Maybe Arlen Specter has less to fear than we had hoped. I’d sure like Tweety to jump into the Senate race so we can find a real Pennsylvania Democrat to defeat him. But maybe that is not to be.

NEW YORK — MSNBC may find out soon whether "Hardball" host Chris Matthews returns to the channel, which has been invigorated in the ratings.

Matthews is said to be considering an offer from NBC to remain as host of "Hardball," a job he’s held for more than a decade, or to return to his native Pennsylvania to run for the U.S. Senate against GOP incumbent Arlen Specter.

Tweety’s boss says they are talking, and that there will be news soon.

"I’ve talked to Chris. I think he’s going to be here for a long time," Griffin said. "I want him to be here for a long time." Griffin said that there would be "clarity" soon.

Matthews through a spokesman declined an interview. The 63-year-old Matthews is believed to make roughly $5 million a year and has hosted "Hardball" since 1997, first on CNBC and then on MSNBC. He also hosts "The Chris Matthews Show," a Sunday morning public affairs program that is syndicated by NBC Universal.

Five million dollars a year — for reaching the same 800,000 people every day. Not to mention the spitting.

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