In 2008, Chris Matthews famously said this after listening to Barack Obama’s speech: “I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don’t have that too often.”
Let’s hope not.
Now, in 2012, after President Obama’s speech in Kabul, Afghanistan, the Obama Legend grows even larger.
“It was right out of Henry V actually,” Matthews said, “a touch of Barry, in this case, in the night for those soldiers risking their lives over there.”
So Obama, whom his press courtiers have compared to Lincoln, can now take his place next to Shakespeare.
This is only a hunch, but I rather doubt Obama’s speech will be remembered and quoted more than 400 years from now.
Young King Henry V’s speech at Agincourt is one of the greatest in history (here’s Kenneth Branagh delivering it in his 1989 film “Henry V”). For Chris Matthews to compare what Obama said last night at Bagram Air base to the St. Crispin’s day speech is beyond ridiculous. It is to enter a world of fantasy and parody, of obsequiousness and hero-worship, that most of us cannot even imagine.
There is as well the slight difference that Henry V actually led his soldiers, sword in hand, against the French at Agincourt. I doubt that Obama would do the same—it would ruin those perfect trouser creases…
Though to be fair, Chris' psychotic hatred of all things Clinton may get the best of him now that Bill Clinton and Obama are working together.
I think psychologically, this is an easy one to figure out. n nObama represents the ultimate triumph, in American culture, of style over substance, junk food over carrots, hot air over forged iron, etc. n nTo a windbag like Mathews, one can see how Obama has come to be so inspirational. Obama is a validation of the hollowness of Mathews. n nThe doctor is in. 5 cents please.
The fact that Obama is black trumps everything else for Chris Matthews. His anger at the Clintons rates a distant second.
Davidthomson1 is right, and MainesMichael is wrong. in my considered and oh-so-humble opinion. n nChris Matthews, remember, was a Peace Corps baby. he was raised on JFK and social justice and all that stuff. Barack Obama is literally a dream come true for Matthews, who like most liberals prefers to judge people by the color of their skin rather than the content of their character.