"Silly Leg, why in the World Were You so Thrilled!?"

Several months ago, MSNBC's Chris Matthews described a certain tingling sensation that went up his leg while listening to a Barack Obama campaign speech:

"It's part of reporting this case, this election, the feeling most people get when they hear Barack Obama's speech. My, I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often."

At the time, I felt Matthews had put his foot in his mouth and probably regretted uttering those words.

Nevertheless, I couldn't help but wonder if Mr. Matthews might have endangered himself by putting his foot in his mouth after the thrill had already penetrated his leg. Theoretically, upon putting his foot in his mouth, the thrill could have then entered his mouth, and eventually spread to his throat, esophagus and even further.

However, in an appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Monday, Matthews defended his remarks.

Leno told Matthews:

"I was watching you one day - and this seems to go against the newsman's credo - you said Obama's speech sent a thrill up your leg."

And Matthews replied:

"You know, some journalists only report what a guy says and what they hear and what they see, I report all senses... And I have to tell you..., I was there watching one of Barack's speeches on TV.. and there's something he said about black and white in America...... I just think it's inspiring! I admit it! Okay? You could it call it what you want! I was inspired about it. I said so at the time and I took some heat for it. But I'd rather be honest and say what I feel then sit there like some kind of statue and say, 'oh, that was noteworthy.' I'm a frickin' American.... And I do react emotionally to my country..." - Watch the video

So, if we are to take Mr. Matthews at his word, he did not put his foot in his mouth, but rather, he had been deliberate in describing the thrill that went up his leg.

However, upon seeing how his mouth seems to be exuding so much "thrill" over Obama, it is quite obvious that the "thrill" has already spread from his leg unto his mouth - which means he must have put his foot in his mouth.

Nevertheless, if Obama is elected President, I can assure you that a day will soon arrive when Mr. Matthews will excoriate his leg and ask it point blank:

"Silly leg, why in the world were you so thrilled!?"