Hardball in the Senate? Nah!!!

We saw an item recently about Hardball's Chris Matthews thinking about running in 2010 for the Pennsylvania seat in the US Senate now held by Arlen Specter. Didn't think much about it at the time. Now it seems he's serious. He's reportedly shopping for a house in the state where he was born. It's also true that he's harbored a boyhood dream to be a senator. I've always wanted to be a subway motorman. That doesn't mean I'm looking to take the test.

Chris Matthews wouldn't be the first tv personality to run for political office. Gee, there's the late Sonny Bono, Fred Grandy from the Love Boat, and Jesse "The Body" Ventura. And they all won! But seriously, Chris Matthews would have a hard road to Capitol Hill. For one, he's been hosting a political talk show, which means he's got friends for sure, but also enemies in Washington. Also, despite having been born in Pennsylvania, he's most closely associated with DC.

Then there's his ill advised slam of Hillary Clinton during the presidential primary. You may remember he said she got where she was because "her husband messed around". Chris Matthews may find out that the Clintons have a long reach, and long memories. Then there are those who view the noise about a Matthews senate run as merely a negotiating ploy to get more money from NBC when his contract expires next June. Don't laugh. It's been done before.

Matthews doesn't face an open road even to the Democratic nomination for the job he covets. Should he get past potential challengers in his own party, he faces a venerable opponent in Arlen Specter. True, the incumbent will be 80 years old in 2010, but Frank Lautenberg just got re-elected in New Jersey, and he's 84. Would Chris Matthews dare bring up the issue of age?

The MSNBC host has always been an acquired taste, but one who has a following despite being pilloried on occasion by the right. He should stay where he is, and do what he does best. Boyhood dreams don't always work out.

What do you think? Should Chris Matthews run for the Senate?