More On Matthews: MSNBC Denies New Contract In Works

The Chris Matthews saga -- will he leave MSNBC's Hardball to challenge U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in 2010 or won't he -- continues.  Alana Russo, an NBC Universal spokeswoman, told Bob Warner of the Daily News today that there is "no truth" to recent Politico.com reports about Matthews.

Michael Calderone of Politico.com reported yesterday and again today that Matthews is in negotiations with MSNBC for a new contract, which would put an end to speculation about a Senate run.  The Morning Call of Allentown got pretty much the same response from NBC but also interviewed Matthew's brother, Montgomery County Commission Chairman Jim Matthews, who said he doubts his brother will get into the Senate race.

Journalists across the state have been speaking with people in politics who have confirmed that Matthews has been talking up a potential Senate run, looking around for a house in Pennsylvania and even considering taking a teaching gig at a college in the state.  Matthews has not been responding to requests for interviews on the topic and NBC has been dishing out "no comments" about the whole deal until talk of a new contract came up.