08:14 PM on 05/12/2009

the embedded video here is set to play on page load, which means that even though this post is about 10 screens down in the page I have bookmarked - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-news/reporting/jason-linkins - I start getting annoying CBS advertising music as soon as I load the page. so I turn off my sound, but then I can't listen to Jason and the cutie explain credit derivatives.

very bad form! please fix, or at least don't let it happen again!

also, I say screw you Bob Scheiffer on this particluar little bit of snark from him.

[PollyTics]

07:19 AM on 05/12/2009

First it was S hieffer's interview with C heney and then he dared finish it up with a kick in the pants to an active Supreme Court Justice?

I was once a fan, but that was many a year ago and now find this man shameful,. not to mention unwatchable!

[James Croteau]

08:42 AM on 05/12/2009

agree, time for him to retire.

[ckfan]

06:13 AM on 05/12/2009

Schieffer never hides the fact that he's a conservative. Who cares what he thinks? I live in N. VA/DC and hate it too.

[Meteor]

04:59 AM on 05/12/2009

David Souter - credible, respected

Bob Schieffer - not so much

[petphotos]

02:58 AM on 05/12/2009

Schieffer is an ignorant piece of fertilizer. Justice Souter is from Gods country, especially compared to DC.

[Rangergirl]

01:04 AM on 05/12/2009

Not everyone loves big city life...Why knock him....???

[LiberalForever]

12:56 AM on 05/12/2009

Schieffer. Republican. EOM

[deinefreunde]

01:15 AM on 05/12/2009

Simplifying, stereotyping, name calling: LiberalForever, Republican. EOM

[BuzzingAlong]

12:45 AM on 05/12/2009

Bob Schieffer = right-wing tool.

Nothing else needs to be said.

[Tommygun264]

10:46 PM on 05/11/2009

So what's with the Crypt Keeper ragging on Souter?

[AngelaQuattrano]

09:40 PM on 05/11/2009

Is there some reason it was necessary to embed that video that would autoplay and had no controls?

[teepeeyoyo]

09:39 PM on 05/11/2009

Schieffer's a bitter old dude....he tends to criticize people's personal choices and opinions, and because he's done it, that means you know nothing, unprofessional at best.

[LittlePurpleUSA]

08:44 PM on 05/11/2009

When is this man going to retire?

[egaeus]

06:52 PM on 05/11/2009

I wonder if Schieffer ever visits the poor sections of Washington and if he likes those equally as well.

[BuzzingAlong]

12:45 AM on 05/12/2009

Now you know that he has not.

[maxhnb]

02:23 AM on 05/12/2009

I have found Schieffer refreshing at times. His fondness for the place he calls home is understandable . It reminds me of Ed Koch criticizing the folks outside of NYC for buying suits off the rack at sears.....the ravings of someone with preferences and a lack of public compassion.
Schieffer , one of the few anchors to break with and criticize Bush is more moderate than conservative. He is a good newsman.

Souter on the other hand has been a good justice but is a small town man with Ivy League mind.
If he doesnt care for D.C. its ok and it is a legitimate reason for wanting to go home. I live in a small town and most people where I live are afraid of big cities, terrified. So lets not make so much of a difference of opinions. I guess Schieffer had some dead air time to fill.

[javaz]

06:26 PM on 05/11/2009

This criticism coming from an alleged "journalist" who publicly supported McCain on FTN simply because McCain was a Vietnam Vet and former prisoner of war and old.
Yes, that's right.
Shieffer was upset with Paris Hilton's jab at McCain and praised McCain for being old.

That is exactly why I stopped watching FTN.
And seems like I haven't missed anything.

[BurtonOerney]

06:07 PM on 05/11/2009

Washington, like Seattle, Las Vegas and Nashville is growing up from being a small, provincial city with one big industry. Many people who live in those kinds of cities insist that their city is 'world class' and get all worked up when others don't share their opinion. Seattle and Washington are very much alike, actually. Their football teams are no good, the weather leaves something to be desired and both have decent public transportation.