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Nov 30, 2008 11:00 pm US/Eastern
Chris Matthews Reportedly Considering Senate Run
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) ―
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Television personality Chris Matthews speaks at the 2008 Women's Conference at the Long Beach Convention Center on Oct. 22, 2008, in Long Beach, Calif.
Michael Buckner/Getty Images
MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews may be considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2010, a Pennsylvania Democratic party leader says.
The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reported that Matthews met with state party leaders this past week in Washington to discuss a possible bid to unseat Republican Sen. Arlen Specter.
Party official Mary Isenhour said she left the meeting feeling that Matthews still hadn't made up his mind.
Specter, R-Pa., says he's ready for a tough re-election race in 2010, whether it's against the MSNBC pundit or someone else.
Specter, 78, declined to speculate on whether he would face Matthews, who reportedly met with Pennsylvania Democratic Party leaders last week about a run. But the GOP moderate said he expected challenges from the left and right as he seeks a sixth term.
"I never look over my shoulder, never look behind. Somebody may be gaining on me. I run with blinders. I'll be prepared, whoever my opponents are," Specter said on CNN's "Late Edition."
Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., the head of his party's campaign arm, said he has neither spoken with Matthews, a native Philadelphian, nor any intermediaries for him about a possible challenge to Specter.
"We'll see who decides to run. I haven't seen any firm announcement by anyone," Menendez said on the same program.
There was no immediate response from Matthews Sunday to a message left for him through an NBC spokeswoman.
The 62-year-old Matthews' contract with MSNBC expires in June. He has worked in Democratic politics before, running unsuccessfully for a northeast Philadelphia congressional seat in 1974 and working for former President Jimmy Carter and former House Speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill Jr.
His brother, Jim Matthews, is on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners in suburban Philadelphia.
Specter made it clear that he would vigorously defend his seat.
"Feeling good," quipped the Republican, who has survived bouts with a brain tumor and cancer while serving in the Senate. "Top of my game."
Specter, the longest-serving senator in Pennsylvania history, would be 80 if he wins again.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
