(CNN) - As speculation continues to swirl about a possible Pennsylvania senate bid by MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews, Republican Sen. Arlen Specter said on Sunday that he’s not worried about it.
“I’m going to have an opponent, in fact I’m going to have two opponents - one in the primary, where I always have a tough race, and again in the general,” Specter told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on "Late Edition." “I never look over my shoulder, I never look behind. Somebody may be gaining on me. I run with blinders. I’ll be prepared no matter who my opponents are.”
The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reported on Saturday that Matthews met with Pennsylvania Democratic Party leaders to discuss a possible senate run in 2010 against the incumbent Specter. The senior Republican is currently serving his 5th term, having first been elected in 1980.
Matthews, in a statement on the political Web site FiveThirtyEight.com, said reports of him staffing up for a run are "absolutely not true."
Specter said he’s only concerned with his own bid for re-election in 2010.
“I don’t know what anyone else is doing, but I know what one man is doing—Arlen Specter is running,” he said on "Late Edition."
A Quinnipiac poll released this week shows strong support for the incumbent Specter. Specter leads 45 percent to Matthews’ 33 percent among overall voters. Among Democratic voters, however, Matthews leads Specter 55 to 25 percent.
Robert Menendez, the recently elected Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, said he hadn’t talked to anyone who could confirm Matthews’ run.
“Wolf, we’ll see who decides to run. I haven’t seen any firm announcements by anyone, in terms of running,” the New Jersey senator said.
From CNN Politics
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Pennsylvania, especially the Pittsburgh area, are not near ready to listen to Chris Matthews for the next however-man years. His lispy, drooling persona should be kept on the airwaves and out of the mainstream: just another "movie star" seeking political office because they have all the "right" answers.
I like Chris Matthews so if he run i hope he is elected. He is a straight talker and knows a lot – and he seems like a man that have the right stand on different issues.
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I thinl Chris would be great..You go Chris.
“I never look over my shoulder, I never look behind. Somebody may be gaining on me..."
Satchel Paige used this line often; it was one of his catchphrases.
Just wait til James Bond 007 finds you LoL
Chris Matthews' relentless quest for the "real story, the real answer" rather than the "politically correct" response from his guests and commentators on his Hardball tv program has earned him the respect and sometimes fear from all shades of the political stripes, left, right, and center. I believe that, plus his eandearing cry that he "loves America and all it stands for" places him in good stead with many, if not most, Pennsylvania voters. What a race it would be. What fun it would be in the Senate. What great hope for all Americans.
I always thought the mouthy blond talking head was a Repug????
Matthews has already said he's not running. Once again, CNN, "the best political team on television," is trying to manufacture news. That's a lot cheaper and easier than trying to find it and report it.
Chris Matthews would make an excellent senator, as he is pragmatic, but also has his heart in the right place–with the working people of America and our need to have a manufacturing base in this country as, at the least, a matter of national security.
Chris Matthewes should stay with MBC/MSNBC and all the librels there!
spector is one of the lowest of low lifes in the senate. I sure hope the people that are voting will understand untill we cut all the cancer out of congress it will come back time after time and it will be bigger and uglier each time.
you invite someone to comment then you don't put it up what is the matter with you liars?
Who cares anymore about who unseats Arlen Specter, as long as somebody new replaces him and starts a new era for Republicans in Congress. Specter is not nearly as bad as some Republicans, but he helped maintain the status quo for a miserable administration that ran our great nation into the ground. Its time to replace all these dinasours who have no true and honest vision for our children and our nation. As a Republican and Senior Citizen, I say Specter had his chance to lead and ultimately blew it along with George W. Bush.
Spector is not as bad as most Conservatives, though he consistently chose his job over his principles whenever thet two were in conflict. I remember how he caved in to fundamentalists.
Conservatism cannot continue to exist. Conservatives, like Spector and worse, have led the country to the brink of economic disaster several times [Savings and Loan deregulation disaster, Iraq War Funding disaster, Subprime Lending Deregulation Disaster, Global Recession disaster, ten trillion dollar debt disaster (the gift that keeps on giving), and yearly trillion dollar budget deficits]. They have led the country into the only war in the history of the human race which had no military goal, which caused only collateral damage, and whose only accomplishment was to repair some of the damage it did).
Conservatives have opposed, delayed, or defeated every worthwhile program since Lincoln proposed the abolition of slavery.
Let all good voters of New Jersey rise to the challenge and defeat every Conservative candidate. Conservatism is down; let all patriots keep kicking it until it is dead.
My concern right now is about defeat of terrorism–in Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan and indeed everywhere. The horrible crime in India’s premier commercial center of Mumbai is the direct result of President Bush’s adventurism in Iraq and as such he is accountable. For, without the unnecessary Iraq war, terrorism (from Al-Quada and its franchises) would have been dealt a significant if not crippling blow by now. Al-Quada and their allies in crime would have been defeated in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Asia. Even after more than seven years since 9/11, we still are unable to find major Al-Quada leaders like Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri. Nor have we been able to cripple Al-Quada. This is a shame and a major stain on the Bush legacy. This is the price we are paying for Bush's adventurism in Iraq. This President foolishly focused his gaze and resources on Iraq while Al-Quada continued to grow and cause trouble using Afghanistan, Pakistan and Asia as its staging grounds.
Another TV personality running for office, just what we need. And, shocker, he is a liberal. What qualifications do any of these TV people have? Franken? Matthews? Politics is becoming a popularity contest, with name recognition as the only pre-requisite to run. I wanna be on TV.
Time to put this horse out to pasture!
Specter and his half brother,Joe Lieberman,should be kicked to the curb.
Spector needs to go. He is all talk at this point. Worthless.
I like Chris and think he would be a great candidate.
Regardless of the opponent Specter can not win. The political right won't support him, the political left doesn't need him, and the middle doesn't understand his convulated interpretations of the constitution. I don't think the Democrats would allow Specter to switch parties which is about the only way he can win in 2010.
Specter has earned the support of a lot of Pennsylvanians because of his position as one of the few unabashed moderates left in the Republican party. However, he's been in Washington practically forever and has battled serious health issues. It may be time to take a look at a good Democratic candidate if one is available. If Matthews runs, I'm familiar with the liberal positions that sell his show but not as much with the specifics of what he would stand for in elected office with real responsibilities beyond boosting ratings and selling ads. Pennsylvania is 2 states in 1 and a moderate has the best chance of success in a statewide election here. So the question is: Is he an Actor or a Believer? And if he is more moderate than he appears in his show, can he convince enough people in the rural middle of the state of that fact to have a chance? This could be very, very interesting.
I don't know too many people with as much knowledge about our political history than Chris Matthews – it will be good to "let" Senator Specter retire – I think he's been ready for several years now. Go Chris!!!
He would be a great Public Servent. I would really miss him on MSNBC though. He is my favorite of all news anchors.
I hope Chris Matthews does it; he's a smart man.
It won't happen. Matthews can't stop fawning over pivotal players long enough to gain any real serious consideration.
A definite win for Matthews with no problems.
Go for it Chris!!!!. The senate needs someone like you to shake it up a bit.
Chris Matthews has proven himself to be a clone of Bill O'Reilley. He should now take his stutter and go home!!!! He has truly become an
antagonist and is now a danger to honest broadcasting.
I agree with Jay on Frankin, but Matthews has actually been around politics for a long time. If you spend time listening to him and read his background you would see that. He not your traditional TC personality who is running for office. I think he would have a serious chance of winning if he decided to run.
Arlen Spector has been a great Senator and his service to the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is unquestioned. Chris Wallace offers what, besides being a talking head for MSNBC, the most "in the tank" for the democrats network on TV?
Time to kick this Old corrupt politicians only looking for themselves out of washington and put some fresh thoughfull, young, non-ideologist in there.
I don't care who will run against him but as long as that personne is young and intellegent, I am for it.
They should limit the number of terms to limit corruption as well.
I think 28 years is plenty to be an elected official, Don't you?
I think Chris would make a wonderful representative for PA. By the way Jay, this whole movie star/tv personalities running for office started with the republicans (Ronald Reagan). Then how about Arnold Swartzenegger? And, unlike Chris Matthews, their roles didn't have anything to do with politics. So much for them all being liberals. How about checking out the facts first.
I have always liked Chris Matthews that is up until this last campaign. I think he (along with Keith Obermann) showed himself to be completely unobjective in his reporting. It was no secret that he was supporting Barack Obama. That is fine but a good journalist (pundit) doesn't show partiality toward one side or the other. They remain objective (like Wolf Blitzer).
I agree that Matthews is knowledgeable in politics but as far a policy, that is a different story.
He is denying this report anyway.
If this is true, good by Specter.
I can't wait until Chris Mathews takes this guys job.
Jay's comments are right on the money. Who's going to be next? Rosie O'Donnell? Joy Behar? These people believe the only qualifications you need are opinions formed with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight.
To the person who posted that politics is turning into a popularity contest...
Uhm...
Politics is – by definition – a popularity contest.
The economy is in the toilet, we are in an illegal war, the current president is the WORST in history of mankind, and Arlen Specter's TOP priority is to start an investigation into the NFL over an issue that has already been resolved and NO ONE wants to repeat. Arlen Specter is INSANE!
Amazing how the same people who are supporting Matthews, are the same ones who call Frankens candidacy a joke. Franken is a Cum Laude graduate of Harvard university. Now, I am not a Franken fan, but I have to admit, I love the hypocrisy of some people. Matthews is a talking head, nothing more, nothing less. Anyone can sound intelligent on television, when they run the show. Matthews picks his topics before the show airs, studies up, and then sounds like a scholar on tv. Matthews is a joke, Franken is a joke, but at least Franken has Harvard behind him. Matthews has a show that he is able to control, thus making himself look like a genius. Television people should stick to tv, not go into politics. This is no different from these actors who decide they want a singing career too. Anyone own Hillary Duff's CD? THOUGHT NOT! Matthews and Franken are no better than that.
about what jay said, when was there EVER any job qualification criteria for any politician? ironically, these positions that are often supposed to be most important in society (e.g. president) simply requires ability to talk and money. otherwise, bush would be the janitor at the white house.
Specter is another spineless Republican In Name Only. What ever happened to social security/medicare reform, fighting corruption instead of abetting it, government that lives within its means, and not being the world police?
Why not? Maybe he can do an expose on Republicans who keep trying to hit the flush button on the United States.
But it shouldn't be a popularity contest.
Jay, Matthews is far from liberal. You should have heard him back on 2002. You would have thought he was a neocon. Frankly, no one knows what his positions are. I say we wait and see.
Chris Matthews is arrogant and is nothing but a bully who pushes people around because of his media status. I used to watch him, but lost all respect for the man after watching him do this over and over again.
So, first we have Franken and now we're talking about Matthews running for the Senate. Come on Americans, I believe "Jay" has hit the nail right on the head when he stated "Politics is becoming a popularity contest with name recognition as the only pre-requisite to run"
What is going on in this country when it comes to electing "qualified" candidates?? Wake up America and vote wisely and carefully, in particular, our young voters/first time voters.
I just hope if he runs he gets that warm tingling feeling in his leg checked out first.......He is a moron but hey the dems will vote for him see the disgusting Al Franken
'MEH in Bucks County, PA', you got the name wrong! That is too funny - and speaks volumes about your political affiliation. It's Chris Matthews, not Chris Wallace. Wallace is an anchor on FOX news. A little 'Freudian slip'. Say it now 'MEH', "I pledge allegiance to the Republican party for which it stands..."
I'm a Democrat and I like Specter. He's one of the few moderate Republicans, for the most part and should be re-elected without a problem. My only concern is his health and I'm hopeful this will not affect his candidacy.
As a life long resident of PA, I can't say I'd be sorry to see the end of Specter. I find him vile.
What? Chris-the Screamer Matthews vs old senile goat Specter. LOL
That wouldn't be a big surprise though just look at what America elected as President for the last eight years. This is truly becoming a circus.
Matthews would be a strong candidate. I'd be interested to see what positions he takes as a candidate.
Specter remains one of the more moderate Republicans, which also means he is the apparent future – in spite of his years – of the party. I'm no fan of the GOP, but more like Specter would make America better.
Matthews would be an effective Senator but he will first have to learn to STOP interrupting his guests. He is a bit of a show-off as if his opinion is the only one that counts. However we could do worse.
As a Hillary Clinton supporter, I can't wait for blowhard Matthews to run so the good people pf PA can be reminded of how he has trashed and attacked Hillary (and Bill) Clinton for the last decade.
Bet that does not go over too well in PA, a state that Hillary won in a landslide!
Just another example of how the media is totally in the tank for Obama. Pretty sad. This is the year that journalism died!
We could do alot worse than Chris Matthews in the Senate, as a matter of fact we have, for years.
Doesn't Matthews have to get permission from Keith Olbermann to run?
Mattews cut his teeth in the Kennedy White House. He's no political neophyte. He worked on several campaigns throughout his early years and that's why he got the pundit job. Sorta like George Stephonopolous. Specter has spent the past year throwing his weight around in arenas he has no reason to be in like the NFL. I guess that was serving the people of PA by trying to get the Eagles a do-over agains the Pats...
Pennsylvanians re-elected that moron John Murtha, why wouldn't they re-elect Specter.
My fellow Delawarians re-elected Joe Biden (7th time) and he didn't even campaign....the best thing about him becoming the new VP is that he'll finally be out of our hair, that is if he can keep his mouth shut for four years....and that's a big IF.
BTW-Matthews got fired as anchor on MSNBC along with Keith Olbermann because of thier unrestrained bias for Barack Obama...the MSM's token sacrifice to show how 'fair and just' they were....you know...lip service.
We are living in the MTV, reality-show, pop culture power age. Any candidate who is liberal enough to fit in with the Hollywood crowd and gets himself a good PR team and a TV/Cinema producer to run the show can get elected.
Spector is the most unpleasant member of the senate ( now that Unclw Ted got the boot!)
Hey Jay: and just what qualifications did people like Bush, Reagan, or Schwartzeneger bring to their first campaigns? Reagan and Schwartzeneger are prime examples of the personality cult that you're trying to rail-on about. And while Bush wasn't an 'entertainer' as such, he brought an entertaining resume full of consistent FAILURE to his first campaign.
And now you have a problem with Franken and Mathews? So its Ok for [R] airheads to run for office, but not [D]s???!! Your partisan bias merely showcases your intellectually bleak outlook on the world. You neo-idiots lost the last election for good reason.
Matthews is very quick, very bright, and knows the terrain in Pennsylvania thoroughly. Spector will have his hands full, and I don't think he'll be able to keep up with Matthews.
Where do you folks come from? Matthews is on hardly a liberal. Maybe some of you folks are so far right of center, that he just looks liberal. I've been watching Matthews on and off for about 5 yrs, that man is barely a democrat, if anything, a Blue Dog Dem.
Chris Matthews knows little of PA he has not been here his brother running with Lynn Swan was laughable, now he wants to be Senator. Ed Rendell 2010.
Chris Matthews a democrat!? Nooooooooo
Ahh, Tom in Delaware: another proud citizen of Dumbf-kistan, grumpy because he's stuck inside a blue state. Good grief, you neo-goons need to come up with a new mantra....blaming the so-called liberal media for everything is getting so old. You sound like my pre-adolescent kid, trying to shirk responsibility for his behavior at every turn. You just keep watching FoxNews for your deluded world-view....that should keep you happy in your little red enclave there in blue Delaware...while the rest of us adults move on to fix the problems YOUR shirker-in-charge created over the last 8 years.
Mathews will win!
Tom in Delaware, maybe you need to do a little more research. Neither one of them have been fired from MSNBC.
Matthews is a complete idiot. I guess that's why he is a Democrat!
Matthews a Liberal! LMFAO...someone hasn't been paying attention. O'Reilly's twin is no liberal. Matthews needs to stay right where he is. If anyone should run for any office it's Lou Dobbs!
Go Chris!
I appluad Matthews decision to run for Senate only because he needed to get out of the news industry. His behavior alone over the past election cycle were enough to do permanent damage to the so-called bi-partisan media. If the mainstream media wants to regain its former credibility (which it probably never will) then guys like Matthews have to leave. He is a disgrace to journalism. Hearing that Matthews may be leaving journalism forever send a tingle up my leg!!
Matthews has announced he isn't running. Why is this news anyway?
I hope Chris Matthews runs! He is cool and interesting!
Hey Lama, you're not trying to bad-mouth my Eagles are ya? On everything else, I agree with you.
Chris Matthews in congress? Just another pitiful political joke. Probably puts a tingle down his leg 8D
Did Matthews ever get that "leg-tingling" checked by a doctor? It is one of the first signs of a stroke.
Matthews would be a great all purpose one man filibuster. He's can't keep his mouth shut. He's rude and self-important. Despite the fact that I agree with many of his views, I find him to be a blowhard who should neither be in the Senate or an anchor on TV.
Chris Matthews must be having another one of those funny feelings running up his legs again.
Specter has not done anything to lose his seat. Although I like Chris Matthews, Arlen Specter has been a voice of moderation during his long career and has been willing to cross the aisle, something very few senators are willing to do. Specter should keep his seat and I hope the good people of pennsylvania agree with me.
Chris Matthews would make a good Senator. I certainly wouldn't mind him being out there fighting on my behalf. However, I would miss him on MSNBC dearly.
Is this idiot a relative of Dubyaa or J MCsame, because the sounds are identical.
SHUT THE DOOR!
Good Lord, I hope this is a joke!!! This crazy man can't even control his saliva. Perhaps the demonic Keith Olberman will run too. Yea, that's it. Let's put all of the whacked MSNBC goons in the Senate. Perhaps Rachel Maddow will let her hair grow and put on a blouse like a big girl if elected to public office................................................
Spector should don his rain gear now... he's going to need it when Matthews' spittle starts flying.
oh my gosh. Matthews is a windbag and delusional.
Specter shouldn't have a problem against a lightweight liberal like Chris!
Why do Democrats and Republicans hate one another?
The world is much too small for that.
I could swear I feel a thrill running up my leg...
I'm from Pennsylvania myself. Allentown to be exact. I voted for Obama very very proudly recently. In 2006 I voted Casey [D]. In 2010 I will very very enthusiastically vote for Specter. Arlen Specter is one of, if not IMO, the greatest Senators currently serving. He has always stood up for the rights of Pennsylvanians and served our interests well. For any who try to claim he's a Bush clone or some such nonesense, you should know that he has been accused of being a RINO (Republican In Name Only). He's extremely moderate, typically favoring on the side of personal rights and personal responsibility; AGAINST the social conservatives like Bush. He's the one Senator I wish the Republican party would model their platform off of.
Hillary Supporters – let us unite to defeat blowhard Matthews – all the attacks and lies he has leveled against Bill and Hillary Clinton for the last 10 years will NOT go unnoticed by the voters of PA!
You go Chris. The old man needs to go!
Specter can forget about running with blinders on,he is going to need a divers mask and a sou'wester to stay dry when this human sprinkler
gets wound up.
I hope they debate. Then Matthews can ask Specter to explain to utterly ridiculous "magic bullet" theory to the rest of us!