PA Dem Spokesman: Matthews Talking To Us About Possible Senate Run, And He Could Win
So how exactly do Pennsylvania Democrats feel about the possibility of Chris Matthews running for Senate?
Abe Amoros, the communications director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, confirmed to Election Central that Matthews has been talking to Democrats in the state about a run, and says Dems think Matthews could have a real shot.
"It's in its infancy right now," Amoros said. "He's just talking to people. Conversations are going on, obviously. We will know whether or not he's a serious candidate some time early next year."
So could Matthews win? "Sure," Amoros said. "It'll be a dogfight, but every campaign is a dogfight."
Amoros also said it's simply too early to know whether one specific potential weakness Matthews might have -- women Dem activists and donors who could have it in for him on account of his treatment of Hillary Clinton during the primaries -- would still be an obstacle to securing the nomination in 2010.
As for the general election, he pointed out that GOP Sen. Arlen Specter would have a tough time making that into a wedge: "I think you could put those in the same context of Senator Specter's attacks on Anita Hill, which have not been forgotten, either."
Try as I might, I simply cannot wrap my mind around the idea of Chris Matthews as a credible candidate.
Maybe if I heard him discuss issues relevant to PA voters...but right now? It's just not happening for me.
December 4, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
...and you can with Franken?
December 4, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I mention Tweety because I'm far more familiar with his persona than I am Franken's, and, of course, because this topic is about Matthews, not media personalities in general.
December 4, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Check...I think Matthews is a meathead but at least he does have some peripheral experience. He was a Congresional aide and speech writer.
December 4, 2008 1:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you on Franken and I said the same thing before the election. I don't think Franken was the best possible candidate for democrats. Coleman is a scumbag with scandulous record- and struggling to defeat him after millions of campaign donations in a state like MN is a shame.
December 4, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me neither. Especially not in the Senate. But then, we've got Orrin Hatch, so what do I know?
December 4, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Besides, he got punked by Zell Miller, he'll be eaten alive in the Senate.
December 4, 2008 2:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm gonna hafta wait for the Franken recount to see how I feel about this. I don't think the Senate would be well served by more than one comedian at a time.
December 4, 2008 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even if only one of them is a comedian on purpose?
I'm all in favor of Tweety running. It would mean much less of him on TV, and that can't be a bad thing.
December 4, 2008 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Being a buffoon by accident is much worse than on purpose. At least Al Franken can turn it on and off as the situation demands.
December 4, 2008 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have been watching Chris since he was part of the McGloughlin Group. If I was in Penn I would vote for him. I hope he runs a campaign better than he dances. Ha!
It would entertaining. I betcha Keith and Rachel would have a ball covering the race.
He does have a resume' for this type of jump. He was in West Wing with Jimmy. And he worked for Tip.
Staring down Scarborough, he said he was going to do everything he could to support our new president.
That was when I came to the conclusion he is going to run.
December 4, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, what about Martin Spurlock, writer and producer of the Super-Size Me movie? At least his work got an Oscar nomination!
December 4, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ugh. Wrong thread :-(
December 4, 2008 3:10 PM | Reply | Permalink