Matthews on Matthews

On today’s “Morning Joe,” Joe Scarborough asked Chris Matthews if Republican candidates would try to get a “cheap applause line” tonight by pointing to his recent controversial comments.

Said Matthews:

I’ve been thinking about that….It’s not my stage tonight. I don’t have much standing to retort in real time.

However, I do have one sensitive point and that is, I don’t mind being wrong — I try to be right. I don’t mind somebody saying I’m not fair — I try to be fair. … If someone says I’m not independent, it’s going to be very hard for me to bite my tongue. …

For twenty years I’ve paid the price of indepdendence. I’ve taken it from everybody … every night of my life for the past twenty years. …

If they accuse of me of being partisan, I’ll go rip! …

It’s not about me, it’s about them and who’s going to be president during these difficult times.

Scarborough predicted that three Republican candidates would poke fun of Chris. Said Matthews: “Let’s hope it doesn’t happen.”

Breitbart has the video.

Inside Social Apps starts this Wednesday! Join us on February 8-9 in San Francisco and hear industry leaders share their views on today’s most formidable challenges affecting social and mobile apps and games in 2012. If you haven’t registered yet, $599 early registration prices are still in effect (on-site passes are $799), so register today and save.