One of our handy MRC interns noticed Chris Matthews fighting with college students last night on “Hardball” on the campus of Arizona State University. He asked each one what their big issues were. When one said, “abortion,” he stopped and asked pro-life or pro-choice. “Pro-choice,” she said, so Matthews moved on. A minute later, another student said abortion. Notice how Matthews couldn’t abide her:
Matthews: “Are you pro abortion rights, or against them?”
Student: “Against.”
Matthews: ” You don’t think you should be allowed to have an abortion in this country.”
Student: “No.”
Matthews: “What should we do to the woman who has an abortion? She should be punished?”
Student: “No not punished, I respect a woman’s right, but I don’t think it’s right to murder.”
Matthews: “Now, wait a minute. So you think it’s all right for her to have an abortion if she wants to. That’s called the pro-choice position.” Matthews then pounded on her that she couldn’t say she was pro-life and think the woman shouldn’t be jailed. “Why not? Then it’s not a crime.” He asked two students if a woman should go to jail for abortion and they said, yes, if it’s illegal. He asked the crowd: “How many people think a woman should go to jail if she has an abortion?” The crowd booed.