Specter V. Matthews: Potential Matchup Polled

It's no wonder that Chris Matthews is making bold vows about wanting "to do everything I can to make [the Obama] Presidency work." As it turns out, preliminary polls indicate that Matthews is going to be in need of some of that "Barack bounce," if he wants to fulfill his longstanding dream of being elected to the United States Senate on the basis of his tireless protestations that he is the only person in America who truly understands the working class. According to a new poll from Public Policy Polling, Matthews has barely a pulse in a projected matchup with incumbent Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, trailing him 40-27%.

Of course, forty percent is really no great shakes for an incumbent who could end up getting targeted from the right for bruising primary battle similar to the one he endured in 2004. But as terrifying as it is to consider the prospect of Chris Matthews serving in the United States Senate, I'm sort of dying to see these two in a debate. Given Matthews propensity for recalling picayune moments of governmental history and Specter's well-versed expertise in citing intensely obscure legal precedent, it would likely be the Death Race 2000 of political trivia contests.

Comments

[VikingQuest]

He should move to Minnesota, we are taken by D-Linst celebs that don't live here but come to run for government. We'll elect him for a term and realize that he is a disaster.

[DrFrescas]

I'd donate to Chris' campaign.

[DeeW]

I like Chris because he's so passionate about politics. You can tell he really loves it. Sure he puts his foot in his mouth ... a lot sometimes, but I still enjoy watching him. He's also very knowledgable and I enjoy when he smacks down someone who's on his show just giving talking points, that's always worth watching.

[VikingQuest]

Putting your foot in your mouth obviously doen't matter in PA where he would be running. Murtha called the troops killers, his people racists & rednecks.

[Topsailsman]

You mean telling the truth isn't a detriment in Pennsylvania?

[libratine]

I love Chris Mathews!!! He can weave smart, brash and funny all at the same time. I think he is very well suited for political interviews and commentary and should stay right smack where he is - on Hardball - my MSNBC fave (I love Maddow too - but she is just too d@mned good to be reinventing the wheel - and IMO they should loose Kent Jones).

[DeniseD]

Chris is a joke. Even my 16 year old daughter thinks he is annoying. But then again, he won't be representing our state.

[VikingQuest]

He is less of a joke than Murtha IMO.

[tallcoolone47]

matthews would make a good dog catcher and thats about it end of story.

[data23]

HA! Fair enough!

[Christober]

thank you for that wonderful strawman argument on the negative aspects of Chris Matthews. As an Obama supporter, I hope that folks like you understand that the easiest way we can blow this whole thing is to mindlessly assume that 52% of the popular vote is a clear mandate to engage in hard left policies. Bush did the same thing after 2004. He basically succeeded in alienating the moderates who decide elections. It's majority rule with respect to minority rights. This concept that you are seemingly pushing in which you take Obama's victory and roll it around in front of everyone as if it is a license to do whatever you want is going to do nothing but put us int he same place the Republicans are now in. So look, while Matthews may not be Dennis Kucinich (as I guess you wish him to be) you must understand that just because he doesn't resemble Castro he still is a bright and capable person who would likely make a great senator. He is center left, moderately liberal, an old time Democrat. People like that are who gave Obama the election Einstein. If you want to see the American people reject the Democratic Party, go ahead and push for far left leaders and policies. Wait and see what happens if Obama doesn't govern more towards the center.

[jayded]

I don't get why the HuffPo community doesn't like Matthews....I think he's friggin great...

[DeeW]

Yeah, I like him too.

[apoyo]

And they call Joe Biden a gaffe machine.

[antaeus]

Any state that would vote for Santorum, twice, is a state that . . . well, I don't know how to finish that sentence.

[pons1595]

I live in PA. Chris, run. I'll vote for you.

[dRwOOD]

Same here

[SCG]

God help us.

[white mende man]

Chris matthews is is no democrat he is another Joe Lieberman

[ChicagoDMT]

Worse. He's an adolescent version of Lieberman. He has no impulse control. When it comes to women, he behaves as though he's still in 6th grade health class. He's easily swayed by those he wishes to curry favor with and is on a perpetual search for outside validation. He rarely has anything of import to add to a discussion, yet that doesn't stop him from repeating his flea size ideas ad nauseam.

To repeat SCG, God help us.

[racom]

Agreed, but if he went to the senate then they would have to put up with him and the good news, we wouldn't! Expand Maddows show to 2 hours.

[timm0]

Rendell will run for Senate. Bank on that. No matter what you like or don't like about Matthews, Rendell's got a lock on [what's left of] the good-ole-boy network in the PA Dem "machine" and that will make it tough on Matthews to get a solid team on the ground.

As a registered Dem in PA, if I had to chose between Rendell and Matthews, I'd pick Matthews. If I had to pick between Matthews and Hoeffel, Schwartz, or some others unmentioned names, I won't be going for Matthews.

As others have said, he's instantly fronting his Rep. opponent a treasure trove of on-air snippets that will be used to turn off voters and suppress turnout. Also, on his show, he argues and tail-guns. That excites the more devoted Republicans, but turns off most everyone else to some degree.

Besides, someone who shouts down others isn't what is needed so much in Congress. Convictions and progressive ideas that solve problems are needed - and hosting a TV show isn't exactly a resume that supports those needs.