Trama

Kyle slams Chris Matthews' praise of Liz Cheney and his call for Democrats to "pay her back," pointing out Cheney's conservative voting record and challenging media's alignment with figures like Cheney over progressive policies.

Kyle Kulinski dissects Chris Matthews' effusive praise of Liz Cheney on Morning Joe, where Matthews likens Cheney to a heroic movie character for her support of Kamala Harris and suggests Democrats should "pay her back" if Harris wins. Kulinski questions Matthews' portrayal, noting that Cheney voted in line with Trump 92.9 percent of the time and supported overturning Roe v. Wade, making her an unusual ally for Democrats. He also critiques Matthews' call for Democrats to be tougher on border policies, pointing out that Biden has already enacted hardline measures. Kulinski concludes that establishment media figures like Matthews misjudge the electorate's preference for progressive, populist policies.—J. Spurlin

Kyle Kulinski begins by discussing Chris Matthews' appearance on Morning Joe, where Matthews praises Liz Cheney's character, comparing her to a heroic figure from "A Man for All Seasons" for her support of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Matthews views Cheney's backing as self-sacrificial, emphasizing her losses within the Republican Party and urging Democrats to "pay her back" for her support. Kulinski sees Matthews' remarks as emblematic of establishment media's tendency to elevate figures like Cheney despite their conservative track records, which he argues are incongruent with progressive values.

Kulinski questions the benefit of Cheney's endorsement, pointing out her high voting alignment with Trump at 92.9 percent, which Matthews does not mention. He notes that Cheney supported overturning Roe v. Wade and other conservative policies, making her an odd figure for Democrats to embrace. Kulinski asks viewers to consider whether a similar alliance with a figure like Trump would be seen as beneficial in future campaigns, challenging the logic behind accepting Cheney's endorsement without critically assessing her political record.

Kulinski then addresses Matthews' comments on border policy, where Matthews suggests that Democrats need to adopt a more right-wing approach. Kulinski rebuts this, noting that Biden has implemented strict measures, such as executive orders on border security, continuation of Trump's Title 42, and higher deportation rates. He argues that the difference between Democrats and Republicans on immigration is narrower than Matthews implies, especially on enforcement policies, and criticizes Matthews for pushing Democrats further right on this issue.

Returning to Cheney, Kulinski cautions Democrats against leaning too heavily into Cheney's support, suggesting it risks alienating voters who do not resonate with establishment Republican figures. He likens this to the perceived missteps of Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign and warns that focusing on establishment endorsements could undermine Harris's populist appeal. Kulinski concludes with a critique of Matthews and similar mainstream media voices, arguing that their alignment with establishment figures ignores voters' support for populist, progressive policies.