Scarborough calls Palin pick "indefensible."

[CoffeeCat]

I thought this was stunning. He just said this ten minutes ago, on "Morning Joe" at about 8:40 cst.

Joe Scarborough just said that McCain picking Palin was "indefensible" due to
her lack of experience and McCain's lack of relationship with her.

He also said that she's "A Lifetime Movie."

Wow. When Scarborough turns on the Republicans--not a good sign.

(edited to add time frame)

[WA98296]

1. Last Friday, when they mentioned she could be it, he blew a fuse then.

So, he's being consistent at least.

[Epiphany4z]

2. hey I said

that lifetime line last week....wish I got paid to say like it joe does.

[DarthDem]

3. Wha?

I thought he and Mika were fawning over her just an hour or two ago, according to another thread.

[Brotherjohn]

7. They were. Well, Mika generally just agrees with what Joe says (although she stood up to him...

... yesterday with Chris Matthews on abortion, which was great to see).

I think Joe sees the writing on the wall, and reality pops out of his mouth every now and then (and he has to keep the "maverick" brand on himself for PR purposes). But he reflexively snaps back to blind Republiucan support every now and then. I'm sure he will say tomorrow morning that Sarah Palin "hit a grand slam" and put to rest any questions about who she is and her ability to lead.

[CoffeeCat]

12. I like Mika sometimes...

...but geez, there are times that she belongs up on Joe's shoulder like a parrot--because
she often sits there agreeing with Joe and saying nothing substantive.

You get this long string of, "Yes....exactly....oh yes....right...yup....I agree."

It's really irritating.

[Mike Daniels]

8. They were fawning over her this morning w/ Joe ripping into the media

I have a feeling that OP saw an old Friday-era quote from Joe.

[CoffeeCat]

18. No, he said it this morning...

Like you, I've been watching all morning--and getting irritated at both
Mika and Joe for ripping into the media and taking Palin's side.

However, when the discussion turned from the media/baby stuff--to Palin's
lack of experience and McCain's lack of relationship with her--Joe went off.

He even asked Sam Brownback, "Would you EVER pick someone to be your chief
of staff, that you only met once?" Joe really put the screws to him. Brownback
answered, "Well....I might."

Then Joe asked Brownback how long he knew his chief of staff and his answer was
that he knew him for many years.

Joe and Mika are very disgusted with the media. They both keep repeating that they
can't believe how the media glommed onto the "Is Trig Palin's baby" story and how
they went after Palin so aggressively. They've talked about how the media was "joyful"
about this story. They also mentioned that the blogs are pushing this story, and
Mika called it "something out of Desperate Housewives."

I find it extremely odd and bizarre that Mika dismisses this story outright. The story
about Trig possibly being her daughter's baby, is worth exploring. Yes, the claims
are extraordinary, but so were the claims made in the Watergate stories. I'd like to
know where Mika's outrage was when Kerry was being dragged through the mud?

The Palin baby story is worth exploring, because there ARE legitimate questions that
need to be explored and answered. Mika is acting as if she won't even allow her
brain to "go there" which I think is unprofessional and strange for a media member.

[napi21]

29. I never watch AM Joe, but that baby story IS right out of "Desperate

Housewives"! I watch THAT show all the time, and one of the ladies DID pretend to be pregnant when it was her unwed daughter who really was. She did it to save herself from the scandal.

[central scrutinizer]

35. "blogs are pushing the story" is a bad thing?

Well, it was certainly OK when the Swift Boat bloggers did it, wasn't it.

[CoffeeCat]

9. YES....

Mika and Joe run to her defense, because they feel that the media
is going bonkers over the "baby" story. They defend her when it comes
to that.

However, it appears that both of them feel that she is not the right pick.

Which I suppose makes sense. They feel that it's wrong to treat her unfairly,
but they don't think she's a solid or smart pick.

[DarthDem]

19. Ah, Okay

That actually makes sense. Thanks for clarifying. I would actually have a sneaking like for Scarborough, if it wasn't for his possible involvement in the death of Lori Klausutis.

[Mike Daniels]

39. I kind of agree with them on some elements re: the media

I think there are ways of approaching the daughter's baby without personally latching onto the specific family members.

Once could make the point (in a hopefully soon to be aired advert) that while Palin has allowed her daughter a choice in how to handle her pregnancy that she doesn't want anyone else's child to have a choice even if rape or incest is involved. Whether Palin's daughter really "had" a choice is moot and should be avoided in discussing the issue.

One can also attack Palin's stand on abstinence only sex ed by focusing on reports that say it doesn't work without specifically pointing at her daughter as a "what do you have to say know" example.


Personally, with Palin locked away it seemed pointless to bring up all the scandals prior to her official nomination and acceptance when the McCain camp could control her response.

I'm waiting to see what starts happening next week once Palin has to interact with the press and public in uncontrolled environments on a daily basis.

[Virginia Dare]

38. They must have been getting slammed with negative comments..

they were really over the top earlier in the show blaming the "angry left" and the media for Ms. Palin's problems.

[BeyondGeography]

4. Just now?

[City Lights]

5. He just said it now as in today?

I thought he was against her (last Friday) before he was for her (every day since Friday). :shrug:

on edit - thanks for clarifying. Color me shocked :wow: Wonder what's up if Joe is turning.

[CoffeeCat]

10. He just said it ten minutes ago...

...on "Morning Joe."

Right now, he's saying, "I would never pick a person I didn't know! How do you
pick a person that you don't even know?"

Clearly, he doesn't agree with this pick.

Apparently, Joe and Mika were upset with some media members, who they think
were going after her too aggressively with the baby stuff.

Joe just said that he does like her, and that she is exciting the base.

Geez Joe. Obviously, he has major misgivings about her being picked, but
likes some things about her.

[Orsino]

6. So how long before he starts defending it?

He will fall into line.

[CoffeeCat]

14. Joe was on Bill Maher...

...about six months ago, talking about the pressure on him.

He kinda blew up and during a heated moment said, "You have no idea the pressure
I'm under. I am constantly taken aside and told that I was too hard on this candidate
and not hard enough on this candidate."

He went off and talked about how the "higher ups" at MSNBC constantly monitor what they
say and are constantly on him and others.

My guess is that Joe is the token Republican mouthpiece on MSNBC. When he steps out of
that role, they let him know that he needs to get back into character. What else could
those MSNBC "higher ups" be bitching about? Joe is consistently an apologist for the GOP,
and they allow him to do that consistently. They don't have a problem with that. Obviously,
he was alluding to the fact, that they get on him when he doesn't toe that line.

He was upset when he made those comments on Maher, and it was obvious that he was disclosing
stuff that should have been kept quiet.

[CoffeeCat]

15. Joe was on Bill Maher...

...about six months ago, talking about the pressure on him.

He kinda blew up and during a heated moment said, "You have no idea the pressure
I'm under. I am constantly taken aside and told that I was too hard on this candidate
and not hard enough on this candidate."

He went off and talked about how the "higher ups" at MSNBC constantly monitor what they
say and are constantly on him and others.

My guess is that Joe is the token Republican mouthpiece on MSNBC. When he steps out of
that role, they let him know that he needs to get back into character. What else could
those MSNBC "higher ups" be bitching about? Joe is consistently an apologist for the GOP,
and they allow him to do that consistently. They don't have a problem with that. Obviously,
he was alluding to the fact, that they get on him when he doesn't toe that line.

He was upset when he made those comments on Maher, and it was obvious that he was disclosing
stuff that should have been kept quiet.

[Libby2]

11. Whoa!! He did??

[OneGrassRoot]

13. I happened to be watching around that same time...

and he also said something to the effect that criticism of Obama is now officially off the table because of the Palin pick.

[Liberalynn]

16. He was just defending her and her daughter yesterday on a clip i saw on MSNBC's site.

He said the press covered up for Al Gore's son, yeah right, how is reporting it, covering it up? He also said that he knew something about another Democractic kid, that got covered up, that he wouldn't report, yeah right, he was pulling that out of his arse. So he said the Repukes deserved the same courtesy of having their kids off limits, since the press never said anything negative about a Democractic kid. What the hell planet is Joe living on?

"Its not the pregnancy its the hypocrisy stupid"


Boy those Repukes flip faster than well Flipper the dolphin. lol

Man, Scarborough sucks. I wish someone else had got that spot in the A.M.

[tomnjoy]

17. Shocker, huh??

Yeah, I get the feeling that he thinks she's interesting and excites the base, but he thinks it was irresponsible and ridiculous of McCain to pick her, especially without knowing her at all.

I got a kick out of Chris Matthews - he was agreeing that it was a shocking pick. His brother was there, too, and he disagreed - he thought she was a great pick. He compared it to the Vikings and said that you don't focus on the back-up quarterback and Chris answered with "If your quarterback was 72 years old, you'd be focusing on your back-up!" Ha,ha,ha! :spray:

[JBoy]

33. *snort*

[NotThisTime]

20. He did not! Seriously?

[Iris]

21. "Lifetime Movie" - best line yet!

[NotThisTime]

22. Erratic at best - one minute defend her, one minute bash her, WTH??

[Alter Ego]

23. The Scar turned on his GOP handlers?

Wow.

[CoffeeCat]

25. Actually, I think many GOPers are pissed about...

...Palin being the pick.

It sounds like major stalwarts in the party--including Romney and Pawlenty--are very
ticked off about this pick.

Really, Joe isn't bucking the party with his comments, because I bet anything there
are many in the party who do not support this pick at all. They aren't going to come
forward--because they can't sink McCain and help Obama get elected.

Can you imagine the behind-the-scenes discussions??? I bet so many Republicans are
incredibly unhappy with this choice.

Yes, the fundie-base is excited--but they are a 20 percent faction inside the party
that must be appeased. The fundie base isn't where the Republican powerbrokers are
found.

...and I bet most of those powerbrokers are very unhappy with Palin.

[RichGirl]

24. Joe must be reading DU.

I said she was a Lifetime Movie two days ago.

I kind of feel sorry for the intelligent, professional republicans. For eight years they have been associated with the loony Christian right, now it's rednecks who'll vote for someone because they make mooseburgers. They are the ones that should be screaming ENOUGH! Maybe that's what Joe is doing.

[spanone]

26. he also said earlier that if she 'hit it out of the park' tonight, she's the future of the pug party

[Mike Daniels]

42. Not to defend Joe much but he's right on that

She will be the future of the Republican Party.

And I say that works perfect for the Democratic party. Let the Repuplican party attach itself to a woman who holds extremist views on "choice" issues, wants creationism taught in public schools, is against women making equal pay for equal work, who in on record as thinking the Iraq war was "God's" design.

From what I've heard, her speech is going to be limited to platitudes and the standard "POW, Iraq, taxes, drilling issues". They aren't going to let her off the leash on this speech but they won't be able to handle her 24/7 once next week rolls around.

The primaries and conventions are about the base. Everything after is about getting that "middle". Eventually, she's going to be asked about these issues on the stump and there's enough on file that she's not going to be able dodge her past responses.

Let her be the future of the Republican party. I have enough hope at this point that they'll live to regret it by November.

[ErinBerin84]

27. I turned it on when I saw this thread

and Barnicle was saying (about Palin's executive experience) "No offense, but the type of executive experience that she has is getting someone an ice fishing permit"(!)

And Tucker was trying to talk about how the base is excited, and Mark Whitaker said "But you know what, the truth is, that we are just finding out about her now. Even the Republican party doesn't really know that much about her."


And Joe said that the surrogates from the McCain campaign were on a "blind date" with Sarah Palin.

[No Elephants]

28. Joe will vote Republican anyway, though. And he will pimp John boy.

[realitythink]

30. The guy is shameless

Tomorrow morning he'll be singing a whole different tune. I'll bet you'll see him praising her speech and saying maybe we all underestimated the genius of McCain. It's how these guys set things up. Lower the expectations and then build up to where you can fool the suckers.

[WCGreen]

31. Hey he stole my lifetime quip....

Fuckin' bastard...

[Bad Thoughts]

32. He said it when most people are on the way to work (eastern and central time zones)?

This morning he was all aglow in the convention and how dems don't get it and how reps were standing up for the average guy. He's a tool if he can't speak when people are actually watching

[bushisanidiot]

34. Oh don't worry.. he's setting it up to be "impressed" with her after her

little speech tonight. They are working on setting the bar really low for her just as they did with AWOL Bush. Scarborough will be smiling and blushing about how magnificant her speech was.. he's probably already writing his review of it now.

[Mike Daniels]

43. Why are they lowering expectations? After all she more "qualified" than Biden or Obama.

If she's more qualified than Barack or Joe Biden to be president then why don't they expect the same standards they would have applied to the Dem convention speeches?

Seems inconsistent if you ask me. But, then again that seems to be the name of the game for the media.

[vaberella]

36. She is a lifetime movie, or at the very least an After School Special. n/t

[justiceischeap]

37. He said on MSNBC last night that today's Repug party is not a repug party

He said ten years ago he was based for being too conservative and now he's being bashed by the same people as being too liberal. He said the funny thing was, he hasn't changed any of his views, it's just that the Repug party has changed that much in ten years (basically moved more to the right).

Edited to add:

I wouldn't be surprised if he DIDN'T vote for McShame.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

40. On Joe's show today, Tucker Carlson repeatedly said Palin was NOT anti-gay

There is a barrage of statements out there right now by Republicans who claim that Palin supports gay rights. She has released a statement saying that many of her friends are gay.

But here's what Sarah Palin stated in her 2006 run for Governor of Alaska in response to questions posed to her by the Eagle Forum:

"...10. Do you support the Alaska Supreme Court’s ruling that spousal benefits for state employees should be given to same-sex couples? Why or why not?

No, I believe spousal benefits are reserved for married citizens as defined in our constitution. ..."

She has also previously stated that she would support an amendment to ban gay marriage. Also, she's opposed hate crimes legislation in her own state.

I don't know but I'm continually outraged at how deceptive this creature Tucker Carlson is. He lies like he breathes. How is it that someone who lies each and every minute he's in front of the camera can be allowed on a show? Pat Buchanan tells you what he thinks and seemingly doesn't care whether you like it or not. Tucker Carlson simply makes a living out of twisting and bending the truth at every opportunity.

[leftynyc]

46. What a ignorant piece of fluff

"spousal benefits as defined by our constitution". Someone please ask her to find that part for me. I seem to have missed it. And this was the woman who was supposed to pick up Hillary's supporters?

[codjh9]

41. No, that IS a good sign when he turns on 'em!

[skooooo]

44. Imus called the whole Palin thing a "trainwreck." nt

[Douglas Carpenter]

45. my brother who is a corporate lawyer - he is a Democrat but works with lot of Republicans

told me that they all know (the rightwing lawyers and professionals he works with) the selection of Palin is at the very least a huge mistake if not batshit CRAZY. It's just too obvious.