I don't expect D.C. media establishmentarians like Chris Matthews to have an expert handle on the ins and outs of Illinois politics. But it's still fun to watch them attempt to cover the local scene.
For instance, yesterday on Hardball, Matthews seemed to suggest that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. "made news" earlier that day when he told the hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe that he would be "honored and humbled" to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat. Of course, anyone who's been paying attention back here in Illinois knows that Jackson Jr.'s statement was hardly "news."
During the subsequent discussion with Charlie Cook and Chuck Todd, Matthews immediately brought up the issue of who Mayor Daley wants appointed to the seat. Todd quickly set him straight, pointing out that the only thing that matters is what Blagojevich wants. Watch it:
For what it's worth, Jackson Jr. clearly impressed Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzenzski. As he begins to lay out his and Obama's shared "vision," you can hear her say under her breath, "Oh, listen to him."
markg8 on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 18:38
I don't know what Matthews does all day before he goes on the air but it sure isn't reading about anything he intends to talk about. What an insular little world he lives in.
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 21:41
I have to side with Chris on this - for those of us outside the local Illinois news it WAS news, and it was on MSNBC. A perfect opportunity for the Matthews to speculate and cover his own network. Remember that his show has a national audience.
Josh Kalven on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 22:39
I see your point.
But I'll just point out Jackson has previously talked about his interest in the seat on MSNBC:
http://progressillinois.com/2009/11/17/jackson-jr-obama-senate-values
Also, I don't think there's anything wrong with Matthews broaching this subject in front of his national audience. I just find it amusing how he -- and other national media figures -- get a lot of things wrong about the Illinois political landscape.
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