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ThetaBurst · 02-09-2008, 05:38 AM

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Clinton could pull out of MSNBC debates over anchor's comments

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SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor could imperil Sen. Hillary Clinton's participation in future presidential debates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said.
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Excerpt

SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor could imperil Sen. Hillary Clinton's participation in future presidential debates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said.

In a conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson on Friday excoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to celebrities and Democratic Party "superdelegates" on her mother's behalf.

Wolfson called Shuster's comment "beneath contempt" and disgusting.

"I, at this point, can't envision a scenario where we would continue to engage in debates on that network," he added.

MSNBC said Shuster, who apologized on the air for his comment, has been temporarily suspended from appearing on all NBC news broadcasts except to offer his apology.

"NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks," MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines said, adding the network was hopeful the debate would take place as planned.

Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are scheduled to participate in an MSNBC debate February 26 from Ohio, which holds its primary March 4. The Clinton campaign has pushed hard for as many debates as possible with Obama, but Wolfson said the February 26 debate could be jeopardized.

Wolfson pointed to what he called a pattern of tasteless comments by MSNBC anchors about the Clinton campaign. Weeks ago, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews apologized to the former first lady after suggesting her political career had been made possible by her husband's philandering.

Shuster told The Associated Press he has tried to reach Clinton to apologize.

Bill Burton, a spokesman for Obama, called Shuster's comments "deplorable" and said they had no place in the political process.

Superdelegates are elected officials and other members of the Democratic National Committee who serve as unpledged delegates to the party's convention. They're expected to play an important role in selecting the party's nominee if the delegate contest between Clinton and Obama remains close.

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Comment:

So, we are now to believe the Clintons are going to bail on NBC?

NBC????!

The Clintons are going to give up interviews on Meet the Press? Hardball? Countdown? NBC Nightly News? Dateline NBC?

The Clintons -desperately seeking to conduct as many debates with Obama as possible (currently 5 requests are on the table)- are going to bail on NBC in the debate scheduled to take place just before the Ohio primary?

Yeah, right.

The day the Clintons refuse to appear on NBC is the day I become the anchor of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

I'll even be perky.

02-09-2008, 05:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
ThetaBurst The Fierce Urgency of Now Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,838 Thanks: 10 Thanked 66 Times in 38 Posts	Clinton could pull out of MSNBC debates over anchor's comments Title Clinton could pull out of MSNBC debates over anchor's comments Link SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor could imperil Sen. Hillary Clinton's participation in future presidential debates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said. ----------------------------------------------------- Excerpt SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor could imperil Sen. Hillary Clinton's participation in future presidential debates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said. In a conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson on Friday excoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to celebrities and Democratic Party "superdelegates" on her mother's behalf. Wolfson called Shuster's comment "beneath contempt" and disgusting. "I, at this point, can't envision a scenario where we would continue to engage in debates on that network," he added. MSNBC said Shuster, who apologized on the air for his comment, has been temporarily suspended from appearing on all NBC news broadcasts except to offer his apology. "NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks," MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines said, adding the network was hopeful the debate would take place as planned. Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are scheduled to participate in an MSNBC debate February 26 from Ohio, which holds its primary March 4. The Clinton campaign has pushed hard for as many debates as possible with Obama, but Wolfson said the February 26 debate could be jeopardized. Wolfson pointed to what he called a pattern of tasteless comments by MSNBC anchors about the Clinton campaign. Weeks ago, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews apologized to the former first lady after suggesting her political career had been made possible by her husband's philandering. Shuster told The Associated Press he has tried to reach Clinton to apologize. Bill Burton, a spokesman for Obama, called Shuster's comments "deplorable" and said they had no place in the political process. Superdelegates are elected officials and other members of the Democratic National Committee who serve as unpledged delegates to the party's convention. They're expected to play an important role in selecting the party's nominee if the delegate contest between Clinton and Obama remains close. ------------------------------------------------------ Comment: So, we are now to believe the Clintons are going to bail on NBC? NBC????! The Clintons are going to give up interviews on Meet the Press? Hardball? Countdown? NBC Nightly News? Dateline NBC? The Clintons -desperately seeking to conduct as many debates with Obama as possible (currently 5 requests are on the table)- are going to bail on NBC in the debate scheduled to take place just before the Ohio primary? Yeah, right. The day the Clintons refuse to appear on NBC is the day I become the anchor of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric. I'll even be perky.
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