Matthews: MSNBC The Real Winner

Oh, Jack Shafer. I believe everyone just wants to give you a big hug after this incredibly hilarious takedown of Chris Matthews in Slate (what?) the other day.

But, more importantly, you tipped us to this explanation from Matthews about the smiling faces in Washington on inauguration day:

After noting the many smiling faces in the assembled inauguration crowd, Matthews took a shot at explaining the happiness. Sure, it’s the festivities, but it’s also the proximity of the crowd to the MSNBC booth, he insisted.

“This is the network that has opened its heart to change, to change and its possibilities. Let’s be honest about it. These — these people watch this network out here,” Matthews said.

MSNBC, the real reason for hope on Inauguration Day.

Chris Matthews’ Inaugural Jib-Jabbery [Slate]

Chris Matthews’ Chinese Bus

Hey, here’s Philadelphia native and MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews talking to some politician about the “Chinese Bus.” Wonkette noted last night Matthews probably confused most of the nation, and probably still would have even if he called it the Chinatown bus.

However, I’ll be calling the Chinatown bus the Chinese Bus from now on, and I hope you will, too. “How to get to New York… should I take the Chinese Bus, the Hasidic Bus, the Government Train or the Surly Conductor Trains?”

What is this ‘Chinese Bus’ you speak of? [Wonkette]

Mayor Nutter On Hardball

Mix Master Mayor went on Hardball last night to talk to white-haired goon/political pundit Chris Matthews.

Matthews — a Philadelphia native who was going to run for the U.S. Senate in ‘06, remember??? — tells Nutter he watched his campaign and asks him how we can bring the country together during a presidential election.

Nutter says if the Republicans decide to run a former landscaper or maybe Larry West, the campaign should be pretty upbeat.

Matthews then asks the mayor about young people, but Philadelphia doesn’t have any of those.

[via The 700 Level]

Rendell Helps Kid Get Debate Ticket, Kinda

Drexel’s newspaper, The Triangle, has created a special blog just for tonight’s Drexel Democratic Debate (3D). The Blogspot blog has a number of stories posted already, including a story headlined “Chris Matthews talks to Drexel students.” (The Chris Matthews?)

It also has the story of some freshman who put on a sign saying he wanted to go to the debate.

And, then he passed Ed Rendell, who was looking for a photo op or something. “Just remind me that you are the guy with the sign- I’ll remember,” the blog quotes Rendell telling Drexel freshman Tyler Piecara.

But, uh, it doesn’t seem like Ed did anything, since apparently the dean of students is getting Piecara and four of his friends in to the debate. Rendell will probably not even be at the debate, as he’ll be off hosting an Eagles debate show at Chickie’s and Pete’s.

Chris Matthews talks to Drexel Students [Drexel Debate]
Freshman gets creative, gets debate ticket [Drexel Debate]
[via Daily Examiner]

Smerconish To Audition To Be Next Don Imus

Oh-ho-ho! Monday morning, guess which local conservative, uh, “big talker,” will be simulcast on the MSNBC slot most recently occupied by one Don Imus? That’s right: Dan Gross reports it’ll be none other than Michael Smerconish.

For his big MSNBC show on Monday, Smerconish’s guests Monday will include (please note, I am not making this listup):

• MSNBC host Chris Matthews
• Terrorism analyst Richard Clarke
• Comedian Jackie Mason
• I repeat: I am not making this list up
• Jon Anderson from the band Yes

If there is one way for NBC to capture the ratings Don Imus once had, I can’t think of any better way than Jackie Mason and Jon Anderson. Next week: the late Henny Youngman and Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull¹!

¹ Please note: The neutrality of Jethro Tull’s Wikipedia page is disputed.

Smerconish show on MSNBC Monday [Daily News]

Real Election News, Here On MSNBC

Isn’t it great when loudmouths mouth loud at each other?

Rumor Watch: From Pundit To Politician?

There’s no story to link to, because this is all they have currently up there on the Huffington Post. I’m not quite sure when, exactly, he’d be running — it’s a little late to jump into the fray for 2006. Would he be going for Specter’s seat in ‘08? Or perhaps Chris Matthews is considering running for Senate in 2010 in the same way I am: If some sort of giant bomb hits State College and 99.99 percent of PA residents were killed off — if the bomb was big and was dropped during a Penn State game, it’s possible — I’d probably make a run at the senate, provided I could beat my dad in the primary. Shit, you have to be 30, don’t you? Oh, nevermind.

Let’s hope Matthews makes a run. It’d give Will Bunch material for about the next 30 years.

Update: Oh snap! Should have read Bunchy’s site first, since he already has an analysis of Matthews running as an independent in 2006. Since I feel more people are familiar with SNL parodies of Matthews than his actual show — and nobody watches SNL — I don’t think he’d have much of a shot, but, eh, wouldn’t you vote for Matthews over man-on-dog fearmongerer Rick Santorum? Or, for that matter, over noted zombie Bob Casey?

We’re Hearing… [Huffington Post via Wonkette]