politico.com: (Dylan Byers)
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews called Texas Sen. Ted Cruz a “political terrorist” on Wednesday after the tea-party favorite called on fellow Republicans to defund Obamacare and said that a government shutdown wouldn’t necessarily spell disaster for Republicans.
“I believe it’s terrorism: This is the first time I’ve seen a political party, or even a fraction of it, say that their number one goal is to shutdown the American government, kill a bill that’s already been passed by congress, and refuse to pay bills already run up by congress in an attempt to basically risk default,” Matthews said on MSNBC’s Hardball. “This is an attempt to destroy all we know of the republican form of government in this country.”
The term “terrorist” elicited discomfort from both Republian (sic) strategist Steve Schmidt and former Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod, both of whom said the word should be reserved for people like the suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing.
So who is right? Chris Matthews or Steve Schmidt and David Axelrod? Schmidt and Axelrod are both uncomfortable with the term ‘terrorist.’ They further elaborated:
“I disagree with your use of the word terrorist and its application to him,” Schmidt said. “I think he’s a demagogue, I think he’s irresponsible, but I think when we use the word terrorist we apply that to the Boston bombers, we apply that to the September 11th hijackers — I’m not comfortable with the word.”
Axelrod later echoed Schmidt, saying he too was uncomfortable with the word “only out of respect for the victims of violent terrorists.”
Matthews stressed that he had used the term “political terrorist” and that he would “continue to use it.”
Maybe there is a better term for Cruz. I can’t think of any words I would use in polite company to describe him. Perhaps that is Matthews’ problem.
I would say that the thrill running up Matthew’s leg went all the way to his brain and may have caused irreversible damage.
How would you describe Ted Cruz?
Matthews seems to be striving to become the Hannity of the left these days. It’s a silly description of Cruz. Cruz is a shrewd pol who is making a strategic decision that his future is most promising if nurtured in the garden of the far right of the Right. I don’t know whether he’s right or wrong in that judgment, but I understand the positioning. I think he’s a smart guy and give him credit for not believing much of anything he says.
I dislike Matthews and I dislike Cruz. I think there are far better descriptions of Cruz.
I’m with Scout on this. Political terrorism seems to always involve the unlawful use of force to achieve political goals. Cruz is certainly not using unlawful means to achieve his goals. Matthews is trying to redefine terms here. BTW – I am not a supporter of Cruz but fair is fair.
What they said.
Ted Cruz is an idiot – nuff said. He is far from a terrorist.
If the repugswant to get rid of the affordable care act, they should try to win the senate and the White House, and then pass laws to repeal it.
If they are intent on repealing it, I sure hope they have something workable and effective that can be enacted within second of repeal. Anyone know what the backup Republican plan is?
hmmmm…I haven’t heard of one.