MSNBC President Calls Chris Matthews a "National Treasure"

Phil Griffin added that the "Hardball" host is "...beloved at MSNBC and around politics."

If you take MSNBC President Phil Griffin at his word, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews is the cable network's top employee.

"Everything he does, especially as he gets older and succeeds, is really impressive," Griffin told a crowd at Washington, D.C.'s P.J. Clarke's restaurant Tuesday night gathered to celebrate Matthews new book, "Tip and the Gipper: When politics worked."