Chris Matthews Contemplates Quitting MSNBC... UPDATE: Contract Talks Have Reportedly Begun

Update 12/08: Matthews' Brother Says He Will Probably Stay At MSNBC

Jim Matthews bolsters reports that his MSNBC host brother Chris won't be running for Senate:

[Chris Matthews] flirtation with a Senate run has drawn speculation that he is using the possibility of a run for office as a negotiating tool with MSNBC. Matthews' contract is up in June.

Jim Matthews, a Republican Montgomery County commissioner, said he doubts that's the case.

"It is nonsense," he said. "He likes what he does so much he'd do it for a million a year."

...

Matthews said he doubts his brother will give up his TV gig for a chance at the Senate, though.

"I think he is perhaps leaning towards what he does best," Jim Matthews said. "He has expressed that every time we talk."

He added: "He's still got the fire. He's still got the flair."

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Update 12/07: Matthews Expected To Stay At MSNBC

The Politico reports that sources expect Chris Matthews to sign a new long-term contract with MSNBC, suggesting he won't run for Senate in Pennsylvania.

Update 2:00 pm

Over at Talking Points Memo, the Pennsylvania Democrats have confirmed that Matthews has talked to them about a Senate run, and say that he could win.

"It's in its infancy right now," [Pennsylvania Democratic Party Communications Director Abe] Amoros said. "He's just talking to people. Conversations are going on, obviously. We will know whether or not he's a serious candidate some time early next year."

So could Matthews win? "Sure," Amoros said. "It'll be a dogfight, but every campaign is a dogfight."

***

via Politico:

NBC colleagues, political operatives and friends say Chris Matthews is seriously considering a Senate bid in 2010.

Chris Matthews is dead serious about running for the Senate in Pennsylvania - and shopping for a house in the state and privately discussing quitting MSNBC as proof of his intense interest, according to NBC colleagues, political operatives and friends.

Even so, some NBC insiders think it's all simply a negotiating ploy to jack up his contract.

The garrulous host of the show "Hardball with Chris Matthews" has already picked out a home in Philadelphia to establish residency in the state, according to a Democratic operative in discussions with him about a potential candidacy. Over Thanksgiving weekend, at his vacation house in Nantucket, Matthews' family gave him their full backing.

Previously:

Chris Matthews Senate Run Speculation Fueled By Meeting With Pennsylvania Democrats

::and::

Chris Matthews Admits: "I'm Partial" For Barack Obama, "You Got Me!"

Comments

[obamaluv]

Qut you have nothing more to offer.

[yezbats33]

HURRY--please.
See where is was delegated to make public announcements concerning Feb. 17 when all TV's go digital.
Next one to go? Please, Keith Olberman. another loud mouth.

[yezbats33]

Forgot to mention that Keith and his stooge Patrick make an ass of themselves during half times ot football games--or after the game.

He(Keith) needs to find his niche.

It ain't politics.

[Untitled]

Eh... he may be an interesting media personality, but how good could he be as a Senator?

Wouldn't it be funny to watch this guy go "Ha!" during a legislative meeting?

[Pumpski]

I think Mathews is seeing the light. He is realizing that Olbermann's politics is the sensible one. I am sure watches his show and say's to himself. Yes you are right Keith I will try and be more like you. I like your ideology it has the ring of truth to it.

[roseytrebles]

This is pretty fun--Chris Matthews in a minute:

http://www.236.com/video/2008/watch_chris_matthews_interview_10609.php

I like Chris but it's kind of true.

Also, wow--he loves it so much he'd only do it for a mere million a year! You're right--that is love.

[Cherlesq]

With a brother like this who needs enemies. thanks Bro for effing up my contract negotiations. Next time keep your big mouth shut.

[elsieach]

Ai yi yi. David Gregory is too big a wimp and doesn't push hard enough. Rachel is too flippant. Keith is a brat. Chris spits and drools.
Why do you people subject yourself to this tortune? Flip to Fox News! No one there is rude and loud or pressing an agenda. They are all cool, calm and collected. Or there's always public TV news. That should calm your nerves and settle your stomachs as you dose off to sleep.

Come on, these people are paid to do what they do - they are supposed to lean on and talk over guests.

I don't think any of the MSNBC people are saints or the messiah, but (with the exception of Joe who really is a putz), I enjoy their takes on things. Chris Matthews is an incredibly well-informed student of history. I think he brings a greal deal to the news. I also think his greatest tendency to talk-over roars its ugly head when the person being interviewed is talking in circles and talking points and not actually answering what was asked. I find it very entertaining and informative.

[Wiserone]

There are professional pollsters who crunch the numbers as to who is more likely to win political office, but I'd have to believe that folks such as Matthews and others who are eyeing a run in politics truly look at these type of blog's to get a good feel on whether they would have a chance. Case in point: yesterday, the CEO of the failed Merrill Lynch asked for a minimum of $10B in bonus. All day long, on this blog and others I'm sure, folks were speaking out against any such measure, and rightly so. By the time the TV evening news came on, Thain reversed his position because I do believe the pulse of the people were heard here and on other blog's. So, I would assume Matthews and others who are thinking of a run for political office, do monitor these sites and it's changed his thinking somewhat about running, at least for now. No wonder the Republicans were totally in the dark in this last election. They finally have come to realize there is such a thing as 'freedom of speech'.

[StillAmused]

"He's still got the fire. He's still got the flair. He's still got the misfiring synapses and the drool."

[MarieFara]

I like "Hardball" but there are times I wish Chris would just shut up and actually let the guests answer the questions he asked.

[likeicare]

Translation: The numbers for his senatorial candidacy don't look that hot and he can't get a job anywhere else for the bucks he's demanding.

Loud-mouthed vanity gasbags are a dime-a-dozen, Chris.

[jayvee]

Nobody who's spouted as much as Chris Matthews has spouted is electable. I'm not saying everythingh he's said is abhorrent. But, with that much DVR material, the guy couldn't get elected hall monitor. He's clearly trying to leverage MSNBC. I say, cut him loose. Guess where he'd end up. Fair and balanced, in a really crappy time slot. He's the lizard king of TV blabfests. I admit that's an insult to Jim Morrison.

[jayvee]

I'm apretty hard-core lib, and if I had a choice between Matthews and Specter, I'd vote for Specter. One of them has prinicples. The other has a TV show.

[TurkerB]

I typically would tend to suport a Democratic, but in this case would support A. Specter too if I had a choice between the two.

[yezbats33]

Specter? You are kidding, right?
Another bad penny who pops up at the most inopportune time.

[BlackYowe]

I would like him to stay out of the PA race. He is a angry and petty man and would not serve the Democratic party well at all.

[SBlackmun]

Chris Matthews is 1 out of 3 on MSNBC. I hope he doesn't decide to be 1/100 in the Senate. I would miss him!

[VOTER]

Matthews promoted and supported the Swift Boat Vets who attacked Kerry.
Matthews promoted and supporfed BushCo and his War of Choice.
Matthews continue to kiss Tom Delay's bottom with his regular appearances.

Matthews is NOW on-board as a DEM. For the moment...................
He is a loser.

[RODERICK098]

He is probably one of the dumbEst gas bags on TV -excluding the cast and crew of FOX. He is still on fire says the brother-only in a carbon monoxide kind of way.

[GeoLee]

Maybe he discovered that all the Hillary Clinton voters who put Obama ov erthe top in PA still ahve long memories.

[yezbats33]

>>>from Voter
>>>Matthews promoted and supported the Swift Boat Vets who attacked Kerry.
Matthews promoted and supporfed BushCo and his War of Choice.
Matthews continue to kiss Tom Delay's bottom with his regular appearances.

Matthews is NOW on-board as a DEM. For the moment...................
He is a loser.