MediaVideoRachel MaddowChris Matthews

Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow Spar Over State Of The Union, Immigration Proposal

WATCH: Matthews, Maddow Spar Over State Of The Union

Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow did not agree in their assessment of President Obama's comments on immigration during the State of the Union on Tuesday.

After Obama's address, Matthews ticked off the things he liked about the speech — but came down on the president's immigration proposal.

"I don’t know if he closed any deal on immigration tonight," Matthews said. "I think that's going to be his biggest issue this year. He didn't talk about enforcement. He didn't talk about what he needs in terms of teeth to actually make the law work. The reason we have an immigration problem right now is that we have had illegal immigration all these years. There’s nothing in his proposal to stop it."

Maddow countered that Obama had talked about border security, but Matthews said that he has "never believed in" that approach. He argued that real solution lies in "some way of stopping illegal hiring."

"[Obama] never even mentioned it," Matthews criticized. "It's the reason people come here and he never mentioned it and I don't think he'll ever get a deal until we deal with illegal hiring."

Maddow argued that illegal immigration has actually been on the decline. "The president is a president who is presiding over net negative illegal immigration because the economy has been so soft we have not been attracting people," she said.

"Having recessions on a regular basis is not a solution to illegal immigration,” he responded. “And I don’t think you make a deal unless you make an offer, and I don’t think he made an offer to the Republicans on immigration."

Maddow noted that there were some Republicans in the audience who applauded during Obama's talk of immigration, but Matthews wasn't buying it. "They're on television," he said.

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State Of The Union 2013
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President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Vice President Joe Biden applauds as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio sits at right. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, gestures as he gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Carolyn Murray wipes her eye as she holds a photo of her son Justin during President Barack Obama' State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. Murray was shot and killed in Evanston, Ill. Nov. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio listens at right as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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First lady Michelle Obama is applauded before President Barck Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. Front row, from left are, Sgt. Sheena Adms, Nathaniel Pendleton, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, Mrs, Obama, Menchu de Luna Sanchez and Jill Biden. Second row, third from left are, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, Deb Carey and Apple CEO Tim Cook Amanda McMillian, Lt. Brian Murphy, (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, gestures as he gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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First lady Michelle Obama stands with Cleopatra Cowley-Pendelton before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, gestures as State of the Union address during a jointhe gives his session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Secretary of State John Kerry applauds as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. Vice President Joe Biden is at left, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio is second from right. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Ted Nugent listens during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama gestures while giving his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly watch President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama gestures as he gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama gestures as he gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. applauds during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio applaud during the president's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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House Budget Committee Chairman Rep.Paul Ryan, R-Wis. applauds during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama waves and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio applauds after the president gave his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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First lady Michelle Obama is applauded before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. Front row, from left are, Nathaniel Pendleton, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, Mrs. Obama, Menchu Sanchez and Jill Biden. Second row, from left are, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber, Deb Carey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amanda McMillan, Lt. Brian Murphy and Marie Lopez Rogers. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama shakes hands as he leaves after giving his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama greets outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta after the president gave his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama is greeted by Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., second from left, Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., right, before giving his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama has lipstick wiped from his face as he arrive to give his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama is greeted after giving his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. greets President Barack Obama after the president gave his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama leaves after giving his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
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Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., left, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. arrive on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington. (credit:AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)
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From left, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. sit on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress . (credit:AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)
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Vice President Joe Biden talks with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (credit:AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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President Barack Obama gestures toward Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio before giving his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool) (credit:AP)
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Desiline Victor, 102, of Miami is applauded by White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, right, and others, during President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
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Vice President Joe Biden, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., left, Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee, D-Texas, right, and others arrive on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2103, for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress. (credit:AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)
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Secretary of State John Kerry, right, greets Sen.Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., center, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, before President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. arrives for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 12: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) waves before giving his State of the Union address as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) look on during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill on February 12, 2013 in Washington, D.C. Facing a divided Congress, Obama is expected to focus his speech on new initiatives designed to stimulate the U.S. economy. (Photo by Charles Dharapak-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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Ted Nuggent awaits the start of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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Apple CEO Tim Cook sits as a guest of first lady Michelle Obama prior to the start of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress, Tuesday, Feb.12, 2013, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. arrives for President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of Calif., left, and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va. listen as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (credit:AP)
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Desiline Victor, 102, of Miami, awaits the start of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (credit:AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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President Barack Obama is applauded as he gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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Reporters listen and work as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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First lady Michelle Obama, front row, center, and other, listen as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. Front row, from left are, Sgt. Sheena Adams, Nathanial Pendleton, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, Mrs. Obama, Menchu Sanchez, Jill Biden, Kaitlin Roif and Alan Aleman.Second row, from from left are, Deb Carey, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amanda McMillan, Lt. Brian Murphy, Marie Lopez Rogers and Bradley Henning. Third row, third from left are,Tracey Hepner, Haile Thomas, Lee Maxwell, Sgt. Carlos Evand and White House seniot adviser Valerie Jarrett, (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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Ted Nugents listens as President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
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President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (credit:AP)
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