The thought of Vermont democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders taking over the Democratic Party is terrifying many party leaders and influencers to the point that MSNBC's Chris Matthews thinks some secretly want President Donald Trump to win re-election so they can rid themselves of the so-called "Bernie Bro" wing of the party.

Matthews raised the possibility that moderate Democrats may be better off with Trump winning re-election during a live discussion in Las Vegas before the Nevada caucus.

"I'm wondering whether the Democratic moderates want Bernie Sanders to be president," Matthews told panelists who were visibly surprised by the suggestion.

Matthews added that while moderate Democrats may dislike Trump, it may preferable for him to win re-election rather than Sanders and his supporters seizing control of the DNC.

"They don't like Trump at all, but do they want Bernie Sanders to take over the Democratic Party in perpetuity? He sets the direction of the future of the party. Maybe they rather wait four years and put in a Democrat they like," Matthews said.

Moderates need to stop 'pandering' to Sanders

As TheBlaze's Chris Enloe has reported, Matthews has been highly critical of Sanders and Democratic Party leaders who have enabled his rise. During an interview following Tuesday's Democratic debate, the "Hardball" host blasted the Democratic primary field for "pandering" to the democratic socialist and his supporters.

"They're just pandering to the Bernie people and you know what pandering gets you? Nothing," he said. "It certainly doesn't get you respect.

According to Matthews, moderate Democrats must take a harder stance against Sanders and his ideology.

"They've got to get out there and say, 'I disagree with socialism. I believe in the markets. I think he's wrong. I think he'll never get it done and this country will never go that direction and by the way we'll lose 49 states,'" he said.

Bernie Sanders is 'walking away with it...there has to be some alternative'

The MSNBC host also noted that despite Democratic Party leaders being uneasy with Sanders' candidacy, the Vermont senator is in the driver's seat to win the nomination.

"This is going to be very frustrating for pundits very frustrating for media consultants and everyone who's trying to figure this out logically, Bernie Sanders is walking away with it. There has to be some alternative, or...he's gonna walk away with it... all the way to Milwaukee," he said.