Chris Matthews Jokes About "Thrill Up My Leg" Comment On Leno: "I Report All Senses...I'm A Frickin' American, I Do Have A Reaction To Things"

John McCain may be using it as fodder for his latest campaign ad, but Chris Matthews isn't backing down from his "thrill up my leg" comment. Monday night on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Matthews defended his infamous comment about his visceral reaction to a Barack Obama speech.

"You know, some journalists only report what a guy says and what they hear and what they see," Matthews told Leno. "I report all senses."

Matthews then continued, explaining how inspired he was by Obama's speech about race in America, and explaining that his sense of patriotism compels him to respond emotionally to big stories that affect American life:

"I'd rather be honest and say what I feel than sit there like some kind of statue and say, 'Oh that was noteworthy.' I'm a frickin' American. I do have a reaction to things. And I do react emotionally to my country. I care about this country, I wanna look out for it. It's my job. I'm not just some umpire. I take a side: us. That's who I'm rootin' for."

Watch:

From NBC, 7/21

Comments

[XCITIZEN]

BE WARNED - Chris Matthews is the poster child for what happens to a man when he stays locked in the closet well into his 50s.....

[MJonly]

maybe more of you guys oughta try it

[lizr]

Maybe more of you guys ought to get a life and recognize that part of being American is being free to be yourself.

Maybe you ought to check out the closet, as in lock yourself in :)

[nonconformist2]

I watch Matthews for the guests. Sometimes they are insightful and interesting. Sometimes, not so much. But alas, that is how it is on most politically oriented shows. For those of you who need to be reminded of what's its like when Matthews is right on target and highly entertaining, I invite you to watch this clip of the famous Kevin James "appeasement" smack down. Classic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wSZBTAXRs

[GeoLee]

Good for Matthews! We hear that kind of stuff from the other side all the time.

[4wehttam]

That was definitely a classic. Chris has his great moments, though he's been grating on me lately. I liked his answer to the "thrill up my leg" question from Leno.

[nonconformist2]

As I listened to C.hrissy, I had a feeling going up my leg.......­..........­but alas it was only a spider. I squashed and moved on.

[nonconformist2]

As I listened to C.hrissy, I had a feeling going up my leg.......­..........­but alas it was only a spider. I squashed and moved on.

[nonconformist2]

Okay, folks, I'm not repeating myself b/c I like the sound of my own voice, I'm having trouble with my computer freezing on Huffy and this seems to be the result. Yikes!

[ohiomark]

He's rooting for "us". Yeah right.

As long as the "us" has a "D" after their name or someone named Obama.

He is NOT rooting for McCain

[nonconformist2]

Honey, is ANYONE rooting for Mc-Cain? I'm mean really? Not just the anti-O.bama vote, but is there anyone who actually listens to Mc.Cain and gets EXCITED about what he stands for, about his ideas (if he has any other than more of the same)? Not even the republicans who will vote for any republican, are all that thrilled.

[nonconformist2]

Honey, is ANYONE rooting for Mc-Cain? I'm mean really? Not just the anti-O.bama vote, but is there anyone who actually listens to Mc.Cain and gets EXCITED about what he stands for, about his ideas (if he has any other than more of the same)? Not even the republicans who will vote for any republican, are all that thrilled.

[susane07]

From McC actions this past week, I think Phil Gramm was referring to McC when he spoke of whiners.

McC, move on, stop complaining, you look stupid.

[hank48188]

Matthews has always worked in the Democratic sausage factory.

[lioness99]

I really like MSNBC. My only regret is that I just started watching them during the primaries. I LOVE KEITH, CHRIS, AND DAN.
I'm so sorry that Tim Russert is gone. Miss him much.

[Ides]

Even when I hate what comes out of his mouth, I can't hate the guy for trying.

[RobtBrock]

If he leaves MSNBC he can always find work as a moil.

[danoj]

Yet another hack journalist in the tank for Obama. Honestly, Obama or otherwise these folks should be impartial.

[nonconformist2]

Impartial like you? HA, now that's funny!

[Bilboo]

if Chris Matthews ever gets fired from his TV gig, he might find work as a human weathervane.

[TheAlchemist]

Zeitgeist. Nice call, Mr. Baggins.

[bikerdude]

Tweety Matthews is a self-grandizing, sophomoric embarrassment to legitimate commentators. The only emotion I feel for him is sometimes pity. Better than Glen Beck, but certainly no Olbermann or Maddow.

[frankel1205]

I've been pissed at you, Chris Matthews, but you redeemed yourself on Leno last night.

[americanalien]

Chris Matthews totally redeems himself. Way to go Tweety! :-)

[middlemarch]

i used to choose olberman over chris but now i can't stand the sight of olberman. if maddow wants to be herself, that's great but sometimes watching olberman and maddow is like the left version of fox news. chris has a lot of warts, but if i had to choose a desert island partner, it'd be chris over the other two. why? because he's unpredictable and he makes me laugh and he tees me off and at least i won't be bored on the island.

[Clarabell]

He's apparently good at fooling you.

[EgbertSouse]

Yeah, kinda like fox. Only without the lies, distortions and fake news.

[bascombe]

Leno is a shill.

[bikerdude]

Leno couldn't care less. He does his shtick, gets paid and moves on. A real hard working guy with a great sense of humor.

[GeoLee]

And probably votes republican anyway.

[Ajita]

He supn it, but he spun it well.