Chris Matthews Winces In Pain When Guest Says Dems Could Lose Senate

August 15th, 2010 12:35 PM

Chris Matthews this weekend winced in pain when a guest on his syndicated program said it's actually more likely the Democrats will lose the Senate than the House in the upcoming midterm elections.

As the "Chris Matthews Show" entered its final segment when panelists offer their predictions, New York magazine's John Heilemann said, "There are a lot of really smart Democratic politicos that I talk to who are actually a little bit more worried right now that it's possible Democrats could lose the Senate more easily than they could lose the House."

Matthews interrupted with a pained expression on his face, "That's like losing a dozen seats."

As Heilemann continued, the host once again interrupted, "Could [Sen. Barbara] Boxer lose in California?" 

When Heilemann said yes, Matthews grimaced, "You're talking tsunami" (video follows with transcript and commentary): 

CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: John, tell me something I don't know.

JOHN HEILEMANN, NEW YORK MAGAZINE: You know, there are a lot of really smart Democratic politicos that I talk to who are actually a little bit more worried right now that it's possible Democrats could lose the Senate more easily than they could lose the House. And part of it I think is because there are...

MATTHEWS: That's like losing a dozen seats.

HEILEMANN: Well, it is, and I think there's a concern about some of the quality of some of those Democratic candidates, there's a concern about the national mood, and then there's also some concern about the National Democratic Senatorial Committee which is not actually investing money necessarily in the wisest way according to some of the Democrats who...

MATTHEWS: Could Boxer lose in California?

HEILEMANN: Boxer could lose in California. And I think it's also possible that you could see Democrats lose seats they should not lose like in New Hampshire, like in Illinois, seats they should absolutely hold that right now they're not spending much money there.

MATTHEWS: You're talking tsunami.

HEILEMANN: They could lose, yeah.

Sheesh, could Matthews at least try to behave like a journalist and not show the audience how pained he is at the thought of a Democrat loss this November?