MSNBC host Chris Matthews declared Monday that he's "not happy with the field" of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates.
Matthews, a former speechwriter for President Carter, said he did not think Democrats had a candidate who could defeat President TrumpDonald TrumpBiden to hold virtual bilateral meeting with Mexican president More than 300 charged in connection to Capitol riot Trump Jr.: There are 'plenty' of GOP incumbents who should be challenged MORE.
"What are my thoughts? I’m not happy. I’m not happy with this field. I think they have to find a candidate for president that can beat Trump," Matthews said during a panel discussion Monday on "Morning Joe."
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Chris Matthews (2/3/2020): "Bernie SandersBernie SandersHouse Democrats pass sweeping .9T COVID-19 relief bill with minimum wage hike House set for tight vote on COVID-19 relief package On The Money: Democrats scramble to save minimum wage hike | Personal incomes rise, inflation stays low after stimulus burst MORE is not going to be president of the United States."#BernieWillWin pic.twitter.com/IRNGakzxKi
The telecast from Des Moines, Iowa, took place on the morning of the state's caucuses. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has emerged as the favorite to win the caucuses.
But Matthews was pessimistic on Sanders's chances in the general election.
"Bernie Sanders is not going to be president of the United States," he said.
Mathews then compared the excitement around the Sanders campaign to that of 1972 Democratic nominee George McGovern, who lost in a landslide to President Nixon by a 520-17 margin in the Electoral College while only winning 35 percent of the popular vote.
"I think he's gonna win big tonight, real big," said Matthews.