How’s this for an odd pairing: Cable talker Chris Matthews and conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly sharing a commencement stage together at Washington University next month.
The pair are among six - including famed music man Quincy Jones - who will receive honorary degrees from the university at the school’s May 16 graduation ceremony.
Schlafly, who calls Ladue home, needs no introduction to conservatives here and around the country. A prolific columnist and author, Schlafly, 83, founded the Eagle Forum, a stalwart of the “value voters” movement.
On the other end of the spectrum is Matthews, a former aide to ex-House Speaker Tip O’Neill who became a household name - in political households, at least - hosting MSNBC’s Hardball.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, Matthews - a staple on the graduation speaker circuit - is quite conscious of his degree count. The newsman told the New York Times magazine recently that he expects to have piled up a total of 22 by the end of spring.
Meanwhile, Matthews may look for more than just an honorary title when his network contract runs out next year - the national rumor mill is abuzz that the Philadelphia native could seek to unseat veteran Republican Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.
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