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

[zakwouldhave]

Fox news fawns over all kinds of cuckoos so big deal if Chris Matthews fawns over a speech (not the candidate) that hopes to touch on race relations. I think the whole race issue is overrated (but I'm a white guy so what do I know) and Obama struck a good balance with the speech. Maybe Chris Matthews should have a device on his leg during the debates to register his fairness.

[DMHendrix]

Sometimes Tweety drives me nuts, but here, in this case, he was endearing and honest.

[aturner18]

he should just join Fox news

[jOke]

whattt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????

[StaggerLee]

I watched also and I was ever so thrilled.

[MissKaren]

I watched it on Leno and was delighted with it.

[booksnmore4you]

I think Matthews is sometimes not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he could not have said this better.

[darker]

Matthews is PROOT that media people are NARCISSISTIC, CRASS DUMB ASSES. It's pathetic.

[Big0725]

Proot?

[jOke]

"PROOT" as in "PROOF"...?? yeah PRETTY PATHETIC.. come on kid..

Obama '08

[northcan]

No way; Mathews is great, and he's honest. I've watched him for decade's, he's a good man with honest feelings. Actually, Many of us around the World feel the same as he. America better get it's act together for Obama, or you'll keep your Bush / McCain decline of America.

War or Health care. War or infrastructure in America rebuilding. War or Hope..... McCain will keep you pinned to the underbelly of his self projected legacy.

[Clarabell]

If you've been watching Matthews for years and you think he is going to try and get Obama ELECTED, you are easily fooled.

[Big0725]

Pinne to the underbelly of his self projected legacy? WTF does that mean?

[hip dibler]

if you've watched him for years then you know he was one of bush's biggest cheerleaders.

he's nothing to be proud of.

[Clarabell]

First time I posted this it didn't make it in -- so I'll try again:

If you have been watching McMatthews for years, you are easily fooled.

[Eric8869]

People got a thrill up their leg with the Bush administration too. Unfortunately it was because they were hanging for hours by their hands with panties on their head.

[Sixtwo]

Right on Chris! As you have experienced time after time, some folks do not like HONESTY, to which you are entitled to speak... You know the old adage: If you don't look like me, think like me and act like me, you are a nobody--my way or the highway.

[obamanation31]

That's how I feel too.

[Diogenis]

Ahhh, so refreshing to hear a man with honest and real emotions and feelings. There's hope for America! Men of America will shed the false "macho" image and be real. After all, anyone, even a child can crush an aluminum beer can..with one hand. Ahh, you think we are gettin away from a problem with sexual identification? Oh, I hope so. I don't know about you, but I am sick of "friggin" pretense! America will heal when it claims it's heart back. We have become an anal Nation, labeling feelings ..as homoerotic, and we are infecting the rest of the world. And, our youth are confused and desperately seeking a healthy identification. And, too many are taking their inner frustrations and insecurities out...on food. We've therefore have become an obese nation. In body and attitude. It's called, an identity crisis. For those of you reading more into what Chris tried to say....I say...it's time you looked at yourself, your attitude, and your insecurities! It's ok, do it.

[AzRealProgressive]

Diogenis the solution to your weight problem could be diet and exercise. Some cardio would help burn calories from beer drinking. Your identification problem can also be helped.

[sleeperd]

Uh, OK Chris...whateer you say...

[Clarabell]

This momentary thrill doesn't fool me any.

[serenegeezer]

I choked on Chrissy identifying himself as a journalist....no thrill up or down my leg just a choking sensation in my trheoat.

[Mauimom]

Yet ANOTHER reason for MSNBC to get rid of this maroon.

[nunzia]

maroon?
What's that, a purple-reddish guy?

[goldnchyl]

like plum colored?

[ynot4tony2]

It's a Bugs Bunny reference.

[Destin]

Hehe, well, interesting to see a journalist admit being moved by the stories they report. Course, that's just human nature, i hope. I think that's fine if they feel affected by a story and all. What I don't want is someone becoming a cheerleader. I don't want one saying "My country, right or wrong", cause that's nationalism, not patriotism. Moreover, they shouldn't be cheerleaders because they are being watched worldwide in most cases. Even if it's a local station in NYC, LA or any city, there are bound to be tourists from other countries watching. And would you want them going home saying "Typical Americans, criticize Al Jazeera and they end up doing the same thing".

[goldnchyl]

it's gotta be tough for Chris in the dog eat dog world of the media. he must feel like jerry mcguire at times.

[Destin]

Running around shouting "Show me the money!!!"?? Maybe he's planning on following in Limpbaugh's and Vannity's footsteps ya think?