I don't remember Tweety saying "Screw you!", to Bush when his thugs leaned on him. Do you?

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/13124.html

October 5, 2007

Chris Matthews claims White House leaned on MSNBC

Posted October 5th, 2007 at 12:46 pm

Just two weeks ago, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric said her former employer, NBC, discouraged her from challenging the Bush administration. “I think there was a lot of undercurrent of pressure not to rock the boat for a variety of reasons, where it was corporate reasons or other considerations,” she said.

Yesterday, Hardball host Chris Matthews took this one step further, telling a DC audience that the Bush administration has tried to lean on his network and influence broadcast journalism. (thanks to RK and DOK for the tip)

After praising the drafters of the First Amendment for allowing him to make a living, he outlined what he said was the fundamental difference between the Bush and Clinton administrations.

The Clinton camp, he said, never put pressure on his bosses to silence him.

“Not so this crowd,” he added, explaining that Bush White House officials — especially those from Vice President Cheney’s office — called MSNBC brass to complain about the content of his show and attempted to influence its editorial content. “They will not silence me!” Matthews declared.

This is a provocative thing to say, isn’t it? White House officials tried to shape MSNBC news broadcasts? Will Bunch raised the questions that Matthews might be so generous as to consider: “What were these attempts by Dick Cheney and other to muzzle him — and more importantly, did they work? Name names, if you’re going to be so brave. You say they won’t silence you? Great! We’re listening.”

[malaise]

1. In fairness to Tweety

He hates Cheney and was visibly upset when a guest challenged him on the subject.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Kurtz, who said CM "pulls no punches" must be unfamiliar with his man-crushes on Guiliani and McCain