Posted by
Cary Wesberry on Thursday, March 13, 2008 10:01:42 PM
On Thursday night’s "Hardball," Chris Matthews compared Barack Obama's writing abilities to those of the great American writer Mark Twain. Prompted by Philadelphia radio talk show host Michael Smerconish’s praise of Obama's first book "Dreams From My Father," the "Hardball" host effused: "It's almost like Mark Twain. It's so American, it's so textured."
The following exchange occurred on the March 13 edition of MSNBC’s "Hardball:"
MICHAEL SMERCONISH, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: I think that this argument that he's an empty suit is gonna get tested and proven false. I just finished and have spent all week long, reading to my radio audience excerpts of "Dreams From My Father," Barack Obama's first book. And I'm telling your audience on "Hardball," if you want to know what makes this guy tick forget the grandiose, highfalutin speeches this is the real deal.
CHRIS MATTHEWS: Great book.
SMERCONISH: And people can make up their own minds but it's gonna get totally fleshed out.
MATTHEWS: It's unique because he's a politician and not since U.S. Grant has a politician written his own book.
SMERCONISH: Exactly.
MATTHEWS: And that is refreshing.
SMERCONISH: Yes.
MATTHEWS: And you're thoughts here? Did you read the book? Once you read it you have a different take. It's almost like Mark Twain. It's so American, it's so textured. It's so, almost sounding like great fiction because it reads like us. It's picturesque. Is that the right word? Picturesque? I think it's got that quality.
B. Hussein Obama and Mark Twain. I have to admit I didn't necessarily expect those two to be favorably compared to each other. Leave it to Chris Matthews and that creepy little weasel Michael Smerconish to accomplish such an embarrassment. I'm so very thankful there's such a thing as NewsBusters so I don't have to watch TV myself. B. Hussein Obama is a Senator from Illinois as well. Next he'll be Abraham Lincoln! These idiots make me sick. To think they get paid to vomit this crap all over television.