Chris Matthews and the Shibboleth of Civility

By Ta-Nehisi Coates

I think what's most disturbing about this video is the attempt to calm Chris Matthews down in the name of civility, comity, or some such. The telling part is near the end where Matthews clearly outlines the roots of national health care, and Priebus just quits the field because Matthews isn't being polite enough.

Matthews is such an interesting voice. Sometimes I think he's wildly off, but his mind is quick. He will get a guy on a point and will not let allow for any line of retreat.

This article available online at:

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/08/chris-matthews-and-the-shibboleth-of-civility/261626/