Dan Rather Says GOP Takes Back House in November, Matthews Painfully Agrees

August 1st, 2010 1:46 PM

Dan Rather this weekend said the odds are that the Republicans will take back the House in the upcoming midterm elections.

Maybe more surprisingly, Chris Matthews, with a look on his face like someone had given him the worst news possible, actually agreed with him. 

As the discussion on the latest installment of the syndicated "Chris Matthews Show" focused on what Democrats need to do this fall to prevent a disaster at the polls, the former "CBS Evening News" host said what has to be scaring the heck out of liberal media members from coast to coast (video follows with transcript and commentary):

DAN RATHER: Look, there's, there are a lot of angry people out there, and a lot of scared people. People vote their pocketbooks. That's number one. Number two, overnight's a long time in politics. A week is forever. We still have a long time to go and a lot of things can happen between now and November. As we sit here today, odds on the Republicans take the House - I know Democrats don't want to hear it - retake the house.

CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: I agree with that.

RATHER: And the Democrats, because of the figures that have so many in the Senate, probably hold on to the Senate. And it will change the center of gravity in American politics unless something dramatic happens between now and November.

Did you notice the almost panicked expression on Matthews' face as Rather was saying this? He looked like he was being told that his house just burned down.

It wasn't only Matthews with a sour look on his face during this segment. The entire panel - Helene Cooper of the New York Times, Kimberly Dozier of the Associated Press, and Rick Stengel of Time - seemed almost like they were at a funeral as the Democrats' fate this November was being discussed.

To be sure, Rather's candor was refreshing, but it would be nice if the rest of these so-called journalists could do a better job of hiding their dismay. 

Wouldn't you LOVE to play poker with these people?