Updated The Clinton campaign may refuse to do any further debates on MSNBC because of a comment that David Shuster, a political correspondent, made regarding Chelsea Clinton.
Mr. Shuster yesterday asked during an interview whether “Chelsea is sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?” by making calls to superdelegates. He is supposed to be making an on-air apology later tonight.
But Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for the Clinton campaign, just said on a conference call with reporters that he was not aware of any apology so far. He said the comment was “disgusting” and “beneath contempt.”
He also noted that Chris Matthews, an MSNBC anchor whom he did not identify by name, had also apologized on air last month _ for saying that
Mrs. Clinton had succeeded only out of sympathy because of her husband’s infidelity — but had not apologized to Mrs. Clinton.
Mr. Wolfson suggested there was a pattern at MSNBC where comments are made and then apologized for. He then noted that Mrs. Clinton had participated in a number of debates on MSNBC and had just agreed yesterday to another one, but added: “I can’t envision we’ll continue to debate on that network given the comments.”
Update | 3:15 p.m.
Jeremy Gaines, MSNBC’s vice president for media relations, just sent the following comment via e-mail:
Mr. Shuster yesterday asked during an interview whether “Chelsea is sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?” by making calls to superdelegates. He is supposed to be making an on-air apology later tonight.
But Howard Wolfson, a spokesman for the Clinton campaign, just said on a conference call with reporters that he was not aware of any apology so far. He said the comment was “disgusting” and “beneath contempt.”
He also noted that Chris Matthews, an MSNBC anchor whom he did not identify by name, had also apologized on air last month _ for saying that
Mrs. Clinton had succeeded only out of sympathy because of her husband’s infidelity — but had not apologized to Mrs. Clinton.
Mr. Wolfson suggested there was a pattern at MSNBC where comments are made and then apologized for. He then noted that Mrs. Clinton had participated in a number of debates on MSNBC and had just agreed yesterday to another one, but added: “I can’t envision we’ll continue to debate on that network given the comments.”
Update | 3:15 p.m.
Jeremy Gaines, MSNBC’s vice president for media relations, just sent the following comment via e-mail:
On Thursday’s “Tucker” on MSNBC, David Shuster, who was serving as guest-host of the program, made a comment about Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton campaign that was irresponsible and inappropriate. Shuster, who apologized this morning on MSNBC and will again this evening, has been suspended from appearing on all NBC News broadcasts, other than to make his apology. He has also extended an apology to the Clinton family. NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks.
Both the Clinton and Obama campaigns accepted invitations from us on Thursday evening to participate in a February 26th debate. Our conversations with the Clinton campaign about their participation continue today, and we are hopeful that the event will take place as planned.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/...ycott-msnbc-debates/index.html?nl=pol&emc=pol
Both the Clinton and Obama campaigns accepted invitations from us on Thursday evening to participate in a February 26th debate. Our conversations with the Clinton campaign about their participation continue today, and we are hopeful that the event will take place as planned.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/...ycott-msnbc-debates/index.html?nl=pol&emc=pol
