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

[horsey]

I don't think Pennsylvania is ready for a squirely senator in the form of Matthews. If his dad hadn't got him the msnbc gig he'd be a nobody.

[Jessdc]

Just what we need, another gaseous windbag listening to himself talk in the Senate (and sexist to boot). The democrats have a good opportunity in PA and hopefully will nominate a credible candidate. PA, please don't make the same mistake as MN. If the dems there had nominated a serious candidate, they'd have beat Coleman by 10 points.

[HoraceOvidson]

How can a guy who plays hardball expect to make any headway with the soft, cuddly folks of PA?

[horsey]

he'll compliment and fawn all over them just like they were a guest on his show.

[Greggo]

HA!

[swanie]

Run - Chris - run ! !

That would get you and your high opinion of yourself and your sometimes convoluted positions and comments would NOT be on TV!

You would NOT be on MSNBC, NBC, or PBS. That really would be great for many of us.
.

[dissanayake]

Run off Dearie, we are pretty darn tired of hearing you answering the very questions that you ask your guests, without giving them a chance to respond. ! Loud and boorish man.This narcisist is best suited to politics, where he is sure to learn a lesson from the voters. No one wants to see thier sanatorial representative dribbling saliva from the side of his mouth...ew­www...get him outta MSNBC

[racom]

Totally agree.

[littlepuffycloud]

All he likes to do is hear himself talk...not a good quality for a Senator.

[mcarmaniac]

of course he should run. he's on tv,isnt he? that means he knows how to govern. you cant sit in front of a camera and babble inane, neverending questions and not know how to lead a nation out of crisis and return her to glory. you cant underestimate the ability to bludgeon a segue as it relates to political acuity. lets face it, ham-handed times call for a ham-handed leader and i truly believe we have found our man.

[jonolennon]

I think if Chris runs as a pro-government conservative, he can win this thing. He just needs to remember that less is sometimes better than more. Translation; make your point and shut up.

[RedWhiteandBlueState]

Matthews is all right, but Senate material? I think not. Every time he speaks it will be an unintentional fillibuster. They'll have to put rubber sheeting on the floor of the senate so people don't slip after he speaks. He's fine where he is. Leave the public servant positions to public servants.

[bikerdude]

Just what Washington needs, another massive ego...Alth­ough anyone (just about) would be better than Specter...

[cindyfromfalls]

i will be proud to donate to his campaign

[kissmygrits]

How about Patrick Murphy to run against him, or a qualified female candidate? The clipreel of this guy's sexism is seriously too much.

[Witchitalineman]

Please, please Matthews run. At least it will get you off tv.

[Americano]

I believe the guy's got what it takes to lead.

[bikerdude]

Yeah, you want to be led off a cliff. He's full of enthusiasm, but lacking severely inany leadership qualities. He just comes off as sophomoric to me.

[OtayPanky]

If he's nominated, expect a replay of Franken/Coleman in Minnesota.

Coleman was supposedly one of the most vulnerable repub senators in a state that routinely elects dems, but it looks like he's going to squeak through, in a year when the dems have swept.

Why is that?

Because Franken has made his living as an acid tongued lefty political commentator after his early stint on SNL. There's nothing wrong with that, per se - but it doesn't translate well into a public perception of someone who has the persona of a senators.

Matthews has made his career by being loud and brash, and often acting a bit buffoonish even though he's sharp and even insightful. There are lots of pass the popcorn moments - and he doesn't let us forget them. Just last week he played the Zell Miller bit AGAIN, for the 533rd time. And that laugh! It's such a donkey bray that KO borrowed it and uses it for ODDBALL.

And then there's Matthews undeniable anti-Hillary bias (which I happen to share). Just how many of those aging blue collar women in PA do you think are going to turn out for him, anyway?

Someone like former Admiral Joe Sestak would have a really good shot at winning back that seat for the Dems. I've seen him on TV, arguing for both policy and politics as a Hillary surrogate and then an Obama surrogate after the nomination. He is as smooth as Matthews is rough.

[2dogwoman]

Chris Matthews has become a pain in the butt lately, when he shows up at all. His lust to show videos of himself on other TV shows is embarrassing, and someone should tell him flying spittle might not be welcomed in Congress.

He constantly interrupts his guests before they finish their thoughts; he twists what they just said into what he wanted them to say; and he's loud and brash.

If we've sunk that low in Washington, then fine, let him in.

Spector's no prize either. If you've seen the Anita Hill-Clarence Page hearings on YouTube, then you know he's certainly not above humiliating women.

Have we just elected a classy and smart president, only to supply Congress with more gasbags like Matthews?

[lioness39]

I wish Matthews well if he runs for the Senate but will miss him sorely on Hardball. No one can really fill his shoes at MSNBC unless Olbermann will change his format to one of an interviewer. Olbermann would be tough in the Hardball slot.