Matthews was a Dem operative in a previous life. I think he worked for Carter and Mondale, if I'm not mistaken.
Really, I thought he worked for Tip O'neil during the Reagan presidency, and yes I knew he was a democrat. Was just trying to make the point that he wasn't always rabid until the Iraq war.
Matthews worked for Tip O'Neal (O'Neill?) when he was the Democratic Leader of the Senate...he often talks of how Dems and Republicans would fight like hell over political issues and then go out and have drinks together...I think he hates the politics of personal destruction...I believe that he hated Clinton because of his treatment of women...his smearing of their reputations and sicking scary guys on them to intimidate them and keep them quiet...maybe he hates bullies...I know I do.