The Los Angeles Times reports that MSNBC host Chris Matthews met with Pennsylvania Democrats about running against Sen. Arlen Specter in 2010. The newspaper made no allusion to how the Republicans will have an enormous video trail of sloppy Matthews soundbites to consider:
The Northeast's dwindling cast of Senate Republicans has Democrats circling Arlen Specter's seat in Pennsylvania, convinced the party is well-positioned to make a competitive race out of the 2010 election.
Leading the pack of prospects -- at least in celebrity -- is Chris Matthews, the MSNBC "Hardball" host and a former Capitol Hill Democratic staffer. The Philadelphia native has been toying with a run for months, and this week he sat down with state Democrats to discuss the prospect of taking on the five-term GOP senator....
Matthews, 62, who didn't respond to a request for comment, has dismissed questions about a run in recent months as he lays the groundwork behind the scenes. His contract with MSNBC expires in June.
Sadly for Matthews, the Pittsburgh Business Times reports he'd have an uphill climb against Specter in the polls (and the liberal GOPer has a big campaign treasury):
A new poll released Wednesday finds not enough Pennsylvania voters know who Chris Matthews is, and that he would be at a distinct disadvantage in a race against incumbent U.S. Senator Arlen Specter.
Matthews, best known as host of the MSNBC political commentary show "Hardball" has not officially announced he is seeking the Democratic nomination to run against five-term Republican Specter. But he might find such a matchup tough going, according to the results of a Quinnipiac University poll.
Specter leads Matthews among likely Republican voters by a margin of 72 percent to 9 percent. Overall, Specter leads 45 percent to 33 percent; among independent voters, Specter leads 45 percent to 27 percent.
One bright spot for Matthews is among likely Democratic voters, where he leads Specter 55 percent to 25 percent.
Sixty percent of those polled said they didn't know enough about Matthews to form an opinion of him, while Specter has a 62 percent approval rating.
"Who says the Republicans are dead?" Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute said in a statement. Specter has the highest job approval rating of any major Pennsylvania politician, Richards added. "(He) would knock off Chris Matthews by 12 points if the Hardball host decides to run against him."
Hamden, Conn.-based Quinnipiac surveyed 1,487 Pennsylvania voters between Nov. 19 through Nov. 24.
The blog TV Newser reminded readers:
TVNewser first reported on the possibility back in January, during the New Hampshire primary when Matthews was overheard telling a local politician, "Nothing will get done in Washington until there is a large enough majority in the Senate - maybe I'll run for Senate." Well, that democratic majority in the Senate has grown, and could increase even more in the coming weeks depending on the outcomes of races in Georgia and Minnesota.
In February, Matthews told TVNewser, "I've always dreamed of being a senator from Pennsylvania and everybody I know knows it. But, I also have the greatest and most perfect job for a guy like me and I have no plans to change that."
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I don't know that we would notice much difference, frankly.
November 26, 2008 - 17:15 ET by ThalpyI don't know that we would notice much difference, frankly.
Specter is backed by the
November 26, 2008 - 17:24 ET by bigtimerSpecter is backed by the unions...Matthews would be too.
If Specter didn't run, I would hope Toomey or Santorum runs against Matthews... There is plenty of free advertizing to use against him from his own show, with his own big blathering mouth, let alone other shows he has been on msnbc, plus some other networks to-boot.
I just hope this country is mad, disappointed and fed up enough with O and congress by then, let alone the repubs get a back-bone and fight like hell...they cannot keep being spineless, speechless, go-along to get-along wimps, thinking they are going to get more votes this way.
Btw...I hope I have both men mentioned above from the correct state, for some reason something seems to tell me Michigan for one of them...anyway, you get my drift.
We all know the majority of the msm or all venues are going to work against us, the repubs know that too...stand up and fight..or we are done.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Bt, we should never let candidates like Specter represent...
November 26, 2008 - 17:32 ET by ThalpyBt, we should never let candidates like Specter represent us again.
I completely agree
November 26, 2008 - 17:47 ET by bigtimerI completely agree Thalpy.
He will be joining Snow, McC, Collins, maybe Coleman and a few others who I think will work with the dems.
Again.
At least Sununu and Smith are gone, plus Warner and Hagel...that does help do attempt to eventually build a new conservative party on down the road in my opinion.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
nah ...
November 26, 2008 - 17:32 ET by MichiganVetChris cannot run - that would leave MSNBC without a "tingly" anchor - better to keep Chrissy on TV and rename his show "softballs".
That would let the Dems recruit from the "Chimp Channel" where they have had much success.
I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy
p.s. Neither of these guys are from Michigan - our "contributions have been Dingell, Stabenow and Levin .... oh and Kwame Kilpatrick - ex-mayor of Detroit.
I hope he does; just so I
November 26, 2008 - 20:05 ET by motherbeltI hope he does; just so I can vote against him.
I really hope Santorum jumps back in if Specter doesn't run.
Matthews was so obvious about his desire; showing up on TV in a Phillies cap when they won the series....
Way to be subtle, Chris.
The Matthews Pageant
November 26, 2008 - 17:32 ET by CellaChrissy will make a spectacle out of running against Specter - a phantasmagoria like we have never seen before.
I've got the willies already.
Things can only get worse at this point
November 26, 2008 - 18:04 ET by PopularTechMatthews in the Senate could be it.
Censored Global Warming Videos
PT... Matthews and
November 26, 2008 - 18:11 ET by bigtimerPT...
Matthews and Franken combined would really do the trick.
Can't you just see it.
God help us all.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Politics has become a big joke
November 27, 2008 - 08:13 ET by PopularTechSince when do unfunny, ignorant comedians get elected to the Senate?
Censored Global Warming Videos
"A new poll released
November 26, 2008 - 19:04 ET by Dan Diego"A new poll released Wednesday finds not enough Pennsylvania voters know who Chris Matthews is". I guess he's not the powerhouse national voice he thinks he is. If he did get in they'd have to install a salad bar sneeze shield on the dems lectern/podium.
The cost of living's going up, and the chance of livin's going down. - Flip Wilson
reverse roles
November 26, 2008 - 20:25 ET by brerolIf Mathews were to run it would be for Mathews the first time he would be on the hot seat for a grilling. And the questions would come from the citizens of Pa. and not from Barnicle or any other freindly fire. And I would dare Mathews to yell back at the public for asking important questions of the day.
I guess he could bring spit
November 26, 2008 - 21:35 ET by Dan The Man 2I guess he could bring spit and polish back in vogue, with emphasis on the spit.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
This is a perfect example
November 26, 2008 - 21:54 ET by MikeknaJThis is a perfect example of why moving to the center, as a political strategy, is pointless. Because who's more moderate than Specter? The guy is anything but a conservative. You'd think that might win him points with Democrats, and they would work to target someone else. Someone who disagrees with them more. But no.
Politically moderate or centerist is fine if that's where your ideology truly lies. But to move there with the idea that it's going to win you points is just plain foolish.
"Look, when Keith anchors, he plays it straight down the line.”
-MSNBC President Phil Griffin
http://www.xanga.com/mikeknaj
Is it True that Arlen Specter had a thrill run up his leg...
November 26, 2008 - 22:47 ET by CapeCodScottIs it True that Arlen Specter had a thrill run up his leg when he heard that Chrissy was going to run against him? Just wondering.
www.ScottOnCapeCod.com
"Most men lead lives of quiet desperation"... until they get fed-up enough to finally say something about it!
Sununu
November 26, 2008 - 23:09 ET by Jay in NHGoing back a bit: I'm as conservative as they come, let me tell you John Sununu was a senator that we will miss. While not toeing the arch right line, he is a sharp, classy guy who's voting, rather than being litmus, was well thought out and appreciated by this New Hampshirite. Bear this in mind, I voted for him a primary against a very conservative Bob Smith 6 years ago, to stave off Jean Shaheen. There is a place for pragmatism, guys.
Jay... For you to vote
November 26, 2008 - 23:23 ET by bigtimerJay...
For you to vote against a conservative like Smith was/is part of the problem in this country and will stay that way until people wake up and vote conservative or nothing.
Voting for RINOs is killing this county, or haven't you noticed?
Do not misunderstand me, I held my nose and voted for McC, it about killed me, I knew better too in my heart...never again will I do that, never.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
bigtimer, You got it
November 27, 2008 - 01:14 ET by riff_raffbigtimer,
You got it right. The Republican party is completely out of power in DC. So we no longer have any reason to "hold our nose and vote for the lesser of two evils". From now on, we have nothing to lose, and all of our votes should go to real conservative Republicans. Frankly, it feels sort of liberating.
"Don't blame me.....I voted for Palin"
I agree; moving to the
November 27, 2008 - 09:32 ET by motherbeltI agree; moving to the center and "working with the Democrats" is futile.
Because, as I've said before, no one can out-pander the Democrats.
Running, Man?
November 27, 2008 - 07:30 ET by Copperhead RidgeIf MSNBC had any integrity, they would take Chrissy McTingly off the air until he decided against running for the U.S. Senate. He is using their network as his campaign forum.
What about the fairness doctrine?
Can you imagine if Rush Limbaugh decided to investigate the possibility of running for the U.S. Senate from Florida? The left would whelp like a female dog until Rush was taken off the air.
More DeMints - Fewer Specters
November 27, 2008 - 11:55 ET by BW222Hopefully people like Jim DeMint, Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal are the future of the GOP (as opposed to Arlen Specter, Lincoln Chaffee and Christine Todd Whittman).
BW222
Speaking of MSNBC
November 28, 2008 - 00:45 ET by Rush FanTV Newser is reporting that the Morning Joe team of Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are looking into getting into radio.
Scarborough is the "I'll do anything to keep my job at KOSMSNBC" idiot who aired a show with the subject "IS BUSH AN 'IDIOT'?"
Scarborough and Brzezinski will fit right in on "Air America."
----------------------------------------------
Why the two Americas, the Left and the Right, can never reconcile ~ An excellent article by Dennis Prager
On Scarborough
November 28, 2008 - 00:57 ET by RESTLESS 1I'll withold judgement for awhile. That conservatives had reservations and differneces of opinion with Bush is no surprise to me. WOT, he is right, domestically, especially when it comes to spending, he stunk.
Joe does not strike me as any kind of "that one" fan. We'll see if Joe holds his feet to the fire though.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
Following in the footsteps of..
November 28, 2008 - 09:12 ET by Sergeant ROCK.. Tim Russert I see? I don't know where people get this notion that there's a liberal bias in the media?
Alan KEYES 2012