Chris Matthews Tells Staff: I'm Not Running For Senate

WASHINGTON — MSNBC political commentator Chris Matthews has told his colleagues he won't be leaving television to run for a U.S. Senate seat from Pennsylvania.

MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines says Matthews told the staff of his "Hardball" show Wednesday that he's not going to run for the seat against Republican Sen. Arlen Specter in 2010.

There's been speculation that Matthews would challenge Specter, and there have been published reports that Matthews has privately discussed the possibility.

The 63-year-old Matthews is a Philadelphia native. He ran for a northeast Philadelphia congressional seat in 1974 but lost the Democratic primary.

Matthews also has worked as an aide on Capitol Hill.

Comments

[KarateKid]

Dream Deferred?? What on earth is HP talking about? Defer implies he might run in the future, but look at the scenarios. If he runs in PA, it won't be against Casey in 2012; he'd lose. If he ran against Spector in 2016, he'd be 70 years old. The only chance he would have is to run in MD, where he lives. He's just mentally wanking and it is not noteworthy "news".

[MyGuyO]

Thank you, thank you, Mr. Matthews for choosing not to run for senate.
I watch your daily show faithfully at 2pm (summer) and 3pm (fall) and would sadly miss your show if you ever left the MSNBC lineup. Now please tell us you are staying on with your show.

[brocko]

He must have found out most Pennsylvanians think he's a joke!

[mamacat]

Chris Matthews has his moments. Some of his opinions are presented immaturely, but he would still make a better-than-average Senator, I think.

[lighthorseharry]

The editorial policy of the Huffington Post on management of posts by readers is very much like China.

[VikingKing]

Leg tingles or no, he is certainly more qualified than Franken!
http://allanerickson.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/al-frankenstatesman/

[streak of rin tin tin]

No matter what you think of Chris, the Bachman interview ROCKED!

[DonTampa58]

Mr. Matthews could do all the MSM a huge favor by running and getting his clock cleaned. It will get him off MSNBC where he is truly the weakest link. I agree with John Stewart. He is the "Bill-O-The-Clown" of the left.

[birbal]

Chris Matthews is smart, witty, and incredibly knowledgeable across a wide spectrum of political topics. Keith Olbermann is also sharp, but Matthews takes the cake in terms of political insight and wry humor. If you don't get that humor, you don't really have a sense of what he's all about and why he's so popular.
I'm glad he's staying at MSNBC, he can reach a wider audience that way thereby increasing public knowledge of things that really ought to be known and insights that desperately need pointing out. No one bats .1000, so give Chris a little break, you try doing what he does night after night and see how well you fare. The only reason John Stewart roasts Chris Matthews is because he respects him and his outlook on things.

[streak of rin tin tin]

I agree.

[spaghettidinner]

How is Olbermann not more of a Bill-O-The-Clown. I appreciate what Olbermann does, he gives a scolding voice for many people thinking the same thing. However, his show is full of hyperbole and bloviation even if its the kind I like to hear.

[brocko]

Olbermann is a Ted Baxter.

[Grulg]

Oh exactly. Plus Olbermann never, ever has someone on who disagrees w/ him. Sad, really, it's not like he should NEED to have just a pack of sycophants there.

[CarmanK]

Off subject. Has anyone really ever won or received these "free computer" deals for your opinions? I really like Keith Olbermann and would vote in his favor, but I am very skeptical about these online giveaways. Would appreciate any input, I am new to this online stuff.

[DonTampa58]

Run, do now walk away from all those "offers". They are spyware or adware.

[cotati08]

He figured-out the Capitol dome isn't big enough to hold his ego.

[LeftLeaner]

Too bad, I was so hoping someone else would be occupying his time slot on MSNBC.

Well, I guess I'll still not be tuning in.

[RODERICK098]

Not many are. His ratings are almost as low as the right wing flack Tucker Carlson who got canned a couple of months ago. His only strenght I see him doing would be a K TEl commercial. Other than that he should not be on the air masqeraurading as a as a so-called expert.

[Darsan54]

The people of Pennsylvania can sleep easier tonight.

[odan]

Heck, why not? I mean if Frankin can get elected to congress one would have to assume just about anyone can.

[Darsan54]

WTH, George Bush, our favorite underachiever, won Prez seat and he didn't have anywhere near the accomplishments and talent Franken has. Hell, Al has emotionally stability and intellectual accomplishments and wicked talent.

[Witchitalineman]

Does anyone really care if Matthews runs or not. I sure don't.

[oldtimer0872]

Great, now maybe he can team with Billy Mays and become the greatest info-mercial duo ever.