MSNBC’s Chris Matthews once famously said that Obama sent a “thrill up my leg,” and even announced on air that it was his job to make sure Obama succeeded. With news that his wife, Kathleen Matthews, is expected to run for Maryland’s 8th District congressional seat, who’s to say he won’t use his status and show as a platform to do the same for her campaign?
Politico reporter Dylan Byers reported that Matthews has been involved with his wife’s campaign meetings, which have focused on campaign planning and strategy. Let's guess who does most of the talking...
Always outspoken on his show Hardball, and Matthews has continued to be outspoken at the meetings between his wife and SKDKnickerbocker, a progressive political consulting firm.
An MSNBC spokesperson released a statement saying that Matthews was providing his wife with "the support that any spouse naturally would."
"Chris is straightforward and plainspoken and is committed to being transparent and fair with his viewers," the spokesperson said. "If his wife decides to run for office, he will fully disclose his relationship with her if she is ever mentioned either by him or a guest on his show, as he already has."
In the Al Sharpton era of MSNBC, it's almost cute that Matthews thinks his boss Phil Griffin has any rules of over-involvement in politics.
Matthews told Hardball viewers in March about his wife's probable bid, after a report by Politico. He said his wife had decided "to take a serious look" at running for the House seat being vacated by Democratic Senate hopeful Chris Van Hollen, and that he was addressing the issue on air because “it’s important in my position here to be as transparent as possible with you, our loyal viewers.”
“Kathleen decided she is going to take a serious look at running for the United States Congress from where we live in Maryland…Our local congressman, a very good guy, by the way, just announced he is running for the U.S. Senate, and this development is all unfolding quickly.”
Kathleen Matthews was head of global communications and public affairs for nine years at Marriott International. On Wednesday, she announced her resignation in a letter to Marriott executives, stating that she was leaving "to seek a challenging new role in public service.”
Before joining Marriott, Matthews was a reporter and anchor for 25 years at WJLA-7, the ABC affiliate in DC.
