Chris Matthews Says No to Senate, Yes to Anchoring the Inauguration

Photo of Tim Graham.
By Tim Graham (Bio | Archive)
January 8, 2009 - 12:20 ET

It's official: Washington Post media reporter Howard Kurtz wrote Thursday that MSNBC host Chris Matthews will not run in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Arlen Specter. Matthews' journey exploring a campaign created "an awkward situation for MSNBC after a year in which Matthews, who at times openly rooted for Barack Obama, drew flak for being a Democratic partisan."  He openly rooted for Obama "at times"? No "thrill up my leg" reference?

Then there's this last paragraph. "Now his short-term future, at least, is set: Matthews and Keith Olbermann will co-anchor MSNBC's coverage of the Obama inauguration." Weren't Chris and Keith supposed to be too opinionated for "co-anchor" duties? Won't they be too overcome with emotion to play an "anchor" role? Apparently, their September demotion was only an exception, not the rule. 

MSNBC must be returning to the convention times when an anonymous "senior staff member" told the New York Times: "MSNBC is behaving like a heroin addict...They’re living from fix to fix and swearing they’ll go into rehab the next week."


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Come on..

January 8, 2009 - 12:30 ET by JTP

You can't keep the campaign staff from attending. That would be cruel.

"I need more cowbell!" SNL

Co-anchor? That would mean

January 8, 2009 - 12:35 ET by kg

Co-anchor? That would mean they are reporting news. Co-commentator would be more accurate.

"Forget change, I want improvement!"

Place Your Bets

January 8, 2009 - 12:50 ET by PeterD

I gotta a dollar here that says Keithie gets teary eyed and emotional first.

At least they had the

January 8, 2009 - 12:57 ET by motherbelt

At least they had the honesty to say he "openly rooted for Obama."  That's probably the best we can hope for. 

And reporting on (or even being a commentator for) the inauguration is not like doing it for a campaign...there is no "other side." They won't be expected to be non-partisan or neutral.  He and Keith can gush all they want.

Won't bother me none. I won't be watching.

Mathews

January 8, 2009 - 13:03 ET by NorthCoaster

I expect to see him  gushing and cooing all over. Ther might even be a point where his eyes roll back in his head.

then he will light up a

January 8, 2009 - 13:49 ET by dark_ds

then he will light up a cigarette

and giggle like a girl and say wow was that good

 

dumb bombs for dumb people

An Obamagsm?

January 9, 2009 - 08:33 ET by Vonu

Freedom is a vital component of human effectiveness and fulfillment.

Their broadcast should be

January 8, 2009 - 13:53 ET by Chris Norman

Their broadcast should be preceded by a warning of "Adult Content", "Sexual Language", perhaps "Violence".... 

The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.

Think

January 8, 2009 - 14:09 ET by cvgbuckeye

But think of all the money that the hospitals, nationwide, will be able to save on stomach pump wear and tear on inauguration day as all they will need is to tune up Matthews and Olbermann in the emergency rooms. UUUUUUPPPPP it comes! 

Co-Conspirator more like it

January 8, 2009 - 14:21 ET by AF

Now I read he played this to help his salary negotions because he didn't want to take a pay cut from his current 5 million dollar a year contract!  If he wants to trash other peoples salaries why doesn't he disclose his own or that of the heads of MSNBC?

Matthews is a child

January 9, 2009 - 01:47 ET by easygoer

Arlen Specter must be relieved. He really dodged a bullet.