Chris Matthews' sexism is breathtaking

Had Matthews gone on and on about African Americans last night the way he did about Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and House Speaker-to be Nancy Pelosi, he would not have a job this morning. Instead, he is free to come back tonight and hurl some more insults around.

Matthews pondered how difficult Pelosi would find it to be an authority figure, since she is a woman. Some men's teeth will be on edge, he said, at the sound of a woman's voice rallying the troops and giving commands. "How can she do that without screaming or sounding grating (substitute "shrill" or "strident"--the two favorites--here)?"

As if women are not capable of making decisive comments without screaming or being "shrill." As if Pelosi has not had the House minority leadership position for a long time now.

Matthews then went on to one of his favorite subjects, Sen. Clinton, whom he obviously despises. What, he wondered, is she going to do about her husband? She makes an acceptance speech, and there he is, just standing behind her, smiling and applauding.

I'm not making these things up. Matthews contempt for women is pretty thinly veiled at this point, but he is never called on it. hardball@msnbc.com and viewerservices@msnbc.com are the network's email addresses; I, for one, plan to call him on it.