September 02, 2004

Full Text of Tonight’s Dust-Up Between Sen. Zell Miller and Chris Matthews

After his great speech at the Republican convention, Senator Zell Miller was interviewed by Chris Matthews. They got into a discussion in which Miller defended Michelle Malkin. Senator Miller wouldn’t let Matthews get away with one of his favorite debating techniques, namely, interrupting and talking over his guests so that they can’t make their points.

Here’s the full text of the dust-up. (No link—transcribed from a recording.)

Matthews: If a Republican senator broke ranks and came over and spoke for the Democrats, would you respect him?

Miller: Yes. Of course I would. I’ve seen that happen from time to time. Look…

Matthews: (speaking over Miller as he has been doing the whole interview) What if Jim Jeffords, Jim Jeffords of Vermont, switched parties…

Miller: Wait a minute, wait a minute—look…

Matthews: (speaking over Miller) Well it’s a tough question.

Miller: If you’re gonna ask a question…

Matthews: (speaking over Miller) It takes a few words.

Miller: Get out of my face. If you’re gonna ask a question, step back and let me answer. I wish we lived in the days when you could challenge a person to a duel. Now that would be pretty good. Don’t pull that kinda stuff on me like you did on that young lady when you had her there, brow beating her to death. I’m not her. I’m not her. You get in my face I’m gonna get back in your face. And the only reason…

Matthews: (speaking over Miller, from “I’m not her” to “the only reason”): She was suggesting, that John Kerry purposely shot himself to get a medal, and I was trying to correct the record.

Miller:—the only reason you’re doin it is because you’re standin way over there in Herald Square.

Matthews: Senator can I speak softly to you?

Miller: Well, no, no. Because you won’t give me a chance to answer. You ask these questions and then you just talk over what I’m trying to answer, just like you did that woman the other day.

Matthews: Well Senator…

Miller: I don’t know why I even came on this program

Matthews: Well I’m glad you did. Let me ask you this. About…

Miller: Well, no—are you gonna shut up after you ask me? Or are you gonna give me a chance to answer?

Matthews: Yes sir. I’m gonna give you a chance to answer.

And to his credit, Matthews did. He did not interrupt Miller for the rest of the interview.

The woman they’re talking about is of course blogger Michelle Malkin. Here again Matthews mischaracterized Malkin’s comments as saying “John Kerry purposely shot himself”, when in fact she was referring to the Swift Vets’ allegation that Kerry may have accidentally shot himself. And of course, since Matthews’ interview with Malkin, the Kerry campaign has admitted as much.

Zell is really very cool.