Chris Matthews is the host of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” which he launched in 1997. Prior to his career on television, which began in 1994 as host of a nightly program on the NBC-owned America’s Talking network, he was Washington bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner. Matthews previously worked in politics, as top aide to former speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, as a presidential speechwriter, and in the US Senate. He is the author of seven best-selling books, including Tip and The Gipper; Hardball; Kennedy and Nixon; Now, Let Me Tell You What I Really Think; Life’s a Campaign; and the forthcoming Bobby Kennedy: A Raging Spirit.