Mark Leibovitch has a profile in the New York Times Magazine on Chris Matthews, of MSNBC's Hardball fame.

Unlike some, I like Matthews' show, and often watch it -- though I often disagree with him. That said, it seems to me that the following quote from the interview captures much of what is wrong with the US political and journalistic class, especially those residing in Washington, DC, and New York:

“I don’t think people look at me as the establishment, do you?” Matthews asked me. “Am I part of the winner’s circle in American life? I don’t think so.”

Like I said, I am a fan of Matthews, but what a patently absurd thing for the guy to say.

Not only has Matthews worked as a speechwriter for President Carter and as a high-ranking aide to House Speaker Tip O'Neill, but he has also had a 10-year run on his own cable television show paying $5 million a year, is married to a high-profile former local news broadcaster in Washington, has two of his kids attending Ivy League schools, with the third at NYU -- all while saying this as part of an interview in the New York Times Magazine.

Not part of the establishment ... not part of the 'winner's circle'? I mean, come on, how unself-aware can one get?

I suspect that many members of the Washington/New York political and journalistic class view themselves the same way -- or fool themselves into thinking this.

It explains a lot.