New MSNBC Ad Reminds: Chris Matthews Was a Democratic Operative for Tip O'Neill!

September 24th, 2013 12:50 PM

 MSNBC isn't even trying anymore. A new ad for Hardball actually touted Chris Matthews's past as a Democratic operative for Tip O'Neill. As black and white pictures of Matthews appeared onscreen, the host bragged, "I'm not new to politics, nor to the issues that divide us. Nor am I free of the passions they engage." (Considering that Matthews famously extolled the "thrill" Barack Obama sent up his leg, he's clearly not free of "passion.") [See video of the ad below. MP3 audio here.]

Hyping the profundity of his TV show, Matthews trumpeted, "Here on Hardball, you can expect me to discuss history as it relates to what's happening now. You can expect me to analyze what politicians are doing today with what I've seen other politicians do before." Perhaps it's a knowledge of history that caused the anchor last year to connect modern conservatives to genocidal murderer Adolf Hitler.

Perhaps it was a keen grasp of history and its connection to the present that prompted Matthews in July to smear Rand Paul, Mike Lee and Ted Cruz as "terrorists."

Matthews's historical knowledge is usually somewhat lacking. But he's a big fan of the movies. On March 28, 2013, the host compared Second Amendment voices to the Nazis...from Casablanca.

A transcript of the ad is below:


Chris Matthews ad

09/23/13

12:37pm ET

[Ad features black and white photos, including one of Matthews as a staffer for Tip O'Neil.]

CHRIS MATTHEWS: I'm not new to politics, nor to the issues that divide us. Nor am I free of the passions they engage. Here on Hardball, you can expect me to discuss history as it relates to what's happening now. You can expect to hear me analyze what politicians are doing today with what I've seen other politicians do before and you can expect me to fight for the causes that stirred me in my 20s, when passions rose, minds were set and life missions accepted. And this is Hardball.