In case you’ve missed it, MSNBC is televising a Republican presidential debate tonight. (They’ve got a nifty debate countdown clock to remind you, lest eleven hours of pre-debate coverage isn’t enough.)
Yesterday, Chris Matthews was warming up for his big role as debate moderator. Here he asks Rudy Giuliani’s campaign manager and Mit Romney’s campaign spokesperson the question on every voter’s mind:
MATTHEWS: Who would win a street fight? Rudy Giuliani–just think of a street fight now over in Queens somewhere. It is a dark night, it is about 2:00 in the morning. Two guys are out behind the building, right? On a vacant lot. Rudy Giuliani or President Ahmadinejad, who would win that fight?
. . .
MATTHEWS: If he wins that notion, he is the next president. That is one to look for. Who is tougher than Ahmadinejad, because he is our biggest worry right now.
. . .
MATTHEWS: I want to ask you this, do you think Romney has got–can he take the–roll up the sleeves and get out there and have a street fight with Ahmadinejad? Is he tough enough to beat Rudy at that notion of being tough?
GINSBERG: Well, he would never fight Rudy. Yes, he is tough enough to win the fight with the foreign leader, sure. Because he is a man of principle and a man of intellect.
MATTHEWS: Can’t you pronounce the name Ahmadinejad?
GINSBERG: I can most of the time. But not all of the time.
Yes, if there is one issue all voters hold in common, it’s the 2 a.m. street fight question. Given the frequency that world leaders meet in back alleys, America needs a tough fighter. That’s why the Draft Mike Tyson for President movement is gaining such traction.
Journalism at its finest.