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By Sean Coit
For PoliticsPA
“Hardball” host Chris
Matthews seems content to continue throwing screwballs in Pennsylvania.
Knowledgeable sources
have confirmed that Matthews has discussed a possible run for U.S.
Senate with Congressman and Philadelphia Democratic City Committee Chair
Bob Brady; Treasurer-elect Rob McCord; Allegheny County Democratic Chair
Jim Burn; and Neil Oxman, Pennsylvania’s premier political consultant.
Other reliable
sources have reported that Matthews has reached out to strategist Jen
Bachus and veterans of President-elect Barack Obama’s Minnesota
campaign.
Famous for demanding
quick, clear answers from his guests, Matthews has remained
uncharacteristically coy about his machinations for Arlen Specter’s
senate seat. In any event, Matthews’ contact with officials and
strategists would seem slightly at odds with his insistence that rumors
he’s hiring are “absolutely not true.”
Oxman, who was
consulted on the campaigns of Governor
Ed Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, has been an outspoken
advocate of Matthews’ potential candidacy, and would likely play a major
role in a Matthews campaign.
Support from McCord,
who proved a prolific fundraiser this year, and Jim Burn in western
Allegheny County would help Matthews’ statewide chances.
Brady, who has
represented Philadelphia since 1998, is also chairman of the
Philadelphia Democratic Party, and could help solidify Matthews’ support
around the city.
Quinnipiac University
recently conducted a poll that found Matthews would initially struggle
with name recognition in a hypothetical race against incumbent Arlen
Specter. Specter led Matthews by 12 points in the poll, 45 percent to
33 percent.
While Specter will receive support from the
state GOP in 2010, Matthews would almost certainly face a tough road
before the general election in the primary, where he could face off
against Reps. Joe Sestak and Allyson Schwartz, State Rep. Josh Shapiro,
and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel.
Contact Sean Coit at
sean@politicspa.com.
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