Elections

RNC chairman on Chris Matthews attack: ‘If more than 10 people actually watched his show I’d actually care’

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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TAMPA, Fla. — Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus responded to verbal attacks MSNBC host Chris Matthews launched at him during a heated television appearance Monday, dismissing the left-leaning host’s relevance in the political world.

“If more than 10 people actually watched his show I’d actually care,” Priebus told a gaggle of reporters Monday. “But they don’t. So whatever.”

Matthews slammed Priebus when both men appeared on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show, accusing the Republican Party and its presidential nominee Mitt Romney of playing the race card and calling Priebus’ views “insane.” He also excoriated Priebus for his insistence that President Obama is “looking to Europe for guidance.”

“You are playing that little ethnic card there,” Matthews told Priebus. “You can play your games and giggle about it, but the fact is your side is playing that card.”

Speaking to reporters gathered at the Republican National Convention, Priebus said of the “Hardball” host: “When someone wants take the prize [for] being the biggest jerk in the room, he made the case for us.”

He dismissed the importance of the televised segment during which Matthews had attacked him, and said he would still happy to appear on MSNBC.

“Sure. I mean I’m happy to go on MSNBC. I tell you what, Joe and Mika, they weren’t too happy about it,” he said about the “Morning Joe” hosts. “The feeling in the room was clearly that there was a lot of unhappiness directed towards Chris.”

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