Phil Singer: If Chris Matthews Is Running For Senate, He Shouldn't Be On Air

Via Michael Calderone comes the news that Phil Singer, who served as Hillary Clinton's deputy communications director during her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, is up in arms over Chris Matthews, who appears to have one foot in MSNBC and the other, possibly the tingly one, pointed in the direction of a Pennsylvania Senate run against Arlen Specter. Singer's been known to levy his objections at MSNBC without mercy, but really, he sort of has a point! That point being: "If Chris Matthews is seriously considering a run for Arlen Specter's Senate seat, he shouldn't be on the air right now."

Singer expands:

One of the reasons millions of people rely on NBC as a news source is that it's objective and driven by a fidelity to covering the news. So when one of the network's most visible anchors is reported to be exploring a run for elected office, the network has an obligation to remove that person from its airwaves. At the very least, it must disclose any and all deliberations and actions being taken by that person to explore a run.

Of course, one could split hairs: as the host of Hardball, Matthews is probably more of an opinion-meister/pundit wrangler than he is an "anchor" in the Brian Williams/Katie Couric mode. And one could extend the same sort of criticism to, say, Mike Huckabee, who could redevelop designs on another presidential run and use his eponymous cable news show as a platform to subtly advance those ambitions. (And let's throw in the potential multi-platform threat of Sarah Palin becoming the Oprah of Wasilla.)

Nevertheless, Matthews has been coy to the point of misleading as to his intentions. According to reports, Matthews is sending trial balloons aloft. Generally, it's the formation of an exploratory committee that signals the official intent to run for office, but Singer, having repped Clinton, is probably well aware of how much ripple can be created by prolonging the toe-in-the-water stage.

Singer enumerates some specific objections, of which this one strikes me as the most consequential:

How does NBC make coverage decisions involving the people in the PA primary? If the bookers turn down a Specter pitch to be on "Meet the Press," the network (fairly or unfairly) will be vulnerable to charges that it is protecting one of its own. If Specter gets on NBC's air, the other Democrats thinking about a run will rightly say they want equal time. And then there's the fact that Matthews himself is on the air for large chunks of the day.

Of course, another question of Singer's stood out to me as well: "How could he do an interview with Ed Rendell?" Maybe Singer should take a peek at some of Matthews' interviews with Rendell from over the past year! They are highlighted by a lot of gooey ass-kissing and unending mythologizing of Matthews' working-class cred. While there's no conclusive proof in any of these exchanges that he's serious about making a run for the Senate, it sure seems like he's desperate for Pennsylvania's affection.

Comments

[standard]

Matthews should go off the air only after North, Buchanan, and Huckabee do.

You willing to make that trade, Radical Right?

[RobinSeattle]

And nobody says a word about Mike Huckabee having a show on Fox while it is obvious he will run for president in 2012. Again, the MSM has it in for MSNBC because Rachel and Keith have shown it as asleep at the switch while it is more than willing to enable anything Faux Nooz does.

[dejayel]

The key word or phrase is " IF" Chris Matthews runs for the Senate, he should be taken off the air. IF, if, if and then when, when, when.

[jade7243]

When Chris Matthews announces -- or files the necessary paperwork for the candidacy -- then he should be asked to take a leave of absence. Until then, he -- like all of us -- is well within his rights to ponder the possibility of running for elected office. When he makes the definitive move, definitive action should be taken.

In the meantime, MSNBC can amuse us ("I'm funny? Funny, how? Ha-ha funny? Do I amuse youse?") by firing Joe Scarborough and Pat Buchanan and a few others along the way.

[admiralj]

Singer is still smarting over having his ass handed to him on a platter. His problem was that he backed the wrong horse. He is just trying to make sure that in 2010 & 2012 he can find clients for his press relations business. Yes, Chris bad mouthed your client and did her no favors in shinning a positive light on her campaign. Hillary's problem was that she was not the right candidate at the right time. Period. The American people felt that we were above being a "Pakistan" or other 3rd world country that is run by a small number of families, Bush, Clinton, Bush....and another Clinton? No way, No how.

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

LOL......in reference to chris' leg-> "the tingly one".....LOL!!!!!

[TexasDem0]

The other two do not tingle.

[RiggsMD]

I like Chris but I agree, kinda like free and bias press.

[yoli647]

Great, well said!! MSNBC should get rid of Pat, Joe and Mika!!

[inluvwkeitholbermann]

and joe!

(repeated for emphasis)

[Clayton139]

I like no wavering of the questions Chris Matthews... I will miss him if he goes...!!!

I agree, get RID of JOE, Pat and Mika...!!! Though; they do show the ignorance of the Republicans and there outdated ideology…!!!

[Sloan48]

and joe!

(repeated AGAIN for EVEN MORE emphasis)

[sheikwil4]

Especially Joe and Pat, Mika is just a side kick, monkey see monkey do. She has lost her credibility with me. This is Why Rachael Maddow has her own show and Mika is just Joe Scarbrough's butt kisser.

[blood1]

OKAY, the is LOL funny. All this speculation based on a hearsay statement. We have yet to get Obama into office and we are already speculating about the 2010 election. Are all of you complaining from PA in ASpector's district?

Can you imagine all the negative ads...what Arlen said, what Chris said.

I am over it until he announces...as I have gone on job interviews while I still had a job with someone else!

Oh me!

[KOB1]

My deepest and profound gratitude to Phil Singer for his tirless efforts in vigilantly promoting journalistic purity. Without him I would quickly forget that MSNBC is the left's answer to the right's Fox News and that practically the entire roster of both news operations - and the term is used advisedly -- have a political/philosophical axe to grind. So be it. When I want balance and nailed-down, confirmed accuracy combined with informed and truly knowledgeble analysis and assessment, there's Mr. Lehrer and folks at the NewsHour, as well as CSPAN and, on occasion, the real networks. When I want provocation and even entertainment, then I know I can rely on the Mathews, Olbermans, Madows, Hannitys, O'Reillys and their cohorts of Cable Never Never Land. I think we're all adults out here and can pretty much figure out the difference.

And who is Phil Singer again?

[Gabrielle]

Good post.

[Invox]

I'm actually amazed that folks EXPECT unbiased reporting from FOX and MSNBC. It's as plain as your nose on my face that they have agendas and biases. Don't go there if you're looking for objective reporting.

[freaktown]

tweety bird isnt running for senate. he'd make a lousy candidate what with all thestupid things he's said over the years (and its all on tape too!)...

you people need to find something else to waste your time on.

[adey]

Stupid things said on tape....and yet who are the repubs pushing for their "new face?"

[stanjz]

You have right wing attack dogs all across the media. I'm talking people who spread lies and hatred and now we get a hint of someone on MSNBC who his thinking of running for Democratic office and they want to boot him out as quick as they can. How about booting Hannity, O'Reilly, Dobbs, and Limbaugh off the air.

It's amazing how the corporate media wants to hold itself to higher standards when it comes to the Democratic Party, but anything goes when it comes to favoritism toward the Republican Party.

[FarRightDemocrat]

Thank you!
Imagine what Chris Matthews would have to say about someone who tried to pull this stunt and who wasn't named Chris Matthews!
FarRightDemocrat.blogspot.com

[PollyTics]

Matthews has ALWAYS kissed Rendell's heinie, so this is nothing new, however I do remember Rendell (a big time Hillary supporter) saying during the Primary, that Chris might not have his support when it came time for him to run for political office. Chris has been fooling with the idea of a run for awhile now and his comments (attacks?) on Hillary during the Primary season might become fodder for political retribution.

All in all, I do see the point of taking him offair, but I think part of this run for office might be fueled by MSNBC's refusal to renew Chris's contract. Of this I'm not sure, but it has been part of a whisper campaign for the last few months.

[FranktheDem]

I think that it has been more than a whisper campaign regarding Chris Matthew's being given the hook from MSNBC. IMO Chris will be gone, shortly, so he very well may run for Spector's seat. It will be interesting to see hardballs being tossed back at him! If he can receive as well as dish it out, he may be successful.

[PollyTics]

Yes it will be interesting to see how he reacts to other people's opinions about him. You know, in the last week or so I have also noticed a difference in how Chris speaks to his guests, ie: he seems much more partisan and is speaking now as a Democrat every now and then. Frankly, I find it funny.

We will see how well he does against Specter, and for all we know, Arlen might not even win the Primary. Remember last run? He was challenged by the Right.

[Roko]

If.