MSNBC’s David Shuster Suspended for Chelsea ‘Pimped Out’ Comment
Posted on February 8, 2008
As Mark Finkelstein reported on Newsbusters on the 7th, MSNBC’s David Shuster made a rather interesting comment about Chelsea Clinton as he was hosting “Tucker” that evening. Shuster asked if Hillary Clinton’s use of her daughter on the campaign trail seemed “like Chelsea’s sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?” Well, NBC has now announced that they’ve suspended Shuster over the comment…. so much for free political speech.
In a press release, NBC says the following:
On Thursday’s “Tucker” on MSNBC, David Shuster, who was serving as guest-host of the program, made a comment about Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton campaign that was irresponsible and inappropriate. Shuster, who apologized this morning on MSNBC and will again this evening, has been suspended from appearing on all NBC News broadcasts, other than to make his apology. He has also extended an apology to the Clinton family. NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks.
Both the Clinton and Obama campaigns accepted invitations from us on Thursday evening to participate in a February 26th debate. Our conversations with the Clinton campaign about their participation continue today, and we are hopeful that the event will take place as planned.
Of course, Shuster’s comment seems quite mild compared to say Randi Rhodes’ radio skit that said that Romney supporters would go on mass murder sprees, or that conservatives will “kill” Hillary as Chris Matthews said on the 8th… or just about anything that the women on the View say at any given time. Not to mention the horrible things that liberal TV hosts have said about Rush Limbaugh or any conservative figure.
So, where are all the suspensions of liberal TV hosts who attack conservative candidates or personalities? Can you name one?
And, it is also interesting that Hillary has gotten into such a faux outrage over this particular comment. No one hearing that comment would imbue it with a sexual meaning. Shuster’s comment is completely understood to mean that he thought the Clinton campaign was using her daughter in a cheap way, but no one imagines it to have a sexual connotation at all. In fact, there isn’t even any real way to misconstrue the comment into a sexual innuendo on Shuster’s part. It just isn’t too hard to “get” his point at all.
Is Hillary that thin skinned?
Worse, why did the TV giant bend over so easily and suspend Shuster for this little comment when they let so many vile slams on conservatives go by without so much as a raised eyebrow?
In fact, MSNBC makes their biggest name caller a center of attention, don’t they? After all, not long ago the Cable station said that Keith Olbermann formed a focal point for their new “leftward tilt.”
So, suspend someone who says a somewhat off color comment about a leftie, but encourage and reward those who viscously attack conservatives.
That’s the MSM for ya!
» Filed Under 1st Amendment, Liberal Media/Bias, News
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12 Responses to “MSNBC’s David Shuster Suspended for Chelsea ‘Pimped Out’ Comment”
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They should give David Shuster a promotion for honesty in broadcasting!
At least there is one media person that sees through the Clinton Crud.
Davis Shuster isn’t some idiot on talk radio. He’s a journalist at MSNBC covering the presidential election, a job that requires objectivity and professionalism.
There was absolutely no reason whatsoever to describe Chelsea in such a vulgar way. That isn’t journalism.
If journalism requires objectivity and professionalism, MSNBC, the network of Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann, does not have any journalists.
I support David Shuster….put him back on the air!
I think MSNBC should stand behind their journalists/hosts. MSNBC is a big enough network not to be pushed around. The network should view it as Hillary should want to make campaign debates on MSNBC or she will miss vying for any viewer who is loyal to their network.
I am very sad that David Shuster whom I enjoy watching every night chose to stoop to the Fox News type of reporting. I hope that the apology was accepted and that things will return to normal. I as a mother can understand why Hillary was upset. Can anyone blogging say that they would want someone saying something like that about their child. Stop critizing Hillary for being a “good” mother! I would have made my displeasure known in the same way.
I hope MSNBC will work with the Clinton campaign to bring back David Shuster.
there are three reasons to watch msnbc. Chris Matthews, Pat Buchanan, and David Shuster. BRING BACK DAVID!
and as a side note: Joe Scarborough ’s remark to David the other morning while he was on the phone (on the air) was very uncalled for “he’s only in my seat because I let him” Joe needs to learn some manners and while he’s at it stop interrupting Mika so much. I used to like him but now he seems incredibly self centered.
I too believe David should return immediately. To be removed for an off handed remark makes me feel that a campaign has managed to strong arm the press. He apologized, I was watching when he made the remark, and do not think he meant it in the literal sense! This is not an Imus moment.
Free speech, Freedom of the press…I’m in the right country aren’t I?
MSNBC is losing another loyal viewer due to their obvious pro-Obama bias on virtually all shows except
Dan Abrams’. Mika and Willy knock each other over fawning over BO on Morning Joe each day–competing for the title of Obama’s biggest fan. It has become so prevalent and disturbing to me. From Chris and Keith and Tucker to the invited talking heads, it is a steady drum beat against Hillary and propaganda machine for Obama. All of these writers who do not believe that Shuster’s comments went over the line–I ask you: What if he had said after Obama’s Christmas campaign add, which included his daughters, that Obama was ‘pimping’ them out?? I would venture that it would be getting a little more play…
I am a conservative who enjoys MSNBC because of Tucker Carlson, Pat Buchanan, and Joe Scarborough until he got so full of himself. I also love Chris Matthews and Hardball for the interviews and perspectives. I think David Shuster is a great political reporter but I hate it when he fills in because he is a poor choice for Tucker. He is far lefty and obnoxious, at times. That said, his phrase about Clinton was not intended literally or sexually. MSNBC, who through Imus under the bus immediately, should stand by him and put him back on the air so he can go back to driving me nuts.
Here is my take on this… MSNBC poorly casted Shuster as a stand in for Tucker Carlson, a not very objective pundit who would have never been suspended for making that comment. The Clinton’s have been displeased with MSNBC for a long time now with Chris Matthews and Olbermann making comments regarding the senator that they feel to be unfair or unflattering.
The Shuster remark was something that the Campaign knew they could go after, and they could surely drum up sympathy which Senator Clinton badly needs right now as she is being over shadowed by Obama’s rockstar status. If Hillary Clinton went after Matthews or Olbermann the network would have laughed her off, but now with Shuster they were able to calculate a plan and use this remark (which they totally spun to their political advantage) to go on a tear against the network.
MSNBC should be supporting their Journalists and support Shuster as much as they would support Matthews or Keith. I am surprised that Clinton did not spin this into something more positive for herself and remind the American ppl that this freedom is what makes this country great.
Instead, the Clinton’s are pushing their weight around and making unwarranted threats pulling out of debates (which she needs the air time on) and ultimately leaving David Shuster with out a job.
This is a shame, I totally support David Shuster, his work during Hurricane Katrina was amazing and he is an asset to MSNBC.
David Shuster made a stupid remark. It was irresponsible and narrow-minded. I think this is a cautionary tale for networks about closet Republicans who try to pass themselves off as “journalists”.
Joe