By Jared Shelly

– It’s no secret that Chris Matthews is a Philly boy. A graduate of La Salle College High School, the Hardball host always seems to be an ardent supporter of his hometown.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise that Matthews wants the Democratic National Convention to be held in Philadelphia. In fact, he wrote an op-ed in Tuesday’s Washington Post to outline his reasons why the convention should go to the City of Brotherly Love.

First of all, historic sites like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Betsy Ross’s House “are within quick walking distance of Philadelphia’s convention center.” (I guess they technically are, although I have a vision of delegates taking a cab from 13th street to Old City.)

But more importantly, argues Matthews, a Philadelphia convention would help the Democrats pounce on a theme of equality — one he thinks would resonate with voters tired of seeing women not paid equally, or gays still fighting for full marriage equality.

But the greater opportunity is what a 2016 Philadelphia convention could do on television. Consider the themes at the heart of the current national debate over voting rights, marriage equality and pay equity.

In the end, it’s all a dog-and-pony show, which is another reason Matthews likes Philadelphia:

By gathering in iconic Philadelphia, Democrats could lay claim to not just the flag but what it stands for. A week there, sparkling with American values, could produce the kind of inspiring national convention we’ve missed in recent years.

DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and others visited Philadelphia in late January as they attempt to make a final decision. Philadelphia is competing with New York and Columbus, Ohio for the the right to hold the convention.

Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/morning_roundup/2015/02/chris-matthews-writes-washington-post-op-ed-on-why.html