To: mistermj who wrote (66374 ) 9/2/2004 3:11:25 AM From: mistermj Respond to of 793927 Query about Freedom of Press Highlights Angry Chris Matthews-Zell Miller Debate By E & P Staff Published: September 01, 2004 NEW YORK Probably the most incendiary moment in all of the television coverage of the Republican National Convention so far occurred shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday night, during a Chris Matthews interview with Senator Zell Miller on MSNBC, which started hot and then grew angry after a question about reporters and freedom the press. "You're hopeless," Miller told Matthews, dead serious, speaking over a hook-up from Madison Square Garden, where he had earlier delivered the keynote address. "I wish I was with you there because I want to get in your face." Then Miller said he wished they were back in the age when you could challenge someone to a duel. "I don't know why I came on this program," he added, amidst four minutes of heated exchanges. Matthews had gotten on Miller's case right from the start, asking him if he really believed what he had said in his speech about Senator John Kerry wanting to defend America with "spitballs." As Miller fudged his answer, and Matthews in his customary style cut him short or talked over him, they each started shouting. Miller told Matthews to "get out of my face," later saying he wanted to get in Matthews' face. Then Matthews asked him why he had said in his speech that "it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press." Matthews said it was such an obvious thing to say, wasn't he just looking for an easy "anti-media" applause line? That's when Miller went ballistic and nearly stalked off, with Matthews, not exactly backing down, struggling to calm him, which he did, after another minute of shouting. The interview closed with Matthews saying that now Miller probably hated him, but invited him back on the show Thursday night when he could talk with Joe Scarborough who, he said, would probably be kinder. Miller didn't answer yes or no. mediainfo.com