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Chris Matthews On Likely GOP 2012 Candidates: None Have Any “Panache, Excitement, Pizzaz, Charisma”

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» 59 comments

Chris Matthews welcomed two of his liberal regulars Richard Wolffe and Eugene Robinson to discuss likely candidates who will be running for the Republican nomination. Republicans Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour, Rick Santorum and Matthews’ favorite name to humorously pronounce Newt Gingrich were discussed and Matthews was not impressed.

Summing up the many Republican candidates who ran in 2008, Matthews weirdly described that field of candidates as “lots of crazy people on that list – you know cats and dogs.” Regarding this year’s crop of contenders, Matthews asked his guests to absorb these exciting names and concluded “that’s not a colorful field of people . . . there’s nobody in there with any panache, excitement, pizzaz, charisma, anything like charisma!” Then Matthews described Barbour as a good ol’ boy who reminds him of the character Jacob Marley from A Christmas Carol, since Marley had to carry around heavy chains for eternity and Barbour too won’t be able to escape his good ol’ boy roots. And the award for most random literary reference of the day goes to . . .

Robinson and Wolffe didn’t provide much new analysis, just rehashing a belief that Mike Huckabee might run solely to be a “Romney-destroying missile,” while also discussing how Romneycare, the model for President Obama’s healthcare reform legislation, is an issue no one quite knows how to handle. Finally, in a bit of a surprising reversal, Matthews thinks Obama could be very vulnerable and agrees with Bill Kristol who is urging every Republican not to wait until 2016 and instead to run now. If for nothing else, the clip is worth watching just to get a chuckle out of Matthews’ repeated humorous pronunciation of the name “NEWT!”

Watch the clip from MSNBC below:

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  • Grammie

    “Matthews’ favorite name to humorously pronounce Newt Gingrich”.

    I must say your comment is in keeping with the silliness that passes for political commentary and analysis at MSNBC.

  • ImNotBlue

    Is saw (briefly) on FOX News Sunday, Huck give his opinion on what Romney should do about Romneycare (waiting for the angry-left who complain about “Obamacare” as a name to show similiar outrage for “Romneycare”).

    His advice was to confront it head on. Say, “We tried it, and it doesn’t work.” And then made the point that the states should be the experimental areas… we should try things small, before experimenting on a national scale.

    An interesting stragtegy, I think.

  • BFD

    Chris Matthews On Likely GOP 2012 Candidates: None Have Any “Panache, Excitement, Pizzaz, Charisma, Brains, Morals”

    All the real candidates know they can’t beat Obama so the result will be all the crazies, has-beens and losers running.
    Should be quite a show!

    ____________________________________________
    Day 20 since Henny Glenny was struck by an overwhelming feeling that Egypt is the beginning of a growing evil that is going to spread a global Muslim caliphate and with the help of the communists and progressives create a New World Order ending our way of life as we know it.

  • ImNotBlue

    @ Grammie

    That’s Matthews’ MO.

    Remember how he used to pronounce, “Cheney?” He insisted he knew better, so despite what everyone else said, including Cheney himself, Matthews did hid own thing.

    It’s par.

  • BFD

    ImNotBlue said:
    An interesting CYA excuse, I think.

    fixed

  • Arkansas Steve

    CHRIS,

    We’ve had “Panache, Excitement, Pizzaz, Charisma” for over two years now.

    I’d like a little “Experience, Common Sense, Leadership, Intelligence” for a change.

    While you’re at it, I wouldn’t mind seeing a little of that on MSNBC too!!

  • The Lantern of Truth

    So in Chris’ mind the Republicans in 2008 were ” cats and dogs ” . Has he forgotten Dodd , Edwards , Richardson , Gravel , Kucinich , Hillary , Biden and King Barry . That ‘s a mangy group .

  • Yukon Jack

    Chris Matthews has about much credibility as Big Frigging Dummy (BFD).

  • Yukon Jack

    The Lantern of Truth said:
    So in Chris’ mind the Republicans in 2008 were ” cats and dogs ” . Has he forgotten Dodd , Edwards , Richardson , Gravel , Kucinich , Hillary , Biden and King Barry . That ’s a mangy group .

    You forgot to mention the former governor of Vermont. (Not going to sully this site mentioning his name).

    And the mangiest dog was the eventual “winner”. My apologies to all canines.

  • TerryDo

    It looks like none of the Republican candidates passed Matthews tingle up his leg test.

  • Cactus

    Yukon Jack said:
    You forgot to mention the former governor of Vermont. (Not going to sully this site mentioning his name).

    And the mangiest dog was the eventual “winner”. My apologies to all canines.

    Howard Dean wasn’t a candidate in 2008.

  • Lou Sarah

    Screw “panache”…. The voters want a nice rack and tight ass in 2012!!! Am I right or am I right Matty!!!

  • ImNotBlue

    @ BFD

    Exactly how does that “CYA” for either of them?

  • Liberal Tormentor

    My show is absolutely non-partisan.

    Chris “I have an Obama shaped tingle running up my leg” Matthews.

  • kal-el

    Chris is a joke. We all know he loves democrats, especially Bill Clinton. I love it when liberals tell me that chris is a centrist.

  • Liberal Tormentor

    Yukon Jack says:
    Chris Matthews has about much credibility as Big Frigging Dummy (BFD).

    HAHA, I’ve been trying to come up with a new name for him and by golly, you nailed it!

  • mibwilso

    Chris Matthews is exactly right.

    The 2012 GOP group looks alot like the 2004 Democratic field.

    Lots of folks who are qualified on paper…but probably none who can go all the way.

  • mibwilso

    kal-el said:
    Chris is a joke. We all know he loves democrats, especially Bill Clinton. I love it when liberals tell me that chris is a centrist.

    Chris is center-left. Any liberal would tell you that. He’s not Dennis Kucinich or Bernie Sanders. If you think he’s in the same territory as them, you’ve got some serious blinders on.

  • Liberal Tormentor

    mibwilso, thanks for chiming in. Us Conservatives can’t rest until we know what you libs think about our candidates.

  • mibwilso

    Obama’s re-election is not a sure thing, and this election promises to be competitive.

    BUT, my prediction is that this is much like 2004: A vulnerable incumbent gets re-elected in a close race.

  • mibwilso

    Liberal Tormentor said:
    mibwilso, thanks for chiming in. Us Conservatives can’t rest until we know what you libs think about our candidates.

    You never hesitate to offer your opinions about our candidate, so I’m just as entitled to comment on yours. :)

  • mibwilso

    Liberal Tormentor said:
    mibwilso, thanks for chiming in. Us Conservatives can’t rest until we know what you libs think about our candidates.

    Hey LibTorm– Can you explain to me why I’m wrong? (Other than by telling me how bad you think Obama is). Who on your side has the stuff to go all the way…seriously?

  • Mr.Papshmer

    Well, unfortunately for Tingles, the vast majority of Americans don’t watch his show, and even more don’t care what he says.

    In fact, quite the opposite of what’s happening at Fox News, where they actually do have viewers, which is what has the little progs so panicked all the time! :)

  • notsofast

    Oh, Chris- do ya need another thrill up your leg?

  • mibwilso

    notsofast said:
    Oh, Chris- do ya need another thrill up your leg?

    Pretty original comment there…given that at least 3 people make that same joke every time a Chris Matthews story comes up…

  • notsofast

    mibwilso said:
    Oh, Chris- do ya need another thrill up your leg?

    Pretty original comment there…given that at least 3 people make that same joke every time a Chris Matthews story comes up…

    Slip into something more comfortable ,son, like a coma.

    Calling you an idiot would be an insult to all the stupid people.

  • mibwilso

    notsofast said:
    Slip into something more comfortable ,son, like a coma.

    Calling you an idiot would be an insult to all the stupid people.

    Keepin’ it classy… lol

  • notsofast

    mibwilso said:
    mibwilso says:
    February 28, 2011 at 7:45 pm mibwilso(Quote)

    Listen,son, are you always this stupid or are you just making a special effort today?

  • ChrisNH

    Panache, Excitement, Pizzaz, and Charisma got us a jerk who delivered over 17% real unemployment, a stimulus that didn’t stimulate, a completely divided and angry country, and consumer confidence that has disappeared. Excuse us while we declare that those so-called ‘chill-producing’ ingredients are utterly useless.

  • Yoda002

    ChrisNH said:
    Panache, Excitement, Pizzaz, and Charisma got us a jerk who delivered over 17% real unemployment, a stimulus that didn’t stimulate, a completely divided and angry country, and consumer confidence that has disappeared. Excuse us while we declare that those so-called ‘chill-producing’ ingredients are utterly useless.

    Obama stopped the bleeding. But the GOP is no help they plan on laying off more people.

  • Liberal Tormentor

    Yeah notsofast,

    We should make an effort to at least be as classy as this DEM:

    (WTMJ) — Last week, we heard that State Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) had been busted in a prostitution sting.

    Last Friday. . . . after the Assembly voted to engross the Budget Repair Bill, Hintz turned to a female colleague, Rep. Michelle Litjens and said: “You are f***king dead!”

    Didn’t hear about it, did ya folks! Me thinks you would have if a Republican had said it.

  • WCinWI

    BFD said:
    Chris Matthews On Likely GOP 2012 Candidates: None Have Any “Panache, Excitement, Pizzaz, Charisma, Brains, Morals”

    All the real candidates know they can’t beat Obama so the result will be all the crazies, has-beens and losers running.
    Should be quite a show!

    Yes….who does that $5 gas help? :)

  • notsofast

    Liberal Tormentor said:
    Liberal Tormentor says:
    February 28, 2011 at 7:51 pm Liberal Tormentor(Quote)
    Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

    I just love all the libs on here defending their fellow drug addicted lib, Sheen.

    It is so nice they still defend drug abusers, terrorists and other miscreants who want to destroy America.

  • Liberal Tormentor

    WCinWI, have you noticed how the liberal media has NO interest in talking about the gas prices now? But when Bush was in office, that was the hot topic his entire presidency. Pathetic! I honestly think they think we don’t notice.

  • notsofast

    Liberal Tormentor said:
    WCinWI, have you noticed how the liberal media has NO interest in talking about the gas prices now? But when Bush was in office, that was the hot topic his entire presidency. Pathetic! I honestly think they think we don’t notice.

    They will come up with some far fetched excuse that if you adjust gas prices for inflation, they are actually lower than they were in 1974.

  • Liberal Tormentor

    But notsofast there is NO inflation, remember?

  • Group Hug

    At a townhall meeting hosted by Congressman Allen West on Monday evening in Pompano Beach, the Q&A segment of the meeting featured a Koran wielding Nezar Hamze, Executive Director of the Council for American Islamic Relations (CAIR). Hamze confronted Congressman West and asked him to point out where in the Koran does it give marching orders to Muslims “to carry out attacks against Americans and innocent people”. West quickly pointed out that the Koran was written long before America even existed and that it does indeed tell believers to kill infidels, and then proceeded to chronicle a lengthy list of historical Muslim acts of aggression. Congressman West closed his retort by referencing the Fort Hood shootings and 9-11 attacks, …(and how all terrorists shouted “Allahu Achbar!” as they committed their barbaric acts of lethal aggression) saying that his first hand experiences on the battlefield has given him insight into the tactics that Islamists use before telling Hamze not to “try to blow sunshine up my butt” with his criticism of him.

    Lets See Chris, He’s Black AND Conservative and he doesn’t keep his stones in a DNC Lockbox.

    Sounds to me that he would make a heck of a President. Why don’t you invite him on your show Chris. I’m sure you would listen to him with an “open mind”

  • AngelPeters

    Ah. The reason behind Kristol’s and Ingraham’s comments

  • ndanielson

    WCinWI said:
    Yes….who does that $5 gas help? :)

    $5.00 gas helps 0bama sell socialism. After all, after government artificially inflates the cost of energy, it must be there to help the disadvantaged, with subsidies and programs, because so many are exploited by the rich.

  • ndanielson

    ndanielson said:
    $5.00 gas helps 0bama sell socialism. After all, after government artificially inflates the cost of energy, it must be there to help the disadvantaged, with subsidies and programs, because so many are exploited by the rich.

    The government needs to drive up the cost of energy to “help” the elderly pay for it. It’s all about dependence.

  • ndanielson

    It is good to see the left has moved beyond gravitas.

  • illusive man

    Yoda002 said:
    Obama stopped the bleeding. But the GOP is no help they plan on laying off more people.

    Hiring more people in to the public sector has not stopped anything, it only grow’s the size of government and shrink’s our freedom. You are nothing more than a typical leftist, You don’t care about ending the patriot act or ending tha wars, It is all ok as long as the guy allowing these thing’s to happen has a D after his name. You think you are better than republican’s, You are not, democrat’s and republican’s are one in the same and you fell for it.

  • david r

    I guess Chris thinks Obama is great because he has pizzaz. Maybe the Iraq war wouldn’t have rankled Matthews at all if Bush had only possessed the requisite pizzaz. You know that guy in Deliverance. The one who made friends with Ned Beatty. He had a lot of pizzaz, I thought.

  • ImNotBlue

    I love pizza!

  • rover37

    I think there needs to be a over/uner on how long until Comcast dumps this idiot. He is losing it… seriously its embarrassing even for MSNBC standards. I dont think Comcast will take much more of him. Most of the time his show is just a free infomercail for FOX… and the other half he is drolling over Clinton and having tingles over Obama… the guy needs help. INTERVENTION>

  • WildMan

    When it comes to “Panache, Excitement, Pizzaz, or anything like Charisma” there is no more of an expert than the booringest talking head on TV who has none of the above, old, dried out Chris ‘Tingles & Thrills’ Matthews. Chris is aging by the hour. Seriously there is something wrong with Chris. To me it looks like meds are out of sync with his internals or he is doing some form of Charlie Sheen. But the bottom line is Chris is getting weirder and weirder by the day.Maybe he sees the writing on the wall and is giving it one last shot.

    Yo Chrissy, stop comparing everything to a movie. Movies are make believe. Try reading an actual non-fiction book sometime.

  • rover37

    mibwilso said:
    Chris is center-left. Any liberal would tell you that. He’s not Dennis Kucinich or Bernie Sanders. If you think he’s in the same territory as them, you’ve got some serious blinders on.

    Chris is center anything…. when you talk about people like BErnie Sanders that is far far left. Bernie and The other MSNBC idiot Lawrence Odonnell are admitted socialist… that is as far left as you can go… he is as far left s you can go without being a socailist… When I think of Center left I think of Blue Dogs or even Republican Scott Brown….. but its not Mathews.

  • http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

    Yoda002 said:
    Obama stopped the bleeding. But the GOP is no help they plan on laying off more people.

    Don’t quit your job at Disney. By the way which animal were you playing today? Pluto?

  • chicgoods4
  • Probably NOT wrong

    BFD said:
    Chris Matthews On Likely GOP 2012 Candidates: None Have Any “Panache, Excitement, Pizzaz, Charisma, Brains, Morals” All the real candidates know they can’t beat Obama so the result will be all the crazies, has-beens and losers running.Should be quite a show! ____________________________________________Day 20 since Henny Glenny was struck by an overwhelming feeling that Egypt is the beginning of a growing evil that is going to spread a global Muslim caliphate and with the help of the communists and progressives create a New World Order ending our way of life as we know it.

    UH OH !

  • Probably NOT wrong

    ImNotBlue said:
    @ Grammie That’s Matthews’ MO. Remember how he used to pronounce, “Cheney?” He insisted he knew better, so despite what everyone else said, including Cheney himself, Matthews did hid own thing. It’s par.

    Oh, he thought that “Cheney” pronounecation shit was cute.
    Half the time he pronounces it correctly when he forgets to be “cute”
    MSNBC deserves their low viewer ratings!

  • Probably NOT wrong

    Notice the slobbering all over Bill Clinton “President of
    the World” fiasco drew about 3 dozen viewers and the
    reviews on the documentary havee been ‘laughable”!
    Tingles need to retire, quick. He makes the rest of MSNBC
    look good.

  • Steve_27

    This whole topic is a phenominal waste of time. Matthews is a far left winger and would never have anything positive to say about any potential republican candidate, nor should anyone give a crap what he says.

  • Probably NOT wrong

    Steve_27 said:
    This whole topic is a phenominal waste of time. Matthews is a far left winger and would never have anything positive to say about any potential republican candidate, nor should anyone give a crap what he says.

    Few do, Steve. Very few do!

  • writer

    Well that settles it. No point even having an election now.

  • Nachi

    Lock step. Jack-boots.

  • REBIII

    It confounds me why Mediaite would give headline coverage to Chris Matthews. Matthews is a hack and a has been that never was. Aside from a handful of left-wing fanatics who feel a quiver up their leg when Matthews speaks (or spits), no one cares what he has to say.

  • RobJr

    What cracks me up is the fact that Matthews gushes over Obama’s ambiguity (change, hope and change, change and hope, yes we can, etc.) yet when substantive Republicans like Huckabee, Gingrich and Pawlenty start to speak they are “boring.” Hey Chris, listen to the message not the tone. Summarily dismissing republicans has hurt your street cred. Not that you had much to begin with. What I think talking heads like Matthews is truly afraid of is watching his beloved Obama get “shellacked” by the likes of a Gingrich in a debate. I know Newt is polarizing, but he is a smart man and would have no problem going toe-to-toe with the B-man. Cheers.

  • CAconservative

    For Matthews, excitement running up his leg is the prerequisite for a political candidate. Well, Mr.Matthews we got one in the White House now and that doesn’t seem to be working out so well. Your Hollywood style president seems to be all show and little substance. I’ll bet, Obimbo will become just as memorable to the Nation as Schwarzenegger is to California. Both, a total waist of time!

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