Mediaite Historical Society Presents: Zell Miller Challenges Chris Matthews To A Duel

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by Frances Martel | 6:27 pm, August 4th, 2011

» 19 comments

Here at Mediaite, we believe we have a responsibility of passing down our colorful history to the next generation. We do it for the children. So as we approach the second anniversary of our founding, we will be regularly taking a look back at the moments that made us laugh, cry, and throw things at our television set– but probably just made us roll our eyes at the time. Herein is the ninth installment of Mediaite Historical Society Presents:

Today, we take a video out of the vault to remind everyone that the 2012 elections are not yet the most uncivil in history, nor should we be wishing them to be anything proper or hushed. Back in the calm old days of 2004, when an incumbent president was facing a moderately flimsy challenge from a Democrat with charisma issues, the controversy of the political reached fever pitch during the Republican National Convention, which occurred at the height of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth movement (remember that?) and featured even a Democrat or two on the podium.

Democrat Zell Miller was one of those Democrats, blasting Sen. John Kerry for voting against the Iraq War funding (“What are they supposed to fight with, spitballs?”) and praising President Bush for his work. This got him more than a few questions on MSNBC, where Chris Matthews eagerly awaited to wonder what he was doing at a rival party’s convention giving speeches. After asking a couple of questions and getting answers that didn’t really satisfy him, Matthews interrupted to repeat again. “It’s a tough question, it takes a few words,” he told Miller. The latter, outraged, began shouting at Matthews to “get out of my face,” noting amid uproarious laughter, “I wish we lived in the days where you could challenge a person to a duel.”

Matthews didn’t incline to note whether he would have accepted, laughing too hard to speak, but finally caught his breath to defend an interview with a woman accusing Sen. Kerry of faking his Purple Heart injury, which Miller characterized as Matthews “browbeating her to death.” We can only hope to have a moment half as classic within the next year and a half.

The classic via MSNBC below:

2004 elections, Chris Matthews, Democrats, George W. Bush, Georgia, John Kerry, Mediaite Historical Society, msnbc, Republican National Convention, Zell Miller

Anonymous

Frances . Wade Sanders , the Swift Boat guy who introduced Kerry at the convention was just in the news .

Might be an interesting story .
Moderate

Those were the days, everyone went to the extreme and very few of us moderates were left. The Democrats lost their moderates and tried to replace them with the kid vote by showing John Kerry windsurfing (epic failure).
Anonymous

One of the top five moments in cable tv politics.

In the words of Jim Rome, . . “rack him”
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NWVKX2P2QBPQ6FHQHCHVIC2ALQ Fedup in Florida

“And that’s what I like about the south….” Zell Miller best damn Dem I never voted for!

To bad that Chrissy hasn’t changed much over the years… but Zell did a good job of shutting him up.
Anonymous

This was what happens when there’s a Sat. Delay. I knew at the time the Old Fart was
getting confused when Chris was talking to him. “Those Damned Kids and
Their Fancy TV Thing a ma Jigs.”
Anonymous

I remember this. It was hilarious. Zell was so mad!
Nature Freak

Zell Miller comes across as a senile redneck in the clip. I thought this back in 2004, and it still holds true.

Zell Miller is a walking stereotype.

Fun Fact: “Miller’s first experience in the executive branch of government was as Chief of Staff for Georgia governor Lester Maddox”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zell_Miller

Democrats are more than happy this intolerant rube left the party.
Moderate

Damn! The one guy that defended Kerry and his unearned medals had his medal taken away because of false pretenses. This must be a vast right wing conspiracy.
Nature Freak

Frances Martel, how much does a yearly membership cost in the “Mediaite Historical Society”?
South Park Conservatives

And he also likes kiddie porn.He’s in prison.
South Park Conservatives

Zell rocks!!!!!!
http://Mediaite.com Frances Martel

It’s free and you’re all members! Though old video tip donations to frances@mediaite.com or financial donations to the society’s sister group, the Frances Martel Law School Tuition And Disco LP Collection Fund*, are much appreciated.

*Not an actual organization, please don’t sue me.
Anonymous

Hey Martel, bring this one up…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FIBJt-c2o0

Chrissy’s response?

http://bungalowbillscw.blogspot.com/2010/04/chris-matthews-defender-of-robert-byrds.html
nancillarypeloslinton

Too bad Zell didn’t go thru with it.
Jerry Baustian

Politics would be much more civil these days if dueling was allowed. People might not be so quick with insults and defamations if the result could be facing off at ten paces.
Jerry Baustian

Politics would be much more civil these days if dueling was allowed. People might not be so quick with insults and defamations if the result could be facing off at ten paces.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PDK77FRFZ3T6V6JUC7M2T5GBNU Papermill

It would be more civil because chris matthews would be dead already.
Anonymous

Zell Miller is a fine man. Zell was a democrat that simply couldn’t tolerate the lies and deceptions that now dominate in the democrat party. You cannot be a truthful person and belong to such a corrupt organization.
Chris Mathews really believed that Jimmie Carter (his old boss) got a raw deal when RR defeated him in the debates and ran his ass out of washington in the 1980 Election
Bob

Zell Miller, the only decent Democrat that had any sense.