QandO

What was galling in the post-Zell was the 'Zell said nice things about Kerry in a speech.'

The speech consisted of introductory remarks made by Zell for Kerry as Kerry was about to address a Georgia Democratic Dinner.

Hardly a floor speech on the Senate.

Yet Zell's remarks are seared - seared - into the Democratic campaign.

Posted by: BumperStickerist at September 2, 2004 07:49 AM

what is very interesting to me at least is to see the contrast between blogs like yours or Captains Q versus Atrios.

To me, I see more of both sides presented here. The commentary on this site and others like seems to be more or less genteel and logic based.

What is inside the minds of an Atrios poster?

Holy shit...

Posted by: Mr. K at September 2, 2004 07:50 AM

I think Mr. K answered his own question there. But I would have left out the adjective "holy" had it been me answering.

Posted by: Steverino at September 2, 2004 08:09 AM

That was inspiring. Zell HUMBLED his ass. He asked his last couple of questions and didn't dare make a peep. Notice how Zell waited a full two count before answering? Never seen anything like it.

Posted by: Jeff at September 2, 2004 08:47 AM

The Zell speech was wonderful. Not only did it dissect Kerry's record, but it was also angry, and had red meat for the crowd.

There were 2 moments in the convention that the Dems would be very smart to note:

1) The reaction to the McCain slap at Moore
2) Millers speech- especially the line about the spitballs

Because while they're the ones who've been acting so angry and frustrated and unhinged, they've created a lot of anger and resentment on the other side with their tactics. And the Republicans took that anger- which they briefly revealed in those 2 moments- and put on a brutal and effective convention that is on the brink of sinking Kerry. A good GWB effort should be the final torpedo in the Kerry ship. It may stay afloat for awhile like the Bismarck, but it will go down.

And the angriest man at the Rep convention was a Democrat. heh.

Posted by: shark at September 2, 2004 09:01 AM

So, comparing Zell Miller's reaction to Matthews' interview methods with that of Malkin, I note that Malkin failed by trying to answer the initial question, and came off seeming incoherent as Matthews put words into her mouth and then shut off any chance of response. Zell recognized Matthews' method for what it was (not an interview, but an insulting tirade) and defended successfully. Zell doesn't need to wish for an actual dual with Chris. This verbal duel between Miller and Matthews resulted in a large hole smack dab in the center of Matthews' stuffed shirt.

Posted by: me at September 2, 2004 09:13 AM

Look, this is probably the most distasteful analogy ever constructed, and I apologize to the whole country for it, especially the families of the fallen.

Zell Miller was "Hardball's" Flight 93.

I know, I know. I'm sorry. But my point is that nobody who saw the way Matthews upbraided Michelle Malkin will ever sit still for it again. Sen. Miller had seen the way Matthews treated her, he knew the game, he saw it coming, and he stood up for himself and put a stop to it.

You know what needs to happen now, right? The very next time somebody's in the chair opposite Matthews, they need to do exactly the same thing. Maybe not going so far as challenging Matthews to a duel, but calling him on his bullshit and making him shut up and listen to the answers to his questions.

I'll be watching tonight to see if it happens. If it doesn't, I'll be a little disappointed.

Posted by: Jeff Harrell at September 2, 2004 11:27 AM

me and jeff got it exactly right. I couldn't stop yelling give 'em hell, zell! He let everyone see chris for the partisan schoolboy he is and any repub or conservative who goes on that show would be wise to follow zell's lead. Demand that chris be civilized or refuse to answer the sliming. Allude to chris's history of sliming other conservatives and his rude habit of spitting out rapidfire accusations against conservative guests. Allude to chris's history of feeding softballs to liberal politicians. When zell chastised chris about the spitball metaphor, he may have suggested that might be a good name change for the show. Chris Matthews on Spitball.

Posted by: swampfox at September 2, 2004 12:26 PM

I agree with both Jeff and Swampfox - this 'shout down the guest' method of interviewing has made Hardball almost unviewable. From now on, all guests should have to say is, "Chris, do I have to call Zell Miller in here to get you to behave?"

Ridicule is an effective tactic to use against a bully.

Posted by: bugz at September 2, 2004 04:57 PM

bugz: "Chris, do I have to call Zell Miller in here to get you to behave?"

Yowza! Say it and mean it, and there'd be a whole 'nother dynamic in the press.

And I couldn't truthfully say that I'd miss the old one.

Posted by: cthulhu at September 3, 2004 01:58 AM

Zell was just securing himself a good job at the Carlisle Group with W, his daddy, and the Bin
Laden family. His term is up, and he will NEVER be voted into office again. He is so senile he can't even remember what HE said in his Bush prepared speech.

Posted by: Bushsucks at September 4, 2004 03:39 AM

Look, sure, 'Mr. Hardball' is an ass, but as aformentioned in the post above, Zell Miller is a member of the Illuminati, which thusly means he is thousands of times worse than the doltish puppet Matthews.

Posted by: AK1984 at September 4, 2004 06:30 AM

Zell Miller has been a wacko and a racist his whole life. He doesn't even mention in his bio on his web site that he was Governor Lester Maddox's Chief of Staff and LG under the most racist governor in the nation, at least when I was in high school. I hope that he switches parties so he can go from being the dumbest Democrat in the U.S. Senate to the smartest Republican. Of course, if he were in the House of Representatives, Tom DeLay is unsurpassable in the dim bulb category.

Posted by: ron powell at September 4, 2004 11:37 AM

Which, even if true, was of no concern to the Democrats when he delivered the key note address at the Democrat convention in 1992.

Refresh my memory ... was he followed by Sen. Byrd or did he go before him?

Regardless ... this isn't about Miller, its about Kerry's record. I notice your answer to the charges is to attempt character assasination instead of answering them.

Very telling.

Posted by: McQ at September 4, 2004 11:52 AM

Oh, much like Bush and ALL of his people at the convention, you really don't wanna talk about the issues, do you?
Most jobs lost under a president in 40 years..the jobs that have been created are FAR less paying than the jobs that were created. Biggest deficit in American HISTORY.. Our CHILDERN will still be paying for these tax cuts for the rich, and a war that was not justified. And no, there are NO TIES between Iraq and Bin Laden(the guy who ACUALLY killed 3000 Americans). My insurance at work NOW costs me...didn't use to. The medicare Plan A cost went UP today AGAIN by 17 pct. And next year Plan B goes up $36 to $905
(In the news today, look it up). Overtime for the people who keep this country running is now no more. Can we say SLAVE labor. Medical savings accounts???? The average american can't afford any crap like that. We have all paid into SOCIAL SECURITY our entire working life, and I for one plan to COLLECT on it like Reagan (a wealthy man) did, and GHW Bush (another rich guy)does. Let's not forget shifting the tax burden in this country from the people who can EASILY afford it, to people who can barely afford to EAT. How's about a war with a country who did NOTHING to us to deserve it. Can we say OIL RESERVES. The Bush family along side with the bin Laden family (look it up if you don't belive me) make TONS of money in business together. It's sad that the wealthy people in this country keep getting us into wars that the poorest in this country have to pay for with their lives. Oh, and Kerry's record on weapons systems is pretty much the same as Cheney's record (again, look it up). The working people (you know, REAL WORK) in this country CAN'T take another 4 years of this idiot and his bosses - Cheney(Haliburton) and Prince Bandar Bush. Kinda makes oral sex sound kinda petty, don't it.

Posted by: Bushsucks at September 4, 2004 03:11 PM

Thanks for dropping by the Dem talking points.

Posted by: McQ at September 4, 2004 03:22 PM

Gee, some people like to refer to them as...FACTS.
Hey, I didn't make this stuff up, It's all on record. Gee, how I long for the days of world peace, great economy, plenty of jobs...darn that devil, having oral sex with an intern. Oh well, as long as those tax cuts keep comin' huh.

Posted by: Bushsucks at September 5, 2004 05:53 AM

If you ask me, it made Zell Miller look like an absolute nut. I mean he later said he wished that he lived in an age where he could duel someone! Has it come to such a point where asking political leaders questions has become taboo? Isn't the very principle of democracy to make sure everyone knows why people do things and what they mean by what they say. This is a non-partisan thing, but our government has become so accustom to absolute rule without question, that when someone wants to know what's going on, he gets threatened for his life.

Posted by: Jason at September 5, 2004 01:37 PM

Zell Miller is a nutcase.

While I can't comment on many of his accusations against Kerry's votes on defense spending it's funny that I watched a program on the History Channel the night before his speech and "inteview" with Matthews title something like "Great Engineering Disasters". Of the four or five covered in the hour-long program one was on the Harrier jet. That's one of the programs Miller got on Kerry's case about. I wonder where Miller stands on the V-22 Osprey - you know, the one that killed several dozen Marines before the program was canned, along with several Corps officers that covered up the abysmal performance records of that piece of crap?

Posted by: Ken at September 5, 2004 01:57 PM

Zell Miller is obviously crazy and portrayed himself so poorly it is ridiculous. I feel sorry for anyone who defends his blustering tirade from the other night. He is out of touch with the people and is obviously not the kind of man you want to represent your country.

Posted by: Phil at September 7, 2004 11:54 PM

Frankly, I think Zell made a fool out of himself.

Posted by: Jim at September 18, 2004 02:28 PM