MSNBC hosts psyched at 'Chris Matthews for Senate' possibility
Speculation that one of their colleagues might be eyeing a run for the Senate was warmly welcomed on Tuesday by the hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe.
When Hardball's Chris Matthews appeared recently on The Colbert Report, Stephen Colbert asked him, "There's a lot of talk that you might be running for Arlen Specter's seat in Pennsylvania. Any truth to that?"
"Want to give me a scoop?" Colbert went on. "You want to respond to that in the form of an announcement?"
Matthews seemed bemused at first, asking, "A six year term? Representing all the people of Pennsylvania?" However, he was soon admitting to Colbert, "Well, you know when you grow up, some kids want to be a fireman? I wanted to be a senator."
"That's an announcement," Colbert declared to cheers from the audience.
According to a recent posting at the website of longtime Republican operative Roger Stone, "MSNBC TV star Chris Matthews has been quietly sounding out Democrats across Pennsylvania about seeking the Democratic nomination to oppose Senator Arlen Specter. ... Matthews has been meeting with former Philadelphia City Comptroller Tommy Leonard and has approached Governor Ed Rendell to inquire about recruiting campaign personnel."
After watching the Colbert Report clip, the Morning Joe hosts were enthusiastic. "I'd think he'd be a great politician," Joe Scarborough commented.
"I would love to see that," Mika Brzezinski chimed in.
"Here's a guy who understands the blue collar vote," Scarborough concluded, taking a swipe at Senator Barack Obama. "He wouldn't pick up a bowling ball unless he knew he would break 200."
This video is from MSNBC's Morning Joe, broadcast April 15, 2008.
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