Chris Matthews “Deeply Apologizes” For Calling West Point “Enemy Camp”

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by Colby Hall | 7:29 am, December 3rd, 2009

» 9 comments

matthews_apology Last night Chris Matthews apologized for saying that President Barack Obama had traveled to an “enemy camp” at West Point to address the nation on the war in Afghanistan, a remark he made after Obama’s speech about US Military plans in the war-torn country. He also noted that he “skepticism, if not resentment” in the faces of those attending the speech. Video and text of his apology after the jump.

Transcript of his apology:

I have gotten tough calls from parents of cadets and former cadets at west point my saying last night the president going to speak up there to maybe the enemy camp. I was talking about the skepticism I saw on the faces in the crowd as president Obama spoke. How West Point was where President Bush went in 2002 to make his most hawkish speech before the Iraq war.

I have heard too many politicians say that was taken out of context to explain something they wish they hadn’t said. Let me say to the cadets, their parents, former cadets and everyone who cares about this country and those who defend it. I used the wrong words and worse than that i said something that is just not right. I deeply apologize.

Those who watch me regularly probably got the military up at west point was a skeptical audience for Obama given his strong position in Iraq. I was wrong to make that conclusion based on the lack of applause and apparent enthusiasm.

Cadets, one former cadet and a friend of mine told me cadets are not supposed to show reaction to a speaker. he reminded me soldiers in training want wars to be fought effectively and ended as quickly as possible. I had no reason to assume the cadets at west point are more hawkish than the president.

People who have watched me over the years know I think of my strong devotion to this country and strong gratitude to those who serve. Because our military is so good and true I want the civilians who make the policy to get them right in this country’s best possible interest. It is something we are allowed to argue about in this country. Whenever I meet someone with a service record I say thank you for your service. They know I say it and I hope they know I mean it.

http://www.swissarmyjew.com Keeva

How ironically appropriate that the first comment on Matthew’s “deep apology,” is nonsense SPAM. Matthew’s nuanced and woven apology is SPAM of the highest order. A simple “I am sorry I insulted the best and bravest among us,” without the multi-paragraph excuses would have been better, although probably not all that honest, either.

How come a reporter gets suspended for suggesting that Hillary Clinton is “pimping” her daughter, but Matthews barely gets a reprimand for insulting and disparaging the very people that protect his right to be a thoughtless moron?

The good news is that Matthews will soon be working for Comcast. Finally, a home that fits him – the cable company. “If you would like to disagree with Chris, please press or say 1.”
Puter Boi

EVA and Ajdv?

伊娃？除這裡之外，請去出售您的假網站在某處。

Thanks!
http://www.sailrabbits.com Magister

I’ve only saw the clip from the other night and last night I just happened to catch his apology live.

I realize that I may be among the minority of the commenters, but I think it’s kind of sad that this became something of a deal. Clearly Matthews was speaking politically and he wasn’t disparaging the troops.

I’m sure his thoughts were rooted, the way he explained and I kind of feel bad that many of those who have been screaming about “political correctness” for a couple of weeks are now lambasting Matthews for being what they consider, politically incorrect.
ericseba

Keeva, we all know that by saying Obama was going into the “enemy camp”, the insult was meant for Obama, not West Point. Nice try on the spin though.

As former military and with many friends and relatives still in active duty; I can tell you that yes; West Point would be enemy camp for just about any Democratic president.

Traditionally, democrats are anti-military, could not care less about its personnel and when they need a budget cut, it’s the first place they look to.

Additionally, Obama promised an end to war, not an escalation. So while I’m sure he can’t lose popularity with the Democratic masses, I can assure you he is looked upon skeptically by the military. Even before the announced escalation, I have a brother-in-law with orders to Afghanistan that were issued over a month ago. Obama’s so called end to war campaign was never taken seriously by the military and is why his choice of venue was so ill-planned.

Frankly, I don’t think he could have chosen a more inappropriate place for his speech. Maybe he should have set up camp in Cindy Sheehan’s lawn and done it from there. She and people like her are the ones that needs to be sold on the idea, not the military. They do what they are ordered whether they agree with the president or not.
class of 89

ericseba, you are uninformed.

West Point is no enemy to any president of the United States. I can imagine no place more respectable to the Commander in Chief, regardless of his (or her) party affiliation.

Take it from me, one who graduated West Point , served this country in a war, and voted for Obama.
Jim R

Good on Chris for manning up and apologizing for the lazy slur, which was falsely directed at Democrats and not the troops anyway.

Apparently, at least to the beltway elites, hair trigger war mongering and voting against veteran’s programs endears Republicans to those troops, statistical data notwithstanding.
ChrisNH

Matthews isn’t ‘deeply sorry’ at all. This is his ideology; the way he thinks. He just wants to save ratings. There’s no ‘Man Up’ to see here folks; he’s sorry for having SAID it, sure, but he’s in a business where you’re identified by what you SAY.
Jelperman

Tweety is nothing more than a putz in love with the sound of his own voice. I love the way he spends ten minutes asking a single question, then shouts over the person answering it.

What a dick!
Sunnyr

This “Peace Corp Wussie” is on his way OUT. What a LOSER!