Chris Matthews Implied No One Will Watch "Two Cuban Guys" Cruz and Rubio Debate

Impact

While many in media are discussing #OscarsSoWhite and the lack of diversity in entertainment, over on MSNBC, Hardball host Chris Matthews is asking why the upcoming Republican presidential debate will feature two Latinos.

"Who is going to watch a debate between the two Cuban guys?" Matthews said to fellow journalist Katy Tur. "Who is going to watch a debate between Rubio, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz? Who cares?"

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump said that he won't be attending Thursday's Fox News debate, meaning it will be up to the people just behind him in the polls — Sens. Cruz and Rubio — to duke it out for good TV. 

Mic/YouTube
Mic/YouTube

"You know they've been fighting in this inter-league fight over who is the hawkish guy, or whatever," Matthews said. "Who is going to watch that Thursday night?" 

Though Matthews' flippant comment seems inconsequential, it's even more curious given that in the past, Matthews has questioned whether Rubio and Cruz are even Hispanic. In November, Matthews referred to the presidential hopefuls as "Cuban nationals" with "Spanish surnames."

Of course, Trump's antics do make for good television, but Matthews' comment still seemed awkward. Besides, if Ricky Ricardo taught us anything, it's that Americans love Cubans on screen.

Watch the full exchange below.