Matthews on Mass. Election: People Are Averse To Obama's Program

January 18th, 2010 2:20 PM

Barack Obama appears to no longer be giving Chris Matthews a tingle up his leg, for the MSNBC host thinks Tuesday's special election in Massachusetts might end up being a reflection of how people are very averse to the new President's program.

With a visible frown on his face, Matthews told "Daily Rundown" co-host Chuck Todd Monday that recent polling data "has to do with reality of a terrible economy, of this new burden that people feel being put on their shoulders of bigger debt, perhaps taxes coming down the road."

Matthews continued, "And the fear that the burden of healthcare is going to be much heavier than the benefit."

The "Hardball" host cautioned, "I think it's going to show up in Massachusetts tomorrow with the results there" (video embedded below the fold with partial transcript, h/t Story Balloon):

CHRIS MATTHEWS: I think it has to do with reality of a terrible economy, of this new burden that people feel being put on their shoulders of bigger debt, perhaps taxes coming down the road, a fear that the bigger debt's going to lead to inflation, a weaker dollar - which it already has - and the fear that the burden of healthcare is going to be much heavier than the benefit. Certainly as we can see it now. And I think it's going to show up in Massachusetts tomorrow with the results there. I think people are very averse to what this program looks like of this new president. They're averse to it right now.  

Wow!

If Matthews is sad now, how's he going to feel if Republican Scott Brown wins?