Does Chris Matthews Hate 'Fork-Tongued' Newt Gingrich?

On Wednesday's Hardball, Chris Matthews blasted "demonic" GOP presidential contender Newt Gingrich for speaking with a "forked tongue" when answering a question about health care during Tuesday night's Republican presidential debate.

"You know, the demonic aspect of the person of Newt Gingrich – and I do mean that – he speaks with a forked tongue where you see both forks at the same time."

The MSNBC host's reaction was prompted by an exchange between the former House Speaker and Mitt Romney over whether Romney got the idea for his Massachusetts health care mandate from Gingrich.

"Demonic" seems a bit strong, however. So does the animus go deeper for Matthews?

According to Newsbusters, the Hardball host has a long history of particularly vitriolic attacks on Gingrich, at one point comparing the former House Speaker to "Freddy Krueger."

On May 12, 2011, Matthews shrieked that the "shameless" and "nasty" Gingrich robs "joy and humanity" from people.

He frothed, "I cannot believe there are young Republicans idealists out there, young people with hope who want our country to be good and have good politics to want to resurrect this element of Freddy Krueger, Nightmare on Elm Street politics."

On March 2, 2011, he raged that the Republican looks like a "car bomber" who "loves torturing."

On June 10, 2011, Matthews excoriated Gingrich as "evil" and looking like "the Devil."

During Matthews' latest Gingrich-inspired outburst on Wednesday, he stated:

"You know, the demonic aspect of the person of Newt Gingrich, and I do mean that. He speaks with a forked tongue where you see both forks at the same time. He said two opposite things. I agree with Heritage, I did not agree with Heritage. I forget the other. That was the wrong order. First he said he was not part of it and then he said he agreed with Heritage, having just denied it."

It goes without saying Chris Matthews holds little affection for conservatives, but do you find his demeanor, with regard to Newt Gingrich, particularly hostile? Does Matthews perhaps view Gingrich as the greater threat among Republican contenders? Weigh in with your thoughts below.