Is the scandal over David Shuster’s “pimping out” a matter of MSNBC-wide misogyny? Or a problem with the network’s use of pundits to host hard news coverage, and the use of supposedly unbiased reporters to host opinion programs?
Shuster’s suspension comes after the network was playing defense against criticism for Chris Matthews’ regular Hillary Clinton swipes, including the most egregious one, among other infractions: Concluding the only “reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around.” (Amusing, then, that Matthews is filling in tonight as MC for the Washington Press Club Foundation’s dinner, thrown by an organization originally founded, in part, because the National Press Club wouldn’t allow women to join.)
But Shuster didn’t make the remark while reporting from the White House, or the campaign trial. He uttered the now-infamous phrase while filling in for Tucker Carlson on Tucker, a show whose DNA includes throwing around thought bubbles. Shuster, though, is usually seen on-air in a correspondent role, giving Brian Williams or Chris Jansing the latest election campaign details. His role hasn’t been to voice his own ideas — which a reporter isn’t being paid to do.
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Last week, David Shuster was indefinitely suspended for suggesting that the Hillary Clinton campaign was ???pimping out??? first daughter Chelsea, the most likable member of the Clinton entourage.
Chelsea Clinton has always been a bizarre public figure. In 1992, she was her dad???s biggest supporter. But since becoming first daughter, she has understandably struggled with her lack of privacy as an adult. Until Iowa, Chelsea mostly hid in the background of her mom???s campaign.
In Maine, where Barack Obama won one of four primary elections over the weekend, Hillary Clinton wrote NBC News president Steve Capus, ???Nothing justifies the kind of debasing language that David Shuster used and no temporary suspension or half-hearted apology is sufficient.???
No one denies that Shuster???s verb choice leaves something to be desired, but indefinite suspension seems sufficient to say the least, especially considering that that Chelsea has been “pimped out” before. After all, how many teenagers do you know who held the hands of both parents on leisurely walks to a presidential helicopter following an investigation into their father’s infidelity?
While MSNBC correspondent David Shuster has been suspended indefinitely for suggesting the Clinton campaign was “pimping out” Chelsea, with her making private phone calls to superdelegates and even The View gals, consider this: Keith Olbermann made a very similar comment on Sept. 20.
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This is the video that, as of today, got David Shuster suspended indefinitely from MSNBC. On yesterday’s Tucker, the well-liked correspondent suggested the Clinton campaign was “pimping out” Chelsea. Are we looking at the next Don Imus?
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