Be thankful: chris matthews denies running for the senate

We've been trying to ignore the rumors that went public last week when FiveThirtyEight.com reported that bottle-blonde blabbermouth Chris Matthews was staffing up to run for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania! (whatever's the opposite of a thrill running up or down our leg? we're feeling it).

Moderate Republican Arlen Specter's seat could be either vulnerable or open, he'll be 80 in 2010 when it comes up.

Matthews is now denying the rumor, but he started it last Spring by telling Stephan Colbert he was interested. We're shaking our heads in relief, even though if he does run-- win or lose -- it'd probably mean we'd hear less of him than we do in his present role as MSNBC commentator.

He's an avuncular blowhard who can't shut up about his hugely fascinating life, and all the movie plots he's memorized. Actually we can see him holding forth in the well of the Senate -- maybe moving to CSPAN would be best.

Don't quote us, but setting all our prejudices aside: Matthews in the Senate could become the right's best argument against the progressive sea-change.

Though part of the Washington commentariat, and an influential one at that, he fancies himself blue of the collar. As O'Reilly, and other class guilt-ridden boomers he romanticizes and parrots the hardhats, all the while chompin' the arugula with the rest of us working elites.

We have screamed at the teevee machine more at Matthews over the years than almost anyone else. "SHUT-UP FOR CHRISSAKES!, we yell lamely as he blims and blathers over the voice of the interesting big-name guest he's sucked into his verbicidal vortex.

As Mark Leibovich in a juicy New York Times Magazine piece in April so succinctly put it: "Whenever Chris Matthews says something he likes, which happens a lot, he repeats it often and at volumes suggesting a speaker who feels insufficiently listened to at times."

We expect that from Hannity; are resolved to it from Billo; but Matthews has the Washington juice to get way more influential and relevant guests than either of the Fox News biggies.

So why can't he stop talking long enough to let them speak?

Leibovich's profile was embarrassing, and devastating to the self-doubting Matthews who's Irish, and wears his heart on his sleeve -- which isn't always pretty, or romantic. Like the furious attacks at Hillary Clinton (MSNBC suits forced him to make an apology directly to her), the thrill running up his leg, the way he spits on himself when he gets excited, and his palpable passion for the sound of his own voice.

His getting out of teevee would certainly help the next generation to move up at MSNBC. There's Chuck Todd, Rachel Maddow, and David Gregory, all of whom could gain by getting Tweetie out of the way.

It could save him the embarrassment of being fired or moved by NBC as his contract comes up in 2009. Leibovitz: "NBC officials seem bent on conveying the message that they could get the same ratings, or better ones, for considerably less" than the $5 million a year he gets now.

Running for the Senate as preemptive face-saving? Hell, it's been done for less noble reasons, although we can't think of any right now...

Comments

[joanie]

Now there's a possible Alan Colmes replacement... Hannity vs. Matthews. That could be riveting or revolting.

Not sure which.

[sparky]

No studio in the world large enough to hold those two giant heads....heh.

[PugetSound]

i agree that chris matthews is an asshat but will give a shout out to his book on kennedy/nixon. a great read if you like political history:

any readers out on this blog or do we just listen?to radio

[Fremont]

Plenty o' readers here, Putz, delighting in Bla'Misms such as this gem: "verbicidal vortex"..

Look closely! I have always seen a striking resemblance between Tweety and Bla'M. Tweety would be running as a Democrat, correct?

[YellowPup]

Am I wrong for kind of liking Chris Matthews' show (not "thrill up my leg" liking, of course)?

On some weeknights I catch the full MSNBC line-up of Matthews, Olbermann, and Maddow and kind of go into a trance by the end of the evening.

[Ryan]

Of course he has to deny it. He can't be a candidate and be on teevee at the same time.

Perhaps he'll pull a Frankin and "have something to announce during his last show"

[howie in seattle]

I am part of the movement to make Ari Melber the next MSNBC host, before or after Tweety leaves, whichever comes first.

[KS]

I agree with the headline and will leave it at that.