Marianne Paskowski

Marianne,

You're right about Matthews; he interviews himself on "Hardball" and expects us viewers to marvel at his supposed political sagacity. Now he can put his self-proclaimed prowess to the test going after a Big Fish, a moderate Republican of long standing and great respect on both sides of the aisle. Sounds like a suicide mission--or as you put it, seemingly correct--a negotiating ploy.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

As a self-professed liberal, Matthews stunts have annoyed me for a long time.

I don't think he has a chance, running against Specter, and hence Matthews' well times press leaks.

He's just trying to get a better contract with MSNBC.

Ugh,
mp

Yo, Blondie --

I recall that Chris' much less famous brother failed an attempt to win a congressional seat in Pennsylvania recently. Interesting, perhaps, but it implies little about Chris Matthews's chances.

Seems to me he's a real long shot. In an era where critics carp about Obama's thin experience and Caroline Kennedy's lack of elective office experience, the same will be said about Matthews, primarily with herding talking heads on his resume.

He was a hill-bound operative for some Democrat years ago; but that's ancient history in politics. So I'd expect him to know better about a Senate race--unless he is trying to cut a fatter TV deal. Tell CNBC to hire Mike Barnicle as a full-time replacement for Matthews.

Cruisin not bruisin

Ms. Paskowski,

I've seen this pinko bozo smirk his way through Hardball interviews far too many times. Should call the program goof ball. Somebody, however, should unseat Specter, a liberal posing as a middle-of-the-roader. Too bad a real leader, like Sarah Palin, isn't in the wings in PA. Or bring back Rick Santorum who knows how to keep the left wing locked in its box.

Joe

Cruiser,

So glad to read about what liberals really think of Matthews. I used to love watching him.

Untilhe dove into the deep end of the pool, and I thing he's struggling, hence the media histrionics.

Happy Holidays,
Marianne

Well Joe,
I like Specter, and so should you, he's middle of the road.

We have no idea what the flamer-thrower, Matthews, would do if he were elected.

That's not going to happen, this is just his childish whining temper fits, which I find very annoying.

I used to like this guy, but I don't know what Kool-Ade he's drinking these days. I think it's called narcissism.

Best.....mp

Chris was "normal" sitting outside The Kennedy Center last June talking with various folks in the media/political biz who came by to chat about the late Tim Russert.

That Chris I can get behind. Maybe he avoided caffeine that day.

Whether he stays with The Peacock, or goes headfirst into politics, I hope THAT Chris will re-surface for all time.
Peter Bright

Hi Peter,

Too bad we don't see that side more often. I'm tired of his "all about me" tactics.

Thanks for sharing, m

My wife hates when I sit to watch his show,because I either spend the rest of the night muttering to myself, or start flipping out and screaming at the tv. Invariably she'll say "If you hate the guy so much, why do you bother watching his show"? I guess is the proverbial "car wreck" scenario???

Hi Eddie,

I feel empathy for your wife. My lefty husband watches him too and talks to the TV set and me later.

I am a liberal, but I'm bummed that Matthews got out so out of control, he used to be really, really good.

I hope MSNBC ropes him in a bit if they keep him.

Thanks for your post,
Marianne

I haven't been able to watch any of the talking heads for years. Too much b.s. and not enough real coverage of the issues.

I've met Matthews a few times living in the DC area. The first time was at a law firm on Pennsylvania Avenue hosting an inaugural parade party for Clinton's second term. My wife, son and I met him and his wife Kathleen (a local anchor on DC television) that night. They seemed pretty nice at the time, if not a little tired. I met Matthews again in 2004 as I escorted him to the green room at the J.W. Marriott for a trade association I worked for at the time. He was a speaker for our annual convention.

Tall man.

I still won't watch Hardball...

Hi James,
Maybe Matthews feels the need to compete with Fox, I don't know, but it's getting old. Thanks for telling us about the other, off camera persona....m

Matthew's has no credibility, he is a simple cartoon character, he has dragged MSNBC down to the level of a cheap National Inquirer type of journalism.
He is the type of person you get when management has an agenda.
They put on marginal talent like Matthew's, know he will spout off night after night, not realizing the ridiculous fool he is making of himself to normal educated thinking people.
Fools will hang on his words, thinking that he is intelligent because he is on television, there are plenty of people who think that, the same people who buy As Seen ON TV Products because they believe the products are good, BECAUSE they are on TV. Matthew's is a buffoon, he looks like one and talks like one, he's too stupid to figure out that he is a simple puppet for his management, the left wing of NBC, an organization that also has no credibility in the news department, an organization that is losing money and will eventually implode under it's own
mismanaged executives.
If they could stick to reporting the NEWS and ENTERTAINING people, then they'd have a chance, but like all companies that are doomed to fail, their managers have lost their way and forgotten what business they are in, like Matthew's they believe they are in politics, that's like MacDonalds believing they're in the health food business.

This guy is a total sham!!
He actually has the audacious gaul to prompt his "guests" to "ask him, om the air, if he's going to run for office"

What a self absorbed, arrogant jerk

I won't watch him

Spacecowboy,

Well, I wouldn't go as far as you do, but I know some really stupid people who think they're smart and are avid followers of Matthews. I am a liberal, but this guy is a circus act.

But they don't read,

m

tv exec,

You know the problem with this Matthews show is we don't know what it is. Is it a news show in drag? Yes.

Is it a bully platform for this guy? Yes.

I don't consider it news........m

I suspect the WINGNUTS of the world hate Chris because he is NOT a WINGNUT and is NOT on hate radio or Fox News. I understand what his program is all about and canned talking points are NOT it. I have watched every program for at least four years (got my Tivos) and will continue to. The folks that dislike him should just go watch Fox or listen to hate radio, as for me I will continue to watch him require his guests to actually have something to say or be pushed until they do. The folks that only repeat talking points will be caught and exposed but that is what HARDBALL is all about IS IT NOT ?

Hi Allen,

Well, I like CNN's Anderson Cooper. Hardball is a hybrid of news and what, intimidation?

m

As someone who leans just a tad to the left, I have mixed feelings about Mathews. The things I like about him is that he seems to enjoy what he does. He also knows what he is talking about. However, I agree that I can't stand the way he interviews. He asks people questions and doesn't give them anytime to answer and constantly interupts them. Plus, it's like he spits when he talks. Does anyone else notice that? Anyways, is he bias? Of course, but so is O'Reilly, Olbermann, and so on.

Hi Joe,
Gee thanks for sharing, never noticed that Matthews spits when speaking. Guess he gets a little agitated:)

Happy New Year,
Marianne

Biased???? without a doubt. is there a question here?? he is not an anchor -- he is a commentator. he is supposed to be heavy on opinion. and when NBC-TV decided to back OBAMA as a corporate strategy he was forced to play along, whether he liked it or not. NBC is a left-wing Liberal blue-state channel. wake up!!

JJ,

MSNBC is biased, I agree, but not NBC, the broadcast net news. Pretty straight down the middle....m