# I'm watching Ahhnold hand Chris Matthews his head... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 15, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591 "2005-03-15T05:00:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/21 "2005-03-15T18:58:48Z")
**duffer** , there’s a chance I wouldn’t think you were such a complete and utter retard if you could learn to just post your opinions on a given topic without the preemptive, incoherent, and often irrelevant comments about what you believe/anticipate the position of The Evil Liberals to be on a variety of related and unrelated issues. As things stand now, you look like a fucking nut. “I’d tell you my actual opinion but you’d just twist it, so I’ll tell you yours! Quit stealing my thoughts! Corn nuts!” ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/22 "2005-03-15T19:08:27Z")
As for the OP, I didn’t see the interview, but I’m not surprised. I consider myself to be very liberal, but I’ve been very impressed w. Schwarzenegger for the most part. I haven’t agreed with him on everything, but he’s smart and well-spoken, and I respect his tactic of going to direct democracy using ballot initiatives when things bog down in the state legislature. (The CA legislature is sometimes…stupid.) Because of his overall directness, he’s a much harder target for attack-style interviews – he doesn’t rely solely on spin and catch-phrases to convince people to do what he wants. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/23 "2005-03-15T19:21:27Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > I liked him when his show first started and had several positive conversations with other people about his fairness. But the longer he was on and the more popular he bacame, the more careless he became about showing his true colors and the more bullying became his style. Is it your perception that Matthews only bullies the right, or did you not notice that he nails the Democrats when they say something that is worthy of investigation? Whether he is a bully or not hardly makes him unfair, so long as he does it to everybody, regardless of their politics. That has been my perception of Matthews. But it seems you object to anyone who questions the politics of the right, whether they question everyone or not. > [@](#): > > This was _especially_ the case in that atrocious interview with Zell Miller. Oh pul-leese, Miller got no more than he deserved. You are not seriously defending that windbag? > [@](#): > > It has been said that people see in others a reflection of themselves, and I would suggest your opinion of my right-wing bias is more correctly a reflection of your own left-wing bias. I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I? And you accuse **rjung** of childish invective? ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/24 "2005-03-15T19:58:28Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > As for the OP, I didn’t see the interview, but I’m not surprised. I consider myself to be very liberal, but I’ve been very impressed w. Schwarzenegger for the most part. I haven’t agreed with him on everything, but he’s smart and well-spoken, and I respect his tactic of going to direct democracy using ballot initiatives when things bog down in the state legislature. You have GOT to be kdding me. The Ballot Initiative is what’s got the state in its current mess. Just because something makes the ballot doesn’t mean it’s a good ideal. P.S. I agree on you with the legislature. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/25 "2005-03-15T20:30:51Z")
> [@Fear Itself](#): > > Is it your perception that Matthews only bullies the right, or did you not notice that he nails the Democrats when they say something that is worthy of investigation? No, it’s not my perception that Matthews only goes after the right. It is, however, especially eqregious when he does go after the right since he tends to do so more vehemently and with more of a wish to do damage, from what little I’ve seen of him, that is. > [@Fear Itself](#): > > Whether he is a bully or not hardly makes him unfair, so long as he does it to everybody, regardless of their politics. That has been my perception of Matthews. I don’t like bullies and I don’t like loudmouths, regardless of their politics. Matthews is both. > [@Fear Itself](#): > > But it seems you object to anyone who questions the politics of the right, whether they question everyone or not. Well, you’re right. To you, it _seems_ that way. > [@Fear Itself](#): > > Oh pul-leese, Miller got no more than he deserved. He deserved to be able to answer when he was given a question. Matthews’ only interest was in making fun of him and his speech. Miller could hardly get a word in edgewise. I don’t think most people tune in to see a host whose only interest in asking a question of his guest is to provide fodder for over the top steamrollering as soon as the guest tries to answer. And who are you to determine whether or not he deserved it? Is it your suggestion that guests only be treated respectfully by the host when he is in agreement with that person? > [@Fear Itself](#): > > I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I? And you accuse **rjung** of childish invective? Puh-leese! I know we’ve had our disagreements in the past, but I would hope you’d give me more credit than that. **litost** was clearly projecting her own bias onto me. It was perfectly obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/26 "2005-03-15T20:31:51Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > First, thanks for the link. > > Second, I know what you mean with regards to a live audience being a part of what is read in a transcript. Much like a reference to a _Daily Show_ “interview” you have to take into account what is said and what is shown. And how it’s shown. > > There are many in the US forming their opinions based on whom makes them laugh for 22 minutes and not what is said in substance. > > These people are called Democrats. First off, your sig made me smile. A Bob and Tom quote about hockey 😃 God how I miss both. I find I’m better off getting my news from the Daily Show than most other news sources. There is an underlying point to the jokes and as so many news broadcasts are inane, I’m better with the one that makes me laugh and think much like the short lived Professor Frink show. And Jon Stewarts appearance on Crossfire was a much better head handing. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/27 "2005-03-15T21:09:16Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > For you lefties, go back to the DU template of quoting whatever fruitcake is e-mailing you talking points on Bush to post to the Pit. > > (Whatever you want to parse in that, go right ahead. I had much more to say, but my speech is hindered by what twists you lefties will apply to what I actually say.) You can’t type because of lefties? Aren’t we taking the blame game a little too far here? I doubt I get any more pleasure out of rjung’s or Reeder’s posts than you do, but aren’t we being a tad melodramatic? At any rate, I’m with Starving Artist: Chris Matthews is a pathetic fucking excuse for journalism. The “shout 'em down” school of political discussion is idiocy. And it’s one thing when it’s a political talk-radio host, too - if Rush wants to talk over or hang up on callers, well, everyone understands that his show is partisan, and a source of entertainment first and foremost. I don’t like Chris Matthews much because of the pretense of being something other than a noisy hack. Honestly, from the few times I watched the show, I didn’t realize he was liberal; obviously I missed some of the subtlety, but I never noticed a strong bent either way in his style. I don’t dispute it one bit - but it just goes to show that O’Reilly ain’t the only obnoxious, worthless gasbag on TV. Whatever his political views, even if he were scrupulously fair (and I’m not trying to claim he is) in attacking both sides - his brand of journalism is contemptible. > [@duffer](#): > > First, thanks for the link. > > Second, I know what you mean with regards to a live audience being a part of what is read in a transcript. Much like a reference to a Daily Show “interview” you have to take into account what is said and what is shown. And how it’s shown. > > There are many in the US forming their opinions based on whom makes them laugh for 22 minutes and not what is said in substance. > > These people are called Democrats. :rolleyes: Thanks for posting this. Not only are moronic generalizations about ones political opponents always a nice addition to the debate, but it also shows the depth of your own political thought, duffer, and helps everyone recognize the amount of research and the rigor of the reasoning that underlie it. > [@Starving Artist](#): > > It has been said that people see in others a reflection of themselves, and I would suggest your opinion of my right-wing bias is more correctly a reflection of your own left-wing bias. That isn’t much of an argument. By that notion, your dislike of Chris Matthews must mean that you’re also a loud, bullying ass, and I haven’t seen any signs of that in you. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/28 "2005-03-15T21:26:38Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Seriously, **Duffer** , you seem bound and determined to turn this into a hijack about left vs. right politics. Meh. Sometimes I tend to get carried away. I’d apologize but the fact that some get so upset over what I post is just too funny. Seeing as I’m such a retard/assbag/shithead yet still have this much power over other’s emotional state is too much to give up. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/29 "2005-03-15T21:31:45Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > That isn’t much of an argument. By that notion, your dislike of Chris Matthews must mean that you’re also a loud, bullying ass, and I haven’t seen any signs of that in you. Well, of course, one has to evaluate these things on a case-by-case basis. 😉 My reasoning in accusing **litost** of reverse (or reflected) bias was based on her apparent belief that Matthews’ treatment of Zell Miller was “especially” appropriate. I don’t know if you saw that particular broadcast, but I have never, in all my years of despising the media, seen any reporter or talk show host behave in the way that Matthews’ did toward Miller. He was loud and arrogant and belittling of everything Miller tried to say – which wasn’t much because every time Miller tried to answer a question Matthews’ posed to him he would be shouted down and ridiculed over something he had said in his speech which related the question being asked. Finally, Miller had enough and started to try to talk louder than Matthews in an attempt to be heard…and Matthews just kept going, getting louder and louder and still making it impossible for Miller to say anything. Miller was damn furious and I’d wager that if they’d been in the same room and Matthews acted that way, Miller would have physically attacked him. But I thank you for the compliments. They were especially gratifying considering that prior to this thread I don’t think we’ve ever agreed about anything. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/30 "2005-03-15T21:34:27Z")
> [@Stuffy](#): > > You have GOT to be kdding me. The Ballot Initiative is what’s got the state in its current mess. Just because something makes the ballot doesn’t mean it’s a good ideal. True, and I haven’t supported all of his ballot initiatives. However, I like the principle of the thing. For important problems, when the legislature is deadlocked I’d rather solve it via direct democracy than some watered-down, pork-laden piece of shit legislation, regardless of which side of the issue I’m on. Few politicians would stick their necks out like he does – most would just complain about how the legislature won’t let them do what they want and leave it at that. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/31 "2005-03-15T22:05:33Z")
Does anybody have a link to the ~complete~ Zell Miller interview? I’ve only ever seen the end that makes Zell Miller look completely insane, so it would be nice to be able to see this in a relatively neutral light and make my own decision on it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/32 "2005-03-15T22:59:07Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > No, it’s not my perception that Matthews only goes after the right. It is, however, especially eqregious when he does go after the right since he tends to do so more vehemently and with more of a wish to do damage, from what little I’ve seen of him, that is. Which would be what, the edited version of the Zell Miller interview? You can hardly sit there and accuse Matthews of gunning for the right more than the left if you don’t watch the show consistently, especially if the only parts you do see are edited for consumption on Fox News. > [@](#): > > I don’t like bullies and I don’t like loudmouths, regardless of their politics. Matthews is both. Which has nothing to do with fairness. > [@](#): > > Well, you’re right. To you, it _seems_ that way. So you do not deny it? > [@](#): > > He deserved to be able to answer when he was given a question. Matthews’ only interest was in making fun of him and his speech. Miller could hardly get a word in edgewise. I don’t think most people tune in to see a host whose only interest in asking a question of his guest is to provide fodder for over the top steamrollering as soon as the guest tries to answer. And this is where you project your own bias onto Matthews. Any journalist that asks probative questions of conservatives, and won’t allow them to avoid giving direct answers, is automatically branded a loudmouthed bully. It is perfectly obvious that is your bias. > [@](#): > > And who are you to determine whether or not he deserved it? I am a viewer who watched the whole interview as it happened. Who are you? > [@](#): > > Is it your suggestion that guests only be treated respectfully by the host when he is in agreement with that person? It is not my suggestion, but if misquoting me is the only way for you to gain traction in this debate, I will watch for it in the future. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2005, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/33 "2005-03-15T23:09:50Z")
> [@](#): > > At one point, in response to more badgering by Matthews, Arnold actually put his hand on Matthews’ shoulder and said, “Chris…Chris…wait…don’t be so short-sighted!” > > Much applause ensued. 1. what’s so impressive about this? 2. what did Chris Matthews actually say that warranted this incredibly incisive comment? 3. Just because the interview was in stanford, doesn’t mean the audience wasn’t packed with Republican lapdogs ready to cheer whatever Arnold said. It wouldn’t be the first time. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/34 "2005-03-16T01:48:24Z")
After reading the transcript, I don’t see where Arnold handed his head to him, or that he was even trying to. He was saying repeatedly, that he had been elected to represent The People and he intended to do so. He said that he would follow whatever the courts or the people decided. He would follow the law. If in the future, the people decided to change their minds, he would go along with that, as a representative of the people. That sounds pretty damn reasonable to me. As far as the state being controlled by special interest groups, I have to agree with Ahnold. That is part of the pickle California is in - along with a shit-for-brains legislature and idiotic ballot initiatives. I’m a Dem, and seem to have liberal tendencies in some areas, but I voted for Ahnold and would do so again. ---
**Author:** ![litost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@litost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/litost)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/35 "2005-03-16T03:11:57Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > Oh, please! Matthews is a former Democrat speech-writer, and, like most of his compatriots, he can’t keep his true feelings completely swept under the rug. I liked him when his show first started and had several positive conversations with other people about his fairness. But the longer he was on and the more popular he bacame, the more careless he became about showing his true colors and the more bullying became his style. This was _especially_ the case in that atrocious interview with Zell Miller. > > It has been said that people see in others a reflection of themselves, and I would suggest your opinion of my right-wing bias is more correctly a reflection of your own left-wing bias. Interesting take considering I’m not a left-winger. If you think his treatment of Zell Miller was (a) the worst most impudent ever (b) reflective of his bias towards Democrats then you can keep believing it. I’m not going to be able to change it. But I’m getting fucking sick of the media bias outcry each and every time someone talks about the media and more often that not, it is over puerile issus. Mainstream media in the US is a whore who will do anything to entertain. That’s true of CNN, Fox what-have-you. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lodoen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b3f665/32.png) [@Jeff\_Lodoen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lodoen)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/36 "2005-03-16T03:45:18Z")
"MATTHEWS: But nurses don‘t make much money, do they? " Then we changed the channel… ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/37 "2005-03-16T04:57:18Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Meh. Sometimes I tend to get carried away. I’d apologize but the fact that some get so upset over what I post is just too funny. Seeing as I’m such a retard/assbag/shithead yet still have this much power over other’s emotional state is too much to give up. 😉 Uh, we have a word for that here. I seem to recall Matthews being pretty rabid over Clinton back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![Yeticus\_Rex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a698b9/32.png) [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/38 "2005-03-16T05:03:36Z")
> [@Giraffe](#): > > I haven’t agreed with him on everything, but he’s smart and well-spoken, and I respect his tactic of going to direct democracy using ballot initiatives when things bog down in the state legislature. (The CA legislature is _ **sometimes** _…stupid.) Because of his overall directness, he’s a much harder target for attack-style interviews – he doesn’t rely solely on spin and catch-phrases to convince people to do what he wants. Sometimes? You are giving them waaaay too much credit. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/39 "2005-03-16T05:14:35Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Uh, we have a word for that here. Yeah, I know we have a word for it. It’s TROLL. Uh, we also have a rule of not accusing someone of it. And since you don’t have the gumption to even use the word, quit slinging the accusations in such a “safe” manner. :non-winking Wally: ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591/40 "2005-03-16T05:41:36Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > Does anybody have a link to the ~complete~ Zell Miller interview? I’ve only ever seen the end that makes Zell Miller look completely insane, so it would be nice to be able to see this in a relatively neutral light and make my own decision on it. I don’t know if you’ll be able to find it or not, but like I said to **duffer** earlier, much that transpires on these shows is conveyed through tone of voice, rapidity of speech, and volume. These would likely be lost in the transcript. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-watching-ahhnold-hand-chris-matthews-his-head/294591.md?page=3)