The Triangle

Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: Debate Day

Media Credit: Brittany Rioux After his book signing, Chris Matthews broadcasted three live editions of 'Hardball with Chris Matthews' from the Drexel Quad.

Chris Matthews, host and star of news shows Hardball with Chris Matthews and The Chris Matthews Show, was at Drexel University for a book signing early during the day of the Democratic Debate Oct. 30.

Matthews held a brief talk in which he addressed the student audience and answered a few questions. He began his address to students with his view of the modern-day political situation.

"I think I'm a skeptic. I ask the right questions," Matthews said. "Most politicians don't like to give answers."

The American perception of our country's role in the world also needs adjustment, according to Matthews.

"We're involved in an echo chamber of dim-wittedness when it comes to the world view," Matthews said.

He commented that as a country, we are not only giving ourselves too much importance, but are also losing sight of the fact that our image in the world is shifting rapidly.

"Our country is arrogant. We should know who our neighbors are," Matthews said.

Matthews remarked that as a country, Americans need to focus not only on our enemies, but should be strengthening our alliances and treating friendly countries with the same level of attention and care.

"We only pay attention to the countries who don't like us," Matthews stated.

Matthews also commented on the issues he felt needed to be addressed by the nominees.

"The only issue should not be the war we're heading to in Iran," Matthews said.

He encouraged students to ask about the debt situation, about their parent's pensions, corporate pensions, health insurance, social security, and medicare. Matthews pushed students to demand more information on issues aside from Iraq and Iran.

"The world's bigger than the al Qaeda. We have to deal with that world," Matthews said.

Matthews questioned the Bush administration as well, commenting that the issues they are focused on are irrelevant, while issues that could have been resolved are not given enough attention.

"Why didn't we focus on getting al Qaeda when we had them in our crosshairs? That's what I want to know," Matthews said.

Continued...

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