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Pat Buchanan To Chris Matthews: Letting All Citizens Vote ‘Isn’t The Greatest Idea In The World’

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Chris MatthewsTonight on Hardball, Chris Matthews brought up a thorny issue: exactly who should have the right to vote? A small group of conservatives, including Tea Party Nation president Judson Philips, think the answer to that question should be “property owners.” And while MSNBC Correspondent and former presidential candidate Pat Buchanan told Matthews that he doesn’t wholeheartedly agree with that group, he does think that the idea of universal franchise is badly flawed.

When asked to comment on Philips’s statement—that restricting the vote to property owners “makes a lot of sense”—Buchanan replied that he “understand[s] the principle behind it,” but thinks our nation is far beyond adhering to such a standard; after all, these days, even the wealthiest members of society rent property. At the same time, though, Buchanan told Matthews he thought that homeowners do tend to be “better citizens,” since they have a more vested interest in the community. He also brought up the sad fact that most voters are incredibly ignorant about American government; in a recent Hardball poll, only 28 percent of respondents replied correctly when asked to name the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court—even though they only had five names to choose from.

“Your requirements are land ownership, sufficient knowledge of world events and history—where are we at?” asked Matthews jovially in response. “I thought you were anti-elitist.” Even so, the host did agree that much of the electorate is woefully uninformed. For example: “I think Sarah Palin might have a serious problem with some basic information” about American history, he said. Hey, Hardball went almost six minutes without mentioning Sarah Palin! New record?

The video from MSNBC is below.

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  • Elaine B

    Does any, any one still listen to anything Pat Buchanan or take this guy seriously?

    geese another wasted broadcast…….

  • http://www.libertarianism.com/ Jack Burns

    Hardball went almost six minutes without mentioning Sarah Palin! New record?

    Not for Mediaite

  • The Real Royal King

    You mean sort of like Florida in 2000, Patrick J.? When African Americans were allowed to vote and Holocaust Survivor’s votes didn’t count?

  • Elaine B

    Yes but Fox lost because they only 2 minutes without mentioning Palin…

  • ChiliPeppersFan

    i think chris pointed out that there are a lot of service men and women who do not own property and tend to have very important issues when deciding who to vote for.

  • http://TheDividedStatesBlog.com Publius219

    The funny thing is that, and this is admittedly only anecdotal evidence, when I have asked people if they think everyone should be allowed to vote, they all agree “No”. It’s just a matter of who doesn’t where it gets tricky.

    Similarly, everyone realizes this country is full of idiots, even the idiots. It’s just the discerning where things get more difficult.

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  • ImNotBlue

    The Real Royal King said:
    You mean sort of like Florida in 2000, Patrick J.? When African Americans were allowed to vote and Holocaust Survivor’s votes didn’t count?

    Don’t you just wish that independent studies had found that. Arg! 2000 election! STOLEN… even without real evidence… I just know it was!

    Hehe.

  • tatboy

    You (Hillary) wrote about this whole conversation without mentioning that Matthews called Pat out for quoting Churchill wrong… when in fact it was CHRIS MATTHEWS that was WRONG. AND he (Chris) made a huge ASS out of himself in the process. Nothing like calling someone else stupid and making a huge dumb@ss, low IQ, uneducated mistake 2 seconds later… classic. Liberal always talk about how smart they are but put them to the test… they FAIL. The more someone talks about what they are… the less likely they are what they brag about.

  • SmartAlec

    The Real Royal King said:
    You mean sort of like Florida in 2000, Patrick J.? When African Americans were allowed to vote and Holocaust Survivor’s votes didn’t count?

    Hey Clucker-
    You forgot to mention the cases where military votes were not counted.
    I am sure that in your all-knowing infinite wisdom that this was just an honest and momentary lapse of critical reasoning and that you now see the error of ommission you made and are overwhelmed with sadness and a need to repent and ask forgiveness of our brave men and women protecting freedom around the world for not fighting to protect their freedom here at home.

  • SmartAlec

    BTW Clucker- why do you hate the military?

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    The Real Royal King said:
    You mean sort of like Florida in 2000, Patrick J.? When African Americans were allowed to vote and Holocaust Survivor’s votes didn’t count?

    Democrat myth. Didn’t happen. You lie again.

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    tatboy said:
    Liberal always talk about how smart they are but put them to the test… they FAIL. The more someone talks about what they are… the less likely they are what they brag about.

    Sounds like RRK.

  • NeoKong

    If I had my way you would have to get a license to vote. It would be like a driver’s license that you swipe through a machine when you vote.
    First you have to apply and then take a test on American history and current events.
    A high school diploma would be required also.
    If you passed the test then you would be checked for citizenship and then photographed.
    I would eliminate same day registration and early voting.
    No more absentee ballots either.
    The military would hold their own elections and then return the results to the states.
    Finally I would make election day on a Saturday instead of a Tuesday.

  • SmartAlec

    I nominate NeKong as the new Elections Czar.

  • SmartAlec

    NeoKong, sorry

  • Alz

    NeoKong said:
    If I had my way you would have to get a license to vote. It would be like a driver’s license that you swipe through a machine when you vote.
    First you have to apply and then take a test on American history and current events.
    A high school diploma would be required also.
    If you passed the test then you would be checked for citizenship and then photographed.
    I would eliminate same day registration and early voting.
    No more absentee ballots either.
    The military would hold their own elections and then return the results to the states.
    Finally I would make election day on a Saturday instead of a Tuesday.

    I actually agree with a lot of that.

  • skyfet

    I can see a compromise here. As long as people who are of the background that are uninformed, racists, homophobes, ignoramus, Adulterers, Liars, Felons, Crooks, Religious Bigots, useful idiots, phonies, those who take fox news seriously, thieves, white collar criminals, draft dodgers, cowards, shrills for the lobbyists , those on drugs, Alcoholics, secessionists, tax evaders, corrupt corporate crooks like Haliburton and Goldman Sachs etc.

  • sarainitaly

    “I think Sarah Palin might have a serious problem with some basic information”

    Too bad Matthews has his own serious problem… what’s that about glass houses?

    PAT BUCHANAN: Winston Churchill said it very well: “Anybody who thinks democracy is the best form of government ought to spend five minutes with the average voter.”

    MATTHEWS: No, he said, he said, “The worst form of government except for all the others…

    BUCHANAN: No, he said that, too.

    MATTHEWS: …that have been tried from time to time.” Don’t challenge me on Churchill. I’m the Churchillian, you’re the guy with Chamberlain.

    Actually, Buchanan was right.

    Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/12/07/matthews-calls-palin-stupid-moments-after-erring-churchill-quote#ixzz17W61XPe5

  • Just4thefax

    Fact: A new poll tax for women and liberals since they love their taxes and most women are a little whacky when it comes to politics accept sarainitaly! Liberals have slime in the ice machine syndrome!

  • Just4thefax
  • The Real Royal King

    ImNotBlue said:
    Don’t you just wish that independent studies had found that. Arg! 2000 election! STOLEN… even without real evidence… I just know it was!

    Hehe.

    SmartAlec said:
    Hey Clucker-
    You forgot to mention the cases where military votes were not counted.
    I am sure that in your all-knowing infinite wisdom that this was just an honest and momentary lapse of critical reasoning and that you now see the error of ommission you made and are overwhelmed with sadness and a need to repent and ask forgiveness of our brave men and women protecting freedom around the world for not fighting to protect their freedom here at home.

    gordonbloyershow said:
    Democrat myth. Didn’t happen. You lie again.

    You guys need to get over this. I know it’s always been tough for you to admit that W lost the popular vote in 2000, botched the electoral victory even with unparalleled suppression of the African-American, Hispanic and Jewish retiree vote, and won only because of a packed, activist Republican Supreme Court’s appointment of him to the White House. But, you just have to deal with the facts. Not that I don’t understand your shame and embarrassment, your angst and anger. There were times in that bleak midwinter, long ago, I wanted to take to the streets to reclaim American democracy. Eventually, I accepted what I thought to be the unacceptable. It’s time you do so, as well. You’re only lying to yourselves and deluding yourselves. The truth is well known.

  • The Real Royal King

    Just4thefax said:
    Fact: A new poll tax for women and liberals since they love their taxes and most women are a little whacky when it comes to politics accept sarainitaly! Liberals have slime in the ice machine syndrome!

    Might you have meant “except”, moron?

    I suppose I understand your reasoning, however. The only women who should be allowed to vote are expatriate Americans burdening another nation’s social service network? Is that the gist of it? You’re damned enlightened, in a mid 19th Century sort of way.

  • sarainitaly

    The Real Royal King said:
    I suppose I understand your reasoning, however. The only women who should be allowed to vote are expatriate Americans burdening another nation’s social service network? Is that the gist of it?

    completely irrelevant, and a personal attack. you should be banned.

  • The Real Royal King

    How is responding to another post irrelevant?

  • Thelonious Funk

    Formalizing Jim Crow laws only makes them James Crow laws .

  • Just4thefax

    The Real Royal King said:
    Might you have meant “except”, moron? I suppose I understand your reasoning, however. The only women who should be allowed to vote are expatriate Americans burdening another nation’s social service network? Is that the gist of it? You’re damned enlightened, in a mid 19th Century sort of way.

    Fact: Yes to you I would just call it a dumbshit Tax. Except sarainitaly! Troglodyte!

  • goldmind

    A legitimate voter knows how to recite the alphabet backwords, an illigitimate one does not know what an alphabet is (even if it’s in his soup). Legit voter (yeah right), makes intelligent decision, illegit, zero intelligence. Elections are bought with advertising dollars, and media hacks. The impulse at play, when you buy a cheeseburger, is the same one motivating your choice of candidates. To eliminate the lies and the idol worship in elections, candidates should be given lie detector tests on every promise made in their lives and every promise kept. Obviously, the results will speak for themselves. The entire process is a lie, and “we the people”, love it. But ask yourself this: How would Captain Kangaroo and Mr Roger’s, weigh in on this issue?
    Fellow Americans, we have become complacent YoYos. No grit. No vigilance. Hollowwood, media, politics…they all have us on a choke chain. We wake to the fraudcasters, and sleep with their lies circulating in our dreams. A ten dollar bill, is better spent at the box office instead of a food shelf. A hundred dollar bill, to support a lying candidate vs a needy neighbor. The good news…lies always self destruct. We are at the cusp of witnessing a mighty painful domino effect. Good luck.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Leah-Ma/1391341060 Leah Ma

    How about people who are well-educated but currently either unemployed or under-employed and who own no property due to the current economic situation? I have a brother who has a MA & a Ph.D (all having to do with running a country) and a son who has 2 BAs and one MA in Elem. Ed. Also my parents have their own library in a separate building on their farm. My family are compulsive readers and information gatherers. My children and grandchildren have been taught all about politics, economics & history since they were about 5. I wanted to make certain they didn’t think they were ‘better’ than poor people. My daughter is a physician with a Ph.D., MD. So, should some members of my family be allowed to vote and others not? Does anyone really think that some members of my family are unqualified to vote simply because they don’t own property?

  • Pablo

    The Real Rabid Kook said:
    You guys need to get over this. I know it’s always been tough for you to admit that W lost the popular vote in 2000, botched the electoral victory even with unparalleled suppression of the African-American, Hispanic and Jewish retiree vote, and won only because of a packed, activist Republican Supreme Court’s appointment of him to the White House. But, you just have to deal with the facts. Not that I don’t understand your shame and embarrassment, your angst and anger. There were times in that bleak midwinter, long ago, I wanted to take to the streets to reclaim American democracy. Eventually, I accepted what I thought to be the unacceptable. It’s time you do so, as well. You’re only lying to yourselves and deluding yourselves. The truth is well known.

    Wow, 10 years later and you’re still butthurt like it was yesterday. Poor little Kook.

  • ImNotBlue

    You guys need to get over this. I know it’s always been tough for you to admit that W lost the popular vote in 2000,

    Not really. I think we just understand that the popular vote isn’t how elections are decided. If you wanna have a popular vote vs electoral college discussion, we can do that. But as of now (and then) the rules are the rules.

    botched the electoral victory even with unparalleled suppression of the African-American, Hispanic and Jewish retiree vote, and won only because of a packed, activist Republican Supreme Court’s appointment of him to the White House.

    Right… even though every independent study refutes that. We just KNOW it happened… evidence is not really required, right Royal?

    But, you just have to deal with the facts.

    That depends… if you define facts as the stuff that’s been studied, and found to be true… then yes, we should all deal with that. However, I suppose you mean “facts,” more like the stuff that you WANT to be true, despite no evidence… in which case, no… you can keep that yourself.

    Not that I don’t understand your shame and embarrassment, your angst and anger.

    Who’s still dwelling on a 10 year old election? Oh yeah… nevermind.

    There were times in that bleak midwinter, long ago, I wanted to take to the streets to reclaim American democracy.

    But mom wouldn’t let you outside to play.

    Eventually, I accepted what I thought to be the unacceptable. It’s time you do so, as well. You’re only lying to yourselves and deluding yourselves. The truth is well known.

    It is well known. That’s what makes your attempts to, well lie about it, so pathetically transparent.

    Poor King…

  • writer

    Since Obama won Florida, all those poll workers who throw away black votes must have taken the night off.

  • CarmanK

    The man is advocating that citizens be subjected to a test in order to vote “responsibly”. And of course, who would be tasked with writing and administering that test??? THE STATES?? The ones that create death panels (TX), or committ murder to save money (AZ) or let a man’s home burn to the ground for not paying a service fee?? At what point, do we just begin to ignore these dementia driven egos that hang on way beyond their time?? It used to be the idea that old age brought wisdom, but that certainly isn’t true in our country. Look at Boehner, McConnell, McCain and Buchanan. It’s the clinging to the “White superiority” thing!!

  • liquidassets

    I feel the opposite; there should be MANDATORY voting for all citizens, like they have in Australia. Though neither the Democratic or Republican politicians want that because then reguar Joes would get elected and the elites would lose power. People don’t vote or bother to keep up with politics/policy because they realize the system is rigged and they can’t win. If forced to vote and be made to count, they’d see they could make a difference eventually, and they would then gain interest in what’s going on. People rise to the expectations they’re given.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Leah-Ma/1391341060 Leah Ma

    Seriously, how many people over the age of 30 remember much about history? And if you’re very busy in your career you might not even be totally in touch with all current events. My daughter was a child prodigy. Today she’s an extremely busy physician, written up as a top one in her state, but I doubt that she could tell you the names of all the supreme court justices. My point is that as long as she understands all the basic core issues & knows what’s at stake knowing all the rest is unnecessary.
    And what about the unemployed but well-educated, such as my brother who has a Ph.D & other degrees & no property?
    Hey CarmanK, I’ve an idea what to do about that “White superiority thing”. Since Asians in this country tend to have higher IQs (it’s really a matter of trying harder) why don’t we make that the main thing? Maybe then these guys would slink back to the rock they crawled out from under. Really this recalls the dark days of slavery, classism, days when most people had no rights whatsoever. That’s where these guys want to take us. The days where the lord of the manor could have his way with any girl and he was NEVER charged with rape.
    Why can’t we dwell on a 10 year old election? Historians will!
    P.S. Just to keep this straight, I’m not Asian, my husband is.

  • http://none pyrope

    I believe all who vote should be citizens, alive, and literate.

  • http://none pyrope

    NeoKong said:
    If I had my way you would have to get a license to vote. It would be like a driver’s license that you swipe through a machine when you vote.First you have to apply and then take a test on American history and current events.A high school diploma would be required also.If you passed the test then you would be checked for citizenship and then photographed.I would eliminate same day registration and early voting.No more absentee ballots either.The military would hold their own elections and then return the results to the states.Finally I would make election day on a Saturday instead of a Tuesday.

    I would agree except for the Saturday thing: Saturday is the holy day for some faiths, and I must respect that.

    pyrope said:
    I believe all who vote should be citizens, alive, and literate.

    Literate in the ENGLISH language, that is.

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