Chris Matthews and guests talk about the misinformation regarding the Presidential trip to India

06 November 2010

Chris Matthews along with two guests -- one from Salon.com and another from Media Matters --talked about the unfounded reports from the right wing media around the cost of President Obama's long-scheduled  trip to India. People like congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity were railing in the media about a supposed $200 million a day cost for the President's trip.

That figure is a figment of someone's imagination and is more than the cost of the war in Afghanistan -- which should have made those who pushed the story at least ask whether or not it was true before going to air.

Matthews made the point that India and China are very important for the future because that's where a number of jobs are being created.  A number of jobs being created by American companies, I may add.  He also added that there appears to be an undertone of personal hatred (my words) specifically for Obama

More notes from the show:

- Matthews says the attacks on Obama like this seem to have "an ethnic aspect"
- Matthews: "Like he's not worthy to travel because of what? Why isn't he worthy to make a Presidential trip to the most important countries in the world right now?"

-Matthews says there seems to be a personal aspect to the attacks on the president
- Matthews says its not journalism to not check out this information before running with it
- two guests: 1 from Media Matters, 1 from Salon.com
- Matthews makes the point that India and China are the future and the US has to deal with them
- Matthews says Reps. will still go after the president almost no matter what
- Salon.com rep: says Obama has already canceled 2 previous versions of this trip already
                    says you get the feeling that this is solely aimed and this President as if he doesn't deserve the dignity that comes with the office of President
- Matthews says this also seems like a put-down to India
- Matthews says Republicans liked the fact that this was dirt regardless of the truth of the matter