In the midst of the Scooter Libby trial, one already inundated with notes of scandal and gobs of gossip, a juicy tidbit surfaced during the prosecution's detailing of a conversation between Scooter and fellow Cheney Advisor Mary Matalin:
"[I]n the course of advising Libby on how to deal with the "Wilson issue," and in particular Matthew's attacks on the vice president, she advised Libby to call [Tim] Russert to complain and she told Libby that Russert would have an especially sympathetic ear: 'Call Tim. He hates Chris - he needs to know it all'."
So, in light of Russert's hatred for Chris Matthews, I thought Matthews could use some positive press. Rather than roast Russert with childish amusement, perhaps remarking on how he looks like the human embodiment of Fog Horn Leg Horn, I have chosen, instead to praise Matthews with childish amusement.
Amongst the endless talking heads of cable news, Chris Matthews has reserved a unique and niche for himself. Sure, I've dabbled in Olbermann, occasionally watch O'Reilly with transfixed disgust, and when I'm feeling global I take down a dose of Foreign Exchange with Fareed Zakaria. Few of these broadcasters, however, offer their viewers the equal opportunity skepticism that Matthews brings five nights a week. Oh, but where is fancy bred?:
In the heart? At first sight, Matthews engenders a natural endearment in his viewers — the mop of Dennis the Menace blond hair, his opened-mouth, disarming laugh — an equal parts mixture of Albert Brooks and William Hurt from Broadcast News. Hell, I don't know whether to TiVo the guy or adopt him.
Or in the head? Behind Matthew's huggable man-child facade lies the mind of a former Presidential speech-writer to Carter and top aide to Speaker of the House Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, Jr. Not to mention, Matthews is the recipient of numerous awards (listed on his MSNBC bio) and the author of four best-selling books, one of which, 1988's Hardball is "required reading in many college-level political science courses". Though my exhaustive search for this book at my local University bookstore failed, I am currently living in South Africa, and this should not deter you from the truth — this guy's got a brain big enough to fill that head.
Article comments
1 - Clavos
Well written article. I know zip about Chris Matthews, so can't comment on the content, but the writing is very good; well paced and breezy, with nice touches of humor. I enjoyed reading this.
2 - RJ
"Cheney Advisor Mary Matlin"
...should be "Mary Matalin" ...
"the mop of Dennis the Menace blond hair"
...should be "white hair" ...
Other than those two minor mistakes, this was a decent article...
3 - Eric Berlin
I enjoy Matthews a lot. It's pretty clear that he strongly feels that he wasn't hard enough on the Bush administration during the run up to the war and is now just about the best person out there asking the tough but fair questions. In general, I think MSNBC does a much better job than either CNN or Fox in political coverage (the celeb and infotainment stuff I can do without).
By the way, I don't think we can say with any certainty that Russert hates Matthews -- this is just Matalin's opinion.
4 - Zedd
Great article! It was quite enjoyable.... smooth read...
Reporters who ask the hard and IMPORTANT questions are almost non existent. I am going to check him out. I hope your not setting me up for disappointment...
Thanks for doing good work in the Cape. I hear its beautiful.
5 - Cape Town Dissentator
Everyone, thank you for your comments. This was my first article on blogcritics, and I was a little nervous.
Zedd, I don't aim to disappoint. Matthews deserves a fair shot.
6 - JS
My week's been hell without my Matthews fix! Enjoyed your posting