May 18: ‘When in doubt, attack the preacher’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Friday, May 18, 2012. (Hardball)

Conservatives hit Obama from left, right on all issues

Mother Jones’ David Corn and the Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson join Hardball to talk about anti-Obama conservatives’ obsession with resurrecting the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy, and conservative claims that President Obama was never properly vetted. (Hardball)

Romney releases first general election ad

Democratic strategist Bob Shrum and Salon.com’s Joan Walsh discuss the Romney campaign’s first general election ad that shows what a Romney presidency would do for the country, and what Team Obama can and should do to respond. (Hardball)

HHS Sec. Sebelius heckled by anti-abortion activist

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius was interrupted by an anti-abortion activist during her address at a Georgetown University commencement ceremony Friday. (Hardball)

Ariz. Sec. of State voices doubt over Obama’s citizenship

Arizona’s Secretary of State says he’s waiting for the President’s birth certificate to be verified, even though it already has been. (Hardball)

Can Obama gain support from veteran voters?

Chris Matthews talks with BuzzFeed’s Michael Hastings and Joe Sestak, former Pennsylvania congressman, about President Obama’s outreach to veterans, and whether or not the President can win over the veteran vote, which has traditionally gone to the Republican Party. (Hardball)

Gingrich gives Obama advice on Bain attacks

Newt Gingrich is criticizing President Obama for attacking Mitt Romney’s Bain Capital record. A little hypocritical, isn’t it? (Hardball)

Matthews: Romney's economic plan is the same as George W. Bush's plan

Chris Matthews says that Mitt Romney’s economic plan is exactly like George W. Bush’s plan, and that electing Romney would do nothing but put America back on the same downward spiral that Dubya did. (Hardball)

Buzz Bissinger talks about new book, relationship with savant son

Chris Matthews talks with “Friday Night Lights” author and journalist Buzz Bissinger about his new book “Father’s Day,” the true story of his relationship with his mentally-disabled son Zach and their journey across the country together. (Hardball)

Romney deflects questions on new anti-Obama attack

Republican strategist Todd Harris and Democratic strategist Steve McMahon join Hardball to discuss the resurrection of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy, Mitt Romney’s response, and why the issue is being brought up again now as an attack on the President. (Hardball)

Conan O’Brien proposes new slogans for Romney

Late night comedians are having a laugh at Mitt Romney’s expense, from new campaign slogans to re-enactments of Dubya’s endorsement. (Hardball)

Biden takes Romney campaign to the mattresses

Vice President Biden isn’t afraid to point fingers on the campaign trail, bringing Mitt Romney up by name over a dozen times in one speech. (Hardball)

Matthews on birther supoprters: Who votes for these political quacks?

The birther movement is still alive and kicking, and Rep. Mike Coffman is the latest to bring the issue back into the spotlight. (Hardball)

Romney invokes Clinton in attempt to appeal to liberals

MSNBC’s Alex Wagner and the Huffington Post’s Howard Fineman discuss Mitt Romney’s attempt to call up Bill Clinton’s legacy to help him on the campaign trail, despite Romney’s previous statements criticizing Clinton’s policies. (Hardball)

Archbishops protest HHS Sec. Sebelius speech at Georgetown

Chris Matthews talks with the Washington Post’s EJ Dionne about the protest to keep Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius from speaking at Georgetown University because of her support of affordable access to contraception. (Hardball)

Matthews: Reduce abortions by promoting birth control, not protesting pro-choice speakers

Chris Matthews addresses anti-abortion activists and says that the number of abortions can be reduced by promoting safe sex practices, which includes the use of birth control. (Hardball)

Reviving the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy

Chris Matthews talks with NBC’s Chuck Todd and the National Journal’s Major Garrett about the attempt by the right to bring back the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy as part of an anti-Obama agenda. (Hardball)

May 17: ‘Jeremiah was a bullfrog!’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Thursday, May 17, 2012. (Hardball)

CNN's Anderson puts Chris Matthews on blast for his appearance on Jeopardy!"

Chris Matthews

May 16: ‘Even destruction!’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (Hardball)

Matthews: Romney is ‘Brand X,’ the last alternative

Chris Matthews says Mitt Romney on a national stage is an enigma and that voters don’t really know who he is or what he stands for. (Hardball)

House may resurrect debt ceiling war

Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., and Mother Jones’ David Corn join Hardball to talk about whether or not Speaker Boehner plans to resurrect last year’s debt ceiling war, and the House fight over the budget that will precede the November election. (Hardball)

Is Romney hiding from the press and his Bain record?

Reporters were prevented from asking Mitt Romney questions on the campaign trail on Wednesday, which a Romney spokesperson says was ‘an error.’ Chris Matthews talks with Salon.com’s Steve Kornacki and Republican strategist Chip Saltsman about Romney’s disconnect from the media and public, and what the Romney campaign needs to do to fix their candidate’s image in the public. (Hardball)

Auto-tune the Rominee

YouTube sensation The Gregory Brothers uses their auto-tuning skills to dive into politics. First up: Mitt Romney. (Hardball)

Matthews to Rep. Pitts: ‘Update your letters!’

An email from the office of Rep. Joe Pitts, R-Pa., in response to the Middle East conflict is a few years behind the times. (Hardball)

Obama: the hungry president

President Obama stopped by Taylor Gourmet in D.C. before a Wednesday afternoon meeting with congressional leaders. (Hardball)

Defense in Edwards trial rests

Chris Matthews talks with attorney Hampton Dellinger and the Washington Post’s Melinda Henneberger about the latest news in the John Edwards trial, including the defense’s decision to rest today. (Hardball)

Is Super PAC influence about transparency or dirty politics?

Brian Baker of the Ending Spending Action Fund Super PAC and the Center for American Progress’ Daniella Gibbs Leger join Hardball to debate the influence of Super PAC money in politics following the surprising results of the Nebraska Senate primary. (Hardball)

Lizzie O'Leary takes a shot at Jeopardy

CNN's Lizzie O'Leary talks about her stint on "Jeopardy" playing against Robert Gibbs and MSNBC's Chris Matthews.

ACW - Chris Matthews Questions Crossroads GPS "Social Welfare" Status

http://www.americancrossroadswatch.org - Is Karl Rove running a "social welfare" organization over at Crossroads GPS? Or is he manipulating elections? Chris Matthews discusses this with Dan Froomkin from HuffPo and Joe Conason from NationalMemo.com.

Ridiculist: Chris Matthews on Jeopardy

CNN's Anderson puts Chris Matthews on the Ridiculist after his appearance on "power player" week on "Jeopardy."

Matthews: ‘We’ve gotta junk the filibuster’

Chris Matthews says filibusters are counterproductive, and that filibusters must be eliminated in order for Congress to get anything done. (Hardball)

May 15: ‘Bain, Bain, go away – come again some other day!’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. (Hardball)

Gearing up for November 2012

Former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour and the Huffington Post’s Sam Stein discuss the roadblocks that President Obama’s and Mitt Romney’s teams will need to focus on in order to execute effective campaign strategies ahead of the general election. (Hardball)

Klein: We are better off without filibusters

Sen. Tom Udall and the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein join Hardball to talk about the need to reform the way filibusters work. (Hardball)

James Lipton teaches Romney how to laugh

David Letterman jokes about Mitt Romney’s wealth, and Inside the Actors Studio’s James Lipton has some advice for Romney about how he can better connect with normal people. (Hardball)

Dubya (kind of) endorses Romney

Former president George W. Bush says he supports Mitt Romney, but he doesn’t want to make it too public. (Hardball)

Matthews on Celebrity Jeopardy: ‘They were good, I was not’

Chris Matthews recaps his Monday night flop on Celebrity Jeopardy. (Hardball)

Team Obama defines Romney as being out-of-touch with economy

The Huffington Post’s Howard Fineman and USA Today’s Susan Page break down the latest attack ad from the Obama campaign on Mitt Romney’s record at Bain Capital and the truth behind Romney as a “job creator.” (Hardball)

Reich: Economy is drifting toward plutocracy

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and UC Berkeley Professor Robert Reich join Hardball to discuss the JP Morgan trading blunder and the need for regulation in order to prevent future messes. (Hardball)

NewsBusted 5/15/12

TOPICS: President Obama Same-Sex Marriage Chris Matthews Vice President Biden Recession West Virginia Primary Rick Santorum Mitt Romney Women Leave Workforce Bill Clinton Geraldo Rivera Love NewsBusted and want to receive alerts about new episodes in your email? Visit ‪http://newsbusters.org/newsbusted‬ to sign up for free! Starring: Jodi Miller Production: Dialog New Media Feeling generous? Te...

Obama: Don't know 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' but I'll ask Michelle about it

President Obama drops by "The View" for a pop culture quiz, and he knows his Kim Kardashian but not his "Fifty Shades of Grey." And in other news, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews flexes his mental muscles on "Jeopardy." (Way Too Early)

House stalls on Violence Against Women Act

Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wisc., and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., join Hardball to debate the House’s stalling on the Violence Against Women Act and the argument between Democrats and Republicans about the fine print of the law. (Hardball)

Debating same-sex marriage, separation of church and state

Rev. Delman Coates and Bishop Harry Jackson debate same-sex marriage and whether or not fighting the issue of marriage equality is detracting from fixing other problems in this country. (Hardball)

Matthews to Class of 2012: ‘Never, ever say ‘no’ to yourself’

Chris Matthews recaps the commencement address he gave over the weekend at Howard University and tells young adults to ask people to invest in them, and to not give up in the face of a tough economy. (Hardball)

Romney’s plays ‘the Cheney card’ on foreign policy

Chris Matthews talks with the Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson and The Atlantic’s Steve Clemons about whether or not Mitt Romney has a clear foreign policy. (Hardball)

May 14: ‘Going on offense!’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Monday, May 14, 2012. (Hardball)

Obama attacks Romney on Bain record

TIME’s Mark Halperin and Mother Jones’ David Corn discuss Team Obama’s latest attack on Mitt Romney and his years at Bain Capital, and whether or not Romney missed his window of opportunity to reshape his image before the general election season began. (Hardball)

Chris Matthews Compares Mitt Romney to Gordon Gekko

Tony Perkins Gets Tag-Teamed Owned by Chris Matthews & Barney Frank

Anti-Gay Christian activist, Tony Perkins vs. Chris Matthews & Barney Frank onkneesforjesus.blogspot.com

Chris Matthews THR & Google White House Correspondents Weekend Party

Chris Matthews of MSNBC's 'Hardball with Chris Matthews' stops by our THR & Google party to talk politics and Newt Gingrich's unusual campaigning.

Romney’s response to bully story could damage campaign

Salon.com’s Joan Walsh and Michael Steele, former RNC chair, discuss the Washington Post story about Mitt Romney as a high school bully, and whether or not this story and Romney’s response affects Team Romney and his campaign. (Hardball)

Matthews: Romney could still have the chance to show sincere remorse

Chris Matthews says that the story of Mitt Romney’s alleged bullying of a gay student in high school and his lack of sincere remorse is telling of the man and the politician he is today. (Hardball)

Scott Walker caught admitting anti-union agenda

Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, join Hardball to discuss the Wisconsin recall election and the damage Governor Scott Walker has done in the state. (Hardball)

Rep. John Lewis fights back against voter ID laws

Chris Matthews reports on the passionate testimony given by Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., regarding voter ID laws and the amendment that would undermine the Voting Rights Act of 1965. (Hardball)

May 11: ‘Hooray for Hollywood’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Friday, May 11, 2012. (Hardball)

Dinner with Obama, Clooney raises $15 million

New York Magazine’s John Heilemann and actor/director Rob Reiner discuss President Obama’s massive Hollywood fundraiser at George Clooney’s house that raised $15 million for the President’s re-election campaign. (Hardball)

Did Biden force Obama’s hand on marriage equality?

White House staffers have allegedly complained about Vice President Biden speaking out on same-sex marriage before the President. Chris Matthews talks with Politico’s Glenn Thrush and the New York Times’ Mark Leibovich about why people are talking and what’s really going on. (Hardball)

Same-sex marriage debate intensifies

Hardball’s Chris Matthews shares highlights from the heated debate between Rep. Barney Frank and Tony Perkins over same-sex marriage on his show on Thursday. (Mitchell Reports)

New poll finds Romney leading Obama on economy

Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough are joined by Chris Matthews, Mark McKinnon, Michael Steele and John Meacham to discuss the current state of the 2012 race. Matthews explains why Obama needs to create jobs to gain more popularity around his economic choices and if he doesn’t this election will be “very tricky for the president.” (Morning Joe)

Maine Senate candidate Angus King discusses bipartisan politics

Chris Matthews talks with former Maine governor Angus King and an independent candidate for Senate about his attempt to carry on retiring Senator Olympia Snowe’s bipartisanship, and whether or not Washington can and will still recognize bipartisan politics. (Hardball)

Michele Bachmann is no longer a Swiss citizen

Michele Bachmann released a statement announcing her choice to renounce her dual citizenship to Switzerland in order to  affirm her dedication and pride in America. (Hardball)

Matthews: ‘Barack Obama is a man of history’

Chris Matthews says that Barack Obama continues to make history with every step of his presidency, and that the country needs him at the helm in order to make change and progress happen. (Hardball)

Matthews: How long will it take to grant equality?

Ted Olson, former George W. Bush solicitor general who is fighting California’s Prop 8, and Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry, discuss the need for the Supreme Court to weigh in on same-sex marriage and grant the basic right to marry to all people. (Hardball)

Romney accused of bullying gay student as a teen

Chris Matthews talks with the Huffington Post’s Howard Fineman and the Washington Post’s Nia-Malika Henderson about the Washington Post feature on Mitt Romney’s boarding school days, where he bullied a gay student. (Hardball)

May 10: ‘Love means never having to say you’re sorry’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Thursday, May 10, 2012. (Hardball)

Rep. Barney Frank, Tony Perkins debate same-sex marriage

Chris Matthews leads a heated debate between Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, about same-sex marriage. (Hardball)

Barack Obama aka - Henry the fifth so says Chris Matthews.

Does Chris Matthews use ky or does he do the Barack bend over and take it like a man?

Schultz on Wisconsin: ‘They can, and they will’ recall Walker

MSNBC’s Ed Shultz joins Hardball to talk about Wisconsin’s recall of Governor Scott Walker and the platform of his Democratic challenger, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. (Hardball)

Chris Matthews honors Obama’s historical support for same-sex marriage

Chris Matthews says that President Obama’s announcement of his support for same-sex marriage is historic, and cannot understand how gay conservatives can continue to support a candidate – Mitt Romney – and Party who do not support their community. (Hardball)

Support, criticism for President’s same-sex marriage support

Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese and R. Clarke Cooper, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, joins Hardball to share their reactions to President Obama’s support for same-sex marriage. (Hardball)

Michele Bachmann becomes Swiss citizen

Michele Bachmann has been granted dual citizenship to Switzerland. Chris Matthews speculates about what Bachmann would say if a Democrat had done the same. (Hardball)

You, too, can be a ‘Rush Babe’

Rush Limbaugh is fighting criticism by starting a Facebook support group to show critics that more women love his show than hate it. (Hardball)

The growing popularity of partisan politics

Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., and New York Magazine’s Jonathan Chait discuss the unseating of Sen. Dick Lugar in Indiana by Tea Party challenger Richard Mourdock, and the trend in Washington of partisan politics. (Hardball)

May 9: ‘Evolution concluded!’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. (Hardball)

Obama supports same-sex marriage, draws praise and criticism

President Obama announced this afternoon that he supports same-sex marriage. Chris Matthews talks with the Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson and TIME’s Mark Halperin about the President’s historic announcement and how this may affect his re-election campaign. (Hardball)

Obama announces support for same-sex marriage

MSNBC’s Martin Bashir is joined by Hardball’s Chris Matthews to discuss the historic importance of President Barack Obama’s endorsement. Matthews calls it an “earth-shattering” statement and that others will try to use it negatively against the president. (Martin Bashir)

Hollywood's idea of a political ad

In "The Campaign," Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis play opponents in a Southern congressional race. (Hardball)

Rove's 'non-profit' running ads against Democrats

Dirty Angry Money: How can Karl Rove's group Crossroads GPS claim to be a non-profit devoted to promoting social welfare... when it runs ads that are blatantly political and aimed against Democrats? Huffington Post's Dan Froomkin and NationalMemo.com's Joe Conason join Hardball. (Hardball)

Matthews: What will pushing Obama on gay marriage gain Democrats?

Chris Matthews says that if Pres. Obama is at a further stage of evolution than he's willing to admit on the issue of gay marriage, that is not a point on which to decide against voting for him. (Hardball)

Would-be bomber was CIA source

The intelligence source for the recently foiled terror plot is reported to be the would-be suicide bomber himself. NBC Terrorism Analysts Roger Cressey and Evan Kohlmann join Chris Matthews with the latest. (Hardball)

'Grand theft auto': Romney says he saved Detroit

Never mind this column he wrote when the US auto industry was on its knees, now Mitt Romney is taking credit and a victory lap for President Obama's policy. Politico’s Maggie Haberman and NYMag’s John Heilemann join Hardball. (Hardball)

Should Obama say what he thinks of gay marriage?

MSNBC analyst Ron Reagan and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown discuss the president's "evolving" stand on gay marriage. (Hardball)

May 8: 'Biden rings the wedding bells!'

Topics and issued discussed on Hardball Tuesday, May 8 (Hardball)

Santorum endorses Romney in dead of night

It's finally here, the stamp of approval for Mitt Romney from Rick Santorum. Wondering how you missed it? The big announcement came last night around 11pm...via email. (Hardball)

Week in Blogs: Jon Lovitz Curses Obama, and Chris Matthews Goes Gaga

On this weeks show Stephen Green brings us Jon Lovitz's profanity laced insult of President Obama. Hey girl, how much of a ladies man is Paul Ryan? Find out. Also, we have the behind the scenes look of what Chris Matthews really thinks about Obama. All that, plus Obama's link to socialist propaganda, on the Week in Blogs.

Election campaigns to become a 'battle of ideas'

Mother Jones' David Corn and Washington Post's Chris Cillizza discuss how President Obama is hoping to shift the election conversation into one a debate about ideas and ideology. (Hardball)

How French election results affect US

MSNBC's Chris Matthews briefly describes how the election of François Hollande as president of France will affect US politics. (Hardball)

Yemen 'belly of the beast' for al-Qaida?

MSNBC terrorism analyst Evan Kohlmann discusses the campaign by  terror operatives in Yemen, and how the country is serving the strongest base for al-Qaida. (Hardball)

Will VP support for gay marraige affect Obama re-election?

What does Joe Biden’s support for same-sex marriage mean for President Obama’s re-election campaign? Chris Matthews asks the Human Rights Campaign’s Joe Solomonese and the Huffington Post’s Sam Stein. (Hardball)

The fraud over voter fraud

Rep. Bob Brady, D-Pa, and Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice, discuss the new laws that will disenfranchise voters. (Hardball)

Matthews: It's non-partisan to defend right to vote

Chris Matthews says that political organizations should be helping voters obtain government-issued IDs so everyone can exercise their right to vote, and that television pundits should be encouraging that effort. (Hardball)

Hardball May 7, 2012

Topics and issues discussed on Hardball, May 7, Tuesday. (Hardball)

CIA thwarts US-bound airline bomb plot

NBC's Pete Williams and Andrea Mitchell have the details on an Al-Qaida plot involving a suicide bomber who had intended to board a US-bound airliner in Yemen, that was foiled by the CIA. (Hardball)

Chris Matthews Meets FreeRepublic 2012 WHCD

Chris Matthews of MSDNC's Hardball encouters DC Chapter of FreeRepublic outside White House Correspondents Dinner April 28, 2012. Tells this blogger to "go to hell" after asking about the famous thrill up his leg. http://maroonedinmarin.blogspot.com

May 4: ‘Not enough jobs’

Chris Matthews previews the topics and issues discussed on Hardball on Friday, May 4, 2012. (Hardball)

Weak jobs numbers give GOP a lift

The New York Times’ Paul Krugman and New York magazine’s John Heilemann join Hardball to discuss the April jobs report and why Republicans are cheering the weak employment numbers. (Hardball)

Battleground states, cities important for election

Chris Matthews discusses the important swing markets that will be important for the outcome of the general election. (Hardball)

Montana’s fight against bribery, corruption, and Citizens United

Chris Matthews talks with Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana about his state’s fight against corporate money in politics, and the challenge it poses to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. (Hardball)

Gingrich still thinks Romney is a liar

Newt Gingrich is expected to endorse Mitt Romney soon, but how will he explain the attacks he made on the former governor during the primary season? (Hardball)