As rumors of Chris Matthews' senate run become less exaggerated, he's reportedly being advised to quit MSNBC sooner than later. His contract expires next June, but he may step down much earlier.

This is bittersweet. We love the idea of Chris Matthews being a Senator, but only if he can be interviewed on TV by Chris Matthews. Politics just won't be the same if we can't hear Matthews' exasperated bellowing on our TV every night. Who is bloated enough, messy-haired enough, and sufficiently winded enough to take over his show? Finding a replacement for Chris will be tough, but we've come up with some ideas.

Rip Torn

Like Matthews, Rip Torn seems to talk while trying to hold in a burp. And his DUI mugshot proves that his hair can look seriously effed up when caught in the right wind.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Let's see. Extremely bloated? Check. Often pink in the face? Check. Messy, stringy hair? Yup. Seems to be out of breath at all times? If we're getting "Boogie Nights" or "Devil Knows Your Dead" style Hoffman (minus the doggy-style Tomei shots), then Check!

Nick Nolte

Nolte might sound less like he's got gas and more like he's taking a troublesome crap, but both of them have a speech cadence that could only be described as "scary barking." And his DUI pic proves just as much as Torn's that Nolte's hair can do the Matthews dance.

Our Drunk Parents

When our parents get drunk alone, they usually fall kind of quiet. But when the two of them are drunk together, they argue themselves to such a fever pitch they have to take deep breaths to get their next words out. That's vintage Matthews.

An Asthmatic Bulldog

It might not be able to wear a suit jacket, but this is probably the most suitable replacement. Loud, round, barely able to breathe through its mouth. And as a bonus, we're betting most guests wouldn't even notice a difference. Posted by: Bob Powers      I’m a fan of Bob Powers