He hemmed. He hawed. He hedged. He had political watchers parsing his every word.

For months MSNBC commentator Chris Matthews had the Pennsylvania political world wondering if he would run for Senate in 2010. He strung us along, meeting with political insiders, going soft on Pennsylvania politicians on his show and even reportedly looking for a house in Philadelphia.

With Matthews officially announcing Wednesday night that he would not be entering the race, it seemed like a good time for PolitickerPA.com to look back at the timeline of Matthews' flirtation with the Senate seat.

Think we've missed some important moments? Let us know by posting a comment.

April 13, 2008: In a profile in The Times Magazine, Matthews is quoted as saying U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter has been in office too long, and while running against him would require giving up a career he loves, "I get a great feeling when I go home. Is Thomas Wolfe right? Can you go home again?"

April 14, 2008: Appearing on The Colbert Report, Matthews says, "Some kids want to be a fireman, I want to be a Senator."

August 5, 2008: A Quinnipiac University poll shows Matthews trailing Specter by only 5 points in a potential matchup, adding fuel to thought of his political viability.

August 12, 2008: U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) talks up Matthews' credentials for office at a YMCA event where Matthews had been scheduled to speak. Matthews would soon return the favor.

August 26, 2008: Matthews makes a surprise appearance at a Pennsylvania delegation breakfast during the Democratic National Convention in Denver, working the room as excited political insiders crowd around for a chance to shake the potential candidate's hand. He tells PolitickerPA.com he's not sure how or when he'll decide to run. "I don't have an answer; I haven't gone through that."

September 2, 2008: Matthews' brother, Republican Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews, tells PolitickerPA.com his brother is "25 percent" likely to dive into the race.

October 11, 2008: Riding on the Obama press bus through Philadelphia, Politico reports that Matthews makes time to schmooze with Gov. Ed Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter.

October 31, 2008: With Murtha on his show, Matthews gives his softest treatment yet to a Keystone State politician, not even once mentioning the brewing controversy surrounding Murtha's remarks that his district is "racist." The omission gives ammunition to critics who say Matthews is finessing local politicians on the air to garner later support for a Senate run.

November 6: Two days after Barack Obama is elected president, Matthews says he wants "to do everything I can to make this thing work, this new Presidency work....That's my job. My job is to help this country, to make this work successfully, because this country needs a successful Presidency, more than anything right now."

November 11, 2008: Yet another poll gives Matthews a shot against Specter, showing him trailing by 13 points but with a third of the electorate undecided.

November 24, 2008: Matthews meets with state Democratic chairman T.J. Rooney and the party's executive director Mary Isenhour to discuss a possible run. Rooney later says he's excited at the prospect.

November 26, 2008: Another Quinnipiac poll shows Matthews trailing Specter by 12 points.

November 28, 2008: FiveThirtyEight.com reports that Matthews is staffing up for a probable run against Specter, a report Matthews denies.

December 4, 2008: Politico reports that media watchdogs are increasingly critical of Matthews' flirtation with the Senate run while he's still on the air, and he's even advised to quit MSNBC. Meanwhile, a Rasmussen poll shows Matthews trailing Specter by only 3 points.

December 12, 2008: Matthews does not attend the annual Pennsylvania Society weekend gathering of political insiders, the first break in his momentum toward the Senate in months. His brother tells PolitickerPA.com that he didn't want to be the "peacock" in the room.

January 5, 2009: Jim Matthews tells PolitickerPA.com he would be "stunned beyond words" if his brother runs.

January 7, 2009: Matthews tells his Hardball staff he won't be entering the race.