When Pressed, Matthews Admits Miffed Not Cast in Clooney Film
“Forget This Zelig Mishmash, I Could Have Played McCarthy … And Played Him Damn Good”
In an interview this weekend,
Matthews’ comments came during this weekend’s Southern Republican Leadership Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, in an interview with David Aaronson, editor of What Color Is My Coat Today?, the Capital Hill Newsletter that tracks politicians who turn on their own party.
During the conference of party activists, Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) won the straw poll voting as the early favorite for the 2008 Presidential nomination.
“Maybe they should have taken a straw poll on me playing McCarthy,” said Matthews.
“Forget this Zelig mishmash thing he did … Just showing a few clips ... I could have played McCarthy … And I would have been damn good at it, I can tell you that.”
McCarthy was referencing the Clooney movie “Good Night and Good Luck”, about legendary newsman Edward R. Murrow’s battle with the late Senator Joseph McCarthy. In the film, McCarthy was portrayed by actual news footage, versus having an actor play the role (and the “Zelig” mention referred to the 1983 Woody Allen film, in which Allen’s character, Leonard Zelig, inserted himself into historical newsreel footage, in a mock documentary)
“He was very livid,” said Aaronson. “You could see it, clearly … His face reddened, and he actually started speaking in slow, measured tones, not his usually, 180-miles-per-hour, gatling gun manner.”
Matthews Defends McCarthy
What got Matthews hot, said Aaronson, was the question of his recent comments, defending McCarthy were brought up.
Recently, Matthews, speaking on Michael Smerconish’s radio show, on 1210 – The Big Talker in
“You know, one-sided, to some extent liberal propaganda. Because you know there Communists – I’m sorry…there were Communists in the government…I could go through the whole list – Elizabeth Bentley, Harry Dexter White, and of course Alger Hiss – there’s a whole gaggle of them.
And the biggest nonsense of this sort of revisionist history is that there wasn’t a Communist threat and that McCarthy was just a drunken fool. Well, he may have been a drunk – he certainly was – and he may have been unable to shoot straight, but there were lots of targets there. He just didn’t hit any.”
Matthews has also come under fire for, reportedly, taking large speaking fees from conservative groups – without disclosure, and against
Matthews’ background includes being a speechwriter for former President Jimmy Carter, as well as an aide to democratic congressmen, including for the former, and legendary, House Speaker, Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neal .
Matthews: Would Loved To Have McCarthy On Hardball
While ignoring Aaronson on his apparent shift to the right, Matthews defended his McCarthy comments.
“If McCarthy were in Congress today, he’d probably be like a Zell Miller character … A good, lovable older guy that goes off on the deep end every now and then … I would have loved to have him on Hardball – Could you imagine him and Pat Buchanan on the same program? … It would be fireworks television … great stuff!”
As to the speaking fees, Matthews says “there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Hey, I gotta make a living … It would be one thing, if I were lining my pockets, taking money under the table, or free dinners at some swank restaurant, like a few of these shiny suit congressman and lobbyists …Like the Dukester … I mean, when I was working in Congress, we were lucky to get a hamburger at McDonald’s …So, don’t fault me for going out to put some bread on my table … Jeez Louise!”
Clooney: Wouldn’t Cast Matthews In A Daydream
Matthews wouldn’t say, with President Bush resuming his Bushapalooza Tour today, to start putting out, yet more new, new strategies for winning the War in Iraq, if he will be joining the line-up.
As reported by
As to bemoaning not being cast by Clooney, when reached for comment, Clooney was dismissive of Matthews.
“I am a liberal. And I make no apologies for it. Hell, I'm proud of it. As for Matthews, I wouldn’t cast him in a daydream, let alone a major and critically-acclaimed film.
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