Chris Matthews' Senate Decision Process Explained By Chuck Todd

US News & World Report:

NBC White House Correspondent Chuck Todd has a theory on why MSNBC's Hardball host Chris Matthews begged off from running for the Pennsylvania Senate seat held by Republican Arlen Specter. "Because [Chris] had a really good friend of his say to him, 'What are you going to do when you get there?' and he couldn't answer the question and he realized that, and that's why he didn't run," says Todd.

Read the whole story: US News & World Report

Comments

[Seven7s]

Makes me respect Chris Mathews more actually. A lesser person would have ran anyway.

[zendem1]

Chuck Todd's wife is a GOP strategist. Matthews didn't run because nobody would give him any money, and he would have had to resign from MSNBC, and his books don't sell well enough to make up for the lost income.

[solarian]

who would vote for that loud mouth

[Shashi0224]

HA!

[LiberTLover]

Really? I would have thought it was that he seems allergic to research or fact checking and loves to hear the sound of his own voice more than listen to what anyone else has to say.

[GodfatherofSoul]

Hi, I'm the local CM apologist. Say what you want about him, but if he' s anything it's knowledgeable. His knowledge of history and politics is phenomenal and not even closely matched by Keith or Rachel.

[Maxiesid]

Chris Todd? Did I miss something? When did Chris Todd gain any credibility? I haven't seen anything from him that wasn't him toadying up to the GOP manipulators.

[kndam72]

well put, and the real reason hi did not run is becuase he would loose.
1. He would run as a repuibplican
2. he would tunr people off by his voice and manner
3. It's a bit diofferent to be on the recieving end and I fon't think he was going to like that
4. I'm sure he's got skeleton's in his closet

[GodfatherofSoul]

The reason that I heard was he was putting pressure on MSNBC for a new deal when they started openly talking about cutting his pay. Sounds like it worked to me.

Say what you want about CM's style, but he's the most skilled of the MSNBC primetime lineup. KO can't stop fellating Obama and Rachel is still too green. Watching the post-speech comments, Rachel could barely form a coherent comment the Republican "non-State of the Union" response. CM followed her with a clear bulleted list of what Jindal said and why he was full of it.

[IDIOTA]

Todd seems like an opportunist, and he has an "I am SO smart" attitude. His statement about Matthews is damaging. Is Todd throwing down the gauntlet to Matthews?

[LollieDotCom]

I quit watching Chris before the election was over. He's got no focus. Focus Chris, focus on what's really important in the news today. Hey Chris, if you've got no focus of your own, how about just focusing on what the most important politicians of the day are focusing on, what they're deciding that means and what they're deciding to do about it. A little focus would do you a world of good.

And Olbermann, you'd be so much better if you'd dial it back a notch. A little more Obama-like, a little less William Shatner-ish. Don't get me wrong, I love Shatner, but I don't want to get my daily political news from him except when I'm stoned and only then when the sound is muted. Get high, watch your own news show with the sound muted. See? Like that, you're funny. Otherwise, not so much.

Rachel.... if only every person in the news was more like YOU, we'd all watch the news a lot more often. Keep up the good work kid. You've done more to gain the acceptance and approval of old people for all homosexuals than anyone on tv. It brings tears of joy to my eyes when I hear old homophobes singing your praises. You're healthy magic for our world. Thank you.

[kw7777777]

Keith and Rachel aren't cheerleaders like many think either.....they have strong opinions on policy and deal in facts.....wherever those facts lead them. They have different styles but they both care more about specific issues than specific`politicians. They are way smarter than anyone else on cable news.

[Seven7s]

KO need not dail anything back. People always say they are bias but can not name any lie they have told.

They just so happen to have FACTS on their side.

[earlyblue]

Keith and Rachel are the ONLY prime time anchors ANYWHERE who speak the truth to power in a non-partisan. Those that laugh when I say non-partisan has not seen Keith and Rachel hold Democrats accountable as well. Matthews, Scarborough, Todd and Schuster all take up valuable space at MSNBC.
MSNBC has an opportunity here to transform their entire channel to the one of truth and accountability.
Not in our lifetimes, I'm afraid.

[Shashi0224]

I agree with you 100%! I am so thankful to Keith Olbermann for all he did to expose the truth while all the other news "anchors" were carrying the bush water the first 7 years of his 8 year regime. And, with the addition of Rachel in September, it's just great. I thank MSNBC for giving truth an airing!!

[jimrs6]

"truth to power" is a code word that challenges the credibility of those who overuse it.

[watchful123]

Chris is ok...but you can tell he tries sometimes to counteract people making fun of him about obsessing so over Obama...he's starting to play hardball with Obama and sometimes it seems forced and unnecessary.

[eden4barack08]

Funny he never felt the same obligation after being exposed for obsessing and gushing for Bush.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200512230005?f=s_search

[kw7777777]

He has forgot that he covers politicians and has been doing nothing but playing politics with his show....trying to appease his critics. He is a joke! He rails on about how Obama can't communicate(serisously) and how he thinks Tim Gheitner is a boy and a total failure. He's just being a politician...throwing Obama and his administration under the bus because he took so much heat for his tingling leg. Ironic that his show is called Hardball and HE HAS NO BALLS!!!!!!!!!! COWARD!!!!!

[mimigrammy]

Chris Matthews has regressed over the past few years. The truth is, despite him being a Pennsylvania guy, he would have been torn up in a primary and never made it to a general election. Someone reminded him that being a hometown boy is not enough in this age of politics. Just think of all the film footage his opponent would have had to use against him. Chris has said and done some pretty stupid things in recent past.

[texasman5001]

I dont mind Hardball, but he wouldnt have a chance to beat a man like Spector, wouldnt get close,he was a aid to some congress man tip ONeilI think, and Oneil has more that 50+aids that dont make you a politican.Hardball could be better, ratings arent good ,he has good inteviews,but says stupid things often and keeps bragging that he was in politics,will there are 1000,s of aid that are hasbeens dont let that happen yto you,i think you are on tv by string of your teeth .
God bless,jim in Tx

[Malkin71]

Matthews is ok, but everytime I see him I think of how Butters from South Park grew up and got his own cable show.

[schicklett3]

I like Chris Matthews and wish everyone would leave him alone.

[rubinoff]

Chris, slobbers...he'd have to walk around with a bib :( ...i like him, but the drooling gets on my nerves.

[earlyblue]

If you fellas watched Chris Matthews daily, you would notice his startling patterns. That slobbering you refer to, typically, is all over his overglorified republican heroes. He's kind of sneaky because he adds a nice thing to say about a democrat when he must. Believe it or not, he gets the republican daily talking points from the National Committee just like the other more obvious water carrying pundits like Hannity and O'Reilly.

[Tamoomoo]

Or maybe he realized he has a really good gig at MSNBC and shoudn't gamble with everything he's built in the last 15 years.