Clinton slams 'pimp' comment

2008-02-09 14:23

Chelsea Clinton speaks to supporters on Friday after a campaign event for her mother. (AP)

Seattle - A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC news anchor could imperil Hillary Rodham Clinton's participation in future presidential debates on the cable television news network, a Clinton spokesperson said on Firday.

In a conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson excoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting Thursday that the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to Democratic Party super-delegates on her mother's behalf.

Wolfson called the comment "beneath contempt" and disgusting. The phrase "pimped out" traditionally refers to prostitution.

"I, at this point, can't envision a scenario where we would continue to engage in debates on that network," he added.

Shuster suspended

MSNBC said Shuster, who apologised on the air for his comment, has been temporarily suspended from appearing on all NBC news broadcasts except to offer his apology.

"NBC News takes these matters seriously, and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks," MSNBC spokesperson Jeremy Gaines said, adding the network was hopeful the debate would take place as planned.

Hillary Clinton and her chief rival Barack Obama are locked in a tight nomination race which could be decided by so-called super-delegates - members of Congress, governors and other party leaders who are not selected in primaries and caucuses, and who are also free to change their minds before the party's national nominating convention this summer.

Clinton and Obama are scheduled to participate in an MSNBC debate February 26 from Ohio, which holds its primary March 4. The Clinton campaign has pushed hard for as many debates as possible with Obama, but Wolfson said the February 26 debate could be jeopardized.

Tasteless comments

Wolfson pointed to what he called a pattern of tasteless comments by MSNBC anchors about the Clinton campaign.

Weeks ago, Chris Matthews, host of the "Hardball" political news show, apologised to the former first lady after suggesting her political career had been made possible by her husband's philandering.

MSNBC has apologised on-air for Shuster's remark, but Wolfson said neither Chelsea nor Senator Clinton had received a phone call offering a personal apology.

Shuster told The Associated Press he has tried to reach Clinton to apologise.

- AP