Global Warming Skepticism Shocks Chris Matthews

Toeing the "Green is Universal," corporate line, MSNBC's Chris Matthews seemed shocked that anyone would dare question whether climate change was real. During a discussion about John McCain's eco-friendly rhetoric the "Hardball" host was dismayed when conservative radio talk show host Heidi Harris called it a move "to the left," as Matthews decried: "You think climate change is an ideological issue?!"

The following exchange occurred on the May 13 edition of "Hardball:"

HEIDI HARRIS, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: But, but here's the ultimate thing Republicans never get credit for going over to the left. This happens all the time. They try to pander to the left. Going a little more--

CHRIS MATTHEWS: You think climate change is, is an ideological issue?!

HARRIS: Absolutely, absolutely I do.

MATTHEWS: It is?!

HARRIS: And I, and I don't think you, as a Republican ever get credit for trying to lean to the left. They still just--

MATTHEWS: Well.

HARRIS: –then, then they blast you for not holding the conservative line.

MATTHEWS: Well there are a lot of corporations, Heidi, let me, you have a right to your opinion. You're good at this. But I gotta tell you something. There are a lot of U.S. corporations, which are hardly lefty, who believe that being green is smart. They think it's the right policy.

HARRIS: Well I think being green is, well, listen I don' want the Earth to be dirty, believe me. But I also don't believe that mankind and my SUV, that I'm going to get into as soon as I leave here, is polluting the Earth to the point where I'm going to destroy the Earth. I don't believe that, I don't buy that.

MATTHEWS: No, not single-handedly but by the thousands maybe. Well get yourself a Smart Car and we'll ride around it together.