MSNBC Anchor David Shuster Suspended for Suggesting Clintons Were "Pimping Out" Daughter Chelsea

UPDATE: Shuster's apology just aired, and I remain amused by the manner in which news organizations completely fail in their reporting duties when they themselves are the subject.

The cable channel dropped in a tape of his statement with no explanation. The anchor apologized for using a "phrase that was inappropriate," seeking fogiveness from the Clintons and "all of you who were justifably offended...I'm particularly sorry that my language diminished the regard and the respect she has earned from all of us and the respect her parents have earned for how they raised her."

Unfortunately, MSNBC couldn't spare two minutes to explain that Shuster had also been suspended earlier that day, for saying in an off-the-cuff manner that the Clintons might be "pimping out" their daughter by having her call celebrities and super delegates to advocate for her mom.

The liberal watchdog media Web site Media Matters is also complaining because this is the second MSNBC anchor to apologize for making insensitive remarks about a female who happens to be a Clinton -- Chris Matthews also apologized for intemperate comments about Hillary Clinton. 

Filling in for Tucker Carlson, Shuster was interviewing Bill Press Thursday on the issue, saying, "doesn't it seem like Chelsea's sort of being pimped out, in a weird sort of way?" Press didn't react that badly but the Clinton camp did, suggesting that the candidate might not appear in any more NBC/MSNBC-sponsored debates if an apology was not forthcoming.

Shuster delivered a half-hearted apology Thursday that misstated the context of his remarks -- suggesting he praised the younger Clinton more than he did during the segment. And, as liberal media watchdog Web site Media Matters has just reported, NBC still suspended him for remarks news president Steve Capus called "irresponsible and inappropriate." 

Here's the statement from NBC News:

NBC NEWS STATEMENT REGARDING CHELSEA CLINTON COMMENT:

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.

And here's a video of Shuster's initial remark and his first half-hearted apology:

Comments

[drinklime]

Just cancel cable.... Tampa local TV has everything you need, including HD.

Oh please... good Lord.

Let me know when you're successful at getting “Pimp My Ride” off the air.

[Eric Deggans]

thank you every much. I think there are lots of folks out there who agree with your opinions on this particular issue...

[TG]

"pimp" as a verb and "pimp out" are two of the more obnoxious and tasteless turns of phrase in common parlance today. people need to clean it up a bit, because that's just plain tacky, trashy and low-rent. i'm shocked that this stand-in dude felt it would be okay to say on air. who the hell does he think he is?

also, chris matthews needs to hang it up. i can't stand his big mouth, wiseass accent, and snot-nosed viewpoints. get that idiot off the airwaves, he's almost worse than don imus.

nice blog here, deggans.

[Oscar]

I kind of think it is funny. Yes Shuster used poor judgement, and yes he will pay the price, but the object of his remarks was not Chelsea but the Clinton political machine.

With HRC's campaign needing $$$, they will jump on any chance for free exposure they can get.

[drinklime]

cable news is a joke... i dont get why people are willing to pay so much money for the tripe that is on cable