Chris Matthews and 'Romney Surrogate'

Chris Matthews had another deranged moment on live TV during MSNBC's New Hampshire primary coverage.

It's one embarrassment after another with this guy.

Matthews accused Steve Schmidt, former John McCain campaign manager, the sole conservative on a panel taking part in MSNBC's election night coverage, of being a "surrogate" for Mitt Romney.

Here's video:



Transcript:

CHRIS MATTHEWS: If he's opening up a class warfare discussion, using the term tonight, which will probably be a headline in the tabs, 'politics of envy,' 'resentment of success,' isn't it appropriate that he at least puts the cards on the table? Why would we envy a guy unless he'll tell you how much money he has? Why is it a secret how much money this guy has? Why is that a secret? Presidents, by the way, when they become presidents, release their tax returns as a matter of course. Will he observe that ritual or will he keep it secret even then? Why in the beginning of the secrecy on this issue, which he thinks is important to the discussion - class?

STEVE SCHMIDT: Well, you should ask the campaign why he won't.

MATTHEWS: I'm asking its surrogate, you.

SCHMIDT: Chris, I'm not a Romney surrogate, on the campaign.

RACHEL MADDOW: He's no surrogate.

MATTHEWS: Oh, come on. You like him. You want him to be president. Come on.

Noel Sheppard, NewsBusters, points out:

Truly ironic words coming from a man who almost four years ago after primary elections in numerous states talked about how Barack Obama gave him a thrill up his leg while shortly after the 2008 elections said it was his job to make Obama's presidency a success.

To now accuse a Republican strategist who's part of his network's primary coverage of being a surrogate for one of the candidates was the height of hypocrisy that even Maddow recognized.

Once again, Matthews, Obama cheerleader, makes a complete fool of himself.

I wonder if he realizes, but just doesn't care.

He looked genuinely angry at Schmidt. Very unprofessional.