Matthews: Obama's Speech 'Like a Fox Commercial' - 'Fair and Balanced...Over and Over Again'

MSNBC's Chris Matthews appears to have a serious case of Fox News envy.

In a special installment of "The Last Word" following Barack Obama's debt ceiling address to the nation Monday, the "Hardball" host said, "I thought the President used a couple of words we’re familiar with: 'Fair and balanced.' It was like a Fox commercial" (video follows with transcript and commentary):

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL, HOST: Chris, you’re reaction to first the President’s speech.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Well, I thought the President used a couple of words we’re familiar with: “Fair and balanced.” It was like a Fox commercial there. I thought that was interesting. Fair then balanced then fair again then balanced again, over and over again to make a case for his position.

For the record, Obama said the word "fair" three times, and "balanced" seven times, but never in the same sentence.

Is Matthews now so fixated on Fox that any use of those words - no matter how separated - makes him uncomfortable?

I wonder what the going rate is for curing Foxphobia.