I remember a year ago I stumbled upon a website, which is no longer online, called “[tag]Draft[/tag] [tag]Chris Matthews[/tag].” The site had all the appropriate elements — a petition, an explanation of Matthews’ “qualifications,” etc. — and explained why the Philadelphia native should take on Sen. Rick Santorum in Pennsylvania in 2006. It was good for a quick chuckle and easily forgotten.
After all, who would really want the MSNBC blowhard in the world’s most deliberative body? This online petition drive set a goal of 5,000 signatures. As of today, it’s fallen 4,895 short. It’s a helpful hint about public demand for a Matthews campaign.
And yet, the idea seemed to gain considerable attention yesterday. The Huffington Post noted the rumor about Matthews possibly entering the race and Philadelphia Daily News writer Will Bunch explained that it could, at least as a practical matter, happen.
Can Matthews, a Philadelphia native who lives in the D.C. area, enter the race — which is seen as a showdown between sagging GOP incumbent Rick Santorum and anemic Democratic rival Bob Casey Jr. — at this late date? Yes…if he runs as an independent.
While the door is shut on entering the race as a Democrat or Republican — Matthews is a former Democratic aide on Capitol Hill who has leaned rightward, seemingly, as a TV talking head, we’re told that Matthews could have begun circulating petitions to run as an independent on March 9 and has all the way until Aug. 1 to turn them in.
Bunch added that Matthews may believe he has a shot because he can be an Arlen Specter-like candidate — a pro-choice conservative.
I don’t see this happening, in large part because it’s hard to imagine Matthews taking the pay cut. That said, as pundits-turned-politicians go, I can only think of one other possible candidate who’d scare me more.