Matthews: Obama 'Can Cause a Thrill in the American People' with Both Brain and Heart

February 29th, 2012 7:49 AM

During Tuesday's live coverage the Republican presidential primaries in Arizona and Michigan, MSNBC's Chris Matthews again talked about President Obama delivering a "thrill" as he asserted that, unlike GOP candidates Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, Obama has both a "brain" and a "heart" when he makes speeches. Matthews: (Video below)

Barack Obama can do both. He has a brain, and he has a heart, and he can cause a thrill in the American people because he has both.

Matthews's comments came around 10:30 PM EST shortly after Santorum spoke, as he suggested the former Pennsylvania Senator is better at appealing to the "heart" and Romney at appealing to the "head."

Matthews:

If Romney could have given that speech, he would have no problem winning the nomination. We saw the heart of the Republican party separated from its head, to the extent there are hearts and heads involved here. They are separated. This guy can give a passionate speech, as you were pointing out - now you were doing your homework there - without a teleprompter.

Romney can't do what that guy just did. And that's really important. That means on the stump he can't turn people on. He can't turn them on after he wins or after he loses. ... I think he lacks this guy's passion, and I think that's a real loss.

Barack Obama can do both. He has a brain, and he has a heart, and he can cause a thrill in the American people because he has both.

He can have a vision, and he can have a passion to go with that vision. I don't see it getting together here for the Republicans, and I think it's a real challenge for them.