By Danielle Spence
Early Sunday afternoon, more than 100 diehard fans packed in to Pfeiffer Hall to meet Chris Matthews.
His book was released earlier this month on Tuesday, Oct. 1, and he was quick to mention that he didn’t intend for the book to come out the same day as the start of the government shutdown.
Matthews’ book, “Tip and the Gipper When Politics Worked,” is a look into history of when Tip O’Neill, liberal House speaker, and Ronald Reagan, conservative president, put their differences aside and ran the country in a dignified way.
He saw firsthand how the polar-opposite politicians rose above the values of their political parties and put the American people first.
“It’s one of those stories you can’t believe happened, but it did. And it’s all public record,” he said.
Matthews worked alongside Tip O’Neill as his top aide.
“Tip is the toughest boss I’ve ever had,” said Matthews. “My job was to be [Tip O’Neill]. If anything went wrong he assumed it was my fault.”
At a young age, Matthews was responsible for writing speeches for the President. He reminisced when he used to write speeches on the plane with the President and as soon as they would land, the President would present the speech to the public.
“I’ve been very lucky to have been present in so much history,” said Matthews.
During the question and answer component of the lecture, one audience member asked, “How are we not supposed to be depressed when reading this book?”
Matthews, without pausing, responds, “Hillary’s coming. Does that help you?” The audience responded with whoops and cheers.
Despite his liberal views, Matthews was very complementary of the current President of the United States.
“I’ve been supportive of [Barack Obama] since the very beginning,” said Matthews.
He critiqued the current president with some good humor as he commented on an audience member’s question on whether or not Obama has invited Matthews to the White House.
“He’s a very distant guy to people like me. He’s not one of the boys. He’s a professor. I guess he has office hours.”
Matthews ended the lecture with some insight for the younger crowd when it comes to graduation and entering the professional world.
“Today coming out of college is tough, it’s not as easy as it used to be,” said Matthews. “The hardest thing to do is ask for a job. It’s hustling, but you’ve got to make the sale. People who invest in you will be your investors and those are the people that are going to say I gave him his first job five years ago.”
As Matthews closed off his lecture, he left the stage with a cheering audience and a standing ovation.
Matthews took a good look around Pfeiffer Hall and announced, “It’s a good room. I like it here.”
Judy Brodhead, associate professor of English and coordinator of cultural events, gave Matthews a North Central hat and blanket as a parting gift before he started signing books for his fans. She also mentioned that Barbara Walters and Martin Luther King Jr. have spoken in the same room as he just did.
“Make sure you mention me in that list next time,” said Matthews, with a smile.
1 Comment
“Despite his liberal views, Matthews was very complementary of the current President of the United States.” The President is a liberal as well, so Matthews having a few good words to say about him shouldn’t come as a surprise.