When I want to watch the news that suits my views Hardball tops all the others. Countdown with Keith Olbermann.. too liberal for me, same with Rachel Maddow. Chris Matthews seems to be one of fairest of the commentators on MSNBC. Although Chris may seem lefty, Ive heard on many occasions when Chris will agree with the right rather than the left and will always have both sides in an arguement, not as one sided show as Olbermann or Maddow. Matthews seems to me more of a center left and not liberal as some may say. (Hes defended the left as well as the Right) Behind the scenes of political tactics, Matthews sees through the shadyness and will bring the toughest questions to his guests to rebuttal. Not the show for everyone but if you can appreciate politics in a hardcore fashion, id give hardball a try.

Chris Matthews softballs his fellow liberals. He is a hack of an ilk matched only by his MSNBC crony Keith Olbermann. Matthews conducts his show in a rude and disruptive fashion. The one positive of Hardball is their ability to book high profile guests.

A member of the liberal establishment who seems to give both sides an opportunity to present their case. Only problem he tends to step on their responses which is something O'Reilly does too much of also.

a waste of time

Chris Matthews is a jackass.

Chris Matthews is a media pimp for media whores like Ann Coulter. His show has no redeeming value other than political theatre that provides a forum for unchallenged hate, lies, & misinformation.

Scott Duncan, California

It's interesting, using the net to look up the so-called "experts" they have on shows like Hardball to see if they lean left or right, or have special interests they're representing. Are the neutral or do they have a dog in the fight? There are people and subjects Hardball will not touch.

We've pretty much given up watching this abomination. We do peek in once in a while just to see what the 'enemy' is saying. I believe that shows like Chris Matthews are guilty of aiding and abetting the enemy - at the very least, Chris is guilty of giving the enemy more ammunition. When a supposed "important" commentator like Chris Matthews constantly bashes not only the President, but the military, and the country in general, he is certainly making it easier for the "other side" - the terrorists and all those who wish to do harm to this country. The problem is, too many people are simply "kool-aid" drinkers. They hear someone like Chris spout off - and because it's on TV - it must be true! That's one of the major problems with this country today. American citizens have become so complacent, they are satisfied to sit home and just 'let the government handle it'. When in truth, we are supposed to be a nation governed '...OF the people, BY the people, and FOR the people." But most citizens today do NOT get involved. They do not take the time to study the issues and make themselves aware of what is happening behind the scenes. And far too many of our politicians, those whom we have elected to REPRESENT us, are more interested in the perks of the office, in the POWER they have been given, and many could really care less about those whom they are supposed to represent! We have allowed ourselves - our "leaders" to abandon the Constitution and sort of make up the rules as they go along. Just one example is the power that organizations like the ACLU have exerted on this nation. They are stripping us of our Constitutionally guaranteed RIGHT to practice and express our Religion - and are working diligently to prevent ANY public display of religious symbols. American citizens must wake up and take back the country! Get involved! One thing you can do is contact www.stoptheaclu.org This is a small, but rapidly growing group working hard to defund the ACLU and stop their theft of our tax dollars. The money paid to the ACLU in one year alone would fund a healthy part of Katrina reconstruction! If you like to blog, go to www.stoptheaclu.com. Check it out! And PLEASE! if you love America, don't take Chris Matthews and others of his ilk seriously! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

He is a lefto, but does a good job steering a middle course.

For the most part I like you Chris. But please, PLEASE start letting your guests finish their answers before you start in on them!

IT'S A SHAME YOU CALL YOURSELF AN OBJECTIVE JOURNALIST. I DON'T NEED TO WATCH YOUR SHOW, ALL I HAVE TO DO IS READ THE NEW YORK TIMES OR THE BOSTON HERALD OR THE POST AND YOUR LIBERAL LEFT WING SHOW IS RIGHT THERE IN BLACK & WHITE. I USED TO WATCH YOUR SHOW BUT NOW ALL I HAVE TO DO IS READ ABOUT IT IN THE LEFT WING MEDIA. I THINK IT IS A SHAME, AND I THINK YOU DO YOUR VIEWERS, OUR SERVICE MEN & WOMEN AND THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL A GREAT DISSERVICE. I GUESS FOR YOU IT'S ALL ABOUT EITHER MONEY OR POLITICS, AND NOT THE BIG PICTURE OF WHAT THE UNITED STATES REALLY IS. YOUR SHOW AND YOUR LEFT WING FRIEND DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT PATRIOTISM IS ALL ABOUT. SO CARRY ON WITH YOUR BIAS LEFT WING AGENDA, I WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK. P.S. TRY NOT TO SLOBER ON ANYBODY WHEN YOU INTERVIEW THEM.

I'll always hold this cretin in contempt for what he did to Kucinich, on his show. Michelle Malkin, a war crimes advocate, got off easy as far as I'm concerned. Though he is still fun to watch , I just can't fully trust what he says anymore...

I refer to him as Tell it like it is CHRIS He does not tolerate non-responses and digs deep when he should. Good sense of humor, smart as hell and entertaining to boot. I'm glad he's there& for my$ he's the only one doing it like it ought to be done.

Never lets aguest get a word in edge-wise, And why bother, he knows everything so he can ask and answer his own questions! His biggets fault is his inability to shut up and listen

I think Chris matthews is great. I am a african american. I think chris is very neutral, and that is what I like about him. He is also very intelligent. I thought at one time I did'nt like him, until I seen him in action with a few guest on his show he could really give bill o'reilly a run for his money, I would love to see that one day. stay honest chris.

Hardball for Conservatives, Wiffle ball for Liberals. Give it up Chris. You're not fooling anyone.

hardball and all shows like it are pointless......hmmmmm, let's get one liberal and one conservative to debate for an hour and accomplish nothing......get a life

Chris Matthews' hardballs can be quite entertaining.

One-sided show: hardball for conservatives, softball for liberals. Shameful. Does he not know he is competing directly with O'Reilly, and losing miserably?

Dan, that sounds really bad!

It is amazing that he finally seeks the truth by simply challenging talking points.

Chris Mathews is a complete horses ass.

Matthews completely lost it on 8/19. His hammering at Mr Thurlow went beyond any reasonable questioning of the man. His show has become nothing but a vehicle for bashing the President and supporting Kerry. However, that said, I will watch the show Monday to watch Chris rationalize his strange behavior.

While watching Hardball on August 19th, I laughed like I have never laughed before as Chris Matthews interviewed Mr. Thrulow by telephone! As the camera was focused soley on a disturbed Chris Matthews - visibly shaken by the Swift Boat ad, I literally thought that I was witnessing the mental breakdown of Chris Matthews - live on the air!!! I like Chris Matthews as a host, however, his biased reporting of the facts is laughable. They should air this show on the Comedy channel. He simply ignores ALL facts that are opposed to his own biased view, as if the audience is not aware of the opposing facts. He has no problem with the numerous proven and documented lies in Michael Mooore's recent movie - or the numerous lies and unproven accusations that appear in the Moveon.org television commercials financed by a Billionaire - and then has a complete hissy fit over the Swift Boat ad, an ad that is backed up by the testimony of hundreds of soldiers who served with John Kerry. The reason so few people watch Hardball on a nightly basis is because of the extreme biases reported on the show. For every Republican talking head, you get three Liberal Democrat talking heads. However, if Chris Matthews continues to have mental breakdowns live on the air, his ratings may increase significantly. I taped the August 19th show and have watched the interview of Mr. Thrulow no less than 10 times. The best comedy I have seen in years!!!! Go Chris Matthews!!!! T. Shaw Richmond, VA

After watching Hardball last night, 8/19/04, I have decided never to watch it again! I do not like watching anyone Brow Beating & Yelling at their Guests. When Mathews asks them a question he never lets them finish!!! (especially if they don't agree with what he has to say!) He is Rude & Disrespectful... he should be ashamed of himself for how he behaved last night. I wanted to hear what Mr. Thurlow had to say, but instead I had to listen to Mathews Be Little him & try to get a statement out of him only to Twist it & turn it into a Bush Bashing comment. Mr. Thrulow came on the show to talk about why he felt Kerry is Unfit for Command but since Mathews didn't like what he was hearing he had to turn the conversation into a Bush Smear!(Did he treat Michael Moore in the same manner? I don't think so!!! His movie being played in the Arab Nations is Treason! That jerk has put our Brave Soldiers in harms way.) In the future I will be tuning in to a T.V. Station that is far more Fair & Balanced and where I can get both sides of the story & be able to make up my own mind. I think most of us Americans can see through the Lies & Deceipt. It seems that Kerry's Story keeps changing, but the Swiftboat Veterans Story remains the same. I wonder what Sensitive Jobs Kerry has promised his few Vietnam Brothers if he were to be elected President...? I would advise Mathews to get his facts straight before he interviews people... has he even read the book Unfit for Command? I am tired of hearing people say Why is all of this coming out now after 35 years? First of all because it's Wrong to Lie... And this isn't just coming out now, the other night I was watching an old 1971 episode of the Dick Cavett Show and there before my very eyes was John Kerry & John O'Neil Discussing their views on what really happened in Vietnam. Get your facts together Mathews, according to my math, 1971 is NOT 35 years after the Vietnam War. Get your Facts straight & realize that Facts & your Opinions are not the same!!!

I used to like Hardball because Matthews would ask no-nonsense questions of BOTH sides of the political spectrum, and insist on answers, not just the talking point of the day. But he has become so rabidly pro-Kerry pro-Democrat that the show has become a parody. His absurd assault on Michelle Malkin last night was abhorrent. I have NEVER seen a host treat a guest with such utter contempt -- seriously, he was damn near foaming at the mouth with this poor girl. Then, after she left the panel, he went on with other guests to mock her for assertions she never made but HE insisted on putting in her mouth. It was despicable. I'm glad it will be canceled soon. At least Dennis Miller doesn't pretend to be non-partisan.

The show used to be balanced with views from all sides of the political spectrum and Hardball questions posed to each of these sides. Now it has become clearly biased in favor of John Kerry, as demonstrated by the recent cowardly attack on Michele Maulkin ( was that Joe Macarthy sitting in for Matthews here?) and the incredible denial by Matthews that John Kerry was the anti-war candidate even though the video Matthews played showed Kerry responding affirmatively in the video..twice!

Chris Mathews attack on Michele Maulkin concerning the Swift Boat book was another foaming mouth rant by Chris. Apparently he has not read the book before he launched his attacks. The reason to watch a show such as his is not for entertainment but to debate the issues inorder to gleam some small piece of factual relevance. Chis believe that he is the holder of the truth and everyoner else is wron. To trash the Swift Boat book requires the media to search the records that were not released by Kerry to settle the issue. Chris, as usual is derelect in his research.

Cmon guys, Chris Mathews is awesome...Aggressive and if u notice, always get his quesions answered....Great asset to NBC!!!

I'm getting pretty tired of the prison hammering night after night...the military started investigations with that months ago, it is in the hands of the law now as well, and one convicted. This isn't helping our military that are working so hard in Iraq, and for those about to go over. I'm getting sick of you Chris...no wonder your ratings aren't getting any where. I'm turning you off as well, and my husband walks out when you are on. Wanda Gardner

Hardball is the only show I watch religiously. He always asks the questions I want asked or I would ask myself. Great show.

Chris has his s**t together.

The only talk news show on television asking hard questions. Hardball is what Meet the press should have been.

Chris deserves the slogan Fair & Balanced!

Matthews is a solid interviewer. He asks the tough questions that many of his colleagues on cable television fail to ask. I admire his candor and straightforwardness. I like the format of Hardball as well. Matthews usually has informative guests on that provide insightful analyses on the wide range of issues facing this country and the world.