"Matthews often does continue his dialogue with guests even as he cuts for a commercial. Isn’t that a good thing? The fact that his enthusiasm breaks the bondage of commercial breaks for a TV show only enhances his authenticity. “Passionate” is the catchword for kids today trying to find careers — but when you actually discover a person like Chris, who is so palpably involved in his subject, he gets criticized as “undisciplined.” I much prefer Chris’s spirited but generally balanced view of the political scene to Keith Olbermann’s diatribes against George Bush." Television Journalist Chris Matthews served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Swaziland in the 1960's.
Chris Matthews has an ego that’s huge, but he is as smart as anyone who has ever played the game
Letters: The Aria of Chris Matthews
Published: April 27, 2008
Chris Matthews is indeed an acquired taste, but he is all heart and all politics. Chris’s feelings may be very tender after Mark Leibovich’s article, albeit he had to know there was a 50-50 shot that he would take several hits (April 13). He would expect nothing less. The guy has an ego that’s huge, but he is as smart as anyone who has ever played the game. I love this piece . . . all Mark had to do was take notes!
CHER COX
Chicago
Not only is Mark Leibovich’s profile of Matthews an artful piece of writing, it also captures the essence of Matthews’s unabashed narcissism. For those of us who tuned out Matthews, it was wearying to listen to his long questions and watch his mugging for the camera while denying intelligent guests time to speak.
PAT MURPHY
Ketchum, Idaho
The difference between Matthews and many other pundits is that he really is an expert on politics. It is clear that he is a great student of the subject. Politics run in his blood, and more often then not, his analysis is right on the mark.
STEVEN M. CLAYTON
Ocean, N.J.
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, both great comedic talents, are not journalists. They are entertainers. Remember how their shows suffered during the writers’ strike? Yes, Matthews is old school, but does everyone on TV have to demonstrate sardonic postmodern distance and irony?
CHRISTINA HILL
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
I was sorry to read that Matthews may be in danger of being bumped from his prominent role on MSNBC. I have loved his exuberant, unconventional style ever since I first saw him on “The McLaughlin Group” years ago.
I wish Leibovich’s article had not revealed the rivalries and hostilities among the MSNBC newsmen. I had imagined they were a friendly team and will enjoy them less in the future.
MIA BRECH
Mahopac, N.Y.
Matthews often does continue his dialogue with guests even as he cuts for a commercial. Isn’t that a good thing? The fact that his enthusiasm breaks the bondage of commercial breaks for a TV show only enhances his authenticity. “Passionate” is the catchword for kids today trying to find careers — but when you actually discover a person like Chris, who is so palpably involved in his subject, he gets criticized as “undisciplined.” I much prefer Chris’s spirited but generally balanced view of the political scene to Keith Olbermann’s diatribes against George Bush.
MARGUERITE ARNO
Fort Worth
I generally like Matthews, but his bullying of State Senator Kirk Watson of Texas was a new low, not an “iconic moment.” Matthews reminds me of someone who was beat up a lot as a kid. Now that he has some power, he enjoys pushing others around.
MIKE LINDERMAN
Austin, Tex.
Matthews undoubtedly has an appreciation of attractive women, but he also remarks enthusiastically on men whose appearance he finds pleasing. In 2003, Matthews, opining on George W. Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech said, “He looks great in a military uniform. He looks great in that cowboy costume he wears when he goes West.” Last June, conjecturing about Fred Thompson’s sex appeal, Matthews asked: “Can you smell the English Leather on this guy, the Aqua Velva, the sort of mature man’s shaving cream or whatever, you know, after he shaved? Do you smell that sort of . . . a little bit of cigar smoke?”
Mitt Romney did not escape Matthews’s admiring gaze: “He’s got a great chin, I’ve noticed.” After the New Hampshire primary, Matthews had complimentary words for Barack and Michelle Obama: “I think he looked incredibly attractive up there with his wife, his beautiful wife, Michelle.”
RONALD RUBIN
Topanga, Calif.
