Chris Matthews Senate Run Speculation Fueled By Meeting With Pennsylvania Democrats

Los Angeles Times:

The Northeast's dwindling cast of Senate Republicans has Democrats circling Arlen Specter's seat in Pennsylvania, convinced the party is well-positioned to make a competitive race out of the 2010 election.

Leading the pack of prospects -- at least in celebrity -- is Chris Matthews, the MSNBC "Hardball" host and a former Capitol Hill Democratic staffer. The Philadelphia native has been toying with a run for months, and this week he sat down with state Democrats to discuss the prospect of taking on the five-term GOP senator.

Others considered in the mix include Rep. Joe Sestak, who is sitting on $3 million in campaign funds; state Rep. Josh Shapiro; and U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, a two-term Philadelphia area lawmaker who has moved up quickly on the Hill and has a Rolodex full of prospective donors from her unsuccessful 2000 Senate run. "We'll see," she said about a repeat bid.

"There are a lot of compelling reasons why serious Democrats would aspire to run in 2010," said Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney, who said Matthews had been in Pennsylvania Monday meeting with other Democratic leaders.

Read the whole story: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[EmberOfTruth]

I thoroughly welcome a run for senate by Mr. Mathews. Do I agree with his political views? No. Do I think he'd make a good Senator? Not particularly. So why do I think he should run? Simple...

We have listened for decades as pundits have pontificated at great length about what they would do if in office... so it'd be good for one to actually step up to the plate for a change. How many offices have Rush Limbaugh or Michael "Weiner" Savage ran for? Hmm?

[Thefamilyvan]

Most any legitimate Democrat would be better than Specter. He's been in too long and needs to go.......

[robjh1]

Let him run and I will watch he media rip him a new one. I would love for him to run and I would blog all day against him. I would call him out for what he really is an egostical, self-righteous bore!

[blueman1]

Hey Dems let's see how you answer this question. A) Chris Matthews fake Democrat or B) Any real Democrat. I can answer that says Harry Reid. The answers is A. Dems now you know your problem.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

Somehow, I don't think his fellow Senators would put up with his constant interruptions and spittle.....

[cicibean]

I always read the posts on msnbc news & I think some of the criticism on Chris Matthews is harsh. He seems to me to be pretty smart; although he NEVER shuts his mouth ( maybe that WOULD make him a good Senator). I just think he should have started at an earlier age. He made his impression on most people through his show & he has DEFINITELY made some HUGE mistakes ( especially regarding women, in my opinion). But he seems sincere & I don't think anyone could say he doesn't know how Washington works. So, although I won't vote for him because he irritates me, I think he probably has a good heart & wants his shot at Washington. So go ahead Chris- Happy Thanksgiving!

[UnstuckInTime]

And there are still those (especially here in the land of huff & puff) that think he was fair & balanced during the recent election coverage. If if walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and has a tingling feeling running up its leg....

[loveobamas]

HA!

[Jacqattack]

Spot on!

[Mahi Joe]

He would be up on groping charges before his campaign ever got off the ground.

[GeorgeKaplan]

More info...

[adamsmith3]

Only in the mind of Chris Matthews is Chris Matthews a legitimate U.S. senate candidate.

[timetorevolt]

Chris can't be trusted. He voted for Bush in 2000. Not sure if he repeated in 2004 but voting for Bush the first time should disqualify him

[racom]

What a freakin joke. Matthews knows nothing about politics except how to fillibuster. He does it on his show all the time. You never know what position he will take on any issue, all over the map. Repuglicans may ask Specter to throw the race, Chris will help them more than Arlen.

[Myshkin57]

He was a speechwriter for Carter, so I'm not sure he's quite as unknowledgeable as you say.

[horsey]

Matthews would be better placed by being a water boy at Penn state. he could get plenty of yelling in and be useful at the same time. Maybe psych class could help him with his inferority complex as well.

[toocoldout]

Chris is far too intelligent to be a politician. Keep him as a talk show host where his quick thinking can be put to use. MSNBC would not be the same without him.

[eden4barack08]

First, I say he has no chance of winning. But in the event PA should be so crazy, which I doubt, then he would make a really, really lousy politician. So, don't do it!