Chris Matthews Fawns Over Parents Barack and Michelle: 'Close Enough to Perfect

The question is no longer if MSNBC host Chris Matthews is in love with Barack Obama, it's how much.

The host infamous for his "tingle" when he heard Obama speak four years ago was back singing the praises of Barack Obama on Tuesday. But this time he added a twist: he not only praised Barack, he added that the whole first family is simply "close enough to perfect."

"There are people who root for this first lady, about two out of three of us.* They want her to make it. They want it all to work out for her. Why? Because for most of us the former Michelle Robinson has done everything right," Matthews said.

He then used the children to explain: "Look at the kids she raised, those two girls: Sasha, Malia. They seem like perfections. They are what we want in any first family, getting good educations, being role models and seeming to deeply appreciate the honor they enjoyed living in the white house."

He went on to say that the family has been exactly what the "founding fathers" intended them to be: examples.

"It is in this role I would argue that this family has been close enough to perfect," he continued. "They have conducted themselves in a superlative manner. They have built in time for a parent's first role: child rearing."

He ended by praising the Obamas' "exceptional presence."

To be fair, the idea of praising Barack and Michelle as parents should be a non-controversial issue. And generally the first children are left out of the political discussion.** But this is more about a media personality fawning over a political figure and his family and dubbing them nearly "perfect." Doesn't that seem a little odd? Doesn't it seem a little over-the-top?

See for yourself:

*It's unclear what Matthews was referring to here.

**Although it has come under scrutiny.