isany1listening

There have been growing reports recently that MSNBC’s “Hardball” host Chris Matthews is gearing up to run for Arlen Specter’s Senate seat in Pennsylvania.  Various critics have stepped forward to demand he get off the air.  People say it is unethical for him to host a TV show on cable news, while running for political office.  But the question still remains is Chris Matthews actually going to run?  He has not declared one way or another, which gives him the best of both worlds right now.

Granted, from what I gather, all the signs point to him running for political office.  And who could blame him?  I am a big fan of Matthews.  He cutting remarks and what I believe to be very fair questions for his guests from both sides of the aisle shows his intelligence and wanting to get to the heart of the matter.  I just saw tonight’s episode where he questioned two Congressmen on where they stand on the bailout for the Big 3 auto companies, and asked them what kind of cars they drove.  I appreciate this side of Matthews, I really do.

But should he run for office?  I don’t know.  I am not so sure.  Being a political junky, I can understand that for someone like him who has been involved in politics and has now sat on the sidelines giving commentary over the years, it must be frustrating to a certain degree.  You can’t do much to change things, when you are simply a pundit or a viewer.  The best you can do is vote.  And with the election of Obama, there must be something of change in the air and a wanting to make a difference and do something.  Make the country better and get involved in a real way.  I can understand that, and understand what Matthews must be thinking with this decision.

However, this is what I fear.  I don’t trust politicians.  Even the best people who get involved, who have real ethics, can be so easily corrupted.  I sincerely believe that one of two things happens.  You enter the political arena, ethical, wanting to make a real difference.  You have great ideas and are not afraid to fight for what is right.  You are not willing to compromise your ethics.  Well either you won’t win a political office if you remain unyielding, or the more common event occurs: you cave and compromise.  You become seduced by the promise of power or realize compromising is the only way to get elected and although you tell yourself there will only be a few minor things you are willing to give up, it snowballs because power is seductive and makes even the best of us do crazy things.  And that is my fear for Matthews.  I respect him, and mostly because he is on the sidelines and can therefore remain ethical and do something just in terms of politics.  But when he gets in office, things could easily change because people are weak.  I understand that weakness.  We are only human and I am weak myself and as much as I would like to run, would never because I don’t want to be in the position of compromising myself or my ethics.  So I hope Chris Matthews really thinks and does what he feels is best.  But I sure will miss his show.  I heart Chris Matthews.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS