MSNBC’s David Shuster has been suspended in the wake of his suggestion on air Thursday that Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign might have “pimped out” daughter Chelsea Clinton by having her call celebrities and super-delegates on her mother’s behalf.
Mr. Shuster was guest-hosting “Tucker” when he made the remark.
Mr. Shuster apologized on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and was scheduled to apologize again during the 6 p.m. hour Friday on the cable chanel.
A spokesman for MSNBC and NBC News issued a statement that the comment about Chelsea Clinton “was irresponsible and inappropriate.”
It said Mr. Shuster “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.”
Howard Wolfson, the communications director for Sen. Clinton’s campaign, said the remark “is beneath contempt. It is the kind of thing that should never be said on a national news network.”
Mr. Wolfson noted that MSNBC’s “Hardball” host Chris Matthews recently was forced to apologize for saying Sen. Clinton is where she is right now because of her husband’s infidelity when he was in the White House. “At some point, you have to question whether there is a pattern here at this particular network,” he said. “Is there something folks are encouraged to do or not do?”
The contretemps jeopardized the commitment Sen. Clinton had made Friday to debate Sen. Barack Obama on MSNBC Feb. 26.
“We have done a number of debates on that network,” Mr. Wolfson said. “I, at this point, can't envision a scenario where we would continue to engage in debates on that network given the comments that were made and have been made.”
The NBC News spokesman said discussions were continuing Friday and “we are hopeful that the event will take place as planned.
There was no word Friday about how long Mr. Shuster, a well-liked and prolific correspondent, would be suspended.
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/02/msnbc_suspends_shuster_over_ch.php
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