If Chris Matthews is seriously considering a run for Arlen Specter’s Senate seat, he shouldn’t be on the air right now.
One of the reasons millions of people rely on NBC as a news source is that
it’s objective and driven by a fidelity to covering the news. So when one of the network’s most visible anchors is reported to be exploring a run for elected office, the network has an obligation to remove that person from its airwaves. At the very least, it must disclose any and all deliberations and actions being taken by that person to explore a run. Here are a few reasons why:
- If Matthews is going to run as a Democrat in what will likely be a contested primary, will he be willing to play hardball when his fellow Democrats are in the news? How could he do an interview with Ed Rendell? How could he be trusted to cover the Obama transition and other political issues without fear or favor? More to the point, will viewers think he is covering politics without fear or favor?
- What about the damage to the NBC brand? It’s one thing for people to cry foul when MSNBC commentators appear “left leaning” in their commentary. It’s quite another when one of those commentators is actively contemplating a run as a Democrat for elected office.
- How does NBC make coverage decisions involving the people in the PA primary? If the bookers turn down a Specter pitch to be on Meet the Press, the network (fairly or unfairly) will be vulnerable to charges that it is protecting one of its own. If Specter gets on NBC’s air, the other Democrats thinking about a run will rightly say they want equal time. And then there’s the fact that Matthews himself is on the air for large chunks of the day.
- As a political matter, Matthews will look mealy-mouthed if he keeps denying he has an interest in the race while party leaders in Pennsylvania are quoted saying that he is in fact exploring it. That’s exactly the kind of move that Matthews the Pundit would decry on Hardball.
Chris Matthews has every right to run for the Senate but he shouldn’t risk NBC’s credibility or undermine the faith his viewers place in him. To avoid the appearance of conflict, Chris should do the right thing and remove himself from the air until he has made a decision. If he won’t do it, NBC should suspend him.
(Full Disclosure: I wasn’t always the biggest Chris Matthews fan during the 2008 Democratic primary contest… And I am not working for anyone in the 2010 PA senate race.)
Filed under: 2010 Campaign, Media, Politics | Tagged: 2010 Campaign, 2010 senate race, Arlen Specter, Chris Matthews, Chris Matthews running for Senate, Hardball, Matthews running for Senate, MSNBC, MSNBC Hardball, NBC, Phil Singer, Senate Race
oh boy – you betcha! Oh how I wish that matthews runs! I will move back to my home state of PA and do everything I can to defeat this clown in the Dem Primary. There is nothing that would make me happier than to help elect Admiral Joe to the senate whilst at the same time working full time telling people about what Mattyhews did to Al Gore and Democratic interests in 2000. (We wont even have to mention Senator C.) What a punk he is and how ANYBODY can believe this guy is act5ually a Dem just shocks me. (By the way – you should read Bob Somerbys work on Matthews at t the Daily Howler)
Anyone who who is even thinking of supporting the likes of Chris Matthews needs to watch the You Tube video “Sexism sell, but we’re not buying it” Anyone who watched Matthews in the lead up to the nominations knows that Chris Matthews is a ’sexist’ of the first water. I am a lifelong Democrat and will remain so but if Matthews runs, I will not only support but I will contribute to Spector’s campaign. He is a ‘biased mouth’ on TV. We don’t need that kind of mouth in the Senate.
“One of the reasons millions of people rely on NBC as a news source is that it’s objective and driven by a fidelity to covering the news”
You’re kidding, right..?
[...] Phil Singer: “If Chris Matthews is seriously considering a run for Arlen Specter’s Senate seat, he shouldn’t be on the air right now… To avoid the appearance of conflict, Chris should do the right thing and remove himself from the air until he has made a decision. If he won’t do it, NBC should suspend him.” [...]
I say, let’s the guy run: all the Clinton’s supporters will defeat him either in the primary or general election. The guy is a parody. What a joke.
Why? He’s on MSNBC. Everyone knows it’s left-wing, so liberal they didn’t like Hillary in the primaries. Don’t get me wrong- I totally love MSNBC. But I’m honest with myself- they’re just shy of being Commies. It’s not like this is a secret. It’s not an unbiased news organization. Sure, you’d have a point if this was NBC, or CBS, and especially, if it was PBS. But let Matthews run as a leftie, and “Papa Bear” of Fox Fixed News run as a Republican. It would be a lot more honest that way.
[...] If Matthews is Mulling A Senate Run Should He Be On The Air?… [...]
People said some really nasty things about you on this blog, Mr. Singer, and that’s not nice. I feel confident they do not know you personally, and even if they did, that is still not nice. As a HUGE past, present, and future HRC supporter, I really appreciated all you did for Hillary in the primary. Thank you. I do not think very many people see MSNBC as anything more than the National Enquirer anymore. The only objective peson there , in my opinion, is David Gregory, and he is leaving. He is going to be the new host of Meet the Press, and I send him my hearty congratulations. I feel that Matthews continuing in his job while preparing for a Senate run is at the least questiuonable. I would even call it unethical. He should be fired immediately if he refuse to quit. He is a liar and a fraud.. Guess now I’m not nice, but I speak the truth. Chris Matthews did lie when he said he was not preparing for a Senate run while at the same time meeting with Democratic leaders.
[...] Phil Singer wrote that Matthews should resign or be removed from his position as Hardball anchor on MSNBC. For Matthews to continue in his role [...]
[...] If Matthews Is Mulling A Senate Run, He Shouldn’t Be On The Air If Chris Matthews is seriously considering a run for Arlen Specter’s Senate seat, he shouldn’t be on the air right [...] [...]
[...] If Matthews Is Mulling A Senate Run, He Shouldn’t Be On The Air If Chris Matthews is seriously considering a run for Arlen Specter’s Senate seat, he shouldn’t be on the air right [...] [...]
[...] If Matthews Is Mulling A Senate Run, He Shouldn’t Be On The Air [...]
[...] If Matthews Is Mulling A Senate Run, He Shouldn’t Be On The Air [...]
[...] don’t believe, as Phil Singer says, that Chris Matthews should stop reporting just because he’s considering a Senate run. I [...]
[...] Singer, formerly of the Hillary Clinton campaign said: So when one of the network’s most visible anchors is reported to be exploring a run for elected [...]