Chris Matthews Gushes Over Obama's 'Smile' While Blasting GOP's 'Reign of Terror

MSNBC host Chris Matthews is at it again, blasting conservatives while showing unabashed affection for President Obama. On Monday's episode of "Hardball," Matthews seized on what he calls Republicans' "reign of terror," asserting that Republicans "don't like democratic government" but do like to "tear down statues" rather than "put them up."

When asked by guest David Corn why, if one doesn't care about government at all, would he or she not vote for Michele Bachmann or Herman Cain, Matthews blazed:

I think this is the reign of terror. Anyway, I don't think they like government or leadership or politics– really politics. They don't like democratic government. They don't like having a leader. They like to bring down- these are guys who tear down statues. They don't put them up.

During the same broadcast, Matthews switched gears from tearing down GOP lawmakers and presidential candidates to admiring the Commander in Chief.

Oddly, after bashing Obama not but a few weeks ago for having "the worst kind of a notion of the presidency," many thought the bloom had fallen off the rose for Matthews where his affections for the president are concerned.

But alas, the man who once said Obama sent a "thrill up his leg" (a statement he will surely never live down), wore his heart on his sleeve yet again, stating that Obama's "smile's worth a million bucks."

Newsbusters brings us both clips. A partial transcript follows below the video.

CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: President Obama also spoke yesterday at a reception for the star-studded event. In addition to shining a light on each of the honorees for their accomplishments, he pointed out one of them who might have something to offer to the political scene, specifically, the gridlock on Capitol Hill. Well, let’s take a look at this one. Couldn’t see this one coming.

[...]

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Maybe the most amazing thing about Yoyo Ma is that everybody likes him. You’ve got to give me some tips. It’s remarkable.

He’s been named one of People magazine’s sexiest men alive. He’s appeared on Sesame Street. I’ve thought about asking him to go talk to Congress.

[...]

MATTHEWS: Smile’s worth a million bucks.

Could Matthews be suffering from what modern-day slang refers to as a "man-crush?"