Phillip Dennis

Texas Tea Party Leader On Obama's Faith: 'I Don't Know!' (VIDEO)

Andrew Jones | February 10, 2011, 8:49AM

Dallas Tea Party Leader Phillip Dennis

Dallas Tea Party leader Phillip Dennis became the latest conservative figure to express doubts about whether President Obama is a Christian or a Muslim on Hardball yesterday.

"Is Barack Obama a Muslim?" asked host Chris Matthews.

Dennis' answer: "I don't know."

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Chris Matthews

Steele Stands By Record On Hardball -- Without Gaffes! (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 17, 2011, 5:40PM

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, who was defeated for re-election at the party's meeting just this past Friday, is now popping up again on cable TV. And in an appearance this afternoon on Hardball, the previously gaffe-tastic Steele was...a remarkably level-headed pundit, with the weight of the RNC taken off his shoulders.

At one point, Steele defended his fundraising record. "Well we raised enough money. $192 million is a lot money," said Steele. "And a lot of folks want to sneeze at that. That's a lot of money -- at least in my neighborhood, I don't know about anybody else's. (Laughs.)"

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Chris Matthews

Chris Matthews Grills Tea Party Leader: Why Would Someone Bring A Gun To A Political Rally?

Jillian Rayfield | January 10, 2011, 6:43PM

Chris Matthews & Judson Phillips

Chris Matthews talked to Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips today, and grilled him on second amendment issues and the "history of violence" in America. Referencing the fondness of tea partiers for bringing guns to political rallies, Matthews asked: "Why are guns talked about so much, especially on the right?"

Phillips replied that "guns are talked about on both sides of the political spectrum," and "liberals talk about it all the time. Usually in terms of taking the right to bear arms away from us."

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NV-SEN

What The Cluck? Lowden Ready To Run Again (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 7, 2011, 6:37PM

Sue Lowden

Sue Lowden might not be done kicking up the dust in Nevada politics. In an interview just now with Chris Matthews, the former Nevada Senate candidate, who lost the Republican primary last year, was asked whether she might run for the Senate in 2012, if scandal-plagued incumbent Republican Sen. John Ensign were to retire. And on top of that, you might be surprised to hear what she's doing now.

"If John Ensign doesn't run, and Congressman Dean Heller decides not to throw his hat in the ring, I would think about it seriously," said Lowden.

"But you don't want to beat Heller?" Matthews asked

"I don't think I can beat Heller," Lowden said, laughing. "I mean, that's an honest answer it's a very honest answer."

What's the matter, Sue Lowden -- chicken?

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Michele Bachmann

Chris Matthews To Bachmann: Did Someone Hypnotize You? (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | November 3, 2010, 12:17AM

Well this was a bizarre interview:

Chris Matthews talked to Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) on MSNBC tonight, and got a bit frustrated when she wouldn't answer his questions: "Congresswoman Bachmann -- are you hypnotized tonight? Has someone hypnotized you? Because no matter what I ask you, you give the same answer. Are you hypnotized, has someone put you under a trance tonight?

Bachmann replied: "I think the American people are the ones that finally are speaking tonight. We're coming out of our trance, really we're coming out of our nightmare. I think that people are thrilled tonight. I imagine that thrill is probably not quite so tingly on your leg anymore."

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Cordoba House

Chris Matthews Calls Out Rick Lazio For Exploiting Cordoba House For Campaign (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | August 24, 2010, 6:56PM

New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio has been focusing a lot of his campaign's attention on opposing the proposed Cordoba House Islamic center near Ground Zero, and today on Hardball, Chris Matthews took him to task for playing politics with the controversy. Matthews asked Lazio how he responds to those who say the focus "has a lot to do with the fact that you're down 30 points in what looks to be your upcoming general election fight with Andrew Cuomo for governor."

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Harold Ford

Harold Ford: 'I Am A New Yorker. I Am A New Yorker. I Am..." (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 11, 2010, 6:32PM

Former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D)

Appearing on Hardball tonight, former Rep. Harold Ford (D-TN) made a clear declaration for Chris Matthews, as Ford gears up to challenge appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the New York Democratic primary.

Ford, who lost a Senate campaign in his native Tennessee in 2006, said that he lives in New York, he and his wife plan to start a family there, and he's paid taxes there. "And once you pay taxes there, you feel like a New Yorker," Ford quipped.

Matthews asked Ford to declare that he is a New Yorker. Ford replied: "I am a New Yorker. I am a New Yorker. I am a New Yorker. I am a New Yorker." It was certainly entertaining -- and if this New York thing doesn't work out, he'll have no chance of ever running for office in Tennessee again.

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