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

[hoopesaz]

Huge fan of Mathews!

[BobEvansZombie]

Matthews, as confused, loud, and obnoxious as he can be sometimes, I like him. He does have an opinion on the right side of things (against the war and neo-con policy) that has earned my respect.

While he has his moments of behaving like a tool, he does have his good moments too.

[OneOleMan]

It is true he is loud and obnoxious much of the time and there are many times when watching him I just yell at the TV set for him to "Shut Up" :-). By the same token he can be a real Pit Bull when a guest refuses to give the answer Chris is looking for.

[NYed]

I think Matthews does a great job. He's not a robot and his show occasionally gives me a thrill up my leg!

[Crake]

Cue the countdown to Republicans calling for the 'fairness doctrine' like the filthy little hypocrites they are.

[hoopesaz]

Right...democrats aren't hypocrates. Never. (SARCASM)

[spartacus275]

Yes - dems can and many times are hypocritical, but repubs are just so much more blatant with their hypocrisy. Just look at recent statements by Bushit & McCain.

[ShanniC]

Well most Democrats that I know can spell correctly, and are most certainly not hypocrites!

[sonnysj76]

Well said Chris.... Though I am a huge KO fan, I enjoy watching your show also!

[tricia8114]

Chis the reason I watch you every day (sometimes twice a day I must admit) is because of your genuine honest opinon I do not agree with every thing you say but I do learn something every time I watch.