Chris Matthews Dodges Martin Bashir Question

Chris Matthews found himself in quite the awkward situation recently.

The MSNBC host was making a public appearance for his new book "Tip and the Gipper" when the Washington Post's Erik Wemple asked Matthews if he had any comments on the controversial remarks made by fellow host Martin Bashir.

"Not really," Matthews said. "I work in that company. I don't have any comment on it. I can understand that you'd ask the question, but I work for MSNBC."

When pressed on the question, Matthews said, "I'm not a media critic." He continued to dodge the question, insisting, "No, I'm not...He's a colleague of mine."

Bashir recently came under fire for suggesting that someone should "sh-t" in Sarah Palin's mouth, referencing a punishment for slaves, in response to something she had said about slavery. He later apologized for the comments, and on behalf of the network.

(h/t Erik Wemple)