Your memory is correct. Through the late eighties and nineties Matthews presented himself as an objective observer of the political scene. Kind of like in Bill O’Reilly’s style. He praised and criticized those on both sides of the aisle. He went over to the dark side at the turn of the century. Reason’s why are varied. First, today’s Matthews is his true self, the past was an act. Two, he has mentally gone off the deep end. It is rumored that he is a heavy drinker, known to go on benders. His red face is a common trait of drunks.Unstable people have been known to swing dramatically in their political leanings. Locally we had a radio guy named Jay Diamond swing from hard right winger to Moonbat Lefty overnight about 10-15 years ago. He was mentally not all that stable from what ever side he took. Third, he saw a niche to occupy to save a failing career. I call it the Dennis Miller play. He saw unoccupied ground, took it, and turned around his financial situation. I might be unfair to Miller, but I have suspected his rightward turn had a similar motive.
I think Dennis Miller is sincere (and actually more a Libertarian than a true conservative)...but his true Epiphany came immediately post 9/11. That was the impetus for ALOT of people to take a realistic look at the world around them.