MSNBC's Chris Matthews told California Democratic House candidate Eloise Gomez Reyes she reminded him of the late Sen. Mike Mansfield (D., Mont.) Wednesday on Andrea Mitchell Reports.
Mansfield, according to Matthews, was famous for his concise responses.
Gomez Reyes provided short one sentence answers for most of the interview, leaving Matthews flummoxed looking to fill time.
"You know who you remind me of? Mike Mansfield." Matthews said jokingly. "The Senate leader for all those years from Montana. Everybody loved the guy. His answers were two to three words."
Gomez Reyes laughed and asked "that's good isn't it?"
Full exchange:
CHRIS MATTHEWS: How do you think Governor Brown is doing? He just announced re-election out there. Is that going to help the ticket?
ELOISE GOMEZ REYES: He's doing a great job. We're very pleased with him.
MATTHEWS: You know who you remind me of? Mike Mansfield. He was the Senate leader for all those years from Montana. Everybody loved the guy. His answers were two to three words.
GOMEZ REYES: That's good, isn't it?
MATTHEWS: That's good, that's two words [laughter]. Okay, let's go through this. I have run out of questions. I'm going to ask you, name two or three issues you think will be debated when you face perhaps another Democrat, perhaps a Republican, for the November general election. What are going to be the issues that voters should think about it as you see it?
GOMEZ REYES: The most important thing is jobs, the economy. People in the district want jobs. There's lots of ways to do this. Bringing businesses in, helping with infrastructure, bringing the money back to the community. The community is ready for something different. They're tired of the 17-plus unemployment rate. 220,000 homes going into foreclosure. We're tired of everything that has gone wrong with our district and we want to celebrate all the good things. We have great talent our district and we need to bring it out. And the people want the jobs. And that's what we have to bring back.
MATTHEWS: Would you like President Obama to campaign for you in the fall?
GOMEZ REYES: I want President Obama to come to our district to see how we have suffered. I want everyone to see that. To recognize why we need the help in this district. Absolutely.
MATTHEWS: You're great. Thank you so much. Eloise Gomez Reyes, thank you for joining me with those great short answers.
GOMEZ REYES: Thanks for the invitation.
MATTHEWS: Remember, look him up, Mike Mansfield. He's your earlier example.
(H/T NRO)