Hillary Clinton will win the Iowa caucuses tonight, MSNBC host Chris Matthews predicted as he closed out an interview Monday afternoon with Clinton senior strategist Joel Benenson because "there's going to be a spine there of her supporters" in Iowa and the "Democratic Party is ready for a radical risk" when "they think they can win this one."
Fair enough. But, isn't it a "radical risk" to nominate someone at risk of a federal indictment for violating laws regarding the safeguarding of classified information? Possibly, but Matthews – whose wife is running for the Democratic nomination for a House seat in Maryland and most assuredly covets a Hillary endorsement – failed to ask Benenson anything about the e-mail scandal.
Here's the relevant video clip and transcript:
MSNBC
Special Iowa caucus coverage
February 1, 2016; 2:25 p.m. EasternCHRIS MATTHEWS, anchor: Thank you, Joel. Thank you very much. I think you're going to win tonight.
JOEL BENENSON, senior strategist for Clinton campaign: I think so. I feel good about where we are. A lot of people on the ground –
MATTHEWS: I think Secretary Clinton is going to get, there's going to be a spine there of her supporters who are going to stick with her.
BENENSON: I think we're in a good position to win.
MATTHEWS, transitioning to a commercial break: Anyway, coming up – and I don't think the Democratic Party is ready for a radical risk, a big risk. And I think they think they can win this one. Coming up...
