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

[PKSSK]

This is why Matthews and Olbermann carry the ratings of their hour. It is called truth to power!!!!! No propaganda, although Chris does need to work on his listening skills, just honest insight that all of us may not always agree with, but it is their honest view of the situation at the time.

[SenhorTambor]

It's hard for me to watch Matthews. In the sense of tough, aggressive reporters being "pit bulls " and lame ones being "lap dogs", Chris is the dumb dog you can fool into chasing a tennis ball into traffic. Loud, clumsy, and only amusing for a short period of time. Hey Chris, remember telling us how drivers licenses for illegals was going to be the defining issue on the campaign? I loved his interview on The Daily Show. Stewart owned him, and you could see on Matthews' face that he expected a different reception. It was priceless.

[Mike4Obama]

Chris is probably one of the only guys on TV I can stand at the moment. KO might be funny but he's a bit over the top. I enjoy watching Chris stick it to people and pin them down with tough questions. He doesn't let guests off the hook very easily. And, he's rootin' for my guy too so that helps also.

[spiderbucket]

New slogan:

"I'm a frickin' American ! What's YOUR problem ?"

[orangepetal]

Nice

[EggsBolinski]

This is why Matthews ratings are in the toilet. He has drunk the kool aid mixed by Olbermann.

[numbnuts]

That kool aid flavor is called the truth!

[BOISATOOL]

Truth, Chirs lost all crediblity when he fell in love. His puppy love crush is sicking. Hey Chris BO is a dude, not Pam Anderson. Pretty wierd!

[PlantGod72]

Sorry, Eggs, but the NeoCon's Koolaid has been replaced with Truth Serum!

You could use a BIG old dose of it!

[orangepetal]

Truth for some Dems and Lies for others. Brazile said something about not throwing the baby out with the bathwater......

[orangepetal]

He helped divide the Democratic party, well what can you do, he definetely had alot of company.

[LABC]

Thank God...it's Tuesday and somebody with imagination finally used the "kool-aid" word. Whew!!!

[bar1ed]

he worked in politics, now works in the MSM, and the speculation is that he may in politics again, when will Mr. Matthews get a real job?

[DickTater]

Yeah, LeChimp gave him a thrill up his leg a few times too. Grain 'o' Salt.

[rasthedestroyer]

Watcha trying to say, sillyboy.... Monkey see, Monkey do??

[luvangelHussein330]

If your taking our side then Chris you 've got allot of un asked questions of McKeatingFive

[amosduncan]

Yeah, he did a great job for America back in 99, when he licked the
bathroom floor to get George Bush elected. But.... Jack Welsh made
him a multi-millionare for it.

[America2011]

The headline to this is misleading and dishonest. I am starting to think this blog is being intentionally dishonest about people they deplore. Matthews was being honest and sometimes he can be ridiculous, but the man really does love this country and he will have a voice long after MSNBC. I can just see him working for Fox News and everybody at MSNBC getting all up in arms about it. Hannity and Matthews lol...

[BOISATOOL]

Chris only knows he's in love, that thing tingling up his leg made me stop watching him. Pretty creepy, the man is just plain weird of sick.

[jeffp26]

That speech was the best thing that has happened in this entire campaign, with the possible equal exception of the Iraqis asking us to leave.

[zizyphus]

Why would the word fricking have to get asterisks in the middle of it? What sort of severe damage might result from a sentient human seeing that word spelled out? WTF?JFC!

[indyleftist]

Its so irritating that the right wingers get away with claiming the media is left wing.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe there are any talk show hosts specifically hired to do a left of center opinion show. You have to remember Olbermann (the only left of center host on corporate TV) was hired as a broadcaster and his show sort of naturally developed into opinion, as opposed to the countless people who were hired specifically to do right wing talk shows. So the contrast is Keith Olbermann VS. O'rielly, Beck, Scarborough, Carlson, Ingram, Cavuto ect.
Rachel Maddow if she gets signed will be the first person hired specifically to host of left of center talk show. And if you think Olbermann and Maddow represent anywhere near a hard left you are mistaken.

[shag11]

If his mouth was watering when he said that, his homoerotic side was on full display. How this clown every got a show is beyond me. He's like one of those drunks a bar, who sidles-up next to you, and makes you sorry you entered the joint.

[sf101]

He may still be an American. But he's also a f*****'n egotistical nutcase who hasn't been told by his crack showbiz management team that he sucks.

[Lazycrockett]

This Just In MSNBC Is In The Tank For OBAMA........Duh!