Hillary To NBC: Fire David Shuster

[ProSense]

Hillary To NBC: Fire David Shuster

By Greg Sargent - February 9, 2008, 5:35PM

This has been elsewhere today already, but here's a quick update on Shuster-gate: Today Hillary turned up the heat on MSNBC over the Chelsea "pimp" comment, sending a letter to NBC News president Steve Capus in which she made it clear that his suspension just won't suffice...

Dear Mr. Capus,

Thank you for your call yesterday. I wanted to send you this note to convey the depth of my feeling about David Shuster’s comments.

I know that I am a public figure and that my daughter is playing a public role in my campaign. I am accustomed to criticism, certainly from MSNBC. I know that it goes with the territory.

However, I became Chelsea’s mother long before I ran for any office and I will always be a mom first and a public official second.

Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient.

I would urge you to look at the pattern of behavior on your network that seems to repeatedly lead to this sort of degrading language.

There’s a lot at stake for our country in this election. Surely, you can do your jobs as journalists and commentators and still keep the discourse civil and appropriate.

Sincerely,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hard to miss the line, "no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient." She wants him fired.

Shuster apologized, twice, and Chelsea is 27 years old. Why hasn't Hillary demanded that Chris Matthews be fired? Contrast Shuster's comment to what the Clintons' buddy said when Chelsea was a teenager: John McCain's mean, sexist, homophobic joke about Chelsea.

[Avalux]

1. And Hillary calls McCain a "dear friend". I smell political games.

Yes, Chelsea is 27 years old and an attorney on Wall Street. Get over it Hillary.

[neutron]

11. This diary is yet another Obama Deception Job

Obamites Lie Lie LIe LIe
She didn't SAY Fire him.

I am so SICK of their shit!
How could anyone want 4 years of this idiot ?

[high density]

23. Well she says the suspension and apology isn't enough

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to read between the lines and understand she wants him fired.

[Little Star]

She wants MSNBC to knock it off!!!! Not fire Shuster.

[high density]

45. If they can't handle it now, how the heck are they going to handle the general election?

They're acting like little kids. "Mommy, mommy!!! Tweety and David Shuster said bad things about me. Please make them stop!!"

Welcome to modern politics, HRC. I thought she was aware of how it worked nowadays, but perhaps she's been so hunkered down in DC these past few years that she has no clue what has been going on around her.

[papau]

53. true - and "more" would be lay down the law to Joe, Russert and Matthews

[dchill]

66. What exactly does this have...

to do with Obama?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

85. McCain's 98 remark that Chelsea ugly because Janet Reno her father

AWESOMELY HIPPOCRITICAL OF HILLARY, CONSIDERING:

Crooks and Liars » John McCain’s crude Chelsea Clinton jokeJohn McCain made this odious joke about Chelsea Clinton back in ‘98. Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.” ...
www.crooksandliars.com/2008/02/09/john-mccains-crude-chelsea-clinton-joke/

[joeybee12]

2. Um, nice try, but she doesn't say fired or want him fired...

...what is clear is that she wants MSNBC to cut out the shit and act professionallu.

[hayu_lol]

9. Under the circumstances, the letter is pretty well-reasoned and...

civilized. More so than the dipshit who caused the ruckus.

For the OP to say she is demanding firing...well, he is entitled to his own opinions...even when they are not actually very factual.

Some people here just love to put words in the candidate's mouths. Ummm, at least when it serves their purposes.

[HardWorkingDem]

21. What else does the letter mean?

She remarks that an apology and suspension are not enough. What does that leave? It certainly doesn't mean giving him his own show, which he does deserve.

[splat]

33. She wants them to clean up their act, with Matthews too

[HardWorkingDem]

43. Then what does this line mean?

Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient.


Looks like she wants him canned to me.

[nonconformist]

58. That line means that suspending him does nothing to address the larger issue here.

Which is, the media sucks.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

86. maybe it means - give her more free air time n/t

[rodeodance]

64. Prosence is CLAIMING/specualating only--those are his words NOT clinton's

Hard to miss the line, "no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient." She wants him fired.

[spotbird]

84. "no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient."

Seems clear.

Has she demanded Fox anchors be fired as well?

[shadowknows69]

3. So, I'm waiting for Hillary to demand that all the RW radio hosts

who have been insulting hte Clintons for years be fired. Why this, why now?

[jgraz]

10. Why now? Because Obama's about to have a 4-day news cycle of victories

This is the only thing they have and they're gonna use it.

[high density]

29. I agree, if she has something she wants to say to the media,

she can say it into their cameras. Don't do this secret backhanded bullshit with the uppity ups that do nothing at the network but shuffle the money around.

[Deja Q]

31. I think sno-cones will be sold in Hades long before that happens.

[Yael]

4. Yael to Hillary

STFU

[0007]

8. I'll second that

STFU

[Bluerthanblue]

McCain's comment didn't come during the primaries-

If she becomes the nom, I wouldn't be surprised to see the comment resurrected.


peace~

[jgraz]

5. The Clintons continue to pimp the "pimping"

It's all they have left at this point.

[polichick]

12. Milking it for way more than it's worth, alright!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

51. Is She Not Right?

Maybe if you opened your mind to her being a human being and a mother, rather than just the candidate you AREN'T for, you'd have a different perspective.

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. "And if you could do it in time for the Monday news, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks, Hill."

[H2O Man]

7. Cheney & Libby

lobbied MSNBC because they were furious about reporting on the Plame scandal. I am not comfortable with politicians acting in this manner.

[Tatiana]

20. Thank you for making the connection.

Everytime something unpopular or unfavorable is said about a candidate (whether fairly or unfairly), politicians are going to feel like they can go to the head of the network and get journalists fired.

It sets a dangerous precedent. There could come a time when we could be silencing truth.

[frazzled]

13. I think he should be suspended until after the nominee is decided

No political analysis of the Democratic primary. Or maybe they simply put him on another assignment (reporting on the WH or Congress). Firing (which I'm not sure is what is being demanded here) is too draconian. But I do think he should be barred from doing any further political analysis of this race.

[Saturday]

14. Nowhere in there does she say to fire him. Nice try flamebaiter. n/t

[Thrill]

15. Unreal. The way the economy is. She is pushing for someone to be fired

Unreal. wow just wow.

[cgrindley]

16. She should chill the fuck out

if she wants to spare her daughter from the rough and tumble world of political discourse, she should not trot the pretty pony into the ring.

[high density]

17. Fire somebody over two words?

What a bunch of petty bullshit, Hillary Rodham Clinton.

[11 Bravo]

18. You may be the most dishonest poster it's been my misfortune to encounter here at DU.

[HardWorkingDem]

19. Let's see if I have this right....

HRC wants one of the most aggressive reporters over the last five years ran out of town, while working for one of the most Democratic friendly channels.

Is that it? McCain tells a supporter who asks "how do we beat the bitch" that it is a good question, makes his own jokes and her reaction is nil.

Is it possible that maybe her reaction might have other motives behind it? Like for example Shuster might continue to do pieces on how she gave Bush the green light for the Iraq War and Iran propaganda push?

He apologized and that should be enough.

[rodeodance]

22. WHERE DOES IT SAY SHE WANTS HIM FIRED?

[Yael]

28. Off with his head!!!

What do you consider being a stronger "punishment" than the ineffective "temporary suspension"?

Jail time?

[jgraz]

32. When's the last time you heard a Clinton make a statement they couldn't parse their way out of?

[rodeodance]

41. so, the claim that she wants him fired in not true then.

[jgraz]

42. All she wants is the news cycle

If she happens to get a reporter fired, so much the better. It will scare the next upstart who dares to report on Queen Hill.

[rodeodance]

62. whatever. my point is she has not asked for him to be fired as clained in the OP

[high density]

48. Her supporters seem to live off of it

It's hypocritical to the max, but hey, it's rather amusing at least.

[Evergreen Emerald]

24. No. She wants them to knock it the fuck off.

Rather than have one scape-goat. It is a system wide problem and that is why Schuster thought it would be OK to act like that. MSNBC has been attacking Clinton non-stop.

The culture has to change. One half-hearted apology will not cut it.

[loveangelc]

25. OK, I initially defended Hillary about being upset about it, but that's ridiculous.

no wonder journalists hate hillary, she wants to use tactics to get people fired for things she doesn't like. the 'pimped out' comment wasn't right, but its really not that serious...

[K Gardner]

27. Exactly, angelc.. (I'm gonna post a pic of my bully soon, too !)

[rodeodance]

71. Topic subject Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired,

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4510989#4510989
4510989, Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Posted by MassDemm on Sat Feb-09-08 09:02 PM

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/clinton-campa-1.html

February 09, 2008 9:07 PM

After some conversations with folks at the Clinton campaign, I can offer some clarity -- maybe -- on what they're asking NBC/MSNBC to do.

And despite Clinton's letter, saying David Martin Shuster's apology and suspension was not sufficient, Clinton's goal is not for NBC to fire Shuster, he and his fans will be happy to hear. Until Thursday, the Clinton campaign had no issues with Shuster, I'm told.

The campaign says it has more to do with what it sees as a sexist, locker room, on-air atmosphere at MSNBC.

Clinton supporters ask: what other network has had, within the space of one year, because of comments widely seen as boorish and inappropriate, a firing (Imus), an on-air apology (Chris Matthews) and a suspension (Shuster)?

[rodeodance]

76. Sure likes like you made and ASSumption!!

[chimpymustgo]

26. When does the thread limit go into effect? STOP LYING!!! Hillary did NOT call for Shuster's firing

This is what she is calling for: "I would urge you to look at the pattern of behavior on your network that seems to repeatedly lead to this sort of degrading language."

You guys are infuriating with this bullshit.

[high density]

35. I can't believe you guys

"Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient."

^^^ What is the next step after that, if those two things are not sufficient? I can't believe you guys are playing semantics like this. It's so silly!

[ProSense]

38. Does this "no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient" mean knock it off? No,

she wants him fired!

[Name removed]

47. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rodeodance]

78. HA HA----it means she did NOT want him fired--you made an ASSumption!

Does this "no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient" mean knock it off? No,

she wants him fired!

[Deja Q]

30. Maybe Ms. Clinton forgot about McCain's comment, amongst the others?

[Canuckistanian]

34. *sigh* The Circular Firing Squad™" is at work again.

Shuster is not the enemy here. Why is Hillary going after someone who is essentially on her own "team?

God knows she would gain more political traction if she demanded OTHER resignations.

And you know who I mean.

[HardWorkingDem]

36. Exactly....

What is with people that completely ignore the overwhelmingly large body of one's work for a second of stupidity?

Unbelievable.

[dchill]

67. "Why is Hillary going after someone ..."

Political gain. She knows Shuster didn't mean "pimped" literally.

[WillyT]

37. Good Thing He Didn't Say "Iron My Shirts!"

This is getting really out of hand.

:wtf:

:banghead:

[TeamJordan23]

39. Disgraceful. Reminds me of when Bill Maher was fired by ABC shortly after 9/11.

What happened to free speech?

[Barack_America]

40. Anything for PRESS and PITY...n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. Oh good grief Hillary

Grow the fuck up.

[book_worm]

46. He goofed he was wrong and his suspension is fine, but he shouldn't be fired.

[Kolesar]

49. Now, now, lady. You don't have to go "all Margaret Thatcher" on us just to show

...how tough you are.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

50. Hmmm. I Thought I'd Have Different Feelings, But After Reading The Letter I Think She Did Great!

I give her props actually for her strength here. The fact of the matter is that the lack of civil discourse as it relates to the media has totally gone to the shitter, and she's ABSOLUTELY RIGHT that it is inexcusable that such language and degrading attacks are almost commonplace and routine, to the level that they're almost acceptable. Personally, it high about time someone started fighting back with strength. And I feel bad for David too. Personally, I like him. But you can't argue with this phrase: "Surely, you can do your jobs as journalists and commentators and still keep the discourse civil and appropriate."

That hit me like a rock. She's absolutely right. These journalists and commentators, almost all of them, have jumped the shark a long time ago. I respect the hell out of her for fighting back in the way she did in that letter, and think she should be commended.

[Kolesar]

52. Degrading attacks by MSNBC reporters are now "routine"? That's news to me!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

56. By Almost All Reporters/Commentators.

They've all gone to shit, and there are almost none of them that have the professionalism of the ones of old.

It's all like a big reality show done just for entertainment nowadays, rather than actual substance. The amount of disrespect shown towards things that are important by almost ALL journalists is something that should finally be addressed head on. I'd think everyone on this site would agree to that concept.

[Kolesar]

60. I would agree with that concept: disrespectful to what's important

But "degrading", that's too strong.

[moondust]

54. Overreaction is not a good quality in a President.

Tempestuousness is part of McCain's problem. We need cooler heads.

[rodeodance]

72. OP deliberated lied, Read this:

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4510989#4510989
4510989, Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Posted by MassDemm on Sat Feb-09-08 09:02 PM

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/clinton-campa-1.html

February 09, 2008 9:07 PM

After some conversations with folks at the Clinton campaign, I can offer some clarity -- maybe -- on what they're asking NBC/MSNBC to do.

And despite Clinton's letter, saying David Martin Shuster's apology and suspension was not sufficient, Clinton's goal is not for NBC to fire Shuster, he and his fans will be happy to hear. Until Thursday, the Clinton campaign had no issues with Shuster, I'm told.

The campaign says it has more to do with what it sees as a sexist, locker room, on-air atmosphere at MSNBC.

Clinton supporters ask: what other network has had, within the space of one year, because of comments widely seen as boorish and inappropriate, a firing (Imus), an on-air apology (Chris Matthews) and a suspension (Shuster)?

[global1]

55. I Thougth That In Hillary's 35 Years Of Experience She's Heard It All And Can Take It.......

apparently she's not as thick skinned as she purports to be.

[nonconformist]

57. You are being purposefully misleading, she did NOT say that.

She said that suspension wasn't enough because, and I quote:

I would urge you to look at the pattern of behavior on your network that seems to repeatedly lead to this sort of degrading language.

It's clear what she wants. She wants them to fix the MSM, the root of the problem, because they have simply become so unprofessional and ridiculous. She's saying it's not just about Shuster, it's about a bigger problem.

WHICH MOST DU'ERS USED TO THINK, TOO. That is, until they took a page from the 'Right-Wing Attacks, the Clenis Edition' handbook and decided that Obama walks on water.

[Sparkly]

59. I think she's urging them to stop their pattern of offensive remarks.

Make a policy, raise some consciousnesses, and draw a clear line for the "talent." She's right that it's a pattern on their network, and she's right to address that.

If she wanted him to be fired, the letter would be all about him. Instead, it's about raising the level of discourse on the network overall.

[global1]

61. David Schuster Has Done A Phenomenal Reporting Job With Respect To BushCo......

he's one of the few newspeople on TV that I trust and feel he's always fair in his reporting. He made a mistake and he apologized. HRC wanting him fired tells me something. Schuster has been a thorn in BushCo's side. HRC wants to deal with him now before he has a chance to fairly report on her should she win the presidency.

Again - Bush 4 + Clinton 8 + Bush 8 + Clinton 4 or 8 - their is no difference.

If you want more of the same - vote for Hillary.

I just feel sorry for the youth that got energized in this election go round. They know nothing but Bush/Clinton. This is their chance to speak out and see how someone completely free of the friends and enemies of these two families will do for them.

They want someone fresh, new and different. They want change.

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[frazzled]

65. With all due respect, TPM's headline interprets it that way

It reads: "Hillary Clinton to NBC: Shuster Must Be Fired"

So you can hardly blame the OP here. Even Josh Marshall is interpreting it that way.

[poiuytsister]

68. Shuster's comment was very bad, and I like Hillary BUT

the idea of any politician dictating policy and employment standards for the media scares the shit out of me. It's hard enough to get the facts on anything from MSM without the leaders being allowed to decide what we can hear.

[rodeodance]

79. Topic subject Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4510989#4510989
4510989, Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Posted by MassDemm on Sat Feb-09-08 09:02 PM

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/clinton-campa-1.html

February 09, 2008 9:07 PM

After some conversations with folks at the Clinton campaign, I can offer some clarity -- maybe -- on what they're asking NBC/MSNBC to do.

And despite Clinton's letter, saying David Martin Shuster's apology and suspension was not sufficient, Clinton's goal is not for NBC to fire Shuster, he and his fans will be happy to hear. Until Thursday, the Clinton campaign had no issues with Shuster, I'm told.

The campaign says it has more to do with what it sees as a sexist, locker room, on-air atmosphere at MSNBC.

Clinton supporters ask: what other network has had, within the space of one year, because of comments widely seen as boorish and inappropriate, a firing (Imus), an on-air apology (Chris Matthews) and a suspension (Shuster)?

[Meldread]

69. I really hope this backfires on her.

Media folks tend to stick together when challenged like this, and I hope that they rally around David. Apparently Hillary has forgotten Plame-Gate and how the news media rallied around the reporters when they did not want to reveal their sources. I hope the same happens here. She doesn't have the right to demand anything. Chelsea is a 27 year old woman who is working for a public official. She is putting herself out there. No one would be upset if Mark Penn's mother called to complain about all the bad things said about him.

However, the ironic fact is that David in a round-about way was defending Chelsea. He was saying that she was being overused and exploited. He was bringing attention to the fact that she doesn't like being in the spotlight, and yet the campaign was using her in such a way that put her right there in the middle. They had her calling the women on the View to beg them for support, for crying out loud!

His comments were dead-on, even if he should have phrased it slightly differently.

[rodeodance]

73. Read this. OP "mislead" you

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=printer_friendly&forum=132&topic_id=4510989&mesg_id=4510989

[rodeodance]

70. Topic subject Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired,

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4510989#4510989
4510989, Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Posted by MassDemm on Sat Feb-09-08 09:02 PM

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/clinton-campa-1.html

February 09, 2008 9:07 PM

After some conversations with folks at the Clinton campaign, I can offer some clarity -- maybe -- on what they're asking NBC/MSNBC to do.

And despite Clinton's letter, saying David Martin Shuster's apology and suspension was not sufficient, Clinton's goal is not for NBC to fire Shuster, he and his fans will be happy to hear. Until Thursday, the Clinton campaign had no issues with Shuster, I'm told.

The campaign says it has more to do with what it sees as a sexist, locker room, on-air atmosphere at MSNBC.

Clinton supporters ask: what other network has had, within the space of one year, because of comments widely seen as boorish and inappropriate, a firing (Imus), an on-air apology (Chris Matthews) and a suspension (Shuster)?

[MethuenProgressive]

74. I read DU is considering limiting the number of threads members can start each day.

:applause:

[rodeodance]

75. I wish du would sniff out threads like this that purposely lie!

[dailykoff]

77. How could he call Chelsea a pimp

when the pimp is obviously Hillary!?

[rodeodance]

80. and here is the CORRECTION to the OP:

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4510989#4510989
4510989, Clinton Campaign Not Looking for Shuster to Be Fired, After All
Posted by MassDemm on Sat Feb-09-08 09:02 PM

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/02/clinton-campa-1.html

February 09, 2008 9:07 PM

After some conversations with folks at the Clinton campaign, I can offer some clarity -- maybe -- on what they're asking NBC/MSNBC to do.

And despite Clinton's letter, saying David Martin Shuster's apology and suspension was not sufficient, Clinton's goal is not for NBC to fire Shuster, he and his fans will be happy to hear. Until Thursday, the Clinton campaign had no issues with Shuster, I'm told.

The campaign says it has more to do with what it sees as a sexist, locker room, on-air atmosphere at MSNBC.

Clinton supporters ask: what other network has had, within the space of one year, because of comments widely seen as boorish and inappropriate, a firing (Imus), an on-air apology (Chris Matthews) and a suspension (Shuster)?

[ProSense]

81. That's not a correction, it's damage control because of backlash to the letter

Not Fired?

02.09.08
By Josh Marshall

A number of readers have written in to question, or much more than question, our latest headline on the Clinton/Shuster story -- namely that Hillary Clinton is demanding that Shuster be fired.

First of all, some have criticized Greg Sargent's reporting. But let me make this crystal clear. I personally signed off on the post and I wrote the front page headline myself.

Some have said that Clinton's letter to NBC wasn't written clearly or that she was saying that suspensions and apologies were not enough, that what was needed was a broader reevaluation on the network's part of its attitude to women and Hillary Clinton in particular.

Simply read the key passage ...

Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient.

I would urge you to look at the pattern of behavior on your network that seems to repeatedly lead to this sort of degrading language.

Some readers seem to believe that Clinton is saying that it's not about suspensions or apologies. It's about MSNBC's need to reevaluate its pattern of behavior.

But there's a fatal flaw with this strained interpretation. Look at the actual words. If that's the case, why does she qualify 'suspension' with the adjective 'temporary'? That tells the tale right there. The alternative to a temporary suspension is a permanent one, which is clear English we call 'firing'.

I give the Clinton campaign the respect of knowing that they're no slouches with the written word. And the words in this letter were clearly chosen with great care. The point of that passage was that merely suspending Shuster was insufficient -- that he needs to be fired. That's what they meant. And I have little doubt that Shuster and the MSNBC execs understood the meaning the moment they read it. I think it would be wrong to shy away from making that clear.

[rodeodance]

82. She needs to counter slime such as the threads you put up. Good for her!!

[ProSense]

83. Desperation forced her to backtrack. n/t

[TheFarseer]

87. GOOD GOD he didn't mean she was a prostitute!!!

This trying to get people fired thing really bothers me. This is the kind of crap Bill O'Reilly pulls.