MSNBC Suspends Correspondent Over Chelsea Clinton Remark

MSNBC suspended political correspondent David Shuster yesterday for making an on-air remark about Chelsea Clinton. As a result, the Hillary Clinton camp raised the possibility of punishing the news network by boycotting the next debate.

David Shuster, who plays a prominent role in MSNBC's political coverage, and asked two guests on the show, "Doesn't it seem as if Chelsea is sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way?" when describing the 27-year-old's fundamental reason for being in the political campaign.

Howard Wolfson, the campaign's communications director, suggests that Hillary Clinton might reconsider an agreement this week to participate in the MSNBC debate scheduled for February 26 in Cleveland, Ohio. Wolfson called Shuster's remark "disgusting," "beneath contempt" and "the kind of thing that should never be said on a national news network."

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Clinton spokesman Philippe Reines contacted Shuster after the remark and said the reference was offensive. Shuster e-mailed back that he was referring to the fact that Chelsea Clinton is making calls to convention superdelegates but refusing to talk to the press. After Shuster continued to defend himself, Phil Griffin, MSNBC's top executive, called Reines yesterday to apologize.

Shuster responded last night that his words were "inappropriate, I apologize to the Clinton family, the Clinton campaign, and all of you who were justifiably offended. I am particularly sorry that my language diminished the regard and respect she has earned from all of us and the respect her parents have earned in how they raised her."

MSNBC released a statement, "NBC News takes these matters seriously and offers our sincere regrets to the Clintons for the remarks."

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