MSNBC "Hardball with Chris Matthews" - Transcript: On the Chattanooga Shooting

Interview

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KORNACKI: And Congressman Chuck Fleischmann is a Republican whose
district include Chattanooga, where that tragedy took place today. So
Congressman, just curious, the latest you are hearing on the scene down
there tonight about what`s playing out?

REP. CHUCK FLEISCHMANN (R), TENNESSEE: Well, Steve, this is a sad day
for Chattanooga. It`s a sad day for America.

I`m here now. It`s later in the evening. But the events, as I
learned, as they unfolded today at two locations here in our great city --
this is sad. I am sick. I am ill. Four wonderful United States Marines
lost their lives. There is a gunman who committed horrific acts. And it`s
a sad day for Chattanooga and for America.

KORNACKI: You know, and as we were saying, Congressman, that this
investigation obviously turns to the question of potential of a terror
attack, the potential that it`s inspired by something overseas, something
the investigation, obviously, is going to presumably turn up evidence
about.

As we were saying earlier, there`s been all this talk in the last few
months from ISIS about the idea of going after military targets in the
United States, going after people in uniform. Obviously, the military has
a presence in Chattanooga.

Can you talk about the presence of the military, the role it sort of
plays in the community down there?

FLEISCHMANN: I`m sorry, sir. I didn`t hear -- I didn`t hear your
question? Talking about the presence (ph) where, sir?

KORNACKI: The role -- Congressman, tell us a little bit about the
role in that community of the military, of these military installations.

FLEISCHMANN: I could not hear through the feed, but I think I heard
what you were saying, most of what you were saying, sir. Let me say this.
Chattanooga is a very proud community of its military heritage. We have a
naval reserve center here.

I know this. We are getting an investigation into this immediately.
We`re going to find out what happened, why it happened. Resources are
pouring into this city at the federal level. I`ve talk to state
investigators, local investigators.

This has been a nightmare for our city and a nightmare for America.
We have got to take steps that this doesn`t happen again. We live in a
dangerous world, and Steve, this is not the world that I grew up in. I`m
52 years old. I could not have fathomed a situation when I was growing up
that in my home town, a horrific attack like this would take place.

KORNACKI: All right, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann down there in
Chattanooga, Tennessee, appreciate the time tonight. Thank you.

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