Hardball! Chris Matthews Snaps On RNC Chair For Playing ‘Race Card’ [Video]

Chris Matthews grilled RNC Chairman Reince Priebus pretty hard on Monday’s Morning Joe over Mitt Romney’s “birth certificate” joke, claiming that the GOP is guilty of “playing the race card.”

The MSNBC host was particularly incensed over Mitt Romney’s joke at a recent political event that no one had ever asked him for his birth certificate (inciting some minor controversy from those who would have it). Still, rather than have a real interview about issues that the American people need to hear about as we head into election season, Matthews started the interview with accusations and criticisms and never let up.

“That cheap shot … was awful,” Matthews said, referring to the joke. “It is an embarrassment to your party to play that card … you are playing that ethnic card there.” Priebus uttered a nervous laugh, and Matthews attacked on, “you can sit there and giggle about it, but the fact is your party is playing that card.”

Co-host Joe Scarborough, trying to get a word in edgewise, attempted to play mediator and keep the interview focused. “You think Mitt Romney’s playing the race card?” he asked. “There’s no doubt he did,” Matthews replied.

Later, Priebus alleged that President Obama was looking to European policy for guidance on the economy, causing Matthews to launch again. “Where do you get this from?” Matthews shouted. “This is insane,” then accusing Priebus of “playing that card again.”

“Let’s just work on tone,” co-host Mika Brzezinski said. “Chris, let him answer the question,” Scarborough prodded.

“I’m not going to get into a shouting match with Chris so you guys can move on,” Priebus said. “Because you’re losing, that’s why,” Matthews said. “Garbage, garbage,” Priebus muttered.

“It’s your garbage,” Matthews shot back.

In summation, anything that Matthews personally disagrees with qualifies as “racism.” I think people forget that it’s simply enough to disagree with a party’s platform or a politician’s stance and need to sensationalize things in an effort to “sway” public perception. Go back to Journalism 101, Matthews. It’s not the media’s job to “sway” public perception, it’s the media’s job to inform. If you want a corner on public perception, join a campaign.

But anyway. Here’s the video: