ORONO, Maine - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she took “deep offense” at comments by an MSNBC anchor about her daughter Chelsea’s role in her campaign and said she still had not decided whether to participate in a debate sponsored by the network later this month.
“I am a mom first and a candidate second and I found the remarks incredibly offensive,” Clinton said at a news conference on Saturday at the University of Maine. ”I have sent a letter to the head of NBC expressing the deep offense that I took.”
She was referring to a remark from MSNBC’s David Shuster, who questioned on Thursday whether Chelsea was “sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way” by the campaign because she was making calls to voters and giving speeches advocating for her mother.
MSNBC said in a statement on Friday that Shuster had apologized to the Clintons on-air for the remark and was suspended from broadcasts except to make the apology, but Clinton suggested in her letter to MSNBC that the cable network should go further to make amends.
“Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient,” she said in the letter.
Pressed on whether she would participate in the debate that will be hosted by the network on Feb. 26, Clinton said: ”We’re going to wait and see how this plays out.”
Asked for a reaction to Clinton’s comments, the network said it stood by its earlier statement which also included MSNBC’s own apology.
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
- Photo credit: Reuters/Jim Young (Clinton greets supporters at a town hall meeting in Maine)
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He spoke the truth. Clintons use their daughter and are now using their machine as they always have. Amazing that a reporters comment has cost him his job and Bill’s romp with a young girl (in the oval office) has cost him nothing except shame for this nation.
- Posted by jroboldIt is a sad commentary on the state of ethics and acceptable conduct in this nation when a national news commentator would make such a disparaging remark about a former President’s daughter. Equally distressing is the fact that so many of our fellow citizens happily join in the guttersniping and wallow in the mud and filth like they belong there. I have not seen a U.S. Presidential candidate and family, so maligned since Robert Kennedy in 1968. We have a growing portion of our electorate, intellectually incapable of debating the issues, but who thrill at the opportunity to spread poison and to unmercifully condemn our candidates and leaders. We know the character composition of these poor minded, needy souls from being subjected to their obscenities and absurdities. May God enlighten them.
- Posted by James ZeebIt amazes me that it is ok for the Republicans to have their children,ie., George Bushes two daughters, his nephew campaigned for him and his father, John Kerry’s step-children, Ronald Regan’s daughter and so on. The minute that Hilliarys daughter started to campaign for her mother she is “pimped” out. If this isn’t discrminatory, I don’t know what is. MSNBC has a duty to the public to at least appear non-bias, but they can’t continue to put up that front, so their true colors emerge. I think the FCC should suspend them from the air for awhile. Maybe they will get the message, that freedom of speech does not give them the write to make disparaging remarks about a candidate they have worked years at trying to discredit. The personal attacks on her haven’t work, so they attack her daughter. Shame On Them!!
- Posted by Carolyn KleinIt is a shame about David Schuster. He is the latest in a very L O N G line of people to be “used” and “abused” in order for the Clintons’ to receive media attention for yet again, being “victimized”.
There is truth in the old cliche: If you can’t stand the heat, then, stay out of the kitchen.
It is one thing for Chelsea Clinton as an adult to be campaigning for her mother. However, then Ms. Clinton, is as fair game for the scrutiny of the press as any other adult campaigning on behalf of candidates in either party.
For me, a 55 year old woman whose one degree is in Women Studies, I find it completely repugnant that “gender” is being ’studied’ instead of the character and the issues of each candidate.
Further enflaming the radical feminist branch of voters, regardless of their blatant attempts to distort the other candidate’s position on “their” issues, may, in the end, not assist Senator Clinton in her bid for the Presidency with mainstream voters.
The real shame of it is that in reality, as poorly thought out as Schuster’s question/remark was, he is the REAL victim of this entire mess!
Mr. Schuster capitulated and APOLOGIZED which is MORE than Senator Clinton has ever done for her vote for the Iraq war. She has NEVER apologized to ALL the mothers whose adult children are no longer alive to be “called names”.
- Posted by Dari COnce again when it’s “Bash Hillary Day” everyone looks the other way. When are we going to let the American People decide for themselves who is the best candidate and stop with the
- Posted by RasheemAll-Out Media Blitz against Mrs. Clinton!
Its amazing that so many women seem to think its fine for a journalist/commentator to disparage a woman on TV for helping out her mother. I just want to ask them how fine will they be is they were treated to such language at their workplace. I thought Mr. Shuster was on TV in a professional capapcity and I just wanted to know how many places of work were OK with that kind of language at workplace be it directed at their collegues or just anyone else. Also I think long before Chelsea was “pimped out” Mr.Obama by same definition was and is continuing to “pimping out” his Jackie O wannabe wife and two girls in high doses.How come that went unnoticed?
Please support the person you want by voting for tme but please dont be party to such obnoxious language/ behavious as that reflects more on you than on Hillary or Chelsea or anyone else for that matter.
- Posted by sdDavid Shuster is one of the most outstanding journalists on MSNBC. The man misspoke. Who hasn’t? His heartfelt apology should be enough. This reminds me of the Danish cartoonists threatened with death over a controversial depiction of Mohamed. David made a poor choice, but Chelsea isn’t exactly a holy figure, and even if she were, so what? During the Libby debacle, he was the only person who could coherently describe the situation.He is a gifted and flawed individual like so many of the rest of us.
- Posted by barbara lehmanMSNBC and other Corporate America News Stations has an Republican agenda, which is to try and keep a Republican President in the White House and regain both Houses of Congress by any means neccessary, Here’s what Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC News Anchors are doing, they are first building- up Obama to get rid of Hillary, because they know she is the stronger candidate that has a better chance of beating the Republican Nominee, but they rather have Obama debate the Republican nominee,because he’s has less experience then Hillary as a US Senator, and he’s a Jr. Senator, if they can get rid of Hillary first, then they would start descrediting Obama and his campaign’s message of Hope, Change, Unity, and Inspiration to make it easier for the Republican nominee to win the White House, and possibly regain control over both Houses of Congress as well. These Corporate News stations are mingled and also in the pockets of the Republican Party, Democrats, Please do not be decieved and blind here, because believe or not, mostly Corporate America are Republicans, and who owns and operate’s these cable news stations? You’re right! the Republicans, so utlimately, they are going to stick together in the end, they are so far, successfully influencing this election by using a slick and subtle process of elimination strategy. to try and achieve their overall objective,first they are trying eliminate the Democratic Candidates one by one, which would ultimately leave one Presidential Candidate standing of what party? You’re right again! the Republican Candidate will be able to easily walk into the Oval office again in 2009. This is the long-term goal, strategy, mission, and objective of the Republican Party to gain, regain, and keep power and control in the highest offices in the US Government, by using their brought and paid for racist, sexist, gender- biased attack dogs in the Corporate America Media to ultimately try and make the whole Democratic party the minority party again for another four years.
Go Hillary Go!! You’re The New “Clean-up Woman.”
- Posted by DarrellDavid’s remarks were uncalled for. Chris Matthews is sexist. I decided not to watch MSNBC or CNN any more. At least with Fox they are honest about who they support and who they don’t.
I think Hillary shouldn’t do the debate to send a clear message to the media that the Clinton hatred has to stop.
- Posted by qsterPimping a woman is the equivalent of calling her a whore. Shuster should be fired. End of story.
- Posted by Beth StuartI really like David Shuster. I don’t think he should have made the comment - but Hillary seems to play the “victim” whenever it suits her and this is another example. By the way I was a Clinton supporter.
- Posted by Christy DavisHillary playing the victim again I cant tell you how sick I am of her… The msnbc dude shouldn’t have said what he said but hillary is the one keeping this alive poor Hillary !
Please if she cared about Chelsea she would accept the apology and move on, if she wants to try for the sympathy vote she’ll keep this going like she seems to be doing.
Chelsea is almost 30 years old ! Big enough to stick up for herself and why isnt she at work like the rest of us ? if she has a problem she can tell the guy herself !
Where is big mouth Bill ? Further proof its all for show !
Msnbc should be taken off air for the comment and for giving hillary some poor her ammo!
thank god I live in Britian
- Posted by Kate angry BritIsnt reuters and all the other media just as bad by keeping this story alive ? Repeating the same remarks that where wrong and discusting !
They guy said sorry now lets move on.
While i think of the word sorry I think maybe Hillary should say soorry for this war! What do you think ?
Im an Obama person becuase i like and respect him
i think his best to lead this country. I don’t hate Hillary or Chelsea.
He shouldnt have said it and people should not keep this dumb story going!
- Posted by obama fanMSNBC has an agenda? Hello! Every one of them has an agenda. Every one of them has a point of view and an opinion as to which candidate would make the best president. And every one will, not matter how unbiased they wish to present themselves, push their point of view. The trick for the viewer is to be able to take in all these points of view and make an educated decision. Be responsible, people.
Apart from this, Shuster’s comment about Chelsea is decidedly unprofessional. I agree, it was probably a mistake, but still reflected the intensity of his point of view. Control yourself, Shuster!
- Posted by JonesyThough this statement was offensive, the fact that H. Clinton wants Shuster’s head on a platter really shows her true nature. Instead of being magnanimous and accept the apology, she shows how mean she is. I think it really shows the mettle of Hillary Clinton as a vindictive, mean spirited, power hungry women. She wants to make an example of this reporter to make all other reporters know their place. I had not decided, but now… it will be Obama.
- Posted by alan robbinsWhat Schuster should have said, is that her campaign is in such trouble that she needs to pull out all the stops at this point and that means using Chelsea to be a third voice.
It was like when Hillary used her Mom to look more warm and fuzzy when people were feeling she is just a pre-programmed robot.
Notice you don’t see Obama using his children for the sake of health care coverage for all children. He just happens to be running a much better campaign all round.
- Posted by suzannaAlmost every child of every candidate who ever cared to run for President of this republic has campaigned for and advocated for their parent. These campaign activities by offspring have been within the mainstream of society here and around the world. It is a traditional and heart warming thing to see families who work together. It takes a low life like David Shuster to pervert it. Those who are defending his nasty mouth are obviously extreme partisans of the unwashed hate Clinton mob. David Shuster has turned himself into a totem of this mob. He should be fired and the producer of Carlson’s MSNBC show canned also. Until MSNBC does something more extrovert and decisive to reign in it’s jackals who are masquerading as journalist. I will not be inviting MSNBC or any GE products into my home or living room where my young teenage grandchildren gather. Believe me their products are not so unique that I will miss them. Bad manners or mean spirited attacks on candidates children are never OK. The fault of low level political discourse is not with the Clinton’s or any other candidate. The fault is with the messengers.
- Posted by RedmanI was disgusted with MSNBC’s relentless Hillary bashing long before David Shuster’s totally tasteless remark about Chelsea. No more MSNBC for me. I’ll rely on PBS for unbiased reporting.
- Posted by MarjorieSchuter’s remark is totally out of bounds. He may be following the example of his senior colleages Mathews and Oberman. All three have been hostile and aggressive toward Hillary. Mathews has already apologized to Hillary for his sexist remark. Is this becoming a trend on MSNBC? All deserve more than a hand slap. MSNBC needs to raise the bar and expect more responsible jouralism.
- Posted by CarolNiziolekIf anyone thinks that Sen. Clinton’s response is not justified, then one is either being dishonest with themselves or they are not a Mother. I don’t care if she may be the leader of the free world, as a leader she should show integrity and loyalty and yes, that does begin at home.
- Posted by Lee